# verses

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But some of those from the sect of the Pharisees rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."


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And after much dispute, Peter arose and said to them: "Men, brothers, you know that from early days God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.


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And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as also [He did] to us,


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Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?


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But through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we believe that we will be saved in the same manner as they."


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Then all the multitude stopped speaking and listened to Barnabas and Paul telling as many signs and wonders as God had done among the Gentiles through them.


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"After this I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen; and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,


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in order that the rest of men may seek out the LORD, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the LORD who does all these things.'


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Therefore I judge that we must not cause trouble for those who are turning to God from [among] the Gentiles;


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but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and [from] blood.


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"For Moses has had from ancient generations those who proclaim him in each city, being read in the synagogues from one Sabbath to another."


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Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men being chosen from them to Antioch, together with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.


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Writing by their hand these things: The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia who are of the Gentiles: Greetings.


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Inasmuch as we have heard that some went out from among us and troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'that you must be circumcised and keep the law'-to whom we gave no [such] command-


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it seemed best to us, having come to be of the same mind, to send men being chosen to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,


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For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put on you no greater burden except for these necessary things:


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that you abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood, and from [anything] strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves back, you will do well. Farewell.


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Then having been dismissed, they came to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.


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Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.


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But Paul and Barnabas spent time in Antioch, teaching and preaching the good news of the word of the Lord, with many others also.


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Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return now and visit our brothers in each city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing."


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But Paul considered it fitting not to take along with them the one who withdrew from them in Pamphylia, and who had not gone together with them to the work.


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Therefore a sharp disagreement arose so that they were separated from one another. And Barnabas, taking along Mark, sailed to Cyprus.


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Now he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek,


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Paul wanted [Timothy] to accompany him, and taking him, he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek.


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And as they were going through the cities, they were delivering to them the decrees to keep, which had been decided by the apostles and the elders at Jerusalem.


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Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the Galatian region, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia,


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And a vision appeared during the night to Paul. A certain man of Macedonia was standing, urging him, and saying, "Come across to Macedonia and help us."


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Now when he saw the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.


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Therefore, putting to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,


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and from there to Philippi, which is chief of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were spending some days in that very city.


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And on the Sabbath day we went outside the city beside a river, where prayer was customarily made; and having sat down we spoke to the women who assembled together [there].


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And a certain woman named Lydia, a dealer of purple cloth of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened to give heed to the things spoken by Paul.


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And when she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay."So she persuaded us.


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Now it came to pass, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl, having a spirit of Python, met us, who brought much profit to her masters by fortune telling.


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This girl, following after Paul and us, was crying out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation."


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And this she did for many days. But Paul, being greatly annoyed and turning around, said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her."And he came out in that very hour.


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And when her masters saw that the hope of their profit was gone, they took Paul and Silas, and dragged [them] to the marketplace to the rulers.


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and they are proclaiming customs which are not lawful for us to receive or to do, since we are Romans."


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And the crowd rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore their clothes and ordered [men] to beat [them] with rods.


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And when they laid many strokes on them, they cast them into prison, commanding the prison keeper to keep them securely;


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who, having received such a command, cast them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.


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Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.


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And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were loosed.


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And becoming awake, the prison keeper, seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing a sword, he was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have escaped.


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And taking them along in that same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he and all his family were baptized.


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And bringing them up into his house, he set a meal before them; and he rejoiced with his whole house, having believed in God.


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And the prison keeper announced these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent so that you may be released. Now therefore depart, and go in peace."


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But Paul said to them, "They beat us publicly, although we were uncondemned Romans, and they cast [us] into prison, and now do they cast us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and lead us out."


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And the officers related to the magistrates these words, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.


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And coming out from the prison, they entered into [the house of] Lydia; and seeing the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.


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Now traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.


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And according to Paul's custom, he went in to them, and for three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,


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interpreting and pointing out that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to arise from the dead, and [saying ]that "This is the Christ, Jesus, whom I proclaim to you."


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And some of them were persuaded and were joined with Paul and Silas, both of the devout Greeks, a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.


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And the Jews who did not believe [ ]took some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, [they ]threw the city into disorder, and came upon the house of Jason, and sought to bring them to the people.


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But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers to the rulers of the city, crying out, "The men who have upset the whole world, these have come here, too;


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whom Jason has received; and these all practice contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king-Jesus."


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Then the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away during the night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.


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And these were more noble-minded than[ ]those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all readiness, each day examining the Scriptures [to see ]whether these things might be so.


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But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul in Berea, they came there also, agitating the crowds.


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Then immediately the brothers sent Paul away, to go toward the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.


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And those conducting Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy, that as quickly as possible they should come to him, they departed.


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And in Athens, while Paul waited for them, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was full of idols.


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Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the [Gentile] worshippers, and in the marketplace daily with those coming by.


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And also some of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. And some were saying, "What does this seed-picker wish to say?"But others [said], "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign deities,"because he was preaching the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.


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And taking hold of him, they brought [him] to the Areopagus, saying, "Are we able to know what this new doctrine is you speak about?


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For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we desire to know what these things might mean."


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Now all the Athenians and the strangers staying there as visitors spent their time in nothing other than to say or to hear some new thing.


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Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men, Athenians, according to all things I perceive you as [being ]very religious;


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for as I passed by and considered the objects of your worship, I found also an altar on which it had been inscribed: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, [Him] whom being ignorant of you worship, this [One] I announce to you:


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The God who made the world and all the things in it, Him being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by human hands,


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nor by the hands of men is He served, as though He needed anything, for He gives to all life, and breath, with respect to all things.


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And He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, and He ordained their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,


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[in order for them ]to seek the Lord, if perhaps indeed they might grope for Him and find [Him], and yet being indeed not far from each one of us;


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for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'


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"Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the Godhead is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and the imagination of man.


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because He has appointed a day in which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by [the] Man whom He has appointed, having given proof to all, by raising Him from the dead."


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But when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some were scoffing, but others said, "We will hear you again concerning this."


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However, some men were joined to him and believed, among whom were also Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.


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And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with Priscilla his wife (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome); he came to them,


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and because he was of the same trade, he remained with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.


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Now when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.


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But because they were opposing and blaspheming, he shook off his clothes and said to them, "Your blood [be] on your [own ]heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."


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And having gone over from there, he went into the house of a certain [man] named Justus, who worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.


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And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, were believing and were being baptized.


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Now the Lord spoke to Paul by a vision in the night, [saying], "Do not fear, but speak, and do not keep silent;


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Now while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one purpose rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,


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And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If then it was some misdeed or wicked crime, O Jews, according to reason I would bear with you.


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But if it is a question about a word and names and your own law, see [to it] yourselves; for I do not wish to be a judge of these things."


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Then all the Greeks, taking hold of Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue, were beating him before the judgment seat. And none of these things was a concern to Gallio.


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Now Paul still remained there a good while, then bid farewell to the brothers, and sailed away for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off in Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.


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And he arrived in Ephesus, and he left those [two] there; but he, having entered into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews.


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but bid farewell to them saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast which is in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing."And he put out to sea from Ephesus.


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And having gone down to Caesarea, and having gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.


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After having spent some time there, he went out, going through in order the Galatian region and the Phrygian [region], strengthening all the disciples.


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Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, had arrived in Ephesus.


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This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things about the Lord, although he knew only the baptism of John.


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And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. And when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.


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And when he desired to go across to Achaia, having urged him on, the brothers wrote to the disciples [there] to receive him; and when he arrived, he assisted greatly with those who had believed through grace;


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for he was powerfully refuting the Jews publicly, demonstrating by the Scriptures [that] Jesus was the Messiah.


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And it came about, while Apollos was in Corinth, that Paul, having gone through the interior regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples


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[he] said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit, having believed?"So they said to him, "We have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."


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But Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Christ Jesus."


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And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.


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And he entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, debating and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.


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But when some became hardened and disbelieving, speaking evil against the Way before the multitude, he withdrew from them and separated the disciples, each day debating in the school of a certain Tyrannus.


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Now this took place for two years, so that all who were dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.


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so that even handkerchiefs or aprons from his skin were brought to those who were sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out from them.


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Then some of the wandering Jews, exorcists, attempted to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those having the evil spirits, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."


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Then the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped upon them, and having subdued them, prevailed against them, so that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.


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Now this became known to all both Jews and Greeks who were dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and they were praising the name of the Lord Jesus.


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And many of those who were practicing magic brought together their books and burned them up before everyone. And they counted up the prices of them, and [found it to be] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver.


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When these things were fulfilled, Paul resolved in his spirit, having gone through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."


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And having sent to Macedonia two of those who were ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed on for a time in Asia.


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For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, providing no little trade [for] the craftsmen,


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whom he gathered, with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know out of this trade is our prosperity.


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And you observe and hear that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great multitude, saying that they are not gods which are made by human hands.


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And not only is this business of ours in danger to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and also her magnificence, about to be destroyed, she whom all Asia and the world worship."


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And hearing [this], and becoming full of anger, they were crying out saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"


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And the whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one purpose into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul.


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And also some of the officials of Asia, being friends with him, sent word to him and urged him not to present himself in the theater.


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Then others were calling out something different, for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.


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And from the crowd they brought forward Alexander, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and desired to make a defense to the people.


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But recognizing he was a Jew, there arose one voice from [them ]all, calling out for two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"


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And having quieted the crowd, the city clerk said: "Men of Ephesus, for what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the [image ]fallen from heaven?


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Therefore, since these things are undeniable, it is necessary for you to be quieted and to do nothing rash.


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Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a word against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.


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But if you are wanting to know anything about other [matters], it shall be determined by the lawful assembly.


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For we also are in danger of being accused of insurrection concerning today, there being no cause for which we will be able to give, [as ]an explanation for this commotion.


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Now after the disturbance had ceased, Paul, summoning the disciples and greeting them, went away to go to Macedonia.


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and spent three months [there]. And as a plot by the Jews developed against him, as he was to put to sea for Syria, a decision came about to return through Macedonia.


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And Sopater, a Berean, was accompanying him to Asia-also Aristarchus of the Thessalonians, and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus, [the] Asians.


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And we sailed away after the Days of Unleavened Bread, from Philippi, and we came to them in Troas within five days, where we spent seven days.


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Now on the first [day] of the week, the disciples being assembled to break bread, Paul was discussing with them, being about to leave on the next day, and extended his message until midnight.


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And a certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, being overwhelmed by a deep sleep. While Paul was speaking for a while longer, having been overwhelmed by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.


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But Paul, going down, fell upon him, and embracing him said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him."


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And going up and breaking bread and eating, and talking for a considerable time, until daybreak, thus he departed.


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Now we, having gone ahead on the ship, put to sea for Assos, from there intending to take Paul on board; for thus it had been arranged, since he intended to go on foot.


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And having sailing away from there, on the next day we arrived opposite Chios. The following day we approached to Samos and remained in Trogyllium. The following day we came to Miletus.


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For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, in order that it might not happen to him to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying, if it was possible for him to be in Jerusalem [on] the Day of Pentecost.


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And when they were present with him, he said to them: "You know from the first day which I arrived in Asia, how I was with you the whole time,


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serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears and trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;


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how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but declared it to you, teaching you publicly and from house to house,


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solemnly bearing witness to both Jews and to Greeks, the repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.


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And now behold, I, having been bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,


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except that the Holy Spirit in every city is solemnly bearing witness, saying that bonds and tribulations are waiting for me.


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But I count myself as nothing; nor do I regard my life as valuable to myself, so that I may complete my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear solemn testimony to the gospel of the grace of God.


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And now behold, now I know that you all, among whom I have passed through preaching the kingdom of God, will no longer see my face.


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Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit placed you [as ]overseers, to shepherd the church of the Lord, and of God, which He purchased with His own blood.


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Also from among you yourselves will arise men speaking things having been distorted, [in order] to draw away the disciples after them.


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Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years, night and day I did not cease, with tears, exhorting each one.


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So for the present, I entrust you, brothers, to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified.


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By all things I have shown you, that thus laboring it is necessary to help [those] being weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "


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feeling pain most of all for the words which he said, that they were about to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.


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Now when it came to pass that we had put to sea, having withdrawn from them, running a straight course we came to Cos, and on the next [day] to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.


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When we had sighted Cyprus, and had left it behind [on the ]left, we sailed to Syria, and put in to harbor in Tyre, for the ship was unloading its cargo.


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And having discovered disciples, we stayed there seven days. They said to Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.


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But when it came about that we had completed the days [there], having gone out we departed, all [of them] accompanying us, together with [their ]wives and children, until [we were] outside the city. And having bowed [our] knees on the shore, we prayed.


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And completing our voyage from Tyre, we arrived in Ptolemais, and having greeted the brothers, we stayed one day with them.


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On the next day those accompanying Paul went forth and came to Caesarea, and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.


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And coming to us and taking Paul's belt, and binding his feet and hands, he said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, ' The man whose belt this is, the Jews will bind in this way in Jerusalem, and they will deliver [him] into the hands of the Gentiles.' "


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Now when we heard these things, both we and the local residents urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.


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Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus."


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Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Cypriot named Mnason, a long-standing disciple, with whom we would stay as a guest.


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And having greeted them, he reported one by one those[ ]things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.


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And hearing this, they were glorifying the Lord, saying to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;


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and they have been informed about you, that you are teaching defection from Moses, to all the Jews who are among the Gentiles, saying for them not to circumcise their children nor to walk in our customs.


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Therefore do this, which we say to you: There[ ]are four men with us who have taken a vow upon themselves.


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Take them and purify yourself with them, and pay for them that they may have their head shaved, and that all may know that those things of which they have been informed about you are nothing, but [that] you are agreeing with and keeping the law yourself.


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But as for the Gentile believers, we wrote, having judged that they should keep no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, and [from anything] strangled, and from fornication."


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Then Paul, having taken the men, on the next day having been purified with them, entered into the temple, [thus] giving notice to the completion of the days of the purification, until [the time] when the offering was offered in behalf of each one of them.


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Now when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, were stirring up all the crowd and put their hands on him,


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crying out, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who is teaching all [people] everywhere against the people and the Law and this place; and furthermore he has brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place."


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For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.


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And all the city was aroused; and there was a mob forming among the people, and taking hold of Paul they were dragging him outside the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.


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And seeking to kill him, a report went up to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem had been stirred up,


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who immediately having taken along soldiers and centurions, ran down among them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.


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And the commander, approaching, took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he was inquiring who he might be and what he had done.


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But others among the crowd were crying out one thing and some another; and because he was unable to ascertain the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.


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But when he arrived at the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd.


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Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, "Is it permitted from me to speak to you?"And he said, "Do you know Greek?


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Are you not then the Egyptian who rose up before these days, and led forth the four thousand men of the assassins into the wilderness?"


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But Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city; and I request of you, permit me to speak to the people."


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And permitting him, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying,


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And hearing that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they granted [him ]more silence. And he said:


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"I am indeed a Jew, having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been educated according to the exactness of the law of our forefathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.


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as also the high priest testifies of me, along with the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brothers, and went to Damascus in order to bring those who were there, having been bound, to Jerusalem, that they might be punished.


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Now it happened, as I was going and approaching Damascus, about midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone about me.


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"So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.'


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"And those who were with me observed the light and became terrified, but they did not hear the voice of the [One] speaking to me.


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So I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go into Damascus, and it will be told to you about all the[ ]things which it has been appointed for you to do.'


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"And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by those who were with me, I came into Damascus.


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And Ananias, a certain devout man according to the law, being testified of by all the Jews dwelling in Damascus,


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came to me and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul, see again.' And I, in that very hour, looked up at him.


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And he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and hear the voice from His mouth.


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And now, what are you going to do? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'


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"And it happened to me, having returned to Jerusalem and praying in the temple, that I came to be in a trance,


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and saw Him saying to me, 'Hurry and go out quickly from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your witness about Me.'


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"And I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I was imprisoning and beating those believing on You.


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And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by consenting to his murder, and guarding the clothes of those murdering him.'


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Now they were listening to him until this statement, and they lifted their voice saying, "Take away such a [man] from the earth, for it is not fitting [for] him to live!"


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the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said for him that he should be given a hearing with scourging, so that he might learn why they were crying thus against him.


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But as they were stretching him out with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?"


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And the centurion, hearing this, going to the commander he reported, saying, "Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman."


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And the commander answered, "I acquired this citizenship with much money."And Paul said, "But I was born [a citizen]."


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Then immediately those who were about to interrogate him withdrew from him; and even the commander was afraid, having learned he was a Roman, and that he had bound him.


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Now on the next day, desiring to know the truth [as to] why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from the bonds, and ordered the chief priests and their whole council to come, and brought Paul down and presented [him] to them.


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Then Paul, looking intently at the council, said, "Men, brothers, I have lived with all good conscience toward God until this day."


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Then Paul said to him, "God is about to strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit judging me according to the law, and contrary to the law do you command that I should be struck?"


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Then Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he is the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak wickedly of a ruler of your people.' "


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But when Paul perceived that one part was of the Sadducees and the other of the Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, "Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"


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And when he had spoken this, there came to be a dispute between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.


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For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection-nor angel nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.


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And there came to be a great outcry, and the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God."


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And when much dissension developed, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be torn apart by them, commanded the detachment of soldiers to go down and seize him from the midst of them, and to bring [him] into the barracks.


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Now on the next night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, Paul; for as you solemnly testified about the things concerning Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."


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Now when it was day, some of the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by a curse, saying neither would they eat nor drink until they would kill Paul.


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who came to the chief priests and to the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves by oath with a curse to taste nothing until we kill Paul.


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Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you are going to determine more accurately the things concerning him; but we, before he comes near, are prepared to kill him."


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But when Paul's sister's son heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks, and told [this] to Paul.


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And Paul, summoning one of the centurions and said, "Lead this young man away to the commander, for he has something to tell him."


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Therefore taking him along, he brought him to the commander and said, "The prisoner Paul, having summoned me, asked me to bring this young man to you, for he has something to say to you."


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And the commander, taking him by his hand, withdrew to a private place and inquired, "What is it that you have to tell me?"


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And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask that tomorrow you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin, as though they are going to learn something more accurate concerning him.


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Therefore you [must] not be persuaded by them; for more than four hundred of them are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves by a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they kill him; and now they are prepared, waiting for the promise from you."


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Then the commander dismissed the young man, and commanded him, "Tell no one that you have made known these things to me."


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And having summoned two of the centurions he said, "Make ready two hundred soldiers, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, in order that they may go to Caesarea, to leave at the third hour of the night;


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and place mounts at [their] disposal, in order that they may put Paul on them, and bring him safely to Felix the governor."


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This man, having been arrested by the Jews, was about to be killed by them. I came upon [them] with the detachment of soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman.


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and I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, [but] had no accusation [against him] worthy of death or chains.


