Acts -Colossians The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

ASV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, ² until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen: ³ to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God: ⁴ and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, { which, [said he], ye heard from me: ⁵ for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.}
⁶ They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? ⁷ And he said unto them, { It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own authority. ⁸ But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judζa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.} ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; ¹¹ who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. ¹² Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey off. ¹³ And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphζus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [the son] of James. ¹⁴ These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
¹⁵ And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons [gathered] together, about a hundred and twenty), ¹⁶ Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. ¹⁷ For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. ¹⁸ (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) ²⁰ For it is written in the book of Psalms,
Let his habitation be made desolate,
And let no man dwell therein:
and,
His office let another take. ²¹ Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection. ²³ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen, ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place. ²⁶ And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
² ¹ And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³ And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
⁵ Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. ⁷ And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilζans? ⁸ And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judζa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. ¹² And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this? ¹³ But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.
¹⁴ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, [saying], Ye men of Judζa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. ¹⁵ For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day; ¹⁶ but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel: ¹⁷ And it shall be in the last days, saith God,
I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸ Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. ¹⁹ And I will show wonders in the heaven above,
And signs on the earth beneath;
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: ²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the day of the Lord come,
That great and notable [day]. ²¹ And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ²² Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; ²³ him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: ²⁴ whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵ For David saith concerning him,
I beheld the Lord always before my face;
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶ Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope: ²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades,
Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸ Thou madest known unto me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance. ²⁹ Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. ³⁰ Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set [one] upon his throne; ³¹ he foreseeing [this] spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³ Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. ³⁴ For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself,
The Lord said unto my Lord,
Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵ Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. ³⁶ Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
³⁷ Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸ And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. ⁴⁰ And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. ⁴¹ They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added [unto them] in that day about three thousand souls. ⁴² And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.
⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common; ⁴⁵ and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.
³ ¹ Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour]. ² And a certain man that was lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; ³ who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. ⁴ And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us. ⁵ And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. ⁷ And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength. ⁸ And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God: ¹⁰ and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
¹¹ And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. ¹² And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. ¹⁴ But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, ¹⁵ and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. ¹⁶ And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. ¹⁷ And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, [even] Jesus: ²¹ whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old. ²² Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. ²³ And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. ²⁴ Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. ²⁵ Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ²⁶ Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.
⁴ ¹ And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. ⁴ But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
⁵ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; ⁶ and Annas the high priest [was there], and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, ⁹ if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole; ¹⁰ be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] in him doth this man stand here before you whole. ¹¹ He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner. ¹² And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
¹³ Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. ¹⁸ And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: ²⁰ for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard. ²¹ And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. ²² For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.
²³ And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them. ²⁴ And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: ²⁵ who by the Holy Spirit, [by] the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say,
Why did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples imagine vain things? ²⁶ The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together,
Against the Lord, and against his Anointed: ²⁷ for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, ²⁸ to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass. ²⁹ And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, ³⁰ while thy stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus. ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
³² And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one [of them] said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. ³³ And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, ³⁵ and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
³⁶ And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, ³⁷ having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
⁵ ¹ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ² and kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. ³ But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? ⁴ While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. ⁵ And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. ⁶ And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.
⁷ And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. ⁸ And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much. ⁹ But Peter [said] unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out. ¹⁰ And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.
¹² And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. ¹³ But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them; ¹⁴ and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women; ¹⁵ insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them. ¹⁶ And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
¹⁷ But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, ¹⁸ and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward. ¹⁹ But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life. ²¹ And when they heard [this], they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought. ²² But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told, ²³ saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. ²⁴ Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. ²⁵ And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people. ²⁶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, [but] without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. ³¹ Him did God exalt with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. ³² And we are witnesses of these things; and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
³³ But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them. ³⁴ But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while. ³⁵ And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do. ³⁶ For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nought. ³⁷ After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away [some of the] people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. ³⁸ And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown: ³⁹ but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God. ⁴⁰ And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. ⁴² And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus [as] the Christ.
⁶ ¹ Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. ² And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. ³ Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴ But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. ⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch; ⁶ whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.
⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. ¹⁰ And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. ¹¹ Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God. ¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, ¹³ and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: ¹⁴ for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. ¹⁵ And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
⁷ ¹ And the high priest said, Are these things so? ² And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, ³ and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. ⁴ Then came he out of the land of the Chaldζans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, when his father was dead, [God] removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell: ⁵ and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child. ⁶ And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years. ⁷ And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. ⁸ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac [begat] Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. ⁹ And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, ¹⁰ and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ¹¹ Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. ¹² But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. ¹³ And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's race became manifest unto Pharaoh. ¹⁴ And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. ¹⁵ And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers; ¹⁶ and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem. ¹⁷ But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, ¹⁸ till there arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. ¹⁹ The same dealt craftily with our race, and ill-treated our fathers, that they should cast out their babes to the end they might not live. ²⁰ At which season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father's house. ²¹ and when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. ²² And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. ²³ But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. ²⁴ And seeing one [of them] suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: ²⁵ and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not. ²⁶ And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? ²⁷ But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸ Wouldest thou kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday? ²⁹ And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. ³⁰ And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. ³¹ And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came a voice of the Lord, ³² I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold. ³³ And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. ³⁴ I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt. ³⁵ This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? him hath God sent [to be] both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶ This man led them forth, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. ³⁷ This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. ³⁸ This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us: ³⁹ to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, ⁴⁰ saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. ⁴¹ And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. ⁴² But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets,
Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices
Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? ⁴³ And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of the god Rephan,
The figures which ye made to worship them:
And I will carry you away beyond Babylon. ⁴⁴ Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen. ⁴⁵ Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the possession of the nations, that God thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; ⁴⁶ who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. ⁴⁷ But Solomon built him a house. ⁴⁸ Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in [houses] made with hands; as saith the prophet, ⁴⁹ The heaven is my throne,
And the earth the footstool of my feet:
What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:
Or what is the place of my rest? ⁵⁰ Did not my hand make all these things?
⁵¹ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. ⁵² Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers; ⁵³ ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.
⁵⁴ Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; ⁵⁸ and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [the Lord], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
⁸ ¹ And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judζa and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. ³ But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
⁴ They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word. ⁵ And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. ⁶ And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. ⁷ For [from] many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. ⁸ And there was much joy in that city.
⁹ But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: ¹⁰ to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great. ¹¹ And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. ¹² But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.
¹⁴ Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ¹⁵ who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: ¹⁶ for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. ²¹ Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. ²² Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. ²³ For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. ²⁴ And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.
²⁵ They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
²⁶ But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. ²⁷ And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; ²⁸ and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. ³⁰ And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? ³¹ And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. ³² Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,
So he openeth not his mouth: ³³ In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:
His generation who shall declare?
For his life is taken from the earth. ³⁴ And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? ³⁵ And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. ³⁶ And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? ³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹ And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Cζsarea.
⁹ ¹ But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, ² and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: ⁴ and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ⁵ And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he [said], { I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: ⁶ but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.} ⁷ And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. ⁸ And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.
¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord. ¹¹ And the Lord [said] unto him, { Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; ¹² and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.} ¹³ But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: ¹⁴ and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name. ¹⁵ But the Lord said unto him, { Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: ¹⁶ for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake.} ¹⁷ And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; ¹⁹ and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.
