3 [4:1]What shall we say then that Abraham our father found according to the flesh? [4:2]For if Abraham was justified by works he has [occasion for] boasting, but not before God. [4:3]For what says the Scripture? And Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. [4:4]But to one that works the reward is not accounted by grace but by debt. [4:5]But to one that works not, but believes on him that justifies the wicked, his faith is [accounted] for righteousness. [4:6]As David describes the blessedness of the man to whom the Lord accounts righteousness without works, [4:7]Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered; [4:8]blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not account sin.

4 [4:9]Is this blessedness then on the circumcision? or also on the uncircumcision? [Also on the uncircumcision.] For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. [4:10]How then was it accounted? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. [4:11]And he received the symbol of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which was in uncircumcision, so that he became the father of all that believe in uncircumcision, that righteousness may also be accounted to them, [4:12]and a father of circumcision not to those of the circumcision only, but to those also who walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which was in uncircumcision.

5 [4:13]For the promise to Abraham and his posterity that he should inherit the world was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith. [4:14]For if the subjects of the law are heirs, the faith is done away and the promise abrogated. [4:15]For the law produces wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. [4:16]Therefore it is by faith that it may be by grace, that the promise may be sure to all the posterity, not to that of the law only but to that of the faith of Abraham, who is a father of us all, [4:17]as it is written, I have made you a father of many nations before God in whom he believed, who makes the dead alive and calls things which do not exist as existing.— [4:18]who against hope believed in hope that he should become a father of many nations according to the saying shall your posterity be. [4:19] And being not weak in faith, he did not regard himself as dead, being now about a hundred years old, nor Sarah's incapacity for child-bearing, [4:20]and he did not doubt the promise of God by unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, [4:21]being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able to perform. [4:22]Wherefore also it was accounted to him for righteousness. [4:23] But it was not written for his sake alone, that it was accounted to him, [4:24] but also for our sakes, to whom it is about to be accounted if we believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, [4:25]who was delivered up for our sins and raised for our justification.

6 [5:1]Having been justified therefore by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [5:2]through whom also we have been introduced into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. [5:3]And not only [this], but we rejoice also in afflictions, knowing that affliction works out patience, [5:4]and patience, experience, and experience, hope; [5:5] and the hope makes not ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given us. [5:6]For when we were yet weak, in due time Christ died for the wicked; [5:7]for scarcely for a righteous man will one die, but for a good man some one perhaps would even dare to die; [5:8]but God commends his love to us, that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us; [5:9]much more then being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved through him from wrath. [5:10]For if when enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more having become reconciled we shall be saved in his life. [5:11]And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we received the present reconciliation.

7 [5:12]Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so came upon all men because all sinned,— [5:13]for till the law there was sin in the world, but sin is not accounted where there is no law [5:14]but death reigned from Adam till Moses even over those that sinned not after the similitude Adam's transgression, who is a type of him that was to come; [5:15]but not as the fall so also is the gift; for if by the fall of one the many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace which is of the one man Jesus Christ, abounded to the many; [5:16]and not as through one that sinned is the gift; for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the gift was from many sins to a righteous ordinance; [5:17]for if by one fall death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of the grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ;— [5:18]therefore, as through the fall of one [judgment came] on all men to condemnation, so also through the righteous ordinance of one [the gift comes] on all men to justification of life; [5:19]for as through the disobedience of the one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the one shall the many be constituted righteous. [5:20]For the law supervened that the fall might abound; but where the sin abounded the grace was superabundant, [5:21]that as sin reigned in death, so the grace shall reign through righteousness in life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord.



CHAPTER IV.

SIN IS ON NO ACCOUNT TO BE ALLOWED.

1 [6:1]WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that the grace may abound? [6:2]By no means. How shall we who died to sin any longer live in it? [6:3]Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized in Christ were baptized in his death? [6:4]We have been buried therefore with him through baptism in death, that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. [6:5]For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall much more be of his resurrection; [6:6]knowing this that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should no longer serve sin; [6:7] for he that died was justified from sin. [6:8]And if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; [6:9]knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no longer a lordship over him. [6:10]For [the death] which he died, he died to sin once; but [the life] which he lives, he lives to God. [6:11]So also account yourselves dead indeed to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus.

2 [6:12]Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to obey its desires, [6:13]neither present your members as instruments of wickedness to sin, but present yourselves to God as living from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. [6:14]For sin shall not have a Lordship over you; for you are not under the law but under the grace.

3 [6:15]What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under the grace? By no means. [6:16]Know you not that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, his servants you are whom you obey, whether of sin in death or of obedience in righteousness? [6:17]But thanks be to God that you were servants of sin, but obeyed from the heart the form of teaching in which you were instructed, [6:18]and having become free from sin you served righteousness. [6:19]I speak after the manner of men on account of the weakness of your flesh. For as you presented your members servants to impurity and to wickedness in wickedness, so now present your members servants to righteousness in sanctification. [6:20]For when you were servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. [6:21]What fruit had you therefore then in things of which you are now ashamed? for the end of them is death. [6:22]But now having been made free from sin and made servants to God, you have your fruit in sanctification, and the end eternal life. [6:23]For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life by Christ Jesus our Lord.



CHAPTER V.

THOSE IN CHRIST DEAD TO THE LAW, THE FLESH THE PRINCIPLE OF SIN, ITS DOMINION OVER THE MIND, ETC.

1 [7:1]ARE you ignorant, brothers, for I speak to them who understand law, that the law has authority over a man as long as he lives? [7:2]For a woman under a husband is bound by law to a living husband; but if the husband has died she is released from the law of the husband. [7:3]Therefore while the husband lives, she shall be called an adulteress if she is married to another man; but if the husband has died, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress if married to another man. [7:4]So, my brothers, you have also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you should be married to another, to him that was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. [7:5]For when we were in the flesh, the sinful affections operated through the law in our members to bear fruit to death; [7:6]but now we are released from the law by which we were held having died, that we should serve [God] in newness of spirit, not in the old age of a writing.

2 [7:7]What shall we say then? Is the law sin? By no means. On the contrary I knew not sin except through the law; for I had not known inordinate desire, unless the law had said, You shall not desire inordinately. [7:8]But Sin having taken occasion through the commandment wrought in me every inordinate desire; for without the law sin was dead.

