Ephesians -1 Timothy Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the divine appointment to the converts which are at Ephesus, who stand firm in the faith of Christ Jesus:

Mace⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the divine appointment to the converts which are at Ephesus, who stand firm in the faith of 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 hath blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in Christ's kingdom. ⁴ according as he had chosen us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, free from vice, and devoted to virtue. ⁵ having predetermin'd to adopt us by Jesus Christ to be his children, according to the good pleasure of his own will, ⁶ to display the glory of his grace, which has render'd us acceptable by his beloved son: ⁷ who has by his blood obtained for us the redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ out of the over-flowing treasures of his comprehensive wisdom and contrivance. ⁹ for he has discover'd to us the secret of his will, that out of his meer good pleasure, he had purposed in himself, ¹⁰ when the full time of the dispensation was come, to reduce all things both in heaven and on earth, under one head in Christ. ¹¹ It is by him, that we have a share in the inheritance, which was before allotted to us, in consequence of his design, who executes the whole plan, as he himself had contriv'd it: ¹² that we should celebrate his glory, who were the first that plac'd our hopes in Christ. ¹³ by whom you also have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: and having believed in him, ye were mark'd with the seal of the holy spirit, which was promised: ¹⁴ and this is the pledge of our inheritance, being given for the deliverance of his peculiar people, to the display of his glory. ¹⁵ Wherefore having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love to all christians, ¹⁶ I continually give thanks upon your account, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him: ¹⁸ an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance. ¹⁹ and how exceedingly great that power is, which he has employ'd upon us who believe, a power corresponding to that energy of his mighty strength; ²⁰ which he exerted in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at the head of his heavenly kingdom, ²¹ far above all the principalities, all the powers, all the potentates, all the dominations, and whatever order can be named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come: ²² for he has subjected all things to him, and constituted him supreme head of the church, ²³ which is his body, a work compleatly finished in all its parts. ² ¹ When you were in that destructive state of transgression and sin, ² in which you formerly liv'd, influenc'd by the customs of this world, and by the prince of the aerial powers, the spirits that now actuate the incredulous: ³ of which number we all have formerly been, leading our dissolute lives in gratifying the desires of our sensual imaginations: and were indeed obnoxious to the divine displeasure, as other. Gentiles were: ⁴ then it was that God, who is rich in mercy, thro' his great love, wherewith he loved us, ⁵ did raise us all, who were in that deadly state of sin, to life by Christ, for by grace ye are saved: ⁶ he hath raised us up together, and made us partakers of his heavenly kingdom. ⁷ that in the ages to come, he might shew the immense riches of his gracious kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus. ⁸ for by grace are ye saved, thro' faith (and that not from us: ⁹ it is the gift of God) but not by works, so that no man can boast: ¹⁰ for he hath made us a-new, and form'd us by Christ Jesus to do good works, for which God had before prepared us, that we might live in them. ¹¹ Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation; ¹² that at that time ye were without all knowledge of the Messiah, being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and living in the world without any true knowledge of God. ¹³ but now you who were formerly at a distance, are brought near by the death of Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ for he is our peace-maker, who hath united both Jew and Gentile, and hath by his flesh broken down the middle wall of partition ¹⁵ (which kept us at variance) by abolishing the dogmatical injunctions of the law, that having made the peace, he might incorporate the two into one new body under himself; ¹⁶ that he might reconcile both in one body unto God by the cross, wherefore he destroyed the enmity that was between them: ¹⁷ and being come, he preached the glad tidings of peace to YOU who were afar off, and to US that were nigh. ¹⁸ for thro' him both of us have access by the same spirit to the father. ¹⁹ Therefore now, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and domesticks of God's family, ²⁰ being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle: ²¹ on which the whole structure rises with symmetry into a temple, consecrated by the Lord: ²² who by his spirit has likewise made you a part of this divine mansion. ³ ¹ This it is that makes me Paul a prisoner for Jesus Christ upon your account, O Gentiles; ² if so be you have heard of the charge, which God has graciously dispens'd to me for you Gentiles; ³ having revealed to me the secret, I now mention'd in short, ⁴ by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ. ⁵ which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit, ⁶ "that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel." ⁷ of this I was made a minister, according to the gracious gift God bestowed on me, by the effectual operation of his influence: ⁸ upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ; ⁹ and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things: ¹⁰ that the manifold wisdom of God, in ordering his heavenly kingdom, might by his church be now made known, to princes and magistrates, ¹¹ in pursuance of that dispensation which he made to former ages by Christ Jesus our Lord: ¹² by whom we have freedom of access to God, with confidence, by faith in him. ¹³ Wherefore I desire that you be not dejected at the tribulations I am under for your sake, which are matter of glory to you. ¹⁴ for this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth are denominated his children: ¹⁶ that by his immense power he would strengthen the faculties of your minds by his spirit: ¹⁷ so that your souls may be possess'd with faith in Christ. ¹⁸ Be ye rooted and grounded in social virtue, that you may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of this mystery: ¹⁹ and be sensible of his exceeding love, in giving you the knowledge of Christ, that you may be filled with all the supplies of divine bounty. ²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do infinitely above what we ask or comprehend, by his power operating in us, ²¹ unto him be glory in the church, even by Christ Jesus, thro' all the successions of future ages. amen. ⁴ ¹ I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you: ² with all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love; ³ endeavouring to preserve the spiritual union by your affectionate attachment to one another. ⁴ Being one body, acted by one spirit, since you all have but one expectation in view; ⁵ there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. ⁷ but to every one of us a different charge is given, according to the distribution which Christ has made; ⁸ wherefore 'tis said, " when he ascended up on high, he made a number of captives, and gave gifts to men." ⁹ now his having ascended, what does it mean, but that he had descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ he that descended, is the same too that ascended far above all heavens, to perfect all things. ¹¹ It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: ¹² thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ: ¹³ till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ: ¹⁴ that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit: ¹⁵ but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head: ¹⁶ from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts. ¹⁷ This I say therefore, and conjure you by the Lord not to live for the future as other Gentiles do, in the vanity of their minds, ¹⁸ which are overspread with darkness, and averse to a religious life, thro' their innate ignorance and obduracy: ¹⁹ who without remorse, have abandon'd themselves to brutality, in gratifying every lewd unnatural passion. ²⁰ but you have learned other things from Christ, ²¹ if you have heard of him, and have been taught the truth as he preach'd it: ²² to quit the vicious habits of your former conversation, corrupted by deceitful passions: ²³ and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew, ²⁴ after the image of God, in justice, sanctity, and truth. ²⁵ Wherefore leave off the practice of lying, and let every man speak truth to his neighbour: for we are all members of one society. ²⁶ are you angry? have a care you don't sin. "let not the