²⁰ And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. ²¹ And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. ²² But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
²³ And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him: ²⁴ but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him: ²⁵ but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
²⁶ And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem, ²⁹ preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him. ³⁰ And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Cζsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
³¹ So the church throughout all Judζa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
³² And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda. ³³ And there he found a certain man named Ζneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied. ³⁴ And Peter said unto him, Ζneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise and make thy bed. And straightway he arose. ³⁵ And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
³⁶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. ³⁷ And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. ³⁸ And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us. ³⁹ And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. ⁴³ And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
¹⁰ ¹ Now [there was] a certain man in Cζsarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band], ² a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. ³ He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. ⁴ And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: ⁶ he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. ⁷ And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; ⁸ and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
⁹ Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: ¹⁰ and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; ¹¹ and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: ¹² wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. ¹³ And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. ¹⁴ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. ¹⁵ And a voice [came] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. ¹⁶ And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.
¹⁷ Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, ¹⁸ and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. ¹⁹ And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. ²⁰ But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them. ²¹ And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? ²² And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned [of God] by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee. ²³ So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
²⁴ And on the morrow they entered into Cζsarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. ²⁵ And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. ²⁶ But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together: ²⁸ and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and [yet] unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: ²⁹ wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me. ³⁰ And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, ³¹ and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. ³³ Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord. ³⁴ And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵ but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. ³⁶ The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)— ³⁷ that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judζa, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸ [even] Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. ⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, [even] to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God [to be] the Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
¹¹ ¹ Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judζa heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, ³ saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. ⁴ But Peter began, and expounded [the matter] unto them in order, saying, ⁵ I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: ⁶ upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. ⁷ And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. ⁸ But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. ⁹ But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. ¹⁰ And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹ And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Cζsarea unto me. ¹² And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house: ¹³ and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; ¹⁴ who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house. ¹⁵ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ If then God gave unto them the like gift as [he did] also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? ¹⁸ And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
¹⁹ They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. ²² And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: ²³ who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: ²⁴ for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. ²⁵ And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
²⁷ Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. ²⁸ And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius. ²⁹ And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judζa: ³⁰ which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
¹² ¹ Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. ² And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. ³ And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And [those] were the days of unleavened bread. ⁴ And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. ⁵ Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him. ⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. ⁸ And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. ⁹ And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. ¹⁰ And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him. ¹¹ And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. ¹² And when he had considered [the thing], he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying. ¹³ And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda. ¹⁴ And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate. ¹⁵ And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel. ¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. ¹⁷ But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place. ¹⁸ Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. ¹⁹ And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judζa to Cζsarea, and tarried there.
²⁰ Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king's country. ²¹ And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them. ²² And the people shouted, [saying], The voice of a god, and not of a man. ²³ And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
²⁴ But the word of God grew and multiplied.
²⁵ And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.
¹³ ¹ Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was [there], prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. ³ Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
⁴ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵ And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant. ⁶ And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus; ⁷ who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. ⁸ But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. ⁹ But Saul, who is also [called] Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, ¹⁰ and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? ¹¹ And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. ¹² Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
¹³ Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. ¹⁵ And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. ¹⁶ And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken: ¹⁷ The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it. ¹⁸ And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness. ¹⁹ And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave [them] their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years: ²⁰ and after these things he gave [them] judges until Samuel the prophet. ²¹ And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years. ²² And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will. ²³ Of this man's seed hath God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus; ²⁴ when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not [he]. But behold, there cometh one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose. ²⁶ Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth. ²⁷ For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled [them] by condemning [him]. ²⁸ And though they found no cause of death [in him], yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain. ²⁹ And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised him from the dead: ³¹ and he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people. ³² And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers, ³³ that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. ³⁴ And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he hath spoken on this wise, I will give you the holy and sure [blessings] of David. ³⁵ Because he saith also in another [psalm], Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption. ³⁶ For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: ³⁷ but he whom God raised up saw no corruption. ³⁸ Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: ³⁹ and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. ⁴⁰ Beware therefore, lest that come upon [you] which is spoken in the prophets: ⁴¹ Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish;
For I work a work in your days,
A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.
⁴² And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath. ⁴³ Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
⁴⁴ And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. ⁴⁶ And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying],
I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles,
That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth. ⁴⁸ And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. ⁵¹ But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
¹⁴ ¹ And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. ² But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren. ³ Long time therefore they tarried [there] speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ⁴ But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ⁵ And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them, ⁶ they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: ⁷ and there they preached the gospel.
⁸ And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. ⁹ The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, ¹⁰ said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked. ¹¹ And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. ¹² And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ And the priest of Jupiter whose [temple] was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. ¹⁴ But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out ¹⁵ and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: ¹⁶ who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. ¹⁸ And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.
¹⁹ But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰ But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, ²² confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. ²³ And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. ²⁴ And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; ²⁶ and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. ²⁷ And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they tarried no little time with the disciples.
¹⁵ ¹ And certain men came down from Judζa and taught the brethren, [saying], Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. ² And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, [the brethren] appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ³ They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. ⁴ And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them. ⁵ But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
⁶ And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter. ⁷ And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. ⁸ And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; ⁹ and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
¹² And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them. ¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me: ¹⁴ Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁶ After these things I will return,
And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen;
And I will build again the ruins thereof,
And I will set it up: ¹⁷ That the residue of men may seek after the Lord,
And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, ¹⁸ Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old. ¹⁹ Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; ²⁰ but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ²³ and they wrote [thus] by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: ²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; ²⁵ it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: ²⁹ that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.
³⁰ So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. ³¹ And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. ³² And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. ³³ And after they had spent some time [there], they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth. ³⁵ But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
³⁶ And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, [and see] how they fare. ³⁷ And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. ³⁹ And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; ⁴⁰ but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
¹⁶ ¹ And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek. ² The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. ³ Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
⁶ And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; ⁷ and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; ⁸ and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ¹⁰ And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
¹¹ Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; ¹² and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a [Roman] colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days. ¹³ And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together. ¹⁴ And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. ¹⁵ And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.
¹⁶ And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. ¹⁷ The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation. ¹⁸ And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.
¹⁹ But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, ²⁰ and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, ²¹ and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. ²² And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. ²³ And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: ²⁴ who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. ²⁵ But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; ²⁶ and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened: and every one's bands were loosed. ²⁷ And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. ²⁹ And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, ³⁰ and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. ³² And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. ³⁴ And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.
³⁵ But when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. ³⁶ And the jailor reported the words to Paul, [saying], The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace. ³⁷ But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out. ³⁸ And the serjeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans; ³⁹ and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city. ⁴⁰ And they went out of the prison, and entered into [the house of] Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
¹⁷ ¹ Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: ² and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, [said he], I proclaim unto you, is the Christ. ⁴ And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. ⁵ But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people. ⁶ And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; ⁷ whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Cζsar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus. ⁸ And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. ⁹ And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
¹⁰ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹ Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. ¹² Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few. ¹³ But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes. ¹⁴ And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still. ¹⁵ But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.
¹⁶ Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him. ¹⁸ And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee? ²⁰ For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. ²¹ (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.) ²² And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious. ²³ For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you. ²⁴ The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; ²⁵ neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; ²⁶ and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined [their] appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; ²⁷ that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: ²⁸ for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. ²⁹ Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: ³¹ inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
³² Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again. ³³ Thus Paul went out from among them. ³⁴ But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
¹⁸ ¹ After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. ² And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and he came unto them; ³ and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought; for by their trade they were tentmakers. ⁴ And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
⁵ But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. ⁶ And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. ⁷ And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. ⁸ And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. ⁹ And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, { Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace: ¹⁰ for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city.} ¹¹ And he dwelt [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
¹² But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat, ¹³ saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. ¹⁴ But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: ¹⁵ but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters. ¹⁶ And he drove them from the judgment-seat. ¹⁷ And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.
