(9)But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. (10)For God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered and still do minister to the saints.

(11)But we desire that each one of you show the same diligence, for the full assurance of the hope unto the end; (12)that ye may not become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (13)For when God made the promise to Abraham, because he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself, (14)saying: Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. (15)And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. (16)For men indeed swear by the greater; and the oath is to them an end of all gainsaying, for a confirmation. (17)Wherein God, wishing more abundantly to show to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; (18)that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible that God should lie, we may have strong encouragement, who fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us, (19)which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, and entering within the vail; (20)where as forerunner for us Jesus entered, having become a high priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.



VII.

FOR this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (2)to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all; first indeed being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (3)without father, without mother, without table of descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life[7:3], but likened to the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

(4)Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch also gave a tenth of the spoils. (5)And they indeed that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they have come out of the loins of Abraham; (6)but he whose descent is not reckoned from them has taken tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who had the promises. (7)And without any contradiction, the less is blessed by the better. (8)And here indeed men who die receive tithes; but there, one of whom it is testified that he lives. (9)And so to speak, Levi also, who receives tithes, has paid tithes in Abraham; (10)for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

(11)If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there that a different priest should arise, after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (12)For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there comes also a change of law. (13)For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to a different tribe, of which no one has given attendance at the altar. (14)For it is evident that our Lord has arisen out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. (15)And it is yet more abundantly manifest, if after the similitude of Melchizedek there arises a different priest, (16)who has been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an indissoluble life. (17)For it is testified of him:

Thou art a priest forever; After the order of Melchizedek.

(18)For on the one hand, there is an annulling of the commandment that went before, on account of its weakness and unprofitableness,—(19)for the law perfected nothing,—and on the other the bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw near to God.

(20)And inasmuch as it was not without an oath,—(21)for they indeed were made priests without an oath, but he with an oath by him who said to him: The Lord swore and will not repent, thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek[7:21],—(22)by so much has Jesus become a surety of a better covenant. (23)And they indeed have been many priests, because they were hindered by death from continuing; (24)but he, because he remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. (25)Whence also he is able to save to the utmost those who come to God through him, since he ever lives to intercede for them.

(26)For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (27)who has not necessity daily, as the high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; for this he did once for all, in offering up himself. (28)For the law makes men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, makes the Son, who is perfected forever.



VIII.

NOW of the things which we are saying, this is the chief: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty of the heavens; (2)a minister of the holy places, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

(3)For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; wherefore it is necessary, that this one have something which he may offer. (4)For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are those who offer gifts according to the law, (5)who minister after an outline and a shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was admonished by God, when he was about to make the tabernacle; for, See, says he, that thou make all things according to the pattern which was showed thee in the mount. (6)But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also mediator of a better covenant, which has been established upon better promises.

(7)For if that first had been faultless, a place would not have been sought for the second. (8)For finding fault with them, he says[8:8]:

Behold the days are coming, saith the Lord, When I will make with the house of Israel, And with the house of Judah, a new covenant; (9)Not according to the covenant that I made for their fathers, In the day when I took hold of their hand, To bring them out of the land of Egypt; Because they continued not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (10)For this is the covenant that I will establish for the house of Israel, After those days, saith the Lord, Putting my laws into their mind, And on their hearts I will write them; And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people; (11)And they shall not teach, Each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, Saying: Know the Lord; Because all shall know me, from the least to the greatest; (12)Because I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, And their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.

(13)In that he says, A new, he has made the first old. Now that which is grown old, and worn out with age, is ready to vanish away.



IX.

NOW the first had indeed also ordinances of service, and the worldly sanctuary. (2)For a tabernacle was prepared; the first, wherein is the lamp-stand, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called holy. (3)And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called most holy, (4)having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on every side with gold, wherein was the golden pot containing the manna, and the rod of Aaron which budded, and the tables of the covenant; (5)and above it the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which we can not now speak particularly.

(6)Now these things being thus prepared, into the first tabernacle the priests enter at all times, performing the services; (7)but into the second, the high priest alone, once every year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people; (8)the Holy Spirit signifying this, that the way into the holy places has not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; (9)which is a figure for the time present, under which are offered both gifts and sacrifices, unable as to the conscience to perfect the worshiper; (10)only with meats and drinks[9:10], and divers immersions, ordinances of the flesh, imposed until the time of reformation. (11)But Christ, having come as a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), (12)and not through the blood of goats and calves but through his own blood, entered once for all into the holy places, obtaining eternal redemption. (13)For if the blood of goats and bulls, and ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctifies to the purity of the flesh; (14)how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (15)And for this cause he is mediator of a new covenant, in order that, death having taken place, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, they who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

(16)For where there is a testament[9:16], there must also of necessity be brought in the death of the testator. (17)For a testament is of force after men are dead; since it is of no strength at all while the testator lives.

(18)Wherefore, neither has the first been dedicated without blood. (19)For, when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and of the goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying: (20)This is the blood of the covenant, which God enjoined in respect to you. (21)And moreover, the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the service, he in like manner sprinkled with blood. (22)And nearly all things are cleansed according to the law with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

(23)It was therefore necessary, that the outlines of things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves, with better sacrifices than these. (24)For Christ entered not into holy places made with hands, figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; (25)nor yet that he should many times offer himself, as the high priest enters into the holy places every year with blood of others; (26)for then must he many times have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once, in the end of the ages, he has been manifested for the putting away of sin by the sacrifice of himself[9:26]. (27)And inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment; (28)so also the Christ, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, will to those who look for him appear a second time without sin, unto salvation.



X.

