Ephesians -1 Timothy Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus.

MKJV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus. ² Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ; ⁴ according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He has made us accepted in the One having been loved. ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, ⁸ which He caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding; ⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰ for an administration of the fullness of times, to head up all things in Christ, both the things in Heaven, and the things on earth, even in Him, ¹¹ in whom also we have been chosen to an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will, ¹² for us to be to the praise of His glory, who previously had trusted in Christ; ¹³ in whom also you, hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. ¹⁵ Therefore I also, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us, the ones believing according to the working of His mighty strength ²⁰ which He worked in Christ in raising Him from the dead, and He seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies, ²¹ far above all principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this world, but also in the coming age. ²² And He has put all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. ² ¹ And He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; ³ among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us ⁵ (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), ⁶ and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. ¹¹ Therefore remember that you, the nations, in time past were in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; ¹² and that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who were once afar off are made near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He is our peace, He making us both one, and He has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity (the Law of commandments contained in ordinances) so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, making peace between them; ¹⁶ and so that He might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity in Himself. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, ²⁰ and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom every building having been fitly framed together, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord; ²² in whom you also are built together for a dwelling place of God through the Spirit. ³ ¹ For this cause, I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you nations, ² if you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given to me toward you, ³ that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I wrote before in few words, ⁴ by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵ which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, ⁶ that the nations should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partaker of His promise in Christ through the gospel. ⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of His power. ⁸ This grace is given to me (who am less than the least of all saints) to preach the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations, ⁹ and to bring to light what is the fellowship of the mystery which from eternity has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; ¹⁰ so that now to the rulers and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through His faith. ¹³ For this reason I desire that you faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. ¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever. Amen. ⁴ ¹ I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling with which you are called, ² with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling, ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. ⁷ But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁸ Therefore He says, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." ⁹ (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the same also as He who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹² for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. ¹³ And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the dishonesty of men, in cunning craftiness, to the wiles of deceit. ¹⁵ But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ; ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love. ¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should not walk from now on as other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind, ¹⁸ having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. ¹⁹ For they, being past feeling, have given themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and were taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. ²² For you ought to put off the old man (according to your way of living before) who is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. ²⁴ And you should put on the new man, who according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness. ²⁵ Therefore putting away lying, let each man speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath, ²⁷ neither give place to the Devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, so that he may have something to give to him who needs. ²⁹ Let not any filthy word go out of your mouth, but if any is good to building up in respect of need, that it may give grace to the ones hearing. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed until the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and tumult and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. ⁵ ¹ Therefore be followers of God, as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. ³ For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints, ⁴ neither baseness, foolish talking, jesting, which are not becoming, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For you know this, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are 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 have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. ¹⁴ Therefore he says, "Awake, sleeping ones! And arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." ¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ always giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God. ²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, ²⁷ that He might present it to Himself as the glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord loves the church. ³⁰ For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. ³¹ "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two of them shall be one flesh." ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ But also let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife that she defers to her husband. ⁶ ¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), ³ so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. ⁴ And fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. ⁵ Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men ⁸ (knowing that whatever good thing he does, he shall receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a freeman). ⁹ And masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening, knowing that your Master also is in Heaven. There is no respect of persons with Him. ¹⁰ Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³ Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness ¹⁵ and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. ¹⁹ And pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in bonds; so that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ²¹ But, so that you also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things, ²² whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that you might know our affairs and that he might comfort your hearts. ²³ Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Philippians

