Ephesians -1 Timothy Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the sanctified who are at Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

ACV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the sanctified who are at Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly things in Christ. ⁴ Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, for us to be holy and unblemished before him in love. ⁵ Who predestined us for sonship through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the desire of his will, ⁶ for appreciation of the glory of his grace, by which he blessed us in him who is beloved. ⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, according to the wealth of his grace, ⁸ which he abounded for us in all wisdom and intelligence. ⁹ Having made known to us the mystery of his will according to his desire, which he purposed within himself ¹⁰ for an administration of the fullness of the times. To gather together all things in the Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth, ¹¹ in him in whom also we obtained an inheritance. Having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the deliberation of his will, ¹² for us to be for appreciation of his glory, men who have first hoped in the Christ. ¹³ In whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the good news of your salvation, in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, ¹⁴ which is a pledge of our inheritance, for the redemption of the acquired possession, for appreciation of his glory. ¹⁵ Because of this I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the sanctified, ¹⁶ I cease not expressing thanks for you, making remembrance of you in my prayers. ¹⁷ So that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your heart enlightened. For you to know what is the hope of his calling, and what is the wealth of the glory of his inheritance in the sanctified, ¹⁹ and what is the transcending greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of the dominion of his might, ²⁰ which he wrought in the Christ, having raised him from the dead and seated at his right hand in the heavenly things, ²¹ far above every principle office, and position of authority, and power, and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is coming. ²² And he subordinated all things under his feet, and appointed him head over all things for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fulfillment of him who fills all in all. ² ¹ Even you, who were dead in trespasses and sins ² in which ye once walked according to the era of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience. ³ Among whom we also all once behaved in the lusts of our flesh, doing the intentions of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath as also the others. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, through his great love that he loved us, ⁵ even us being dead in the transgressions, he made alive together with the Christ (ye are saved by grace), ⁶ and raised us up together, and seated us together in the heavenly things in Christ Jesus. ⁷ So that in the coming ages he might show the transcending wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For ye are saved by grace through faith, and this a gift of God, not from you, ⁹ not from works, so that not any man may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God preordained that we should walk in them. ¹¹ Remember therefore that once ye, the Gentiles in flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision (in flesh, made by hands), ¹² that ye were at that time independent of Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and alien of the covenants of the promise, having no hope and godless in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye, being formerly far off, became near in the blood of the Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the dividing wall of partition, ¹⁵ having abolished in his flesh the enmity-the law of the commandments in ordinances-so that he might create in himself the two into one new man, making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity by it. ¹⁷ And after coming he preached good news, peace to you, to those far off and to those near, ¹⁸ because through him we both have the access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then ye are no more alien and foreign, but fellow citizens of the sanctified, and belonging to the household of God. ²⁰ Which was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner, ²¹ in whom the whole building joined together grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom ye also are built together in Spirit into a habitation of God. ³ ¹ For this reason I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, ² since indeed ye heard of the administration of the grace of God, which was given to me for you, ³ that according to revelation he made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. ⁴ With which reading ye can recognize my understanding in the mystery of the Christ, ⁵ which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ For Gentiles to be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and fellow partakers of his promise in the Christ through the good news. ⁷ Of which I became a helper according to the gift of that grace of God, which was given to me according to the working of his power. ⁸ To me, a man less than the least of all the sanctified, this grace was given to preach good news among the Gentiles, the unsearchable wealth of Christ, ⁹ and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery hidden from the ages in God who created all things through Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ So that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principal offices and the positions of authority in the heavenly things, through the church, ¹¹ according to the purpose of the ages, which he made in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through his faith. ¹³ Therefore I ask that ye not become discouraged at my tribulations on your behalf, which is your glory. ¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom every patriarchy in heavens and on earth is named. ¹⁶ So that he would grant you, according to the wealth of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit for the inner man, ¹⁷ for the Christ to dwell in your hearts through faith, ¹⁸ having been rooted and grounded in love, so that ye may be able to grasp with all the sanctified what is the breadth and length and depth and height, ¹⁹ and to become aware of the love of the Christ, which transcends knowledge, so that ye may be filled in all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do above extraordinary-above all things that we ask or think-according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to him is the glory in the church in Christ Jesus for all generations of the age of the ages. Truly. ⁴ ¹ I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, call on you to walk worthily of the calling in which ye were called, ² with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing each other in love. ³ Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, ⁴ one body, and one Spirit. Just as also ye were called in one hope of your calling, ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one immersion, ⁶ one God and Father of all. He is over all, and through all, and in us all. ⁷ But the grace was given to each of us, according to the measure of the gift of the Christ. ⁸ Therefore he says, Having ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. ⁹ And what is the ascended, except that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the