sun go down upon your wrath," ²⁷ lest the devil take hold of the opportunity. ²⁸ let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, to encrease his fortune with his own hands, that he may have wherewithal to relieve the needy: ²⁹ let no obscene language defile your mouth, use only such as tends to edification, that it may be beneficial to the hearers. ³⁰ grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom you are sealed against the day of deliverance: ³¹ banish all resentment and indignation, anger, vehemence, detraction, and every thing like malice. ³² be mutually kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. ⁵ ¹ Be ye therefore imitators of God, as his dear children; live together in love, ² for Christ loved us, and for us gave himself an offering and a sacrifice acceptable to God. ³ But fornication, and all impurity, or inordinate desire, let it not be approved by you, as being unworthy of christians: neither ribaldry, ⁴ nor buffoonry, which they call pleasantry, but is indecent: be you rather exercised in social virtue. ⁵ for this you know, that no licentious or dissolute person, no lewd libertine, that is, an idolater, hath any part in the kingdom of Christ, and of God. ⁶ let no man mislead you by vain reasonings: for it is for these vices, that the wrath of God lights upon the incredulous. ⁷ don't you therefore be concern'd with them. ⁸ you were heretofore altogether in the dark, but now being enlightned by the Lord, behave as children of light: ⁹ for the natural effect of light, is universal benevolence, justice, and truth: ¹⁰ consider what is acceptable to the Lord; ¹¹ and be not accomplices in the fruitless practices of vice; on the contrary, condemn them. ¹² for it is a shame even to mention what they practise in secret. ¹³ but whatever is unjustifiable will be brought to light: and that will show them to be unjustifiable. ¹⁴ wherefore 'tis said, " awake thou that sleepest, arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." ¹⁵ See then that you behave circumspectly, and not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ weighing the circumstances of the season, because the times are dangerous. ¹⁷ wherefore be not imprudent, but consider what is agreeable to the divine will. ¹⁸ do not drink to excess, for that tends to dissoluteness, but be regal'd with spiritual entertainments: ¹⁹ expressing yourselves in psalms, in hymns, and spiritual songs; and let your hearts beat the time, in concerts of praises to the Lord, ²⁰ and this the burthen of the song, "thanks be to God, even the father, for his son Jesus Christ our Lord." ²¹ Be mutually obsequious with christian respect. ²² let married women be submissive to their husbands, out of regard to the Lord. ²³ for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body. ²⁴ as the church then is subordinate to Christ, so let women be to their husbands upon all occasions. ²⁵ You husband, love your spouse, even as Christ loved the church, and laid down his life for her: ²⁶ to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word, ²⁷ that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible. ²⁸ in like manner ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: "he that loves his wife, loveth himself." ²⁹ no man was ever yet averse to his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as the Lord doth the church: ³⁰ of which we are the several parts constituting his body. ³¹ the scripture says, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and they two shall be as one." ³² these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church. ³³ wherefore let every one of you without exception, love his wife even as himself; and let the wife respect her husband. ⁶ ¹ Children, obey your christian parents: for this is the law. ² the first commandment with a promise annexed, is, "honour thy father and mother, ³ that it may be well with thee, and thou mayst be long-lived on the earth." ⁴ and you fathers don't exasperate your children: but instruct them in the discipline and institution of the Lord. ⁵ Servants, be obedient to your legal masters, with awful reverence and sincerity of heart, as unto Christ: ⁶ not doing your work meerly out of regard to their presence or their pleasure, but as the servants of Christ, in hearty obedience to the will of God: ⁷ serve them with affection, as if it was to the Lord, ⁸ and not to men: considering that whatever good any man doth, he shall be rewarded for it by the Lord, whether he be a slave or free. ⁹ and you masters have a just regard to them, by softning your authority: knowing that both their and your master is in heaven, where there is no respect of persons with him. ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, place your strength in the transcendent power of the Lord. ¹¹ put on the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² for our conflict is not barely with men, but with principalities, with potentates, with the princes of darkness, with wicked aereal spirits. ¹³ wherefore invest yourselves with the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to withstand in the difficult day, and having overcome all to maintain your ground. ¹⁴ stand firm, the belt of truth round your waist, let justice invest you like mail: ¹⁵ wing your feet with the gospel of peace: ¹⁶ cover all with the shield of faith, to repel all the fiery darts of the adversary: ¹⁷ let salvation be your helmet, and the divine doctrine your spiritual sword. ¹⁸ Pour out your souls unto God upon all occasions, watching in prayer with all perseverance and supplication for all christians: ¹⁹ in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full. ²¹ As to the state of my affairs, and health, Tychicus our dear brother, and faithful minister in the Lord, will very particularly acquaint you with them. ²² I have sent him to you on purpose to acquaint you with our concerns, and to comfort your hearts. ²³ may our brethren have peace, social affection, and faith from God the father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ grace be with all those that have love uncorrupted for our Lord Jesus Christ. amen.

Philippians

¹ ¹ the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the christians that are at Philippi, to the bishops, and to the deacons. ² Grace and peace be with you from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank God, for your remembrance of me, ⁴ and I never pray without praying for you all with joy, for your liberality to the gospel, ⁵ from the first day to the present time. being persuaded that ⁶ he who has begun this good work in you will bring it to perfection against the appearance of Christ. it is but just ⁷ I should have this opinion of you, being sensible you make the dispensation I am under a common concern, with respect to my confinement, and the defence and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ for God is my witness, that I love you with a christian tenderness. ⁹ and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence; ¹⁰ that being capable to distinguish what is best, you may remain stedfastly sincere until the day of Christ, ¹¹ abounding in good works by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ¹² Now I would have you know, my brethren, that what has happen'd to me, has only conduc'd to the progress of the gospel; ¹³ so that the whole court and publick are well appriz'd that I am a prisoner upon the account of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ even many of our brethren, encourag'd by my bonds, preach the word with greater freedom and intrepidity. ¹⁵ it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection. ¹⁶ those preach the gospel of Christ, not in sincerity, but from a principle of contention, with a view to inflame the persecution against me: ¹⁷ the others act from affection, as knowing that I suffer for having defended the gospel. ¹⁸ is it not however some advantage? since in either way, whether it be occasionally, or professedly, Christ is preach'd; which is now, and always will be matter of joy to me. ¹⁹ for I know that this shall turn to my deliverance, thro' your prayers, by the spirit, which Jesus Christ will supply me with, ²⁰ agreeably to that expectation and persuasion I have, that I shall not labour in vain; but as I always have, so I shall still glorify Christ in my body, whether it be by life or by death: for if I live, I live to Christ; ²¹ and if I die, I gain. ²² whether it be an advantage to me or not still to lead this mortal life, what to chuse I cannot tell. ²³ I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME; ²⁴ and my inclination to abide in this life, as being more advantageous for YOU: ²⁵ which consideration persuades me that I shall abide, and even continue some time with you all, to improve your advancement in the faith, and to promote your joy: ²⁶ that by my being present with you again, I may be the occasion of heightning your christian joy. ²⁷ only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ without being under any the least