¹⁸ And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchrea; for he had a vow. ¹⁹ And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not; ²¹ but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.
²² And when he had landed at Cζsarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch. ²³ And having spent some time [there], he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
²⁴ Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures. ²⁵ This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John: ²⁶ and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately. ²⁷ And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace; ²⁸ for he powerfully confuted the Jews, [and that] publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
¹⁹ ¹ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: ² and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they [said] unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was [given]. ³ And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. ⁴ And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. ⁵ And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. ⁷ And they were in all about twelve men.
⁸ And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading [as to] the things concerning the kingdom of God. ⁹ But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. ¹¹ And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: ¹² insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out. ¹³ But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. ¹⁴ And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this. ¹⁵ And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? ¹⁶ And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. ¹⁸ Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. ¹⁹ And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. ²⁰ So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.
²¹ Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. ²² And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
²³ And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. ²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen; ²⁵ whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. ²⁶ And ye see and hear; that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands: ²⁷ and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. ²⁸ And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians. ²⁹ And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. ³⁰ And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. ³¹ And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre. ³² Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. ³³ And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people. ³⁴ But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians. ³⁵ And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter? ³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. ³⁷ For ye have brought [hither] these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. ³⁸ If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. ³⁹ But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. ⁴⁰ For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause [for it]: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse. ⁴¹ And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
²⁰ ¹ And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. ² And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. ³ And when he had spent three months [there], and a plot was laid against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. ⁴ And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, [the son] of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. ⁵ But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas. ⁶ And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we tarried seven days.
⁷ And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. ⁸ And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together. ⁹ And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him. ¹¹ And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. ¹² And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
¹³ But we, going before to the ship, set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land. ¹⁴ And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. ¹⁵ And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
¹⁷ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; ²⁰ how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³ save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. ²⁴ But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more. ²⁶ Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. ²⁸ Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. ³² And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up, and to give [you] the inheritance among all them that are sanctified. ³³ I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. ³⁴ Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. ³⁵ In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
³⁶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, ³⁸ sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.
²¹ ¹ And when it came to pass that we were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: ² and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. ³ And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden. ⁴ And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem. ⁵ And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell; ⁶ and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.
⁷ And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. ⁸ And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Cζsarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him. ⁹ Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. ¹⁰ And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judζa a certain prophet, named Agabus. ¹¹ And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. ¹² And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁴ And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
¹⁵ And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ And there went with us also [certain] of the disciples from Cζsarea, bringing [with them] one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
¹⁷ And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. ¹⁸ And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: ²¹ and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. ²² What is it therefore? they will certainly hear that thou art come. ²³ Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them; ²⁴ these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law. ²⁵ But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. ²⁶ Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
²⁷ And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, ²⁸ crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place. ²⁹ For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. ³⁰ And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut. ³¹ And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. ³² And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. ³³ Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done. ³⁴ And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle. ³⁵ And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd; ³⁶ for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.
³⁷ And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek? ³⁸ Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins? ³⁹ But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people. ⁴⁰ And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying. ²² ¹ Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you. ² And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith, ³ I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day: ⁴ and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. ⁵ As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished. ⁶ And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. ⁷ And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ⁸ And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. ⁹ And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. ¹⁰ And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. ¹¹ And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me I came into Damascus. ¹² And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, ¹³ came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him. ¹⁴ And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. ¹⁵ For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name. ¹⁷ And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, ¹⁸ and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me. ¹⁹ And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: ²⁰ and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him. ²¹ And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.
²² And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. ²³ And as they cried out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air, ²⁴ the chief captain commanded him be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him. ²⁵ And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? ²⁶ And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman. ²⁷ And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea. ²⁸ And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am [a Roman] born. ²⁹ They then that were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
³⁰ But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
²³ ¹ And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day. ² And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. ³ Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? ⁴ And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? ⁵ And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people. ⁶ But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. ⁷ And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. ⁸ For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. ⁹ And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel? ¹⁰ And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
¹¹ And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
¹² And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. ¹³ And they were more than forty that made this conspiracy. ¹⁴ And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him. ¹⁶ But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul. ¹⁷ And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him. ¹⁸ So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee. ¹⁹ And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me? ²⁰ And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. ²¹ Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee. ²² So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me. ²³ And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cζsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night: ²⁴ and [he bade them] provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
²⁵ And he wrote a letter after this form: ²⁶ Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. ²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. ²⁸ And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council: ²⁹ whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. ³⁰ And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.
³¹ So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. ³² But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: ³³ and they, when they came to Cζsarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. ³⁴ And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia, ³⁵ I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.
²⁴ ¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and [with] an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. ² And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation, ³ we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. ⁴ But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. ⁵ For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: ⁶ who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: ⁸ from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him. ⁹ And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.
¹⁰ And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense: ¹¹ seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: ¹² and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. ¹³ Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me. ¹⁴ But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; ¹⁵ having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. ¹⁶ Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always. ¹⁷ Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: ¹⁸ amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there were] certain Jews from Asia— ¹⁹ who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council, ²¹ except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.
²² But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter. ²³ And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
²⁴ But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me. ²⁶ He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. ²⁷ But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
²⁵ ¹ Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Cζsarea. ² And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, ³ asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. ⁴ Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Cζsarea, and that he himself was about to depart [thither] shortly. ⁵ Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.
⁶ And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Cζsarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. ⁷ And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove; ⁸ while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cζsar, have I sinned at all. ⁹ But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? ¹⁰ But Paul said, I am standing before Cζsar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. ¹¹ If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is [true] whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cζsar. ¹² Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Cζsar: unto Cζsar shalt thou go.
¹³ Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Cζsarea, and saluted Festus. ¹⁴ And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; ¹⁵ about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed [me], asking for sentence against him. ¹⁶ To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. ¹⁷ When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought. ¹⁸ Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; ¹⁹ but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. ²⁰ And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters. ²¹ But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Cζsar. ²² And Agrippa [said] unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.
²³ So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in. ²⁴ And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. ²⁵ But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him. ²⁶ Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write. ²⁷ For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.
²⁶ ¹ And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.

Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence: ² I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews: ³ especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. ⁴ My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; ⁵ having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. ⁶ And now I stand [here] to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; ⁷ unto which [promise] our twelve tribes, earnestly serving [God] night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! ⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead? ⁹ I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. ¹¹ And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities. ¹² Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, ¹³ at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me. ¹⁴ And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. ¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, { I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. ¹⁶ But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; ¹⁷ delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.} ¹⁹ Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: ²⁰ but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judζa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. ²¹ For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me. ²² Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come; ²³ how that the Christ must suffer, [and] how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.
²⁴ And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad. ²⁵ But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness. ²⁶ For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. ²⁸ And Agrippa [said] unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian. ²⁹ And Paul [said], I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.
³⁰ And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: ³¹ and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. ³² And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cζsar.