¹ ¹ Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons. ² Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making my request for you all with joy ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, ⁷ even as it is righteous for me to think this of you all, because you have me in your heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of my grace. ⁸ For God is my witness how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and in all perception; ¹⁰ that you may distinguish between things that differ, that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Jesus Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ¹² But I desire that you should understand, brothers, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel; ¹³ so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places. ¹⁴ And most of the brothers in the Lord, becoming confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear. ¹⁵ Some indeed even preach Christ because of envy and strife, and some also of good will. ¹⁶ Those, indeed, preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. ¹⁷ But these others preach in love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached. And I rejoice in this. Yet, also I will rejoice. ¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but as always now Christ shall be magnified in my body with all boldness, whether it is by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet I do not know what I shall choose. ²³ For I am pressed together by the two: having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your advancement and joy of faith, ²⁶ so that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. ²⁷ Only let your conduct be as becomes the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you, or else am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and terrified in nothing by your adversaries. For this is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. ²⁹ For to you it is given on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. ² ¹ If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and mercies, ² then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. ⁴ Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others. ⁵ For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth; ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings, ¹⁵ so that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. Among these you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding forth the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice with you in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain nor labored in vain. ¹⁷ Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ And you also rejoice in the same, and rejoice with me. ¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, so that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no one who is like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he has served with me in the gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him presently, as soon as I shall see the things about me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. ²⁵ Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. ²⁶ For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick, coming near death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, so that you may rejoice when you see him again, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹ Therefore receive him in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in honor, ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he was near death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. ³ ¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is indeed not grievous to me, but for you it is safe. ² Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision party. ³ For we are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh; ⁴ though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I more. ⁵ I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. As regards the Law, I was a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness in the Law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. ⁸ But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ ⁹ and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith, ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death; ¹¹ if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. ¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be of this mind. And if in anything you are otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you. ¹⁶ Yet, as to what we have already attained, let us walk in the same rule, let us mind the same thing. ¹⁷ Brothers, be imitators together of me, and mark those who walk this way, for you have us for a pattern. ¹⁸ (For many are walking, of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ; ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, those who mind earthly things.) ²⁰ For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we are looking for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who shall change our body of humiliation so that it may be fashioned like His glorious body, according to the working of His power, even to subdue all things to Himself. ⁴ ¹ Therefore, my brothers, ones loved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand fast in this way in the Lord, beloved ones. ² I beg Euodia and Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ And I also beg you, true yoke-fellow, help those women who labored in the gospel with me and with Clement, and others of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice! ⁵ Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. ⁹ Do those things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me. And the God of peace shall be with you. ¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again. Although you indeed did think, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am. ¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Yet you did well in sharing my troubles. ¹⁵ Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as regards giving and receiving, except you alone. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my necessity. ¹⁷ I do not say this because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. ¹⁸ But I have all, and abound. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things which you sent, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God. ¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. ²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, most of all those who are of Caesar's household. ²³ May the grace 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 our brother, ² to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have to all the saints, ⁵ for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, of which you heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel, ⁶ which has come to you as it has also in all the world, and it is bearing fruit, even also among you, since the day you heard and fully knew the grace of God in truth, ⁷ even as you learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you, ⁸ he also having shown your love in the Spirit to us. ⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, ¹⁰ that you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every work and increasing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being empowered with all power, according to the might of His glory, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³ For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins. ¹⁵ who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. ¹⁶ For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through 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, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He may be pre-eminent in all things. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell. ²⁰ And through Him having made peace through the blood of His cross, it pleased the Father to reconcile all things to Himself through Him, whether the things on earth or the things in Heaven. ²¹ And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish, and without charge in His sight, ²³ if indeed you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard and which was proclaimed in all the creation under Heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister, ²⁴ who now rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and I fill up the things lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, on behalf of His body, which is the church; ²⁵ of which I became a minister, according to the administration of God given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; ²⁶ the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. ²⁷ For to them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, ²⁸ whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ For which I also labor, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power. ² ¹ For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, ² that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ And I say this that not anyone should beguile you with enticing words. 