Hebrews 6 Cross References - Twentieth_Century

¹ Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to perfection, not always laying over again a foundation of repentance for a lifeless formality, of faith in God-- ² teaching concerning baptisms and the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and a final judgment. ³ Yes and, with God's help, we will. ⁴ For if those who were once for all brought into the Light, and learned to appreciate the gift from Heaven, and came to share in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and learned to appreciate the beauty of the Divine Message, and the new powers of the Coming Age-- ⁶ if those, I say, fell away, it would be impossible to bring them again to repentance; they would be crucifying the Son of God over again for themselves, and exposing him to open contempt. ⁷ Ground that drinks in the showers that from time to time fall upon it, and produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but, if it 'bears thorns and thistles,' it is regarded as worthless, it is in danger of being 'cursed,' and its end will be the fire. ⁹ But about you, dear friends, even though we speak in this way, we are confident of better things--of things that point to your Salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not forget the work that you did, and the love that you showed for his Name, in sending help to your fellow Christians--as you are still doing. ¹¹ But our great desire is that every one of you should be equally earnest to attain to a full conviction that our hope will be fulfilled, and that you should keep that hope to the end. ¹² Then you will not show yourselves slow to learn, but you will copy those who, through faith and patience, are now entering upon the enjoyment of God's promises. ¹³ When God gave his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater by whom he could swear, he swore by himself. ¹⁴ His words were-- 'I will assuredly bless thee and increase thy numbers.' ¹⁵ And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the fulfillment of God's promise. ¹⁶ Men, of course, swear by what is greater than themselves, and with them an oath is accepted as putting a matter beyond all dispute. ¹⁷ And therefore God, in his desire to show, with unmistakable plainness, to those who were to enter on the enjoyment of what he had promised, the unchangeableness of his purpose, bound himself with an oath. ¹⁸ For he intended us to find great encouragement in these two unchangeable things, which make it impossible for God to prove false--we, I mean, who fled for safety where we might lay hold on the hope set before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a very anchor for our souls, secure and strong, and it 'reaches into the Sanctuary that lies behind the Curtain,' ²⁰ where Jesus, our Forerunner, has entered on our behalf, after being made for all time a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek.

² "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

⁷ When, however, John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to receive his baptism, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgment?

¹⁰ Already the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹⁴ But John tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you; why then do you come to me?"

¹⁷ At that time Jesus began to proclaim-- "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

³ "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who have been persecuted in the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ¹¹ Blessed are you when people taunt you, and persecute you, and say everything evil about you--untruly, and on my account. ¹² Be glad and rejoice, because your reward in Heaven will be great; for so men persecuted the Prophets who lived before you. ¹³ It is you who are the Salt of the earth; but, if the salt should lose its strength, what will you use to restore its saltiness? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown away, and trampled underfoot.

⁴⁸ You, then, must become perfect--as your heavenly Father is perfect.

¹⁹ Every tree that fails to bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

²¹ Not every one who says to me 'Master! Master!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. ²² On 'That Day' many will say to me 'Master, Master, was not it in your name that we taught, and in your name that we drove out demons, and in your name that we did many miracles?'

²⁵ The rain poured down, the rivers rose, the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, for its foundations were upon the rock.

⁴² And, if any one gives but a cup of cold water to one of these lowly ones because he is a disciple, I tell you that he shall assuredly not lose his reward."

³¹ Therefore, I tell you, men will be forgiven every sin and slander; but slander against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² Whoever speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in the present age, or in the age to come.

⁴⁵ Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in, and make their home there; and the last state of that man proves to be worse than the first. So, too, will it be with this wicked generation."

²⁰ By the seed which was sown on rocky places is meant the man who hears the Message, and at once accepts it joyfully; ²¹ But, as he has no root, he stands for only a short time; and, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Message, he falls away at once.

²⁶ But Jesus looked at them, and said: "With men this is impossible, but with God everything is possible." Then Peter turned and said to Jesus:

²² "You do not know what you are asking," was Jesus' answer. "Can you drink the cup that I am to drink?" "Yes," they exclaimed, "we can." ²³ "You shall indeed drink my cup," he said, "but as to a seat at my right and at my left--that is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

²⁹ 'Yes, sir,' he answered; but he did not go.

³² For when John came to you, walking in the path of righteousness, you did not believe him, but tax-gatherers and prostitutes did; and yet you, though you saw this, even then were not sorry, nor did you believe him.

²³ That same day some Sadducees came up to Jesus, maintaining that there is no resurrection. Their question was this:-- ²⁴ "Teacher, Moses said--'Should a man die without children, the man's brother shall become the husband of the widow, and raise a family for his brother.' ²⁵ Now we had living among us seven brothers; of whom the eldest married and died, and, as he had no family, left his wife for his brother. ²⁶ The same thing happened to the second and the third brothers, and indeed to all the seven. ²⁷ The woman herself died last of all. ²⁸ At the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be out of the seven, all of them having had her?" ²⁹ "Your mistake," replied Jesus, "is due to your ignorance of the Scriptures, and of the power of God. ³⁰ For at the resurrection there is no marrying or being married, but all who rise are as angels in Heaven. ³¹ As to the resurrection of the dead, have you not read these words of God-- ³² 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of dead men, but of living."

³² 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of dead men, but of living."

²⁰ Therefore a man, swearing by the altar, swears by it and by all that is on it, ²¹ and a man, swearing by the Temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it, ²² while a man, swearing by Heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it.

³¹ By doing this you are furnishing evidence against yourselves that you are true children of the men who murdered the Prophets. ³² Fill up the measure of your ancestor's guilt.

¹³ Yet the man that endures to the end shall be saved.

³⁵ The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words shall never pass away.

²⁶ 'You lazy, worthless servant!' was his master's reply. 'You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather up where I have not winnowed?

³¹ When the Son of Man has come in his glory and all the angels with him, then he 'will take his seat on his throne of glory'; ³² And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people--just as a shepherd separates sheep from goats- - ³³ Placing the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, enter upon possession of the Kingdom prepared for you ever since the beginning of the world. ³⁵ For, when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was a stranger, you took me to your homes;

³⁵ For, when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was a stranger, you took me to your homes; ³⁶ When I was naked, you clothed me; when I fell ill, you visited me; and when I was in prison, you came to me.'

³⁶ When I was naked, you clothed me; when I fell ill, you visited me; and when I was in prison, you came to me.' ³⁷ Then the Righteous will answer 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? Or thirsty, and give you a drink?

³⁷ Then the Righteous will answer 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? Or thirsty, and give you a drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger, and take you to our homes? Or naked, and clothe you?

³⁸ When did we see you a stranger, and take you to our homes? Or naked, and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you ill, or in prison, and come to you?'

³⁹ When did we see you ill, or in prison, and come to you?' ⁴⁰ And the King will reply 'I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my Brothers, however lowly, you did it to me.'

⁴⁰ And the King will reply 'I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my Brothers, however lowly, you did it to me.' ⁴¹ Then he will say to those on his left 'Go from my presence, accursed, into the 'aeonian fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels.'

⁴¹ Then he will say to those on his left 'Go from my presence, accursed, into the 'aeonian fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels.' ⁴² For, when I was hungry, you gave me no food; when I was thirsty, you gave me no drink; ⁴³ When I was a stranger, you did not take me to your homes; when I was naked, you did not clothe me; and, when I was ill and in prison, you did not visit me.' ⁴⁴ Then they, in their turn, will answer 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or ill, or in prison, and did not supply your wants?' ⁴⁵ And then he will reply 'I tell you, as often as you failed to do it to one of these, however lowly, you failed to do it to me.' ⁴⁶ And these last will go away 'into aeonian punishment,' but the righteous 'into aeonian life.'"

³⁸ At the same time two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right, the other on the left. ³⁹ The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads as they said: ⁴⁰ "You who 'destroy the Temple and build one in three days,' save yourself! If you are God's Son, come down from the cross!" ⁴¹ In the same way the Chief Priests, with the Teaches of the Law and Councillors, said in mockery: ⁴² "He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the 'King of Israel'! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He has trusted in God; if God wants him, let him deliver him now; for he said 'I am God's Son.'" ⁴⁴ Even the robbers, who were crucified with him, reviled him in the same way.

⁵¹ Suddenly the Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks were torn asunder,

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Faith of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

¹ The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ.

¹⁶ So, too, those meant by the seed sown on the rocky places are the people who, when they have heard the Message, at once accept it joyfully; ¹⁷ But, as they have no root, they stand only for a short time; and so, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Message, they fall away at once.

¹² So they set out, and proclaimed the need of repentance.