²⁷ ¹ And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band. ² And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. ³ And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself. ⁴ And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. ⁵ And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, [a city] of Lycia. ⁶ And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein. ⁷ And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone; ⁸ and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
⁹ And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone by, Paul admonished them, ¹⁰ and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives. ¹¹ But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul. ¹² And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter [there]; [which is] a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east. ¹³ And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close in shore. ¹⁴ But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo: ¹⁵ and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way [to it], and were driven. ¹⁶ And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat: ¹⁷ and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven. ¹⁸ And as we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw [the freight] overboard; ¹⁹ and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship. ²⁰ And when neither sun nor stars shone upon [us] for many days, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was now taken away. ²¹ And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. ²² And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of life among you, but [only] of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, ²⁴ saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Cζsar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee. ²⁵ Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me. ²⁶ But we must be cast upon a certain island.
²⁷ But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the [sea of] Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some country: ²⁸ and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. ²⁹ And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day. ³⁰ And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship, ³¹ Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. ³² Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. ³³ And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. ³⁴ Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you. ³⁵ And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat. ³⁶ Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food. ³⁷ And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. ³⁸ And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. ³⁹ And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it. ⁴⁰ And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. ⁴¹ But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break up by the violence [of the waves]. ⁴² And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any [of them] should swim out, and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land; ⁴⁴ and the rest, some on planks, and some on [other] things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.
²⁸ ¹ And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. ² And the barbarians showed us no common kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live. ⁵ Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm. ⁶ But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
⁷ Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and entertained us three days courteously. ⁸ And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him. ⁹ And when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured: ¹⁰ who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.
¹¹ And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers. ¹² And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. ¹³ And from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli; ¹⁴ where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome. ¹⁵ And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
¹⁶ And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.
¹⁷ And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans: ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me. ¹⁹ But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cζsar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation. ²⁰ For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with [me]: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. ²¹ And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judζa concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. ²² But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
²³ And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded [the matter], testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening. ²⁴ And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ²⁵ And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, ²⁶ saying,
Go thou unto this people, and say,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: ²⁷ For this people's heart is waxed gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And should turn again, And I should heal them. ²⁸ Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.
³⁰ And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.

Romans

¹ ¹ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ² which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, ³ concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ who was declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; [even] Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; ⁶ among whom are ye also, called [to be] Jesus Christ's: ⁷ to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers ¹⁰ making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; ¹² that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. ¹³ And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵ So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.
¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.
¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; ¹⁹ because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. ²⁰ For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, [even] his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: ²¹ because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. ²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
²⁴ Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: ²⁵ for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
²⁶ For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: ²⁷ and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.
²⁸ And even as they refused to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: ³² who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.
² ¹ Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. ² And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things. ³ And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? ⁵ but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; ⁶ who will render to every man according to his works: ⁷ to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: ⁸ but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [shall be] wrath and indignation, ⁹ tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: ¹¹ for there is no respect of persons with God. ¹² For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law; ¹³ for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: ¹⁴ (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves; ¹⁵ in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing [them]); ¹⁶ in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
¹⁷ But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God, ¹⁸ and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, ¹⁹ and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, ²⁰ a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth; ²¹ thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? ²² thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples? ²³ thou who gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorest thou God? ²⁴ For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, even as it is written. ²⁵ For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. ²⁶ If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? ²⁷ and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? ²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: ²⁹ but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
³ ¹ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision? ² Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God. ³ For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God? ⁴ God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written,
That thou mightest be justified in thy words,
And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment. ⁵ But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.) ⁶ God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? ⁷ But if the truth of God through my lie abounded unto his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? ⁸ and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.
⁹ What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin; ¹⁰ as it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one; ¹¹ There is none that understandeth,
There is none that seeketh after God; ¹² They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable;
There is none that doeth good, no, not so much as one: ¹³ Their throat is an open sepulchre;
With their tongues they have used deceit:
The poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: ¹⁵ Their feet are swift to shed blood; ¹⁶ Destruction and misery are in their ways; ¹⁷ And the way of peace have they not known: ¹⁸ There is no fear of God before their eyes.
¹⁹ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God: ²⁰ because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law [cometh] the knowledge of sin.
²¹ But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²² even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; ²³ for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴ being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ whom God set forth [to be] a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; ²⁶ for the showing, [I say], of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus. ²⁷ Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith. ²⁸ We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God [the God] of Jews only? is he not [the God] of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also: ³⁰ if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.
³¹ Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.
⁴ ¹ What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh? ² For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. ³ For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. ⁴ Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. ⁵ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. ⁶ Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works, ⁷ [saying],
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered. ⁸ Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. ⁹ Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: ¹¹ and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them; ¹² and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision. ¹³ For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴ For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect: ¹⁵ for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. ¹⁶ For this cause [it is] of faith, that [it may be] according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all ¹⁷ (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. ¹⁸ Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be. ¹⁹ And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; ²⁰ yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, ²¹ and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. ²² Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. ²³ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him; ²⁴ but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ²⁵ who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
⁵ ¹ Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; ² through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; ⁴ and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: ⁵ and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. ⁶ For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. ⁸ But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath [of God] through him. ¹⁰ For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; ¹¹ and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
¹² Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:— ¹³ for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come. ¹⁵ But not as the trespass, so also [is] the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many. ¹⁶ And not as through one that sinned, [so] is the gift: for the judgment [came] of one unto condemnation, but the free gift [came] of many trespasses unto justification. ¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, [even] Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ So then as through one trespass [the judgment came] unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness [the free gift came] unto all men to justification of life. ¹⁹ For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous. ²⁰ And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: ²¹ that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
⁶ ¹ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? ³ Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection; ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; ⁷ for he that hath died is justified from sin. ⁸ But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; ⁹ knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him. ¹⁰ For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. ¹¹ Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: ¹³ neither present your members unto sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
¹⁵ What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. ¹⁶ Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves [as] servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; ¹⁸ and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. ¹⁹ I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members [as] servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members [as] servants to righteousness unto sanctification. ²⁰ For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. ²¹ What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. ²² But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
⁷ ¹ Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth? ² For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. ³ So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man. ⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, [even] to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God. ⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. ⁶ But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet: ⁸ but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin [is] dead. ⁹ And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; ¹⁰ and the commandment, which [was] unto life, this I found [to be] unto death: ¹¹ for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. ¹² So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. ¹³ Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. ¹⁶ But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good [is] not. ¹⁹ For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. ²⁰ But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. ²¹ I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³ but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
⁸ ¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. ³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵ For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: ⁷ because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: ⁸ and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
¹² So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: ¹³ for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him].
¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³ And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for [our] adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? ²⁵ But if we hope for that which we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for it.
²⁶ And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered; ²⁷ and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. ²⁸ And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose. ²⁹ For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: ³⁰ and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [is] against us? ³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; ³⁴ who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ Even as it is written,
For thy sake we are killed all the day long;
We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
⁹ ¹ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ⁴ who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises; ⁵ whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
⁶ But [it is] not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: ⁷ neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. ⁸ That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. ⁹ For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. ¹⁰ And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac— ¹¹ for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, ¹² it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. ¹³ Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. ¹⁵ For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. ¹⁶ So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. ¹⁷ For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. ¹⁸ So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth.
¹⁹ Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? ²⁰ Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? ²¹ Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? ²² What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction: ²³ and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory, ²⁴ [even] us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? ²⁵ As he saith also in Hosea,
I will call that my people, which was not my people;
And her beloved, that was not beloved. ²⁶ And it shall be, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people,
There shall they be called sons of the living God. ²⁷ And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved: ²⁸ for the Lord will execute [his] word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short. ²⁹ And, as Isaiah hath said before,
Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,
We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah.