3 [7:9]And I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died, [7:10]and the commandment which was for life was found to be for death. [7:11]For sin having taken occasion through the commandment deceived me, and through it killed me. [7:12]The law therefore is holy, and the commandment holy and righteous and good. [7:13]Did then that which is good become death to me? By no means, but sin; that sin might be made manifest, producing death to me through that which is good, that sin might become exceedingly sinful through the commandment. [7:14]For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. [7:15]For what I do this I approve not; for I do not what I wish, but what I hate, this I do. [7:16]But if what I wish not this I do, I consent to the law that it is good; [7:17]and now I no longer do it, but the sin that dwells in me. [7:18]For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, there dwells no good. For to wish is present with me, but to do the good is not; [7:19]for the good which I wish I do not, but the evil which I wish not this I do.

4 [7:20]But if what I wish not this I do, I no longer do it, but sin which dwells in me. [7:21]I find therefore the law, that when I wish to do good evil is present with me; [7:22]for I consent to the law of God as to my inward man, [my soul], [7:23]but I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and making me captive to the law of sin which is in my members. [7:24] Miserable man that I am; who will deliver me from the body of this death? [7:25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord; therefore I myself with the mind serve the law of God, and with the flesh the law of sin.



CHAPTER VI.

THOSE IN CHRIST NOT SUBJECT TO CONDEMNATION, NOR TO THE FLESH, BUT RULED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, ETC.

1 [8:1]THERE is no condemnation therefore to those in Christ Jesus; [8:2]for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and death. [8:3]For what the law could not do because it was weak through the flesh, God having sent his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned the sin in the flesh, [8:4]that the righteous ordinance of the law may be performed by us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. [8:5]For they who are according to the flesh mind the things of the flesh, but they who are according to the spirit the things of the spirit; [8:6] for the minding of the flesh is death, but the minding of the Spirit is life and peace. [8:7]Because the minding of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God; for it can not be. [8:8]And they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [8:9]But you are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. And if any man has not the spirit of Christ he is not his. [8:10]But if Christ is in you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the spirit is life on account of righteousness. [8:11]And if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.

2 [8:12]Therefore, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh to live according to the flesh. [8:13]For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die; but if by the spirit you kill the deeds of the body, you shall live. [8:14]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are sons of God. [8:15]For you received not the spirit of servitude again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry; Abba, Father. [8:16]The Spirit itself is a co-witness with our spirits that we are children of God. [8:17]And if children, [we are] also heirs, heirs indeed of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him.

3 [8:18]For I think that the sufferings of the present time are of no account in comparison with the glory to be revealed in us. [8:19]For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the revelation of the sons of God. [8:20] For the creation was subjected to a perishable condition, not willingly, but by him that subjected it, in hope [8:21]that the same creation will be delivered from the servitude of destruction and [brought] into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. [8:22]For we know that all the creation groans and is in pain till now; [8:23]and not only it, but we ourselves also who have the first fruit of the Spirit, even ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our bodies. [8:24]For we are saved by hope; but a hope that is seen is not a hope; for why does one hope for what he sees? [8:25]but if we hope for what we see not, we wait for it with patience.

4 [8:26]And in like manner also the Spirit helps our weakness. For we know not what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings unutterable; [8:27]and he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because it makes intercession with God for the saints. [8:28]And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [his] purpose. [8:29]For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he may be a first-born among many brothers; [8:30]and whom he predestinated them he also called; and whom he called them he also justified; and whom he justified them he also glorified.

5 [8:31]What shall we say then to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? [8:32]He who spared not his Son, but gave him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? [8:33]Who will bring a charge against God's elect? It is God that justifies; [8:34]who is he that condemns? Is it Christ who died, and still more, who has also been raised, and who is on the right hand of God, and who makes intercession for us? [8:35]Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall affliction or distress, persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? [8:36]As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day; we are accounted as sheep for slaughter. [8:37]But in all these things we more than conquer, through him who loved us. [8:38]For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [8:39]nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.



CHAPTER VII.

THE REJECTION OF THE UNBELIEVING JEWS.

1 [9:1]I SPEAK the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness with the Holy Spirit, [9:2]that I have great grief and continual pain in my heart; [9:3]for I have wished that I was myself accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kindred according to the flesh, [9:4]who are Israelites, whose are the adoption and the glory, and the covenants and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises, [9:5]whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ, according to the flesh. He who is over all is God blessed forever, amen. [9:6] Not that the word of God has failed of being accomplished. For all are not Israel who are of Israel; [9:7]neither, because they are a posterity of Abraham, are they all children; but in Isaac shall your posterity be called; [9:8]that is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are accounted the posterity. [9:9]For this was the word of promise; According to this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son. [9:10]And not only this, but Rebecca also being with child by one, by our father Isaac— [9:11]for the children not yet being born, nor having done any thing good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might continue, not of works but of him that calls,— [9:12]it was said to her that the older shall serve the younger; [9:13]as it is written; Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

2 [9:14]What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? By no means. [9:15]For he says to Moses, I will be merciful to him to whom I may be merciful, and I will compassionate him whom I may compassionate. [9:16] Therefore, it is not of him that wills nor of him that runs, but of God that exercises mercy. [9:17]For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, For this same cause I raised you up, to show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth. [9:18]He therefore has mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardens. [9:19]You will say to me then, Why then does he yet find fault? for who has resisted his will? [9:20]Yes indeed, O man, who are you that reply against God? Shall the work say to him that made it, Why did you make me thus? [9:21]or has not the potter a right, in respect to the clay, to make of the same mass one vessel to honor and another to dishonor? [9:22]But if God wishing to show his wrath and to make known his power endured with much long suffering vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, [9:23]and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he before prepared for glory, [9:24]whom he also called, us not of the Jews only but also of the gentiles, [9:25]as he says also in Hosea, I will call them that were not my people, my people, and her that was not beloved, beloved, [9:26]and in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, there they shall be called children of the living God. [9:27]But Isaiah cries concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel is as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved; [9:28]for he executes and performs his word in righteousness, for a finished work will the Lord perform on the earth. [9:29]As also Isaiah said before, Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a posterity, we should have been like Sodom, and should have resembled Gomorrah.

3 [9:30]What shall we say then? That nations who did not pursue righteousness attained a righteousness, but the righteousness which is by faith; [9:31]but Israel who pursued the law of righteousness did not attain to the law of righteousness. [9:32]For what reason? Because they are not of faith, but as it were of works of the law; for they stumbled at the stone of stumbling, [9:33]as it is written; Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and he that believes on him shall not be ashamed.

