Ephesians -1 Timothy Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints (in Ephesus) who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

NHEB⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints (in Ephesus) who are faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; ⁵ having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved One, ⁷ in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him ¹⁰ to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; ¹¹ in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; ¹² to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: ¹³ in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory. ¹⁵ For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give 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 a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; ¹⁸ having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might ²⁰ which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. ²² He put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. ² ¹ You were made alive when you were dead in your transgressions 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 who now works in the children of disobedience; ³ among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; ⁸ for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, that no one would boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. ¹¹ Therefore remember that once you, the non-Jews in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands); ¹² that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, ¹⁵ having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; ¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by which he put to death their enmity. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, ²⁰ being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; ²¹ in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; ²² in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. ³ ¹ For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you the non-Jews, ² if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; ³ how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, ⁴ by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; ⁵ which in other generations was not made known to people, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; ⁶ that the non-Jews are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, ⁷ of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. ⁸ To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to proclaim to the non-Jews the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for all what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; ¹⁰ to the intent that now through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places, ¹¹ according to the purpose of the ages which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; ¹² in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ Therefore I ask that you not be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which is your glory. ¹⁴ For this cause, I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person; ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ⁴ ¹ I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, urge you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love; ³ being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. ⁷ But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁸ Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people." ⁹ Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. ¹¹ He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by cleverness in deceitful schemes; ¹⁵ but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; ¹⁶ from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. ¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the nations also walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; ¹⁹ who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But you did not learn Christ that way; ²¹ if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old self, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; ²³ and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and put on the new self, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. ²⁵ Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another. ²⁶ "Be angry, but do not sin." Do not let the sun go down on your anger, 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 that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. ⁵ ¹ Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance. ³ But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints; ⁴ nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, ⁹ for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, ¹⁰ proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them. ¹² For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of. ¹³ But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light. ¹⁴ Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." ¹⁵ Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father; ²¹ subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. ²² Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; ²⁶ that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ that he might present the church to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ also does the church; ³⁰ because we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. ³¹ "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." ³² This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the church. ³³ Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects 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 "that it may be well with you, and that you may live long in the land." ⁴ And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ⁵ Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as people-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to people; ⁸ knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. ⁹ You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world's rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having the belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God; ¹⁸ with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: ¹⁹ on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ²¹ But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things; ²² whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts. ²³ Peace be 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 with incorruptible love.

Philippians

¹ ¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus; 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 the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God whenever I remember you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for all of you, making my requests with joy, ⁵ for your partnership in the Good News from the first day until now; ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ It is even right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. ⁹ This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be pure and blameless for the Day of Christ; ¹¹ being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ¹² Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; ¹³ so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; ¹⁴ and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word without fear. ¹⁵ Some indeed proclaim Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. ¹⁶ The latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. ¹⁷ The former insincerely proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains. ¹⁸ What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether out of false motives or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice. ¹⁹ For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance, through your petition and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I do not make known what I will choose. ²³ But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ²⁴ Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. ²⁵ And since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. ²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; ²⁸ and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me. ² ¹ If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, ² make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; ³ doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; ⁴ each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. ⁵ Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹² So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with awe and reverence. ¹³ For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputes, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. ¹⁷ Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me. ¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing. ²⁰ For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you. ²¹ For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly. ²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need; ²⁶ since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. ²⁸ I have sent him all the more eagerly, therefore, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and that I may be less anxious. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor, ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me. ³ ¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me, and is a safeguard for you. ² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision. 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 myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. ⁷ However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be a loss compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; ¹¹ if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forward to the things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, to what we have attained, let us walk by the same rule, being of the same mind. ¹⁷ Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. ¹⁸ For many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. ²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ who will transform our lowly body into the likeness of his glorious body, according to the power by which he is able even to subject all things to himself. ⁴ ¹ Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. ² I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all people. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, 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 And the things you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰ Now I rejoice in the Lord greatly that at last you have revived your concern for me; in which you were indeed concerned, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ I'm not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret, whether full or hungry, whether having a lot or being in need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Still, you have done well to share my hardship. ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent me aid twice. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. ¹⁹ And my God will supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be the 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, especially those who are of Caesar's household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Colossians

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. ³ We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth, the Good News, ⁶ which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; ⁷ even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. ⁹ For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, do not cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light; ¹³ who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; ¹⁴ in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins; ¹⁵ who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created by him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. ¹⁸ He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. ¹⁹ For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile all things to himself, making peace through the blood of his cross through him, whether things on the earth or things in heaven. ²¹ You, who once were alienated and were hostile in your minds, doing evil deeds, ²² yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him, ²³ if it is so that you continue in the faith, established and firm, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, have become a servant. ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, which is the church; ²⁵ of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God, ²⁶ the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, ²⁷ to them God was pleased to make known the glorious riches of this mystery among the non-Jews, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; ²⁸ whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus; ²⁹ for which I also labor, struggling according to his power, which works in me mightily. ² ¹ For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; ² that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. ⁴ Now I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive words. ⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. ⁶ As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. ⁸ Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty and deceptive philosophy, according to human tradition, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power; ¹¹ in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; ¹⁵ having disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you about food and drink, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. ¹⁸ Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth. ²⁰ If you died with Christ from the elementary principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, ²¹ "Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch" ²² (all of which perish with use), according to human commandments and teachings? ²³ Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. ³ ¹ If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, your life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever is worldly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience. ⁷ You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; ⁸ but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices, ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, ¹¹ where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, and patience; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as the Lord forgave you, so you also do. ¹⁴ Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which also you were 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 with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to God. ¹⁷ Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. ¹⁸ Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting 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 pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged. ²² Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as people-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³ And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for people, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality. ⁴ ¹ Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. ² Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving; ³ praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; ⁴ that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. ⁷ All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ For I testify about him, that he has worked hard for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that is in her house. ¹⁶ When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ Tell Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have been given in the Lord." ¹⁸ The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