²⁰ Because Herod stood in fear of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and protected him. He had listened to John, but still remained much perplexed, and yet he found pleasure in listening to him.

⁴ When they come from market, they will not eat without first sprinkling themselves; and there are many other customs which they have inherited and hold to, such as the ceremonial washing of cups, and jugs, and copper pans).

⁸ You neglect God's commandments and hold to the traditions of men.

⁴¹ If any one gives you a cup of water because you belong to Christ, I tell you, he shall assuredly not lose his reward.

¹⁴ So, addressing the tree, he exclaimed: "May no man ever again eat of your fruit!" And his disciples heard what he said.

²¹ Then Peter recollected what had occurred. "Look, Rabbi," he exclaimed, "the fig-tree which you doomed is withered up!"

²⁹ The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads, as they said: "Ah! you who 'destroy the Temple and build one in three days, ³⁰ 'come down from the cross and save yourself!" ³¹ In the same way the Chief Priests, with the Teachers of the Law, said to one another in mockery: ³² "He saved others, but he cannot save himself! Let the Christ, the 'King of Israel,' come down from the cross now, that we may see it and believe." Even the men who had been crucified with Jesus reviled him.

¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who refuses to believe will be condemned.

⁷³ This was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham--

²⁵ There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of the Consolation of Israel, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁶ John, addressing them all, said: "I, indeed, baptize you with water; but there is coming one more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to unfasten his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

⁴⁸ He may be compared to a man building a house, who dug, and went deep, and laid the foundation upon the rock. Then, when a flood came, the river swept down upon that house, but had no power to shake it, because it had been built well.

¹³ By the seed which fell upon the rock are meant those who, as soon as they hear the Message, welcome it joyfully; but they have no root, and believe it only for a time, and, when the time of temptation comes, they draw back.

¹⁵ But by that in the good ground are meant those who, having heard the Message, keep it in the good, rich soil of their hearts, and patiently yield a return.

¹⁹ Remember, I have given you the power to 'trample upon serpents and scorpions,' and to meet all the strength of the Enemy. Nothing shall ever harm you in any way. ²⁰ Yet do not rejoice in the fact that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names have been enrolled in Heaven."

²⁴ No sooner does a foul spirit leave a man, than it passes through places where there is no water, in search of rest; and finding none, it says 'I will go back to the home which I left'; ²⁵ But, on coming there, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in, and make their home there; and the last state of that man proves to be worse than the first."

³⁸ The Pharisee noticed, to his astonishment, that Jesus omitted the ceremonial washing before breakfast.

⁴⁸ You are actually witnesses to your ancestors' acts and show your approval of them, because, while they killed the Prophets, you build tombs for them.

⁵⁰ There is a baptism that I must undergo, and how great is my distress until it is over!

⁷ So he said to his gardener 'Three years now I have come to look for fruit on this fig tree, without finding any! Cut it down. Why should it rob the soil?' ⁸ 'Leave it this one year more, Sir,' the man answered, 'till I have dug round it and manured it. ⁹ Then, if it bears in future, well and good; but if not, you can have it cut down.'"

¹⁴ And then you will be happy indeed, since they cannot recompense you; for you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the good."

²² After a time the beggar died, and was taken by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

³⁷ As to the fact that the dead rise, even Moses indicated that, in the passage about the Bush, when he calls the Lord--'The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' ³⁸ Now he is not God of dead men, but of living. For in his sight all are alive."

³⁵ Meanwhile the people stood looking on. Even the leading men said with a sneer: "He saved others, let him save himself, if he is God's Christ, his Chosen One." ³⁶ The soldiers, too, came up in mockery, bringing him common wine, ³⁷ And saying as they did so: "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." ³⁸ Above him were the words--'THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.' ³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanging beside Jesus railed at him. "Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us," he said.

¹ In the Beginning the Word was; and the Word was with God; and the Word was God. ² He was in the Beginning with God; ³ Through him all things came into being, and nothing came into being apart from him.

³³ I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water, he said to me 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon him--he it is who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew on the subject of 'purification;' ²⁶ And the disciples came to John and said: "Rabbi, the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, and to whom you have yourself borne testimony--he, also, is baptizing, and everybody is going to him." ²⁷ John's answer was--"A man can gain nothing but what is given him from Heaven.

¹ Now, when the Master heard that the Pharisees had been told that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John ² (Though it was not Jesus himself, but his disciples, who baptized),

¹⁰ "If you knew of the gift of God," replied Jesus, "and who it is that is saying to you 'Give me some water,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you 'living water'."

²⁴ In truth I tell you that he who listens to my Message and believes him who sent me, has Immortal Life, and does not come under condemnation, but has already passed out of Death into Life.

²⁹ And will come out--those who have done good rising to Life, and those who have lived evil lives rising for condemnation.

³² "In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "Moses did not give you the Bread from Heaven, but my Father does give you the true Bread from Heaven;

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy; I have come that they may have Life, and may have it in greater fullness.

²⁴ "I know that he will," replied Martha, "in the resurrection at the Last Day." ²⁵ "I am the Resurrection and the Life," said Jesus. "He that believes in me shall live, though he die;

⁴⁴ But Jesus had proclaimed: "He who believes in me believes, not in me, but in him who sent me;

²⁰ In truth I tell you, he who receives any one that I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."

¹ Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father's Home there are many dwellings. If it had not been so, I should have told you, for I am going to prepare a place for you. ³ And, since I go and prepare a place for you, I shall return and take you to be with me, so that you may be where I am;

⁶ If any one does not remain united to me, he is thrown away, as a branch would be, and withers up. Such branches are collected and thrown into the fire, and are burnt.

³⁸ "Repent," answered Peter, "and be baptized every one of you in the Faith of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

⁴¹ So those who accepted his teaching were baptized, and about three thousand people joined the disciples on that day alone.

⁴⁴ All who became believers in Christ held everything for the common use; ⁴⁵ They sold their property and their goods, and shared the proceeds among them all, according to their individual needs.

¹⁹ Therefore, repent and turn, that your sins may be wiped away; so that happier times may come from the Lord himself,

² Much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead.

³⁴ Nor was there any one in need among them, for all who were owners of land or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the sales ³⁵ And laid them at the Apostles' feet; and then every one received a share in proportion to his wants.

⁶ And they brought these men to the Apostles, who, after praying, placed their hands on them.

¹² However, when they came to believe Philip, as he told them the Good News about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Even Simon believed, and after his baptism attached himself to Philip, and was in his turn mystified at seeing signs and great miracles constantly occurring. ¹⁴ When the Apostles at Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had welcomed God's Message, they sent Peter and John to them; ¹⁵ And they, on their arrival, prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ (As yet the Spirit had not descended upon any of them; they had only been baptized into the Faith of the Lord Jesus). ¹⁷ Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ When Simon saw that it was through the placing of the Apostles' hands on them that the Spirit was given, he brought them a sum of money and said:

²⁰ "A curse upon you and upon your money," Peter exclaimed, "for thinking that God's free gift can be bought with gold!

³⁶ Presently, as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the Treasurer exclaimed: "Look! here is water; what is to prevent my being baptized?" ³⁷ OMITTED TEXT ³⁸ So he ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water--both Philip and the Treasurer--and Philip baptized him.

³⁶ At Jaffa there lived a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which is in Greek 'Dorcas'--a Gazelle. Her life was spent in doing kind and charitable actions. ³⁷ Just at that time she was taken ill, and died; and they had washed her body and laid it out in an upstairs room. ³⁸ Jaffa was near Lydda, and the disciples, having heard that Peter was at Lydda, sent two men with the request that he would come on to them without delay. ³⁹ Peter returned with them at once. On his arrival, he was taken upstairs, and all the widows came round him in tears, showing the coats and other clothing which Dorcas had made while she was among them.

⁴ Cornelius fixed his eyes on him and, in great alarm, said: "What is it, Lord?" "Your prayers and your charities," the angel answered, "have been an acceptable offering to God.

³¹ 'Cornelius,' he said, 'your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been accepted, by God.

⁴⁵ Those converts from Judaism, who had come with Peter, were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed even upon the Gentiles;

⁴⁷ "Can any one refuse the water for the baptism of these people, now that they have received the Holy Spirit as we did ourselves?"

¹⁷ Since then, God had given them the very same gift as he gave us when we became believers in Jesus Christ the Master--who was I that I could thwart God?" ¹⁸ On hearing this statement, they said no more, but broke out into praise of God. "So even to the Gentiles," they exclaimed, "God has granted the repentance which leads to Life!"

²⁹ So the disciples, without exception, determined, in proportion to their means, to send something to help the Brethren living in Judea.