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And when it became known to me that a plot against the man by the Jews was about to happen, I sent him at once to you, and also commanded the accusers to state the charges against him before you. Farewell.


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Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris.


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When they entered into Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, [they] also presented Paul to him.


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And when the governor read the letter, he asked what province he was from. And learning that he was from Cilicia,


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he said, "I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive."And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's Praetorium.


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Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain attorney named Tertullus, who made known to the governor the charges against Paul.


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And when he had been called, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying: "Attaining much peace by you and successes coming about for this nation by your foresight,


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For [we] have found this man [to ]be a plague, and [one] causing discord among all the Jews throughout the world, and a leader of the Nazarenes sect,


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from whom you will be able, having judged [him] yourself, to learn about all these things of which we are accusing him."


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But Paul answered (the governor, having nodded for him to speak): "Knowing that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, the more cheerfully I defend the things concerning myself,


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because you being able to know that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.


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And they did not find me with anyone in the temple disputing, or inciting a crowd to rise up, neither in the synagogues nor in the city.


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But I confess this to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing in all things which are written throughout the Law and in the Prophets,


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having hope in God, which even they themselves are waiting for, that there is going to be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.


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And in this I myself am engaging, having a conscience blameless toward God and men through everything.


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among whom some Jews from Asia found me, having been purified in the temple, not with a crowd nor with turmoil,


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unless it is because of this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you today.' "


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And when he heard these things, Felix adjourned them, knowing more accurately the things[ ]concerning the Way, and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."


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And ordering the centurion to keep watch over Paul and to let him have some liberty, and not to forbid [any] of his own to serve or to come to him.


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Now after some days, when Felix arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.


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And as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment which is going to be, Felix became afraid and answered, "Go away for now; but when I have opportunity I will summon you."


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Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore sending for him more often, he was conversing with him.


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But after two years had passed, Felix received Porcius Festus as his successor; and Felix, desiring to grant favors to the Jews, left Paul in prison.


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Now when Festus had set foot in the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Ceasarea.


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And the high priest and the prominent men of the Jews made known to him the case against Paul; and they were appealing to him,


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asking for favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem-while planning an ambush to kill him along the way.


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But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he was about to go there shortly.


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"Therefore,"he said, "the prominent men among you, let them go with me and accuse this man, if there is anything in this man."


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And when he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought.


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When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious accusations against Paul, which they were not able to prove,


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while he defended himself, [saying,] "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar did I commit any sin."


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But Festus, desiring to grant a favor to the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?"


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But Paul said, "I am standing before the judicial bench of Caesar, by whom it is necessary [for] me to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as also you know very well.


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For if I am doing wrong, and have done anything worthy of death, I am not trying to escape a death sentence; but if there is nothing in these things of which these [people] are accusing me, no one is able to deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar."


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Then Festus, having talked together with the council, answered, "Have you appealed to Caesar? Before Caesar you shall go!"


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And as he was spending many days there, Festus laid before the king the charges against Paul, saying: "There is a certain man who was left a prisoner by Felix,


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about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for punishment against him.


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To them I answered, 'It is not a custom with Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the [one] being accused may meet his accusers face to face, and may receive an opportunity for defense concerning the charge.'


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"Therefore when they had assembled here, having made no delay, on the next day I took my seat at the judicial bench, and I commanded the man to be brought [in];


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concerning whom, when the accusers stood, they brought no accusation of the[ ]things which I was supposing,


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but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be living.


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And being uncertain [as to] the investigation concerning this, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these charges.


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But when Paul appealed that he be kept for the decision of His Majesty the Emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I may send him to Caesar."


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Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I also was wishing to hear the man myself.""Tomorrow,"he said, "you shall hear him."


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Therefore on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with all pomp, and had entered into the auditorium together with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, and when Festus had commanded, Paul was brought.


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And Festus said: "King Agrippa and all the men who are with us, observe this man about whom the people of the Jews petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying against [him] that it is not fitting [for] him to live any longer.


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But when I came to understand him to have done nothing worthy of death, and also he had appealed to His Majesty the Emperor, I decided to send him.


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About whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you, and especially before you King Agrippa, in order that when this hearing is finished I may have something to write.


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Then Agrippa said to Paul, "It is permitted for you to speak for yourself."So Paul, having extended his hand, spoke in his own defense:


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I have considered myself fortunate, King Agrippa, being able to speak in my own defense today, concerning all the things of which I am accused of by the Jews,


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especially since you are well versed both in all the customs and questions in relation to the Jews; therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.


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Therefore my way of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews know,


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since they have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.


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And now for the hope of the promise having been made by God to the fathers, I stand before you judged,


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[a promise] to which our twelve tribes, as they earnestly serve God night and day, hope to attain. Concerning which hope I am accused by [the] Jews, King Agrippa.


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Therefore I thought in myself that it was necessary to do many hostile things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene;


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which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were being put to death, I cast my vote against them.


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And I punished them often in all the synagogues, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even as far as to foreign cities.


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"In which [pursuits] also, as I traveled to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,


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at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.


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And when we all had fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'


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But arise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both [of the things] which you have seen, and [of the things] which I will yet reveal to you,


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to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, [in order for ]them to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'


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but to those first in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, proclaiming that they must repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.


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Therefore, having obtained help from God, until this day I stand, witnessing both to common [people] and great [people], saying nothing except the things which both the prophets and Moses spoke of as being about to happen,


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that the Christ was to suffer, that as the first to rise from the dead, He was about to proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."


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Now as he spoke these things, Festus said with a loud voice, "You are mad, Paul! Your higher learning is driving you to madness!"


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For the king knows about these things, to whom also I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things escapes his notice, since this thing was not done in a corner.


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And Paul said, "I would pray to God, both in a short time and a long time, not only you, but also all who are hearing me today, would become such as I am, except for these chains."


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When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those sitting together with them;


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and when they withdrew, they were speaking among themselves, saying, "This man practices nothing worthy of death or chains."


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Now when it was decided that we should sail away to Italy, they handed over both Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan Regiment.


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And having boarded a ship of Adramyttium, scheduled to sail to the ports along the Asian coasts, we put to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.


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And the next day we put in to harbor at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly, and permitted [him] to go to [his] friends to find care.


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And from there having put to sea, we sailed under the sheltered side of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.


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And sailing slowly many days, and with difficulty arriving down off Cnidus, since the wind would not permit us to go on, we sailed under the sheltered side of Crete, down off Salmone.


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Now when much time had been spent, the voyage having already become dangerous, because the Fast had already gone by, Paul recommended,


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saying to them, "Men, I perceive this voyage is going to be with hardship and much loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship but also our lives."


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But the centurion was persuaded by the helmsman and the ship owner, rather than by the things being said by Paul.


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And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority gave counsel to put to sea from there, if perhaps they might be able to get to Phoenix to spend the winter there, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and to the northwest.


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And when a south wind blew gently, supposing they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along close in shore to Crete.


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and when the ship was seized by it, and not being able to face into the wind, we were being driven along, [having ]given in [to the wind.]


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And running under the sheltered side of a certain little island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.


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And having hoisted it up, they used cables for undergirding the ship; and being afraid lest they run aground in the Syrtes [Shallows], they let down the driving anchor, thus they were being driven along [by the wind.]


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And neither the sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, finally all hope for us to be saved was taken away.


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Now when they had abstained from food for a long time, then stood Paul in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have followed my advice and not put to sea from Crete, and to spare [yourselves ]this hardship and loss.


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And now I urge you to keep up [your] courage, for there will be loss of not one life among you, only of the ship.


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saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; for it is necessary for you to stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those sailing with you.'


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"Therefore keep up your courage, men; for I believe God that it will be in the very manner it has been spoken to me.


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Now when it was the fourteenth night, as we were driven about in the Adriatic Sea, in the middle of the night the sailors sensed that land was approaching them.


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And having taken a sounding, they found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms;


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and being afraid lest we should run aground on the rocks, they threw out four anchors from the stern, and were praying for day to come.


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Now as the sailors were seeking to flee from the ship, and letting down the skiff into the sea, in pretense of spreading out anchors from the prow,


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Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "If these men do not remain in the ship, you cannot be saved."


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And until the [time] was about to be day, Paul was urging them all to receive their share of food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you continue waiting without eating, having taken nothing.


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Therefore I urge you to take food, for this is for your deliverance; for not a hair from your head shall fall."


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And having said these things and having taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and having broken it, he began to eat.


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Now when it became day, they did not recognize the land; but they noticed a certain bay which had a beach, on which they resolved, if possible, to run the ship ashore.


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And casting off the anchors, they were leaving them in the sea, meanwhile loosening the ropes of the rudders; and having raised the mainsail to the wind, they began steering toward the beach.


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But they struck a reef and ran the vessel aground, and the prow became stuck and remained unmoved, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.


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And the soldiers' decision was that they would kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.


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But the centurion, wanting to rescue Paul, hindered them in their intention, and commanded that those who were able to swim to jump down first to go toward the land,


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and the rest, some on boards and others on parts from the ship. And in this way it came about that all were brought to safety.


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And the natives were showing us extraordinary kindness; for having kindled a fire they accepted us all into [their] society, because of the rain which had begun, and because of the cold.


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But when Paul had gathered a large bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper having come out because of the heat, fastened on his hand.


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And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "Certainly this man is a murderer, whom though he was rescued from the sea, justice does not permit to continue living."


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And they were expecting him to be about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited for a long time and observed nothing unusual happening to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.


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Now in the areas around that place were pieces of land [belonging] to the leading citizen of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us, and received us hospitably as guests for three days.


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And it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery, to whom Paul came in and prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.


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Then after this happened, also the rest who were ill on the island were coming to him and were being healed,


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who also honored us with many honors, and when we put to sea, they gave us the things that we needed.


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Now after three months we put to sea in a ship that had wintered on the island, [belonging] to Alexandria, with the figurehead of the Twin Brothers.


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from where having sailed around we arrived at Rhegium. And after one day arose a south wind, on the second day we came to Puteoli,


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And from there the brothers, when they heard about our circumstances, they came to meet with us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns, whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God and took courage.


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Now when we came to Rome, the centurion handed over the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him.


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And it came to pass after three days that Paul called together those who were prominent among the Jews; and when they had come together, he said to them: "Men, brothers, though I have done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, yet I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the Romans,


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But when the Jews spoke in opposition, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.


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Therefore for this reason I have requested you, to see and to speak to you, for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain."


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Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brothers who arrived report or speak anything evil about you.


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But we request to hear from you the[ ]things which you think; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."


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And having appointed for him a day, many came to him at his house, to whom he was explaining and solemnly testifying to the kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning till evening.


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And being in disagreement with one another, they went away after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,


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saying, 'Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and by no means understand; and seeing you shall see, and by no means perceive;


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For the hearts of this people has become dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and they should hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their heart and turn back, so that I should heal them."'


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"Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!"


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Then Paul remained two full years in his own rented house, and he was receiving all those who were coming to him,


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preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.


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Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called [to be ]an apostle, having been separated unto the gospel of God


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who was declared Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of [the] dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,


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through whom we received grace and apostleship for [the ]obedience of faith among all the nations for His name,


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To all those who are in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.


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For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,


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For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may be established-


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Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that often I planned to come to you (and I was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.


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For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, both to the Jew first and to the Greek.


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For in it [the] righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."


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For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.


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For the invisible things of Him from the creation of[ ]the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, both His eternal power and divinity, so that they are without excuse.


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Because, having known God, they did not glorify [Him] as God, or give thanks, but became vain in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened.


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and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for a likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and reptiles.


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Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of the own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies among themselves,


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who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


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For this reason God gave them up to shameful lusts, for even their women exchanged the natural use for that which is contrary to nature,


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and likewise also the men, having forsaken the natural use of the woman, were inflamed by their lust for one another, men with men, committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error.


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And just as they did not approve to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do the things which are not fitting;


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having been filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, greed, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness; they are whisperers,


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slanderers, haters of God, insolent men, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,


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who, having known the righteous judgment of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but also approve of those who practice them.


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Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, everyone who judges, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself, for you who judge are practicing the same things.


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But do you suppose this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things yet doing them, that you will escape the judgment of God?


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Or do you despise the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?


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But according to your hardness and impenitent heart you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God,


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to those who by the endurance of good works are seeking glory and honor and incorruption-eternal life.


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But to those who are contentious, and who disobey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath,


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tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that works evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;


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For all who have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law


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(for [it is ]not the hearers of the law [who ]are righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified;


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for whenever Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, these, not having the law, are a law unto themselves,


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who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience witnessing with [them], and among themselves their thoughts accuse or even defend [them]),


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an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth in the law.


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You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?


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You who say, "Do not commit adultery,"do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?


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For indeed circumcision profits if you keep the law; but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.


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Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?


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And will not the physically uncircumcised, who keeps the law, judge you along with your written [code] and circumcision, as a lawbreaker?


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but he [is] a Jew that [is one] inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in [the] spirit, not in [the ]letter, whose praise is not from men but from God.


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By no means! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar, just as it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, and You may prevail when You are judged."


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But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? [Surely] God, the [One ]inflicting wrath is not unrighteous, is [He]? (I speak as a man).


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For if by my lie the truth of God has abounded to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?


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And why not say, "Let us do evil so that good may come"?-just as we are slandered, and just as some affirm that we say. [The] judgment of whom is just.


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What then? Are we [any] better? Not at all. For we previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.


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All [have ]turned aside; together they became unprofitable; there is not [one] doing kindness, there is not so much as one."


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"Their throat is an opened grave; with their tongues they deceived"; "[the ]poison of asps is under their lips";


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Now we know that as many things as the law says, it speaks to those under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.


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Therefore by works of the law no flesh shall be justified in His sight, for through the law [comes] [the] knowledge of sin.


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But now the righteousness of God apart from the law has been revealed, being witnessed to by the Law and the Prophets,


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even the righteousness of God, through [the] faithfulness of Jesus Christ, to all and upon all those that believe. For there is no distinction;


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whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness through the passing over of the sins having previously committed, in the forbearance of God,


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for a demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of he who has [the] faith of Jesus.


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Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. Through what law? Of works? No, but through the law of faith.


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Or is He the God of the Jews only? But is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,


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since there is one God who will justify [the ]circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.


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


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But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,


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just as David also speaks of the blessing of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:


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Does this blessing then come upon the circumcision, or also upon the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.


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How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.


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And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had while ]in uncircumcision, so that he should be the father of all those that believe, although uncircumcised, so that righteousness should also be imputed to them,


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and the father of circumcision to those not only of circumcision, but also to those following in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham[ had while] in uncircumcision.


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For the promise that he should be heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through [the] law, but through [the] righteousness of faith.


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Therefore it is of faith that it may be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those[ ]of the law, but also to those of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,


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(just as it is written, "I have appointed you a father of many nations") before God, whom he believed, the [One] who gives life to the dead and calls those things which are not as though they were;


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who, contrary to hope, on hope believed, so that he should become a father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be."


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And not weakening in faith, he did not consider his own body, already having been worn out (being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb,


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he did not waver at the promise of God in unbelief, but was empowered by faith, giving glory to God,


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but for us also, to whom it was going to be credited, those believing on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,


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through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.


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And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance;


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And hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.


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For scarcely on behalf of a righteous [man] will anyone die; yet perhaps for a good man someone might even dare to die.


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But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


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For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.


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And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom now we received the reconciliation.


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Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death passed to all men, because all sinned-


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Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.


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But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one man many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to the many.


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And the gift is not as by one having sinned. For the judgment [which came] from one [transgression resulted] in condemnation, but the free gift from many offenses [brought ] justification.


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For if by the transgression of the one man death reigned through the one [man], much more those receiving the abundance of the grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ).


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So then, as through one [man's] transgression [judgment came] to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one [Man's] righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.


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For through the disobedience of the one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the One many shall be constituted righteous.


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But [the] law came in alongside, so that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace superabounded,


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so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


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Or do you not know that as many [of us] as were baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?


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Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life.


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For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be [in the likeness] of [His] resurrection;


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knowing this, that our old man was crucified [with Him], so that the body of sin may be done away with, [that] we should no longer serve sin.


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knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, no longer dies. Death is no longer master [over] Him.


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Likewise you also, consider yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


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nor present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.


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Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to whom you obey, whether of sin [resulting] in death, or of obedience [resulting] in righteousness?


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But thanks be to God, that though you used to be slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from [your] heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.


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I speak in human terms on account of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to uncleanness, and to lawlessness [resulting] in [more] lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness [resulting] in sanctification.


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So what fruit did you have then of which [things] you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.


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But now having been freed from sin, and having become enslaved to God, you have your fruit [resulting] in sanctification, and the end, eternal life.


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Or do you not know, brothers (for I speak to those knowing the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a man as long as he lives?


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For the woman who is under a man has been bound by law to the living husband. But if the husband should die, she is released from the law of the husband.


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So then, while the husband is living, she will be called an adulteress if she becomes [married] to a different husband; but if her husband should die, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, having become [married] to a different husband.


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Therefore, my brothers, you also were put to death to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another-to Him who was raised from the dead, so that we might bear fruit to God.


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For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused through the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.


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But now we were released from the law, having died in [that] to which we were held fast, so that we should serve as slaves in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.


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What shall we say then? Is the law sin? By no means! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known lust unless the law had said, "You shall not covet."


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But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of lust. For apart from the law sin [was] dead.


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Then has that which is good become death to me? By no means! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through that which is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.


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For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but [how] to do the good, I do not find.


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But I see a different law in my members, waging war against the law of my mind, and capturing me by the law of sin which is in my members.


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I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself with the mind serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.


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[There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.


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For what [was] impossible [for] the law to do in that it was weak through the flesh, God [did] by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,


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so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.


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For those who are fleshly set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those [who live] according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.


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Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not submit to the law of God, nor indeed can it.


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But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.


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But if Christ is in you, the body indeed is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is alive because of righteousness.


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But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit indwelling in you.


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For if you live according to the flesh you shall die; but if by [the] Spirit you put to death the practices of the body, you will live.


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For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."


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And if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer together, so that we may also be glorified together.


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For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the coming glory to be revealed in us.


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For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but on account of Him who subjected it in hope;


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because even the creation itself shall be freed from the slavery of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.


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And not only that, but also [we ]ourselves having the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting adoption, the redemption of our body.


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For by this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he[ ]sees?


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Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.


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But He that searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes on behalf of the saints according to [the will] [of] God.


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And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His ]purpose.


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Because whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.


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Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.


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He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up on behalf of us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?


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Who is he that condemns? Christ is the [One] having died, but rather also having been raised, who is even at [the] right [hand] of God, who also intercedes on our behalf.


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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?


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Just as it is written: "For Your sake we are put to death the whole day long; we are accounted as sheep for slaughter."