same man who ascended high above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. ¹¹ And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers ¹² for the perfecting of the sanctified, for the work of ministry, for edification of the body of the Christ. ¹³ Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a standard of stature of the fullness of the Christ. ¹⁴ So that we may no longer be childish, tossed about and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men in craftiness with the methodology of error. ¹⁵ But being truthful in love, we may cause all things to grow for him who is the head-the Christ- ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined together and united together through every connection of the supply, according to the working of each one part within a standard, makes the growth of the body for the construction of itself by love. ¹⁷ This I say therefore, and solemnly declare in the Lord, for you to walk no longer as also the other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, ¹⁸ darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the callousness of their heart. ¹⁹ Who, having become callous, gave themselves over to licentiousness for the work of all uncleanness in greed. ²⁰ But ye did not so learn the Christ, ²¹ if indeed ye heard him, and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, ²² for you to put off the old man according to your former conduct, the man who is corrupt according to the desires of deceitfulness, ²³ and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and to put on the new man according to God, the man who was created in righteousness and piety of the truth. ²⁵ Therefore having put off falsehood, let each man speak truth with his neighbor, because we are body-parts of each other. ²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath, ²⁷ neither give a place to the devil. ²⁸ Let the man who steals steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the good, so that he may have to give to him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt speech go out of your mouth, rather if there is any good word for edification of a need, so that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in which ye are sealed for a day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and reviling be taken away from you, with all evil. ³² And become good toward each other, compassionate, forgiving each other, even as also God in Christ forgave us. ⁵ ¹ Become ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as also the Christ loved us, and delivered himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma. ³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or greed, shall not even be named among you as befits the sanctified, ⁴ also indecency, and foolish talking or jesting, things not befitting, but thankfulness instead. ⁵ For ye are men who know this, that no fornicator, or unclean man, or covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God. ⁶ Let no man deceive you by empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Do not become ye therefore partakers with them. ⁸ For ye were once darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰ proving what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And do not associate with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even rebuke them. ¹² For it is disgusting even to speak of the things happening by them secretly. ¹³ But all things exposed are revealed by the light, for everything that is seen is light. ¹⁴ Therefore he says, Awake, thou who sleep. And arise from the dead, and the Christ will shine upon thee. ¹⁵ Therefore watch carefully how ye walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Because of this do not become foolish, but understanding what is the will of the Lord. ¹⁸ And do not become intoxicated with wine, during which is debauchery, but be filled in Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and striking strings in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ expressing thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father, ²¹ submitting yourselves to each other in the fear of Christ. ²² Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. ²³ Because a husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church, and himself the savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to the Christ, so also the wives to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your own wives even as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it, ²⁶ so that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ so that he might present it to himself, the glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and unblemished. ²⁸ So ought the husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as also Christ the church, ³⁰ because we are parts of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. ³¹ Separate from this a man will leave his father and mother behind, and will be bonded with his wife, and the two will be in one flesh. ³² This mystery is great, but I speak for Christ and for the church. ³³ Nevertheless ye also, each one in particular, shall so love his own wife as himself, and the wife 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 so that it may become well with thee, and thou will be long lasting on the earth. ⁴ And ye fathers, do not exasperate your children, but rear them in the training and admonition of the Lord. ⁵ Bondmen, be obedient to the masters according to flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as to the Christ. ⁶ Not according to eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondmen of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul, ⁷ bond-serving with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men. ⁸ Knowing that whatever good thing each may do, he will receive this from the Lord, whether bondman or freeman. ⁹ And ye masters, do the same things to them, easing up the threats, knowing also that the master of you yourselves is in the heavens, and there is no partiality from him. ¹⁰ Finally my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God to enable you to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² Because our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principal offices, against the positions of authority, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual things of wickedness in the heavenly things. ¹³ Because of this take ye up the full armor of God, so that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand ye therefore having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet in preparation of the good news of peace. ¹⁶ Above all having taken up the shield of faith, by which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of evil. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying through every prayer and entreaty at every time in spirit, and being alert in this same thing in all perseverance and entreaty for all the sanctified, ¹⁹ and for me, so that utterance may be given to me in boldness in opening my mouth to make known the mystery of the good news, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in bondage, so that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ²¹ But that ye also may know the things concerning me, what I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord, will make known all things to you. ²² Whom I sent to you for this same thing, so that ye might know the things about us, and that he might encourage your hearts. ²³ Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The grace is with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptibility. Truly.