³ Accordingly, after fasting and prayer, they placed their hands on them and dismissed them.

⁸ Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.

¹⁵ And, when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us to become her guests. "Since you have shown your conviction," she said, "that I really am a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house." And she insisted on our doing so.

³³ And that very hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds, and he himself and every one belonging to him were baptized without delay.

¹⁸ Among others, some Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers joined issue with him. Some would ask "What is this prater wanting to make out?", while others would say "He seems to be a Preacher of foreign Deities." (This was because he was telling the Good News about Jesus and the Resurrection).

³⁰ True, God looked with indulgence on the days of men's ignorance, but now he is announcing to every one everywhere the need for repentance, ³¹ Because he has fixed a day on which he intends to 'judge the world with justice,' by a man whom he has appointed--and of this he has given all men a pledge by raising this man from the dead." ³² On hearing of a resurrection of the dead, some began jeering, but others said that they would hear what he had to say about that another time.

²¹ As he took his leave, "I will come back again to you, please God," and then set sail from Ephesus.

² "Did you, when you became believers in Christ, receive the Holy Spirit?" "No," they answered, "we did not even hear that there was a Holy Spirit." ³ "What then was your baptism?" Paul asked. ⁴ "John's baptism was a baptism upon repentance," rejoined Paul, "and John told the people (speaking of the 'One Coming; after him) that they should believe in him--that is in Jesus." ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized into the faith of the Lord Jesus, ⁶ And, after Paul had placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit descended upon them, and they began to speak with 'tongues' and to preach.

²¹ I earnestly pointed both Jews and Greeks to the repentance that leads to God, and to faith in Jesus, our Lord.

⁶ Noticing that some of those present were Sadducees and others Pharisees, Paul called out in the Council: "Brothers, I am a Pharisee and a son of Pharisees. It is on the question of hope for the dead and of their resurrection that I am on my trial."

¹⁵ And I have a hope that rests in God--a hope which they also cherish--that there will one day be a resurrection of good and bad alike.

²¹ Except as to the one sentence that I shouted out as I stood among them--'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on my trial before you to-day'."

²⁵ But, while Paul was speaking at length about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified, and interrupted him--"Go for the present, but, when I find an opportunity, I will send for you again."

⁸ Why do you all hold it incredible that God should raise the dead?

²⁰ On the contrary, first to those at Damascus and Jerusalem, and then through the whole of Judea, and to the Gentiles as well, I began to preach repentance and conversion to God, and a life befitting that repentance.

²⁹ Then, as they were afraid of our being driven upon some rocky coast, they let go four anchors from the stern, and longed for daylight.

⁴⁰ Then they cast off, and abandoned the anchors, and at the same time unlashed the gear of the steering oars, hoisted the foresail to the wind, and made for the beach.

¹¹ For I long to see you, in order to impart to you some spiritual gift and so give you fresh strength--

⁵ Hard-hearted and impenitent as you are, you are storing up for yourself Wrath on the 'Day of Wrath,' when God's justice as a judge will be revealed; ⁶ For 'he will give to every man what his actions deserve.' ⁷ To those who, by perseverance in doing good, aim at glory, honor, and all that is imperishable, he will give Immortal Life;

⁷ To those who, by perseverance in doing good, aim at glory, honor, and all that is imperishable, he will give Immortal Life; ⁸ While as to those who are factious, and disobedient to Truth but obedient to Evil, wrath and anger, distress and despair, ⁹ Will fall upon every human being who persists in wrong-doing- -upon the Jew first, but also upon the Greek. ¹⁰ But there will be glory, honor, and peace for every one who does right-for the Jew first, but also for the Greek,

¹⁶ On the day when God passes judgment on men's inmost lives, as the Good News that I tell declares that he will do through Christ Jesus.

⁴ God must prove true, though every man prove a liar! As Scripture says of God-'That thou mayest be pronounced righteous in what thou sayest, and gain thy cause when men would judge thee.'

⁴ God must prove true, though every man prove a liar! As Scripture says of God-'That thou mayest be pronounced righteous in what thou sayest, and gain thy cause when men would judge thee.' ⁵ But what if our wrong-doing makes God's righteousness all the clearer? Will God be wrong in inflicting punishment? (I can but speak as a man.) Heaven forbid!

²⁵ For God set him before the world, to be, by the shedding of his blood, a means of reconciliation through faith. And this God did to prove his righteousness, and because, in his forbearance, he had passed over the sins that men had previously committed;

¹² As well as father of the circumcised-to those who are not only circumcised, but who also follow our father Abraham in that faith which he had while still uncircumcised.

¹⁶ That is why all is made to depend upon faith, that all may be God's gift, and in order that the fulfillment of the promise may be made certain for all Abraham's descendants-not only for those who take their stand on the Law, but also for those who take their stand on the faith of Abraham. (He is the Father of us all; ¹⁷ As Scripture says-'I have made thee the Father of many nations.') And this they do in the sight of that God in whom Abraham had faith, and who gives life to the dead, and speaks of what does not yet exist as if it did. ¹⁸ With no ground for hope, Abraham, sustained by hope, put faith in God; in order that, in fulfillment of the words-'So many shall thy descendants be,' he might become 'the Father of many nations.' ¹⁹ Though he was nearly a hundred years old, yet his faith did not fail him, even when he thought of his own body, then utterly worn out, and remembered that Sarah was past bearing children. ²⁰ He was not led by want of faith to doubt God's promise. ²¹ On the contrary, his faith gave him strength; and he praised God, in the firm conviction that what God has promised he is also able to carry out. ²² And therefore his faith 'was regarded as righteousness.' ²³ Now these words-'it was regarded as righteousness'-were not written with reference to Abraham only; ²⁴ But also with reference to us. Our faith, too, will be regarded by God in the same light, if we have faith in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead; ²⁵ For Jesus 'was given up to death to atone for our offences,' and was raised to life that we might be pronounced righteous.

² It is through him that, by reason of our faith, we have obtained admission to that place in God's favor in which we not stand. So let us exult in our hope of attaining God's glorious ideal. ³ And not only that, but let us also exult in our troubles; ⁴ For we know that trouble develops endurance, and endurance strength of character, and strength of character hope, ⁵ And that 'hope never disappoints.' For the love of God has filled our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given us;

⁵ And that 'hope never disappoints.' For the love of God has filled our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given us; ⁶ Seeing that, while we were still powerless, Christ, in God's good time, died on behalf of the godless. ⁷ Even for an upright man scarcely any one will die. For a really good man perhaps some one might even dare to die. ⁸ But God puts his love for us beyond all doubt by the fact that Christ died on our behalf while we were still sinners. ⁹ Much more, then, now that we have been pronounced righteous by virtue of the shedding of his blood, shall we be saved through him from the Wrath of God. ¹⁰ For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, much more, now that we have become reconciled, shall we be saved by virtue of Christ's Life.

³ Or can it be that you do not know that all of us, who were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, in our baptism shared his death? ⁴ Consequently, through sharing his death in our baptism, we were buried with him; that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by a manifestation of the Father's power, so we also may live a new Life. ⁵ If we have become united with him by the act symbolic of his death, surely we shall also become united with him by the act symbolic of his resurrection.

¹⁷ And if children, then heirs-heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, since we share Christ's sufferings in order that we may also share his Glory.

²⁴ By our hope we were saved. But the thing hoped for is no longer an object of hope when it is before our eyes; for who hopes for what is before his eyes? ²⁵ But when we hope for what is not before our eyes, then we wait for it with patience.

²⁵ But when we hope for what is not before our eyes, then we wait for it with patience. ²⁶ So, also, the Spirit supports us in our weakness. We do not even know how to pray as we should; but the Spirit himself pleads for us in sighs that can find no utterance.

²⁸ But we do know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him-those who have received the Call in accordance with his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom God chose from the first he also destined from the first to be transformed into likeness to his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest among many Brothers. ³⁰ And those whom God destined for this he also called; and those whom he called he also pronounced righteous; and those whom he pronounced righteous he also brought to Glory. ³¹ What are we to say, then, in the light of all this? If God is on our side, who can there be against us? ³² God did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all; will he not, then, with him, freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring a charge against any of God's People? He who pronounces them righteous is God! ³⁴ Who is there to condemn them? He who died for us is Christ Jesus!-or, rather, it was he who was raised from the dead, and who is now at God's right hand and is even pleading on our behalf!