4 [10:1]Brothers, the earnest desire and prayer of my heart for Israel is for their salvation. [10:2]For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge; [10:3]for not knowing God's righteousness, and seeking to set up their righteousness, they have not submitted themselves to God's righteousness. [10:4]For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. [10:5]For Moses describes the righteousness of the law, that the man that does these things shall live by them. [10:6]But the righteousness by faith speaks thus; Say not in your mind, who shall ascend into heaven?—that is, to bring Christ down,— [10:7]or who shall descend into the abyss?—that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. [10:8]But what does it say? The word is nigh you, in your mouth and in your mind; that is, the word of the faith which we preach. [10:9]For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe with your mind that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved; [10:10]for with the mind we believe to righteousness, and with the mouth we confess to salvation. [10:11]For the Scripture says, No one that believes in him shall be ashamed. [10:12]For there is no difference between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord of all is rich to all that call upon him. [10:13]For every one that calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [10:14]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 without one preaching? [10:15]and how shall they preach unless they have been sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those that publish good news of peace, that publish good news of good things.

5 [10:16]But all did not obey the gospel; for Isaiah says, Lord, who believed our report? [10:17]Faith therefore comes by the report, and the report by the word of God. [10:18]But I say, Did they not hear? Yes indeed; their voice went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. [10:19]But I say, did not Israel know? First, Moses says, I will provoke you by that which is not a nation, and by a foolish nation will I excite you to anger. [10:20]But Isaiah is more bold and says, I was found by them that sought me not, I was made manifest to them that inquired not after me. [10:21]But in respect to Israel he says, All the day I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contradicting people.



CHAPTER VIII.

THE SALVATION OF BELIEVING JEWS AND THE CALLING OF THE GENTILES.

1 [11:1]I SAY then, has God cast away his people? By no means; for I also am an Israelite, of the race of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [11:2]God has not cast away his people whom he foreknew. Know you not what the Scripture says in Elijah, how he intercedes with God against Israel? [11:3]Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have dug down thy altars, and I am left alone, and they seek my life. [11:4]But what says the response to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. [11:5]So then also at the present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace; [11:6] but if by grace, no longer by works; for otherwise grace is no longer grace; but if by works, it is no longer grace; for otherwise a work is no longer a work. [11:7]What then? What Israel seeks, this it did not obtain, but the election obtained; and the rest were hardened,— [11:8]as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear—to this day. [11:9]And David says, Let their table become a trap and a snare and an offense and a stumbling block to them; [11:10]let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back always.

2 [11:11]I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? By no means; but by their fall the nations have salvation to excite them to emulation. [11:12] But if their fall is the riches of the world, and their diminution the riches of nations, how much more will their fullness be. [11:13]For I speak to you, gentiles. Inasmuch as I am an apostle of the gentiles, I glorify my ministry, [11:14]if perhaps I may excite my flesh [race] to emulation and save some of them. [11:15]For if their falling away is the reconciling of the world, what will their recovery be but life from the dead? [11:16]And if the first fruit is holy, the mass is also; and if the root is holy, the branches also are.

3 [11:17]But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a partaker of the root and excellence of the olive, [11:18]boast not against the branches; but if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you. [11:19]You will say then, The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in. [11:20]Well; they were broken off by unbelief, and you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear; [11:21]for if God spared not the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you. [11:22]See then the goodness and severity of God; towards those that fell, severity, but towards you, the goodness of God, if you continue in goodness, for otherwise you also will be cut off. [11:23]And they, if they continue not in unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. [11:24] For if you have been cut from an olive wild by nature, and grafted contrary to nature into a good olive, how much more shall they according to nature be grafted into their own olive.

4 [11:25]For I wish you not to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery; that you may not be wise in your own conceit. For hardness in part has come upon Israel, till the fullness of the gentiles shall come in, [11:26]and so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, A deliverer shall come from Zion, he shall turn away impiety from Jacob. [11:27]And this is the promise to them from me, when I take away their sins. [11:28]As to the gospel, they are enemies on your account, but as to the election, they are beloved on account of the fathers; [11:29]for the gifts and calling of God are without a change of mind. [11:30]For as you once disobeyed God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, [11:31]so also they now have disobeyed that they may obtain mercy by your mercy. [11:32] For God has concluded all in disobedience that he may have mercy on all. [11:33] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how inscrutable are his judgments, and his ways can not be explored! [11:34]For who knew the mind of the Lord? or who was his counsellor? [11:35]or who first gave to him, and it shall be repaid him? [11:36]For of him and through him, and in him are all things; to him be glory forever; amen.



CHAPTER IX.

MORAL AND POLITICAL DUTIES.

1 [12:1]I EXHORT you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice; holy, well pleasing to God, your reasonable service; [12:2]and be not conformed to this life, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that you may prove what is the will of God which is good and well-pleasing and perfect. [12:3]For I say through the grace given me, to every one among you, not to be higher-minded than he ought to be, but to think soberly, as God has distributed to each the measure of faith. [12:4]For as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office, [12:5]so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of another; [12:6]but having different gifts according to the grace given us, if prophecy [let us prophesy] according to the analogy of the faith, [12:7]if a service [let us labor] in the service, if one teaches, in teaching, [12:8]if one exhorts in the exhortation, he that gives, with simplicity, he that rules, with diligence, he that exercises mercy, with cheerfulness.

2 [12:9]Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor evil, adhere to that which is good, [12:10]be kindly disposed one to another with brotherly love, in honor prefer one another, [12:11]be not slothful in business, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord, [12:12]rejoice in the hope, be patient in affliction, be persevering in prayer, [12:13]contribute to the necessity of saints, practise hospitality. [12:14]Bless those that persecute, bless and curse not. [12:15] Rejoice with the rejoicing, weep with the weeping. [12:16]Desire the same thing one for another; desire not the high, but be satisfied with the humble. Be not wise in your own conceit. [12:17]Render evil for evil to no one, provide things honorable in the sight of all men; [12:18]if possible, as much as may be in your power, live peaceably with all men, [12:19]not vindicating yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Judgment is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. [12:20]If therefore your enemy is hungry, give him food; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for doing this you shall heap coals of fire on his head. [12:21]Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

3 [13:1]Let every soul be subject to the superior powers. For there is no power except from God, and the [powers] which exist have been ordained by God. [13:2] So that he who resists the power resists the ordinance of God; and those who resist shall receive judgment on themselves. [13:3]For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Will you not fear the power? Do good, and you shall have praise from it; [13:4]for [the power] is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister of justice for punishment to him that does evil. [13:5]Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only on account of punishment, but also on account of conscience.