Philippians

¹ ¹ Paul and Timothy, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the sanctified in Jesus Christ who are at Philippi, with the guardians and helpers: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God upon every memory of you, ⁴ always in my every entreaty for all of you, making the entreaty with joy ⁵ for your participation in the good news from the first day until now. ⁶ Being confident of this same thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ Just as it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the good news, you all being partners with me of the grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for you all in bowels of Jesus Christ. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment ¹⁰ for you to examine the things that are significant. So that ye may be tested by sunlight and not stumbling toward the day of Christ, ¹¹ having been filled with fruits of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, for glory and praise of God. ¹² But I want you to know, brothers, that the things in respect to me have come more for the advancement of the good news, ¹³ in order for my bonds in Christ to become apparent in the whole Praetorium, and in all the others. ¹⁴ And more of the brothers in the Lord have been convinced by my bonds to be much more bold to speak the word fearlessly. ¹⁵ Actually some even preach the Christ because of envy and strife, and some also because of good-will. ¹⁶ Some indeed proclaim the Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to bring affliction to my bonds. ¹⁷ But some from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the good news. ¹⁸ What then? Except in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice, but also I will rejoice. ¹⁹ For I know that this will turn out to me for salvation (through your entreaty, and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ) ²⁰ according to my eager expectation and hope that I will be shamed in nothing. But with all boldness, now as always, Christ will also be magnified in my body, whether through life or through death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if to live in flesh, this is fruit of labor to me, then what I will choose I know not. ²³ And I am constrained by the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, being far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary because of you. ²⁵ And having been convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and will continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. ²⁶ So that your pride may abound in Christ Jesus in me because of my presence with you again. ²⁷ Only be citizens worthy of the good news of the Christ, so that, whether having come and having seen you or being absent, I may hear things about you that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the good news. ²⁸ And not being frightened in anything by those who oppose, which is indeed a sign of destruction to them, but to you of salvation, and this from God. ²⁹ Because to you it was granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ having the same conflict such as ye saw in me, and now hear is in me. ² ¹ If therefore any exhortation is in Christ, if any encouragement of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies, ² fulfill my joy, that ye may think the same way, having the same love, being knit in soul, thinking in oneness, ³ in nothing according to selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility considering each other surpassing yourselves. ⁴ Look ye out each man not to things of yourselves, but each man also to the things of others. ⁵ Indeed have this way to think in you, that also was in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God something to seize and hold. ⁷ But he emptied himself, having taken a form of a bondman, having become in a likeness of men. ⁸ And having been found in a form like a man, he lowered himself, having become obedient until death, even of death from a cross. ⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the heavenly, and the earthly, and the sub-earthly, ¹¹ and that every tongue should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹² Therefore my beloved, just as ye have always obeyed, not only as in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who works in you both to desire and to work for approval. ¹⁴ Do all things without grumblings and arguments, ¹⁵ so that ye may become blameless and pure children of God, blameless in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. ¹⁶ Holding firm the word of life, for a boast by me in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. ¹⁷ Yet even if I am poured out a libation upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ And in the same way, ye also be glad and rejoice with me. ¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I also may be cheerful when I know the things about you. ²⁰ For I have no man like-minded who will genuinely care for the things about you. ²¹ For they all seek the things of themselves, not the things of Christ Jesus. ²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child to a father, he served with me for the good news. ²³ Indeed therefore I hope to send this man immediately, whenever I may focus on the things concerning me. ²⁴ And I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come soon. ²⁵ But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and co-workman and fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need, ²⁶ since he was longing for you all, and distressed because ye heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For also he was sick, near death, but God was merciful to him, and not only him, but also me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I sent him more urgently, so that having seen him again, ye may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men esteemed. ³⁰ Because for sake of the work of the Christ he came near the point of death, handing over his life so that he might fill up the deficiency of your service toward me. ³ ¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is really not irksome to me, but safe for you. ² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workmen, beware of the excision. ³ For we are the circumcision, men who worship in spirit to God, and who boast in Christ Jesus, and not being confident in flesh. ⁴ Although (I having confidence also in flesh) if any other man seems to be confident in the flesh, I more: ⁵ in circumcision the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; regarding law, a Pharisee; ⁶ regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness in law, having become blameless. ⁷ But whatever was gain to me, these things I regarded loss because of the Christ. ⁸ But indeed therefore I even consider all things to be loss because of things surpassing, of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I suffered the loss of all things, and consider them to be rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be found in him, not having my righteousness, that from law, but that through Christ's faith-the righteousness from God based on faith- ¹⁰ to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the participation of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, ¹¹ if somehow I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. ¹² Not that I have already obtained or have already been fully perfected, but I press forward, if also I might seize upon that for which also I was seized by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I reckon myself not to have seized, but one thing, indeed forgetting the things behind, and reaching forward to the things ahead, ¹⁴ I press forward toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ As many therefore as are perfect should think this way. And if ye think anything differently, this also God will reveal to you. ¹⁶ However in what we have attained, to march by the same standard, to think the same way. ¹⁷ Brothers, become fellow-imitators of me, and watch those who so walk, just as ye have us for an example. ¹⁸ For many walk, who (I told you often, and now also say while weeping) are enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and the glory in their shame, who mind earthly things. ²⁰ For our citizenship exists in the heavens, from which also we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform the body of our lowliness, in order for it to become similar in form to the body of his glory, according to the working of his power even to subject all things to himself. ⁴ ¹ So then, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord this way beloved. ² I exhort Euodias, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask thee also, genuine yokefellow, help them-the women who labored with me in the good news-with Clement also, and the rest of my co-workmen whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near. ⁶ Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thankfulness make your requests known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally brothers, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are commendable, if anything is a virtue, and if anything is praiseworthy, think on these things. ⁹ And what ye learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do, and the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last ye have revived thinking about me, in which also ye were thinking, but ye lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak regarding need, for I have learned in what things I am to be content. ¹² I know both how to be abased and how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be lacking. ¹³ I can do all things in the Christ who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless ye did well having shared with my affliction. ¹⁵ And ye Philippians also have seen that, in the beginning of the good news when I departed from Macedonia, not one congregation shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except ye only, ¹⁶ because also in Thessalonica ye sent both once and again to my need. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. ¹⁸ But I receive all things, and I abound. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, an aroma of fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice well-pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will fill your every need according to his wealth in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father is the glory into the ages of the ages. Truly. ²¹ Salute every sanctified man in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me salute you. ²² All the sanctified salute you, and especially those of the house of Caesar. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is with you all. Truly.