FOR the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those who come to them[10:1] perfect. (2)For then would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers would have had no more consciousness of sins, having once been cleansed? (3)But in them there is a remembrance of sins year by year. (4)For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5)Wherefore, when he comes into the world, he says:

Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me; (6)In whole burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin, thou hadst no pleasure. (7)Then said I: Lo, I come, In the volume of the book it is written of me, To do thy will, O God.

(8)Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, nor hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the law, (9)then has he said: Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. (10)In which will we have been sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

(11)And every priest[10:11] indeed stands daily ministering, and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; (12)but he, having offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God; (13)from henceforth expecting until his enemies be made his footstool. (14)For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. (15)Moreover, the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us; for after he had said, (16)This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, putting my laws upon their hearts, and on their minds I will write them, [he further says,] (17)and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more. (18)But where there is remission of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

(19)Having therefore, brethren, boldness as to the entrance into the holy places by the blood of Jesus, which [entrance] he instituted for us, (20)a new and living way, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; (21)and having a great priest over the house of God; (22)Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience; and having had our body washed with pure water, (23)let us hold fast the profession of the hope without wavering, for he is faithful who promised; (24)and let us consider one another, to incite to love and to good works; (25)not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the custom of some, but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.

(26)For if we willingly sin, after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (27)but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and a fiery indignation, which will devour the adversaries. (28)He that despised Moses' law died without mercy, under two or three witnesses. (29)Of how much worse punishment, suppose ye, will he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has accounted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of grace? (30)For we know him who said: To me belongs vengeance; I will recompense, saith the Lord; and again: The Lord will judge his people. (31)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(32)But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great contest of sufferings; (33)partly, whilst ye were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became partakers with those who were so used. (34)For ye sympathized with those in bonds, and ye took joyfully the plundering of your goods, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better and an enduring substance.

(35)Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. (36)For ye have need of patience, that having done the will of God ye may receive the promise. (37)For yet a little while, he that is to come will come, and will not delay. (38)Now, the just shall live by faith; but if he draw back, my soul has no pleasure in him. (39)But we are not of those who draw back unto perdition; but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.



XI.

NOW faith is the assurance of things hoped for[11:1], the conviction of things not seen. (2)For in this the elders obtained a good report.

(3)Through faith we perceive that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not arisen[11:3] out of things which appear.

(4)By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he received testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it, being dead, he yet speaks.

(5)By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him; for before his translation, he has had the testimony that he pleased God. (6)But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder to those who seek after him.

(7)By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

(8)By faith Abraham when called obeyed, to go forth into a place which he should afterward receive for an inheritance, and went forth, not knowing whither he went. (9)By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise; (10)for he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

(11)By faith Sarah herself also received power to conceive seed, even when she was past age, because she accounted him faithful who had promised. (12)Wherefore also there sprang from one, and him become as dead, even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

(13)These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and greeted them, and professed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. (14)For they that say such things declare plainly, that they are seeking a country. (15)And if indeed, they had in mind that from which they came out, they would have had opportunity to return. (16)But now[11:16] they desire a better, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he prepared for them a city.

(17)By faith Abraham, when tried, has offered up Isaac; and he who had accepted the promises offered up his only begotten, (18)of whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called; (19)accounting that God is able even to raise from the dead; whence he also received him back in a figure.

(20)By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come.

(21)By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and he worshiped, [leaning] on the top of his staff.

(22)By faith Joseph, when dying, made mention of the departure of the sons of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.

(23)By faith Moses, when born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was fair; and they feared not the king's commandment.

(24)By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called son of a daughter of Pharaoh; (25)choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26)esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked for the reward.

(27)By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

(28)Through faith he has kept the passover, and the affusion of the blood, that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them.

(29)By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians attempting were swallowed up.

(30)By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after they had been encompassed during seven days.

(31)By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who believed not[11:31], after having received the spies with peace.

(32)And why say I more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, of Barak and Samson and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets; (33)who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34)quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

(35)Women received their dead, by resurrection to life; and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

(36)And others had trial of mockings, and scourgings, and, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. (37)They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword; they went about in sheep-skins and goats' skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (38)of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the clefts of the earth.

(39)And all these, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise; (40)God having provided something better concerning us, that they should not without us be made perfect.



XII.

THEREFORE, let us also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding, us, lay aside every weight, and the easily besetting sin, and with patience run the race that is set before us, (2)looking away to the author and finisher of the faith, Jesus; who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God. (3)For consider him who has endured such contradiction by sinners against him, that ye become not weary, fainting in your souls.

(4)Not yet did ye resist unto blood, contending against sin; (5)and ye have forgotten the exhortation, which discourses with you as with sons:

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when reproved by him; (6)For whom the Lord loves he chastens, And scourges every son whom he receives.

(7)If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chastens not? (8)But if ye are without chastening, of which all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

(9)Furthermore, we had fathers of our flesh, who chastened us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? (10)For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

(11)Now all chastening for the present indeed seems not joyous, but grievous; but afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness, to those who have been exercised thereby.

(12)Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13)and make straight paths for your feet, that the lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.

(14)Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord; (15)looking diligently, lest any one come short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and the many be thereby defiled; (16)lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright. (17)For ye know that he also afterward, when he wished to inherit the blessing, was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought after it with tears.

(18)For ye have not come to a mount that is touched, and burning with fire, nor to blackness, and darkness, and tempest, (19)and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they who heard refused that more should be spoken to them; (20)for they could not bear that which was commanded, Even if a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; (21)and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said: I fear, and tremble. (22)But ye have come to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, (23)to the general assembly and church of the first-born, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just ones made perfect; (24)and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better than Abel.

(25)See that ye refuse not him who speaks; for if they did not escape, refusing him who declared the divine will on earth, much more shall not we, who turn away from him who speaks from heaven; (26)whose voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, saying: Yet once more I shake, not the earth only, but also heaven. (27)And this, Yet once more, signifies the removing of the things shaken, as of things that have been made, that the things which are not shaken may remain.