4 [13:6]For on this account also you pay taxes; for [magistrates] are servants of God attending constantly to this same thing. [13:7]Pay to all their dues; a tax to whom a tax is due, a toll to whom a toll is due, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor. [13:8]Owe no man any thing, except to love one another; for he that loves another has fully performed the law. [13:9]For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not desire inordinately, and if there is any other commandment, it is summarily comprehended in this word; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [13:10] Love does no evil to a neighbor; love therefore is the sum of the law. [13:11] And [do] this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour that we should be waked from sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. [13:12] The night is far advanced, and the day is at hand; let us lay aside therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. [13:13]Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelries and drinking, not in lewdness and excesses, not in strife and envy; [13:14]but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for desires of the flesh.



CHAPTER X.

DUTIES TO THE WEAK, ETC.

1 [14:1]RECEIVE the weak in faith, not to doubtful reasonings. [14:2]For one has faith to eat all things, but he that is weak eats vegetables. [14:3]Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him that eats not judge him that eats; for God has accepted him. [14:4]Who are you that judge another man's servant? To his master he stands or falls; and he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

2 [14:5]One judges one day to be better than another, but another judges every day [to be alike]. Let each one be fully persuaded in his mind. [14:6]He that observes the day observes it to the Lord, and he that observes not the day observes it not to the Lord. And he that eats eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not eats not to the Lord, and gives God thanks. [14:7] For no one of us lives for himself; and no one dies for himself; [14:8]for if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; whether therefore we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's. [14:9]For this end Christ died and lived again, that he might exercise lordship over the dead and living. [14:10]But why do you judge your brother? why do you set at nought your brother? for we must all stand at the tribunal of God. [14:11]For it is written, [As] I live, says the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess to God. [14:12]Each of us therefore shall give account of himself to God.

3 [14:13]Let us not therefore judge one another, but judge this rather, not to place a stumbling-block or an offense before a brother. [14:14]I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is defiled in itself, except to him that thinks any thing to be defiled; to him it is defiled. [14:15]For if your brother is grieved by your food, you no longer walk in love. Destroy not with your food him for whom Christ died. [14:16]Let not your good therefore be injuriously spoken of. [14:17]For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; [14:18]for he that in this serves Christ is well pleasing to God and approved by men. [14:19]Let us therefore pursue the things of peace and those which edify one another. [14:20]On account of food destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure, but evil is to the man that eats with offense; [14:21]it is good not to eat meat nor drink wine, nor [do] any thing by which your brother stumbles. [14:22]You have faith; have it for yourself before God, Blessed is he that condemns not himself in what he approves; [14:23]but he that doubts is condemned if he eats, because it is not of faith; and every thing which is not of faith is sin.

4 [15:1]And we, the strong, ought to bear the infirmities of those who are not strong, and not to please ourselves. [15:2]Let us each please our neighbor in that which is good for edification; [15:3]for Christ also pleased not himself, but, as it is written, The reproaches of those that reproached thee fell on me. [15:4]For those things which were written before were written for our instruction, that through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures we may have hope. [15:5]And the God of patience and consolation grant you to have the same mind one to another, according to Christ Jesus, [15:6]that being of one mind you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mouth.

5 [15:7]Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received you to the glory of God. [15:8]For I say that Christ was made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers, [15:9]and that the nations should glorify God for mercy; as it is written, For this cause will I praise thee among nations, and sing to thy name. [15:10]And again he says, Rejoice nations with his people. [15:11]And again, Praise the Lord, all nations, and let all peoples praise him. [15:12]And again, Isaiah says, There shall be a root of Jesse and he shall stand up to rule nations, in him shall nations hope. [15:13]And 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.

6 [15:14]And I am persuaded, my brothers, even I myself, concerning you, that you are full of kindness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another; [15:15]but I have written more boldly to you in part, to refresh your minds on account of the grace given me by God [15:16]that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. [15:17]I have therefore cause of boasting in Christ Jesus in respect to things relating to God; [15:18]for I dare not to speak of what Christ has not performed by me for the obedience of the nations, by word and work, [15:19]by the power of miracles and prodigies, by the power of the Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. [15:20]And I have been anxious so to preach where Christ was not named, that I might not build on another's foundation; [15:21]but as it is written, They shall see to whom nothing was told concerning him, and they who have not heard shall understand.

7 [15:22]Wherefore I was also much hindered from coming to you; [15:23]but now having no longer a place in these regions, and having a desire to come to you for many years, [15:24]should I go to Spain I will come to you; for I hope, going by, to see you, and to be sent forward by you there, when first I am in part filled with you. [15:25]But now I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints. [15:26]For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor of the saints at Jerusalem. [15:27]They have been pleased indeed, and their debtors they are; for if the nations have participated in their spiritual things, they ought also to serve them in things pertaining to the flesh. [15:28]Having therefore performed this, and sealed to them this service, I will go by you to Spain; [15:29]and I know that when I come to you I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. [15:30]But I exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God for me, [15:31]that I may be delivered from those that obey not in Judea, and that my service which is for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, [15:32]that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and be refreshed together with you. [15:33]And may the God of peace be with you all; amen.



CHAPTER XI.

COMMENDATION OF PHOEBE, SALUTATIONS, ETC.

1 [16:1]AND I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a minister of the church in Cenchrea, [16:2]that you receive her in the Lord worthily of the saints, and assist her in any thing in which she may have need of you; for she has been an assistant of many, and of myself also.

2 [16:3]Salute Prisca [Priscilla] and Aquila my co-laborers in Christ Jesus, [16:4]who exposed their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the nations; [16:5]and [salute] the assembly at their house. Salute Epenetus my beloved, who is the first fruit of Asia to Christ. [16:6]Salute Mary, who labored much for us. [16:7]Salute Andronicus and Junius, my relatives and my fellow-captives, who are distinguished among the apostles, and who were before me in Christ. [16:8]Salute Amplias my beloved in the Lord. [16:9]Salute Urbanus our co-laborer in Christ, and Stachus my beloved. [16:10]Salute Apelles, the approved in Christ. Salute those of the [family] of Aristobulus. [16:11]Salute Herodion, my relative. Salute those of the [family] of Narcissus who are in the Lord. [16:12]Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labored in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. [16:13]Salute Rufus the elect in the Lord, and his mother and mine. [16:14]Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them. [16:15]Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them. [16:16]Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

3 [16:17]I exhort you, brothers, to observe those that cause dissensions and offenses contrary to the teaching which you learned, and avoid them; [16:18]for such serve not our anointed Lord, but themselves, And by kind and complimentary words deceive the minds of the simple. [16:19]For your obedience has come to all; I rejoice in you therefore, but I wish you to be wise for that which is good, and simple for evil. [16:20]And the God of peace shall crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

4 [16:21]Timothy my co-laborer salutes you, and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives. [16:22]I, Tertius, who wrote the epistle, salute you in the Lord. [16:23]Gaius my entertainer, and the entertainer of all the church, salutes you. Erastus the treasurer of the city and Quartus the brother salute you. [16:24]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all; amen.