Colossians

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timothy the brother, ² to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying about you, ⁴ having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love toward all the sanctified, ⁵ because of the hope being reserved for you in the heavens, which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the good news ⁶ being present for you, just as also in all the world. And it is bearing fruit and increasing, just as also among you from the day that ye heard and recognized the grace of God in truth. ⁷ Just as also ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow bondman, who is a faithful helper of the Christ for you, ⁸ the man who also made clear to us your love in spirit. ⁹ Because of this we also, from the day that we heard, cease not praying for you and making request that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. ¹⁰ For you to walk worthily of the Lord for every desire to please, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened in every ability, according to the dominion of his glory, for all perseverance and longsuffering with joy. ¹² Giving thanks to the Father who made us qualified for the share of the portion of the sanctified in light. ¹³ Who rescued us out of the power of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, ¹⁵ who is an image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ Because in him all things were created, things in the heavens and things upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or lordships or principal offices or positions of authority, all things have been created through him, and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might become preeminent in all things. ¹⁹ Because in him it was considered good for all the fullness to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross, through him whether things upon the earth or things in the heavens. ²¹ And you, being formerly alienated and hostile in mind, in works, in things evil. But now he has reconciled ²² in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblemished and unblameable before him. ²³ If ye truly continue in the faith, founded, and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the good news that ye heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I Paul became a helper. ²⁴ I now rejoice in sufferings for you, and make complete in my flesh things lacking of the afflictions of the Christ for his body, which is the church. ²⁵ Of which I became a helper according to the administration of God, which was given to me for you to fulfill the word of God, ²⁶ the mystery that was hidden from the ages and from the generations, but has now been made known to his sanctified. ²⁷ To whom God wanted to make known what is the wealth 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, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ For which also I labor, striving according to his working, which works in me with power. ² ¹ For I want you to know how great a struggle I have about you, and those at Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in flesh. ² So that their hearts may be encouraged, having been united together in love, and for all wealth of the full assurance of understanding, to knowledge of the mystery of the God and Father of the Christ. ³ In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ And I say this so that not any man may delude you with persuasive speech. ⁵ For even though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your orderliness, and the steadfastness of your faith for Christ. ⁶ As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as ye were taught, abounding in it with thankfulness. ⁸ Take heed lest there will be any man taking you captive through the love of wisdom and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ Because in him all the fullness of the divinity dwells bodily. ¹⁰ And ye are men who have been made full in him, who is the head of every principal office and position of authority. ¹¹ In whom also ye were circumcised a circumcision not made with hands, in the removal of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of the Christ. ¹² Having been buried with him in immersion, in which also ye were raised together through faith of the working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ And you, being dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you he made alive together with him, having forgiven us all the transgressions, ¹⁴ having erased the handwriting against us in the regulations that were hostile to us, and he has taken it up from the midst, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having stripped the principal offices and the positions of authority, he exposed them openly, having triumphed over them by it. ¹⁶ Let not any man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of the things coming, but the body is Christ's. ¹⁸ Let no man umpire against you insisting on self-mortification, and worship of the agents, intruding in things that he has not seen, vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh, ¹⁹ and not holding to the head, from whom all the body, being supplied and held together through the connections and bonds, develops its growth from God. ²⁰ If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why do ye submit to rules, as though living in the world? ²¹ Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch ²² (which are all things for consumption by use), according to the commandments and teachings of men? ²³ Which having, are indeed a matter of wisdom in will-worship, and self-mortification, and austerity of the body-not in any value against indulgence of the flesh. ³ ¹ If therefore ye were raised with the Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Think on the things above, not the things on the earth. ³ For ye died, and your life has been hidden with the Christ in God. ⁴ When the Christ, our life, is made known, then ye also will be made known with him in glory. ⁵ Put to death therefore your body-parts on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of which the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience, ⁷ in which ye also once walked when ye lived in them. ⁸ But now ye also, put off all these things: anger, wrath, wickedness, reviling, filthy speaking out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, having stripped off the old man with his practices, ¹⁰ and having put on the new man, being renewed in knowledge according to an image of him who created him, ¹¹ where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman, but the all and in all, Christ. ¹² Put on therefore, as chosen men of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, ¹³ forbearing each other, and forgiving yourselves, if any man has a complaint against any, just as also the Christ forgave you, so also ye, ¹⁴ and above all these things, love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God umpire in your hearts, for which also ye were called in one body, and become thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing by grace in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And all things, anything whatever ye may do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, expressing thanks to the God and Father through him. ¹⁸ Wives, be ye submissive to your own husbands as is proper in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love the wives and do not be made bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they may not be discouraged. ²² Bondmen, obey in all things those masters according to flesh, not in eye-service as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And all things, anything whatever ye may do, work from soul as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ And he who does wrong will be recompensed what he did wrong, and there is no partiality. ⁴ ¹ Masters, present to the bondmen what is right and equitable, knowing that ye also have a Master in heavens. ² Continue in prayer, being vigilant in it with thankfulness. ³ Praying simultaneously about us also, so that God may open to us a door of the word, to speak the mystery of the Christ, because of which I have also been bound, ⁴ so that I may make it known as I ought to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those outside, redeeming the time, ⁶ your speech always with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how it is fitting for you to answer each one. ⁷ Tychicus will make known to you all things about me, the beloved brother and faithful helper and fellow bondman in the Lord. ⁸ Whom I sent to you for this same thing, so that he may know the things about you, and may encourage your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother who is of you. They will make known to you all things here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner salutes you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom ye received orders, if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus, these being the only fellow workmen from the circumcision for the kingdom of God, men who became a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, the bondman of Christ from you, salutes you, always striving for you in prayers, so that ye may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God. ¹³ For I testify about him, that he has much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you. ¹⁵ Salute the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly associated with his house. ¹⁶ And when the letter has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the congregation of Laodiceans, and that ye also read the one from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, Watch the ministry that thou received in the Lord so that thou may fulfill it. ¹⁸ The salutation of Paul by my hand. Remember my bonds. Grace is with you. Truly.

1 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the congregation of Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² We thank God always about all of you, making recollection of you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. ⁴ Knowing, beloved brothers, your selection by God, ⁵ because the good news from us happened to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as ye know what kind of men we became among you, because of you. ⁶ And ye became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ in order for you to become examples to all those who believe, in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. ⁹ For they report about us what kind of entrance we had with you, and how ye turned to God from the idols to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰ and to await his Son from the heavens whom he raised from the dead-Jesus-who rescues us from the coming wrath. ² ¹ For ye yourselves know, brothers, our entrance with you, that it has not become empty. ² But having suffered before and been mistreated in Philippi, as ye know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the good news of God within much conflict. ³ For our exhortation is not from error, nor from uncleanness, nor in deception, ⁴ but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, thus we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who proves our hearts. ⁵ For we came neither in word of flattery (at any time as ye know) nor a pretense of greed (God is witness) ⁶ nor seeking glory from men, neither from you nor from others. While able to bear down as apostles of Christ, ⁷ nevertheless we became gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse cherishes her own children. ⁸ Thus being desirous of you, we were pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because ye have become beloved to us. ⁹ For ye remember, brothers, our labor and the hardship. For, laboring night and day in order not to burden any of you, we preached to you the good news of God. ¹⁰ Ye are witnesses, and God, how piously and justly and blamelessly we became to you who believe, ¹¹ just as ye know, as each one of you as a father of his own children, imploring you, and comforting, ¹² and solemnly declaring for you to walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. ¹³ And because of this we thank God without ceasing, because, having received the word of God heard from us, ye received not the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For ye, brothers, became imitators of the congregations of God, which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because ye also suffered the same things by your own countrymen, just as also they by the