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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,


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nor height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


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I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience witnessing with me in the Holy Spirit,


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For I could wish that I myself to be accursed from Christ on behalf of my brothers, my countrymen according to the flesh,


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who are Israelites, of whom are the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the law-giving, and the worship, and the promises;


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of whom are the fathers and from whom Christ [came], according to the flesh, He who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.


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nor [are they] all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called."


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That is, those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but [it is ]the children of the promise that are regarded as descendants.


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for [the children] not yet being born, nor having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might abide, not of works but of Him who calls,


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For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."


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For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth."


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But indeed, O man, who are you to [be ]answering back against God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"


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Or does not the potter have the right over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and the other for dishonor?


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But what if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,


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and so that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,


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As also in Hosea He says: "I will call those My people who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved."


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"And it shall be in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' there they shall be called sons of the living God."


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Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel were as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved;


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For He is finishing and cutting short an account in righteousness, because the LORD will make a short account upon the earth."


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And just as Isaiah foretold: "If the LORD of hosts had not left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah."


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What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;


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Why? Because [they did] not [seek it] by faith, but rather by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stone of stumbling.


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Just as it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and rock of offense, and everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame."


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Brothers, the good pleasure of my heart and my supplication to God on behalf of Israel, is for [their] salvation.


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For they, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.


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For Moses writes about the righteousness which [is] of the law, "That the man who does those things shall live by them."


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But the righteousness of faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who shall ascend into heaven?' "(that is, to bring Christ down)


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


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that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and you believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.


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For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him.


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How then shall they call on Him in[ ]whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear apart from a preacher?


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And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, of those preaching the gospel of good things!"


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But I say, have they not heard? Yes, indeed [they have]: "Their voice went out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."


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But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by [those who are] not a nation, by a foolish nation I will anger you."


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But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me."


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But to Israel he says: "the whole day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."


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I say then, has God cast away His people? By no means! For I too am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.


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God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know [what the Scripture says] in Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,


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"LORD, they killed Your prophets and they torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life"?


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But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."


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And if by grace, [it is] no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if [it is ]of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.


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What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained [it], and the rest were blinded.


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Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, down to this very day."


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And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them.


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I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? By no means! But by their transgression, salvation [has come] to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.


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But if their transgression is [the] riches of the world, and their defeat is [the] riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!


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For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am indeed an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry,


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For if their casting away means reconciliation [for the] world, what will their acceptance be, if not life from the dead?


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But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in [among] them, and became a partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree,


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do not be arrogant towards the branches. But if you are arrogant, [remember] that it is not you that supports the root, but the root [supports] you.


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That is true. By unbelief they were broken off, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear.


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Behold then the kindness and severity of God: upon those that fell, severity; but upon you, kindness, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also shall be cut off.


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


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For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these, the natural ones, be grafted into their own olive tree?


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For I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, lest you be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.


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And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer shall come out of Zion, and He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob;


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As regards to the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sake; but as regards to election, [they are] beloved for the sake of the fathers.


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For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now you were shown mercy through their disobedience,


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even so these now were disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also might be shown mercy.


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Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and[ ]knowledge of God! How unsearchable [are] His judgments and untraceable [are ]His ways!


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Therefore, brothers, I exhort you through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, [which is] your reasonable service.


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And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and well pleasing and perfect will of God.


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For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself too highly, beyond what you should think, but to think soberly, as God has imparted to each one a measure of faith.


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Having then gifts differing according to the grace having been given to us, [let us use them]: whether prophecy, [let us prophecy] according to the proportion of faith;


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whether exhorting, in the exhortation; whether sharing, with simplicity; whether leading, with diligence; whether showing mercy, with cheerfulness.


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Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but [rather ]associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.


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Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,"says the Lord.


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Therefore "If your enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for [by ]doing this you will heap burning coals upon his head."


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Let every soul submit to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.


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Consequently the [one] resisting the authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and those opposing shall receive judgment to themselves.


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For rulers are not a fear to good works, but to evil. And do you wish not to fear the authority?[ ]Do what is good, and you shall have praise from the same.


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For he is God's servant to you for good. But if you do evil, fear; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's servant, an avenger for wrath to the [one] practicing evil.


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Therefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.


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For on account of this you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God, always giving attention to this very thing.


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Render therefore to all their dues: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.


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Owe nothing to no one, except to love one another, for he who loves one another has fulfilled the law.


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For, "You shall not commit adultery,""You shall not murder,""You shall not steal,""You shall not covet,"and [if ]there is any other commandment, in this word it is summed up, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."


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And do this, knowing the time, that [it is] already[ the] hour for us to be roused out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we [first ]believed.


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The night is advanced, the day is at hand. Therefore let us put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.


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Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelries and drinking bouts, not in orgies and debaucheries, not in strife and jealousy.


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Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God [has] received him.


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Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or he falls. And he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.


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One indeed judges one day above another; but another judges every day [the same]. Let each be fully assured in his own mind.


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He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord; and he that does not regard the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. And he that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he that does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.


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For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's.


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For to this end Christ died and rose and lived [again], so that He might be Lord of both [the] dead and [the] living.


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But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.


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For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God."


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Therefore let us no longer judge one another, but judge this rather, not to put a stumbling block or an offense before our brother.


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I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean of itself; except to him considering anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.


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But if your brother is grieved on account of your food, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food the one on behalf of whom Christ died.


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For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.


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Therefore let us pursue the things [which make] for peace and the things by which one may edify another.


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Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but [are] evil for the man eating with offense.


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It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor [to do anything] by which your brother stumbles or is offended or becomes weak.


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Do you have faith? By yourself, have it before God. Blessed is he that does not condemn himself in what he approves.


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But he who doubts, if he eats, has been condemned, because [it is ]not of faith; and everything which [is] not of faith is sin.


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We then who are strong are obligated to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.


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For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those reproaching You fell on Me."


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For as many things as were previously written, were written for our own instruction, that through the patience and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope.


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Now may the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be like-minded among one another, according to Christ Jesus,


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Now I say that Christ Jesus has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers,


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and that the Gentiles might glorify God on behalf of His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing praise to Your name."


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And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be the root of Jesse; and He that shall rise to rule over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope."


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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


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Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, having been filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.


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And I write more boldly to you brothers, in part, as reminding you, because of the grace having been given to me by God,


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that I should be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God as a priest, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.


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For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ did not work out through me, in word and deed, for the obedience of [the] Gentiles-


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in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.


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And so eagerly striving to evangelize not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon the foundation of another,


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but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand."


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But now no longer having a place in these regions, and having a longing to come to you for many years,


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whenever I travel to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope [while] traveling through to see you, and to be sent forward there by you, if I may be filled in part [from] you first.


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For Macedonia and Achaia thought it good to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.


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For they thought it good, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles shared in spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things.


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But I know that coming to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.


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Now I beg you, brothers, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf,


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that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,


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so that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and you may stand by her in whatever thing she may need from you; for indeed she has proved to be a helper of many and of myself also.


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who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.


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And greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.


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Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow captives, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.


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Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.


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Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.


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Now I urge you, brothers, to look out for those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.


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For such [people] do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and through smooth speech and flattering, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.


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For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I rejoice on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent to what is evil.


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And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


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Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, the brother.


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(15:24) Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to [the] revelation of [the ]mystery kept secret since the world began,


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(15:25) but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the eternal God, for obedience to the faith-


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to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all those who in every place are calling on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:


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who will also confirm you until the end, [that you may be] unimpeachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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Now I beseech you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same opinion.


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For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those of Chloe's household, that there is quarreling among you.


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Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul,"and "I[ ]of Apollos,"and "I[ ]of Cephas,"and "I of Christ."


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Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.


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For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of its power.


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For 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.


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For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the understanding of the prudent I will annul."


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Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?


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For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, God was well pleased, through the foolishness of our preaching, to save those that believe.


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For you see your calling, brothers, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many noble, [are called].


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But God chose the foolish things of the world in order that He might humiliate the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world in order that He might humiliate the mighty[.]


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And the lowly things of the world, and the despised things God has chosen, and the things which are not, in order that He might nullify the things which are,


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But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;


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And I, brothers, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God.


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And my message and my preaching [were] not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,


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However, we speak wisdom among those that are mature, but not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are being destroyed.


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But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the [wisdom] having been hidden, which God foreordained before the ages for our glory,


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which none of the rulers of this age understood (for had they understood, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory).


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But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."


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But God has revealed [them] to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.


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For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.


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Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, in order that we might know the things freely given to us by God;


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which things we also speak, not in words taught in human wisdom, but in words taught by the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.


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But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


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And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.


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I gave you milk to drink, and not solid food; for you were not yet able [to receive it]. Indeed, neither are you now yet able;


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for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal, and walking according to human principles?


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Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord has given to each one?


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Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.


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According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise architect I have laid the foundation, but another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.


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each one's work shall be made manifest; for the Day shall reveal it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall test each one's work, as to what sort it is.


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If anyone's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, but so as through fire.


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If anyone destroys the temple of God, God shall destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which [temple] you are.


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Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.


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For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness";


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whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come-all things[ ]are yours.


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But to me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a human court. Indeed, I do not even judge myself.


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For I am conscious of nothing, but I have not been justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.


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So then judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who also will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make clear the purposes of the hearts. Then each one's praise shall come from God.


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Now these things, brothers, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, in order that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.


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For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if you did indeed receive [what you have], why do you boast as though you did not receive it?


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You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned [as kings] without us; and I wish [that] indeed you did reign, in order that we also might reign with you!


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For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men appointed to death; for we became a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.


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We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are despised!


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being defamed, we encourage; we have become as the sweepings of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.


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For though you might have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet [you do] not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.


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Because of this I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.


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But I will come to you quickly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are arrogant, but the power.


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It is actually heard that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even named among the Gentiles-that a man has his father's wife!


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And you have become arrogant, and have not rather grieved, so that he who did this deed would be removed from your midst.


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For I indeed, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has done this deed in this way,


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in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in order that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.


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Purge out the old leaven, in order that you may be a new batch of dough, since you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.


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So then let us observe the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


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Yet I certainly did not mean with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to leave this world!


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But now I have written to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous person, or an idolater, or abusive person, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a person.


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For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?


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Does any of you, having a matter against another, dare go to court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?


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Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?


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If then you have ordinary lawsuits, do you appoint those who are disdained within the church [to judge?]


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I say [this] to your shame. So is there not among you a wise [man], not even one, who will be able to judge between his brother [and another]?


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Actually then, it is already a defeat for you that you have lawsuits against one another. Why not rather accept wrong? Why not rather accept being defrauded?


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Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,


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nor covetous, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor abusive people, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.


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And such were some of you! But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.


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All things are lawful for me, but all things are not profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.


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Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both this [stomach] and these [foods]. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.


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Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make [them] members of a harlot? By no means!


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Do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body [with her]? For "the two,"He says, "shall become one flesh."


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Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits fornication sins against his own body.


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Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?


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For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.


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Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let each [man] have his own wife, and let each [woman] have her own husband.


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Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.


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The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband [does]. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife [does].


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Do not deprive one another, except by mutual agreement, [and that] for a season, so that you may devote yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.


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For I wish that all men would be as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this way and another in that.


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But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they should remain as I also [remain];


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but if they are not exercising self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn [with passion].


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Now to those who have married I command, yet not I, but the Lord: A wife is not to be separated from her husband-


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and even if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband-and a husband is not to divorce his wife.


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But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, let him not divorce her.


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And a wife who has an unbelieving husband, if he consents to live with her, let her not divorce him.


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For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.


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But if the unbelieving [spouse] separates, let [him or her ]separate; the brother or the sister has not been bound in such cases; but God has called us to peace.


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For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?


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Otherwise as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I command in all the churches.


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Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.


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Were you called as a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather make use of [it].


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For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's free [man]. Likewise he who is called as a free [man] is Christ's slave.


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Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord; but I give judgment, as having received mercy by the Lord to be faithful.


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Therefore I consider this to be good because of the present distress, that [it is] good for a man to be as he is:


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Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Have you been released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.


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But even if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. But such will have trouble in the flesh, and I would spare you.


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But this I say, brothers, the time has been shortened; so that from now on even those having wives should be as though they had none,


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and those weeping as though not weeping, and those rejoicing as though not rejoicing, and those buying as though not possessing,


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But I want you to be without anxiety. The unmarried man cares about the things of the Lord-[about ]how he may please the Lord.


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But the [man] having married cares about the things of the world-[about ]how he may please his wife.


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And the wife and the virgin are different. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the woman having married cares about the things of the world-about how she may please her husband.


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And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a snare upon you, but for that which is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.


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But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past her youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he desires. He does not sin; let them marry.


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But [he] who stands in his heart, not having necessity, but has power over his own desire, and has decided this in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.


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So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.


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A wife has been bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband also dies, she is free to be married to whom she desires, only in the Lord.


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But she is more blessed if she remains as she is, in my opinion-and I think I also have the Spirit of God.


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Now concerning the [things] offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.


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Therefore concerning the eating of the things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.


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For even if they are being called "gods"whether in heaven or on earth (just as there are many gods and many lords),


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yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and through whom we [live].


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However, this knowledge is not in all [people]; rather some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as [something] offered to idols; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.


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But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat do we have more, nor if we do not eat do we lack.


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For if anyone should see you who has knowledge dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, being weak, be strengthened so that they eat foods offered to idols?


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But when you thus sin against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.


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Wherefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will by no means eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.


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


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If I am not an apostle to others, yet indeed I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


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Do we not have [the] right to take along a wife [who is] a sister, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?


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Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink from the milk of the flock?


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For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it threshes."Is it oxen God is concerned about?


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Or does He say [this] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, for it is written, that he that plows should plow in hope, and he that threshes, in hope should partake of his hope.


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If others partake of this right over you, do not we even more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but bear all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.


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Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat from the temple, and those who serve at the altar have a share in the altar?


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But I used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should become thus for me; for it is better for me rather to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.


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For if I preach the gospel, there is nothing for me to boast about, for necessity is pressed upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!


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For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a commission.


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What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ free of charge, so as not to exploit my rights in the gospel.


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For being free from all [men], I have made myself a servant to all, in order that I might win the more;


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and to the Jews I became as a Jew, in order that I might win Jews; to those who are under law, as under law, in order that I might win those who are under law;


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to those outside the law, as [one] outside the law (not being outside the law toward God, but subject to [the ]law toward Christ), in order that I might win those outside the law;


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to the weak I became as weak, in order that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.


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Do you not know that those running in a stadium all run, but one receives the prize? So run, in order that you may win.


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And everyone who competes exercises self-control [in] all things. Now they [compete] in order that they may receive a perishable crown, but we [compete] [for ]an imperishable crown.


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But I treat my body roughly, and I bring it into subjection, lest, having preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.


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Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,


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and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were drinking from that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.


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Nevertheless, with the majority of them God was not pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.


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Now these things took place as examples for us, in order that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.


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Nor be idolaters, just as some of them; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."


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Nor let us commit fornication, just as some of them fornicated, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;


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Now all these things happened to those [people] as examples, and they were written for our instruction, to whom the ends of the ages have come.


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No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, [so as for] you to be able to bear it.


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The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?


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Look at Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?


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[No], but that the[ ]things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not desire that you should have fellowship with demons.


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You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.


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All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.


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And if any of the unbelievers invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, questioning nothing, for conscience' sake.


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But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols,"do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for his conscience' sake; for "The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness."


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"Conscience,"I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my freedom judged by another man's conscience?


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just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved.


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Now I praise you, brothers, because you remember me in all things, and you hold fast the traditions just as I handed down to you.


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But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.


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But every woman who prays or who prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her own head, for that is one and the same as if her [head] were shaved.


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For if a woman is not covered, let her also have her hair cut. But if it is a shameful [thing ]for a woman to have her hair cut, or to be shaved, let her be covered.


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For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.


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Because of this, the woman ought to have a [symbol] [of] authority on her head, because of the angels.


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Nevertheless, neither is the man apart from the woman, nor the woman apart from the man, in the Lord.


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But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory for her; because her long hair has been given [to her] in place of a covering.


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Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, because you are not coming together for the better, but for the worse.


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For first of all, when you come together in church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.


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For there must also be sects among you, in order that those who are approved may become recognized among you.


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What? Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God, and disgrace those who do not have? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you!


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For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered unto you: that the Lord Jesus, during the night in which He was betrayed, took bread;


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and having given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which has been broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."


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Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."


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For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.


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Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord irreverently will be guilty of the body of the Lord and of the blood of the Lord.


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For he that eats and drinks irreverently eats and drinks judgment to himself, not judging correctly the body of the Lord.


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But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, in order that we may not be condemned along with the world.


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But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will put in order when I come.


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Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says "Jesus be cursed,"and no one can say that Jesus [is] Lord except by the Holy Spirit.


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For to one is given a word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit,


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to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, and to another [different] kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.


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But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.


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For just as the body is one and has many parts, but all the parts of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.


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For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and we were all given to drink into one Spirit.


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If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,"is it therefore not of the body?


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And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,"is it therefore not of the body?


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If the whole body [were] an eye, where [would be] the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [would be] the smelling?


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And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."


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And [the parts] of the body which we consider to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater propriety.


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But our presentable [parts] have no need. But God united the body, giving greater honor to the [part] being inferior,


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And if one part suffers, all the parts suffer together; or if one part is honored, all the parts rejoice together.


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And [those] whom God has appointed in the church [are]: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.


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All [are] not apostles, [are they]? All [are] not prophets, [are they]? Are all teachers? [Are] all [workers of] miracles?


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Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become [as] sounding brass or a clashing cymbal.


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And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.


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And though I give away all my possessions to feed [the poor], and though I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.


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Love never fails. But whether there [are] prophecies, they shall pass away; whether there[ are] tongues, they shall cease; whether there[ is] knowledge, it shall pass away.


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When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child; but when I became a man, I put away the things of the child.


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For now we see through a mirror by reflection, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.


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For he who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.


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Now I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you should prophesy; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.


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But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either in a revelation, or in knowledge, or in a prophesy, or in doctrine?


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Likewise the lifeless things, when they make a sound, whether flute or harp, unless they make a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is being played on the flute, or what is being played on the harp?


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So also you, [if you] do not give a clear word by the tongue, how will it be known what is being spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.


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Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the sound, I shall be as a foreigner to the [one ]speaking, and the [one] speaking [shall be] as a foreigner to me.


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So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that you may abound to the edification of the church.


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What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind.


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Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen"when you give thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?


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but in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order that I may instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.


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Brothers, do not be children in your understanding; rather, in malice be children, but in understanding be men.


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In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and by strange lips I will speak to this people; and yet not even in this way will they hear Me,"says the Lord.


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So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.


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If then the whole church comes together at the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?


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But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an unlearned person comes in, he is reproved by all, he is discerned by all.


