Mace(i)
1 Let brotherly love still reign.
2 be not unmindful of hospitality: for thereby some have unknowingly entertained angels.
3 remember those that are in chains, as if you were confin'd with them; and those who suffer adversity, as being your selves of the same body.
4 Marriage is every where honourable, and that state is innocent: but the licentious and adulterers God will punish.
5 let your morals be free from avarice, being contented with what you have: for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
6 so that we may boldly say, " the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
7 Remember those who have the rule over you, who have preach'd to you the word of God: imitate their faith; consider their conduct, and the exit they made.
8 Jesus Christ is always the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. be not then misled by artful, novel doctrines:
9 for the mind is better improv'd by the gospel-dispensation, than by the distinctions about meats, in which some have been so uselesly vers'd.
10 We have a victim, whereof they, who still serve at the tabernacle, have no more right to eat,
11 than the sacrificers had to eat of the flesh of those beasts, which were burnt without the camp, and whose blood the highpriest carried into the sanctuary.
12 for Jesus likewise suffered without the gate, to show he was the expiatory victim for the people.
13 let us therefore decamp, and bear the reproach of following his example:
14 for we have. no settled corporation here, but are in expectation of that which is approaching.
15 Let our sacrifice then, which we are to offer to God by Jesus Christ, be that of incessant praises, the offering of our lips, which celebrate his name:
16 but don't forget to be beneficent to the community; for such sacrifice is acceptable to God.
17 Confide in your guides, and be respectful: that they who are vigilant, as being accountable for your souls, may discharge themselves with cheerfulness, and not with anxiety, which would be to your prejudice.
18 Pray for us, for we trust we have a clear conscience, and desire our virtuous conduct may appear to all the world.
19 I conjure you the more earnestly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 May the God of peace, who has raised from the dead our Lord Jesus (who by the blood of the eternal covenant is become the grand pastor of
21 the sheep) make you perfect in every virtue, to the accomplishment of his will: effecting that in you by Jesus Christ, which is agreeable to him: to whom be glory thro' all ages.
22 Pray, my brethren, favourably receive this exhortation, which I have writ to you in brief.
23 know, that our brother Timothy is set at liberty. if he comes quickly, I shall make YOU a visit with him.
24 salute those who conduct you, and all the christians. they of Italy salute you.
25 grace be with you all. AMEN.