Jews. ¹⁵ The men who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and who persecuted us, and are not pleasing to God, and are contrary to all men. ¹⁶ Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they might be saved, in order to fill up their sins always. But wrath came upon them finally. ¹⁷ But we, brothers, who were orphaned from you for the time of an hour, in presence not in heart, hastened more earnestly to see your face, with much desire. ¹⁸ Therefore we wanted to come to you, indeed I, Paul, even once and again, and Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy or crown of boast? Or is it not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? ²⁰ For ye are our glory and joy. ³ ¹ Therefore, no longer covering over it, we preferred to be left behind in Athens alone. ² And we sent Timothy, our brother, and a helper of God, and our fellow workman in the good news of the Christ, in order to establish you and to encourage you about your faith, ³ for no man to be disturbed by these afflictions. For ye yourselves know that we are set for this. ⁴ For also when we were with you we foretold you that we were going to be oppressed, just as it also happened, and ye know. ⁵ Because of this, I too, no longer covering over it, sent in order to know your faith, lest somehow he who tempts was tempting you, and our labor became in vain. ⁶ But now of Timothy, having come to us from you, and having proclaimed good news to us of your faith and love, and that ye always have a good recollection of us, longing to see us, just as we also you, ⁷ because of this, brothers, we were encouraged toward you in all our affliction and necessity through your faith. ⁸ Because now we live, if ye stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanks can we repay God about you, for all the joy in which we rejoiced because of you before our God, ¹⁰ praying night and day above extraordinary in order to see your face and to mend the deficiencies of your faith? ¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love toward each other, and toward all men, just as also we toward you, ¹³ in order to establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his sanctified. ⁴ ¹ Finally therefore, brothers, we ask you, and summon in the Lord Jesus, that just as ye received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, that ye may abound more. ² For ye know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification, for you to abstain from fornication, ⁴ for each of you to know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and reverence, ⁵ not in passion of lust, as also the Gentiles who have not known God, ⁶ not to transgress and to cheat his brother in the affair, because the Lord is vengeful about all these things, as also we forewarned you and solemnly testified. ⁷ For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification. ⁸ Therefore he who disregards, disregards not man, but God, who also gave his Holy Spirit to you. ⁹ But about brotherly love ye have no need to write to you, for ye yourselves are taught by God in order to love each other. ¹⁰ For ye are also doing it toward all the brothers in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, to abound more, ¹¹ and to aspire to live quietly, and to do your own things, and to work with your own hands, just as we commanded you, ¹² so that ye may walk properly toward those outside, and may have nothing lacking. ¹³ But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who are asleep, so that ye may not grieve, as also the others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and arose, so also those who became asleep through Jesus, God will bring with him. ¹⁵ For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain for the coming of the Lord, will no, not precede those who became asleep. ¹⁶ Because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the arch-agent, and with a trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first, ¹⁷ then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up simultaneously with them in clouds to the Lord's gathering in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage each other with these words. ⁵ ¹ But about the times and the seasons, brothers, ye have no need to be written to you. ² For ye yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. ³ For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction approaches them, as the woman having birth pangs in her womb, and they will, no, not escape. ⁴ But ye, brothers, are not in darkness, so that the day would seize you as a thief. ⁵ Ye are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ⁶ So then let us not sleep, as also the others, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are intoxicated get drunk at night. ⁸ But we, being of the day, should be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet, the hope of salvation. ⁹ Because God appointed us not for wrath, but for an acquired possession of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us. ¹⁰ So that, whether we are awake or sleep, we should live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage each other, and build ye up one by one, just as ye also are doing. ¹² And we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, and who lead you in the Lord, and who admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them with exceptional love because of their work. Live peaceably among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we encourage you, brothers, admonish the unruly, strengthen the weak-spirited, help the infirmed, be patient toward all. ¹⁵ See that not any man repays evil for evil to any man, but always pursue the good, both for each other and for all. ¹⁶ Rejoice always. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In everything express thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not disdain prophecies, ²¹ but examine all things. Hold firm the good. ²² Abstain from all appearance of evil. ²³ And may the God of peace himself sanctify you thoroughly. And may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it. ²⁵ Brothers, pray about us. ²⁶ Salute all the brothers by a holy kiss. ²⁷ I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the holy brothers. ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. Truly.

