Ephesians -1 Timothy Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, that is, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

WPNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, that is, the 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 realms in Christ; ⁴ just as He\up6 [F]\up0 chose us in Him\up6 [S]\up0 before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him\up6 [F]\up0, in love, ⁵ having predestined us into an adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, into Him\up6 [S]\up0, according to the good pleasure of His\up6 [F]\up0 will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He graced us in the Beloved; ⁷ in whom we have the redemption through His\up6 [S]\up0 blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His\up6 [F]\up0 grace, ⁸ that He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and intelligent design, ⁹ having made known to us the ‘secret’ of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him\up6 [S]\up0 ¹⁰ with a view to administering the fullness of the times so as to bring all things together under one head in Christ—those on the heavens and those on the earth—in Him\up6 [S]\up0, ¹¹ in whom we were also assigned an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him\up6 [F]\up0 who works all things according to the decision of His will, ¹² so that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who first trusted in the Christ; ¹³ about whom, to be sure, we had heard the true Word —the Gospel of your salvation; by whom, since you also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the down payment on our inheritance until the release of the possession, to the praise of His glory. ¹⁵ Because of this, having heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶ I really don’t stop giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the real knowledge of Himself, ¹⁸ the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know \up6 1)\up0 what is the hope of His\up6 [F]\up0 calling, and \up6 2)\up0 what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and \up6 3)\up0 what the exceeding greatness of His power into us who are believing, according to the demonstration of the extent of His might ²⁰ which He exercised in the Christ when He raised Him\up6 [S]\up0 from among the dead and seated Him at His\up6 [F]\up0 right, in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above every ruler and authority and power and dominion —even every name that can be named, not only in this age but also in the next. ²² In short, He\up6 [F]\up0 placed everything under His\up6 [S]\up0 feet and appointed Him to be Head over everything in the Church, ²³ which is His body, the complement of Him who fills everything in every way. ² ¹ He\up6 [F]\up0 raised you up as well, when you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you once walked, according to the Aeon of this world, the ruler of the domain of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of the disobedience; ³ among whom all of us also used to conduct ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and of the senses, and were by nature children of wrath, just like the rest. ⁴ But God—being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our transgressions—made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) ⁶ and raised us up together and seated us together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, through His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved, through the faith —and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ You see, we are His ‘poem’, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance in order that we should walk in them. ¹¹ So then, remember that once you physical Gentiles—called ‘uncircumcision’ by the so-called ‘circumcision’ (that made in flesh with hands)— ¹² that at that time you were apart from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and strangers to 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 come to be near through the blood of the Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one and broken down the barrier of separation—the law with its commandments and ordinances— ¹⁵ having abolished the enmity through His ‘flesh’, so as to mold the two [Jew and Gentile] into one new man in Himself (thus making peace) ¹⁶ and to reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross (by which He killed the enmity). ¹⁷ He came and proclaimed peace to us, being both far and near, ¹⁸ because through Him we both have access to the Father, by one Spirit. ¹⁹ So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone; ²¹ in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; ²² in whom you also are being built together to become a habitation of God by the Spirit. ³ ¹ For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² surely you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God that was given to me for you, ³ how that by revelation He made known to me the ‘secret’ (as I have written briefly already, ⁴ with reference to which, when you read, you can understand my insight into Christ’s secret), ⁵ which in different generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: ⁶ that the Gentiles are joint-heirs, of the same body, and fellow partakers of His promise in the Christ through the Gospel, ⁷ of which I became a servant according to the gift of God’s grace, the gift given to me according to the outworking of His power. ⁸ To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to enlighten all as to the program of the secret that from the beginning of the ages has been hidden by the God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 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 realms, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished by Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have the boldness and the access with confidence through faith in Him. ¹³ Therefore I ask that you not lose heart at my afflictions on your behalf, which is your glory. ¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its name, ¹⁶ that He\up6 [F]\up0 may grant you, according to the riches of His glory: \up6 1)\up0 to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man; ¹⁷ \up6 2)\up0 Christ to dwell in your hearts through the faith, having been rooted and established in love ¹⁸ so that you may be fully able to grasp (with all saints) what is the breadth and length and depth and height; ¹⁹ and \up6 3)\up0 to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge—so that you may be fulfilled into all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is working in us, ²¹ to Him be the glory in the Church in Christ Jesus, to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ⁴ ¹ So then, as the prisoner in the Lord I urge you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, ² with all humility and courtesy, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ taking pains to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of the peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit (just 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 us all. ⁷ Now to each one of us the grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift was given. ⁸ That is why He says, “When He ascended into the heights He captured the concentration camp, and distributed gifts to men.” ⁹ (What does ‘He ascended’ imply if not that He also first descended into the interior regions of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ Yes, He Himself gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints into the work of the ministry, so as to build up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain into the unity of the faith and of the real knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, into the resulting full stature of Christ; ¹⁴ so that we no longer be ‘infants’, tossed about as by waves and carried off by every doctrinal fad, through the underhanded dealings of the people who collect the fee for the error; ¹⁵ rather, speaking the truth in love, let us in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, Christ; ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, being fitted and knit together by what every joint supplies, as each individual part does its work, promotes its own growth, its own edification, in love. ¹⁷ So then, I affirm and insist on this in the Lord: you must no longer carry on as the rest of the Gentiles do, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ having been darkened in their understanding, being alienated [as a continuing condition] from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts, ¹⁹ who, having become dead to hope, have abandoned themselves to depravity, greedily indulging in every kind of vileness. ²⁰ Now that is not how you ‘learned Christ’— ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and been taught by Him (as the truth is in Jesus): ²² that you put away, concerning your former way of life, the old man (that keeps on being corrupted by the deceitful desires), ²³ and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and put on the new man, created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness. ²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another. ²⁶ ‘Be angry but don’t sin’; do not let the sun set on your angry mood, ²⁷ nor give an opportunity to the devil. ²⁸ The one who steals must steal no longer, but rather let him work, doing something good with his hands, that he may have something to share with someone in need. ²⁹ Let no evil word proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for edification, as needed, that it may impart grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander be removed from you, with all malice. ³² Rather, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you. ⁵ ¹ Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, ² and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma. ³ But, you should not even talk about fornication or any form of moral corruption or insatiableness (as is fitting for saints); ⁴ nor any obscenity, nor foolish talk or coarse joking (that do not belong), but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ Because you can know this for sure: no fornicator, nor anyone who is morally corrupt or insatiable (actually an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of the Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of the disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be participants with them ⁸ —even though you were once darkness, you are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰ approving what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Do not associate with the unfruitful works of the darkness, but rather expose/reprove them. ¹² (It is shameful even to speak of those things being done by them in secret.) ¹³ Now all things, upon being exposed, are revealed by the light, for whatever reveals is light. ¹⁴ Therefore He says: “Wake up, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and the Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵ See then that you walk carefully, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ That is why you must not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ And don’t get drunk on wine, which can be harmful and wasteful; rather be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord; ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father concerning all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of God. ²² Wives, subordinate yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord, ²³ because a man is head of his wife as also Christ is Head of the Church—He also is Preserver of the body. ²⁴ Yes, just as the Church is subject to Christ, so also the wives should be to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your own wives just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself up on her behalf, ²⁶ in order that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of the water: in a word, ²⁷ that He might present her—the splendid Church—to Himself, not having a blemish or a wrinkle or any such thing, but that she be holy and blameless. ²⁸ Just so the husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated his own flesh; rather he nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the Church ³⁰ —for we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. ³¹ “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. ³³ In any case, each of you individually: let each one love his own wife as himself, while the wife must respect 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 go well with you and you may live long on the earth.” ⁴ And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ⁵ Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not only when being watched, to please men, but as slaves of the Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ serving with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is slave or free. ⁹ And masters, be the same way towards them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. ¹⁰ Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so as to be able to stand firm against the stratagems of the devil. ¹² Because, our wrestling match is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against the malignant spirits in the heavenly realms. ¹³ That is why you must take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, to stand firm, with everything in place. ¹⁴ So stand firm, having belted your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the readiness of the Gospel of the peace; ¹⁶ above all, having taken up the shield of the faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the malignant one; ¹⁷ also, grasp the helmet of the salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, using every prayer and petition, yes being watchful to this end with all perseverance and petition for all the saints ¹⁹ —on my behalf too, that when I open my mouth utterance may be given to me with boldness, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to do. ²¹ Now that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything; ²² whom I have sent to you for this very purpose: that you may know our circumstances 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 The grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Amen.