³⁴ Who is there to condemn them? He who died for us is Christ Jesus!-or, rather, it was he who was raised from the dead, and who is now at God's right hand and is even pleading on our behalf! ³⁵ Who is there to separate us from the love of the Christ? Will trouble, or difficulty, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? ³⁶ Scripture says-'For thy sake we are being killed all the day long, We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' ³⁷ Yet amidst all these things we more than conquer through him who loved us! ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Archangels, nor the Present, nor the Future, nor any Powers, ³⁹ Nor Height, nor Depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God revealed in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

²⁹ For God never regrets his gifts or his Call.

⁸ The speaker to his exhortation. Let the man who gives in charity do so with a generous heart; let him who is in authority exercise due diligence; let him who shows kindness do so in a cheerful spirit.

¹¹ Never flagging in zeal; fervent in spirit; serving the Master;

¹¹ Never flagging in zeal; fervent in spirit; serving the Master; ¹² Rejoicing in your hope; steadfast under persecution; persevering in prayer; ¹³ Relieving the wants of Christ's People; devoted to hospitality.

⁵ And may God, the giver of this patience and this encouragement, grant you to be united in sympathy in Christ,

¹³ May God, who inspires our hope, grant you perfect happiness and peace in your faith, till you are filled with this hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

²⁵ Just now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem, to take help to Christ's People there. ²⁶ For Macedonia and Greece have been glad to make a collection for the poor among Christ's People at Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were glad to do so; and indeed it is a duty which they owe to them. For the Gentile converts who have shared their spiritual blessings are in duty bound to minister to them in the things of this world.

³² So that, God willing, I may be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and enjoy some rest among you.

¹² I mean this, that every one of you says either 'I follow Paul,' or 'I Apollos,' or 'I Kephas,' or 'I Christ.' ¹³ You have rent the Christ in pieces! Was it Paul who was crucified for you? or were you baptized into the Faith of Paul? ¹⁴ I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ So that no one can say that you were baptized into my Faith. ¹⁶ I baptized also the household of Stephanas. I do not know that I baptized any one else. ¹⁷ My mission from Christ was not to baptize, but to tell the Good News; not, however, in the language of philosophy, lest the cross of the Christ should be robbed of its meaning.

¹⁰ In fulfillment of the charge which God had entrusted to me, I laid the foundation like a skillful master-builder; but another man is now building upon it. Let every one take care how he builds; ¹¹ For no man can lay any other foundation than the one already laid-Jesus Christ. ¹² Whatever is used by those who build upon this foundation, whether gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw,

¹⁹ But come to you I will, and that soon, if it please the Lord; and then I shall find out, not what words these men use who are so puffed up, but what power they possess;

² That in the cloud and in the sea they all underwent baptism as followers of Moses;

¹⁴ Therefore, my dear friends, shun the worship of idols.

¹³ For it was by one Spirit that we were all baptized to form one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free men, and were all imbued with one Spirit.

¹ Though I speak in the 'tongues' of men, or even of angels, yet have not Love, I have become mere echoing brass, or a clanging cymbal! ² Even though I have the gift of preaching, and fathom all hidden truths and all the depths of knowledge; even though I have such faith as might move mountains, yet have not Love, I am nothing!

⁴ Love is long-suffering, and kind; Love is never envious, never boastful, never conceited, never behaves unbecomingly; ⁵ Love is never self-seeking, never provoked, never reckons up her wrongs; ⁶ Love never rejoices at evil, but rejoices in the triumph of Truth; ⁷ Love bears with all things, every trustful, ever hopeful, ever patient.

¹⁰ But, when the Perfect has come, that which is incomplete will be done with.

¹³ Meanwhile Faith, Hope, and Love endure-these three, but the greatest of these is Love.

¹³ But, if there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead, then even Christ has not been raised; ¹⁴ And, if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without meaning, and our faith without meaning also! ¹⁵ Yes, and we are being proved to have borne false testimony about God; for we testified of God that he raised the Christ, whom he did not raise, if, indeed, the dead do not rise! ¹⁶ For, if the dead do not rise, then even Christ himself has not been raised, ¹⁷ And, if Christ has not been raised, your faith is folly-your sins are on you still! ¹⁸ Yes, and they, who have passed to their rest in union with Christ, perished! ¹⁹ If all that we have done has been to place our hope in Christ for this life, then we of all men are the most to be pitied. ²⁰ But, in truth, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are at rest. ²¹ For, since through a man there is death, so, too, through a man there is a resurrection of the dead. ²² For, as through union with Adam all men die, so through union with the Christ will all be made to live. ²³ But each in his proper order-Christ the first-fruits; afterwards, at his Coming, those who belong to the Christ. ²⁴ Then will come the end-when he surrenders the Kingdom to his God and Father, having overthrown all other rule and all other authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until God 'has put all his enemies under his feet.' ²⁶ The last enemy to be overthrown is death; ²⁷ For God has placed all things under Christ's feet. (But, when it is said that all things have been placed under Christ, it is plain that God is excepted who placed everything under him.) ²⁸ And, when everything has been placed under him, the Son will place himself under God who placed everything under him, that God may be all in all! ²⁹ Again, what good will they be doing who are baptized on behalf of the dead? If it is true that the dead do not rise, why are people baptized on their behalf? ³⁰ Why, too, do we risk our lives every hour? ³¹ Daily I face death-I swear it, Brothers, by the pride in you that I feel through my union with Christ Jesus, our Lord. ³² If with only human hopes I had fought in the arena at Ephesus, what should I have gained by it? If the dead do not rise, then-'Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die'! ³³ Do not be deceived. 'Good character is marred by evil company.' ³⁴ Awake to a righteous life, and cease to sin. There are some who have no true knowledge of God. I speak in this way to shame you. ³⁵ Some one, however, may ask 'How do the dead rise? and in what body will they come?' ³⁶ You foolish man! The seed you yourself sow does not come to life, unless it dies! ³⁷ And when you sow, you sow not the body that will be, but a mere grain-perhaps of wheat, or something else. ³⁸ God gives it the body that he pleases-to each seed its special body. ³⁹ All forms of life are not the same; there is one for men, another for beasts, another for birds, and another for fishes. ⁴⁰ There are heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but the beauty of the heavenly bodies is not the beauty of the earthly. ⁴¹ There is a beauty of the sun, and a beauty of the moon, and a beauty of the stars; for even star differs from star in beauty. ⁴² It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. Sown a mortal body, it rises immortal; sown disfigured, it rises beautiful; ⁴³ Sown weak, it rises strong; sown a human body, it rises a spiritual body. ⁴⁴ As surely as there is a human body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ That is what is meant by the words-'Adam, the first man, became a human being'; the last Adam became a Life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ That which comes first is not the spiritual, but the human; afterwards comes the spiritual; ⁴⁷ The first man was from the dust of the earth; the second man from Heaven. ⁴⁸ Those who are of the dust are like him who came from the dust; and those who are of Heaven are like him who came from Heaven. ⁴⁹ And as we have borne the likeness of him who came from the dust, so let us bear the likeness of him who came from Heaven. ⁵⁰ This I say, Brothers-Flesh and blood can have no share in the Kingdom of God, nor can the perishable share the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I will tell you God's hidden purpose! We shall not all have passed to our rest, but we shall all be transformed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, ⁵² At the last trumpet-call; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will rise immortal, and we, also, shall be transformed. ⁵³ For this perishable body of ours must put on an imperishable form, and this dying body a deathless form. ⁵⁴ And, when this dying body has put on its deathless form, then indeed will the words of Scripture come true- ⁵⁵ 'Death has been swallowed up in victory! Where, O Death, is thy victory? Where, O Death, is thy sting?' ⁵⁶ It is sin that gives death its sting, and it is the Law that gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear Brothers, stand firm, unshaken, always diligent in the Lord's work, for you know that, in union with him, your toil is not in vain.

¹ With reference to the Collection for Christ's People, I want you to follow the instructions that I gave to the Churches in Galatia. ² On the first day of every week each of you should put by what he can afford, so that no collections need be made after I have come. ³ On my arrival, I will send any persons, whom you may authorize by letter, to carry your gift to Jerusalem;

⁷ I do not propose to pay you a visit in passing now, for I hope to stay with you for some time, if the Lord permits.

⁵ It is true that we have our full share of the sufferings of the Christ, but through the Christ we have also our full share of consolation. ⁶ If we meet with trouble, it is for the sake of your consolation and salvation; and, if we find consolation, it is for the sake of the consolation that you will experience when you are called to endure the very sufferings that we ourselves are enduring; ⁷ And our hope for you remains unshaken. We know that, as you are sharing our sufferings, you will also share our consolation.

¹⁰ For at the Bar of the Christ we must all appear in our true characters, that each may reap the results of the life which he has lived in the body, in accordance with his actions--whether good or worthless.

