Philippians -Colossians Paul, and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Living_Oracles⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Paul, and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ² Favor to you, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you; ⁴ always in my prayers for you all, giving thanks with joy ⁵ for your contribution for the gospel, from the first day till now: ⁶ having this very confidence, that he who has begun a good work among you, will continue to perfect it till the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ As it is just for me to think this concerning you all, because you have me at heart, both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. You are all partakers of my gratitude; ⁸ for God is my witness how vehemently I long after you all, with the tender affections of Jesus Christ. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may yet abound more and more, with knowledge and with all discretion; ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and inoffensive till the day of Christ; ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness, which is through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ¹² Now I wish you to know, brethren that the things which have befallen me, have turned out rather to the advancement of the gospel. ¹³ So that my bonds are manifested to be on account of Christ, through the whole palace, and in all the other places. ¹⁴ And the greater number of the brethren in the Lord, made confident by my bonds, have become much more bold to speak the word without fear. ¹⁵ Some, indeed, preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some, also, of good will. ¹⁶ The latter, indeed, from love; knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the former preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely, thinking to add affliction to my bonds. ¹⁸ What, then? Still in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; even in this I do rejoice; yes, and will rejoice: ¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out to me for salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ- ²⁰ that agreeably to my earnest expectation and hope, in nothing I shall be ashamed; but that with all boldness, as at all times, so now, also, Christ will 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 whether to live in the flesh would be to my advantage; or what to choose, I do not know: ²³ for I am in a strait between the two, having a strong desire to depart and be with Christ, which is by far the better. ²⁴ Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And being firmly persuaded of this, I know that I shall live and abide some time with you all, for the advancement of the joy of your faith; ²⁶ and that your boasting concerning me in Christ Jesus, may abound, through my coming again to you. ²⁷ Only behave in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; that whether I shall come and see you, or, being absent, shall hear of your affairs, that you are steadfast in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ and not terrified in anything by your adversaries; which is to them a demonstration of perdition; but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For to you it is graciously given, on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; ³⁰ having the very same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. ² ¹ Wherefore, if there be any consolation in Christ; if any comfort of love; if any fellowship of the Spirit; if any sympathies and tender mercies, ² complete this my joy, that you be likeminded; having the very same love, being unanimous, minding the one thing. ³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but, in humbleness of mind esteem each other better that yourselves: ⁴ not aiming every one at his own interests, but every one also, at the interests of the others. ⁵ Now let this disposition be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not affect to appear in divine majesty; ⁷ but divested himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; ⁸ and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ And for this reason, God has exceedingly exalted him, and has bestowed on him a name which is above every name; ¹⁰ that, at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow; of those in heaven, and upon the earth, and under the earth; ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹² Wherefore, my beloved, since you have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence; effectually work out your own salvation, with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works effectually in you, both to will and to perform, on account of his benevolence. ¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings; ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and harmless, the children of God, unblemished in the midst of a crooked and perverse race; among whom shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, nor have labored in vain. ¹⁷ Yes, and if I be made a drink-offering upon the sacrifice and ministry of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all; ¹⁸ and for the same do you also joy and rejoice with me. ¹⁹ Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be of good courage, that I also may be of good courage, when I know your affairs. ²⁰ For I have no one like disposed, who will sincerely take care of your affairs; ²¹ for all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with a father, so he has served with me in the gospel. ²³ Now, indeed, I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I shall see how it will go with me. ²⁴ However, I am fully persuaded by the Lord, that even I myself shall soon come. ²⁵ Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellowlabourer, and fellowsoldier; but your Apostle, and a minister to my want. ²⁶ For he longed after you all, and was exceedingly grieved, because you had heard that he had been sick. ²⁷ And, indeed, he was sick nigh to 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 Wherefore I have sent him the more speedily, that seeing him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the more free from sorrow. ²⁹ Receive him, therefore, in the Lord, with all joy, and have such persons in great estimation; ³⁰ because for the work of Christ, he drew nigh to death, not regarding his life, that he might fully supply the want of 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, and for you it is safe. ² Beware of the snarlers, beware of evil workers, beware of the excision; ³ for we are the circumcision, who worship God in spirit, who glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, ⁴ Though indeed, I have a ground of confidence in the flesh, if any other thinks he has a ground of confidence-I have more. ⁵ Circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; with respect to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ with respect to zeal, persecuting the congregation; with respect to righteousness by law, I was blameless. ⁷ But the things which were gain to me, those I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yes, indeed, on this account, also, I count all things loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord; (for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do account them mere refuse, that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be found in him, not having my righteousness by law, but that which is through the faith of Christ-the righteousness which is from God on account of this faith)- ¹⁰ that I might know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death; ¹¹ if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already laid hold, or have already become perfect; but I press on, that, indeed, I may lay hold on that, for which, also, I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have laid hold of the prize; but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind, and stretching forth toward the things before, ¹⁴ I press on toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God, by Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us, then, as many as would be perfect, be thus minded; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal even this to you. ¹⁶ Moreover, let us walk in conformity to what we have attained. ¹⁷ Brethren, be imitators of men, and consider attentively those who walk so, as you have us for an example. ¹⁸ (For I have often told you, and now tell you, even weeping, that many walk as the enemies of the cross of Christ; ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetites, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, whence, also, we earnestly expect the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ who will transform our humbled body into a like form with his glorious body, according to the energy of his power, even to subject all things to himself. ⁴ ¹ Wherefore, my brethren, beloved and much desired, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. ² I beseech Euodia and Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Nay, I entreat you, also, my faithful colleague, assist those women who have labored with me in the gospel, with Clement; and my other fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: I say again, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known to all men: the Lord is nigh. ⁶ Be anxious about nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are venerable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are benevolent, whatever things are of good fame; if there be any virtue, and if any praise be due, attentively consider these things; ⁹ those, also, which you have learned, and received, and heard, and seen with me, practice; and the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰ But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, that now at length you have made your care of me to flourish again; for whom indeed, you were careful, but you had not an opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. ¹² I know what it is to be straitened; I know what it is to abound. Everywhere, and by all means, I am silently taught what it is to be full, and to be hungry; to abound, and to suffer want. ¹³ I can do all things, through him who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you have done well in sympathizing with my affliction. ¹⁵ Moreover, you Philippians also know, that, in the beginning of my labors in the gospel, when I departed for Macedonia, no congregation communicated with me, by giving and receiving, but you only; ¹⁶ that, also, when in Thessalonica, you sent once; yes, twice, to relieve my necessity- ¹⁷ not that I earnestly seek the fruit, which abounds to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received all, and abound; I have been fully supplied, having received by Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a fragrant odor, a sacrifice accepted; well pleasing to God. ¹⁹ But my God will fully supply all your wants, according to his riches in glory, through Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now, to God, even our Father, be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ²¹ Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me salute you. ²² All the saints salute you, but especially those of Caesar's household. ²³ The favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Colossians

¹ ¹ Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy, the brother, ² to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, who are at Colosse: Favor to you, and peace from God our Father. ³ We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ always, when we pray for you; ⁴ having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints- ⁵ for the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you have formerly heard in the word of truth of the gospel, ⁶ which is present among you, as it is also in the world, and is bringing forth fruit and prevailing, even as among you, from that day you heard and knew the favor of God in truth- ⁷ even as you learned it of Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ, ⁸ who has also declared to us your love in spirit. ⁹ For this reason, we also, from the day we heard these things, do not cease to pray for you, and to request that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding- ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, bringing forth fruit by every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ being strengthened with all strength, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joy: ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us for a portion of the inheritance of the saints in the light; ¹³ who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his beloved Son: ¹⁴ by whom we have redemption, even the remission of sins. ¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of the whole creation. ¹⁶ Because, by him were created all things which are in the heavens, and which are upon the earth; things visible, and things invisible; whether thrones, or lordships, or governments, or powers; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things; and by him all things consist. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, even the congregation. He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all respects he might be pre-eminent. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in him; ²⁰ and by him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace by the blood of his cross; I say, by him, whether they be things on the earth, or things in the heavens. ²¹ Even you, who were formerly alienated in mind, and enemies by wicked works, ²² he has now, indeed, reconciled, by the body of his flesh, to present you holy and unblameable, and unreproveable, in his sight; ²³ if, indeed, you continue in the faith founded and stable, and not removed from the hope of the gospel which you have heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature which is under heaven; of which I, Paul, am made a minister. ²⁴ I now rejoice in sufferings for you, and fill up the remainder of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body, which is the congregation; ²⁵ of which I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which was given to me on your account, fully to declare the word of God- ²⁶ the secret which had been kept hid from the ages, and from the generations, but now has been made manifest to his saints; ²⁷ to whom God has pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: ²⁸ whom we announce, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, with all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ. ²⁹ For which I also labor, combating vigorously, according to the effectual working of him who works effectually in me with power. ² ¹ Wherefore, I wish you to know how great a combat I have for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; ² that being compacted together in love, their hearts may be comforted, even by all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the secret of God, ³ in whom are laid up all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ Now this I say, that no one may deceive you with plausible speech. ⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. ⁶ Now as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him; ⁷ rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. ⁸ Beware lest any one make a prey of you through an empty and deceitful philosophy, -according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For all the fullness of the Deity resides substantially in him. ¹⁰ And you are complete in him, who is the head of all government and power. ¹¹ By whom, also, you have been circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ; ¹² having been buried with him in immersion, by which also you have been raised with him, through the belief of the strong working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ For you, who were dead on account of trespasses, and by the uncircumcision of your flesh, he had made alive together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses:- ¹⁴ having blotted out the handwriting of the ordinances concerning us, which was contrary to us, he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross:- ¹⁵ having spoiled governments and powers, he made a show of them openly, having triumphed over them by it. ¹⁶ Let no one, therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a festival, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths; ¹⁷ which are a shadow of the things which were to come, but the substance is of Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one beguile you of your reward, -delighting in humility, and the worship of messengers, intruding into things which he has not seen, being without cause, puffed up by his own carnal mind: ¹⁹ and not holding firmly the head, by whom the whole body, through the joints and ligaments, being served and compacted, increases with the increase of God. ²⁰ Now, if you have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, you are subject to ordinances, ²¹ Touch not, taste not, handle not; ²² (which are all to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men; ²³ which things have, indeed, a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and not sparing the body-without any respect to the gratification of the flesh. ³ ¹ If, then, you have been raised with Christ seek the things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. ² Set your affections on things above; not on things upon the earth. ³ For you are dead; but your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ our life shall appear then you shall also appear with him in glory. ⁵ Mortify, therefore, your members which are on the earth; fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and licentiousness, which is idolatry; ⁶ for which the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience; ⁷ in which you also formerly walked, when you lived with them. ⁸ But now also put away all these, anger, wrath, malice, defamation, obscene discourse, from your mouth. ⁹ Lie not one to another, having put off the old man, with his practices; ¹⁰ and having put on the new, who is renewed by knowledge, after the image of him, who created him;- ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew; circumcision nor uncircumcision; barbarian, Scythian; bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering. ¹³ Bear with one another, and forgive each other, if any one have a complaint against any one: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you. ¹⁴ And over all these put on love, which is a bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts; to which also you are called in one body, and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; and with all wisdom teach and admonish each other by psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing with gratitude in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, even the Father, through him. ¹⁸ Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as it is fit 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 to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, lest they be discouraged. ²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but with integrity of heart, as fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, work it from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to men: ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the recompense for the inheritance; for you serve the Lord. ²⁵ But he who does unjustly, shall receive for the injustice, he has done: for there is no respect of persons. ⁴ ¹ Masters, afford to your servants what is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens. ² Continue instant in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving; ³ at the same time, also, praying for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the secret of Christ, for which, indeed, I am in bonds; ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward them who are without, gaining time. ⁶ Let your speech be always with gracefulness, seasoned with salt, knowing how you ought to answer every one. ⁷ All things concerning me, Tychicus, a beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord, will make known to you; ⁸ whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know your affairs, and comfort your hearts: ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is from you. They will make known to you all things which are done here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, salutes you; and Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, concerning whom you go orders: if he come to you, receive him- ¹¹ and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These, alone, are laborers with me for the kingdom of God, who has been a consolation to me. ¹² Epaphras, who came from you, a servant of Christ, salutes you; at all times fervently striving for you by prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in the whole will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness, that he has much affection 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 in Laodicea; and Nymphas, and the congregation in his house. ¹⁶ And when this epistle has been read to you, cause that it be read also in the congregation of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the one from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry, which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. ¹⁸ The salutation of Paul, with my own hand. Remember my bonds. Favor be with you.