³⁰ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith: ³¹ but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at [that] law. ³² Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; ³³ even as it is written,
Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence:
And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.
¹⁰ ¹ Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved. ² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth. ⁵ For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby. ⁶ But the righteousness which is of faith saith thus, Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down:) ⁷ or, Who shall descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.) ⁸ But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: ⁹ because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: ¹⁰ for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same [Lord] is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: ¹³ for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
¹⁶ But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? ¹⁷ So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. ¹⁸ But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily,
Their sound went out into all the earth,
And their words unto the ends of the world. ¹⁹ But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith,
I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation,
With a nation void of understanding will I anger you. ²⁰ And Isaiah is very bold, and saith,
I was found of them that sought me not;
I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. ²¹ But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
¹¹ ¹ I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. ² God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: ³ Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. ⁴ But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. ⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ⁶ But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. ⁷ What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened: ⁸ according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day. ⁹ And David saith,
Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: ¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see,
And bow thou down their back always.
¹¹ I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. ¹² Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? ¹³ But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; ¹⁴ if by any means I may provoke to jealousy [them that are] my flesh, and may save some of them. ¹⁵ For if the casting away of them [is] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead? ¹⁶ And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. ¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; ¹⁸ glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. ¹⁹ Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. ²⁰ Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: ²¹ for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. ²² Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. ²³ And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴ For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural [branches], be grafted into their own olive tree? ²⁵ For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; ²⁶ and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written,
There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer;
He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: ²⁷ And this is my covenant unto them,
When I shall take away their sins. ²⁸ As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of. ³⁰ For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, ³¹ even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. ³² For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.
³³ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! ³⁴ For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? ³⁵ or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? ³⁶ For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him [be] the glory for ever. Amen.
¹² ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service. ² And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
³ For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. ⁴ For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. ⁶ And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of our faith; ⁷ or ministry, [let us give ourselves] to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; ⁸ or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, [let him do it] with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ¹⁰ In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; ¹¹ in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; ¹³ communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. ¹⁵ Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. ¹⁷ Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God]: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. ²⁰ But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
¹³ ¹ Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the [powers] that be are ordained of God. ² Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: ⁴ for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. ⁵ Wherefore [ye] must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. ⁶ For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing. ⁷ Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
⁸ Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. ⁹ For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ¹⁰ Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
¹¹ And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we [first] believed. ¹² The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
¹⁴ ¹ But him that is weak in faith receive ye, [yet] not for decision of scruples. ² One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. ³ Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. ⁴ Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. ⁵ One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. ⁶ He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. ⁷ For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself. ⁸ For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. ⁹ For to this end Christ died and lived [again], that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. ¹⁰ But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. ¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. ¹² So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
¹³ Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling. ¹⁴ I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. ¹⁵ For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Let not then your good be evil spoken of: ¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. ¹⁹ So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. ²⁰ Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. ²¹ It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [to do anything] whereby thy brother stumbleth. ²² The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. ²³ But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
¹⁵ ¹ Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. ³ For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me. ⁴ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: ⁶ that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God. ⁸ For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises [given] unto the fathers, ⁹ and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,
Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles,
And sing unto thy name. ¹⁰ And again he saith,
Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. ¹¹ And again,
Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles;
And let all the peoples praise him. ¹² And again, Isaiah saith,
There shall be the root of Jesse,
And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles;
On him shall the Gentiles hope. ¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
¹⁴ And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. ¹⁵ But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God, ¹⁶ that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ I have therefore my glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. ¹⁸ For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, ¹⁹ in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; ²⁰ yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; ²¹ but, as it is written,
They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came,
And they who have not heard shall understand.
²² Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you: ²³ but now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you, ²⁴ whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company)— ²⁵ but now, [I say], I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints. ²⁶ For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it [to them] also to minister unto them in carnal things. ²⁸ When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you unto Spain. ²⁹ And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.
³⁰ Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; ³¹ that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judζa, and [that] my ministration which [I have] for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; ³² that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest. ³³ Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
¹⁶ ¹ I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchrea: ² that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.
³ Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, ⁴ who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: ⁵ and [salute] the church that is in their house. Salute Epζnetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ. ⁶ Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. ⁷ Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. ⁸ Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord. ⁹ Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. ¹⁰ Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the [household] of Aristobulus. ¹¹ Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the [household] of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. ¹² Salute Tryphζna and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. ¹³ Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. ¹⁴ Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them. ¹⁵ Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. ¹⁶ Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. ¹⁸ For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. ¹⁹ For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil. ²⁰ And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
²¹ Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. ²² I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord. ²³ Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother.
²⁵ Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, ²⁶ but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: ²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians

¹ ¹ Paul, called [to be] an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, ² unto the church of God which is at Corinth, [even] them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their [Lord] and ours: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; ⁵ that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance and all knowledge; ⁶ even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: ⁷ so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; ⁸ who shall also confirm you unto the end, [that ye be] unreproveable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
¹⁰ Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them [that are of the household] of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. ¹² Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. ¹³ Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius; ¹⁵ lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name. ¹⁶ And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. ¹⁷ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void. ¹⁸ For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written,
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to nought. ²⁰ Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe. ²² Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; ²⁴ but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
²⁶ For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: ²⁷ but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; ²⁸ and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are: ²⁹ that no flesh should glory before God. ³⁰ But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: ³¹ that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
² ¹ And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. ³ And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. ⁴ And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: ⁵ that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
⁶ We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought: ⁷ but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, [even] the [wisdom] that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: ⁸ which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: ⁹ but as it is written,
Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not,
And [which] entered not into the heart of man,
Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. ¹⁰ But unto us God revealed [them] through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. ¹² But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. ¹³ Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words]. ¹⁴ Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. ¹⁵ But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man. ¹⁶ For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
³ ¹ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. ² I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able [to bear it]: nay, not even now are ye able; ³ for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men? ⁴ For when one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men? ⁵ What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. ⁷ So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. ⁸ Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building.
¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. ¹¹ For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; ¹³ each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵ If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ¹⁷ If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
¹⁸ Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness: ²⁰ and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain. ²¹ Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours; ²² whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; ²³ and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
⁴ ¹ Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. ³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. ⁴ For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. ⁵ Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
⁶ Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not [to go] beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other. ⁷ For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? ⁸ Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. ⁹ For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor. ¹¹ Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; ¹² and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ¹³ being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.
¹⁴ I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel. ¹⁶ I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me. ¹⁷ For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church. ¹⁸ Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. ¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. ²¹ What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
⁵ ¹ It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one [of you] hath his father's wife. ² And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you. ³ For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing, ⁴ in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, ⁵ to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? ⁷ Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, [even] Christ: ⁸ wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
⁹ I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; ¹⁰ not at all [meaning] with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: ¹¹ but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. ¹² For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? ¹³ But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
⁶ ¹ Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? ² Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? ³ Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life? ⁴ If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church? ⁵ I say [this] to move you to shame. What, cannot there be [found] among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren, ⁶ but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? ⁷ Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded? ⁸ Nay, but ye yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren. ⁹ Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
¹² All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. ¹³ Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body: ¹⁴ and God both raised the Lord, and will raise up us through his power. ¹⁵ Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid. ¹⁶ Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh. ¹⁷ But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. ¹⁸ Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. ¹⁹ Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; ²⁰ for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
⁷ ¹ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. ² But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. ³ Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. ⁴ The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife. ⁵ Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency. ⁶ But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. ⁷ Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
⁸ But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. ⁹ But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. ¹⁰ But unto the married I give charge, [yea] not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband ¹¹ (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife. ¹² But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. ¹³ And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. ¹⁵ Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us in peace. ¹⁶ For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife? ¹⁷ Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God. ²⁰ Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. ²¹ Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather. ²² For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant. ²³ Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. ²⁴ Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.