5 [16:25]And to him that is able to confirm you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery not revealed in ancient times, [16:26]but made manifest now by the scriptures of the prophets, by the command of the eternal God, for the obedience of the faith among all nations, [16:27]to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to him be the glory forever; amen.



THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON.

ROME, A.D. 63. (ACTS 25:4.)

CONCERNING ONESIMUS, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy the brother, to the beloved. Philemon and our fellow-laborer, [1:2]and to the beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the assembly at your house. [1:3]Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 [1:4]I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, [1:5] hearing of your love and faith which you have for the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, [1:6]that your participation of the faith may be made effectual by a knowledge of all the good which we have in Christ Jesus. [1:7]For I have great joy and comfort in your love, because the saints are refreshed by you, brother. [1:8]Wherefore, having great boldness to command you what is fit, [1:9]on account of love I rather request; being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus, [1:10]I request you for my son Onesimus, whom I obtained in my bonds, [1:11]who was formerly not useful to you but is now most useful to you and me, [1:12]whom I have sent back. And do you receive him, that is, my soul, [1:13]whom I should like to retain for myself, that he might serve me for you in the bonds of the gospel, [1:14]but without your consent I will do nothing, that your service may not be compulsory but voluntary; [1:15]for perhaps he has been separated from you for a time that you may have him back forever, [1:16]no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. [1:17]If therefore you regard me as a friend receive him as myself. [1:18]If he injured you, or owes you any thing, set it to my account. [1:19]I, Paul, have written with my hand; I will pay; not to tell you that you owe yourself to me. [1:20]Yes, brother, let me be profited by you in the Lord; refresh my soul in Christ.

3 [1:21]I have written to you, having confidence in your obedience, knowing that you will do even more than I say. [1:22]But at the same time also prepare me a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you. [1:23]Epaphras, who is my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus, [1:24]Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my co-laborers, salute you. [1:25]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.



THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS.

ROME, A.D. 63. (ACTS 25:4.)



CHAPTER I.

PAUL'S PRAYERS FOR THE COLOSSIANS, THE DIGNITY OF CHRIST, PAUL'S MINISTRY, FALSE TEACHERS, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy the brother, [1:2]to the saints in Colosse and the faithful brothers in Christ. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father.

2 [1:3]We thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, [1:4]having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints, [1:5]on account of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the true word of the gospel [1:6]which is present with you as also in all the world, and is fruitful and increases, as also with you, from the day that you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; [1:7]as you learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you, [1:8]and who made known to us your love in the Spirit.

3 [1:9]Therefore we also, from the day that we heard, cease not to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, [1:10]that you may walk worthily of the Lord in all that is pleasing [to him], being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [1:11]being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy; [1:12]giving thanks to the Father who has made us fit for a portion in the inheritance of the saints in light, [1:13]who delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, [1:14]in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, [1:15]who is the likeness of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, [1:16]for by him were all things created which are in heaven and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through him and for him, [1:17]and he is before all things, and in him all things consist, [1:18]and he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that he might himself be preeminent in all things, [1:19]for in him [God] was well pleased that all fullness should dwell, [1:20]and through him to reconcile all things to himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens. [1:21]And you, formerly alienated and enemies in mind by evil works, he has now reconciled [1:22]by the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blame and without fault before him, [1:23]if indeed you continue founded and established in the faith, and not moved from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached in all the creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

4 [1:24]Now I rejoice in sufferings for you, and supply the deficiencies of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the church, [1:25]of which I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God given me for you, to complete the word of God, [1:26]the mystery concealed from ages and from generations, but now it has been manifested to his saints, [1:27]to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, [1:28]whom we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; [1:29]for which I also labor, striving with his power which operates in me with power.

5 [2:1]For I wish you to know what a conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, [2:2]that your hearts may be comforted, being united in love and [raised] to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [2:3]in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [2:4]But I say this that no one may mislead you with persuasive words. [2:5]For if I am absent in the flesh, still I am present in spirit with you, rejoicing and beholding your order and the strength of your faith in Christ. [2:6]As therefore you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, [2:7]founded and built up in him, and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

6 [2:8]See that no one leads you off as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ, [2:9]for in him dwells all the fullness of the Deity bodily [2:10]and you are made perfect in him, who is the head of all principality and power, [2:11]in whom you are also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, with the putting off of the body of the flesh, with the circumcision of Christ, [2:12]having been buried with him in baptism, in which you have also been raised together through the effectual faith of God who raised him from the dead; [2:13]and you being dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made you alive with him, having forgiven us all sins, [2:14]having blotted out what was written by the hand in ordinances which was against us, and has taken it away from between [us], having nailed it to the cross; [2:15][and] having subjugated principalities and powers, he made a public exhibition of them, leading them in triumph by it.

7 [2:16]Let no man therefore judge you in eating and in drinking, or in respect to a feast, or new moon, or sabbath, [2:17]which are a shadow of things that were to come; but the body is Christ's. [2:18]Let no one wishing [it] deprive you of your reward by humility and a worship of angels, intruding into what he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his carnal mind, [2:19]and not holding the head, from which all the body being supplied and compacted by means of joints and tendons grows with an increase of God. [2:20]If therefore you died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why do you practice ordinances as living in the world,— [2:21]you shall not touch, you shall not taste, you shall not feel,— [2:22]all which are to perish in the using—according to the commandments and instructions of men? [2:23]Which have an appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship and humiliation, and in a rigorous treatment of the body, [which is held] in no respect for the surfeiting of the flesh.

CHAPTER II.

MORAL DUTIES, ETC.

1 [3:1]IF you, therefore, have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God; [3:2]employ your minds on things above, not on things on the earth. [3:3]For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God; [3:4]when Christ your life shall be made manifest, then shall you also be made manifest in glory.

2 [3:5]Put to death, therefore, your members which are on the earth, fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness which is idolatry, [3:6]for which comes the wrath of God. [3:7]In which also you walked formerly when you lived in them; [3:8]but now do you put away also all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, vile conversation out of your mouth; [3:9]lie not one to another; put off the old man with his doings, [3:10]and put on the new man, renewed in knowledge in the likeness of him that created him, [3:11]where there are not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, servant, freeman, but Christ is all things and in all.