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And so the secrets of his heart become clear; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, reporting that God is truly among you!


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What is it then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each of you has a song, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.


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If anyone speaks in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be ]by two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.


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But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.


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let your women be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but to be in subjection, just as the law also says.


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And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.


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If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or [is] spiritual[,] let him recognize that the things which I am writing to you are the commandments of the Lord.


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Now I made known to you, brothers, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,


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through which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.


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For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,


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Thereafter He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, of whom the majority remain until now, but some have fallen asleep.


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For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.


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But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than them all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.


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Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?


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And we are found [to be ]false witnesses of God, because we bore witness concerning God, that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise-if in fact the dead are not raised.


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But now Christ has been raised from the dead, [and] has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.


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But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ at His coming.


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Then [will be] the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God, even the Father, when He abolishes every ruler and every authority and power.


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For "He has subjected all things under His feet."But when He says that "all things have been subjected,"it is evident that [this is] except for Him who subjected all things to Him.


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Now when all things are made subject to Him, then also the Son Himself will be subjected to Him who subjected all things to Him, in order that God may be all in all.


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Otherwise, what will they do who are being baptized for the dead, if the dead are not raised at all? Why are they also baptized for the dead?


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If, in the manner of men, I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what is the benefit to me? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"


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Awake to righteousness, and do not sin! For some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.


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And what you sow, you do not sow that body that will be, but a bare grain-perhaps wheat or some other [grains].


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All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is a different [kind] [of flesh] for men, and another flesh for beasts, another for fish, and another for birds.


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And there[ are ]heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.


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There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from [another] star in glory.


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So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.


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It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.


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Thus also it is written, "The first man Adam [became] a living being;"the last Adam [became] a life-giving spirit.


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However, that which is spiritual is not first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.


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Like the [man] made of dust, so also [are] those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly [Man], so also [are ]those [who are ]heavenly.


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And just as we have borne the image of the [man] made of dust, let us also bear the image of the heavenly [Man].


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Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor can corruption inherit incorruption.


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in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.


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So when this corruptible should put on incorruption, and this mortal should put on immortality, then will come to pass the word which was written: "Death was swallowed up in victory."


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So then, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.


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Now concerning the collection which is for the saints, as I directed to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:


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On the first day of the week let each one of you put [something] aside, storing up whatever he may prosper, in order that there be no collections when I come.


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But when I arrive, [those] whom ever you approve by letters, these I will send to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.


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And perhaps I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I may go.


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


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Now if Timothy comes, see to it that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also [do].


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Therefore let no one despise him. But send him away in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brothers.


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Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not his will to come at this time; however, he will come whenever he has an opportunity.


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I urge you, brothers (you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints)


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I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they have supplied.


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The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, together with the church that is in their house.


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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, together with all the saints who are in all Achaia:


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Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,


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who comforts us in all our tribulation, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, by means of the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.


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Because just as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.


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Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.


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(And our hope concerning you is steadfast); if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, thus also [you will partake] of the consolation.


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For we do not desire you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.


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Yes, we have had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,


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who delivered us from so great a death, and is delivering [us]; in whom we trust that He will still deliver [us],


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you also laboring together for us in prayer, that thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf for the gift [given] to us through many.


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For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that we have conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and especially toward you.


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For we do not write other things to you except what you read or also understand. And I hope that you will understand, even until the end


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just as also you have understood us in part, that we are your boasting, as indeed you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.


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and through you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be sent on to Judea.


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Therefore, when I decided this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I decide, do I decide according to the flesh, that there may be with me "Yes, Yes,"and "No, No?"


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For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-by me, Silvanus, and Timothy-was not "Yes and no,"but in Him was "Yes."


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Moreover I call upon God as a witness against my soul, that in order to spare you, I came no more to Corinth.


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For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad if not the [one] which is made sorrowful by me?


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And I wrote this very thing to you, lest when I came, I should have sorrow from those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is [the joy] of you all.


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For out of much affliction and distress of heart I wrote to you, through many tears, not that you might be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly towards you.


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so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest somehow such a person be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.


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For to this end I also wrote, so that I might put you to the test, [to see] if you are obedient in all things.


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And to whom you forgive anything, I also [forgive;] for if indeed I have forgiven anything, [the ]one whom I have forgiven, [I have done so] for your sakes in the presence of Christ,


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I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but saying farewell to them, I departed for Macedonia.


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Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and making known through us the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.


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To some we are the fragrance of death [leading] to death, but to others the fragrance of life [leading] to life. And who is sufficient for these things?


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For we are not as the rest, corrupting the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.


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Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or [letters] of recommendation from you?


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being made known that you are [the] letter of Christ, which was ministered by us, having been written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not in tablets of stone but in tablets of flesh, [namely] in hearts.


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Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to consider anything as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,


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who also has made us efficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of [the] letter but of [the] Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.


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Now if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters on stones, came to be with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently into the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, the [glory which] [was] passing away,


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For if the ministry of condemnation [had] glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.


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For even that which has been glorified has not been glorified in this respect, because of the surpassing glory.


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and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the end of what was passing away.


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But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is removed in Christ.


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But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.


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but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor falsifying the word of God, but by the disclosure of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience before God.


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among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine on them.


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For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.


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Because it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts to give [the] light of the knowledge of the glory of God in [the] face of Jesus Christ.


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But we have this treasure in clay vessels, so that the extraordinary character of the power may be of God and not of us;


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always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that also the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body.


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For we who are living are always handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifest in our body.


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And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke,"we also believe, therefore we also speak,


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knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us through Jesus, and will present us together with you.


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For all things[ are] for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.


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Therefore we do not despair, but even if our outward man is being destroyed, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.


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For our momentary light affliction is working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,


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while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are for a season, but the things which are not seen last forever.


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For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made by hand, eternal in the heavens.


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For also in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,


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For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, inasmuch as we do not desire to be stripped, but to put on [clothing], that that which is mortal may be swallowed up by life.


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Now He who has prepared us for this same thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.


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Therefore always being confident, and knowing that while we are in the body, we are away from home from the Lord


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but we are confident and prefer rather to be away from home from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.


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Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether being at home, or being away from home, to be well pleasing to Him.


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For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, in accordance with the things which he did, whether good or bad.


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Knowing, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but we have been made known to God. And I also hope to have been made known in your consciences.


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For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give to you an opportunity of boasting on our behalf, so that you may have [an answer] for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.


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and He died for all, so that they who live should live no longer for themselves, but for the [One] who died for them and rose again.


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Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know [Him thus] no longer.


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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, all things have become new.


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And all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and who gave to us the ministry of this reconciliation,


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that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their transgressions to them, and committing to us the word of this reconciliation.


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Now then, we serve as ambassadors for Christ, as though God were appealing through us: we implore [you] on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.


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For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.


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For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you."Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.


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but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God: in much endurance, in tribulations, in hardships, in distresses,


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through the word of truth, through the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left hand,


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as being unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as being disciplined, and not being put to death;


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as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.


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Do not become unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what participation is there for righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion is there for light with darkness?


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And what agreement is there for Christ with Belial? Or what part is there for a believer with an infidel?


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And what union is there for the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, just as God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."


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Therefore "Come out from the midst of them and be separated,"says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."


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Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.


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Receive us [in your hearts]. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have defrauded no one.


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I do not speak to condemn you; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, so that we die together and we live together.


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Great is my confidence toward you, great is my boasting concerning you. I have been filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.


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For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; outside [were] fightings, inside [were] fears.


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and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted over you, as he reported to us your earnest longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.


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Because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do not regret it, even if I did regret it. For I perceive that the same letter made you sorry, though only for a season.


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Now I rejoice, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance; for you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.


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For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, without regret; but worldly sorrow produces death.


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For behold this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner, how much diligence it produced in you, even an eagerness to defend, even indignation, even fear, even longing, even zeal, even vengeance! In all things you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in this matter.


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Therefore, although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of him who did the wrong, nor for the sake of him who was wronged, but so that your diligence on our behalf might be made known to you before God.


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Because of this we have been comforted. And in your comfort we rejoiced exceedingly more over the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.


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Because if in anything I have boasted to him concerning you, I was not put to shame, but as we spoke all things to you in truth, thus also our boasting to Titus became truth.


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And his affections are far greater toward you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.


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Now we make known to you brothers, the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia,


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how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their generosity.


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For I bear witness that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,


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and not as we hoped, but they first gave their own selves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God,


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so that we urged Titus, that just as he had begun before, thus he would also finish this grace also in you.


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But as you abound in everything-in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-see that you abound in this grace also.


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I speak not by a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by means of the diligence of others.


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For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet on account of you He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.


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And I give [my] opinion in this: For this is profitable for you, who not only previously began doing [this], but also desired to, since last year.


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And now also complete doing [it]; that as indeed there[ was ]the readiness to desire [it], thus also there[ may be] the completion from what you have.


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For if there is first a readiness, it is acceptable according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.


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but by way of equality, that now at the present time your abundance [may supply] their need, that their abundance also may supply your need, in order that there may be equality.


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As it is written, "He [who ga]there[d] much did not have too much, and he [who gathered] little had no lack."


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And we sent together with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,


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and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion with this gift, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and [to show] our readiness-


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And we sent together with them our brother whom we often approved in many things, being diligent, but now [being ]much more diligent, by [his] great confidence in you.


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If [anyone inquires ]about Titus, [he is] my partner and fellow worker concerning you; or if our brothers [are inquired about], [they are] messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.


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Therefore show to them the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, before the churches.


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for I know your readiness, about which I boast concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has provoked the majority.


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And I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting about you lose its justification in this matter, that just as I said, you may be prepared,


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lest perhaps if [some] Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.


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Therefore I thought it necessary to urge the brothers, that they should go before [me] to you, and should arrange in advance your generous gift, which you had previously promised, [that] this would be ready, thus as a blessing and not as grudgingly given.


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But this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.


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Let each [one give] just as he decides in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.


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And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything always having all sufficiency, you may abound for every good work,


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just as it is written: "He has dispersed, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."


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Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness;


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Because the ministry of this service not only is supplying the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,


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while through the approved character of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and [for the] generosity of your sharing toward them and toward all,


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Now I, Paul, myself appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who face to face [am] lowly among you, but when I am away am bold toward you.


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But I beseech [you] that when I am present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I plan to be bold toward some, who consider us as walking according to the flesh.


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For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty by God to the pulling down of strongholds,


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casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,


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Do you look at things as they appear? If anyone has persuaded himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's.


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For even if I should boast somewhat more concerning our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I will not be ashamed,


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"For his letters,"they say, "are severe and boisterous, but his bodily presence [is] feeble, and his speech amounts to nothing."


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Let such a person consider this, that of what sort we are in word by letters when we are absent, of such a kind [we will] also [be] in deed when we are present.


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For we dare not to class ourselves or to compare ourselves with those who commend themselves, but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, do not understand.


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But we will not boast beyond limits, but according to the measure of the sphere [of influence ]which God assigned us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.


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For we are not overextending ourselves, as though our authority did not reach to you, for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;


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not boasting beyond the limits in the labors of others, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you according to our sphere [of influence],


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to preach the gospel to the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in the things done in the sphere [of influence] of others.


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For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.


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But I fear, lest perhaps as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.


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For if he who comes [to you ]preaches another Jesus whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you did not accept, you may well put up with him!


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But even if I [am] unskilled in speech, yet [I am] not [inferior ]in knowledge, but in every [way] I was made known to you in all things.


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Or did I commit sin in humbling myself in order that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?


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and when I was present with you, and in need, I did not burden anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. And in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and so I will keep myself.


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As the truth of Christ is in me, that this boasting will not be silenced in me in the regions of Achaia.


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But what I am doing, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those who desire an opportunity, that in what they boast they may be found just as we [are].


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Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.


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Again I say, let no one think me a fool. Otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.


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What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.


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For you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone takes from you, if someone exalts himself, if someone strikes you in the face.


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To our shame, I say that we were too weak [for that]! But in whatever anyone is bold (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.


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Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] even more: in labors far more, in beatings immeasurably, in imprisonments far more, in deaths often.


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Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have spent in the depth [of the sea].


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In journeys often, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers, in dangers from my own race, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brothers;


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in labor and hardship, in sleepless nights often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-


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In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;


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I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven.


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that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not permitted for a man to utter.


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Concerning such a one I will boast, but concerning myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.


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For if I should desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak [the] truth. But I spare [you], lest anyone consider me to be beyond what he sees me [to be] or hears something from me.


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And lest I exalt myself above measure by the excellence of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, that it might beat me, lest I exalt myself above measure.


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And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness."Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


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Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For whenever I am weak, then I am strong.


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I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me! For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing have I been inferior to the super apostles, though I am nothing.


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Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and miracles.


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For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!


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Now for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not burden you. For I do not seek what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.


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And I gladly will spend and be expended for your souls; although the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.


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I urged Titus, and I sent with him the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did [we] not [walk] in the same Spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?


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Again, do you think that we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.


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For I am afraid, lest perhaps when I come, I will not find you as I desire, and that I will be found by you as you do not desire; lest perhaps there[ be] contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, disputes, slanders, gossipings, pride, disorders;


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lest, when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will mourn for many who have previously sinned and have not repented for the impurity and fornication and lewdness which they practiced.


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This [will be] the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established."


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I have previously said, and I say beforehand, as being present the second [time], and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare [you,]


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since you are seeking proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but strong in you.


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For although He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.


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Scrutinize yourselves as to whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed you are reprobates?


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Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is honorable, though we may be as reprobates.


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For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.


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Because of this I write these things being absent, in order that when I am present I may not deal sharply with you, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for edification and not for destruction.


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Finally brothers, farewell. Restore [yourselves,] comfort [yourselves], be in agreement, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.


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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.


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Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),


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who gave Himself for our sins, so that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,


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I marvel that you are turning so quickly from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,


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which is not another; except there are certain people who trouble you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.


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But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach a gospel to you other than what we preached to you, let him be accursed.


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As we have said before, and I say again just now, if anyone preaches a gospel to you other than what you received, let him be accursed.


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For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.


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For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ.


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For you have heard of my former conduct at one time in Judaism, that beyond measure I used to persecute the church of God, and I was devastating it.


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And I was advancing in Judaism above many my own age, being far more zealous for the traditions of my forefathers.


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to reveal His Son in me, so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,


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neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.


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But they heard only, "He who persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which at one time he was devastating."


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And I went up by revelation, and I set before them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those with influence, lest somehow I might run, or had run, in vain.


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and that was because of false brothers secretly brought in (who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might reduce us to slavery),


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to whom not even for an hour did we yield in subjection, that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.


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But from those who seemed to be something-whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows partiality to no man-so to me, those with influence contributed nothing,


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but on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted [with] the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter [was with the gospel ]for the circumcised,


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(for He who worked with Peter in [the] apostleship to the circumcised, worked also with me in [that for] the Gentiles),


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and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace which was given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we [should go] to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised;


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only they desired that we should remember the poor, which indeed I made every effort to do this very thing.


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For before certain [men] came from James, he would eat together with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and began to separate himself, fearing those of the circumcision party.


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And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.


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But when I saw that they did not act rightly with respect to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in Gentile fashion and not in Jewish fashion, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as Jews?


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knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by [the ]faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by [the] faith of Christ, and not by [the] works of the law; because no flesh shall be justified by [the] works of the law.


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But if by seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, then is Christ a minister of sin? By no means!


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I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.


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I do not annul the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing."


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O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was portrayed publicly among you as crucified?


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This only do I wish to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?


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Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?-


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And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, [saying] that, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."


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For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all the things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."


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Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"


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


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Brothers, I speak in human fashion: A covenant is of a man, yet having been confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.


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Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises spoken. He does not say, "And to seeds,"as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed,"who is Christ.


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And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul the covenant previously confirmed to Christ by God, so that it make the promise of no effect.


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For if the inheritance [comes] by the law, it is no longer of promise; but God has given it to Abraham by promise.


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Why then the law? It was added on account of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom it had been promised; and it was commanded through angels by the hand of a mediator.


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Therefore, [is] the law against the promises of God? By no means! For if a law had been given which was able to give life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.


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But the Scripture has confined all under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.


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But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, having been hemmed in for the faith which was to be revealed.


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Therefore the law has become our custodian, [leading us] to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith.


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There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


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Now I say, for as much time as the heir is a minor, he does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,


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But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,


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And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"


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But at one time indeed, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature were not gods.


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But now, having known God, or rather, having been known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which once again you wish to be slaves?


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Brothers, I beseech you, become as I am, because I also [am] as you [are]. You have not wronged me at all.


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And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise nor disdain, but as an angel of God you received me, even as Christ Jesus.


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What then was your blessing? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me!


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They are zealous about you in the wrong way; but they wish to shut you out, so that you will be zealous about them.


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And I wanted to be present with you just now and to change my tone; because I am uncertain about you.


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But he who was of the servant girl was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through the promise,


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which things are symbolic. For these are two covenants: one in fact from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery, which is Hagar-


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for Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children-


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For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren, who does not give birth; break forth and shout, who does not have birth pangs; because the children of the desolate are many more than those of her who has a husband."


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But just as then the [one] who was born according to the flesh persecuted the [one born] according to the Spirit, so also it is now.


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But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the servant girl and her son, for the son of the servant girl shall by no means inherit with the son of the freewoman."


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Stand fast therefore in the freedom in which Christ has made us free, and do not be loaded down again with a yoke of bondage.


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And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a obligated to keep the whole law.


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For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.


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I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will be intent on nothing else; but he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he may be.


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And I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been done away with.


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For you, brothers were called to freedom; only do not use freedom for an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.


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For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these things oppose each other, so that you do not do the things that you wish.


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idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,


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envies, murders, drinking bouts, revelries, and the like; which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


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Brothers, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness, looking out for yourself lest you also be tempted.


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But let each [person] examine his own work, and then he will have boasting in himself alone, and not in the other.


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For he who sows to his flesh, from his own flesh will reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap everlasting life.


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And while we do good, let us not lose heart, for in due season we shall reap if we do not become weary.


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So then, as we have opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those who are of the household of faith.


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As many as wish to make a good showing in the flesh, these compel you to get circumcised, only so that they should not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.


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For not even those who are circumcised keep the law themselves, but they wish you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.


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But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.


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And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.


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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:


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Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ,


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just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love,


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having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,


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In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace


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having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,


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for an administration of the fullness of the times, [He might ]bring together all things in Christ, those in heaven and those on the earth-in Him.


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In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,


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in whom also you, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,


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who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.


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Because of this I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,


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that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,


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the eyes of your heart having been enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,


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and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power


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which He worked in Christ, having raised Him from the dead, and seated [Him] at His right hand in the heavenlies,


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above every ruler and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the coming [age].