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 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. ⁸ Beware lest anyone rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. ¹⁰ And you are complete in Him, who is the Head of all principality and power, ¹¹ in whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in whom also you were raised through the faith of the working of God, raising Him from the dead. ¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having stripped rulers and authorities, He made a show of them publicly, triumphing over them in it. ¹⁶ Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or in respect of a feast, or of the new moon, or of the sabbaths. ¹⁷ For these are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one defraud you, delighting in humility and worship of the angels, intruding into things which he has not seen, without a cause being vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding the Head, from whom all the body, having been supplied through the joints and bands, and having been joined together, will grow with the growth of God. ²⁰ If then you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to its ordinances: ²¹ touch not, taste not, handle not; ²² which things are all for corruption in the using, according to the commands and doctrines of men? ²³ These things indeed have a reputation of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility, and unsparing severity of the body, but are not of any value for the satisfying of the flesh. ³ ¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. ² Be mindful of things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ our Life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. ⁵ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry), ⁶ on account of which things' sake the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience, ⁷ among whom you also once walked, when you lived in these. ⁸ But now also put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, shameful speech out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds ¹⁰ and having put on the new, having been renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave or freeman, but Christ is all things in all. ¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, ¹³ forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. ¹⁸ Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as is becoming in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they be discouraged. ²² Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men; ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong shall receive justice for the wrong which he did, and there is no respect of persons. ⁴ ¹ Masters, give to your slaves what is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven. ² Continue in prayer and watch in it with thanksgiving, ³ praying together about us also, that God may open to us a door of the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I also have been bound, ⁴ that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those on the outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech be always with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. ⁷ Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things about me. ⁸ I sent him to you for this very purpose, that he might know the things about you, and that he might comfort your hearts, ⁹ along with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known to you all things here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (regarding whom you received commandments; if he comes to you, receive him), ¹¹ and greetings from Jesus, who is called Justus, those being of the circumcision. These alone are my fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, who became a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras greets you, he being of you, a servant of Christ, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him record that he has a great zeal for you and for those who are in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church in his house. ¹⁶ And when this letter is read before you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter of Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it. ¹⁸ The salutation of Paul, by my own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

1 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² We give thanks to God for you always, making mention of you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father, ⁴ knowing, beloved brothers, your election of God. ⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. ⁶ And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, welcoming the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ For from you the Word of the Lord sounded out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to speak anything. ⁹ For they themselves witness what kind of entrance we had to you, even how you turned from idols to God in order to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come. ² ¹ For, my brothers, you yourselves know our coming in to you, that it was not in vain. ² But also suffering before, being insulted in Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much agony. ³ For our exhortation to you was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile, ⁴ but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts. ⁵ For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor with pretense of covetousness; God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from men, neither from you nor from others, being able to be so with heaviness, as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse warmly cherishes her children. ⁸ So affectionately longing for you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you have become beloved to us. ⁹ For, brothers, you remember our labor and toil. For laboring night and day in order not to put a burden on any one of you, we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You and God are witnesses how holily and justly and blamelessly we were to you who believe, ¹¹ even as you know how we exhorted and comforted and testified to each one of you, as a father to his children, ¹² that you should walk worthy of God, who has called you to His kingdom and glory. ¹³ And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also have suffered these things by your own countrymen, even as they also by the Jews; ¹⁵ who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, also driving us out and they do not please God and being contrary to all men, ¹⁶ forbidding us to speak to the nations that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always; but the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. ¹⁷ But, my brothers, when we were taken away from you for an hour's time (in presence, not in heart), more abundantly we were eager with much desire to see your face. ¹⁸ Therefore we desired to come to you, truly I, Paul, both once and twice; but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are you not even to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy. ³ ¹ Therefore when we could no longer endure, we were pleased to be left at Athens alone. ² And we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith, ³ so that no one should be drawn aside by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to them. ⁴ For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we were going to suffer affliction, as it also happened, even you know. ⁵ For this cause, when I could no longer endure, I also sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter may have tempted you and our