apprehension from your adversaries: this will be to them a sign of their ruin, and to you of salvation, by the divine appointment. ²⁹ for it is a favour bestowed upon you, that you not only believe on Christ, but suffer also for his sake, ³⁰ being engag'd in the same conflict, in which you saw I was formerly, and hear that I am at present engag'd. ² ¹ If then there be any christian consolation, any charitable relief, any communion of the spirit, if any tenderness of compassion, ² compleat my joy, by pursuing the same view, living in mutual love, by being unanimous, and cultivating that harmony. ³ Do nothing out of a spirit of contention, or for vain-glory, but modestly look upon others as if they were better than yourselves. ⁴ let no man consult only his private interest, but let every man consult likewise the interest of others. ⁵ for the same temper of mind ought to be in you as was in Christ Jesus: ⁶ who tho' he was the image of God, did not affect to appear with divine majesty, but divested himself thereof, ⁷ by assuming the form of a servant: being made in the likeness of men, ⁸ and his whole exterior showing nothing more than a meer man, he abased himself, and carried his submission so far as to die, even the death of the cross. ⁹ wherefore God has highly exalted and given him a name, which is above every name; ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus both angels and men, the living and the dead, should pay their adorations, ¹¹ and that every nation should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the father. ¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obey'd the gospel, not only when I was with you, but much more now while I am absent, continue the work of your own salvation, whatever persecutions you apprehend: ¹³ for it is God that influences your desires and endeavours, out of his benevolence to you. ¹⁴ do every thing without murmuring and disputes: ¹⁵ that you may be without reproach, the inoffensive spotless children of God in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation (among whom you should shine as stars in the world, ¹⁶ you, who display the doctrine of eternal life) that in the day of Christ I may have the satisfaction of not having pursued my laborious course in vain. ¹⁷ and if my blood should serve as a libation to ratify your faith, I should rejoice and congratulate with you all thereupon; ¹⁸ and you too should be glad and congratulate me upon that account. ¹⁹ However, I hope by the favour of the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you very soon, that I may have some encouragement by knowing the state of your affairs: ²⁰ for there is no one that is so dear to me as he, and no one will more sincerely interest himself in your concerns. ²¹ the most consult their private advantage, and neglect the dispensation of Jesus Christ. ²² you know he has stood the test, and has serv'd with me in the gospel, as a son serves with his father. ²³ I hope therefore to send him to you as soon as I find what turn my affairs shall take: ²⁴ nay, I trust in the Lord, that I myself too shall visit you very soon. ²⁵ however I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus my brother, my collegue in the ministry, and my fellow-soldier, whom you had sent to supply my wants: ²⁶ for he long'd to see you all, and was greatly concern'd, that you should hear he was sick. and indeed he was sick almost unto death: ²⁷ but God had pity on him, and not on him only, but on me likewise, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I sent him therefore with the greater dispatch, that I might have the less disquietude, by the satisfaction you will find in seeing him again. ²⁹ receive him then in the Lord with all alacrity, and let such be the objects of your esteem: ³⁰ for he was upon the brink of death for the service of Christ, having expos'd his life to the greatest dangers, to perform those kind offices, which you could not do yourselves. ³ ¹ Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. it is not uneasy to me to write what I have already said, and it is an advantage to you. ² be upon your guard against snarlers, against the contrivances of the crafty, against the spurious breed; ³ for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages: ⁴ which I might do more justly than any other man can pretend to: ⁵ being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee. ⁶ if zeal is to be regarded, I persecuted the church; if the integrity prescrib'd by the law, I am without reproach; ⁷ these advantages I renounce for Christ, ⁸ nay I think them disadvantages when put in competition with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whose sake I abandon all these things, and count them as straw, that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be his true disciple, not professing that justification, which is derived from the law, but that which is from the gospel, ¹⁰ the justification which God grants to those who acknowledge Christ and the power of his resurrection, who suffer after his example, and die to sin, as he died to the world, ¹¹ in order to obtain the resurrection of the just. ¹² for I am not yet secure of the prize, I have not yet finish'd my course: but I press to obtain the reward, which Jesus Christ invited me to. ¹³ I don't imagine, my brethren, that I am arriv'd at the goal; but this I do, unmindful of what is pass'd, I stretch towards that which is in view, ¹⁴ I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, who have been instructed, have this in view: and if you are sollicitous about any thing else, God will reveal even that unto you. ¹⁶ in the mean while, as we are already advanc'd so far, pursue your course, and keep it still in view: ¹⁷ tread in my steps, my brethren, and fix your eyes upon those who follow the example I give you. ¹⁸ for there are many that wander about, of whom I have frequently told you, and now repeat it with tears, that they are enemies to the cross of Christ: ¹⁹ who in the. end will be ruin'd, who place their religion in sensuality, their glory in that which is their shame, and fix their thoughts upon this earth. ²⁰ but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord. ²¹ it is he, that will change our vile body into a like form with his glorious body, by displaying that power which is able to subdue all things unto himself. ⁴ ¹ Wherefore, my dearly beloved brethren, my joy and my crown, whom I long to see, continue firm in your christian profession, my beloved. ² I conjure Euodias, and I conjure Syntyche to be perfectly united in the Lord. ³ yea, I intreat thee too, my faithful collegue, to assist them both, for they assisted me in the gospel, as well as Clement, and my other collegues, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord alway: I say it again, rejoice. ⁵ let your meekness be known unto all men. ⁶ the Lord is coming: be not in any manner of sollicitude, but in all your occasions lay your requests before God by prayer and supplication accompany'd by thanksgiving. ⁷ and the favour of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall keep your hearts and mind attach'd to Jesus Christ. ⁸ Finally, my brethren, whatever has the character of truth, of dignity, of justice, of chastity, whatever can procure you esteem and reputation, in a word, if there be any thing virtuous or praise-worthy, let that be the object of your enquiry. ⁹ practise what I have taught, what you have learnt of me, what you have heard me preach, and seen me practise. this do, and the God of peace will then be with you. ¹⁰ Now I joyfully thank the Lord, that your concern for me has at length reviv'd. not that you wanted the disposition, but only the opportunity. ¹¹ it is not my indigence that makes me say this: for I have learn'd, in whatevever state I am, therewith to be content: I know how to be in want, ¹² I know how to abound: every where, and in every circumstance, I have been prepar'd for fulness or famine, for plenty or penury: ¹³ to these things I am equal, thro' Christ who strengthens me. ¹⁴ however, you acted generously in assisting me in my necessity: ¹⁵ and you yourselves know, O Philippians, that when I first preach'd the gospel, at my departure from Macedonia, I receiv'd no manner of assistance from any other church but yours; ¹⁶ for you sent more than once to Thessalonica to supply my occasions. ¹⁷ not that I desire a present; but what I desire is, that the fruits of your liberality may greatly redound to your own account. ¹⁸ I have now receiv'd the whole, and have more than sufficient: I am loaded with the presents you sent by Epaphroditus, which I have receiv'd as grateful incense, as a sacrifice which God accepts and approves. ¹⁹ for which may my God crown all your desires with glory by Christ Jesus. ²⁰ to God our father be glory for ever. amen. ²¹ Salute all the christian converts. the brethren who are with me salute you. ²² all the converts here salute you, particularly those of Cesar's houshold. ²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. AMEN.