¹⁸ But all this is the work of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the Ministry of Reconciliation-- ¹⁹ To proclaim that God, in Christ, was reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning men's offenses against them, and that he had entrusted us with the Message of this reconciliation. ²⁰ It is, then, on Christ's behalf that we are acting as ambassadors, God, as it were, appealing to you through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf--Be reconciled to God. ²¹ Him who never knew sin God made to be Sin, on our behalf; so that we, through union with him, might become the Righteousness of God.

¹ With these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that pollutes either body or spirit, and, in deepest reverence for God, aim at perfect holiness.

¹⁰ For, when sorrow is in accordance with God's will, it results in a repentance leading to Salvation, and which will never be regretted. The sure result of the sorrow that the world knows is Death.

¹ We would remind you, Brothers, of the love that God has shown to the Churches in Macedonia-- ² How, tired though they were by many a trouble, their overflowing happiness, and even their deep poverty, resulted in a flood of generosity. ³ I can bear witness that to the full extent of their power, and even beyond their power, spontaneously, ⁴ And with many an appeal to us for permission, they showed their love, and contributed their share towards the fund for their fellow-Christians. ⁵ And that, not only in the way we had expected; but first they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us also, in accordance with God's will. ⁶ And this led us to urge upon Titus that, as he had started the work for you, he should also see to the completion of this expression of your love. ⁷ And, remembering how you excel in everything--in faith, in teaching, in knowledge, in unfailing earnestness, and in the affection that we have awakened in you--I ask you to excel also in this expression of your love. ⁸ I am not laying a command upon you, but I am making use of the earnestness shown by others to test the genuineness of your affection. ⁹ For you do not forget the loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ--how that for your sakes, although he was rich, he became poor, so that you also might become rich through his poverty.

¹ With reference, indeed, to the Fund for your fellow-Christians, it is quite superfluous for me to say anything to you.

¹¹ Rich in all things yourselves, you will be able to show liberality to all, which, with our help, will cause thanksgiving to be offered to God. ¹² For the rendering of a public service such as this, not only relieves the needs of your fellow-Christians, but also results in the offering to God of many a thanksgiving. ¹³ Through the evidence afforded by the service thus rendered, you cause men to praise God for your fidelity to your profession of faith in the Good News of the Christ, as well as for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others. ¹⁴ And they also, in their prayers for you, express their longing to see you, because of the surpassing love of God displayed toward you. ¹⁵ All thanks to God for his inestimable gift!

² Here is the one thing that I want to find out from you--Did you receive the Spirit as the result of obedience to Law, or of your having listened with faith?

⁵ He who supplies you abundantly with his Spirit and endows you with such powers--does he do this as the result of obedience to Law? or as the result of your having listened with faith?

²⁹ And, since you belong to Christ, it follows that you are Abraham's offspring and, under the promise, sharers in the inheritance.

⁵ For we, by the help of the Spirit, are eagerly waiting for the fulfillment of our hope--that we may be pronounced righteous as the result of faith. ⁶ If a man is in union with Christ Jesus, neither is circumcision nor the omission of it anything, but faith, working through love, is everything.

¹³ Remember, Brothers, to you the Call came to give you freedom. Only do not make your freedom an opportunity for self-indulgence, but serve one another in a loving spirit.

¹⁹ The sins of our earthly nature are unmistakable. They are sins like these--unchastity, impurity, indecency, ²⁰ Idolatry, sorcery, quarrels, strife, jealousy, outbursts of passion, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ Feelings of envy, drunkenness, revelry, and the like. And I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who indulge in such things will have no place in the Kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit produced by the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindliness, generosity, trustfulness, gentleness, self-control. ²³ Against such things there is no law!

⁹ Let us never tire of doing right, for at the proper season we shall reap our harvest, if we do not grow weary. ¹⁰ Therefore, I say, as the opportunity occurs, let us treat every one with kindness, and especially members of the Household of the Faith.

³ Blessed is the God and Father of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has blessed us on high with every spiritual blessing, in Christ.

²⁰ The same mighty power was exerted upon the Christ, when he raised the Christ from the dead and 'caused him to sit at his right hand' on high, exalting him above all Angels and Archangels of every rank, ²¹ And above every name that can be named, whether in the present age, or in the age to come. ²² And God placed 'all things under Christ's feet,' and gave him to the Church as its supreme Head; ²³ For the Church is Christ's Body, and is filled by him who fills all things everywhere with his presence.

¹ You yourselves were once dead because of your offenses and sins.

⁵ Even though we were 'dead' because of our offenses, gave Life to us in giving Life to the Christ. (By God's loving-kindness you have been saved.) ⁶ And, through our union with Christ Jesus, God raised us with him, and caused us to sit with him on high,

⁸ For it is by God's loving-kindness that you have been saved, through your faith. It is not due to yourselves; the gift is God's.

⁷ Of this Good News I became a minister, in virtue of the charge with which God entrusted me in the exercise of his power--

⁷ Every one of us, however, has been entrusted with some charge, each in accordance with the extent of the gift of the Christ.

¹² To fit his People for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the Body of the Christ.

⁶ For of this I am confident, that he who began a good work in you will complete it in readiness for the Day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ And, indeed, I am justified in feeling thus about you all; because you have a warm place in my heart--you who all, both in my imprisonment and in the work of defending and establishing the Good News, shared my privilege with me.

⁹ And what I pray for is this--that your love may grow yet stronger and stronger, with increasing knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ Until you are able to appreciate all moral distinctions. And I pray, too, that you may be kept pure and blameless against the Day of Christ, ¹¹ Bearing a rich harvest of that righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

¹ If, then, any encouragement comes through union with Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love, if there is any communion with the Spirit, if there is any tenderness or pity,

¹² Not that I have already laid hold of it, or that I am already made perfect. But I press on, in the hope of actually laying hold of that for which indeed I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ For I, Brothers, do not regard myself as having yet laid hold of it. But this one thing I do--forgetting what lies behind, and straining every nerve for that which lies in front, ¹⁴ I press on to the goal, to gain the prize of that heavenward Call which God gave me through Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let all of us, then, whose faith is mature, think thus. Then, if on any matter you think otherwise, God will make that also plain to you.

¹⁵ Let all of us, then, whose faith is mature, think thus. Then, if on any matter you think otherwise, God will make that also plain to you.

²¹ Who, by the exercise of his power to bring everything into subjection to himself, will make this body that we have in our humiliation like to that body which he has in his Glory.

¹⁶ Indeed, even while I was still in Thessalonica, you sent more than once to relieve my wants. ¹⁷ It is not that I am anxious for your gifts, but I am anxious to see the abundant return that will be placed to your account. I have enough of everything, and to spare. ¹⁸ My wants are fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts which you sent me--the sweet fragrance of a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

⁵ On account of the hope which awaits its fulfillment in Heaven. Of this hope you heard long ago in the true Message of the Good News which reached you--

²³ If only you remain true to your Faith, firm and immovable, never abandoning the hope held out in the Good News to which you listened, which has been proclaimed among all created things under Heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

²⁷ To whom it was his pleasure to make known the surpassing glory of that hidden Truth when proclaimed among the Gentiles--'Christ among you! Your Hope of glory!' ²⁸ This is the Christ whom we proclaim, warning every one, and instructing every one, with all the wisdom that we possess, in the hope of bringing every one into God's presence perfected by union with Christ.

² In the hope that they, being bound to one another by love, and keeping in view the full blessedness of a firm conviction, may be encouraged to strive for a perfect knowledge of God's hidden Truth,

¹² For in baptism you were buried with Christ; and in baptism you were also raised to Life with him, through your faith in the omnipotence of God, who raised him from the dead.

¹ Since, therefore, you were raised to Life with the Christ, seek for the things that are above; for it is there that the Christ is 'seated at the right hand of God.'

¹⁷ And, whatever you say or do, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus; and through him offer thanksgiving to God the father.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, sends you his greeting. He is a servant of Christ Jesus, and is always most earnest in your behalf in his prayers, praying that you may stand firm, with a matured faith and with a sure conviction of all that is in accordance with God's will.

³ Recalling continually before our God and Father the efforts that have resulted from your faith, the toil prompted by your love, and the patient endurance sustained by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Recalling continually before our God and Father the efforts that have resulted from your faith, the toil prompted by your love, and the patient endurance sustained by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ Brothers, whom God loves, we know that he has chosen you, ⁵ Because the Good News that we brought came home to you, not merely as so many words, but with a power and a fulness of conviction due to the Holy Spirit. For you know the life that we lived among you for your good.