1 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. ² We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning 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, before our God and Father. ⁴ We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, ⁵ and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of persons we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, 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 say anything. ⁹ For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. ² ¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you was not in vain, ² but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict. ³ For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. ⁴ But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing people, but God, who tests our hearts. ⁵ For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed (God is witness), ⁶ nor seeking glory from people (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were like little children among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe. ¹¹ As you know, as a father with his own children, ¹² we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory. ¹³ For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as a human word, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also 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 suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Judeans; ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and did not please God, and are hostile to all people; ¹⁶ forbidding us to speak to those who are not Jewish that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost. ¹⁷ But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and our joy. ³ ¹ Therefore, when we could not stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; ³ that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. ⁴ For truly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. ⁵ For this cause I also, when I could not stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain. ⁶ But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you; ⁷ for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, since you stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God; ¹⁰ night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? ¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you; ¹² and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, even as we also do toward you, ¹³ to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. ⁴ ¹ Finally then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, even as you are living, that you excel more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, ⁴ that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in the passion of lust, even as the nations who do not know God; ⁶ that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. ⁷ For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. ⁸ Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you. ⁹ But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; ¹¹ and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; ¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing. ¹³ But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. ¹⁵ For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, ¹⁷ then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words. ⁵ ¹ But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. ² For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. ³ Now when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of light, and children of the day. We do not belong to the night, nor to darkness, ⁶ so then let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. ⁸ But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. ¹² But we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, ¹³ and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. ¹⁵ See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always seek what is good both for each other and for all. ¹⁶ Rejoice always. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt, ²¹ but test all things; hold firmly that which is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil. ²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it. ²⁵ Brothers, pray for us also. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

2 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul, 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 always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds; ⁴ so that we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure. ⁵ This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end 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 affliction to those who afflict you, ⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, ⁸ giving vengeance to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, ⁹ who will pay the penalty: everlasting destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; ¹² that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² ¹ Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you ² not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of the Lord had come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself up as God. ⁵ Do you not remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things? ⁶ Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. ⁸ Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; ⁹ even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all deception of wickedness for those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And because of this, God sends them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² in order that all might be judged who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ¹³ But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth; ¹⁴ to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter. ¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us everlasting comfort and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word. ³ ¹ Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you; ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil people; for not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. ⁵ 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 in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. ⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we did not behave ourselves rebelliously among you, ⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you; ⁹ not because we do not have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat." ¹¹ For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who do not work at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. ¹³ But you, brothers, do not be weary in doing well. ¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our word in this letter, note that person, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. ¹⁷ The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

1 Timothy

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope; ² to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³ As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain people not to teach a different doctrine, ⁴ neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause speculation, rather than God's stewardship, which is in faith— ⁵ but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith; ⁶ from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking; ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm. ⁸ But we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for men who have sexual relations with men, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to sound teaching; ¹¹ according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. ¹² And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; ¹³ although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for everlasting life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ¹⁸ This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare; ¹⁹ holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith; ²⁰ of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme. ² ¹ I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, be made for all people: ² for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, a human, Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times; ⁷ to which I was appointed a proclaimer and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the non-Jews in faith and truth. ⁸ I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. ⁹ In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; ¹⁰ but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works. ¹¹ Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. ¹² But I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. ¹³ For Adam was first formed, then Eve. ¹⁴ Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; ¹⁵ but she will be delivered through the childbirth, if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with good judgment. ³ ¹ This is a faithful saying: If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work. ² The overseer, therefore, must be beyond criticism, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; ³ not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money; ⁴ one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; ⁵ (but if someone does not know how to manage his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?) ⁶ not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. ⁷ Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into disgrace and the trap of the devil. ⁸ Deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not devoted to a lot of wine, not greedy for money; ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blamesless. ¹¹ Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; ¹⁵ but if I wait long, that you may know how people ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. ¹⁶ Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. ⁴ ¹ But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, ² through the hypocrisy of liars, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; ³ forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. ⁵ For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. ⁶ If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. ⁷ But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. And train yourself for godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. ⁹ This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we both labor and strive, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in faith, and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. ¹⁵ Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. ¹⁶ Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ⁵ ¹ Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; ² the 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 learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷ Also command these things, so that they will be without fault. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹ Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work. ¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for whenever their passions lead them away from Christ, they desire to marry; ¹² having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. ¹³ Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. ¹⁴ I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. ¹⁵ For already some have turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman has widows, let her assist them, and do not let the church be burdened; that it might help those widows who are truly in need. ¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." ¹⁹ Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. ²¹ I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. ²² Do not ordain anyone hastily, nor participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. ²³ Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. ²⁴ The sins of some people are obvious, going before them to judgment, but those of others show up later. ²⁵ In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. ⁶ ¹ Let as many as are slaves under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. ² Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. ³ If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and does not consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, ⁴ he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, ⁵ constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, so neither can we carry anything out. ⁸ But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹ But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the everlasting life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. ¹³ I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, ¹⁴ that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; ¹⁵ which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no human has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. ¹⁷ Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; ¹⁸ that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; ¹⁹ laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of that which is truly life. ²⁰ Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; ²¹ which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.