(28)Wherefore, receiving a kingdom which can not be shaken, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear; (29)for our God is a consuming fire.



XIII.

LET brotherly love continue.

(2)Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some entertained angels unawares.

(3)Remember those in bonds, as bound with them; those in adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

(4)Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled[13:4]; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

(5)Let your disposition be without covetousness, and be content with what ye have; for he has said: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (6)So that we boldly say:

The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear; What shall man do to me?

(7)Remember those who were your leaders, who spoke to you the word of God; considering the end of whose manner of life, imitate their faith.

(8)Jesus Christ is yesterday and to-day the same, and forever. (9)Be not carried away with various and strange teachings; for it is good that the heart be established with grace, not with meats, which did not profit those who walked therein.

(10)We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle. (11)For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. (12)Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate. (13)So then, let us go forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (14)For here we have not an abiding city, but are seeking for that which is to come.

(15)Through him, therefore, let us offer up the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips giving thanks to his name. (16)But to do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

(17)Obey those who are your leaders, and submit; for they watch for your souls, as those who shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with sighing, for that is unprofitable for you.

(18)Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to deport ourselves well. (19)But I the more earnestly beseech you to do this, that I may the sooner be restored to you.

(20)Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep in virtue of the blood of an eternal covenant, (21)make you perfect in every good work to do his will, doing in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

(22)But I beseech you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation; for I wrote to you in few words.

(23)Know that the brother, Timothy, has been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

(24)Salute all that are your leaders, and all the saints. Those of Italy salute you.

(25)Grace be with you all. Amen.



THE GENERAL LETTER OF JAMES.

I.

JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad[1:1], greeting.

(2)Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various temptations; (3)knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. (4)But let patience have a perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

(5)But if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, and upbraids not, and it will be given him. (6)But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. (7)For let not that man suppose that he shall receive anything from the Lord; (8)a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

(9)Let the brother of low degree glory in that he is exalted; (10)but the rich, in that he is made low; because as the flower of the grass he will pass away. (11)For the sun rose with the burning heat, and withered the grass, and its flower fell off, and the grace of its fashion perished; so also will the rich man fade away in his ways.

(12)Happy is the man that endures temptation; because, when he is approved, he will receive the crown of life, which He promised to those who love him.

(13)Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God can not be tempted with evil, and himself tempts no one. (14)But each one is tempted, when by his own lust he is drawn away and enticed. (15)Then lust, having conceived, brings forth sin; and sin, when completed, brings forth death.

(16)Do not err, my beloved brethren. (17)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom there is no variableness, or shadow of turning. (18)Of his own will he begot us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.

(19)So that, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; (20)for the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.

(21)Wherefore, putting off all filthiness and excess of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

(22)But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (23)For if any one is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like to a man beholding his natural face in a mirror. (24)For he beheld himself, and has gone away; and immediately he forgot what manner of man he was. (25)But he who looked into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and remained thereby, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of work, this man shall be happy in his doing.

(26)If any one thinks that he is religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

(27)Religion, pure and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: To visit the orphans and widows in their affliction; to keep himself unspotted from the world.



II.

MY brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons. (2)For if there have come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in gay clothing, and there have come in also a poor man in mean clothing; (3)and ye have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say: Sit thou here in a good place, and say to the poor man: Stand thou there, or, Sit under my footstool; (4)were ye not partial in yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

(5)Hearken, my beloved brethren. Did not God choose the poor as to this world[2:5] to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love him? (6)But ye dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do not they drag you before the judgment-seats? (7)Do not they blaspheme the worthy name by which ye are called?

(8)If indeed ye fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well. (9)But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. (10)For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (11)For he who said: Do not commit adultery, said also: Do not kill. Now if thou commit not adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. (12)So speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (13)For the judgment shall be without mercy, to him that showed no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

(14)What does it profit, my brethren, if any one say that he has faith, and have not works? Can the faith save him? (15)But if a brother or a sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16)and one of you say to them: Depart in peace, be warmed, and be filled, but ye give them not the things needful for the body, what does it profit? (17)So also faith, if it has not works, is dead in itself. (18)But some will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without the works, and I will show thee the faith by my works. (19)Thou believest that God is one. Thou doest well; the demons also believe, and tremble. (20)But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

(21)Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22)Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made complete. (23)And the scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness; and he was called, Friend of God.

(24)Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (25)And in like manner, was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she received the messengers, and sent them out by another way? (26)For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.



III.

MY brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation. (2)For in many things we all offend. If any one offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle also the whole body.

(3)Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths[3:3], that they may obey us, we turn about also their whole body. (4)Behold also the ships, though they are so great, and driven by fierce winds, are turned about by a very small helm, whithersoever the steersman may desire. (5)So also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles! (6)And the tongue is a fire, that world of iniquity! The tongue among our members is that which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of life, and is set on fire by hell. (7)For every nature of beasts and birds, of reptiles and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed, by the nature of man. (8)But the tongue no man can tame; a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (9)Therewith we bless the Lord and Father; and therewith we curse men, who have been made after the likeness of God. (10)Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (11)Does the fountain, out of the same opening, send forth the sweet and the bitter? (12)Can a fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.

(13)Who is wise and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show, out of his good deportment, his works in meekness of wisdom. (14)But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, do not glory, and lie against the truth. (15)This wisdom is not one that comes down from above, but earthly, sensual[3:16], devilish. (16)For where there is emulation and strife, there is confusion and every evil work. (17)But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, forbearing, easily persuaded, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18)And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, by those who work peace.



IV.