labor may have been in vain. ⁶ But now when Timothy came from you to us and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us (as we also you), ⁷ then, my brothers, we were comforted over you, through your faith, even in all our affliction and needs; ⁸ for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, ¹⁰ night and day praying exceedingly for me to see your face and to perfect the things lacking in your faith? ¹¹ And may God Himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, even as we also toward you, ¹³ in order to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. ⁴ ¹ For the rest, then, my brothers, we beseech you and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you have received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more. ² For we know what commands we gave you by the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification, for you to abstain from fornication, ⁴ each one of you to know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor ⁵ (not in the passion of lust, even as the nations who do not know God), ⁶ not to go beyond and defraud his brother in this matter (because the Lord is the avenger concerning all these, as we also have forewarned you and testified). ⁷ For God has not called us to uncleanness, but in sanctification. ⁸ Therefore he who despises does not despise man, but God, who also has given us His Holy Spirit. ⁹ But regarding brotherly love, you do not need that I write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. ¹⁰ And indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we beseech you, brothers, that you abound more and more, ¹¹ and that you try earnestly to be quiet and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² so that you may walk becomingly toward those outside, and that you may lack nothing. ¹³ But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. ¹⁵ For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words. ⁵ ¹ But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. ² For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. ³ For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief. ⁵ You are all the sons of light and the sons of the day. We are not of the night, or of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be calm. ⁷ For those sleeping sleep in the night, and those being drunken are drunken in the night. ⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for a helmet. ⁹ For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, even as you also do. ¹² And, brothers, we beseech you to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and who admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. ¹⁵ See that none gives evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all. ¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophesying. ²¹ Prove all things, hold fast to the good. ²² Abstain from every appearance of evil. ²³ And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Faithful is He who called you, who also will do it. ²⁵ Brothers, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. ²⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

2 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the 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 bound to thank God always for you, my brothers, as it is right, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each one of you abounds toward one another; ⁴ so much so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations which you endure. ⁵ For this is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer, ⁶ since it is a righteous thing with God to repay tribulation to those who trouble you, ⁷ and to give rest with us to you who are troubled, at the revealing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with the angels of His power, ⁸ in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁹ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, ¹⁰ when He shall come to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all those who believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that Day. ¹¹ Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of the calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, ¹² that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² ¹ Now we beseech you, my brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, ² that you should not be soon shaken in mind or troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word or letter, as through us, as if the Day of Christ is at hand. ³ Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself forth, that he is God. ⁵ Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? ⁶ And now you know what holds back, for him to be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only he is now holding back until it comes out of the midst. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming, ⁹ whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, ¹² so that all those who do not believe the truth, but delight in unrighteousness, might be condemned. ¹³ But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, ¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ Therefore, my brothers, stand fast and hold the teachings which you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter. ¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, who has loved us and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. ³ ¹ Finally, my brothers, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, even as it also is with you. ² And pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not have the faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and guard you from the evil. ⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord regarding you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you. ⁵ And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ. ⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks disorderly, and not after the teaching which he received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us. For we did not behave ourselves disorderly among you, ⁸ neither did we eat any man's bread freely, but we worked with labor and travail night and day, so that we might not be heavy on any of you ⁹ (not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example to you, to imitate us). ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this, that if anyone would not work, neither should he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some who walk disorderly among you, not working at all, but being busybodies. ¹² Now we command and exhort those who are such, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. ¹³ But you, brothers, do not be weary in well doing. ¹⁴ And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, mark that one and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ¹⁶ And may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. ¹⁷ The greeting of Paul by my own hand which is the sign in every letter, so I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1 Timothy