¹⁰ And are now awaiting the return from Heaven of his Son whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, our deliverer from the Coming Wrath.

¹⁰ And indeed you do act in this spirit towards all the Brethren throughout Macedonia. Yet, Brothers, we urge you to still further efforts.

¹⁴ For, as we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring, with Jesus, those who through him have passed to their rest. ¹⁵ This we tell you on the authority of the Lord--that those of us who are still living at the Coming of the Lord will not anticipate those who have passed to their rest. ¹⁶ For, with a loud summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the trumpet-call of God, the Lord himself will come down from Heaven. ¹⁷ Then those who died in union with Christ shall rise first; and afterwards we who are still living shall be caught up in the clouds, with them, to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall be for ever with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore, comfort one another with what I have told you.

⁴ So much is this the case that we ourselves speak with pride, before the Churches of God, of the patience and faith which you have shown, in spite of all the persecutions and troubles that you are enduring.

⁶ Since God deems it just to inflict suffering upon those who are now inflicting suffering upon you, ⁷ And to give relief to you who are suffering, as well as to us, at the Appearing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with his mighty angels, 'in flaming fire.'

¹⁶ And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and, in his loving-kindness, gave us unfailing consolation and good ground for hope, ¹⁷ Console your hearts, and strengthen you to do and to say all that is right.

¹³ You, Brothers, must not grow weary of doing what is right.

¹ From Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the appointment of God, our Savior, and Christ Jesus, our Hope.

¹⁶ Yes, and confessedly wonderful are the deep truths of our religion; for-- 'He was revealed in our nature, pronounced righteous in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.'

¹⁴ Do not neglect the divine gift within you, which was given you, amid many a prediction, when the hands of the Officers of the Church were laid on your head.

¹² Run the great race of the Faith, and win the Immortal Life. It was for this that you received the Call, and, in the presence of many witnesses, made the great profession of Faith.

¹⁸ Urge upon them to show kindness, to exhibit a wealth of good actions, to be open-handed and generous, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves what in the future will prove to be a good foundation, that they may gain the only true Life.

¹⁷ On the contrary, when he arrived in Rome, he sought eagerly for me till he found me. ¹⁸ The Lord grant that he may find mercy at the hands of the Lord on 'That Day.' The many services that he rendered at Ephesus you have the best means of knowing.

¹³ If we lose our trust, he is still to be trusted, for he cannot be false to himself!'

¹⁸ They have gone completely astray as regards the Truth; they say that a resurrection has already taken place, and so upset some people's faith. ¹⁹ Yet God's firm foundation still stands unmoved, and it bears this inscription-- 'THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS'; and this-- 'LET ALL THOSE WHO USE THE NAME OF THE LORD TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS.'

²⁵ He should instruct his opponents in a gentle spirit; for, possibly, God may give them a repentance that will lead to a fuller knowledge of Truth,

²⁵ He should instruct his opponents in a gentle spirit; for, possibly, God may give them a repentance that will lead to a fuller knowledge of Truth, ²⁶ and they may yet come to a sober mind, and escape from the snares of the Devil, when captured by the Lord's Servant to do the will of God.

⁸ And now the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give me on 'That Day'--and not only to me, but to all who have loved his Appearing.

¹⁴ Alexander, the coppersmith, showed much ill-feeling towards me. 'The Lord will give him what his actions deserve.'

² and is based on the hope of Immortal Life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began,

¹¹ For the loving-kindness of God has been revealed, bringing Salvation for all; ¹² leading us to renounce irreligious ways and worldly ambitions, and to live discreet, upright, and religious lives here in this present world, ¹³ while we are awaiting our Blessed Hope--the Appearing in glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ For he gave himself on our behalf, to deliver us from all wickedness, and to purify for himself a People who should be peculiarly his own and eager to do good.

⁵ Because I hear of the love and the faith which you show, not only to the Lord Jesus, but also to all his People; ⁶ And I pray that your participation in the Faith may result in action, as you come to a fuller realization of everything that is good and Christlike in us. ⁷ I have indeed found great joy and encouragement in your love, knowing, as I do, how the hearts of Christ's People have been cheered, brother, by you.

³ For he is the radiance of the Glory of God and the very expression of his Being, upholding all creation by the power of his word; and, when he had made an expiation for the sins of men, he 'took his seat at the right hand' of God's Majesty on high,

¹⁴ Are not all the angels spirits in the service of God, sent out to minister for the sake of those who are destined to obtain Salvation?

³ how can we, of all people, expect to escape, if we disregard so great a Salvation? It was the Master who at the outset spoke of this Salvation, and its authority was confirmed for us by those who heard him, ⁴ while God himself added his testimony to it by signs, and marvels, and many different miracles, as well as by imparting the Holy Spirit as he saw fit. ⁵ God has not given to angels the control of that Future World of which we are speaking!

¹⁰ It was, indeed, fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, should, when leading many sons to glory, make the author of their Salvation perfect through suffering.

¹⁷ And consequently it was necessary that he should in all points be made like 'his Brothers,' in order that he might prove a merciful as well as a faithful High Priest in man's relations with God, for the purpose of expiating the sins of his People.

¹ Therefore, Christian Brothers, you who, all alike, have received the Call from Heaven, fix your attention on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our Religion.

⁶ the faithfulness of Christ was that of a Son set over the House of God. And we are his House--if only we retain, unshaken to the end, the courage and confidence inspired by our hope.

¹¹ While in my wrath I swore-- "They shall never enter upon my Rest."'

¹⁴ For we now all share in the Christ, if indeed we retain, unshaken to the end, the confidence that we had at the first.

¹⁴ We have, then, in Jesus, the Son of God, a great High Priest who has passed into the highest Heaven; let us, therefore, hold fast to the Faith which we have professed.

¹⁶ Therefore, let us draw near boldly to the Throne of Love, to find pity and love for the hour of need.

⁶ and on another occasion also-- 'Thou art a priest for all time of the order of Melchizedek.'

⁹ and, being made perfect, he became to all those who obey him the source of eternal Salvation, ¹⁰ while God himself pronounced him a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. ¹¹ Now on this subject I have much to say, but it is difficult to explain it to you, because you have shown yourselves so slow to learn. ¹² For whereas, considering the time that has elapsed, you ought to be teaching others, you still need some one to teach you the very alphabet of the Divine Revelation, and need again to be fed with 'milk' instead of with 'solid food.' ¹³ For every one who still has to take 'milk' knows nothing of the Teaching of Righteousness; he is a mere infant. ¹⁴ But 'solid food' is for Christians of mature faith--those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish right from wrong.

⁴ For if those who were once for all brought into the Light, and learned to appreciate the gift from Heaven, and came to share in the Holy Spirit,

⁴ For if those who were once for all brought into the Light, and learned to appreciate the gift from Heaven, and came to share in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and learned to appreciate the beauty of the Divine Message, and the new powers of the Coming Age-- ⁶ if those, I say, fell away, it would be impossible to bring them again to repentance; they would be crucifying the Son of God over again for themselves, and exposing him to open contempt.

¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not forget the work that you did, and the love that you showed for his Name, in sending help to your fellow Christians--as you are still doing.

¹² Then you will not show yourselves slow to learn, but you will copy those who, through faith and patience, are now entering upon the enjoyment of God's promises. ¹³ When God gave his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater by whom he could swear, he swore by himself.

¹⁵ And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the fulfillment of God's promise. ¹⁶ Men, of course, swear by what is greater than themselves, and with them an oath is accepted as putting a matter beyond all dispute.

¹⁶ Men, of course, swear by what is greater than themselves, and with them an oath is accepted as putting a matter beyond all dispute. ¹⁷ And therefore God, in his desire to show, with unmistakable plainness, to those who were to enter on the enjoyment of what he had promised, the unchangeableness of his purpose, bound himself with an oath. ¹⁸ For he intended us to find great encouragement in these two unchangeable things, which make it impossible for God to prove false--we, I mean, who fled for safety where we might lay hold on the hope set before us.

¹⁸ For he intended us to find great encouragement in these two unchangeable things, which make it impossible for God to prove false--we, I mean, who fled for safety where we might lay hold on the hope set before us.

¹⁸ For he intended us to find great encouragement in these two unchangeable things, which make it impossible for God to prove false--we, I mean, who fled for safety where we might lay hold on the hope set before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a very anchor for our souls, secure and strong, and it 'reaches into the Sanctuary that lies behind the Curtain,' ²⁰ where Jesus, our Forerunner, has entered on our behalf, after being made for all time a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek.