3 [3:12]Put on, therefore, as elect and beloved saints of God, hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, [3:13]forbearing one another, and forgiving one another if any one has a charge against any, as Christ forgave you, so [do] you also, [3:14]and in addition to all these [put on] love, which is the bond of perfection. [3:15]And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for which you have been called in one body; and be thankful. [3:16]Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching with all wisdom, and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God, [3:17]and whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God [and] Father through him.

4 [3:18]Wives, be subject to the husbands, as is fit in the Lord. [3:19] Husbands, love the wives and be not bitter to them. [3:20]Children, obey [your] parents in all things; for this is well pleasing in the Lord. [3:21]Fathers, be not fault-finding with your children, that they be not discouraged. [3:22] Servants, obey in all things masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as those pleasing men, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. [3:23]And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men; [3:24]knowing that you will receive from the Lord the recompense of the inheritance. You serve Christ the Lord; [3:25]for he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done, and there is no respect of persons. [4:1]Masters, render to your servants what is just and equal, knowing also that you have a master in heaven.

5 [4:2]Be constant in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, [4:3]praying also at the same time for us, that God will open to us a door of utterance to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am bound, [4:4]that I may declare it plainly, as I ought to speak. [4:5]Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming the time. [4:6]Let your words always be with kindness, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every one.

6 [4:7]Tychicus will inform you of all things relating to me, who is a beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord, [4:8]whom I have sent to you for this purpose, that he may know your affairs and comfort your hearts, [4:9]with Onesimus the faithful and beloved brother, who is of you; they will tell you of all things here.

7 [4:10]Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the nephew of Barnabas,—concerning whom you received commandments, if he comes to you receive him,— [4:11]and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these are the only co-laborers for the kingdom of God who have been a comfort to me. [4:12]Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in prayers that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. [4:13]For I bear him witness that he has great zeal for you and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. [4:14]Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you. [4:15]Salute the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly at his house. [4:16]And when this letter has been read with you, cause that it be also read by the church of the Laodiceans; and do you also read that from Laodicea. [4:17]And say to Archippus, Attend to your ministry which you received in the Lord, to perform it fully. [4:18]The salutation with my hand, Paul's. Remember my bonds. The grace be with you.



THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS [LAODICEANS].

ROME, A.D. 63. (ACTS 25:4.)



CHAPTER I.

THE BENEFICENCE OF GOD TO THE ELECT, CHRIST THE SAVIOUR, THE SALVATION OF THE GENTILES, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in [Ephesus] and the faithful in Christ Jesus. [1:2]Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 [1:3]Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [worlds] in Christ, [1:4]as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him, [1:5]having predestinated us in love to an adoption through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [1:6]to the praise of his glorious grace, which he bestowed upon us in the beloved, [1:7]in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, [1:8]which he bestowed on us abundantly with all wisdom and knowledge [1:9]making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself [1:10]in respect to the dispensation of the fullness of times, to bring all things into one in Christ, the things which are in heaven and the things which are on earth, in him [1:11]in whom also we have been called, having been predestinated according to the purpose of him who works out all things according to the counsel of his will, [1:12]that we should be for a praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ; [1:13]in whom also you, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also you having believed were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [1:14]which is a pledge of our inheritance for the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.

3 [1:15]Therefore, I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, [1:16]do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, [1:17]that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; [1:18]the eyes of your minds being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his call, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [1:19]and what the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the operation of his mighty power, [1:20]which he performed in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly [worlds], [1:21]above every principality and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this life but also in that to come, [1:22]and put all things in subjection under his feet, and made him head over all things to the church, [1:23]which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all things in all.

4 [2:1]And you being dead in trespasses and sins,— [2:2]in which you formerly walked according to the life of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit which now operates in the children of disobedience, [2:3] among whom also we all formerly lived in the desires of our flesh, performing the wishes of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as others; [2:4]but God who is rich in mercy, on account of his great love with which he loved us,— [2:5]even when we were dead in sins he made us alive with Christ,—by grace are you saved, [2:6]and raised us up and seated us together with Christ Jesus in the heavenly worlds, [2:7]that he might show in the ages to come the transcendent riches of his grace in goodness to us by Jesus Christ. [2:8]For by grace are you saved through the faith; and that not of you; [it is] the gift of God; [2:9]not of works, that no one may boast; [2:10]for we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, in which God before appointed that we should walk.

5 [2:11]Wherefore, remember that you were formerly gentiles by birth, called uncircumcision by that called circumcision made in the flesh by the hand, [2:12] that at that time you were without Christ, alienated from the polity of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world; [2:13]but now, in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far off have been made nigh by the blood of Christ. [2:14]For he is our peace, who made both one and broke down the middle wall of partition, [2:15]the enmity, and abolished by his flesh the law of commandments [consisting] of ordinances, that of the two he might create in himself one new man, making peace, [2:16]and reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having destroyed the enmity by it. [2:17]And he came and preached the good news of peace to you who were far off, and peace to those nigh, [2:18]for through him we both have access by one spirit to the Father. [2:19]Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow-citizens of the saints and of the family of God, [2:20]being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, [2:21]by which all the building being fitted together grows into a holy temple in the Lord, [2:22]in which you also are built up together for a spiritual habitation of God.

6 [3:1]For this cause I Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ for you gentiles, [3:2]if indeed you heard of the dispensation of the grace of God given to me for you, [3:3]that by revelation the mystery was made known to me,—as I wrote before in a few words, [3:4]by reading which you can understand my knowledge of the mystery of Christ,— [3:5]which in other generations was not made known to the children of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, [3:6]that the gentiles are co-heirs and of the same body and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, [3:7]of which I was made a minister by the gracious gift of God, given to me by the operation of his power. [3:8]To me, who am the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ, [3:9]and to enlighten all men as to the dispensation of the mystery concealed from eternity in God who created all things, [3:10]that now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly [worlds] should be made known, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God, [3:11]according to the eternal purpose which he made in Christ Jesus our Lord, [3:12]in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him.

7 [3:13]Wherefore I desire you not to faint on account of my afflictions for you, which are your glory. [3:14]For this reason I bow my knees to the Father, [3:15]of whom all the family in heaven and on earth is named, [3:16]that he would grant to you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man, [3:17]that Christ may dwell in your hearts through the faith, you being founded and established in love, [3:18]that you may be able to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length, and depth and height, [3:19]and to know the love of Christ which exceeds knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [3:20]To him that is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, by the power which operates in us, [3:21]to him be the glory in the church in Jesus Christ to all generations, for ever and ever; amen.