Philippians

¹ ¹ Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, together 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 every time I remember you; ⁴ in all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being certain of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; ⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel you all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ God is my witness how I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. ⁹ This is what I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more in real knowledge and full discernment, ¹⁰ for you to identify the things that really matter; that you may be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ, ¹¹ having been filled with the fruits of righteousness that are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that the events against me have actually turned out for the advancement of the Gospel: ¹³ as a result, it has become evident to the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that I am in chains for Christ; ¹⁴ also, most of the brothers in the Lord have been influenced by my chains to be much bolder, to speak the Word fearlessly. ¹⁵ To be sure, some are even preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will; ¹⁶ the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to add to my affliction while in chains, ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am set here for the defense of the Gospel. ¹⁸ No problem: in every way, be it in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice—yes, and will rejoice. ¹⁹ You see, I know that this will turn out for my deliverance (through your supplication and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ) ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in anything but be truly bold, so that now as always Christ will be glorified in my person, whether by life or by death ²¹ —to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² Now if I am to live on in the flesh it will mean fruitful labor for me, so I don’t know what to choose. ²³ I am torn between the two: I have the desire to depart and be with Christ (far better), ²⁴ but to remain in the flesh is more necessary, because of you. ²⁵ So having been persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that your rejoicing over me may be more abundant in Christ Jesus, through my coming to you again. ²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent I may hear about you that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together for the faith of the Gospel with one soul, ²⁸ and not being intimidated in any way by your opponents: to them this is an indicator of ruin, but to you of deliverance, and that from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe into Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear to be in me. ² ¹ Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship from the Spirit, if any tenderness and acts of compassion, ² make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard one another as being better than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own concerns, but also for what concerns others. ⁵ In fact, let this mindset be in you that was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, existing in God’s form, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but divested Himself, taking a slave’s form, coming to be in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death —even death on a cross! ⁹ Indeed, that is why God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—of those in heaven, those on earth and those under the earth— ¹¹ and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. ¹² So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed (not only in my presence but now much more in my absence), keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ because God Himself is the One at work in you, both to will and to produce, for His good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation, among whom you shine as light bearers in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I did not run in vain nor labor for nothing. ¹⁷ Yes, even if I am a libation being poured on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. ¹⁹ Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be encouraged when I know how you are doing. ²⁰ For I have no one else like-minded, who will be genuinely concerned about your welfare ²¹ (for all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus). ²² But you know the proof of him, that as a son with his father he slaved with me for the Gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ Still, I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. ²⁵ However, I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier; also your messenger and minister to my need; ²⁶ since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Well, he really was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ So I sent him the more eagerly, that upon seeing him you might have joy, and I be less anxious. ²⁹ Receive him in the Lord with great joy, and hold such men in honor, ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to complete what was lacking in your service toward me. ³ ¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not troublesome and for you it is the safe thing. ² Watch out for the ‘dogs’, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for the mutilation! ³ For it is we who are the circumcision, the ones who worship by God’s Spirit and glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in flesh ⁴ (though I myself actually have basis for such confidence). If anyone else thinks he has basis for confidence in flesh, I even more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; with respect to the Law, a Pharisee; ⁶ with respect to zeal, persecuting the Church; with respect to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. ⁷ But such things as were gain to me, these I have considered loss for the sake of the Christ. ⁸ Yes indeed, in fact I actually consider everything to be a loss for the sake of the excelling thing, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord —for His sake I have already lost everything (and consider it as trash), so that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having as my righteousness that of the Law but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God based on faith; ¹⁰ so that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, that I may arrive into the resurrection from among the dead ¹² —not that I have already obtained it or have already been perfected; but I press on to actually claim that for which Christ Jesus claimed me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have already claimed it, but this: forgetting the things behind and straining toward those ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize, the upward call from God because of Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ So then, those of us who are mature should have this mentality, but if on some point you