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in which you once walked according to the age of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which is now working in the sons of disobedience,


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among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the senses, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest.


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even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),


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that in the coming ages He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.


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For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.


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Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh-who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made by hands in the flesh-


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that at that time you were apart from Christ, being estranged from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, not having hope and atheists in the world.


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For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and who destroyed the dividing wall of separation,


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having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man [from] the two, [thus] making peace,


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and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, putting to death the enmity in Himself.


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So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,


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being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,


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which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:


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that the Gentiles should be joint-heirs, and of the same body, and joint-partakers in His promise in Christ by the gospel,


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of which I became a minister according to the free gift of the grace of God which was given to me according to the working of His power.


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To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,


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and to enlighten all [as to] what is the administration of the mystery, which had been hidden from the ages in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;


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that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies,


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that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man,


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that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height-


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and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


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Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,


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Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,


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But that "He ascended"-what is it but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?


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He that descended, He is also the [One] who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.


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And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,


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for the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ,


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until we all arrive to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to [the] measure of [the] stature of the fullness of Christ;


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that we may no longer be infants, being tossed as by waves, and being carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in regard to deceitful scheming,


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from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the working of the measure of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the edification of itself in love.


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This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,


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having been darkened in understanding, being estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance which is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;


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who, having become callous, gave themselves over to debauchery, for the working of uncleanness with utmost greediness.


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that you put off, concerning your former way of life, the old man which is being corrupted according to the deceitful lusts,


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and that you put on the new man which was created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness.


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Therefore, having put off falsehood, "Let each one speak truth with his neighbor,"for we are members of one another.


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Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working that which is good with his hands, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.


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Let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for edification, that it may give grace to them that hear.


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And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ forgave us.


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And walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.


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But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;


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neither wickedness, nor foolish talk or coarse jesting, which are not proper, but rather thanksgiving.


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For this you know, that no fornicator, or unclean person, nor covetous person, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.


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Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.


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But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.


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Therefore He says: "Awake, you who are sleeping, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."


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speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,


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because the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.


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But just as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives be to their own husbands in everything.


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that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and blameless.


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So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he that loves his own wife loves himself.


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For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as also the Lord does the church.


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


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Nevertheless you also individually, let each one love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respect her husband.


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And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.


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Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in simplicity of heart, as to Christ;


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not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God wholeheartedly,


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knowing that whatever good thing anyone does, the same he shall receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.


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And masters, do the same things towards them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.


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For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [forces] of evil in the heavenlies.


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Because of this, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having accomplished all things, to stand.


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Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,


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above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.


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through every prayer and petition, praying in every season in the Spirit, being watchful to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints-


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and for me, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,


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for the sake of which I serve as an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I must speak.


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But that you also may know my circumstances, and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make all things known to you;


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whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our situation, and that he may comfort your hearts.


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Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, together with the overseers and ministers:


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having been persuaded of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus;


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just as it is right for me to think this concerning you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.


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that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,


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having been filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.


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But I want you to know, brothers, that the things [which happened ]to me have come about for the advancement of the gospel,


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so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;


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and most of the brothers in the Lord, having been persuaded by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word fearlessly.


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The [former ]proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;


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What then? Nevertheless in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice; yes, and I will rejoice.


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For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,


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according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I will be ashamed, but with utmost boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.


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But if I am to live on in the flesh, this to me will mean fruit from my labor; and what I shall choose I do not know.


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For I am hard pressed by the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, [which is] far better.


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And having been persuaded of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,


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Only conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel,


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and not being terrified in anything by your enemies, which is to them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and this from God.


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For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,


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Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and acts of compassion,


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fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit, intending the same purpose,


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doing nothing according to selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility, regarding one another as being better than yourselves.


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but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming to be in the likeness of men.


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And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.


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Therefore God also has highly exalted Him, and has graciously given Him a name which is above every name,


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that at the name of Jesus every knee may bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,


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So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;


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in order that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine as light bearers in the world,


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holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.


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But even if I am being poured upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice; [yea,] and I rejoice with you all.


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Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your circumstances.


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And you know his approved character, that as a child with his father he served as a slave for the gospel.


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Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my needs;


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For indeed he was sick, [and ]near death; but God showed mercy [on] him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.


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Therefore I sent him more eagerly, in order that when you see him again you may have joy, and I may be less anxious.


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because for the work of Christ he drew near unto death, being careless with his life, in order that he might fill up that which was lacking in your service to me.


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Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not troublesome, but for you it is safe.


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For we are the [true] circumcision, worshipping by the Spirit of God, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in the flesh,


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although I also [am] having confidence in the flesh. If any other [person] thinks to have confidence in the flesh, I even more:


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circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; with respect to the law, a Pharisee;


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with respect to zeal, persecuting the church; with respect to righteousness which is in the law, blameless.


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More than that I also consider all things to be loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have sustained the loss of all things, and I consider them to be rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ


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and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through [the] faith of Christ, the righteousness [which is] of God by faith;


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[so as] to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,


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Not that I have already obtained, or have already been made perfect; but I press on, if also I may lay hold of that for which I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.


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Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold; but one thing[ I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,


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Therefore, as many as are mature, let us think this way; and if in anything you think otherwise, even this God will reveal to you.


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Be fellow imitators of me, brothers, and look out for those walking this way, just as you have us for a pattern.


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For many walk, of whom often I was speaking to you, and now even weeping I tell you, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:


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whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame-who are mindful of earthly things.


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For our citizenship exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,


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who will transform our lowly body, that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subject all things to Himself.


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Therefore, my beloved and longed for brothers, my joy and crown, in this way stand fast in the Lord, beloved.


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Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women who labored together with me in the gospel, and with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.


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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, along with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;


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and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.


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Finally, brothers, as many things as are true, as many as are honorable, as many as are just, as many as are pure, as many as are lovely-if there is any virtue and if there is any praise-meditate on these things.


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The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.


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But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now once [again] you have revived your mindfulness on my behalf, inasmuch as indeed you were mindful, but you lacked opportunity.


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Not that I am speaking with respect to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.


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I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In every place and in all [circumstances] I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.


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Now you Philippians also know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church shared with me in an accounting of giving and receiving except you only.


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And I have all things and abound. I have been made full, having received from Epaphroditus the things [sent] from you, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.


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To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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because of the hope being laid up for you in [the] heavens, in which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,


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which has come to you, just as also in all the world, and is bearing fruit and growing, just as also among you, from the day which you heard and fully knew the grace of God in truth;


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just as also you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you,


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On account of this we also, since the day we heard, do not cease praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;


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that you should walk worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit and increasing in the full knowledge of God;


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being strengthened with all power, according to the might of His glory, for all endurance and longsuffering with joy;


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giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.


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He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,


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because by Him all things were created, those in the heavens and those on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.


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And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence;


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and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of His cross.


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And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled


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in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach before Him-


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if indeed you continue in the faith, having been founded and firm and not drifting away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was proclaimed to all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.


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I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for His body, which is the church,


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of which I became a minister according to the stewardship of God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,


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the mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from generations, but now was revealed to His saints.


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To whom God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;


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whom we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;


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For I want you to know how great a struggle I have concerning you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,


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that their hearts may be encouraged, being joined together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to a full knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,


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For though indeed I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your orderliness and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.


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having been rooted and built up in Him and being established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.


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Beware lest anyone captures you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.


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In whom you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,


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having been buried together with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised together through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.


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And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,


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having blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of the midst, nailing it to the cross.


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[And h]aving disarmed principalities and powers, He mocked them in public, triumphing over them in it.


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Therefore do not let anyone judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or of a new moon or of sabbaths,


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Let no one rule against you, desiring [to do so] in [false] humility and in worship of the angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, in vain being puffed up by his carnal mind,


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and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, supported and joined together by joints and ligaments, grows with the growth of God.


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If you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you submit to regulations-


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These things indeed have a reputation of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and severity [on the] body, but [are] not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.


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If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at [the] right [hand] of God.


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Therefore put to death your members on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.


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But now you yourselves are to put off all [these]: wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.


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and have put on the new man who is renewed in full knowledge according to the image of Him who created it,


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where there is not Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.


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Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience;


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forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone should have a complaint against any; just as Christ forgave you, so you also [do].


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


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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.


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And whatever you may do in word or deed, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.


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Bondservants, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.


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knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ.


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Masters, provide to your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in [the] heavens.


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praying at the same time also for us, that God would open a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, because of which I am also in chains,


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Let your word always be with grace, having been seasoned with salt, to know how you ought to answer each [one].


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Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all things about me.


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I am sending him to you for this very thing, that he may know your circumstances, and he may encourage your hearts,


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with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all the things[ happening] here.


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Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, receive him),


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and Jesus who is called Justus. These alone are my fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.


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Epaphras greets you, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, always struggling for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and complete in all the will of God.


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For I bear him witness that he has much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.


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And whenever this letter is read before you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the [one] from Laodicea.


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And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."


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Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God [the] Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.


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constantly remembering your work of faith, labor of love, and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,


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For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, just as you know what kind [of men ]we were among you for your sake.


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And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, in that you received the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit,


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For from you the word of the Lord has resounded, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.


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For they themselves report about us what kind of entrance we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,


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and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.


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But suffering before and being spitefully treated at Philippi, just as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much conflict.


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but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who is testing our hearts.


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For neither were we using flattering speech, as you know, nor covering up greed, God is [our ]witness.


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Nor seeking glory from men, neither from you, nor from others, even though we were able to carry weight as apostles of Christ.


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In this way longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.


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For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.


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You are witnesses, and [so is ]God, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we were among you that believe;


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as indeed you know how each one of you, as a father [to] his own children, we exhorted, and comforted [you], and imploring you,


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Because of this we also give thanks to God unceasingly, so that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you received not the word of men, but just as it truly is, the word of God, which also is at work in you that believe.


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For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you suffered the same things from your fellow countrymen, just as also they [did] by the Jews,


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who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and [are] against all men,


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forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved, so as always to fill up [the measure of] their sins; but the wrath [of God ]has come upon them to the uttermost.


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But we, brothers, being unwillingly separated from you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, were all the more eager to see your face with much desire.


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For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? [Is] it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?


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Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we were well pleased to be left behind in Athens alone,


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and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, in order to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,


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that no one should be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed unto this.


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For even when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we were going to be afflicted, just as it also happened, and you know.


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Because of this, when I could no longer endure [it], I sent to learn about your faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted you, and our labor be in vain.


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But now when Timothy came to us from you, and brought good news to us of your faith and your love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, as we also [long to see] you-


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because of this we were encouraged, brothers, in regard to you in all our affliction and distress by your faith.


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For whatever thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we are rejoicing because of you in the presence of our God,


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night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and to perfect what is lacking in your faith?


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And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all [men], as indeed we also do toward you,


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so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.


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Finally then, brothers, we request of you and exhort [you] in the Lord Jesus, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you should abound more.


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that no one should transgress against and to defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger concerning all, just as we told you before and solemnly testified.


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Now concerning brotherly love you have no need [for me] to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.


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For indeed you do so toward all the brothers in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you increase more and more,


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and that you aspire to be quiet, and to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, just as we commanded you,


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Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you be sorrowful as those who have no hope.


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For if we believe that Jesus died and rose [again], thus also God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.


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For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall by no means precede those who are asleep.


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Because the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a word of command, with [the] voice of an archangel, and with [the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.


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Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.


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For when they say, "Peace and safety!"then sudden destruction comes upon them, just as labor pains upon the woman that is pregnant, and they shall by no means escape.


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But we, since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.


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For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to [the] obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,


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And we request of you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and instruct you,


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Now we exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the discouraged, be supportive of the weak, be patient toward all.


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See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue that which is good, both for one another and for all.


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Now [may] the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ:


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We are obligated to give thanks to God always for you, brothers, [and ]rightfully so, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all increases towards one another,


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so that we ourselves are boasting in you among the churches of God about your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,


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[which is] evidence of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which you also suffer;


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and to give you who are being afflicted rest along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His mighty angels,


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in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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These shall pay a penalty-eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might,


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whenever He comes, in that Day, to be glorified among His saints and to be marveled among all those having believed, because our testimony among you was believed.


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Therefore we also pray always concerning you that our God may count you worthy of [this] calling, and may fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,


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in order that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we beseech you,


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not to be quickly shaken from your mind, nor be disturbed, neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter, as if from us, [as though] the day of Christ has come.


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Let no one deceive you by any means; for [that day will not come] unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is unveiled, the son of perdition,


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who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or [every] object of worship, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.


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For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains [will continue ]until one arises from out of [the] midst.


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And then the lawless one will be unveiled, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth, and will destroy by the brightness of His coming,


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and in all deception of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.


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But we are obligated to give thanks to God always for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth,


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So then, brothers, stand fast and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our letter.


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Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and a good hope by grace,


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Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, just as [it is ]with you,


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And we trust in the Lord concerning you, that the[ ]things which we command to you, you are both doing, and will do [them.]


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But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother living in idleness, and not according to the tradition which they received from us.


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nor did we eat bread from anyone without paying, but in labor and hardship, working night and day, so as not to be a burden to any of you,


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not because we do not have authority, but in order that we may give ourselves as a pattern to you, so that you might follow us.


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For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat!


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For we hear [that] some are walking among you in a disorderly way, not working at all, but being busybodies.


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And to such [people] we command and urge by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.


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Now if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him, and do not associate with him, that he may be ashamed.


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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to [the] commandment of God our Savior and [the] Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,


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To Timothy, [my ]own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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Just as I urged you to remain in Ephesus as I traveled into Macedonia, that you should command certain [people] not to teach differently,


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nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.


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Now the goal of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,


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knowing this: that the law is not laid down for the righteous, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for killers of fathers and killers of mothers, for murderers,


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for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is opposed to sound doctrine,


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And I give thanks to the [One] who empowers me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He considered me faithful, putting me into the ministry,


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I, who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I was shown mercy, because, being ignorant, I did it in unbelief,


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Faithful is this word, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.


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However, because of this I was shown mercy, so that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, as a pattern for those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.


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Now to the King of the Ages, immortal, invisible, [the] only wise God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.


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This charge I commit to you, [my] son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that you may war by them the good warfare,


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having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,


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of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.


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Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men,


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on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.


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for which I was appointed a herald and apostle-I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie-a teacher of Gentiles in faith and truth.


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Likewise also that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and discretion, not with braids or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,


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Nevertheless she shall be saved through childbirth, if they remain in faith and love, and sanctification, with self-control.


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It is necessary, therefore, for a bishop to be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable, skillful at teaching;


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not given to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not loving money;


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not a new convert, lest being puffed up [with pride] he fall into the [same] condemnation as the devil.


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Moreover he must have a good testimony among those outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.


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Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not being given to much wine, not greedy for money,


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For those who have served well as deacons obtain a standing for themselves and much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.


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but if I am delayed, [I write] so that you may know how it is necessary to conduct oneself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.


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And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among [the ]Gentiles, believed on in the world, [and ]was received up in glory.


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But the Spirit explicitly says, that in latter times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,


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forbidding to marry, [commanding] to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who are believers and have come to know the truth.


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Because every creature of God is good, and not one is to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving,


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Instructing the brothers in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.


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For bodily exercise is profitable a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life and of the coming life.


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For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.


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Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but [rather ]become a pattern for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.


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Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.


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Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.


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But if a certain widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety to their own household and to make repayment to their parents; for this is acceptable before God.


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Now she who is really a widow and having been left alone, has set her hope on God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.


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But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his [own] house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.


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having a reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.


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But refuse [to enroll] the younger widows; for whenever they grow lustful against Christ, they desire to marry,


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And besides they learn to be idle, going around from house to house, and not only idle but also gossipy and busybodies, speaking things [which are] not proper.


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Therefore I desire that the younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage the house, to give no opportunity to the adversary because of reproach.


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If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let [that one] relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.


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Let the elders having ruled well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.


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For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox threshing [grain],"and, "The worker is worthy of his wages."


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I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality.


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No longer drink water [only], but use a little wine on account of your stomach, and your frequent illnesses.


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The sins of some men are evident beforehand, preceding them to judgment, but some also follow after.


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Likewise also the good works [of some] are evident beforehand, and those which are otherwise cannot be hidden.


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Let as many as are slaves under a yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.


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And those having believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve as slaves, because those receiving the good service are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.


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If anyone teaches differently and does not consent to sound words, even those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,


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he is puffed up, understanding nothing, but [is] morbidly concerned with disputes and word battles, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions,


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constant wranglings of men of corrupt minds and having been deprived of the truth, supposing that godliness is a means of profit. Withdraw from such [people].


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But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many senseless and harmful lusts which sink men into destruction and perdition.


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For the love of money is[ the] root of all evil, of which some [by] aspiring have strayed away from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.


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You however, O man of God, flee these things. But pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.


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Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called and have confessed the good confession before many witnesses.


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I charge you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,


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that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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which He will show in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,


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who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or is able to see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.


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Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to put their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who provides all things richly for us to enjoy,


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O Timothy! Guard that which was committed to your trust, turning away from the profane and empty babblings and opposing views of what is falsely called "knowledge,"


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which some, by professing [expertise,] missed the mark concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.


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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life which [is] in Christ Jesus,


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To Timothy, [my ]beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, how unceasingly I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day,


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taking recollection of the genuine faith [that is] in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.


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For which cause I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.


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Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but endure hardship with the gospel according to the power of God,


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who having saved us, and having called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time [itself],


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but has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, having abolished death on the one hand, [and] having brought to life immortality through the gospel on the other,


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For which cause I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I have been persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed to Him until that Day.


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Hold to the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.


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This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.


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May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me, and he was not ashamed of my chain;


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May the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord in that Day-and you very well know how many ways he served in Ephesus.


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And the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be competent to teach others also.


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No one serving as a soldier entangles [himself] in the affairs of [civilian] life, in order that he may please the [one] having enlisted him.


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And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.


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Because of this, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.


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Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to dispute about words, useful for nothing, for the ruin of the hearers.


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Be diligent to show yourself approved unto God, a worker unashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.


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who have strayed concerning the truth, asserting that the resurrection has already occurred; and they overturn the faith of some.


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Nevertheless the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those that are His,"and, "Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness."


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Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.


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Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the [latter], he will be a vessel for honor, having been consecrated and useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.


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Flee youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


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And a servant of the Lord ought not to fight, but to be gentle to all, skillful at teaching, forbearing,


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in meekness instructing those that oppose, if God perhaps may give them repentance, to a full knowledge of the truth,


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and they regain their senses [and escape] out of the snare of the devil, having been captured alive by him to do his will.


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For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,


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For of these are those [who] creep into houses and captivate gullible women having been loaded down with sins, who are led by various lusts,


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And in just the way Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, thus also these resist the truth: men corrupted in mind, disapproved regarding the faith.


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But they shall not advance further, for their folly shall be manifest to all, as also theirs became.