Colossians

¹ ¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the divine appointment, and Timothy our brother, ² to our faithful brethren the christian converts at Coloss. favour and peace be to you from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ In our prayers we continually give thanks to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ upon your account, ⁴ having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the affection you have to all christians; ⁵ for the sake of that happiness, which you hope for, and is reserv'd for you in heaven, of which you have already been inform'd by the preaching of the truth, that is, the gospel: ⁶ which is not only come to you, but to all the world; where it produces its effects, and increases, as it does also among you, ever since you sincerely embrac'd the divine favour, ⁷ which you heard was offer'd to you, by the instructions of Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is to you a faithful minister of Christ: ⁸ who also declared to us the love you bear to us upon a spiritual account. ⁹ For this cause, ever since we heard of it, we incessantly pray for you, requesting that you may be endued with respect to the knowledge of his will, with all wisdom and spiritual discernment: ¹⁰ that your conduct may be worthy of the Lord, in every respect agreeable to him, being friutful in every kind of virtue, and increasing in divine knowledge: ¹¹ being fortified in so effectual a manner, as to sustain your trials with constancy and joy: ¹² giving thanks to the father, who has qualified you to share in that light he affords to his people: ¹³ who has deliver'd you from the state of darkness, and has translated you into the kingdom of his beloved son. ¹⁴ It is by him, that we have obtain'd the redemption, even the remission of our sins: ¹⁵ he is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of the whole creation. ¹⁶ for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on earth, both visible and invisible, the thrones, and the sovereigntys, the principalitys, and the powers: all were created by him, and for him: he is before all things, ¹⁷ and by him all things consist. ¹⁸ he himself is the head of the church, which is his body. he is the prince, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might be chief. ¹⁹ for it seemed good to the father to inhabit the whole body of the church by Christ: ²⁰ and having made peace by the blood of his cross, to reconcile all things to himself, both those in heaven, and those upon earth. ²¹ You then that formerly were alienated from God, and were enemies by your imaginations and wicked practices, even you has Jesus Christ now reconciled to the body of his church, ²² through his own death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in his own sight: ²³ provided you continue well-grounded and settled in the faith, and do not abandon that hope which has been offer'd to you by the gospel, and is proclaim'd to all mankind; of which I Paul am made a minister. ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am filling up the measure of those remaining afflictions, which in my turn I am to suffer in this life, in the cause of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church: ²⁵ of which I have been established a minister, according to the charge which God has given me to preach his gospel faithfully among you. --- ²⁶ that mystery, which has been hid from ages and generations, but is now made manifest to his saints: ²⁷ to whom God does disclose the glorious advantages of this mystery to you Gentiles, to wit, "that by Christ you may have the expectation of glory." ²⁸ he it is that we preach, exhorting, and instructing men in every part of divine knowledge, that they may all be perfectly acquainted with the doctrine of Christ Jesus. ²⁹ this is what I earnestly strive to effect, by virtue of that power, which effectually operates in me. ² ¹ For I wish you knew how great my concern is for you, and for those of Laodicea, and for such as have never seen me in person: ² that their hearts might be comforted, and that being firmly united in love, they might possess the highest and fullest persuasion of the truth of this doctrine, by entring into this mystery, even of God the father, and of Christ, ³ in whom are reserv'd all the treasures of wd om and knowledge. ⁴ I mention this, lest any one should deceive you by specious pretences. ⁵ for tho' I am absent in person, yet I am present with you in my mind, and am glad to perceive the regularily of your affairs, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. ⁶ continue therefore to follow the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you have receiv'd it: ⁷ being firmly attach'd to, and founded upon him: establishing yourselves in the faith you have been taught, and being thankful for the improvement you make therein. ⁸ beware lest any one seduce you by the vain illusions of philosophy, founded upon human traditions, and meer shadows, and not upon Christ: ⁹ for in him all divine plenitude does substantially reside. ¹⁰ and ye are filled by him, who is the chief of all principality and power: ¹¹ by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections, ¹² which were buried (as Christ was) in your baptism, by virtue of which you rise (as he did) to a new life, through a belief of that divine power, which raised him from the dead. ¹³ Even you, who were in a dying sinful state, and were uncircumcised Gentiles, has God raised to life, as he did Christ, having pardoned all your sins: ¹⁴ and cancell'd the obligation of the ceremonial law, which was disadvantageous to us, removing that which divided us, and nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ and having divested principalitys and powers, he made them an example of obedience, and caus'd them to triumph in Christ. ¹⁶ Let no man therefore condemn you for meats or drinks, or in respect of feasts, or new moons, or sabbaths: ¹⁷ for these were only the shadows of future things, prefiguring Christ, who is the substance. ¹⁸ Let no man condemn you, from an affectation of humility, in worshipping of Angels, boldly prying into matters which he knows nothing of, being vainly puft up with his Jewish conceits: ¹⁹ not adhering to the head, from which all the parts of the body derive its nutrition, and being firmly united together by its joints and ligaments, receives a divine increase. ²⁰ If then you are dead with Christ, in respect of those shadows of the Jewish state; why do ye, as if you were still in that state, submit to those ordinances? ²¹ "don't eat this, don't taste that, nor touch it:" ²² which yet were all made to be consumed for our use, notwithstanding the injunctions and doctrines of men: ²³ by which indeed they make a pretence to wisdom, by a worship of their own devising, by an air of humility, and self-denial, and a disregard to the gratifications of sense. ³ ¹ If then you are risen with Christ, seek the things, that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. ² let the things above, and not such worldly matters be the object of your thoughts. ³ for you are dead to them, and Christ has secured your life with God. ⁴ Christ is your life, and when he shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. ⁵ Mortify therefore your sensual appetites, fornication, impurity, irregular passions, wicked desires, and that licentiousness practised by idolaters. ⁶ these are vices which draw down the divine vengeance upon unbelieving nations; ⁷ among whom you had your conversation, when you followed their practices. ⁸ but now renounce them all, as well as anger, animosity, malice: let calumny and obscene discourse be banish'd from your lips. ⁹ let there be no fraud among you, since you have discarded your former habits and practices, and are become new men, ¹⁰ improv'd by knowledge into a resemblance of him, who made this change: ¹¹ by which there is now neither Greek, or Jew; circumcised, or uncircumcised; Barbarian, or Scythian; slave, or freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² be you therefore adorn'd with a compassionate temper, with benevolence, humility, meekness, patience as becometh saints and chosen favourites of God: ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, when one has any cause of complaint against another: as the Lord forgave you, do you likewise forgive. ¹⁴ to all this add love, which is the band of perfect union: ¹⁵ may the peace of Christ, to which you are called to be but one body, influence your hearts, to be benevolent. ¹⁶ Let the christian doctrine be the familiar subject of your entertainment: in all wisdom instructing and exhorting one another, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, melodiously tuning your grateful praises to God. ¹⁷ let your discourse and your actions be all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father by him. ¹⁸ Dames, be submissive to your husbands, as becomes christians. ¹⁹ husbands, love your wives, and do not exasperate them. ²⁰ children, obey your parents upon all occasions, for that is graceful in a christian. ²¹ fathers, don't treat your children with severity, lest they be discourag'd. ²² servants, be entirely obedient to those, whom the laws have made your masters, and not meerly out of regard to their observation, as designing only to please men, but from a principle of integrity, as fearing God: ²³ and whatever you do, do it heartily, as serving the Lord, and not men: ²⁴ knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward. ²⁵ but he that does wrong shall be punish'd for his injustice: for no regard will be shown to the external characters of men. ⁴ ¹ as for you, masters, give to your servants what is just and suitable: considering that you also have a master in heaven. ² Persevere and be vigilant in prayer and in thanksgiving: ³ put up your requests likewise for me, that God would give me an opportunity to declare the mystery of Christ (for which I am even in bonds:) ⁴ that I may publish it in the manner, it should necessarily be done. ⁵ Be prudent in your conduct to those, who are not christians: and make the best of of every opportunity. ⁶ let an air of modesty appear in all your discourse; and let it be seasoned with discretion, in making a proper reply, when you are call'd into question. ⁷ As to what relates to me, you will be inform'd of it by Tychicus my dear brother, who is a faithful minister of the Lord, and serves him with me. ⁸ I sent him on purpose to acquaint you with my circumstances, and give you matter of comfort. ⁹ I have sent him with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother, who is of your city: they will inform you of what passes here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus my companion in bonds salutes you. and so does Mark, nephew to Barnabas, for whom you have receiv'd recommendations. if he come to you, give him a kind reception. ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, salutes you: these are the only Jews who by assisting me in preaching the gospel, ¹² have cordially reliev'd me. Epaphras a servant of Christ, and your countryman, salutes you, who is always very earnest in his prayers, that you may be perfectly acquainted with, and constantly observe, ¹³ the whole will of God. for I can witness for him, that he is ardently concern'd for you, and the christians of Laodicea, ¹⁴ and Hierapolis. our dear brother Luke the Physician, and Demas salute you. ¹⁵ Salute our brethren of Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the ¹⁶ church which uses to meet in his house. when this epistle has been read among you, take care that it be read likewise in the church of the Laodiceans, and ¹⁷ that you read the epistle from Laodicea. give Archippus this instruction from me, take care to discharge the function, you ¹⁸ have received from the Lord. I Paul salute you, and this salutation I write with my own hand. remember my bonds. grace be with you. AMEN.

1 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, who believe in God the father, and in our Lord Jesus Christ. grace and peace be with you from God our father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord. ² We always mention you in our prayers, and give thanks to God for you all: ³ never forgetting the effects of your faith, your charitable offices, and the constancy of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ; of which God is our witness. ⁴ for we are persuaded, my brethren, that you are the peculiar objects of divine favour; ⁵ since the gospel we preach'd, did not consist only of words, but was fully confirm'd by miracles and gifts of the holy spirit, you yourselves being witnesses, what we did among you and for you. ⁶ and you imitated us, and were imitators of the Lord, having receiv'd the word, notwithstanding all your afflictions, with that alacrity, which the holy spirit inspires. ⁷ so that you became examples to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ for the gospel has made so favourable a progress not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every other place, where the reputation of your divine faith has spread, that 'tis needless to mention any thing of it; since they all relate of us, ⁹ how successful our arrival was among you, and how you renounc'd your idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to expect his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivers us from impending ruin. ² ¹ And you are satisfied, my brethren, that our address to you was not fallacious: ² on the contrary, notwithstanding the outrages, you know we suffer'd at Philippi, we had still the resolution, by the divine assistance, to preach the gospel of God to you without reserve against all opposition. ³ for our doctrine was free from all imposture, avarice, and fraud. ⁴ we preach the gospel just as God thought fit to intrust it with us, not being studious to please men, but God, who approves our sincerity. ⁵ our address to you was without any flattery, as you yourselves can witness, and God is witness that we had no avarice to disguise. ⁶ we never courted you nor any others, from an affectation of human applause. instead of making our apostolical character any ways expensive to you, as we might; ⁷ we behav'd to you with a tender regard, even as a mother, who nurses her own children. ⁸ Our affection therefore to you being so great, we were as ready to give our lives for you, as we were to communicate the divine gospel to you, so much did you engage our love. ⁹ for you remember, my brethren, our labour and toil: how we worked day and night, that in preaching the gospel of God, we might not be chargeable to any of you. ¹⁰ you are witnesses, and God is so too, how holy, how just and irreproachable our behaviour was to you, who believe. ¹¹ you likewise know, that we exhorted and encouraged every one of you, as a father doth his children, ¹² conjuring you to live suitably to the favour of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory. ¹³ nor do we fail of giving thanks to God continually, that, when you received the word of God, which we preach, you did not receive it as the doctrine of men, but as a doctrine that appears to be truly divine, by the influences it displays in you, who believe. ¹⁴ for, my brethren, you have followed the example of the christian churches in Judea; by having suffer'd the same persecutions from your own nation, as the churches have suffer'd from the Jews, ¹⁵ the very men who have persecuted the Lord Jesus, and the prophets even to death; who have persecuted us; they who are regardless of pleasing the deity, and are enemies to all mankind; ¹⁶ who by obstructing our endeavours to save the Gentiles, continue to fill up the measure of their enormities; for which consummate vengeance is falling upon them. ¹⁷ As for me, my brethren, having been so abruptly separated from you, in person, tho' not in affection, I have the more ardently endeavour'd to see you again. ¹⁸ this I Paul have frequently attempted, but Satan has been my obstacle. ¹⁹ for what can be our hope, or joy, what can crown our pretensions, unless it be you, when we shall appear before the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? ²⁰ for ye are our glory and our joy. ³ ¹ Being therefore impatient to hear of you, we judg'd it proper to stay at Athens alone, and send you our brother Timothy, ² a minister of God, and our collegue in preaching the gospel of Christ, that by establishing you in the faith, and by his exhortations, ³ none of you might be stagger'd by these persecutions: for you know that we are destin'd to suffer. ⁴ and even when we were with you, we foretold you, that we should be persecuted, as you know it happen'd. ⁵ not being able therefore to wait any longer, I sent Timothy to know the state of your faith, for fear the tempter should have seduc'd you, and all our labour have prov'd abortive. ⁶ but Timothy, upon his arrival here from you, brings us the agreeable news of the perseverance of your faith and charity, that you always make honourable mention of us, and that you desire to see us as ardently as we do to see you. ⁷ Thus, my brethren, your conduct has given us great consolation, under all our persecutions and distress. ⁸ for now I am reviv'd, since you continue stedfast in the christian profession. ⁹ how can I be sufficiently thankful to God upon your account, for all the joy, which by your means we have been affected with, ¹⁰ whilst night and day we make our ardent requests to him, that we may once more be present with you, that nothing may be wanting to the perfection of your faith? ¹¹ now may God our father, and our Lord Jesus Christ remove all the obstructions of our journey to you. ¹² may the Lord make you increase and abound in mutual love, in love towards all men, as we do towards you: ¹³ that by the sanctity of your affections, you may stand unreprov'd in the presence of God our father, when our Lord Jesus Christ shall come with all his holy angels. ⁴ ¹ Finally, my brethren, we intreat and conjure you by the Lord Jesus Christ, to observe the instructions we gave you about your religious conduct, and to make continual progress therein. ² for you know the precepts we gave you in the name of the Lord Jesus. ³ and such is the will of God, that you should be holy, and avoid licentiousness; ⁴ that every one of you should take care to preserve the dignity of his ⁵ person unsullied by the vices of the Gentiles, who know not God: ⁶ that no man should be exorbitant, and behave contumeliously to his brother: because the Lord is the avenger of all such crimes, as we have formerly remonstrated to you. ⁷ for God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness: ⁸ he therefore that violates these precepts, does not despise man, but God, who has endued me with his holy spirit. ⁹ As to brotherly love, I have no occasion to write about it, God himself having instructed you to love one another. ¹⁰ this indeed you practise towards all our brethren in Macedonia; and we only exhort you to advance more and more therein: ¹¹ to study your own quiet, to mind your own affairs, and follow some handicraft trade, as we recommended it to you: ¹² so that your way of life may stand fair to the world, and prevent your being dependent upon any man. ¹³ Now I would not have you, my brethren, be mistaken about the state of the dead, lest you should be as greatly afflicted as those, who have no hope. ¹⁴ for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we must believe that God by Jesus will raise the dead, and assemble them with him. ¹⁵ for one thing I have in charge to tell you from the Lord, that we, who shall be found still alive at the coming of the Lord, shall not get the advance of those that are dead: ¹⁶ for the Lord himself will descend from heaven, and by the voice of the archangel, with the trumpet of God, resound the summons: they who died christians shall rise first: ¹⁷ then we, who shall be still alive, shall be convey'd 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 this information. ⁵ ¹ It is not necessary, my brethren, to specify the exact time: ² for you very well know, that the day of the Lord steals on like a thief in the night. ³ whilst they flatter themselves with peace and safety, destruction shall fall upon them, like the pangs of a woman in travail, and they shall not escape. ⁴ but you, my brethren, are too well inform'd to be surpriz'd by that day, as by a thief. ⁵ you inherit the advantages of meridian light: we are not involv'd in the obscurity of night. ⁶ therefore let us not sleep away our time like others, but be vigilant and temperate. ⁷ they that are sober take their rest in the night, whilst they that are sots, are drunk in the night: ⁸ but let us, who enjoy the light, be temperate; let us be arm'd with the breast-plate of faith and charity, and for an helmet, with the hope of salvation. ⁹ for God did not design to make us the objects of his displeasure, but to effect our felicity by the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, ¹⁰ that whether we happen to be alive or dead, we may be secure of living with him. ¹¹ wherefore comfort and edify one another, as you have hitherto done. ¹² We entreat you, brethren, to respect those, who labour in the ministry, who by divine appointment preside over you, and instruct you. ¹³ maintain an intire affection for them, upon account of their office, and don't form any brigues against them. ¹⁴ and we exhort you, brethren, reprove the disorderly, comfort the pusillanimous, support the weak, and be patient toward all men. ¹⁵ Don't allow any one to return evil for evil, but strive to do all the good you can to one another, and to all the world. ¹⁶ be always chearful. ¹⁷ pray upon all occasions. ¹⁸ be thankful to God for every thing, for so christians are oblig'd to be. ¹⁹ don't abuse the gifts of the spirit. ²⁰ don't despise the prophetic gift. ²¹ bring every thing to the test: if it be proof, abide by that: ²² if it has the least appearance of evil, reject it. ²³ Now may the God of peace make you intirely holy: may every part of you, your spirit, soul, and body be preserved irreprovable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ he that has called you, is faithful, and this he will effect. ²⁵ My brethren, pray for us. ²⁶ salute all the brethren with an holy kiss. ²⁷ I conjure you by the Lord, that this epistle may be read to all our christian brethren. ²⁸ the favour of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. AMEN.