think differently, God will reveal that to you as well. ¹⁶ Only, in what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. ¹⁷ Brothers, join together in imitating me, and having us as a pattern take note of those who walk in the same way. ¹⁸ Because many are walking as enemies of the cross of Christ—of whom I told you often, and now tell you even with tears— ¹⁹ whose end is ruin, whose god is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame; their mind is only on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in Heaven, and it is from there that we eagerly await our Deliverer, the Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ who will transform the body of our humiliation so that it will be conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working by which He is indeed able to subject all things to Himself. ⁴ ¹ So then, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, do stand fast in the Lord in this way, dear ones. ² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to come to agreement in the Lord. ³ Yes, I urge you too, loyal Syzygus, help these women who labored with me in the Gospel, and with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your forbearing spirit be evident to all; the Lord is near. ⁶ Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition along with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are commendable—whatever is of excellent character and whatever is praiseworthy—ponder these things. ⁹ Put into practice the things that you learned, received, heard and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰ I rejoice in the Lord greatly that you have renewed your concern for me once again; of course you were concerned, just lacked the opportunity. ¹¹ I am not saying this because of lack, since I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be restricted, and I know what it is to have an abundance; everywhere and in every way I have been initiated both into being well fed and into being hungry, both into having plenty and into having need. ¹³ I can handle anything through Christ who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless you have done well in sharing with me in my trial. ¹⁵ Now you Philippians know very well that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no congregation shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶ Yes even in Thessalonica, both once and again, you sent aid for my need. ¹⁷ Not that I want the gift, but I want the fruit that is being added to your account. ¹⁸ I have received everything and have plenty; I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things you sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. ¹⁹ My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. ²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Colossians

¹ ¹ Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timothy, ² to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We always give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you ⁴ (having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love toward all the saints), ⁵ because of the hope that is being reserved for you in the heavens, of which you have already heard through the Word of the Truth ⁶ (the Gospel that has come to you just as also in all the world, where it is producing fruit and growing just as also among you, from the day in which you heard about and truly understood God’s grace), ⁷ even as you learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf, ⁸ who also reported to us your love in the Spirit. ⁹ For this very reason, since the day we heard of it, we have not stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the real knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, ¹⁰ in order for you to walk worthily of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way, being fruitful in every good work and growing into the real knowledge of God; ¹¹ being enabled with all capability according to the strength that resides in His glory, for all endurance and steadfastness. ¹² Nor have we stopped giving thanks joyfully to the Father who has qualified us for the share in the inheritance of the saints in the Light; ¹³ who delivered us out of the dominion of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴ in whom we have the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins. ¹⁵ He is the visible representation of the invisible God, ‘Firstborn’ over all creation, ¹⁶ because by Him all things were created —those in the heavens and those on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ Yes, He is before all, and in Him all things subsist. ¹⁸ Also, He is the Head of the body, the Church. He is Beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that He may be preeminent in everything, ¹⁹ because in Him all the Fullness was pleased to dwell ²⁰ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross —through Him, whether things on the earth or things on the heavens. ²¹ So now He has reconciled you as well (you who once were alienated and hostile in your mind because of your wicked works), ²² by His physical body through His death, so as to present you before Him holy and blameless and above reproach — ²³ if, that is, you continue in the faith established and firm, not drifting away from the hope of the Gospel, that you heard and that was proclaimed in all the creation under the heaven, of which I, Paul, became a servant. ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf and supplement in my flesh the things lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Church, ²⁵ of which I became a servant according to the stewardship from God that was given to me towards you, to complete the Word of God, ²⁶ the mystery that has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints; ²⁷ to whom God resolved to make known who is the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the nations, namely Christ in you, the hope of glory; ²⁸ whom we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ. ²⁹ It is to this end that I labor, striving according to His working that works through me with power. ² ¹ I want you to know how great is my concern for you and those in Laodicea, even all who have not met me personally, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being united in love and into a great wealth of confident understanding, into a real knowledge of the mystery of the God and Father and of the Christ, ³ in whom all the treasures of the wisdom and the knowledge are hidden. ⁴ Now I say this so that no one may deceive you with specious arguments. ⁵ For although in fact I am physically absent, yet my spirit is with you, rejoicing as I observe your orderliness and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ⁶ So then, keep on walking in the Christ, Jesus the Lord, just as you received Him, ⁷ having been rooted and being built up in Him and being established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. ⁸ Be careful that no one captures you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ. ⁹ Because all the Fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him in bodily form, ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him who is the head over all rule and authority. ¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised by the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, not with a circumcision done by hands but with the circumcision of the Christ, ¹² having been buried with Him in the baptism. In Him you were also raised together through your faith in the productive power of the God who raised Him from among the dead. ¹³ Yes you, though being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh—He has made you alive together with Him; having forgiven us all our trespasses; ¹⁴ having wiped out the written record about us that was against us (based on the ordinances), indeed He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross; ¹⁵ having stripped the principalities and the authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, having triumphed over them by it [the cross]. ¹⁶ So don’t let anyone judge you about food or drink, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or Sabbaths, ¹⁷ which things are but a shadow of those to come, while the body is Christ’s. ¹⁸ Nor let anyone disqualify you, taking pleasure in a subservience and devotion to the angels, ‘taking possession’ of things that he has not seen, being puffed up by his carnal mind to no useful purpose, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, supported and held together by its joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. ²⁰ Now then, since you died with Christ away from the basic principles of the world, why, as though still living in it, are you subjecting yourselves to regulations ²¹ —Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!— ²² (all of which result in corruption through overuse) according to the commands and teachings of men? ²³ Such things do indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and subservience and asceticism, but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. ³ ¹ Furthermore, since you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right; ² set your mind on the things above, not on those upon the earth, ³ because you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ Whenever Christ, our life, is revealed then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. ⁵ Therefore put to death your members that are on the earth: fornication, filthiness, passion, evil desire, and the greediness that is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, ⁷ in which things you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all these—anger, rage, malice, slander, obscene speech—out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old man with his practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new one, who is being renewed into real knowledge according to the image of his creator, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all. ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience; ¹³ bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone should have a complaint against another—just as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, into which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing with grace in your heart to the Lord, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. ¹⁷ Whatever you may do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ¹⁸ Wives, subordinate yourselves to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, because this is well pleasing in the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children so that they lose heart. ²² Slaves, obey your masters (according to the flesh) in all things, not just when they are looking, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, give it all you’ve got, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward; because you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ (But he who does wrong will be repaid for this wrong, and there is no favoritism.) ⁴ ¹ Masters, provide your slaves with what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens. ² Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving, ³ at the same time praying for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ (for which I am also in chains), ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. ⁵ Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. ⁶ Let your word always be with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how you ought to answer each one. ⁷ Tichicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow slave in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and encourage your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you; they will tell you everything that is happening here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ, greets you; he is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. ¹³ I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician greets you, also Demas. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the congregation at his house. ¹⁶ Now when this letter has been read among you, see that it is also read in the Laodicean congregation, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, “See to it that you complete the work that you received in the Lord.” ¹⁸ This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. The Grace be with you. Amen.

1 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the congregation of Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers, ³ continually remembering before our God and Father your work for the Faith and your labor coming from the Love and your perseverance based on the Hope, our Lord Jesus Christ being their source, ⁴ knowing as we do, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen. ⁵ You see, our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with complete certainty (of course you know what sort of men we proved to be among you for your sake). ⁶ Yes you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the Word with the Holy Spirit’s joy, in spite of severe affliction, ⁷ so that you became examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ That’s because the Word of the Lord sounded out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place—your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we do not need to say anything. ⁹ They themselves report about you what kind of entrance we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to be slaves to the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for His Son coming out of the heavens (whom He raised from among the dead) —Jesus, who preserves us from the coming wrath. ² ¹ Now you yourselves know, brothers, that our entrance to you did not happen without purpose. ² Rather, in spite of having already suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, we made bold in our God to speak to you the Gospel of God, in the face of strong opposition. ³ Further, our exhortation does not spring from delusion or impurity, nor is it in deception, ⁴ but we speak precisely as those