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You however have carefully followed my doctrine, lifestyle, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,


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persecutions, [and ]afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, in Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.


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But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you learned them,


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and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.


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All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,


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I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead in accordance with His appearing and His kingdom:


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preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and teaching.


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For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, they will heap up for themselves teachers, tickling their ears,


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You however be watchful in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.


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Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me, but also to all those who have loved His appearing.


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For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and traveled to Thessalonica-Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.


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Bring the cloak which I left with Carpus at Troas when you come-and the books, especially the parchments.


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But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled, and all the Gentiles might hear, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.


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And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him [be] glory forever and ever. Amen!


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Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.


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Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to [the] faith of the elect of God and [the] full knowledge of [the] truth which is according to godliness,


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but has in due time manifested His word in a proclamation, [with ]which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior;


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To Titus, [my ]own son according to [our] common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God [the] Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.


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For this reason I left you behind in Crete, so that you should set in order the things[ ]that are lacking, and you should appoint elders in every city as I commanded you:


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if a man is unimpeachable, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or [who are ]insubordinate.


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For a bishop must be unimpeachable, as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,


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holding fast to the faithful word as he was taught, that he may be able to exhort by sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.


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For there are also many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,


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whom it is necessary to shut [their] mouths, who overturn whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.


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There said a certain one of them, a prophet of their own, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons."


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All things indeed are pure to the pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience have been defiled.


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They profess to know God, but in their works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.


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Older women likewise are to be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teaching what is good,


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temperate, pure, homemakers, good, submitting to their own husbands, lest the word of God be blasphemed.


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in all respects showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, dignity, incorruptibility,


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sound speech that cannot be condemned, in order that the [one] who is an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.


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[Exhort] bondservants to be subject to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not talking back,


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not embezzling, but showing good faith, so that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.


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teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,


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who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people as [His] own possession, zealous for good works.


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Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,


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For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, being deceived, being enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.


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not by works of righteousness which we did, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,


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that having been justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


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Faithful is this word, and concerning these things I want you to strongly affirm, so that those who have believed in God may take thought to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.


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But avoid foolish disputes and genealogies, and strifes and legal fights; for they are unprofitable and futile.


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Whenever I shall send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, hasten to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.


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And let our [people] also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, lest they be unfruitful.


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All[ ]who [are] with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.


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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker,


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that the sharing of your faith may become effective in full knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.


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For we have much thanksgiving and encouragement over your love, because the affections of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.


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rather on account of love I appeal to you-being such a one as Paul, the elder, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ-


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whom I wished to keep with myself, in order that on your behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the gospel.


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But I wished to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good might not be by necessity, but by [being] voluntary.


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For perhaps he was taken away for a time on account of this, in order that you might keep him eternally,


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no longer as a slave but more than a slave-a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.


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I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay-lest I say to you that even yourself you owe to me!


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Having been persuaded of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.


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But meanwhile, also prepare for me a guestroom, for I hope that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.


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has in these last days spoken to us by [His] Son, whom He has appointed heir [of] all things, through whom also He made the worlds;


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who being the radiance of His glory and the exact expression of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,


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For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be a Father to Him, and He shall be a Son to Me"?


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But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."


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But of the Son [He says]: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.


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You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions."


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And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.


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and like a cloak You will roll them up, and they shall be changed. But You are the same, and Your years shall not fail."


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But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet"?


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Are they not all ministering spirits being sent out to minister for the sake of those who shall be heirs of salvation?


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On account of this we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.


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For if the word which was spoken through angels was confirmed, and every transgression and disobedience received a just retribution,


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how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which in the beginning was spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard,


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God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?


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But someone somewhere testified, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You visit him?


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You have subjected all things under his feet."For in subjecting to him all things[, ]He left nothing not subjected to him. But now we do not yet see all things having been subjected to him.


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But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, through the suffering of death, having been crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone.


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For it was fitting for Him, on account of whom [are] all things and through whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the Author of their salvation through sufferings.


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For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers,


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saying: "I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You."


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And again: "I will put My trust in Him."And again: "Behold I and the children to whom God has given Me."


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Therefore since the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same things, in order that through death He might destroy the [one] having the power of death, that is, the devil,


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and that He might set free these, as many as by fear of death through all of their lives, were subject to bondage.


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Therefore He was obligated to become like His brothers in all [respects], in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things [pertaining] to God, in order that He might make propitiation for the sins of the people.


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Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus Christ,


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For He has been counted worthy of more honor than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.


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And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of the things which would be spoken,


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but Christ [was faithful ]as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the boast of hope firm until [the] end.


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Therefore I was indignant with that generation, and said, 'They go astray in their heart; and they did not know My ways.'


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Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any one of you a wicked heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;


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but encourage yourselves every day, while it is called "Today,"lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.


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For we have become partakers of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of the assurance firm until the end,


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And with whom was He indignant forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?


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Therefore let us fear, lest while the promise remains to enter into His rest, any one of you seems to have fallen short.


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For indeed we have had the gospel preached [to us] just as those also; but the word which they heard did not profit those, not having been mixed with faith in those having heard it.


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For we who have believed enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest,"although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.


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For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day thus, "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works;"


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Therefore since it remains [for] some to enter into it, and those formerly having the gospel preached [to them] did not enter on account of disobedience,


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again He appoints a certain day, saying in David, "Today,"after such a time, just as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."


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Therefore let us be diligent to enter into that rest, lest anyone falls in the same example of disobedience.


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For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


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And there is no creature hidden before Him, but all things are naked and open to His eyes, to whom we must give an account.


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Therefore having a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession.


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For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but having been tempted in all [respects] in quite the same way as [we are], yet without sin.


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Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.


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For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in the things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins,


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being able to deal gently with those who sin in ignorance and go astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.


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On account of this he is obligated to offer [sacrifices ]for sins, just as concerning the people, so also concerning himself.


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So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You."


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Just as He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek";


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who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up both prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears to the [One] who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His fear of God,


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concerning whom we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing.


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For indeed, although you ought to be teachers by this time, again you have need [for someone ]to teach you what are the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.


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For everyone who partakes [only ]of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.


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But solid food is for the mature, for those because of their practice have their senses trained for the distinguishing of both good and evil.


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Therefore, leaving the subject of the beginning of Christ, let us be moved to perfection, not again laying down a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,


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of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.


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For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and became partakers of the Holy Spirit,


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and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and hold Him up to contempt.


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For the earth which drinks the rain often coming upon it, and bears suitable vegetation for those on account of whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God;


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but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, of which the end [is] for burning.


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But we are persuaded concerning you, beloved, of better things and those pertaining to salvation, even though we speak in this manner.


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For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.


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But we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until [the] end,


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lest you become dull, but [become] imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.


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For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,


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For men indeed swear by the greater, and the oath for confirmation [is] an end of every dispute to them.


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Thus God, wanting to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His counsel, guaranteed it by an oath,


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in order that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong encouragement, who have fled to take hold of the hope being set before [us];


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which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and secure, and which enters into the inner [side] of the veil,


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where the Forerunner has entered on our behalf, [even] Jesus, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.


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For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,


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to whom also Abraham divided a tenth from all, first being interpreted "king of righteousness,"and then also king of Salem, which is "king of peace,"


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without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.


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But observe how great this [man was], to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.


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And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to collect tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;


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but the [one] not tracing his descent from them has received tithes from Abraham, and he has blessed the [one] having the promises.


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And here on the one hand mortal men receive tithes, but there on the other he[ receives them], of whom[ ]it is witnessed that he lives.


text:
Therefore, if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), why is there yet a need [for] another priest to rise, according to the order of Melchizedek, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?


text:
For He concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.


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For it is evident that our Lord has risen out of Judah, regarding which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.


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And it is yet even more clearer, if according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest


text:
who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.


text:
For on the one hand an annulment comes about of the preceding commandment on account of its weakness and uselessness.


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For the law made nothing perfect; but there[ is] the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.


text:
for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him that said to Him: "The LORD has sworn and will not relent, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek' ",


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Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those coming to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.


text:
For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;


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who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices beforehand, on behalf of His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.


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For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, [appoints] a Son who has been perfected forever.


text:
Now this is the main point of the things being said: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,


text:
For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; therefore it is necessary that this [high priest] also have something to offer.


text:
For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;


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who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses had been warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle, for He says, "See, you shall make all things according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain."


text:
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises.


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For finding fault [with] them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,


text:
not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. Because they did not persevere in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD.


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For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind, and I will inscribe them upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.


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And by no means will they teach each [one ]his fellow citizen, and each [one] his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.


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For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and their sins and their lawless deeds I shall by no means remember anymore."


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In that He says, "A new [covenant],"He has made the first obsolete. And whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish.


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For a tabernacle was prepared: the first [part], in which [were] both the lampstand and the table and the showbread, which is called the holy place;


text:
having a golden altar, and the ark of the covenant having been overlaid on all sides with gold, in which [was] a golden jar holding the manna, and the rod of Aaron which budded, and the tablets of the covenant;


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and above it [were] cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; concerning these things we cannot now speak in detail.


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Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services,


text:
but into the second [part] the high priest [goes] alone once during the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance;


text:
the Holy Spirit signifying this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing,


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which [was] symbolic for the present time, according to which both gifts and sacrifices are being offered, which are not able, in respect to conscience, to make perfect the [one] performing the service,


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[concerned] only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances which are imposed until a time of reformation.


text:
But Christ came [as] a High Priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.


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Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered once for all into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption.


text:
For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling those having been defiled, sanctifies for the purity of the flesh,


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by how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, will cleanse your conscience from dead works in order that we might serve the living God?


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And on account of this He is the Mediator of the new covenant, so that, since a death has occurred for redemption of the transgressions at the time of the first covenant, that those having been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.


text:
For where there [is] a testament, there is necessity for death to be offered of the [one] making the testament.


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For a testament is valid over dead [people], since it is never valid when the [one] making the testament lives.


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For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses according to law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,


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And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.


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Therefore it [was] necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens to be continually purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves by better sacrifices than these.


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For Christ did not enter into [the] holies made by hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf;


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not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the Holies every year with another's blood-


text:
since it would have been necessary [for] Him to suffer often from the foundation of the world; but now, once at the consummation of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin through the sacrifice of Himself.


text:
so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time apart from sin unto salvation, to those who eagerly await Him.


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For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the image itself of the things, can never with the same sacrifices, which they offer continually every year, make those approaching perfect.


text:
Otherwise they would not have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.


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Therefore, when He entered into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.


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Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-In the volume of the book it is written of Me- To do Your will, O God.' "


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Earlier saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and [sacrifices] for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them"(which are offered according to the law),


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then He has said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God."He takes away the first in order that He may establish the second.


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And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.


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But He Himself, having offered one sacrifice for sins forever, He sat down at the right hand of God,


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"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws on their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds,


text:
let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies having been washed with clean water.


text:
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, just as is the custom for some, but exhorting [one another], and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.


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For if we sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,


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but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery zeal being about to devour the adversaries.


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Anyone disregarding the law of Moses dies without compassions on [the testimony of] two or three witnesses.


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By how much worse punishment, do you think, will he be deemed worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, and has regarded as common the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?


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For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,"says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people."


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But remember the former days, in which after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle of sufferings,


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in part being exposed publicly, both to reproaches and to afflictions, and in part having become partners of those treated in this way.


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For you sympathized with me in my chains, and you received the plunder of your possessions with joy, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and enduring possession in heaven.


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By faith we understand that time [itself] was framed by a command of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.


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By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying concerning his gifts; and through it, although he died, he still speaks.


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By faith Enoch was translated [so as] not to see death, "and he was not found, because God translated him"; for before his translation he had obtained witness that he was pleasing to God.


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But without faith it is impossible to please [God], for it is necessary [for] the [one] approaching God to believe that He is, and that He becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.


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By faith Noah, having being warned [by God] concerning the things[ ]not yet seen, being reverent, prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, through which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.


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By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go forth to the place which he was about to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.


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By faith he migrated into a land of promise as [in] a foreign [land], dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow heirs of the same promise;


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By faith Sarah herself also received power for conception of seed, and she bore a child past the normal age, because she regarded [Him] faithful who had promised.


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Therefore even from one [man ]they were begotten, and him as good as dead, just as the stars of the sky in multitude, and innumerable as the sand by the seashore.


text:
These all died according to faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off and welcoming [them], and confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.


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And indeed if they had remembered that land from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to turn back.


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But now they desire a better [land], that is, a heavenly [one]. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.


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By faith Abraham, when he was tested, had offered up Isaac, and he that received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],


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considering that even from the dead, God [was] able to raise [him up], from which he also received him in a figurative sense.


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By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, [leaning] on the top of his staff.


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By faith Joseph, when he was dying, remembered concerning the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.


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By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw a beautiful child; and they did not fear the edict of the king.


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choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to have the temporary pleasure of sin,


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regarding the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.


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By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king; for he endured as seeing the Unseen [One].


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By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.


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By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.


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By faith the prositute Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.


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And what more should I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, both Barak and Samson and Jephthah, both David and Samuel and the prophets:


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who through faith overcame kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,


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quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty in battle, turned to flight the armies of foreigners.


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Women received their dead [back] by resurrection. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection.


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They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tried, they were slain, being murdered with the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, being in want, being afflicted, being ill treated,


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of whom the world was not worthy, wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.


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So therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every impediment, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


text:
looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured [the] cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


text:
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and discouraged in your souls.


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And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as sons: "My son, do not despise the discipline of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are reproved;


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It is for discipline [that] you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline?


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But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.


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Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we respected [them.] Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?


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For they indeed disciplined us for a few days, as seemed best to them, but He [disciplines us ]for [our] good, so that we may partake of His holiness.


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Now no discipline seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those having been trained by it.


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and make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be turned aside, but rather be healed.


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looking diligently lest anyone fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness growing up cause trouble, and through this many be defiled;


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lest there be any fornicator or profane [person] like Esau, who in exchange for one meal gave up his birthright.


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For you know that indeed afterward, wishing to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, having sought it out diligently with tears.


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For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and to a whirlwind,


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and to a sound of a trumpet and to a voice of words, which those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.


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For they could not bear that [which] was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."


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But you have come to Zion, to the Mountain and city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,


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to the general assembly and church of the firstborn having been enrolled in [the] heavens, to God the Judge of all, and to spirits of just men made perfect,


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and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling which speaks better things than the [blood] of Abel.


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See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape, having refused Him who warned [them], how much more [shall we not escape] if we turn away from Him who warns from heaven;


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whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven."


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Now the [phrase], "Yet once more,"signifies the removal of the things being shaken, as having been made, so that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.


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Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.


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Remember the prisoners as if having been bound with them, those who are ill treated, as you yourselves are in the body also.


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Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.


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Let [your] way of life [be] without loving money, being satisfied with what you have. For He Himself has said, "By no means shall I desert you, nor in any way shall I forsake you;"


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so that being confident, we may say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"


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Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you, of whom considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.


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Do not be carried away with various and strange doctrines. For it is good [for] the heart to be established by grace, not by foods, by which those having walked were not profited.


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For of the animals, [whose ]blood is brought into the Holies by the high priest [as an offering ]for sin, the bodies [of these animals] are burned outside the camp.


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Therefore Jesus also, so that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.


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Therefore through Him let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, confessing to His name.


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Obey your leaders, and submit to [them], for they keep watch over your souls, as giving an account, in order that they may do this with joy and not groaning, for this [would be] unprofitable for you.


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Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live commendably.


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Now may the God of peace, who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant,


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make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] glory forever and ever. Amen.


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And I appeal to you, brothers, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.


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James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.


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If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it shall be given to him.


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But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.


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For the sun arose with burning heat and withered the grass, and its flower fell off, and its beautiful appearance perished. So the rich man also shall fade away in his pursuits.


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Blessed is the man who endures temptation; because when he is approved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love Him.


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Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.


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Then lust, when it conceives, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.


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Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.


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Exercising His will He begat us by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.


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Therefore laying aside all filthiness and abundance of evil, in meekness receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.


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Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this [one] is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;


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But the [one] who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one shall be blessed in what he does.


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If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceiving his heart, the religion of this [man ]is useless.


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Pure and undefiled religion before God and [the] Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.


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For if a man enters into your assembly with a gold ring, in fine clothes, and there should also come in a poor [man] in dirty clothes,


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and you have respect for him that wears the fine clothes and you say to him, "You sit here in a good seat,"and say to the poor man, "You stand there,"or, "Sit here under my footstool,"


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Listen, my beloved brothers. Did God not choose the poor of the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those that love Him?


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If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"you do well;


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For He who said, "Do not commit adultery,"also said, "You shall not murder."Now if you do not commit adultery, but [yet ]you murder, [then ]you have become a transgressor of the law.


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What does it profit, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Is that [kind of] faith able to save him?


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and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled,"but you do not give them the necessary things of the body, what [is] the benefit?


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But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works."Show me your faith [apart] from your works, and I will show you my faith by means of my works.


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Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by means of his works faith was made perfect?


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And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."And he was called a friend of God.


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Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by means of works, when she received the messengers and sent [them] out another way?


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For we all stumble in many [ways]. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a mature man, able also to bridle the whole body.


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Consider also the ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot desires.


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Even so the tongue is a small member and it boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!


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And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. Thus the tongue is set among our members, as that which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.


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For every kind of both beasts and birds, of both reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.


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With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are created according to [the] likeness of God.


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The spring does not pour forth from the same opening [both ]the sweet and the bitter [water, does it]?


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It is not possible, my brothers, [for] a fig tree to make olives, or a vine [to make ]figs, [is it]? Thus no spring is able to produce [both] salt and sweet water.


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Is there anyone wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct [that] his works [are] in meekness of wisdom.


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But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.


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From where [come] wars and disputes among you? Is it not from here, from your lusts, which war in your members?


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You lust and you do not have. You murder and are jealous and you cannot obtain. You fight and make war. You do not have because you do not ask.


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You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend [it] in [gratifying] your lusts.


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Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world is constituted an enemy of God.


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Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded.


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Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. He who speaks evil against a brother and judges his brother speaks against the law and judges the law. And if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.


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Come now, you who say, "Today and tomorrow let us travel to this city, and let us spend a year there, and let us trade and make a profit"-


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[you] who do not know [what will] happen tomorrow. For what is your life? For it will be a vapor that appears for a little [time], but then also disappears.


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Your gold and silver have become corroded, and their poison will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You stored up treasure in the last days.


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Indeed, the wages of the laborers who reaped your fields, which were kept back by you, cry out, and the cries of the reapers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts.


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You lived luxuriously upon the earth and you lived riotously, you nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.


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Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer awaits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it, until it receives the early and late rain.


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Do not murmur against one another, brothers, lest you be judged. Behold, the Judge stands before the doors!