2 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, that believe in God our father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ. ² favour and peace be with you from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We are oblig'd, my brethren, to render thanks to God continually upon your account, as it is but just; since your faith still improves, and your mutual love is always increasing. ⁴ so that you are the subject of our glorying in the churches of God, for the constancy of your faith, under all the persecutions and afflictions you endure from men, ⁵ by which you may be assur'd, that they will be punish'd by the divine justice, and that you shall be rewarded with the kingdom of God, for which you suffer; ⁶ since it is agreeable to his justice to afflict those in their turn, who afflict you: ⁷ and that you, who are distress'd, should obtain your repose, together with us, when the Lord Jesus, with his angels, the ministers of his power, shall descend from heaven, ⁸ in flaming fire, to take vengeance on those, who know not God, and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: ⁹ the Lord shall punish them with everlasting destruction, when he shall appear in the glory of his power, ¹⁰ and come to be glorified by his saints, and to be the object of admiration to all who believed, that the testimony we gave you, would be justified in that day. ¹¹ Wherefore we continually pray, that our God would by his power effect all the gracious designs of his goodness, and accomplish the work of faith in you; ¹² that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified by you, and you by him, by the favour of our God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. ² ¹ Now we conjure you, brethren, that with respect to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being assembled with him, ² you would not by any pretended revelation, by any discourse or epistle ascrib'd to us, be immediately perplex'd in your minds, or under any concern for the approach of the day of the Lord. ³ don't be led into any mistake, because the previous rebellion does not yet appear, nor the man of sin throw off the disguise, that offspring of perdition: ⁴ that adversary that exalts it self above the divine authority of majesty: that is seated in the temple of God, pretending to be it self divine. ⁵ don't you remember, I told you this, when I was with you? ⁶ and you know what hinders his throwing off the disguise at a time which he enjoys for the present. ⁷ for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away: ⁸ and then the lawless will be discover'd, whom the Lord will extirpate by the spirit of his mouth, and at his glorious advent, will intirely abolish him, ⁹ who by the instigation of satan will make his parade with various arts, with fallacious signs and prodigies, ¹⁰ and with all the vile methods of imposture, to the ruin of those, who are averse to the truth, by which they might be saved. ¹¹ wherefore God will suffer a spirit of delusion to work them into the belief of a lye: ¹² to the condemnation of all those, who instead of embracing the gospel, had pleasure in iniquity. ¹³ As for you, my brethren, the favourites of the Lord, we are oblig'd to render perpetual thanks to God, for having chosen you from the beginning, in purifying you by his spirit, upon your believing the gospel. ¹⁴ to this he has called you, to a life of glory with our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ be stedfast therefore, and firmly maintain the doctrine I have delivered to you, either by word of mouth, or by my letter. ¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ, and God our father, who has loved us, and by his favour given us the advantageous hopes of eternal joys, consolate your souls, ¹⁷ and establish you in all sound doctrine and virtue. ³ ¹ To conclude, pray for us, my brethren, that the doctrine of the Lord may make its progress, and be respected every where as it is among you: ² and that we may be delivered from vexatious wicked men; for all have not the faith. ³ but as for you, the Lord, who is faithful, will establish you, and protect you from the malicious one. ⁴ and we have this hope in the Lord, that you will still continue to observe the directions we give you. ⁵ may the Lord qualify your hearts with divine affection, and a patient expectation of Jesus Christ. ⁶ We direct you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from all those of your brethren, whose conduct is irregular, and not agreeable to the instructions they received from us. ⁷ for you know what an example we have given for your imitation: that our conduct among you was regular: ⁸ that we did not eat any man's bread for nothing: but with toil and fatigue work'd night and day to avoid being chargeable to any of you: ⁹ not, that we had no just claim, but to present ourselves as a pattern, which you should imitate, ¹⁰ pursuant to the maxim, which we laid down, when among you, "he that refuses to work should be deny'd food." ¹¹ now being inform'd, that there are among you people of an irregular conduct, who neglect their own business, and busy themselves with the affairs of others: ¹² we command these persons, and exhort them by the Lord Jesus Christ, to stay at home, and earn their bread by labour. ¹³ As for you, my brethren, be not weary of your commendable industry: ¹⁴ and if any one should disregard what we have prescrib'd, signify it to us by letter, and don't converse with him, that he may be put to shame. ¹⁵ however, don't treat him as an enemy, but reprove him as a brother. ¹⁶ Now the Lord of peace grant you continual peace in all respects. the Lord be with you all. ¹⁷ I Paul salute you, this salutation being my own hand writing, which is the distinguishing mark of all my letters, so I write. ¹⁸ the favour of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN.

1 Timothy

¹ ¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the appointment of God our saviour, and of Jesus Christ our hope, ² to Timothy my sincere convert, favour, mercy and peace from God our father, and Jesus Christ our Lord. ³ At my departure from Macedonia, I advised you to stay at Ephesus in order to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, ⁴ or trouble their heads with fables and endless genealogies, which rather promote disputes than the gospel-dispensation: ⁵ such a charge will produce that charity, which arises from purity, from a good conscience, and a sincere belief: ⁶ for want of which, some have lost themselves in frivolous disputes, ⁷ pretending to be doctors of the law, tho' they neither understand what they advance, nor upon what it is founded. ⁸ I own that the law is good, if a man make a right use of it: ⁹ it being plain, that the law was not design'd against the just, but against the lawless and refractory, against irreligion and vice, impiety and prophaneness, parricide and man-slaughter, ¹⁰ against licentiousness and unnatural passion, against men-stealers, lyars, perjured persons, and every thing that is inconsistent ¹¹ with the salutary doctrine of the gospel of immortality, which the blessed God committed to my trust. ¹² I offer thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord, who qualified me for the ministry he has plac'd me in, for having appointed me to such a trust, ¹³ who was before a blasphemer, and a violent persecutor; but I obtained mercy, because I acted thro' ignorance in incrudelity. ¹⁴ but the favour of our Lord display'd itself by that faith and charity, which was wrought in me by Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ it is a proposition worthy to be believ'd, and be embrac'd by all, that Jesus Christ is come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest. ¹⁶ however I obtained mercy, that Jesus Christ might demonstrate the greatness of his clemency, by making me an eminent instance of it to those who should hereafter believe in him, in order to eternal life. ¹⁷ to the king of the world, the immortal, invisible, and the only God be honour and glory to endless ages. amen. ¹⁸ This charge, my son Timothy, I recommend to you, agreeably to the prophetic gifts heretofore conferr'd on you, by virtue of which you might carry on a successful warfare, ¹⁹ assisted by faith and a good conscience: for some having discarded the one, have entirely lost the other. ²⁰ Hymeneus and Alexander are of that number, whom I have deliver'd to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. ² ¹ I exhort you therefore, above all things, to present supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving for all men: ² for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in the practice of all piety and virtue; ³ for such offices are commendable, and agreeable to God our saviour, ⁴ who wills that all men be saved, by embracing the truth. ⁵ for there is but one God, and but one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself for the redemption of all mankind: this is what was to be promulg'd in due time: ⁷ for this I was establish'd a herald and an apostle, I speak the truth without disguise, a doctor to instruct the Gentiles in the true faith. ⁸ I direct therefore that the men pray in publick and private, lifting up their hands to heaven with innocence, charity, and composure. ⁹ and that the women be decent in their apparel, adorned with modesty and reserve, not with broider'd hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; ¹⁰ but, as becomes women, who make a profession of religion, to be adorn'd with virtue. ¹¹ Let the women with submissive silence attend to instruction. ¹² for