¹ It was this Melchizedek, King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and gave him his blessing; ² and it was to him that Abraham allotted a tithe of all the spoil. The meaning of his name is 'King of Righteousness, ' and besides that, he was also King of Salem, which means 'King of Peace.' ³ There is no record of his father, or mother, or lineage, nor again of any beginning of his days, or end of his life. In this he resembles the Son of God, and stands before us as a priest whose priesthood is continuous. ⁴ Consider, then the importance of this Melchizedek, to whom even the Patriarch Abraham himself gave a tithe of the choicest spoils. ⁵ Those descendants of Levi, who are from time to time appointed to the priesthood, are directed to collect tithes from the people in accordance with the Law--that is from their own Brothers, although they also are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But Melchizedek, although not of this lineage, received tithes from Abraham, and gave his blessing to the very man who had God's promises. ⁷ Now no one can dispute that it is the superior who blesses the inferior. ⁸ In the one case the tithes are received by mortal men; in the other case by one about whom there is the statement that his life still continues. ⁹ Moreover, in a sense, even Levi, who is the receiver of the tithes, has, through Abraham, paid tithes; ¹⁰ for Levi was still in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham. ¹¹ If, then, Perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood--and it was under this priesthood that the people received the Law--why was it still necessary that a priest of a different order should appear, a priest of the order of Melchizedek and not of the order of Aaron?

¹¹ If, then, Perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood--and it was under this priesthood that the people received the Law--why was it still necessary that a priest of a different order should appear, a priest of the order of Melchizedek and not of the order of Aaron? ¹² With the change of the priesthood a change of the Law became a necessity. ¹³ And he of whom all this is said belonged to quite a different tribe, no member of which has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is plain that our Lord ad sprung from the tribe of Judah, though of that tribe Moses said nothing about their being priests. ¹⁵ All this becomes even yet plainer when we remember that a new priest has appeared, resembling Melchizedek, ¹⁶ and that he was appointed, not under a Law regulating only earthly matters, but by virtue of a life beyond the reach of death; ¹⁷ for that is the meaning of the declaration-- 'Thou art for all time a priest of the order of Melchizedek.' ¹⁸ On the one hand, we have the abolition of a previous regulation as being both inefficient and useless ¹⁹ (for the Law never brought anything to perfection); and, on the other hand, we have the introduction of a better hope, which enables us to draw near to God. ²⁰ Then again, the appointment of this new priest was ratified by an oath, which is not so with the Levitical priests, ²¹ but his appointment was ratified by an oath, when God said to him-- 'The Lord has sworn, and will not change, "Thou art a priest for all time."'

²¹ but his appointment was ratified by an oath, when God said to him-- 'The Lord has sworn, and will not change, "Thou art a priest for all time."'

¹ To sum up what I have been saying:--Such is the High Priest that we have, one who 'has taken his seat at the right hand' of the throne of God's Majesty in Heaven,

³ The part of the Tabernacle behind the second Curtain is called the Inner Sanctuary.

⁷ but into the inner only the High Priest goes, and that but once a year, and never without taking the blood of a victim, which he offers on his own behalf, and on behalf of the errors of the People.

¹⁰ the whole system being concerned only with food and drink and various ablutions--external ceremonials imposed until the coming of the New Order.

¹² Nor was it with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, that he entered, once and for all, into the Sanctuary, and obtained our eternal deliverance.

¹⁴ how much more will the blood of the Christ, who, through his eternal Spirit, offered himself up to God, as a victim without blemish, purify our consciences from a lifeless formality, and fit us for the service of the Living God!

²⁴ For it was not into a Sanctuary made by human hands, which merely foreshadowed the true one, that Christ entered, but into Heaven itself, that he might now appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

²⁰ by the way which he inaugurated for us--a new and living way, a way through the Sanctuary Curtain (that is, his human nature); ²¹ and, since we have in him 'a great priest set over the House of God,' ²² let us draw near to God in all sincerity of heart and in perfect faith, with our hearts purified by the sprinkled blood from all consciousness of wrong, and with our bodies washed with pure water.

²⁶ Remember, if we sin willfully after we have gained a full knowledge of the Truth, there can be no further sacrifice for sin; ²⁷ there is only a fearful anticipation of judgment, and a burning indignation which will destroy all opponents.

²⁷ there is only a fearful anticipation of judgment, and a burning indignation which will destroy all opponents. ²⁸ When a man disregarded the Law of Moses, he was, on the evidence of two or three witnesses, put to death without pity. ²⁹ How much worse then, think you, will be the punishment deserved by those who have trampled underfoot the Son of God, who have treated the blood that rendered the Covenant valid--the very blood by which they were purified--as of no account, and who have outraged the Spirit of Love?

²⁹ How much worse then, think you, will be the punishment deserved by those who have trampled underfoot the Son of God, who have treated the blood that rendered the Covenant valid--the very blood by which they were purified--as of no account, and who have outraged the Spirit of Love?

³² Call to mind those early days in which, after you had received the Light, you patiently underwent a long and painful conflict.

³² Call to mind those early days in which, after you had received the Light, you patiently underwent a long and painful conflict. ³³ Sometimes, in consequence of the taunts and injuries heaped upon you, you became a public spectacle; and sometimes you suffered through having shown yourselves to be the friends of men who were in the very position in which you had been. ³⁴ For you not only sympathized with those who were in prison, but you even took the confiscation of your possessions joyfully, knowing, as you did, that you had in yourselves a greater possession and a lasting one.

³⁴ For you not only sympathized with those who were in prison, but you even took the confiscation of your possessions joyfully, knowing, as you did, that you had in yourselves a greater possession and a lasting one. ³⁵ Do not, therefore, abandon the confidence that you have gained, for it has a great reward awaiting it. ³⁶ You still have need of patient endurance, in order that, when you have done God's will, you may obtain the fulfillment of his promise.

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who draw back, to their Ruin, but to those who have faith, to the saving of their souls.

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that God exists, and that he rewards those who seek for him. ⁷ It was faith that enabled Noah, after he had received the divine warning about what could not then be foreseen, to build, in reverent obedience, an ark in which to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world, and became possessed of that righteousness which follows upon faith. ⁸ It was faith that enabled Abraham to obey the Call that he received, and to set out for the place which he was afterwards to obtain as his own; and he set out not knowing where he was going. ⁹ It was faith that made him go to live as an emigrant in the Promised Land--as in a strange country--living there in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who shared the promise with him.

⁹ It was faith that made him go to live as an emigrant in the Promised Land--as in a strange country--living there in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who shared the promise with him. ¹⁰ For he was looking for the City with the sure foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ Again, it was faith that enabled Sarah to conceive (though she was past the age for child-bearing), because she felt sure that he who had given her the promise would not fail her. ¹² And so from one man--and that when his powers were dead--there sprang a people as numerous 'as the stars in the heavens or the countless grains of sand upon the shore.' ¹³ All these died sustained by faith. They did not obtain the promised blessings, but they saw them from a distance and welcomed the sight, and they acknowledged themselves to be only aliens and strangers on the earth. ¹⁴ Those who speak thus show plainly that they are seeking their fatherland. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they could have found opportunities to return. ¹⁶ But no, they were longing for a better, a heavenly, land! And therefore God was not ashamed to be called their God; indeed he had already prepared them a city. ¹⁷ It was faith that enabled Abraham, when put to the test, to offer Isaac as a sacrifice--he who had received the promises offering up his only son,

³³ By their faith they subdued kingdoms, ruled righteously, gained the fulfillment of God's promises, 'shut the mouths of lions,'

³⁵ Women received back their dead raised to life. Some were tortured on the wheel, and refused release in order that they might rise to a better life.

¹ Seeing, therefore, that there is on every side of us such a throng of witnesses, let us also lay aside everything that hinders us, and the sin that clings about us, and run with patient endurance the race that lies before us,

¹ Seeing, therefore, that there is on every side of us such a throng of witnesses, let us also lay aside everything that hinders us, and the sin that clings about us, and run with patient endurance the race that lies before us, ² our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the Leader and perfect Example of our faith, who, for the joy that lay before him, endured the cross, heedless of its shame, and now 'has taken his seat at the right hand' of the throne of God.

² our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the Leader and perfect Example of our faith, who, for the joy that lay before him, endured the cross, heedless of its shame, and now 'has taken his seat at the right hand' of the throne of God.

¹³ make straight paths for your feet,' so that the lame limb may not be put out of joint, but rather be cured.

¹⁵ Take care that no one fails to use the loving help of God, 'that no bitterness is allowed to take root and spring up, and cause trouble,' and so poison the whole community. ¹⁶ Take care that no one becomes immoral, or irreligious like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterwards, when he wished to claim his father's blessing, he was rejected--for he never found an opportunity to repair his error--though he begged for the blessing with tears.