2 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the congregation of Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We are indebted to thank God always about you, brothers, as it is fitting, because your faith is increasing greatly, and the love of each one of you all toward each other abounds. ⁴ So as for us ourselves to have pride in you in the congregations of God, for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the tribulations that ye endure, ⁵ being evidence of the righteous judgment of God, for you to be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also ye suffer. ⁶ Since it is a righteous thing according to God to repay restriction to those who restrict you, ⁷ and relief with us, to you who are restricted, at the revealing of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his agents of power ⁸ in a fire of flame rendering vengeance to those who have not known God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ Men who will suffer punishment, a penalty of eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes to be glorified in his sanctified, and to be marveled in that day by all those who believe (because our testimony among you was believed). ¹¹ For which also we pray always about you, so that our God will make you worthy of the calling, and will fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith with power. ¹² So that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² ¹ Now we ask you, brothers, on behalf of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, ² for ye not to be quickly shaken from your mind, nor to be alarmed, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by a letter as by us, as that the day of the Christ has come. ³ Let not any man deceive you in any way, because if not, the defection may come first, and he may be revealed-the man of sin, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or an object of worship, so as for him to sit in the temple of God, as God, displaying himself that he is God. ⁵ Do ye not remember that when I was yet with you I told you these things? ⁶ And now ye know that which restrains, for him to be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only he who restrains it until now will develop from the midst. ⁸ And then the lawless will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of his mouth, and will neutralize at the appearance of his coming. ⁹ Whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and marvels of deceit, ¹⁰ and in all deception of unrighteousness in those who are perishing, in return for which, they did not accept the love of the truth in order for them to be saved. ¹¹ And because of this God will send them the force of a delusion, for them to believe a lie, ¹² so that they might be condemned-all those who did not believe the truth, but who delighted in unrighteousness. ¹³ But we are indebted to express thanks to God always about you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation, in sanctification of spirit and belief of truth, ¹⁴ for which he called you, through our good news, for an acquired possession of glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that ye were taught, whether by word or by letter from us. ¹⁶ And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father who loved us and gave eternal encouragement and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. ³ ¹ Finally, brothers, pray about us, so that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, just as also with you, ² and that we may be delivered from aberrant and wicked men, for the faith is not of all men. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and will keep you from evil. ⁴ And we are persuaded in the Lord toward you, that what we command you, ye both are doing and will do. ⁵ And may the Lord direct your hearts for the love of God, and for the steadfastness of the Christ. ⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, for you to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition, which they received from us. ⁷ For ye yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us. Because we did not act disorderly among you, ⁸ nor did we eat bread gratis from any man, but in labor and toil, working night and day in order not to burden any of you. ⁹ Not because we have no right, but that we might give ourselves an example to you, in order to imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you we commanded you this, that if any man will not work, neither let him eat. ¹¹ For we hear of some who walk among you disorderly, not working at all, but being busybodies. ¹² Now to such men we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that, working with quietness, they should eat their own bread. ¹³ But ye, brothers, do not become weary doing good. ¹⁴ And if any man does not obey our word by this letter, note that man, and do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace through everything in every way. The Lord is with all of you. ¹⁷ The salutation of Paul by my hand, which is a mark in every letter I write this way. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with all of you. Truly.

1 Timothy

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to a commandment of God our Savior, and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope, ² to Timothy, a genuine child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³ As I urged thee, while going to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus, so that thou might command certain men not to teach something different, ⁴ nor to heed myths and endless genealogies, which cause controversies rather than stewardship of God in faith. ⁵ But the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and non-hypocritical faith. ⁶ From which some having swerved have turned aside to empty talk, ⁷ desiring to be law teachers, understanding neither what they say, nor about what they confidently assert. ⁸ But we know that the law is good, if any man uses it lawfully, ⁹ knowing this, that law is not laid down for righteous men, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the irreverent and sinful, for the impious and profane, for father killers and mother killers, for man killers, ¹⁰ for fornicators, for homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ according to the good news of the glory of the blessed God, of which I was entrusted. ¹² And I have gratitude to the Christ-Jesus our Lord-who empowered me, because he considered me faithful, having placed in service ¹³ the man who was formerly blasphemous, and a persecutor, and an aggressor. But I obtained mercy because I did it being ignorant in unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord was filled to overflowing with the faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinful men, of whom I am foremost. ¹⁶ But because of this I obtained mercy, so that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, alone wise, to God is honor and glory into the ages of the ages. Truly. ¹⁸ This command I set before thee, child Timothy, according to the prophecies leading the way for thee, so that by them thou might war the good warfare. ¹⁹ Holding faith and a good conscience, which some, having put away, made shipwreck about the faith, ²⁰ of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, so that they may be disciplined not to blaspheme. ² ¹ I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men, ² for kings and all those who are in prominence, so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all piety and propriety. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Jesus Christ, ⁶ who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony for their own times. ⁷ For which I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie), a teacher of Gentiles in faith and truth. ⁸ I desire therefore the men to pray in every place, lifting up devout hands, apart from anger and argument. ⁹ And similarly, the women to adorn themselves in disciplined decorum, with reverence and sobriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but (which is fitting for women professing godliness) through good works. ¹¹ Let a woman learn in silence in all subjection. ¹² But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to have authority of a man, but to be in quietness. ¹³ For Adam was first formed, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, having been deceived, became in transgression. ¹⁵ But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. ³ ¹ Faithful is the saying, If any man aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. ² The overseer therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, serious minded, disciplined, loving strangers, able to teach, ³ no drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain, but gentle, noncontentious, no lover of money, ⁴ a man who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all propriety ⁵ (but if any man knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of a congregation of God?), ⁶ not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ And he must also have good testimony from those outside, lest he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. ⁸ Helpers likewise, be honorable, not double-tongued, not attending to much wine, not greedy of base gain, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ And let these also first be proven, then being blameless, let them serve. ¹¹ The wives likewise, be honorable, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things. ¹² Let helpers be husbands of one wife, ruling children and their own houses well. ¹³ For those who serve well will acquire to themselves a good standing, and much boldness in the faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee sooner, ¹⁵ but if I delay, that thou may know how it is necessary to live in a house of God, which is a congregation of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ And without controversy great is the mystery of piety. God was manifested in flesh, justified in spirit, seen by agents, proclaimed among nations, believed in the world, taken up in glory. ⁴ ¹ But the Spirit says expressly that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, their own conscience having been seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, to abstain from foods, which God created for partaking with thankfulness by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ Because every creation of God is good, and nothing rejected that is received with thankfulness, ⁵ for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. ⁶ Laying these things down to the brothers, thou will be a good helper of Jesus Christ, reared up in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine that thou have followed. ⁷ But reject the profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself to piety. ⁸ For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life, and of that which is coming. ⁹ Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ For we both labor and are reproached for this, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of the faithful. ¹¹ These things command and teach. ¹² Let no man disparage thy youth, but become an example of the faithful, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift in thee, which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. ¹⁵ Think on these things-exist within these things-so that thy progress may be visible among all. ¹⁶ Hold firm to thyself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this thou will save both thyself and those who hear thee. ⁵ ¹ Do not rebuke an elder man, but entreat him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² elder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. ³ Support widows, the real widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to be devoted to their own house, and to give back recompense to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ But the real widow, and made alone, has hoped in God, and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives. ⁷ And command these things, so that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if any man does not provide for his own, and especially those belonging his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. ⁹ Let no widow be enrolled under sixty years old, having become the wife of one man, ¹⁰ being testified in good works: if she has reared children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the sanctified, if she has relieved those who are afflicted, if she has followed every good work. ¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for when they are sexually aroused, they desire of the Christ to marry, ¹² which has condemnation because they have disregarded the original pledge. ¹³ And also at the same time they learn to be idle, roving the houses, and not only idle, but also babbling and meddlesome, speaking things that they ought not. ¹⁴ I desire therefore the younger women to marry, to bear children, to manage house, to give not one occasion to him who opposes on account of slander. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and let not the congregation be burdened, so that it may relieve the real widows. ¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be regarded worthy of double compensation, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says thou shall not muzzle an ox that is threshing. And the workman is worthy of his wage. ¹⁹ Accept no accusation against an elder, except at two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who sin, rebuke in the sight of all, so that the others may also have fear. ²¹ I solemnly testify before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen agents, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing from partiality. ²² Lay hands hastily on no man, nor contribute to other sins. Keep thyself pure. ²³ No longer drink water, but use a little wine because of thy stomach and thy frequent weaknesses. ²⁴ The sins of some men are evident, leading to judgment, but also for some they follow after. ²⁵ Likewise also good works are evident, and those faring otherwise cannot be hid. ⁶ ¹ Let bondmen, as many as are under a yoke, regard their own masters worthy of all respect, so that the name of God and the doctrine may not be blasphemed. ² And those who have believing masters, let them not disparage them because they are brothers, instead let them serve more because they are believers and beloved-those who are recipients of the benefit. Teach and exhort these things. ³ If any man teaches something different, and does not associate with wholesome words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine according to piety, ⁴ he is puffed up, understanding nothing, but doting about disputes and word controversies, from which develop envy, strife, revilings, evil surmisings, ⁵ constant frictions of men corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth, supposing piety to be a means of gain. Withdraw from such. ⁶ But piety with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world. It is clear that neither can we carry anything out, ⁸ but having food and covering we will be content with these. ⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, which sink men in destruction and ruin. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all the evils, of which some aspiring have wandered from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹ But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life for which thou are called, and confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. ¹³ I command thee in the sight of God, who makes all live, and of Christ Jesus, who testified to Pontius Pilate the good confession, ¹⁴ that thou keep the commandment, without spot, blameless, until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will show in his own times, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of those who are kings, and Lord of those who are lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, dwelling in irreproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see, to whom is honor and eternal dominion. Truly. ¹⁷ Command the rich in the present age not to be arrogant, nor hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in the living God, who supplies us all things abundantly for enjoyment, ¹⁸ to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves a good foundation for that which is coming, so that they may take hold of the eternal life. ²⁰ O Timothy, keep the entrustment, avoiding the profane babblings and objections of the falsely-called knowledge, ²¹ which some men professing have missed the mark concerning the faith. Grace is with thee. Truly.