CHAPTER II.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DUTIES.

1 [4:1]I THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the call with which you were called, [4:2]with all humility and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, [4:3]using diligence to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. [4:4]There is one body, and one spirit, as you also are called in one hope of your call; [4:5]one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [4:6]one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [4:7]And to each one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

2 [4:8]Wherefore he says, When he ascended on high, he took captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. [4:9]But this, that he ascended, what is it but that he first descended into the lower parts of the earth? [4:10]He that descended is the same also that ascended above all heavens, that he might fill all [places]. [4:11]And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [4:12]for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ, [4:13]till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [4:14] that we may be no longer children, driven about like waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the art of men, and the craftiness of deceitful wiles, [4:15]but speaking the truth with love we may grow to him in all things, who is the head, Christ; [4:16]by whom all the body being joined together and compacted by the supply of every joint, according to the proportionate operation of every part, makes increase of the body to the edification of itself in love.

3 [4:17]This I say then and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds, [4:18]with their understandings darkened, alienated from the life of God on account of the ignorance which is in them, on account of the hardness of their hearts, [4:19] who being without feeling have given themselves up to lewdness, to commit every impurity with greediness. [4:20]But you have not so learned Christ, [4:21]if you have indeed heard him, and been instructed by him as the truth is in Jesus, [4:22]that you should lay aside your former mode of life the old man destroyed by deceitful desires, [4:23]and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [4:24] and put on the new man, created after God in righteousness and true holiness.

4 [4:25]Wherefore, laying aside lying let every one speak the truth to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. [4:26]Be angry and sin not; let not the sun go down on your wrath, [4:27]neither give place to the devil. [4:28]Let him that has stolen steal no more, but rather let him labor, doing that which is good with his hands, that he may have to give to him that needs. [4:29]Let no evil word proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for useful edification, that it may afford benefit to those that hear. [4:30]And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by which you were sealed to the day of redemption. [4:31]Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and blasphemy, be banished from among you, with all malice. [4:32]But be kind one to another, merciful, giving one to another, as God also in Christ gave to you. [5:1]Be therefore followers of God, as dear children, [5:2]and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God of good odor.

5 [5:3]Let not fornication and any impurity or covetousness be named among you, as becomes saints, [5:4]nor indecorum and foolish talking, or jesting, things not becoming, but rather giving of thanks. [5:5]For you know this, that no fornicator, or impure, or covetous person, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [5:6]Let no man deceive you with vain words; for on account of these comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience. [5:7]Be not therefore partakers with them. [5:8]For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,— [5:9]for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,— [5:10]proving what is well pleasing to the Lord, [5:11]and be not partakers of the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. [5:12] For the things which are done by them in secret it is base even to mention; [5:13]but all things proved to be wrong are made manifest by the light; for every thing which makes manifest is light. [5:14]Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

6 [5:15]See then that you walk discreetly, not as unwise but as wise, [5:16] redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [5:17]Be not foolish therefore, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [5:18]And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the spirit, [5:19]speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, [5:20]giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father, [5:21]being subject one to another in the fear of Christ. [5:22]Let wives [be subject] to their husbands as to the Lord, [5:23]for the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; he is the savior of the body. [5:24]But as the church is subject to Christ, so also let wives be subject to husbands in every thing. [5:25] Husbands, love your wives as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, [5:26]that he might sanctify it, purifying it with the washing of water with the word, [5:27]that he might present the church to himself glorious, not having a spot or wrinkle or any thing of the kind, but that it should be holy and blameless. [5:28]Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself; [5:29]for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ also the church; [5:30]for we are members of his body. [5:31]For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. [5:32]This is a great mystery; but I speak of Christ and the church. [5:33]But do you also, individually, each one so love his wife as himself, and the wife [see] that she reverences the husband.

7 [6:1]Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. [6:2]Honor your father and your mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, [6:3]that it may be well with you, and you shall live long in the land. [6:4] And, fathers, provoke not your children, but bring them up in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.

8 [6:5]Servants, be subject to masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your hearts as to Christ, [6:6]not with eye service as pleasing men, but as servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart, [6:7]performing service kindly as to the Lord and not to men, [6:8] knowing that whatever good each one does, for this he shall receive from the Lord, whether a servant or a freeman. [6:9]And, masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening, knowing also that their master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.

9 [6:10]Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. [6:11] Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; [6:12]for our conflict is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the potentates of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual [hosts] of evil in the heavenly [worlds]. [6:13] Take therefore the whole armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all to stand. [6:14]Stand, therefore, girded about your loins with truth, and having put on the cuirass of righteousness, [6:15] and bound your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [6:16]over all, taking the shield of the faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of evil. [6:17]And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [6:18]praying with all prayer and supplication on every occasion with the spirit, and watching in the same with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, [6:19]and for me, that a word may be given me at the opening of my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, [6:20]in behalf of which I perform an embassy in bonds, that I may speak boldly in them, as I ought to speak.

10 [6:21]But that you may also know the things concerning me, how I do, Tichycus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will inform you of all things; [6:22]whom I have sent to you for this purpose, that you may know the things concerning us and that he may comfort your hearts. [6:23]Peace and love be to the brothers with faith, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [6:24]The grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with constancy.



THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS.

ROME, A.D. 63. (ACTS, 25:4.)



CHAPTER I.

PAUL'S LOVE FOR THE PHILIPPIANS, AFFAIRS AT ROME, MORAL DUTIES, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. [1:2]Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 [1:3]I thank my God at every remembrance of you, [1:4]always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, [1:5]for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day till now, [1:6]having this same confidence, that he who has begun a good work in you will carry it on till the day of Jesus Christ, [1:7]as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you being all partakers of my grace. [1:8]For God is my witness, how much I desire you all with the tender affections of Christ Jesus. [1:9]And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all understanding, [1:10]that you may prove the excellent, that you may be without fault and without offense in the day of Christ, [1:11]filled with the fruit of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

3 [1:12]But I wish you to know, brothers, that the things as to me have resulted in the advancement of the gospel, [1:13]so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Praetorium and in all other places, [1:14]and many of the brothers having been made confident by my bonds in the Lord have more abundant courage to speak the word without fear. [1:15]For some indeed preach Christ because of envy and strife, and some also because of good will; [1:17]those from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel, [1:16]but those from contention preach Christ not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for my bonds. [1:18]What then? nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice. But I also will rejoice; [1:19]for I know that this will result in salvation to me, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, [1:20]according to my expectation and hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but with all boldness as always also now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. [1:21]Because for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. [1:22]But if to live in the flesh [is allowed me], I have this fruit of my work, and which I shall choose I know not. [1:23]But I am in a strait between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ; for this is far better; [1:24]but to continue in the flesh is more necessary for you. [1:25]And fully believing this, I know that I shall continue, and continue with you all, for your advancement and joy of the faith, [1:26]that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus by me through my coming again to you.