FROM whence are wars, and from whence are fightings among you? Are they not from hence, from your lusts that war in your members? (2)Ye desire, and have not; ye kill, and envy, and can not obtain; ye fight and war. Ye have not, because ye ask not; (3)ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

(4)Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore desires to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (5)Do ye think that the Scripture says in vain, the spirit he made to dwell in us has jealous longings? (6)But he gives the more grace. Wherefore he says:

God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.

(7)Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. (8)Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. (9)Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness. (10)Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

(11)Do not speak against one another, brethren. He that speaks against his brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law. But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (12)One is the lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. Who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

(13)Come now, ye that say: To-day and to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend one year there, and buy and sell, and get gain; (14)(whereas ye know not what belongs to the morrow; for what is your life? for ye are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away;) (15)instead of saying: If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that. (16)But now ye glory in your boastings. All such glorying is evil. (17)Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.



V.

COME now, ye rich, weep, wailing for your miseries that are coming upon you. (2)Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are become moth-eaten. (3)Your gold and silver is rusted; and the rust of them will be a witness against you, and will eat your flesh as fire. Ye heaped up treasure, in the last days.

(4)Behold, the hire of the laborers who reaped your fields, which is fraudulently kept back by you, cries out; and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth[5:4]. (5)Ye have been luxurious on the earth, and lived in pleasure; ye have nourished your hearts, in the day of slaughter. (6)Ye have condemned, ye have killed the just; he does not resist you.

(7)Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, till it shall have received the early and latter rain. (8)Be ye also patient; establish your hearts, because the coming of the Lord draws nigh. (9)Murmur not against one another, brethren, that ye be not judged. Behold, the judge stands before the door. (10)Take, my brethren, the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, for an example of affliction, and of patience. (11)Behold, we count those happy who endure. Ye heard of the patience of Job, and saw the end of the Lord[5:11]; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

(12)But above all things, my brethren, swear not; neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under condemnation.

(13)Is any afflicted among you, let him pray. Is any cheerful, let him sing praise. (14)Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15)And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and even if he have committed sins, it will be forgiven him.

(16)Confess therefore your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man avails much. (17)Elijah was a man of like nature with us; and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. (18)And again he prayed, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

(19)Brethren, if any one among you be led astray from the truth, and one convert him; (20)let him know, that he who converts a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will hide a multitude of sins.



THE FIRST GENERAL LETTER OF PETER.

I.

PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered[1:1] through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia; (2)chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you.

(3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy begot us again unto a living hope[1:3] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; (4)unto an inheritance imperishable, and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, (5)who by the power of God are kept through faith, unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (6)Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little time, if need be, made sorrowful by manifold trials; (7)that the proof of your faith, much more precious than gold that perishes, but is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (8)whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; (9)receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(10)Concerning which salvation the prophets diligently sought and searched, who prophesied of the grace toward you; (11)searching as to what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them signified, when it testified beforehand the sufferings destined for Christ, and the glories that should follow; (12)to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you they were ministering them, which now have been announced to you, through those who brought you the good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

(13)Wherefore, girding up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope perfectly for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14)as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance; (15)but as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves holy in all your deportment; (16)because it is written: Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.

(17)And if ye call him Father[1:17], who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear; (18)knowing that not with perishable things, silver and gold, ye were redeemed from your vain course of life received by tradition from your fathers, (19)but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; (20)who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for you, (21)who through him believe on God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope are on God.

(22)Having purified your souls in obeying the truth unto unfeigned brotherly love, love one another from the heart fervently; (23)being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the word of God, which lives and abides forever. (24)Because,

All flesh is as grass, And all its glory as the flower of grass. The grass withered, and its flower fell off; (25)But the word of the Lord abides forever.

And this is the word which was preached to you.



II.

LAYING aside therefore all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and all backbitings, (2)as newborn babes, long for the spiritual, unadulterated milk, that ye thereby may grow unto salvation; (3)if indeed ye tasted that the Lord is gracious; (4)to whom coming, a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but with God chosen, honored, (5)ye yourselves also, as living stones, are built up[2:5] a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6)Because it is contained in the Scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, chosen, honored; and he that believes on him shall not be put to shame.

(7)To you therefore who believe is the honor; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is become the head of the corner, (8)and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, who stumble, being disobedient to the word; to which they were also appointed.

(9)But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession; that ye should show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; (10)who once were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

(11)Beloved, I exhort you as sojourners and strangers, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (12)having your deportment honorable among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may from your good works, beholding them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

(13)Submit yourselves to every human institution, for the Lord's sake; whether to the king, as pre-eminent, (14)or to governors as being sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of those who do well. (15)For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men; (16)as free, and as not having your freedom for a vail of wickedness, but as God's servants.

(17)Honor all men; love the brotherhood; fear God; honor the king; (18)ye servants, being in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and reasonable, but also to the perverse. (19)For this is acceptable, if a man for conscience toward God[2:19] endures griefs, suffering wrongfully. (20)For what glory is it, if when ye are beaten for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (21)For to this ye were called; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps; (22)who committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; (23)who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed it to him who judges righteously; (24)who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to our sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. (25)For ye were going astray like sheep; but have returned now unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.



III.

IN like manner, ye wives, being in subjection to your own husbands; that even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be won by the deportment of their wives, (2)when they behold your chaste deportment coupled with fear. (3)Whose adorning, let it not be the outward one of braiding the hair, and of wearing golden ornaments, or of putting on apparel; (4)but the hidden man of the heart, in that which is imperishable of the meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. (5)For so in the old time the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands, (6)(as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; of whom ye became children,) doing good, and fearing no alarm.