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the command of God our Savior, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, ² to Timothy, my own son in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. ³ Even as I begged you to remain at Ephesus, when I was going to Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, ⁴ nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies (which provide doubts rather than the nurture of God in faith). ⁵ But the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, ⁶ from which some, having swerved, have turned aside to foolish talking, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, neither understanding what they say nor that which they affirm. ⁸ But we know that the law is good if a man uses it lawfully, ⁹ knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous one, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, ¹⁰ for fornicators, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. ¹² And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthened me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry-- ¹³ the one who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and insolent. But I obtained mercy, because being ignorant, I did it in unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Faithful is the Word and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ But for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, as a pattern to those being about to believe on Him to life everlasting. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ¹⁸ This charge I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before about you, in order that you might war a good warfare by them, ¹⁹ holding faith and a good conscience, which some have put away and made shipwreck as to faith. ²⁰ Among these are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme. ² ¹ First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For God is one, and there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. ⁷ To this I am ordained a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie), a teacher of the nations, in faith and truth. ⁸ Therefore, I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. ⁹ In the same way also, I desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness, not adorned with braiding, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, ¹⁰ but with good works, which becomes women professing godliness. ¹¹ Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. ¹² But I do not allow a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence. ¹³ For Adam was first formed, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. ¹⁵ But she will be kept safe through childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with sensibleness. ³ ¹ Faithful is the Word: If anyone reaches out to overseership, he desires a good work. ² Then it behooves the overseer to be without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching, ³ not a drunkard, not contentious, not greedy of ill gain, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, ⁴ ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all honor. ⁵ (For if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) ⁶ not a novice, lest being puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the Devil. ⁷ But he must also have a good report from those on the outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. ⁸ Likewise the deacons are to be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of ill gain, ⁹ having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ And let these also first be tested, then let them minister without reproach. ¹¹ Even so their wives are to be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and households well. ¹³ For they having served well gain a good grade for themselves, and much boldness in the faith, those in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ I write these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly. ¹⁵ But if I should delay, that you may know how you ought to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and received up into glory. ⁴ ¹ But the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience, ³ forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving. ⁵ For it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer. ⁶ Having suggested these things to the brothers, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the Words of Faith and by the good doctrine which you have followed. ⁷ But refuse profane and old-womanish tales, and exercise yourself to godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the present life, and of that which is to come. ⁹ Faithful is the Word, and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the preserver of all men, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise your youth, but be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, attend to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders. ¹⁵ Meditate on these things; be in these things in order that your improvement may appear to all. ¹⁶ Hold on to yourself and to the doctrine; continue in them, for doing this you shall both save yourself and those who hear you. ⁵ ¹ Do not sharply rebuke an elder, but exhort as a father, and the younger ones as brothers, ² older women as mothers, the younger as sisters in all purity. ³ Honor widows who are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to be godly to their own house, and give back to their forebears what is due them; for that is good and pleasing before God. ⁵ But she being really a widow, and having been left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in self-pleasure has died while living. ⁷ And command these things so that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. ⁹ Do not let a widow be enrolled having become less than sixty years old, the wife of one man, ¹⁰ well reported of for good works: if she brought up children, if she lodged strangers, if she washed the feet of saints, if she relieved the afflicted, if she followed after every good work. ¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for whenever they grow lustful against Christ, they desire to marry; ¹² having guilt because they have cast off the first faith. ¹³ And with it all they also learn to be idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things they ought not. ¹⁴ Therefore I want the younger ones to marry, bear children, guide the house, giving no occasion to the adversary because of reproach. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be charged, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed. ¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in Word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox treading out grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his reward." ¹⁹ Do not receive an accusation against an elder except before two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who sin, rebuke before all, so that the rest also may fear. ²¹ I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you guard these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. ²² Do not lay hands quickly on anyone, neither be partaker of the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. ²³ Drink water no longer, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake, and for your frequent infirmities. ²⁴ Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment. And some they also follow after. ²⁵ Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and those who are otherwise cannot be hidden. ⁶ ¹ Let as many slaves as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name and doctrine of God may not be blasphemed. ² And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers. But rather let them serve, because they are faithful and beloved, those of the good service receiving in return. Teach and exhort these things. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ), and to the doctrine according to godliness, ⁴ he is proud, knowing nothing. He is sick concerning doubts and arguments, from which comes envy, strife, evil speakings, evil suspicions, ⁵ meddling, of men whose minds have been corrupted and deprived of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. Withdraw from such. ⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. ⁸ But having food and clothing, we will be content. ⁹ But they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which plunge men into destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. ¹³ I charge you before God (who makes all things alive) and in the sight of Christ Jesus (who witnessed the good confession to Pontius Pilate), ¹⁴ that you keep the commandment without spot and without blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ For He in His own time will reveal who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, dwelling in light which cannot be approached, whom no one of men have seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. ¹⁷ Charge the rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, He offering to us richly all things to enjoy, ¹⁸ that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to share, to be generous, ¹⁹ laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. ²⁰ O Timothy, guard the Deposit, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of falsely-named science, ²¹ which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.