who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, not so as to please men, but to please the God who evaluates our hearts. ⁵ Further, you well know that we never used words to flatter, or to disguise greed (God is witness), ⁶ or to seek glory from men (whether from you or from others) —as apostles of Christ we could have been ‘heavy’, ⁷ but we were gentle among you, like a nurse cherishing her own children. ⁸ Yearning over you in this way, we were well pleased to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and exertion, because working night and day, so as not to burden any of you, we proclaimed the Gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ indeed you know how we treated each one of you as a father does his own children, exhorting and comforting you, ¹² insisting that you conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. ¹³ Another reason we give thanks to God continually is that when you received from us the spoken word of God, you welcomed it not as the word of men but, as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed operative in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s congregations in Christ Jesus, the ones in Judea, in that you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen that they did from the Jews ¹⁵ (the ones who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, who have persecuted us, who do not please God and are hostile to everybody, ¹⁶ trying to prevent us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved—so as to fill up the measure of their sins. They have received the full impact of the Wrath). ¹⁷ Now we, brothers, having been bereaved of you for a short season (in presence, not in heart), made every effort to see your face, from intense longing. ¹⁸ (We actually tried to come to you—I, Paul, time and again—but Satan thwarted us.) ¹⁹ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Is it not precisely you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory and our joy. ³ ¹ So when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone ² and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, also our fellow worker in the Gospel of Christ, to confirm you and encourage you concerning your faith, ³ that no one be unsettled by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴ For indeed, when we were with you we kept telling you in advance that we were going to be afflicted; just as it happened, in fact, as you know. ⁵ Yes, that’s why, no longer standing it, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had successfully tempted you and our labor come to be for nothing. ⁶ But now that Timothy has come 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, just as we also long to see you ⁷ —because of this, brothers, in all our affliction and distress we were encouraged about you by your faith; ⁸ for now we live, if you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ With what thankfulness can we repay God for you, for all the joy with which we are rejoicing in the presence of our God because of you; ¹⁰ praying most earnestly night and day, that we may see your face and complete the things lacking in your faith? ¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward each other and toward all, just as we also do toward you, ¹³ so as to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His holy ones. ⁴ ¹ Finally then, brothers, we urge and exhort you in the Lord Jesus: as you received from us how you ought to behave and please God, do so even more ² —you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ Now this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you stay away from fornication; ⁴ that each of you know how to gain possession of his own ‘vessel’ in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in lustful passion (like the heathen who don’t know God); ⁶ that no one trespass and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such behavior, as, indeed, we have already told you and warned you. ⁷ Because God did not call us for uncleanness, but by holiness. ⁸ So then, the rejecter is not rejecting man, but God, the very One who gave you His Holy Spirit. ⁹ Now about brotherly love you do not need to be written to, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ because in fact you are doing so toward all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Still, we exhort you to do even more, brothers, ¹¹ to make it a point to be peaceable and to mind your own business, to work with your hands (as we instructed you), ¹² so that outsiders may be well impressed by your life style, and that you may have no lack. ¹³ Now then, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who have ‘fallen asleep’, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. ¹⁴ Because since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, just so will God bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by a word of the Lord, that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will absolutely not precede those who have fallen asleep; ¹⁶ because the Lord Himself—with a commanding shout, with the archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet—will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first; ¹⁷ then we who are still alive, who are left, will be snatched up together with them in clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In precisely this way we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ So then, comfort one another with these words. ⁵ ¹ Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you do not need to be written to, ² for you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord comes just like a thief in the night. ³ For whenever they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction is standing near them, like labor pains to a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this Day should come upon you like a thief. ⁵ You are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay alert and sober; ⁷ because those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night; ⁸ but we being of day, let us be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet of hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to undergo wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us so that whether awake or asleep we may live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, as in fact you do. ¹² Now we urge you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brothers: admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, be supportive of the weak, be patient toward all. ¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue the good, both for one another and for all. ¹⁶ Rejoice always! ¹⁷ Pray continually! ¹⁸ Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit! ²⁰ Do not disdain prophesies, ²¹ but test everything; hold on to the good. ²² Keep away from every form of evil! ²³ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. ²⁵ Brothers, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I adjure 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. Amen.