(7)Ye husbands, in like manner, dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the female, as the weaker vessel, as also heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

(8)Finally, all being of one mind, sympathizing, loving the brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded; (9)not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but on the contrary blessing, because to this end ye were called, that ye might inherit blessing.

(10)For he who desires to love life, and to see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; (11)let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it. (12)Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their supplications; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (13)And who is he that shall harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good? (14)But if ye even suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; but fear not with their fear, nor be troubled; (15)but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts; ready always to give an answer to every one that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16)having a good conscience, that wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good deportment in Christ. (17)For it is better, if it be the will of God, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing. (18)Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit; (19)in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, (20)who were disobedient in times past, when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water; (21)which in an antitype, immersion, now saves us also (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the requirement of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; (22)who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.



IV.

CHRIST then having suffered for us in the flesh, do ye also arm yourselves with the same mind; because he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; (2)that ye no longer may live the remaining time in the flesh by the lusts of men, but by the will of God. (3)For the time past suffices us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in wantonness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, carousings, and unhallowed idolatries; (4)at which thing they are astonished, as ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you; (5)who shall give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (6)For to this end was the good news preached also to those who are dead, that they might indeed be judged according to men in the flesh, but may live according to God in the spirit.

(7)But the end of all things is at hand. Be therefore sober, and watch unto prayer; (8)but above all things having your love toward one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins; (9)hospitable to one another, without grudging; (10)according as each received a gift, ministering the same to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; (11)if any one speaks, as [uttering] God's oracles; if any one ministers, as of the ability which God bestows; that God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

(12)Beloved, be not astonished at the fiery test taking place among you to prove you, as though a strange thing were befalling you; (13)but, in so far as ye share in Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that also, at the revelation of his glory, ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. (14)If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you; [on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.][4:14]

(15)For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters; (16)but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. (17)Because the time is come that judgment should begin from the house of God; but if it begin first from us, what shall be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God? (18)And if the righteous is with difficulty saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

(19)Wherefore let those also, who suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as to a faithful Creator.



V.

THE elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; (2)tend the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but with good will; (3)neither as being lords over the heritage, but being examples to the flock. (4)And when the chief Shepherd is manifested, ye shall receive the unfading crown of glory.

(5)In like manner, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yea, all of you submitting to one another, gird yourselves with humility; because, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (6)Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; (7)casting all your care upon him, because he cares for you.

(8)Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour; (9)whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

(10)But the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a little while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. (11)To him be the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

(12)By Silvanus, the faithful brother, as I consider, I wrote to you in few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye stand.

(13)The [church that is] in Babylon, chosen with you, salutes you[5:13]; and Mark, my son.

(14)Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all, that are in Christ.



THE SECOND GENERAL LETTER OF PETER.

I.

SIMON PETER, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: (2)Grace and peace be multiplied to you, in the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

(3)Seeing that his divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and might; (4)through which he has given us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world through lust; (5)yea for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith fortitude; and to fortitude, knowledge[1:5]; (6)and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, patience; and to patience, godliness; (7)and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. (8)For if these things are in you, and abound, they cause that ye shall not be inactive nor unfruitful in attaining to the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9)But he that lacks these things is blind, not seeing afar off, having forgotten the cleansing away of his old sins.

(10)Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. (11)For so shall be richly ministered to you the entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(12)Wherefore, I will not neglect to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth that is with you. (13)But I think it right, so long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (14)knowing that I must soon put off my tabernacle[1:14], as also our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. (15)Moreover I will endeavor that at all times ye may be able after my departure to call these things to mind.

(16)For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but had been eye-witnesses of his majesty. (17)For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when such a voice was borne to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; (18)and this voice we heard borne from heaven, being with him in the holy mount. (19)And we have more sure the prophetic word; to which ye do well that ye take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts; (20)knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture comes of private interpretation; (21)for prophecy was never brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.



II.

BUT there were false prophets also among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who stealthily will bring in destructive factions, even denying as Master him who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2)And many will follow their dissolute ways; by reason of whom the way of truth will be evil spoken of. (3)And in covetousness will they with feigned words make merchandise of you; for whom the judgment from of old lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not.

(4)For if God spared not angels, having sinned, but casting them down to hell delivered them over to chains of darkness[2:4], reserved unto judgment; (5)and spared not the old world, but kept Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing the flood on the world of ungodly men, (6)and turning to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah condemned them to overthrow, having made them an example of those who should afterward live ungodly; (7)and delivered righteous Lot, wearied out with the lewd conduct of the lawless; (8)(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, with seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (9)the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust under punishment to the day of judgment; (10)but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise dominion. Presumptuous, self-willed, they are not afraid to rail at dignities; (11)whereas angels, being greater in strength and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord.

(12)But these, as natural brute beasts born to be taken[2:12] and destroyed, railing at things that they understand not, shall utterly perish in their own corruption, (13)receiving the wages of unrighteousness, as they who account reveling for a day pleasure; spots, and blemishes, reveling in their own deceits while feasting with you; (14)having eyes full of the adulteress, and that cease not from sin; alluring unstable souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of a curse; (15)forsaking the right way, they went astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, (16)but was rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb ass, speaking with man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet.

(17)These are wells without water, mists driven by a tempest, to whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever. (18)For, speaking swelling words of vanity, in lusts of the flesh they allure, by wanton ways, such as partly escape those who live in error; (19)promising them liberty, while they themselves are servants of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by the same he is also brought into bondage. (20)For if, having escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christy but having again become entangled therein they are overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. (21)For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. (22)But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog, returned to his own vomit; and, A sow that was washed, to the wallowing in the mire.



III.