²⁵ Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. ²⁶ I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, [namely], that it is good for a man to be as he is. ²⁷ Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. ²⁸ But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. ²⁹ But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; ³⁰ and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; ³¹ and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away. ³² But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: ³³ but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, ³⁴ and is divided. [So] also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵ And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. ³⁶ But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin [daughter], if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. ³⁷ But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own will, and hath determined this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin [daughter], shall do well. ³⁸ So then both he that giveth his own virgin [daughter] in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. ³⁹ A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. ⁴⁰ But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
⁸ ¹ Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. ² If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know; ³ but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him. ⁴ Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no God but one. ⁵ For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; ⁶ yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him. ⁷ Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. ⁸ But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. ⁹ But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak. ¹⁰ For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? ¹¹ For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died. ¹² And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ. ¹³ Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
⁹ ¹ Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? ² If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. ³ My defence to them that examine me is this. ⁴ Have we no right to eat and to drink? ⁵ Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? ⁶ Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working? ⁷ What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? ⁸ Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same? ⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth, ¹⁰ or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, [to thresh] in hope of partaking. ¹¹ If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? ¹² If others partake of [this] right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat [of] the things of the temple, [and] they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? ¹⁴ Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. ¹⁵ But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for [it were] good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. ¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. ¹⁷ For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel. ¹⁹ For though I was free from all [men], I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. ²⁰ And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; ²¹ to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law. ²² To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. ²³ And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. ²⁴ Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. ²⁵ And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they [do it] to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ²⁶ I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: ²⁷ but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
¹⁰ ¹ For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; ² and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ³ and did all eat the same spiritual food; ⁴ and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ. ⁵ Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. ⁶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. ⁷ Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. ⁸ Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. ⁹ Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. ¹⁰ Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. ¹¹ Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. ¹² Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. ¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.
¹⁴ Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. ¹⁶ The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ? ¹⁷ seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread. ¹⁸ Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar? ¹⁹ What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? ²⁰ But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons. ²¹ Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. ²² Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
²³ All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify. ²⁴ Let no man seek his own, but [each] his neighbor's [good]. ²⁵ Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake; ²⁶ for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. ²⁷ If one of them that believe not biddeth you [to a feast], and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake. ²⁸ But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake: ²⁹ conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other's; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? ³⁰ If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? ³¹ Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. ³² Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: ³³ even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of the many, that they may be saved.
¹¹ ¹ Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. ² Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. ³ But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. ⁵ But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven. ⁶ For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. ⁷ For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. ⁸ For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man: ⁹ for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man: ¹⁰ for this cause ought the woman to have [a sign of] authority on her head, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord. ¹² For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are of God. ¹³ Judge ye in yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray unto God unveiled? ¹⁴ Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ¹⁵ But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. ¹⁶ But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
¹⁷ But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. ¹⁸ For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it. ¹⁹ For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you. ²⁰ When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord's supper: ²¹ for in your eating each one taketh before [other] his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken. ²² What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not. ²³ For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁵ In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me. ²⁶ For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come. ²⁷ Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body. ³⁰ For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. ³¹ But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. ³³ Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, wait one for another. ³⁴ If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.
¹² ¹ Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant. ² Ye know that when ye were Gentiles [ye were] led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led. ³ Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.
⁴ Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. ⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. ⁸ For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: ⁹ to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; ¹⁰ and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another [divers] kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: ¹¹ but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
¹² For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? ¹⁸ But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body? ²⁰ But now they are many members, but one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. ²² Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: ²³ and those [parts] of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness; ²⁴ whereas our comely [parts] have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that [part] which lacked; ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another. ²⁶ And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or [one] member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. ²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, [divers] kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all [workers of] miracles? ³⁰ have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? ³¹ But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.
¹³ ¹ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. ² And if I have [the gift of] prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And if I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. ⁴ Love suffereth long, [and] is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, ⁵ doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; ⁶ rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; ⁷ beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. ⁸ Love never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall be done away; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall be done away. ⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; ¹⁰ but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. ¹³ But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
¹⁴ ¹ Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy. ² For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. ³ But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. ⁴ He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. ⁵ Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. ⁶ But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? ⁷ Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? ⁸ For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? ⁹ So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no [kind] is without signification. ¹¹ If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me. ¹² So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church. ¹³ Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. ¹⁶ Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest? ¹⁷ For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. ¹⁸ I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all: ¹⁹ howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
²⁰ Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men. ²¹ In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord. ²² Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying [is for a sign], not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe. ²³ If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad? ²⁴ But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all; ²⁵ the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
²⁶ What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. ²⁷ If any man speaketh in a tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most three, and [that] in turn; and let one interpret: ²⁸ but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. ²⁹ And let the prophets speak [by] two or three, and let the others discern. ³⁰ But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. ³¹ For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; ³² and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; ³³ for God is not [a God] of confusion, but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, ³⁴ let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. ³⁵ And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. ³⁶ What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?
³⁷ If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. ³⁸ But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
³⁹ Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. ⁴⁰ But let all things be done decently and in order.
¹⁵ ¹ Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, ² by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; ⁶ then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; ⁷ then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; ⁸ and last of all, as to the [child] untimely born, he appeared to me also. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹ Whether then [it be] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
¹² Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised: ¹⁴ and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised: ¹⁷ and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
²⁰ But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. ²¹ For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. ²³ But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. ²⁴ Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. ²⁷ For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. ²⁸ And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.
²⁹ Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? ³⁰ why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? ³¹ I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. ³² If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. ³³ Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. ³⁴ Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak [this] to move you to shame.
³⁵ But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come? ³⁶ Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened except it die: ³⁷ and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind; ³⁸ but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. ³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one [flesh] of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes. ⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. ⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: ⁴³ it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual [body]. ⁴⁵ So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam [became] a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. ⁴⁸ As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. ⁴⁹ And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: ⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
¹⁶ ¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. ² Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. ³ And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem: ⁴ and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me. ⁵ But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia; ⁶ but with you it may be that I shall abide, or even winter, that ye may set me forward on my journey whithersoever I go. ⁷ For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. ⁸ But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost; ⁹ for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
¹⁰ Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do: ¹¹ let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren. ¹² But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not at all [his] will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.
¹³ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that ye do be done in love.
¹⁵ Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints), ¹⁶ that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth. ¹⁷ And I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they supplied. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge ye therefore them that are such.
¹⁹ The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. ²⁰ All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
²¹ The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. ²² If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
³ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; ⁴ who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ. ⁶ But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: ⁷ and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort. ⁸ For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell [us] in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life: ⁹ yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead: ¹⁰ who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us; ¹¹ ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.
¹² For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. ¹³ For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end: ¹⁴ as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
¹⁵ And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit; ¹⁶ and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judζa. ¹⁷ When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay? ¹⁸ But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, [even] by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea. ²⁰ For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. ²¹ Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; ²² who also sealed us, and gave [us] the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
²³ But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth. ²⁴ Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.