2 Thessalonians

¹ ¹ Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the congregation of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We are obligated to always give thanks to God about you, brothers, and properly so, because your faith is really growing, and the love of each and every one of you towards each other keeps increasing; ⁴ so that we ourselves boast about you among God’s congregations, referring to your steadfastness and faith in the midst of all your persecutions, and the tribulations that you are enduring ⁵ —the above is evidence that God’s judgment is right, to the end that you be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God, on behalf of which you are actually suffering; ⁶ since to God it is right to pay back affliction to those who are afflicting you ⁷ and rest (along with us) to you who are being afflicted, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels in blazing fire, ⁸ inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁹ who will pay a penalty: everlasting ruin, away from the face of the Lord and from the glory of His might, ¹⁰ whenever He comes to be glorified by His saints, yes to be marveled at by all who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed); in that Day. ¹¹ To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of the calling and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith with power, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. ² ¹ Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we urge you ² not to be quickly shaken from your conviction or disturbed, whether by a spirit or a word or a letter as from us, as though the day of Christ has come. ³ Don’t let anyone deceive you by any means; because that day cannot come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of sin is revealed, the son of ruin, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called a god or an object of worship, to the point of taking his seat as God in God’s sanctuary, proclaiming himself to be God. ⁵ (Don’t you remember that I used to tell you these things while still with you?) ⁶ So now you know what is restraining, to the end that he may be revealed at his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of the lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He removes Himself. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and abolish by the splendor of His coming; ⁹ that one’s coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all wicked deception among those who are wasting themselves, because they did not receive the love of the truth so that they might be saved. ¹¹ Yes, because of this God will send them an active delusion so that they will believe the lie ¹² and so that all may be condemned who have not believed the truth but have taken pleasure in wickedness. ¹³ Now we are obligated to always give thanks to God about you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you into salvation, through sanctification of spirit and belief in truth, ¹⁴ to which He called you through our gospel, so as to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter. ¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope, by grace, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and work. ³ ¹ Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, as also with you, ² and that we may be delivered from evil and malignant men; for not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the wicked one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. ⁵ Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the perseverance of Christ. ⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not behave irresponsibly among you; ⁸ neither did we eat anyone’s bread without paying; rather we worked night and day, with difficulty and hardship, so as not to be a burden to any of you; ⁹ not because we don’t have the right, but in order to offer ourselves to you as a model for you to imitate. ¹⁰ Yes, because when we were with you we gave you this command: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, neither let him eat!” ¹¹ Yet we hear that some among you are behaving irresponsibly; not working, just meddling. ¹² Now to such individuals we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. ¹³ But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in well doing. ¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him and don’t associate with him, that he may be shamed; ¹⁵ yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you the peace during every situation, in every way. The Lord be with you all. ¹⁷ The greeting of Paul, with my own hand, which is the ‘trademark’ in every letter that I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1 Timothy

¹ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope, ² to Timothy, true son in faith: Grace, mercy, peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³ You recall that I urged you to remain in Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, in order that you should command certain persons to stop teaching a different doctrine ⁴ and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than the godly edification which is by faith. ⁵ Now the goal of that command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith; ⁶ some having strayed from these have been turned aside to empty talk, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, not understanding either what they say or the things that they affirm. ⁸ Now we know that the law is good if one uses it correctly, ⁹ knowing that law is not made for a righteous person but for lawless and rebellious ones, for ungodly and sinners, for unholy and profane, for patricides and matricides, for murderers, ¹⁰ for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ as defined by the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted. ¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who enables me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into a ministry; ¹³ I, who was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant; but I was shown mercy, because being ignorant I did it in unbelief; ¹⁴ the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy word, worthy of total acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am chief; ¹⁶ precisely for this reason I was shown mercy, that in me, the ‘chief’, Jesus Christ might display all his forbearance, as an example for those who are going to rely on Him into eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ¹⁸ Son Timothy, I am giving you this charge in accordance with the prophecies about you that lead the way, that in them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience (which some having rejected have suffered shipwreck concerning the faith; ²⁰ of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander—whom I have handed over to Satan that they may be taught not to blaspheme). ² ¹ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men ² —on behalf of kings and all who are in authority, that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ Because this is good and pleasing to our Savior God, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come into a real knowledge of Truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men—a man! —Jesus Christ, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom on behalf of all people (to be testified in its own seasons), ⁷ to which ransom I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying—a teacher of nations in faith and truth. ⁸ So I desire that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. ⁹ Similarly the women also, dressing themselves in appropriate clothing, with modesty and good sense; not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good works, which is appropriate to women who profess godliness. ¹¹ Let a woman learn in silence, in full subordination. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ Also, Adam was not deceived; rather, the woman, being deceived, became a transgressor. ¹⁵ However, she will be saved through the Childbirth —if they continue in faith, love and holiness, with self-control. ³ ¹ Here is a trustworthy word: if a man aspires to the position of overseer, he desires a good work. ² Now then, it is obligatory for the overseer to be above reproach, a one woman man, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, good at teaching, ³ not a drinker, not a bully, not corrupt [financially], but gentle, peaceful, not greedy; ⁴ one who rules his own house well, having children who obey him with due respect ⁵ (for if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how can he take care of God’s congregation?); ⁶ not a recent convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same judgment that the devil did. ⁷ Also, it is necessary for him to have a good reputation with those who are outside the congregation, so as not to fall into reproach and the devil’s snare. ⁸ Similarly, deacons must be respectable, not deceitful, not heavy drinkers, not corrupt [financially]; ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. ¹⁰ But let these also first be tested; then, if they are blameless, let them serve as deacons. ¹¹ Similarly, women must be respectable, not slanderers, temperate, trustworthy in everything. ¹² Let deacons be one woman men, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and considerable confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you shortly, I am writing these things to you ¹⁵ in case I am delayed, so that you may know how it is necessary to conduct oneself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Yes, the mystery of our religion is confessedly great: God was manifested in flesh, was vindicated in spirit, was revealed to angels, was proclaimed among nations, was believed in the world, was received up in glory! ⁴ ¹ Now the Spirit says explicitly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceiving spirits and to things taught by demons ² —through hypocritical liars whose own consciences have been cauterized, ³ who forbid to marry and to eat foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and really know the truth. ⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated through the word of God and prayer. ⁶ If you instruct the brothers in these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, brought up in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have faithfully followed. ⁷ But reject godless myths and old wive’s tales; rather, exercise yourself toward godliness. ⁸ Now physical exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, holding promises for both this present life and the one to come. ⁹ Here is a trustworthy word, worthy of total acceptance ¹⁰ (which is also why we labor and suffer reproach): We have set our hope on the living God, who is ‘Savior of all men’, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come give attention to public reading [of Scripture], to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders. ¹⁵ Cultivate these things; give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶ Take pains with yourself and the doctrine; persevere in those things, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ⁵ ¹ Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. ³ Give financial support to widows who are really ‘widows’. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to demonstrate piety in their own household by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing to God. ⁵ Now she who is really a widow and desolate has set her hope on God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who indulges in pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷ You should even command these things, so that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹ No widow should be enrolled unless she is at least sixty, a one man wife, ¹⁰ known for good works—she brought up children, she lodged strangers, she washed saints’ feet, she relieved the afflicted, she devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ As for younger widows, do not enroll them; because whenever they are controlled by sensual desires rather than by Christ, they want to marry, ¹² coming under judgment because they have broken their first commitment. ¹³ Not only that, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴ So I want the younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage the home, to give the adversary no occasion for caustic comments. ¹⁵ (In fact, some have already turned aside after Satan.) ¹⁶ If any man or woman who is a believer has widows, let them relieve them and not burden the congregation, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed. ¹⁷ Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of a double honorarium, especially those who labor in word and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain,” and “The worker is worthy of his wages.” ¹⁹ Do not entertain an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who are sinning rebuke publicly, so that the rest also may be in fear. ²¹ I charge you in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudgment, doing nothing by partiality. ²² Do not lay hands [in ordination] hastily on anyone, do not thereby participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. ²³ Stop drinking only water; use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent infirmities. ²⁴ The sins of some men are obvious, leading the way into judgment, while those of others trail behind. ²⁵ So also the good works are obvious; even the ones that are not, cannot be hidden. ⁶ ¹ As many as are under the yoke of slavery should consider their own owners to be worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and doctrine not be slandered. ² Those who have owners who are believers must not disregard them because they are brothers; instead they must serve them even better, because those receiving the good service are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. ³ If anyone teaches differently and does not consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine that accords with godliness, ⁴ he is conceited and understands nothing. Rather he is obsessed with controversies and hair-splitting word battles, from which come envy, strife, slanderings, evil suspicions, ⁵ constant wranglings of men with corrupted minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means to financial gain. Keep away from such people. ⁶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ We brought nothing into the world and it is certain that neither can we take anything out. ⁸ So having food and clothing we will be content with that. ⁹ But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful desires, that plunge people into ruin and loss; ¹⁰ because the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil; in their greediness some have been led away from the faith and have impaled themselves on many distresses. ¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee these things; rather pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life into which you were called—indeed you confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the presence of the God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which He will manifest at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and the Lord of lords; ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, residing in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see; to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. ¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be haughty, nor to rely upon the uncertainty of riches but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; ¹⁸ they are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous sharers ¹⁹ —storing up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, so that they may lay hold on the eternal life. ²⁰ O Timothy, guard the deposit! Turn away from the godless, empty chatter and inconsistencies of what is falsely called ‘science’ ²¹ —by professing it some have erred concerning the faith. The Grace be with you. Amen.