I don't allow a woman to be a teacher, nor to dictate to her husband; but let her be silent. ¹³ for Adam was the first that was form'd, then Eve. ¹⁴ Adam was not seduc'd, but the woman, who was the cause of his transgression. ¹⁵ however the women may be saved by educating their children, and persevering themselves in faith, in charity, in holiness and chastity. this may be depended upon as true. ³ ¹ He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable. ² a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching: ³ not given to wine or violence, but of a gentle temper, averse to contention and avarice: a master of economy, ⁴ obliging his children to behave with decorum. ⁵ for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? ⁶ nor must he be a new convert; for fear he should be elated with pride, and so involve himself in the same ruin as the devil. ⁷ besides, he ought to stand fair in the opinion of unbelievers, lest he fall into disgrace, and the ambushes of the accuser. ⁸ The deacons too must be grave, not double tongued, not addicted to drinking, or sordid gain, ⁹ but by their integrity maintain the reverence due to the gospel. ¹⁰ let them be first examin'd, and if they are without reproach, let them enter upon their office. ¹¹ their wives must be likewise grave, free from scandal, sober, and always faithful. ¹² a deacon must have but one wife, and govern his children, and the rest of the family in a proper manner. ¹³ for they who duly discharge that office, prepare their way to a higher degree, and may promote the christian faith with the greater freedom. ¹⁴ This I write, tho' I hope to make you a visit in a little time, that in case I am retarded, ¹⁵ you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, that is, in the church of the true God. ¹⁶ the mystery of piety is the pillar and basts of truth; and certainly most extraordinary. God has appear'd in the flesh, been justified by the spirit, seen by angels, proclaim'd to the Gentiles, believ'd by the world, and assum'd into glory. ⁴ ¹ Now the spirit says expresly, that in the latter times some shall abandon the faith, by giving credit to seducing spirits, and the doctrine concerning demons; ² broach'd by hypocrititical impostors, whose consciences are cauteriz'd, ³ interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness. ⁴ for all that God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it be receiv'd with thanksgiving: ⁵ since it is sanctified by the divine permission, and by prayer. ⁶ If you represent these things to the brethren, you will appear to be a true minister of Jesus Christ, brought up in the institutions of faith, and the true doctrine to which you were attach'd. ⁷ as for prophane and groundless fables, reject them. ⁸ exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come. ⁹ what I tell you is certain, and deserves entire credit. ¹⁰ for to that end we expose ourselves to trouble and reproach, because we hope in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, especially of believers. ¹¹ These things recommend and teach. ¹² don't give occasion to any to despise your youth: but be a pattern to believers in your discourse, in your behaviour, by your charity, faith and chastity. ¹³ while I am absent apply yourself to reading, to exhortation, and instruction. ¹⁴ don't neglect the gift you have, which was given you with the ministerial charge, when you receiv'd imposition of hands from the presbytery. ¹⁵ meditate upon these things, be wholly employ'd about them, that your proficiency may appear to all. ¹⁶ take care how you behave, and what you teach. persevere in these duties: for by the practice of them, you will save both yourself, and those who hear you. ⁵ ¹ Don't treat a senior with harsh reproof, but exhort him as a father, and the young men, as brethren: ² the elder women as mothers; the younger, as sisters, with all purity. ³ show regard to widows that are really such. ⁴ if a widow has children or grand-children, let them above all things instruct their own family to be religious, and let them be grateful to their parents, for this is acceptable to God. ⁵ as for the widow, who is really such, and without any assistance, let her place all her hopes in God, and be assiduous in supplication and prayer. ⁶ the widow of pleasure is dead tho' she lives. ⁷ these things recommend to them, that they may be without reproach. ⁸ he that takes no care of his relations, especially those of his own family, has renounc'd the faith and is worse than an infidel. ⁹ Let none be put upon the list of widows, but such as are at least threescore years of age, and have been married but once: ¹⁰ such as have been recommended by their good actions, by the education of their children, by their hospitality, by their officiousness to the faithful, by relieving the afflicted, and by the practice of every virtue. ¹¹ as for young widows, don't admit them: for being impatient of religious restraint, they will be marry'd: ¹² for which they are much to be condemn'd, because they violate the engagements they had before enter'd into: ¹³ besides, having nothing to do, they get the habit of rambling from one house to another, and are not only idling, but prattle and intermeddle, and utter what is not decent. ¹⁴ I enjoin therefore the young women to marry, to detest abortion, to govern their families, and give our enemies no handle for reproach. ¹⁵ for some have already revolted to paganism. ¹⁶ If any convert has widow-relations, let such relieve them, that the church may not be charged, but with the relief of such as are entirely destitute. ¹⁷ Let the presbyters that govern well receive a double salary, especially those who are employ'd in preaching and instructing. ¹⁸ for the scripture says, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox, when he treads the corn." and, "the labourer is worthy of his reward." ¹⁹ don't receive any accusation against a pastor, but upon the deposition of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those that transgress reprove in publick, to strike a terror in the rest. ²¹ I conjure you before God, before our Lord Jesus Christ, and his chosen angels, to observe these rules without prepossession and partiality. ²² Don't be hasty to ordain any man: and be not accessory to the faults of others: preserve your own integrity. ²³ Discontinue the drinking of bare water, take a litle wine out of regard to your weak stomach, and your frequent indispositions. ²⁴ The vices of some men are so notorious, they prevent any inquisition: others don't discover themselves till they have been ordain'd. ²⁵ virtue wears no disguise, and vice cannot be long conceal'd. ⁶ ¹ Let those who are in a state of servitude, consider the entire respect due to their masters, that the name of God, and the doctrine of the gospel may not be blasphemed. ² let them not treat their christian masters, on pretence of being their brethren, with less respect: but be the more obsequious, because they are believers, and deserve to be belov'd, for the kind provision they make for them. let this be the subject of your instructions, and exhortation. ³ If any one deviate from this doctrine, not adhering to the wholesome instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true doctrine of piety, ⁴ he is full of pride and ignorance, touch'd with a spirit of chicanery and wrangling, productive of envy, contention, calumny, ⁵ mischievous opinions, and a familiarity with pernicious ignorant impostors, who consider religion only as it makes for their gain. ⁶ Religion indeed with contentment leads to great gain. ⁷ as we brought nothing into the world, certain it is, we can carry nothing away. having therefore food and raiment, ⁸ we ought to think that sufficient. but they who will be rich, expose ⁹ themselves to temptations and snares, and to many foolish noxious passions, which plunge men into ruin and perdition. for the love of money is the root of all evil: ¹⁰ which some having obtain'd, have revolted from the faith, and brought upon themselves variety of piercing pains. ¹¹ As for you the minister of God, avoid those things: adhere to justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, and benignity of temper. ¹² exert yourself in the glorious cause of faith, and secure the prize of eternal life, to which you were called, when you made that excellent profession of faith before so many witnesses. ¹³ I enjoin you, before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who made a glorious confession before Pontius Pilate; ¹⁴ to observe these precepts, to lead an unspotted life without reproof until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ whose advent HE will in his own time display, WHO is perfectly happy, who alone is omnipotent, the king of kings, and the lord of all that bear rule; ¹⁶ who alone is essentially immortal, dwelling in that inaccessible light, which no mortal ever saw, or can see: to whom belongs everlasting honour and empire. amen. ¹⁷ Charge those that are rich in this world, not to be elated, not to depend upon their perishable wealth, but upon the God of life, who furnishes us with every thing in plenty for our enjoyment; ¹⁸ to be beneficent, to be rich in good works, to be liberal to the common fund, ¹⁹ securing to themselves a well-grounded expectation of obtaining hereafter an immortal life. ²⁰ O Timothy, keep what is deposited in your care, avoiding the prophane empty declamations and objections of a spurious science, which some have profess'd, ²¹ and thereby deviated from the true principles of faith. grace be with you. AMEN.