THIS second letter, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure mind by putting you in remembrance; (2)that ye may be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior by your apostles; (3)knowing this first, that there shall come in the last of the days scoffers, in their scoffings, walking after their own lusts, (4)and saying: Where is the promise of his coming? for from the day the fathers fell asleep, all things so continue, from the beginning of the creation. (5)For of this they willingly are ignorant, that by the word of God there were heavens of old, and earth framed out of water and by means of water, (6)whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; (7)but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by his word are kept in store, being reserved for fire unto the day of judgment and of perdition of ungodly men.

(8)But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9)The Lord is not tardy in respect to the promise, as some account tardiness; but is long-suffering toward us[3:9], not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10)But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will be dissolved with burning heat, and the earth and the works therein will be burned up.

(11)Seeing then that all these things are dissolving, what manner of men ought ye to be, in all holy deportment and godliness; (12)looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with burning heat? (13)But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.

(14)Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, be diligent that ye may be found without spot and blameless in his sight, in peace. (15)And the long-suffering of our Lord account salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you; (16)as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which things are some that are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

(17)Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the lawless, ye fall from your own steadfastness. (18)But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and forever. Amen.



THE FIRST GENERAL LETTER OF JOHN.

I.

THAT which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we looked upon, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life; (2)(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and report to you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;) (3)that which we have seen and have heard we report to you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4)And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.

(5)And this is the message which we have heard from him, and announce to you, That God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

(6)If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; (7)but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ[1:7] his Son cleanses us from all sin.

(8)If we say that we have not sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9)If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, that he may forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10)If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.



II.

MY little children, these things I write to you, that ye may not sin. And if any one have sinned, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (2)And he is a propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

(3)And in this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (4)He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5)But whoever keeps his word, of a truth in him the love of God is perfected. In this we know that we are in him. (6)He that says he abides in him ought, as he walked, himself also so to walk.

(7)Beloved, I write not to you a new commandment, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning[2:7]. (8)Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light now shines. (9)He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in the darkness until now. (10)He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him. (11)But he that hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and knows not where he goes, because the darkness blinded his eyes.

(12)I write to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for his name's sake. (13)I write to you, fathers, because ye know him that was from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one.

I wrote to you, little children, because ye know the Father. (14)I wrote to you, fathers, because ye know him that was from the beginning. I wrote to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.

(15)Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16)Because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the empty pomp of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17)And the world is passing away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God abides forever.

(18)Little children, it is the last time; and as ye heard that antichrist should come, even now many antichrists have arisen; from whence we know that it is the last time. (19)They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but it was in order that they might be made manifest, that all are not of us.

(20)And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and know all things. (21)I wrote not to you because ye do not know the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth. (22)Who is the liar, but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. (23)Every one that denies the Son, the same has not the Father; he that acknowledges the Son has also the Father.

(24)What ye heard from the beginning, let it abide in you. If what ye heard from the beginning shall abide in you, ye also will abide in the Son, and in the Father. (25)And this is the promise which he himself promised to us, the life eternal.

(26)These things I wrote to you concerning those who seduce you. (27)And the anointing which ye received from him abides in you, and ye have no need that any one teach you; but, as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is truth, and is not a lie, and even as it taught you, abide in him.

(28)And now, little children, abide in him; that, if he should be manifested, we may have confidence, and not turn away from him with shame at his coming. (29)If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that does righteousness has been begotten of him.



III.

BEHOLD what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. For this cause the world knows not us, because it knew not him. (2)Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it was never yet manifested what we shall be. We know that if it shall be manifested, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (3)And every one, that has this hope on him, purifies himself even as he is pure. (4)Every one that commits sin also commits transgression of law; and sin is transgression of law. (5)And ye know that he was manifested that he might take away our[3:5] sins; and in him is no sin. (6)Every one that abides in him sins not; whoever sins has not seen him, neither has known him. (7)Little children, let no one deceive you. He that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (8)He that commits sin is of the Devil; because the Devil sins from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil. (9)Whoever has been begotten of God does not commit sin; because his seed abides in him; and he can not sin, because he has been begotten of God. (10)In this are manifest the children of God, and the children of the Devil. Every one that does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother; (11)because this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another (12)Not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. (13)Wonder not, brethren, if the world hates you.

(14)We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother[3:14] abides in death. (15)Every one that hates his brother is a murderer[3:15]; and ye know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (16)In this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (17)But whoever has the world's sustenance, and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his pity from him, how abides the love of God in him?

(18)Little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (19)And in this we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (20)Because if our heart accuse us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things[3:20]. (21)Beloved, if our heart accuse us not, we have confidence toward God. (22)And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. (23)And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and should love one another, as he gave us commandment. (24)And he that keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him. And in this we know that he abides in us, from the Spirit which he gave us.



IV.

BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. (2)In this ye know the Spirit of God: (3)Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God; and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus, is not of God; and this is that of the antichrist, of which ye have heard that it should come; and now, it is already in the world.

(4)Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world. (5)They are of the world; for this cause they speak of the world, and the world hears them. (6)We are of God; he that knows God, hears us; he that is not of God, hears us not. From this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

(7)Beloved, let us love one another; because love is of God, and every one that loves has been begotten of God, and knows God. (8)He that loves not, knew not God; because God is love. (9)In this was manifested the love of God in respect to us, that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (10)Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son, a propitiation for our sins.

(11)Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (12)No man has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us, and the love of him is perfected in us. (13)In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. (14)And we have seen, and bear witness, that the Father has sent forth the Son, a Savior of the world. (15)Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (16)And we have known, and have believed, the love that God has in respect to us. God is love; and he that abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

(17)In this has love been perfected with us[4:17], that we have confidence in the day of judgment; because as he is, we also are in this world. (18)There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment[4:18]; and he that fears is not made perfect in love. (19)We love, because he first loved us. (20)If any one say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (21)And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God love also his brother.