4 [1:27]Only conduct yourselves as citizens worthily of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel, [1:28]terrified in nothing by the adversaries, which is to them a token of destruction, but to you of salvation, and this from God; [1:29]because it was given to you in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for him, [1:30]having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear of in me.

5 [2:1]If therefore there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort in love, if any participation of the Spirit, if any affections and compassions, [2:2] fulfil my joy, that you have the same mind, having the same love, sympathizing with each other, having one opinion. [2:3]Do nothing in strife or vain glory, but in humility let each esteem others better than himself, [2:4]and let each consider not his own interests, but also those of others. [2:5]Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [2:6]who being in the form of God thought it not a robbery to be equal with God; [2:7]but he abased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man, [2:8]and being found in form like a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient even till death, and the death of the cross. [2:9]Wherefore God also highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name, [2:10]that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of beings in heaven and in the earth and under the earth, [2:11]and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

6 [2:12]And so, my beloved, as you always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; [2:13]for God works in you both to will and to work of his good pleasure. [2:14]Do all things without complainings and disputations, [2:15]that you may be blameless and sincere, children of God without blame in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as luminaries in the world, [2:16]holding fast the word of life, for my glorying in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain, nor labor in vain. [2:17]But if I am even poured out as a libation on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate you all; [2:18]do you also rejoice with the same joy and congratulate me.

7 [2:19]But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I may be refreshed when I know your affairs. [2:20]For I have no one like minded who really will care for your interests; [2:21]for all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. [2:22]But you know his tried virtue, that as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. [2:23]Him therefore I hope to send to you as soon as I know how it will be with me; [2:24]and I hope in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

8 [2:25]But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, the brother and my fellow-laborer and fellow-soldier, but your apostle and servant of my need, [2:26]for he greatly desired you all and was anxious, because you heard that he was sick. [2:27]For indeed he was sick nigh to death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. [2:28]I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that seeing him again you may rejoice and I be less sorrowful. [2:29]Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and have such in estimation, [2:30]because on account of the work he was nigh to death, not having consulted properly for his life, that he might fully supply your lack of service to me.



CHAPTER II.

JUDAIZING TEACHERS, EXHORTATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, ETC.

1 [3:1]FINALLY, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord; for to write the same things to you is not grievous to me, and is safe for you. [3:2]Beware of the dogs, beware of evil laborers, beware of the concision. [3:3]We are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and trust not in the flesh, [3:4]although I have ground of confidence in the flesh. If any other one thinks he may trust in the flesh, I [may] more; [3:5]circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee, [3:6]as to zeal persecuting the church, as to righteousness by the law being blameless. [3:7]But whatever things were my gain, these I have considered a loss for the sake of Christ. [3:8]But for the same reason also I consider all things to be a loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them worthless that I may gain Christ [3:9]and be found in him, not having my righteousness by the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by the faith, [3:10]that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the participation of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, [3:11]that I may attain the resurrection from the dead. [3:12]Not that I have already obtained it, or have been already made perfect; but I follow on that I may attain that for which also I was arrested by Christ. [3:13]I consider not myself, brothers, to have attained it; but this one thing I do; forgetting the things behind, and reaching forward to those before, [3:14]I press forward to the mark for the prize of the high call of God in Christ Jesus. [3:15]Let us, as many as are perfect therefore, be of this mind; and if any one thinks at all otherwise, God shall also reveal this to you; [3:16]but in what we have attained, in this let us walk.

2 [3:17]Be followers of me, brothers, and observe those who walk so as you have us for an example. [3:18]For many walk, of whom I told you often and now also tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; [3:19]whose end is destruction, whose God is their stomach, and their glory in their shame; who regard earthly things. [3:20]But our kingdom is in heaven, from which also we expect the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, [3:21]who will change our humble body, and make it like his glorious body, by the power by which he is able also to subject all things to himself. [4:1]So, my beloved and much desired brothers, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

3 [4:2]I beseech Euodias and I beseech Syntyche to have the same mind in the Lord. [4:3]Yes, I beseech you also, faithful yoke-fellow, help those women who strove in the gospel with me, with Clement and the rest of my co-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 [4:4]Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. [4:5]Let your gentleness be known to all men; the Lord is near. [4:6]Be anxious for nothing, but with all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [4:7]And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

5 [4:8]Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are reputable, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, consider these things; [4:9]and what you learned and received and heard and knew in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you.

6 [4:10]But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, that now at length you began again to care for me, for whom also you did care, but had no opportunity [to serve me]. [4:11]Not that I speak of want; for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am to be contented. [4:12]I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to abound; in every thing and in all conditions I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer want. [4:13]I endure all things with him that strengthens me. [4:14]But you did well to communicate with my affliction, [4:15]And you know also, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only; [4:16]for even in Thessalonica and once and again you sent to my need. [4:17]Not that I desire a gift, but I desire the fruit which abounds to your account. [4:18]But I have all things and abound, I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, a perfume of good odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. [4:19]And God shall fully supply all your need, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [4:20]To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever; amen.

7 [4:21]Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me salute you. [4:22]All the saints salute you, especially those of Caesar's family. [4:23] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.



THE EPISTLE TO TITUS.

PHILIPPI, A.D. 64.



CHAPTER I.

A CHARGE TO TITUS IN RESPECT TO HIS MINISTRY.

1 [1:1]PAUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to piety, [1:2]for the hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie announced before eternal ages, [1:3]but manifested his word in the times which were suitable for it by the preaching with which I was intrusted, according to the command of our Saviour God, [1:4]to Titus my faithful son in the common faith; grace and peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Saviour.

2 [1:5]For this cause I left you in Crete, that you might regulate things which are deficient, and appoint elders in every city, as I charged you, [1:6]if any one is blameless, a husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of intemperance or of insubordination. [1:7]For a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-indulgent, not soon angry, not given to wine, not contentious, not devoted to base gain, [1:8]but a lover of hospitality, kind, sober, just, holy, self-denying, [1:9]holding firmly the faithful word taught, that he may be able both to exhort with sound instruction and to convince those who contradict. [1:10]For there are many disorderly wranglers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, [1:11]whom it is necessary to silence, who mislead whole families, teaching for base gain what they ought not.