² ¹ But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow. ² For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me? ³ And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is [the joy] of you all. ⁴ For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
⁵ But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all. ⁶ Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was [inflicted] by the many; ⁷ so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. ⁸ Wherefore I beseech you to confirm [your] love toward him. ⁹ For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things. ¹⁰ But to whom ye forgive anything, I [forgive] also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes [have I forgiven it] in the presence of Christ; ¹¹ that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
¹² Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord, ¹³ I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.
¹⁴ But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; ¹⁶ to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.
³ ¹ Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you? ² Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men; ³ being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables [that are] hearts of flesh. ⁴ And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: ⁵ not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; ⁶ who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. ⁷ But if the ministration of death, written, [and] engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which [glory] was passing away: ⁸ how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory? ⁹ For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. ¹⁰ For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth. ¹¹ For if that which passeth away [was] with glory, much more that which remaineth [is] in glory.
¹² Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, ¹³ and [are] not as Moses, [who] put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away: ¹⁴ but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. ¹⁵ But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. ¹⁶ But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.
⁴ ¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: ² but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: ⁴ in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]. ⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ⁶ Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall 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.
⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; ⁸ [we are] pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; ⁹ pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; ¹⁰ always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹³ But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; ¹⁴ knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁵ For all things [are] for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
¹⁶ Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; ¹⁸ while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
⁵ ¹ For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. ² For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: ³ if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life. ⁵ Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit. ⁶ Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord ⁷ (for we walk by faith, not by sight); ⁸ we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. ⁹ Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. ¹⁰ For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things [done] in the body, according to what he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.
¹¹ Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. ¹² We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but [speak] as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. ¹³ For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again. ¹⁶ Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know [him so] no more. ¹⁷ Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [he is] a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. ¹⁸ But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
²⁰ We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech [you] on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. ²¹ Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
⁶ ¹ And working together [with him] we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain ² (for he saith,
At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee,
And in a day of salvation did I succor thee:
behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): ³ giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; ⁴ but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, ⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; ⁶ in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, ⁷ in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and [yet] true; ⁹ as unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
¹¹ Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. ¹² Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. ¹³ Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto [my] children), be ye also enlarged.
¹⁴ Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷ Wherefore
Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
And touch no unclean thing;
And I will receive you, ¹⁸ And will be to you a Father,
And ye shall be to me sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty. ⁷ ¹ Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
² Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. ³ I say it not to condemn [you]: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together. ⁴ Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
⁵ For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but [we were] afflicted on every side; without [were] fightings, within [were] fears. ⁶ Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, [even] God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; ⁷ and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more. ⁸ For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret [it] (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season), ⁹ I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, [a repentance] which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. ¹¹ For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter. ¹² So although I wrote unto you, [I wrote] not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God. ¹³ Therefore we have been comforted: and in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all. ¹⁴ For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth. ¹⁵ And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. ¹⁶ I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.
⁸ ¹ Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; ² how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. ³ For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord, ⁴ beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: ⁵ and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. ⁶ Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also. ⁷ But as ye abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also. ⁸ I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. ⁹ For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰ And herein I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. ¹¹ But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability. ¹² For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according as [a man] hath, not according as [he] hath not. ¹³ For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed; ¹⁴ but by equality: your abundance [being a supply] at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your want; that there may be equality: ¹⁵ as it is written, He that [gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [gathered] little had no lack.
¹⁶ But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. ¹⁷ For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. ¹⁸ And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel [is spread] through all the churches; ¹⁹ and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in [the matter of] this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and [to show] our readiness: ²⁰ avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us: ²¹ for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. ²² And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he hath] in you. ²³ Whether [any inquire] about Titus, [he is] my partner and [my] fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, [they are] the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ. ²⁴ Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
⁹ ¹ For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: ² for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them. ³ But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: ⁴ lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. ⁵ I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.
⁶ But this [I say], He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷ [Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: ⁹ as it is written,
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness abideth for ever. ¹⁰ And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: ¹¹ ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God. ¹² For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; ¹³ seeing that through the proving [of you] by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of [your] contribution unto them and unto all; ¹⁴ while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
¹⁰ ¹ Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you: ² yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh. ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh ⁴ (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), ⁵ casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; ⁶ and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full. ⁷ Ye look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also are we. ⁸ For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame: ⁹ that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. ¹⁰ For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account. ¹¹ Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such [are we] also in deed when we are present. ¹² For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. ¹³ But we will not glory beyond [our] measure, but according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you. ¹⁴ For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ: ¹⁵ not glorying beyond [our] measure, [that is], in other men's labors; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto [further] abundance, ¹⁶ so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, [and] not to glory in another's province in regard of things ready to our hand. ¹⁷ But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. ¹⁸ For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
¹¹ ¹ Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me. ² For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you [as] a pure virgin to Christ. ³ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. ⁴ For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or [if] ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with [him]. ⁵ For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. ⁶ But though [I be] rude in speech, yet [am I] not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made [this] manifest unto you in all things. ⁷ Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought? ⁸ I robbed other churches, taking wages [of them] that I might minister unto you; ⁹ and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and [so] will I keep [myself]. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹ Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. ¹² But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. ¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
¹⁶ I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if [ye do], yet as foolish receive me, that I also may glory a little. ¹⁷ That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying. ¹⁸ Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. ¹⁹ For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise [yourselves]. ²⁰ For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you [captive], if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face. ²¹ I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. ²² Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. ²³ Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. ²⁴ Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. ²⁵ Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; ²⁶ [in] journeyings often, [in] perils of rivers, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils from [my] countrymen, [in] perils from the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; ²⁷ [in] labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. ²⁸ Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? ³⁰ If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lie not. ³² In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me: ³³ and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.
¹² ¹ I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. ³ And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), ⁴ how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁵ On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in [my] weaknesses. ⁶ For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or heareth from me. ⁷ And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. ⁸ Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹ And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
¹¹ I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. ¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works. ¹³ For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except [it be] that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.
¹⁴ Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. ¹⁵ And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? ¹⁶ But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you? ¹⁸ I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? [walked we] not in the same steps?
¹⁹ Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, [are] for your edifying. ²⁰ For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means [there should be] strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults; ²¹ lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.
¹³ ¹ This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established. ² I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; ³ seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: ⁴ for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. ⁵ Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate. ⁶ But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. ⁷ Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate. ⁸ For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. ⁹ For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting. ¹⁰ For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
¹¹ Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you. ¹² Salute one another with a holy kiss.
¹³ All the saints salute you.
¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Galatians

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), ² and all the brethren that are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: ³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father: ⁵ to whom [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
⁶ I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; ⁷ which is not another [gospel]: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. ⁹ As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema. ¹⁰ For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.
¹¹ For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. ¹² For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and made havoc of it: ¹⁴ and I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, [even] from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: ¹⁷ neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. ²⁰ Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. ²¹ Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judζa which were in Christ: ²³ but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; ²⁴ and they glorified God in me.
² ¹ Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. ² And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain. ³ But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: ⁴ and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: ⁵ to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. ⁶ But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man's person)—they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me: ⁷ but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with [the gospel] of the circumcision ⁸ (for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles); ⁹ and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision; ¹⁰ only [they would] that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.
¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? ¹⁵ We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, ¹⁶ yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. ¹⁷ But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. ¹⁸ For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. ¹⁹ For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. ²¹ I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.