V.

EVERY one who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten of God; and every one that loves him who begot, loves also him that has been begotten of him. (2)In this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and do his commandments. (3)For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome; (4)because all that is begotten of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. (5)Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

(6)This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus the Christ; not in the water only, but in the water and in the blood. And the Spirit is that which bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. (7)For there are three who bear witness; the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; (8)and the three agree in the one[5:8]. (9)If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God, that he has borne witness concerning his Son. (10)He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself; he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he has not believed in the witness which God has borne concerning his Son. (11)And this is the witness, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12)He that has the Son has the life; he that has not the Son of God has not the life.

(13)These things I wrote to you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, who believe on the name of the Son of God.

(14)And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (15)And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

(16)If any one see his brother sin a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and he will give him life,—to those who sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death; for that I do not say that he shall pray.

(17)All unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin not unto death.

(18)We know that every one who has been begotten of God sins not; but he that was begotten of God keeps himself; and the evil one touches him not.

(19)We know that we are of God, and the whole world is lying in the evil one. (20)And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us understanding, that we may know the True one; and we are in the True One, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

(21)Little children, keep yourselves from the idols.



THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN.

THE elder to the elect lady, and to her children, whom I love in truth,—and not I alone but also all that know the truth,—(2)for the sake of the truth, which abides in us, and will be with us forever: (3)Grace, mercy, peace, shall be with you, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

(4)I rejoiced greatly, that I have found of thy children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. (5)And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. (6)And this is love, that we walk according to his commandment; and this is the commandment, as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it. (7)Because many deceivers went out into the world, who acknowledge not that Jesus Christ comes in the flesh. This is the deceiver, and the antichrist.

(8)Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we wrought, but receive a full reward. (9)Every one who transgresses, and abides not[1:8] in the teaching of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

(10)If any one comes to you, and brings not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and do not bid him good speed; (11)for he that bids him good speed shares in his evil deeds.

(12)Having many things to write to you, I would not [write] with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be full. (13)The children of thy elect sister salute thee.



THE THIRD LETTER OF JOHN.

THE elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

(2)Beloved, concerning all things I pray that thou mayest prosper and be in health, as thy soul prospers. (3)For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bore witness to thy truth, as thou walkest in the truth. (4)I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

(5)Beloved, thou doest a faithful thing, in whatever thou doest to the brethren, and that to strangers, (6)who bore witness to thy love before the church; whom if thou send forward on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well; (7)for on behalf of the NAME they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (8)We therefore ought to sustain such persons, that we may become fellow-workers for the truth.

(9)I wrote somewhat to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the pre-eminence among them, receives us not. (10)Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his deeds which he does, prating against us with evil words. And not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and those who are willing he forbids, and casts them out of the church.

(11)Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good, is of God; he that does evil, has not seen God.

(12)To Demetrius, testimony has been borne by all, and by the truth itself; yea, we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true.

(13)I had many things to write to thee, but I wish not to write to thee with ink and pen; (14)but I hope immediately to see thee, and we shall speak face to face.

Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends, by name.



THE GENERAL LETTER OF JUDE.

JUDE, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept by Jesus Christ[1:1]: (2)Mercy, and peace, and love, be multiplied to you.

(3)Beloved, while giving all diligence to write to you concerning the common salvation, I found it needful for me to write to you exhorting to contend earnestly for the faith, delivered once for all to the saints. (4)For there crept in stealthily certain men, who of old were appointed beforehand to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into wantonness, and denying the only Master, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

(5)But I wish to remind you, as once knowing all, that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who believed not. (6)And angels who kept not their principality, but left their own habitation, he has kept in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. (7)As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, in like manner with them giving themselves over to fornication, and going away after other flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

(8)Yet, in like manner, these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, despise dominion, and rail at dignities. (9)But Michael the archangel, when, contending with the Devil, he disputed concerning the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a railing judgment, but said: The Lord rebuke thee. (10)But these rail at the things which they know not; but what things naturally, as the brute beasts, they understand, in these they corrupt themselves.

(11)Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and rushed on in the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.

(12)These are rocks in your feasts of love, feasting with you fearlessly, feeding their own selves; clouds without water, carried away by winds; autumnal trees, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (13)raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever.

(14)Yea, and of these Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied, saying: Behold, the Lord came, with his holy myriads. (15)to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly among them of all their acts of ungodliness which they committed, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners spoke against him.

(16)These are murmurers, complaining of their lot, walking according to their lusts; and their mouth speaks swelling words; having respect to persons, for the sake of profit.

(17)But ye, beloved, remember the words which were before spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (18)that they told you, that at the last of the time there will be scoffers, walking after their own lusts of ungodliness. (19)These are they who separate; sensual, having not the Spirit. (20)But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21)keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life.

(22)And some refute when they are contending; but others save, snatching them out of the fire; (23)and others compassionate with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

(24)Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; (25)to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, before all time, and now, and forever. Amen.



THE REVELATION.

I.

THE Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants what things must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John; (2)who testified of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, of whatever things he saw. (3)Happy he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things written therein; for the time is at hand.

(4)John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven spirits that are before his throne; (5)and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (6)and made us a kingdom, priests to God and his Father, to him be the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

(7)Behold, he comes amidst the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

(8)I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, he who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

(9)I, John, your brother, and partner with you in the affliction, and kingdom, and patient endurance in Jesus, was in the island called Patmos, on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

(10)I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day; and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, (11)saying: What thou seest, write in a book, and send to the seven churches; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamus, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

(12)And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lamp-stands; (13)and in the midst of the lamp-stands one like to the Son of Man, clothed with a garment falling down to the feet, and girded round at the breasts with a golden girdle. (14)But his head and his hairs were white, as white wool, as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; (15)and his feet were like to burnished brass, as if burning in a furnace[1:15]; and his voice was as the sound of many waters. (16)And he had in his hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as the sun shining in his strength.