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My brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of evil suffering and of longsuffering.


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Indeed we count those blessed who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you saw the end of the Lord-that He is compassionate and He is merciful.


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But above all, my brothers, do not swear, neither by heaven nor the earth, nor any other oath. But let your "Yes"be "Yes,"and [your] "No,""No,"so that you may not fall into hypocrisy.


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Is anyone among you sick? Let him call on the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.


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And the prayer of faith will save the [one ]who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.


text:
Confess your transgressions to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of the righteous is very powerful.


text:
Elijah was a man of similar nature to us, and with a prayer, he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and it did not rain upon the land for three years and six months.


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let him know that he who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.


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Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect sojourners of the Dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,


text:
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.


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Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


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who by the power of God [are] being guarded through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


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In which you greatly rejoice, [though for] a little while now, if need be, you have been distressed by various trials,


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so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though being tested with fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


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Whom not having seen, you love, in whom now not seeing, but believing, you rejoice with inexpressible joy and glorified,


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Concerning this salvation the prophets have sought out and inquired carefully, having prophesied of the grace [that would come] to you,


text:
searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ in them was revealing when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories which were to follow.


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To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to you they were ministering these things, which things were now announced to you by those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things which angels desire to look into.


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Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, stay sober, put your hope fully in the grace brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;


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as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves [after] the former lusts, [as you did in ]your ignorance;


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And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear;


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knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your futile way of life handed down from your forefathers,


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having been foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, He was made manifest in these last times for you,


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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.


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Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere love for the brothers, love one another fervently from a pure heart,


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having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.


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For "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man is as the flower of [the] grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,


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Coming to Him as to a living stone, having been rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,


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you also, as living stones, are being built [into] a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


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For it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I place in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, precious, and he who believes on Him shall by no means be put to shame."


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Therefore, to you who believe, [He] is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,"


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and "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense."They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.


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But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's [own] possession, that you may proclaim the excellent virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;


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who formerly [were] not a people but now [are the] people of God, who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.


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Beloved, I implore you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul;


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having your manner of life noble among the Gentiles, so that, whenever they speak against you as evildoers, when they observe the good works, they may glorify God in the day of visitation.


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Therefore subject yourselves to every human institution on account of the Lord: whether to the king as [to one] having authority,


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or to governors, as to those being sent for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise [of those] doing good.


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Servants, subject yourselves to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked.


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For this is admirable, if because of conscience toward God someone endures pain, suffering unjustly.


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For what glory [is it,] if when you sin and are beaten, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer [for it,] you endure, this is admirable before God.


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For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving behind an example for you, that you should follow in His footsteps,


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who, being verbally abused, did not return verbal insults, when [He] suffered, [He] did not threaten, but committed [Himself] to Him who judges righteously;


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who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, in order that having died to sins, we might live unto righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.


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For you were like sheep going astray, but you have turned back now to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.


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Wives, likewise, subject yourselves to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobedient to the word, [that] by the conduct of their wives, without a word, they shall be gained [for Christ],


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Of whom let it not be the outward adorning of braiding of hair, and wearing of gold, or of putting on of [fine] clothes,


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rather [let it be] the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible [attitude] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious before God.


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For thus formerly, the holy women who hoped on God also adorned themselves, subjecting themselves to their own husbands,


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as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of whom you became children, when you do good and are not afraid of any terror.


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Husbands, likewise, live together according to knowledge as with a weaker vessel, with the wife, showing her honor as also a fellow heir of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered.


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not rendering evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called for this purpose, that you may inherit a blessing.


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For "He that desires to love life and see good days, let him stop his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile.


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For the eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears [open] to their prayer; but the face of the LORD is against those doing evil."


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But even if you should suffer on account of righteousness, [you are] blessed. "But do not fear their threats, nor be troubled."


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But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be prepared with a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;


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having a good conscience, so that in what they speak against you as evildoers, those reviling your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.


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For Christ also suffered once to atone for sins, [the] just for [the] unjust, that He might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit,


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who formerly disobeyed, when the longsuffering of God was waiting in the days of Noah, when the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water;


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which [as] an antitype, baptism now also saves us-(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but an appeal to God [for] a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


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who having gone into heaven, is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being subjected to Him.


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Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, you also arm yourselves [with] the same mind, because he who suffered in [the] flesh has ceased from sin,


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that he no longer should live the remaining time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.


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For we have spent enough of our past lifetime to accomplish the will of the Gentiles-having walked in wantonness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.


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In regard to these, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same flood of debauchery, reviling you.


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Unto this [end] was the gospel proclaimed also to those who are dead, in order that they might be judged according to men in [the] flesh, but [that] they might live according to God in [the] spirit.


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Now the end of all things is at hand; therefore be of sound mind and self-controlled in your prayers.


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And above all things have fervent love for one another, because "love will cover a multitude of sins."


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As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.


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If anyone speaks, [let him speak] as the utterances of God. If anyone serves, [let him serve] as from strength, as God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.


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Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery trial among you, taking place to test you, as though some strange thing [was] happening to you;


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but inasmuch as you partake in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, in order that also at the unveiling of His glory, you may rejoice with great happiness.


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If you are reviled in the name of Christ, blessed are you, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On the one hand He is blasphemed, but on the other He is glorified.


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For let not anyone of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's affairs;


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but if anyone [suffers] as a Christian, let him not be put to shame, but let him glorify God in this matter.


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For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if [it begins] with us first, what will be the end of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?


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Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.


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The elders who are among you I exhort, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed;


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shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not by compulsion, but rather willingly, not in fondness for dishonest gain, but rather eagerly;


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Likewise, younger [people], subject yourselves to [the] elders. And all of you be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility, because "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."


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Be sober, be watchful; your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour.


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Resist him, being steadfast in [your] faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.


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But may the God of all grace, the [One ]having called you into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little [while], may He Himself make you complete-He will establish, strengthen, [and] firmly ground [you].


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By Silvanus the faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying this to be [the] true grace of God in which you stand.


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Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by [the] righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:


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As His divine power has granted to us all things [pertaining] to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,


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through which have been given to us precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through these we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.


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But also [for] this very reason, making every effort, provide with your faith virtue, and with virtue knowledge,


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and with knowledge self-control, and with self-control perseverance, and with perseverance godliness,


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For if these things belong to you and are increasing, it makes you neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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For [he] who lacks these things is blind, being shortsighted, having forgotten the cleansing of his past sins.


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Therefore, brothers, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for by doing these things you shall by no means stumble at any time.


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For in this way the entrance will be supplied to you richly into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


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Therefore I shall not neglect to constantly remind you concerning these things, although you know and have been established in the present truth.


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knowing that the putting off of my tent is soon, just as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.


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And I will make an effort also, whenever necessary, to cause you to have a reminder of these things after my departure.


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For we did not follow craftily devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather became eyewitnesses of His majesty.


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For He received from God the Father honor and glory when a voice was brought to Him such as this by the Magnificent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."


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And we have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;


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for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being brought along by [the] Holy Spirit.


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But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master, the [One] having bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction.


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And by covetousness they will exploit you with fabricated words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction will not sleep.


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For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but rather confined [them] to Tartarus, and delivered [them ]into chains of darkness, reserved for judgment;


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and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, [the] eighth, a preacher of righteousness, when He brought a flood upon the ungodly world;


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and reducing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, He condemned [them] to destruction, having made [them] an example who were to be ungodly,


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(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, tormented his righteous soul by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)-


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[then] the Lord knows [how] to deliver the godly out of temptation and [how] to keep the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,


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and especially those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. [They are ]bold, self-willed, illustrious persons, they do not tremble at blaspheming,


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whereas angels, being greater in might and in power, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before the Lord.


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But these, as unreasoning natural animals, having been born for capture and destruction, blaspheme at things which they are ignorant of, and shall be destroyed in their destruction,


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receiving the wages of unrighteousness, counting as a pleasure to revel in the daytime, [they are] spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions while they feast with you,


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having eyes full of adultery and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart having been trained in greediness, they are accursed children.


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They have left behind the straight way and have gone astray, having followed after the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;


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but he was rebuked for his own lawlessness: a dumb donkey speaking with the voice of a man restrained the madness of the prophet.


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These are waterless wells, clouds being driven by a storm, for whom the darkness of the netherworld has been reserved forever.


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For when they speak haughty [words] of emptiness, they entice through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, those who are escaping from those who are living in error,


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promising to them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom anyone has been defeated, by this [one] also he has been enslaved.


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For if having escaped from the corruptions of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, yet by these, having become entangled they are defeated, the latter end has become worse for them than the first.


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For it was better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than knowing it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.


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But it has happened to them [according to] the [saying] of the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit,"and, "A sow, having washed, [returns ] to her wallowing in the mire."


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This already, beloved, [is] the second letter I write to you, in [both of] which I stir up your pure mind by a reminder,


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to remember the words having been previously spoken by the holy prophets, and the commandment of your apostles of the Lord and Savior;


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and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers died, all things continue as from the beginning of creation."


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For this they willingly forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and [the] earth, consisting out of water and through water,


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but the present heavens and earth, having been stored up by His word, are being reserved for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.


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But in this let it not escape your notice, beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.


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The Lord does not delay concerning His promise, as some reckon slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.


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But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements, burning with heat, shall be dissolved, both the earth and the works that are in it shall be burned up.


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Therefore, [seeing that] all these things shall be dissolved, what sort of [people] ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,


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looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens, being set of fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements, burning with heat, shall melt?


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But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.


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Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot or blemish;


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and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you,


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as also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the unlearned and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.


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You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on guard, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being carried away by the error of the wicked;


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but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and forever. Amen.


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That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have gazed upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-


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and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and we declare to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-


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that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, in order that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.


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And this is the message which we have heard from Him and we announce to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.


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If we claim that we have fellowship with Him, and we are walking in the darkness, we are lying, and are not practicing the truth.


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But if we are walking in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.


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If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


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My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if someone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.


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And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only concerning ours, but also concerning [those] of the whole world.


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He who says, "I have come to know Him,"and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.


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But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.


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Brothers, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.


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Again, a new commandment I am writing to you, which [thing] is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.


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But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.


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I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you on account of His name.


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I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know Him[ who is] from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil [one]. I am writing to you, little children, because you have come to know the Father.


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I wrote to you, fathers, because you have come to know Him[ who is] from the beginning. I wrote to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil [one].


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Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


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Because everything that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world.


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Little children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.


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They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but [they went out] in order that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.


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I did not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.


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Who is a liar but the [one] who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the [one] who denies the Father and the Son.


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Therefore let that which you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.


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And [as for] you, the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.


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And now, little children, abide in Him, in order that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed due to Him at His coming.


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If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.


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Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! On account of this the world does not know you, because it did not know Him.


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Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.


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Little children, let no one deceive you. The [one] who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.


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He who practices sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this [reason] the Son of God appeared, that He might destroy the works of the devil.


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No one who has been born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.


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By this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Everyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.


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not as Cain who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his works were evil and the [works] of his brother were righteous.


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We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He who does not love his brother abides in death.


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Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.


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By this we have come to know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives on behalf of our brothers.


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But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother having need, and shuts off his compassion towards him, how does the love of God abide in him?


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And whatever we should ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and we do the things pleasing before Him.


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And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and should love one another, just as He gave commandment.


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And the [one] who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, from the Spirit whom He gave us.


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Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


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By this the Spirit of God is known: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,


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and every spirit which does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the [spirit] of the Antichrist, which you have heard that it is coming, and now is already in the world.


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You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.


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We are of God. He that knows God hears us; [he] that is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


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Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; and everyone that loves has been born of God and knows God.


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By this the love of God is manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, in order that we might live through Him.


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In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be ]the propitiation for our sins.


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No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.


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And we have come to know and believe the love which God has in us. God is love, and he that abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.


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By this love has been perfected with us: that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because just as He is, we also are in this world.


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There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment. But he that fears has not been made perfect in love.


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If anyone claims, "I love God,"and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how is it possible [for him] to love God whom he has not seen?


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Everyone that believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone that loves Him that begot also loves him that is begotten of Him.


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For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,


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because everything having been born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that has overcome the world-your faith.


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This is He who came through water and blood-Jesus Christ, not only by the water, but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is He[ ]who witnesses, because the Spirit is the truth.


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If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; because this is the testimony of God which He has testified concerning His Son.


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He that believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; he that does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony which God has testified concerning His Son.


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These things I write to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe in the name of the Son of God.


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And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we should ask anything according to His will, He hears us.


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And if we know that He hears us, whatever we may ask, we know that we have the requests that we have requested from Him.


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If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not [leading] to death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for those who do not sin unto death. There is a sin [leading] to death. I do not say that he should ask about that.


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We know that everyone begotten of God does not sin; but he that was begotten of God keeps himself, and the evil [one] does not touch him.


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And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.


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THE ELDER, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have come to know the truth,


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Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God [the] Father and from [the] Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


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I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.


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And now I ask you, lady, not as writing a new commandment to you, but one which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.


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This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.


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Because many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in [the] flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.


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Look to yourselves, lest we should lose those things for which we worked, but that we should receive a full reward.


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Everyone who transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ, this [one] has both the Father and the Son.


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If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, and do not greet him;


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Although I had many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, in order that our joy may be fulfilled.


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For I rejoiced greatly when [the ]brothers came and witnessed to the truth which is in you, just as you walk in truth.


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who gave testimony concerning your love before the church, [with reference] to whom you will do well if you send them forth in a manner worthy of God,


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On account of this, if I come, I will call to mind his works which he does, slandering us with evil words. And not being content with that, he does not receive the brothers, and hinders those who desire to, casting them out of the church.


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Beloved, do not imitate the evil, but the good. He that does good is of God; he that does evil has not seen God.


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Demetrius has a good testimony with everyone, and of the truth itself. And we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.


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But I wish to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.


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Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, having been sanctified by God the Father, and having been kept in Jesus Christ:


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Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you about our common salvation, it became necessary to write to you exhorting you to earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.


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For certain men have crept in unawares, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, changing the grace of our God into licentiousness and denying the only Master God and our Lord Jesus Christ.


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Now I want to remind you, although you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.


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And the angels who did not keep their own domain, but rather having left their own habitation, He has kept with everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;


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as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to fornication and having gone after other flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.


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Likewise indeed even these [filthy ]dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glories.


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Yet Michael the archangel, when taking issue with the devil, was arguing about the body of Moses, dared not to bring a railing accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"


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But these speak blasphemously of those things which they do not know; but what they do know naturally, like unreasoning animals, they are destroyed by these things.


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Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and in the error of Balaam they have rushed for profit, and have perished in the rebellion of Korah.


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These are stains in your love feasts, while they feast [with you] without fear, caring for themselves, they are waterless clouds being carried along by winds; late autumn trees unfruitful, twice having died, having been uprooted,


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raging waves on the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars for whom the darkness of the netherworld has been reserved forever.


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Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,


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to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly among them about all their ungodly deeds which they have committed impiously, and about all the harsh [words] which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."


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These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks puffed up words, flattering people to gain advantage.


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But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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how they told you that in the last time there would be mockers, walking according to their own ungodly lusts.


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keep yourselves in the love of God, anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.


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but others save with fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment having been stained by the flesh.


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Now to Him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to make you stand before His glory, blameless with exultation,


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To the only wise God our Savior, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.


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The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to show His servants the[ ]things which must come to pass quickly. And He made it known by sending it through His angel to His servant John,


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who testified to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as many things as He saw, both the things that are and those that must happen after these.


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Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who keep the things having been written in it; for the time is near.


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John, to the seven churches [which are] in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven-fold Spirit who is before His throne,


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and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and who washed us from our sins in His own blood,


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and He made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.


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Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will wail because of Him. Even so, Amen!


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"I am the Alpha and the Omega,"says the Lord God, "He who is and He who was and He who is to come, The Almighty."


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I, John, your brother and partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and endurance in Christ Jesus, came to be on the island that is called Patmos on account of the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.


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saying, "That which you see, write in a book and send to the seven churches: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."


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And there I turned to see the voice which was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,


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and in the midst of the seven lampstands [stood One] like [the] Son of Man, having been clothed in a [robe] reaching to [His] feet and having been girded across [His] chest with a golden belt.


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And His head and His hair were white, and like white wool, like snow, and His eyes [were ]like a flame of fire;


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And His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;


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He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was as the sun shining in its strength.


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And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as [if] dead. But He put His right hand on me, saying, "Do not fear; I am the First and the Last.


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I am He who lives, and became dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Death and of Hades.


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Write therefore the things which you saw, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.


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The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.


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"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:


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"I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tested those who say that they are apostles and they are not, and you found them [to be ]liars;


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and you have endurance and you have born patiently on account of My name, and you did not become weary.


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Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; but if not, I am coming to you quickly and I will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.


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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of My God."'


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"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who became dead, and came to life:


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"I know your works, and your tribulation, and your poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan.


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Fear none of those things which you are about to suffer. Behold indeed, the devil is about to cast [some] of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.


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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall in no way be harmed by the second death."'


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"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:


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"I know your works, and where you live, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith in the days in which Antipas was My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan is dwelling.


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But I have a few things against you, because you have there [some] who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, both to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.


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Repent therefore! Or else I will come to you quickly, and make war against them with the sword of My mouth.


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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to him some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except he who receives it."'


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"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:


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"I know your works, and love, and faith and service, and your endurance; and your last works [are] greater than the first.


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But I have [this] against you, that you tolerate your wife Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols.


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Behold, I am casting her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, if they do not repent of her works.


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I will kill her children by death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.


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But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.


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And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations-


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"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He that has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name, that you live, and you are dead.


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Be watchful, and keep that which remains, which you were about to cast out, for I have not found your works perfect before My God.


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Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and by no means shall you know what hour I will come upon you.


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You have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy.


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He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and by no means shall I erase his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.


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"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says the Holy [One], the True [One,] "He who has the key of David, He that opens and no man shuts, except He that opens, and no man shall open."


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"I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it; because you have a little strength and have kept My word, and you have not denied My name.


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Behold, I will give those of the synagogue of Satan, those who say they are Jews and are not, but they are lying-behold, I will compel them to come and bow down at your feet, and they shall know that I have loved you.


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Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those that dwell upon the earth.


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He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and by no means shall he go out any longer. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from heaven from My God. And My new name.


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"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write, 'These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God:


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Because you say, 'I am wealthy, and have become rich, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked,


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I counsel you to buy from Me gold having been tried by fire, so that you may become rich; and white robes, so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not appear; and eye salve, so that you may anoint your eyes, in order that you may see.


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Behold, I stand at the door and I am knocking. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and I will dine with him, and he with Me.


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He that overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.


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After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must occur after this."


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Immediately I was in [the] Spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven (and One sitting on the throne)


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similar in appearance to a jasper and sardius stone, and there[ was] a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.