³ ¹ O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? ² This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³ Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh? ⁴ Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain. ⁵ He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ⁶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. ⁷ Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. ⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all the nations be blessed. ⁹ So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. ¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. ¹¹ Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith; ¹² and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: ¹⁴ that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
¹⁵ Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. ¹⁶ Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ¹⁷ Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. ¹⁹ What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; [and it was] ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. ²⁰ Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one; but God is one. ²¹ Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law. ²² But the scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
²³ But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. ²⁴ So that the law is become our tutor [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. ²⁶ For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. ²⁸ There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
⁴ ¹ But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; ² but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. ³ So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: ⁴ but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. ⁶ And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ⁷ So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
⁸ Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: ⁹ but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? ¹⁰ Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. ¹¹ I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.
¹² I beseech you, brethren, become as I [am], for I also [am become] as ye [are]. Ye did me no wrong: ¹³ but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time: ¹⁴ and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them. ¹⁸ But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you— ²⁰ but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.
²¹ Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? ²² For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. ²³ Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise. ²⁴ Which things contain an allegory: for these [women] are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar. ²⁵ Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,
Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not;
Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not:
For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband. ²⁸ Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. ²⁹ But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, so also it is now. ³⁰ Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. ³¹ Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.
⁵ ¹ For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
² Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. ³ Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. ⁴ Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. ⁵ For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. ⁷ Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth? ⁸ This persuasion [came] not of him that calleth you. ⁹ A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence to you-ward in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. ¹¹ But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away. ¹² I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.
¹³ For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only [use] not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ¹⁵ But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
¹⁶ But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. ¹⁸ But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, ²¹ envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. ²⁴ And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.
²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. ²⁶ Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.
⁶ ¹ Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ² Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ³ For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. ⁴ But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor. ⁵ For each man shall bear his own burden.
⁶ But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. ⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸ For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
¹¹ See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand. ¹² As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. ¹⁴ But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ¹⁵ For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ¹⁶ And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace [be] upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
¹⁷ Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.
¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Ephesians

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
³ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ: ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: ⁵ having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: ⁷ in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ⁹ making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him ¹⁰ unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, [I say], ¹¹ in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; ¹² to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: ¹³ in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of [God's] own possession, unto the praise of his glory.
¹⁵ For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which [ye show] toward all the saints, ¹⁶ cease not to give thanks for you, making mention [of you] in my prayers; ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; ¹⁸ having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might ²⁰ which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly [places], ²¹ far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²² and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
² ¹ And you [did he make alive], when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, ² wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; ³ among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:— ⁴ but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), ⁶ and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus: ⁷ that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: ⁸ for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; ⁹ not of works, that no man should glory. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.
¹¹ Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; ¹² that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, ¹⁵ having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, [so] making peace; ¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: ¹⁷ and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: ¹⁸ for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. ¹⁹ So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, ²⁰ being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹ in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; ²² in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
³ ¹ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,— ² if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; ³ how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, ⁴ whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; ⁵ which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; ⁶ [to wit], that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, ⁷ whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. ⁸ Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹ and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; ¹⁰ to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly [places] might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: ¹² in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.
²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ unto him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
⁴ ¹ I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, ² with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; ³ giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. ⁷ But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁸ Wherefore he saith,
When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive,
And gave gifts unto men. ⁹ (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) ¹¹ And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: ¹³ till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: ¹⁴ that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; ¹⁵ but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ; ¹⁶ from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in [due] measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, ¹⁸ being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; ¹⁹ who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But ye did not so learn Christ; ²¹ if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: ²² that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; ²³ and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
²⁵ Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. ²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: ²⁷ neither give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. ³⁰ And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: ³² and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.
⁵ ¹ Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; ² and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; ⁴ nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them; ⁸ for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰ proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; ¹¹ and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; ¹² for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. ¹³ But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light. ¹⁴ Wherefore [he] saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.
¹⁵ Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; ²¹ subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.
²² Wives, [be in subjection] unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, [being] himself the saviour of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so [let] the wives also [be] to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; ²⁶ that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ that he might present the church to himself a glorious [church], not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself: ²⁹ for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church; ³⁰ because we are members of his body. ³¹ For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. ³² This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church. ³³ Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and [let] the wife [see] that she fear her husband.
⁶ ¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ² Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), ³ that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. ⁴ And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.
⁵ Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶ not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: ⁸ knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free. ⁹ And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. ¹³ Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ¹⁸ with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
²¹ But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: ²² whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
²³ Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ with [a love] incorruptible.

Philippians

¹ ¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
³ I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: ⁷ even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; ¹⁰ so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
¹² Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel; ¹³ so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest; ¹⁴ and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. ¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: ¹⁶ the one [do it] of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel; ¹⁷ but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds. ¹⁸ What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. ¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if to live in the flesh,—[if] this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. ²³ But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better: ²⁴ yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake. ²⁵ And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; ²⁶ that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. ²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; ²⁹ because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: ³⁰ having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
² ¹ If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, ² make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; ³ [doing] nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; ⁴ not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. ⁵ Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶ who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; ⁸ and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross. ⁹ Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; ¹⁰ that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
¹² So then, my beloved, even as ye 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; ¹³ for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and questionings: ¹⁵ that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain. ¹⁷ Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all: ¹⁸ and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me.
¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state. ²¹ For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. ²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child [serveth] a father, [so] he served with me in furtherance of the gospel. ²³ Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me: ²⁴ but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly. ²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; ²⁶ since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick: ²⁷ for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor: ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
³ ¹ Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe. ² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision: ³ for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh: ⁴ though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. ⁷ Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, [even] that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: ¹⁰ that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; ¹¹ if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing [I do], forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: ¹⁶ only, whereunto we have attained, by that same [rule] let us walk.
¹⁷ Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample. ¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: ¹⁹ whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and [whose] glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. ²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹ who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, [that it may be] conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
⁴ ¹ Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
² I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁹ The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
¹⁰ But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. ¹³ I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. ¹⁴ Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction. ¹⁵ And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; ¹⁶ for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. ¹⁷ Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account. ¹⁸ But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things [that came] from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now unto our God and Father [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
²¹ Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you. ²² All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Cζsar's household.
²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Colossians

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ [that are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
³ We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, ⁶ which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as [it doth] in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth; ⁷ even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; ¹³ who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; ¹⁴ in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins: ¹⁵ who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; ¹⁶ for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; ¹⁷ and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. ¹⁹ For it was the good pleasure [of the Father] that in him should all the fulness dwell; ²⁰ and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, [I say], whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens. ²¹ And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, ²² yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: ²³ if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister. ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church; ²⁵ whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God, ²⁶ [even] the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints, ²⁷ to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: ²⁸ whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; ²⁹ whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
² ¹ For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; ² that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, [even] Christ, ³ in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. ⁴ This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. ⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
⁶ As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in him, ⁷ rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. ⁸ Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: ⁹ for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, ¹⁰ and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power: ¹¹ in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, [I say], did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; ¹⁴ having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; ¹⁵ having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
¹⁶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: ¹⁷ which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. ¹⁸ Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.
²⁰ If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, ²¹ Handle not, nor taste, nor touch ²² (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? ²³ Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; [but are] not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
³ ¹ If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. ³ For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.
⁵ Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; ⁶ for which things' sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: ⁷ wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; ⁸ but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: ⁹ lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, ¹⁰ and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: ¹¹ where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
¹² Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: ¹⁴ and above all these things [put on] love, which is the bond of perfectness. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. ¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
¹⁸ Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. ²² Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord: ²³ whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. ⁴ ¹ Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
² Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; ³ withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
⁷ All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: ⁸ whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts; ⁹ together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that [are done] here.
¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him), ¹¹ and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only [are my] fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you. ¹⁵ Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house. ¹⁶ And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
¹⁸ The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.