¹⁷ For you know that even afterwards, when he wished to claim his father's blessing, he was rejected--for he never found an opportunity to repair his error--though he begged for the blessing with tears.

⁷ Do not forget your Leaders, the men who told you God's Message. Recall the close of their lives, and imitate their faith.

¹⁶ Never forget to do kindly acts and to share what you have with others, for such sacrifices are acceptable to God.

³ Knowing, as you do, that the testing of your faith develops endurance. ⁴ And let endurance do its work perfectly, so that you may be altogether perfect, and in no respect deficient.

¹⁷ Every good thing given us, and every perfect gift, is from above, and comes down to us from the Maker of the Lights in the heavens, who is himself never subject to change or to eclipse.

¹⁷ Every good thing given us, and every perfect gift, is from above, and comes down to us from the Maker of the Lights in the heavens, who is himself never subject to change or to eclipse. ¹⁸ Because he so willed, he gave us Life, through the Message of the Truth, so that we should be, as it were, an earnest of still further creations.

⁵ Listen, my dear Brothers. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the things of this world to be rich through their faith, and to possess the Kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?

¹⁵ Suppose some Brother or Sister should be in want of clothes and of daily bread, ¹⁶ And one of you were to say to them--"Go, and peace be with you; find warmth and food for yourselves," and yet you were not to give them the necessaries of life, what good would it be to them? ¹⁷ In just the same way faith, if not followed by actions, is, by itself, a lifeless thing.

¹⁵ You ought, rather, to say 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'

⁷ Be patient, then, Brothers, till the Coming of the Lord. Even the farmer has to wait for the precious fruit of the earth, watching over it patiently, till it has had the spring and summer rains.

¹⁰ Brothers, as an example of the patient endurance of suffering, take the Prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ We count those who displayed such endurance blessed! You have heard, too, of Job's endurance, and have seen what the Lord's purpose was, for 'the Lord is full of pity and compassion.'

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has, in his great mercy, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has, in his great mercy, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ given us the new Life of undying hope, that promises an inheritance, imperishable, stainless, unfading, which has been reserved for you in Heaven-- ⁵ for you who, through faith, are being guarded by the power of God, awaiting a Salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days.

²¹ who, through him, are faithful to God who raised him from the dead and gave him honour, so that your faith and hope are now in God.

³ since 'you have found by experience that the Lord is kind.'

⁵ It was by this that the holy women of old, who rested their hopes on God, adorned themselves; submitting to their husbands, ⁶ as Sarah did, who obeyed Abraham, and called him master. And you are her true children, as long as you live good lives, and let nothing terrify you. ⁷ Again, those of you who are married men should live considerately with their wives, showing due regard to their sex, as weaker than their own, and not forgetting that they share with you in the gift of Life. Then you will be able to pray without hindrance.

²⁰ who once were disobedient, at the time when God patiently waited, in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared; in which some few lives, eight in all, were saved by means of water. ²¹ And baptism, which this foreshadowed, now saves you--not the mere cleansing of the body, but the search of a clear conscience after God--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into Heaven, and is at God's right hand, where Angels and Archangels and the Powers of Heaven now yield submission to him.

¹⁰ God, from whom all help comes, and who called you, by your union with Christ, into his eternal glory, will, when you have suffered for a little while, himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.

⁵ Yes, and for this very reason do your best to supplement your faith by goodness, goodness by knowledge, ⁶ knowledge by self-control, self-control by endurance, endurance by piety, ⁷ piety by brotherly affection, and brotherly affection by love. ⁸ For, when these virtues are yours, in increasing measure, they prevent your being indifferent to, or destitute of, a fuller knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁰ Therefore, Brothers, do your best to put God's Call and Selection of you beyond all doubt; for, if you do this, you will never fall.

²⁰ If, after having escaped the polluting influences of the world, through knowing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, men are again entangled in them, and give way to them, their last state has become worse than their first.

²⁰ If, after having escaped the polluting influences of the world, through knowing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, men are again entangled in them, and give way to them, their last state has become worse than their first. ²¹ It would, indeed, have been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn away from the holy Command delivered to them.

²¹ It would, indeed, have been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn away from the holy Command delivered to them. ²² In their case is seen the truth of the proverb-- 'A dog returns to what he has vomited' and 'A sow after washing to her wallowing-place in the mud.'

⁷ But the present heavens and earth, by the same fiat, have been reserved for fire, and are being kept for the day of the judgment and destruction of the godless.

¹⁴ Therefore, dear friends, in expectation of these things, make every effort to be found by him spotless, blameless, and at peace.

⁹ If we confess our sins, God may be trusted, in his righteousness, to forgive us our sins and purify us from all wickedness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we are making God a liar, and his Message has no place in us.

¹² I am writing, Children, to you, because your sins have been forgiven you for Christ's sake.

²⁵ And this is what he himself promised us--The Immortal Life!

¹ Think what love the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called 'Children of God'; as indeed we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it has not learned to know him. ² Dear friends, we are God's Children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is that, when it is revealed, we shall be like Christ; because we shall see him as he is. ³ And every one who has this hope with regard to Christ tries to make himself pure--as Christ is pure.

¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of Death into Life, because we love our Brothers. The man who does not love remains in a state of Death.

¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of Death into Life, because we love our Brothers. The man who does not love remains in a state of Death. ¹⁵ Every one who hates his Brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has Immortal Life within him. ¹⁶ We have learned to know what love is from this--that Christ laid down his life on our behalf. Therefore we also ought to lay down our lives on behalf of our Brothers. ¹⁷ But, if any one has worldly possessions, and yet looks on while his Brother is in want, and steels his heart against him, how can it be said that the love of God is within him? ¹⁸ My children, do not let our love be mere words, or end in talk; let it be true and show itself in acts. ¹⁹ By that we shall know that we are on the side of the Truth; and we shall satisfy ourselves in God's sight,

¹² No human eyes have ever seen God, yet, if we love one another, God remains in union with us, and his love attains its perfection in us.

¹⁰ He who believes in the Son of God has that testimony within him. He who does not believe God has made God a liar, by refusing to believe in that testimony which he has borne about his Son.

¹⁰ He who believes in the Son of God has that testimony within him. He who does not believe God has made God a liar, by refusing to believe in that testimony which he has borne about his Son. ¹¹ And that testimony is that God gave us Immortal Life, and that this Life is in his Son. ¹² He who finds the Son finds Life; he who does not find the Son of God does not find Life. ¹³ I write this to you, that you may realize that you have found Immortal Life--you who believe in the Name of the Son of God.

¹⁶ If any one sees his Brother committing some sin that is not a deadly sin, he will ask, and so be the means of giving Life to him--to any whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin; about that I do not say that a man should pray.

¹⁴ To these men, as to others, Enoch, the seventh in descent from Adam, declared-- 'See! the Lord has come with his hosts of holy ones around him, ¹⁵ to execute judgment upon all men, and to convict all godless people of all their godless acts, which in their ungodliness they have committed, and of all the harsh words which they have spoken against him, godless sinners that they are!'

²⁶ To him who conquers and is careful to live my life to the end--to him I will give authority over the nations,

¹⁰ 'Whoever is destined for captivity goes into captivity.' Whoever shall kill with the sword must inevitably be killed with the sword. (Here there is need for endurance and faith on the part of Christ's People.)

¹² (Here there is need for endurance on the part of Christ's People--those who lay to heart the commands of God and the Faith of Jesus.) ¹³ Then I heard a voice from Heaven saying 'Write-- "Blessed are the dead who from this hour die in union with the Lord." "Yes," answers the Spirit, "that they may rest from their toil. Their good deeds go with them."'

¹⁰ and the Devil, their deceiver, was hurled into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the Beast and the false Prophet already were, and they will be tortured day and night for ever and ever. ¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne, and him who was seated on it. 'The earth and the heavens fled from his presence; no place was left for them.' ¹² And I saw the dead, high and low, standing before the throne; and books were opened. Then another book was opened, the Book of Life; and the dead were judged, according to their actions, by what was written in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up its dead, and Death and the Lord of the Place of Death gave up their dead; and they were judged, one by one, each according to his actions. ¹⁴ Then Death and the Lord of the Place of Death were hurled into the lake of fire. This is the Second Death--the lake of fire; ¹⁵ and all whose names 'were not found written in the Book of Life' were hurled into the lake of fire.

¹⁵ and all whose names 'were not found written in the Book of Life' were hurled into the lake of fire.