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Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw the twenty-four elders sitting, having been clothed in white robes; and on their heads[ were] crowns of gold.


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And from the throne proceeded lightnings and voices and thunders. And seven torches of fire [were] burning before His throne, which are seven spirits of God;


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and before the throne [was something ]like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living beings full of eyes in front and in back.


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The first living being was like a lion, the second living being [was ]like a calf, the third living being had a face of a man, and the fourth living being was like a flying eagle.


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And the four living beings, each one having six wings apiece, were full of eyes around and within. And they never rest day or night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Holy, holy, holy, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, He[ w]ho was, and who is, and who is to come!"


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Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him that sits on the throne, to Him that lives forever and ever,


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the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and they worship Him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:


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"You are worthy, our Lord and God, the Holy [One], to receive the glory and the honor and the power; because You created all things, and by Your will they existed and they were created."


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And I saw in the right [hand] of Him that sat on the throne a scroll, having been written inside and outside, [and ]having been sealed with seven seals.


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Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?"


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And no one in heaven above or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, nor to look at it.


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But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome, to open the scroll and its seven seals."


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And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living beings, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as [if] slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.


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And when He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls being filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.


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And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; because You were slain, and You redeemed us to God by Your blood, out of every tribe and language and people and nation;


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Then I looked, and I heard as it were the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living beings, and the elders. And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and a thousand thousands,


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saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive the power and the wealth and wisdom and strength, and honor and glory and blessing!"


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And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power to Him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen!"


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And I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living beings saying, like a voice of thunder, "Come."


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And behold, a white horse. And he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering, and to conquer.


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Another horse went out, fiery red, and it was granted to him that sat on it to take peace from the earth, so that they might kill each other; and there was given to him a great sword.


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And when He opened the third seal, I heard the third living being say, "Come."And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.


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And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living beings, saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not harm the oil and the wine."


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And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it was named Death, and Hades was following him. And authority was given to him over a fourth of the earth, to kill with [the ]sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth.


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And when He opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.


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And they cried [with] a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"


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Then a long white robe was given to them, and it was said to them that they should rest yet a while, until also their fellow servants and their brothers, who were about to be killed as also they [were], should complete [their course].


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And I saw when He opened the sixth seal, that there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became like blood.


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And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, like a fig tree casting its untimely figs, being shaken by a mighty wind.


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Then the sky was split like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island were removed out of their places.


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And the kings of the earth, and the magnates and the high-ranking military men, and the rich and the mighty, and every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the crags of the mountains.


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And they said to the mountains and crags, "Fall on us and hide us from [the] face of Him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!


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And after this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that a wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.


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Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it had been granted to harm the earth and the sea,


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saying, "Do not harm the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."


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And I heard the number of those having been sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand having been sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:


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of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand having been sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand;


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of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand;


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of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand;


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of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand, having been sealed.


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After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, out of every nation, and [from] tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, having been clothed in long white robes, with palm branches in their hands.


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And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation [belongs] to our God, to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"


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And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders and the four living beings, and they fell down on their faces before His throne and they worshipped God,


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saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, [be] to our God forever and ever. Amen."


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Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in long white robes, and where did they come from?"


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And I said to him, "My lord, you know."So he said to me, "These are those who come out of the Great Tribulation, and have washed their robes and they made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


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Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. And He that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.


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They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; nor shall the sun by any means strike them, nor any scorching heat;


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because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and He leads them to [the ]springs of [the] waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."


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Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And much incense was given to him, so that he could offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne.


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And the smoke of the incense went up with the prayers of the saints out of the hand of the angel before God.


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And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire from the altar, and he cast it to the earth. And there were thunders and voices and lightnings and an earthquake.


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And the first [one] sounded [his] trumpet, and there was hail and fire, having been mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees was burned up, and all green grass was burned up.


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Then the second angel sounded [his] trumpet, and [something] like a great burning mountain was cast into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.


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Then the third angel sounded [his] trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the fountains of water.


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And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And a third of the waters turned into wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.


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Then the fourth angel sounded [his] trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them was darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.


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And I saw, and I heard an eagle flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe [for] those who dwell on the earth, from the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are to sound [their] trumpets!"


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Then the fifth angel sounded [his] trumpet, and I saw a star having fallen out of heaven, to the earth. And the key of the shaft of the bottomless pit was given to him.


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And he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a burning furnace. And the sun was darkened, and the air, from the smoke of the shaft.


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Then out of the smoke came forth locusts to the earth. And power was given to them, as scorpions of the earth have power.


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They were told not to harm the grass of the earth, nor any plant, nor any tree, but [only] those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.


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And they were not given authority to kill them, but that they should torment them for five months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.


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And in those days men shall seek death, and shall by no means find it; they shall be longing to die, yet death shall elude them.


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And the appearances of the locusts [was] similar to horses having been prepared for battle, and on their heads [were] like crowns of gold, and their faces [were] like the faces of men.


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And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots with many horses rushing into battle.


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And they had tails like scorpions, and stings. And in their tails they have power to harm men five months,


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having as a king over them the angel of the bottomless pit; whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.


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Then the sixth angel sounded [his] trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,


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saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels having been bound at the great river Euphrates."


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So the four angels were released, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill a third of mankind.


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And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who rode on them, having breastplates of fire, hyacinth, and brimstone; and the heads of the horses [were] like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone.


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By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed-from the fire and the smoke and the brimstone proceeding out of their mouths.


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For the power of the horses is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.


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But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent from the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and of wood, which neither are able to see nor to hear nor to walk.


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And they did not repent of their murders, nor of their drugs, nor of their fornication or their thefts.


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And I saw a mighty angel coming down from heaven, having been clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow on his head, and his face [was] like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire,


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and having in his hand a scroll having been opened. And he put his right foot on the sea, but his left [one] on the land,


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and cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roars. And when he cried out, the seven thunders uttered their own voices.


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Now when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and after these things you shall write."


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and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created the heaven and the things in it, the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, that there should be no more delay;


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but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whenever he is about to sound [his] trumpet, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.


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Then the voice which I heard from heaven [was] speaking with me again and saying, "Go, take the little scroll which was open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land."


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And I went to the angel, saying to him to give to me the little scroll. And he said to me, "Take [it ]and eat it up; and it shall make your stomach bitter, but it shall be as sweet as honey in your mouth."


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Then I took the scroll out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. And when I ate it, my stomach was made bitter.


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Then a reed was given to me like a rod, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship in it.


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But leave out the outer court of the temple, and do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. And they shall trample the holy city for forty-two months.


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And I will give [power] to My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, having been clothed in sackcloth."


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These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which [are] standing before the Lord of the earth.


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And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.


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These [men ]have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls [during] the days of their prophecy; and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they wish.


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And when they finish their testimony, the Beast who ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war with them, and will overcome them, and will kill them.


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And their corpse [will lie ]on the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.


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Then some of the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations saw their corpse three-and-a-half days, and they will not allow their corpses to be put into a tomb.


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And those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry, and give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.


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Now after the three-and-a-half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who were watching them.


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And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here."And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.


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In that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand men were killed. And the rest became fearful and gave glory to the God of heaven.


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Then the seventh angel sounded [his] trumpet, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of this world has become [the kingdom] of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"


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And the twenty-four elders, those before the throne of God who sit on their thrones, fell on their faces and worshipped God,


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saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and[ ]who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.


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The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and to those that fear Your name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."


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Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord appeared in His temple. And there were lightnings and voices and thunders, and great hail.


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And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman having been clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.


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And another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great, fiery dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads.


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And his tail dragged a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that whenever she might give birth, he might devour her Child.


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And she gave birth to a Son, a male who would shepherd all the nations with an iron rod. And her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.


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Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place having been prepared by God, so that they may nourish her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.


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And there came to be war in heaven: Michael and his angels, waging war with the dragon; and the dragon made war, and his angels,


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And the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.


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Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ, because the accuser of our brothers, the [one] who accused them before our God day and night, has been thrown [out of heaven].


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And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.


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Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and to the sea! Because the devil was thrown down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time."


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Now when the dragon saw that he was cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male [Child].


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And the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly into the desert to her place, so that she might be nourished there [for] a time and times and half a time, from [the] face of the serpent.


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And the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a river after the woman, so that he might cause her to be carried off by the river.


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But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had cast out of his mouth.


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And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went off to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.


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Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a Beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads blasphemous names.


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And the Beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.


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And one of his heads [was ]as if it had been slain to death, and his wound of death was healed. And the whole world marveled after the Beast.


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And they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the Beast; and they worshipped the Beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"


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And a mouth was given to him speaking great things and blasphemy, and authority was given to him to make war for forty-two months.


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Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven.


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And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, people, language, and nation.


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And all those who dwell on the earth shall worship him, whose name is not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.


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If anyone has captivity, he goes away; if anyone [is] with [the] sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.


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Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke like a dragon.


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And he exercises all the authority of the first beast before him, and he causes the earth and those who dwell in it, to worship the first Beast, whose deadly wound was healed.


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And he deceives my own [people] who dwell on the earth by the signs which were given to him to do before the Beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound-and came to life! -from the sword.


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And it was granted to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.


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And he causes all, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, that they should receive marks on their right hand, or on their foreheads,


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and that no one may buy or sell except he that has the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name.


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Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is [the] number of man-his number is 666.


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And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father having been written on their foreheads.


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And I heard a voice from heaven, like [the] voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And the voice which I heard [was] as of harpists playing on their harps.


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And they sang a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one was able to learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.


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These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever He may go. These were redeemed by Jesus from [among] men, firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.


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Then I saw an angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people,


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saying with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and you shall worship Him who made heaven and earth, and the sea and fountains of waters."


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And another, a second angel followed, saying, "Babylon the great [has] fallen. From the wine of the wrath of her fornication, she has made all the nations to drink."


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Then another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the Beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,


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then he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out undiluted in the cup of His wrath. And they shall be tormented with fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the Lamb.


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And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, those who worship the Beast and his image, and anyone who receives the mark of his name."


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And I heard a voice out of heaven saying, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now [on,]' "Yes,"says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow with them."


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And I saw, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat [One] like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.


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And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to reap, because the harvest of the earth has withered."


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And another angel came out from the altar, having authority over the fire, and he called with a loud cry to the [one] having the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the grape clusters of the vine of the earth, because the grapes are ripe."


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So the angel threw out his sickle to the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and he threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.


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And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, about one thousand six hundred stadia.


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Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, because in them the wrath of God has been completed.


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And I saw something like a glassy sea having been mixed with fire, and those who prevailed over the Beast, and over his image, and over the number of his name, standing on the glassy sea, having the harps of God.


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And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Righteous and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!


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Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all [nations] shall come and worship before You, because Your righteous judgments have been manifested."


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And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, who were dressed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden belts.


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Then one of the four living beings gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.


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And the temple was filled by the smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.


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Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."


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So the first went off and poured out his bowl on the earth, and a bad and malignant ulcer came upon the men having the mark of the beast, and those who worshipped his image.


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Then the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.


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Then the third [one] poured out his bowl into the rivers and into the springs of water, and it became blood.


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And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, the One who is, and who was, holy, because You have judged these things.


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Because they shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You gave them blood to drink. They deserve it."


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Then the fourth [one] poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was granted to him to burn men with fire.


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And men were burned with severe burns, and men blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent to give Him glory.


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Then the fifth [one] poured out his bowl on the throne of the Beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues from the pain.


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They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their ulcers, and they did not repent of their works.


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Then the sixth [one ]poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.


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And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [coming] out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the False Prophet.


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For they are spirits of demons performing signs, which go forth to the kings of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.


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Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and guards his garments, lest he should walk naked and they should see his shame."


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Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It has been done!"


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And there were lightnings and thunders, and noises; and there was a great earthquake, such as had not occurred since men came into being on the earth, so great an earthquake, so great!


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Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the rage of His wrath.


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And great hail from heaven fell upon men, [each hailstone] weighing a talent. And men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since this plague was exceedingly severe.


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Then one of the seven angels having the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,


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with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and those dwelling on the earth became drunk from the wine of her fornication."


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And he led me away in [the ]Spirit, into a deserted [place]. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast being filled with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.


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And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup being filled with abominations and the filthiness of the fornication of the earth.


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And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.


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I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.


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But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the Beast carrying her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.


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The Beast which you saw was, and is not, and is about to ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth shall marvel, whose name is not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the Beast that was, and is not, and shall be present.


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And there are seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And whenever he comes, he must abide [for] a short time.


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And the Beast which was, and is not, is also an eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.


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And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings who not yet have received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings for one hour with the Beast.


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These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, and elect, and faithful."


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Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.


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And the ten horns which you saw, and the Beast, these will hate the harlot, and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh, and will burn her up with fire.


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For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the Beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.


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After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was lit up from his splendor.


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And he cried out with a strong voice, saying, "Babylon the great has fallen, and she has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every unclean spirit, and a cage for every unclean and detestable bird!


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For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the wealth of her luxury."


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And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you participate in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.


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Give back to her as also she gave back, and pay back double as also she [did], and according to her works. In her cup which she mixed, mix for her a double [portion.]


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In as many things as she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give to her torment and sorrow; because she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am not a widow, and I shall by no means see sorrow.'


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"On account of this her plagues will come in one day-death, sorrow, and famine. And she shall be burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who has judged her.


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"The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her shall weep and mourn over her, when they see the smoke of her burning,


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standing from afar on account of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! Because in one hour your judgment came.'


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"And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore:


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merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;


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and cinnamon and incense, perfume and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.


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The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the sumptuous things and the gaudy things have perished from you, and you shall by no means find them no more.


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The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, shall stand at afar on account of the fear of her torment, both weeping and sorrowing,


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and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, she who was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and having been gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls!


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Because in one hour such great wealth was laid waste.' And every captain, and all those sailing along the coast, and sailors, and as many as work on the sea, stood from afar


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"And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and sorrowing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, by which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! Because in one hour she was laid waste.'


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"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her!"


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Then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence Babylon the great city shall be cast down, and shall by no means be found anymore.


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The sound of harpists, and musicians, and of flutists, and of trumpeters shall by no means be heard in you anymore. And no craftsman of any craft shall by no means be found in you anymore, and the sound of a mill shall by no means be heard in you anymore.


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And the light of a lamp shall by no means shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and of a bride shall by no means be heard in you anymore. Your merchants were the magnates of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.


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And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all those who had been slain on the earth."


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After these things I heard as [it were ]a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!


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For true and righteous are His judgments, for He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged the blood of His servants [shed] by her hand."


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And the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshipped God who sits on the throne, saying, "Amen! Hallelujah!"


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Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!"


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And I heard, as [it were], the voice of a great multitude, and like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty has begun to reign!


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Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give Him glory, for the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His wife has prepared herself."


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And to her it was granted that she should be dressed in fine linen, bright and pure, for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.


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Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' "And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."


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And I fell before his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See [that you do] not! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."


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And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.


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His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns, having names written, and a name written that no one knows except Himself.


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And the armies in heaven were following Him on white horses, having been dressed in fine linen, white and clean.


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And out of His mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, so that with it He might strike the nations. And He will shepherd them with an iron rod. And He treads the winepress of the wine of the wrath of Almighty God.


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And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name having been written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.


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Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the great supper of God,


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so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who ride on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."


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And I saw the Beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, having been gathered together to make war against Him who rode on the horse and against His army.


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Then the Beast was apprehended, and with him the False Prophet who had performed the signs before him, by which he had deceived those who received the mark of the Beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.


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And the rest were slain with the sword which proceeds from the mouth of Him who rode on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh.


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Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.


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And he seized the dragon, that serpent of old, who is [the] Devil and Satan, he who deceives the whole world, and he bound him for a thousand years;


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and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and locked and sealed [it] over him, so that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were finished. [But] after these things he must be released for a short time.


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And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them, and the souls of those who had been beheaded on account of the testimony of Jesus, and on account of the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the Beast or his image, and they did not receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand. And they came to life and reigned with Christ [for] the thousand years.


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But the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.


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Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him for a thousand years.


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and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war, whose number is like the sand of the sea.


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They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.


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And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where also the Beast and the False Prophet [are]. And they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.


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Then I saw a great white throne and He who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled. And no place was found for them.


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And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened the books. And another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged by the things having been written in the books, according to their works.


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And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to their works.


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And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the lake of fire.


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And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And there was no more sea.


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Then I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having been prepared like a bride having been adorned for her husband.


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And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them.


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And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying out; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things have passed away."


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Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."And He said to me, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."


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And He said to me, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give from the spring of the water of life freely to him that is thirsty.


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He that overcomes I shall give to him these things, and I shall be God to him, and he shall be to Me a son.


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But the cowardly, and unbelieving, and sinners, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and drug users, and idolaters, and all who are false shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."


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Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls being full with the seven last plagues came to me and spoke with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the wife, the bride of the Lamb."


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And he carried me away in [the ]Spirit onto a great and high mountain, and he showed to me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,


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having the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, [clear as] crystal,


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having a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel:


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three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.


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And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.


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And he who spoke with me had a measure, a golden reed, so that he might measure the city, and its gates.


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The city is laid out [like] a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.


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And its wall is one hundred and forty-four cubits, [by the] measure of a man, which is, of an angel.


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The foundations of the wall of the city [were] adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,


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the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.


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The twelve gates are twelve pearls: each one of the gates was [made ]of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.


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The city had no need of the sun nor of the moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.


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And the nations shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring to it [the] glory and honor of the nations into it.


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But there shall by no means enter into it any common [thing], and the [one] doing an abomination and a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.


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And he showed me a pure river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.


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In the middle of its street, and on both sides of the river [was the] tree of life, producing twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree [are] for the healing of the nations.


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And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants will minister to Him.


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And night shall not exist. and there[ shall ]not [be a ]need of a lamp and of light, because the Lord God shall illuminate them. And they shall reign forever and ever.


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Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true."And [the] Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must come about soon.


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And I, John, [am] the [one] hearing and seeing these things. And when I heard and when I saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel showing to me these things.


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Then he said to me, "See [that you do ]not! For I am your fellow servant, and I am of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."


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He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still; and the filthy, let him be filthy still; and the righteous, let him do righteousness still; and the holy, let him be sanctified still."


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"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to each one according to his work.


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Blessed are those who do His commandments, so that their right shall be to the tree of life, and they may enter by the gates into the city.


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But outside are dogs and drug users and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices a lie.


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I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Stock of David, the Bright and Morning Star."


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And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!"And let him who hears say, "Come!"And let him who thirsts come. And whosoever will, let him take [the] water of life freely.


text:
I testify to everyone hearing the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues having been written in this book.


text:
And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of Life, and from the holy city, [and from] the things having been written in this book.