(17)And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying: Fear not: I am the first and the last, (18)and the living one; and I became dead, and behold I am alive forevermore; and I have the keys of death and of the underworld. (19)Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall be after these; (20)the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest on my right hand, and the seven golden lamp-stands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven lamp-stands are the seven churches.



II.

TO the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamp-stands. (2)I know thy works, and thy labor and patience, and how thou canst not bear evil men; and thou didst try those who say they are apostles, and are not, and didst find them liars; (3)and thou hast patience, and didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not been weary.

(4)But I have this against thee, that thou hast left thy first love. (5)Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works; but if not, I am coming to thee, and will remove thy lamp-stand out of its place, if thou repent not.

(6)But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

(7)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

(8)And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things says the first and the last, who became dead, and lived again. (9)I know thy affliction, and poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (10)Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer. Behold, the Devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye will have affliction ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

(11)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

(12)And to the angel of the church in Pergamus write: These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword. (13)I know where thou dwellest, where the throne of Satan is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny the faith in me, even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.

(14)But I have a few things against thee. Thou hast there men holding the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat things offered to idols, and to commit fornication. (15)Thus thou also hast men holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans, in like manner. (16)Repent therefore; but if not, I come to thee quickly, and will make war with them, with the sword of my mouth.

(17)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna; and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he that receives it.

(18)And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet are like to burnished brass. (19)I know thy works, and thy love, and faith, and service, and patience; and thy last works are more than the first.

(20)But I have against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel[2:20], who calls herself a prophetess; and she teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things offered to idols. (21)And I gave her time that she might repent; and she will not repent of her fornication. (22)Behold, I cast her into a bed, and those who together with her commit adultery, into great affliction, if they repent not of their works[2:22]. (23)And her children I will slay with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to you every one according to your works.

(24)But to you I say, the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who knew not the depths of Satan, as they speak: I put upon you no other burden; (25)but that which ye have, hold fast till I come. (26)And he that overcomes, and he that keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; (27)and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter are they dashed in pieces, as I also have received from my Father; (28)and I will give him the morning star.

(29)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.



III.

AND to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things says he who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (2)Be watchful, and strengthen the remaining things, that were ready to die; for I have not found thy works complete before my God. (3)Remember therefore how thou hast received, and didst hear, and keep, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come upon thee.

(4)But thou hast a few names in Sardis, which did not defile their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

(5)He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed[3:5] in white garments; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, and I will acknowledge his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(6)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

(7)And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says the Holy, the True, he who has the key of David, he who opens, and no one shall shut, and shuts, and no one opens. (8)I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which no one can shut; because thou hast little power and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.

(9)Behold, I make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie, behold, I will make them to come and bow down before thy feet, and to know that I loved thee. (10)Because thou didst keep my word of patient endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which is about to come upon the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.

(11)I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no one may take thy crown. (12)He that overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.

(13)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

(14)And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. (15)I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. (16)So, because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth. (17)Because thou sayest: I am rich, and have gotten wealth, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art the wretched and the pitiable one, and poor, and blind, and naked; (18)I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness not be made manifest, and to anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. (19)As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.

(20)Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him and he with me. (21)He that overcomes, I will give to him to sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

(22)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.



IV.

AFTER these things I saw, and, behold, a door set open in heaven, and that first voice (which I heard as of a trumpet speaking with me) saying: Come up hither, and I will show thee what things must take place after these.

(2)Immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. (3)And he who sat was like in appearance to a jasper and sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round the throne, like in appearance to an emerald; (4)and around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and on their heads crowns of gold. (5)And out of the throne proceed lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God; (6)and before the throne as it were a sea of glass like to crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, four animals full of eyes before and behind. (7)And the first animal was like to a lion, and the second animal like to a calf, and the third animal having its face as of a man, and the fourth animal like to an eagle flying. (8)And the four animals had each of them six wings apiece; around and within they are full of eyes; and they have no rest by day and by night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God the Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

(9)And when the animals shall give glory, and honor, and thanksgiving, to him who sits upon the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, (10)the twenty-four elders will fall down before him who sits upon the throne, and will worship him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying: (11)Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory, and the honor, and the power; because thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.



V.

AND I saw, on the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written within and on the back side, sealed up with seven seals. (2)And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose its seals?

(3)And no one was able, in heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look thereon. (4)And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, nor to look thereon.

(5)And one of the elders says to me: Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, prevailed to open the book, and its seven seals.

(6)And I saw, in the midst of the throne and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as if having been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (7)And he came, and has taken the book out of the right hand of him who sits upon the throne.

(8)And when he took the book, the four animals, and the twenty-four elders, fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden cups full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. (9)And they sing a new song, saying: Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou wast slain, and didst redeem to God by thy blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10)and didst make them unto our God[5:10] a kingdom and priests, and they will reign on the earth.

(11)And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels, around the throne and the animals and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, (12)saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb that has been slain, to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. (13)And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: To him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever. (14)And the four animals said: Amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped.



VI.

AND I saw, when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four animals saying, as a voice of thunder: Come! (2)And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he who sat on him having a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

(3)And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second animal saying: Come! (4)And there went forth another horse that was red. And to him who sat thereon it was given to take away peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

(5)And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third animal saying: Come! And I saw, and behold a black horse, and he who sat on him having a balance in his hand. (6)And I heard a voice in the midst of the four animals, saying: A quart of wheat[6:6] for a denary, and three quarts of barley for a denary; and: Hurt not the oil and the wine.