children and their own houses well. 003:013 For those who have served well{or, served well as deacons} gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 003:014 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; 003:015 but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 003:016 Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. 004:001 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 004:002 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; 004:003 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 004:004 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. 004:005 For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. 004:006 If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. 004:007 But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. 004:008 For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. 004:009 This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. 004:010 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 004:011 Command and teach these things. 004:012 Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. 004:013 Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. 004:014 Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. 004:015 Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. 004:016 Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 005:001 Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 005:002 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 005:003 Honor widows who are widows indeed. 005:004 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is{TR adds "good and"} acceptable in the sight of God. 005:005 Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. 005:006 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 005:007 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 005:008 But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 005:009 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 005:010 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work. 005:011 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 005:012 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 005:013 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 005:014 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. 005:015 For already some have turned aside after Satan. 005:016 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don't let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed. 005:017 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 005:018 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain."{Deuteronomy 25:4} And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."{Luke 10:7; Leviticus 19:13} 005:019 Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. 005:020 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 005:021 I charge you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 005:022 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure. 005:023 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. 005:024 Some men's sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 005:025 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can't be hidden. 006:001 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 006:002 Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. 006:003 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn't consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 006:004 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 006:005 constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.{NU omits "Withdraw yourself from such."} 006:006 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 006:007 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can't carry anything out. 006:008 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 006:009 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 006:010 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 006:011 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 006:012 Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 006:013 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 006:014 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 006:015 which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 006:016 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. 006:017 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 006:018 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 006:019 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. 006:020 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; 006:021 which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. Book 55 2 Timothy 001:001 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, 001:002 to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 001:003 I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day 001:004 longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; 001:005 having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also. 001:006 For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 001:007 For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 001:008 Therefore don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, 001:009 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 001:010 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News. 001:011 For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 001:012 For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day. 001:013 Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 001:014 That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 001:015 This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 001:016 May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, 001:017 but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me 001:018 (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord's mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well. 002:001 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 002:002 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 002:003 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 002:004 No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 002:005 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules. 002:006 The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops. 002:007 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 002:008 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News, 002:009 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained. 002:010 Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 002:011 This saying is faithful: "For if we died with him, we will also live with him. 002:012 If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. 002:013 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can't deny himself." 002:014 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. 002:015 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. 002:016 But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 002:017 and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 002:018 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. 002:019 However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his,"{Numbers 16:5} and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord{TR reads "Christ" instead of "the Lord"} depart from unrighteousness." 002:020 Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. 002:021 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work. 002:022 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 002:023 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 002:024 The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 002:025 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 002:026 and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will. 003:001 But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 003:002 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 003:003 without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 003:004 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 003:005 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also. 003:006 For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 003:007 always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 003:008 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. 003:009 But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. 003:010 But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 003:011 persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me. 003:012 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 003:013 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 003:014 But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 003:015 From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 003:016 Every writing inspired by God{literally, God-breathed} is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, 003:017 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 004:001 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 004:002 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching. 004:003 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; 004:004 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. 004:005 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. 004:006 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 004:007 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 004:008 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing. 004:009 Be diligent to come to me soon, 004:010 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 004:011 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 004:012 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 004:013 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. 004:014 Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works, 004:015 of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words. 004:016 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 004:017 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 004:018 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 004:019 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 004:020 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 004:021 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. 004:022 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. Book 56 Titus 001:001 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 001:002 in hope of eternal life, which God, who can't lie, promised before time began; 001:003 but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; 001:004 to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. 001:005 I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; 001:006 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. 001:007 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; 001:008 but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; 001:009 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. 001:010 For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 001:011 whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake. 001:012 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons." 001:013 This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 001:014 not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 001:015 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 001:016 They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work. 002:001 But say the things which fit sound doctrine, 002:002 that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: 002:003 and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; 002:004 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 002:005 to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. 002:006 Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded; 002:007 in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, 002:008 and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. 002:009 Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; 002:010 not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. 002:011 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 002:012 instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; 002:013 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 002:014 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. 002:015 Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you. 003:001 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 003:002 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 003:003 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 003:004 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 003:005 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 003:006 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 003:007 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 003:008 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; 003:009 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 003:010 Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning; 003:011 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned. 003:012 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. 003:013 Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them. 003:014 Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful. 003:015 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. Book 57 Philemon 001:001 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 001:002 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: 001:003 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 001:004 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 001:005 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; 001:006 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. 001:007 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. 001:008 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, 001:009 yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 001:010 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,{Onesimus means "useful."} 001:011 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 001:012 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 001:013 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. 001:014 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. 001:015 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, 001:016 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 001:017 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 001:018 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account. 001:019 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides). 001:020 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. 001:021 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. 001:022 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. 001:023 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 001:024 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 001:025 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Book 58 Hebrews 001:001 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 001:002 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 001:003 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 001:004 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 001:005 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?"{Psalm 2:7} and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?"{2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13} 001:006 Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him." 001:007 Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire."{Psalm 104:4} 001:008 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom. 001:009 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows."{Psalm 45:6-7} 001:010 And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands. 001:011 They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does. 001:012 As a mantle, you will roll them up, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years will not fail."{Psalm 102:25-27} 001:013 But which of the angels has he told at any time, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?"{Psalm 110:1} 001:014 Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? 002:001 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 002:002 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; 002:003 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation— which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; 002:004 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? 002:005 For he didn't subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. 002:006 But one has somewhere testified, saying, "What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? 002:007 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.{TR adds "and set him over the works of your hands"} 002:008 You have put all things in subjection under his feet."{Psalm 8:4-6} For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don't see all things subjected to him, yet. 002:009 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. 002:010 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 002:011 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}, 002:012 saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."{Psalm 22:22} 002:013 Again, "I will put my trust in him."{Isaiah 8:17} Again, "Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me."{Isaiah 8:18} 002:014 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 002:015 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 002:016 For most certainly, he doesn't give help to angels, but he gives help to the seed of Abraham. 002:017 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 002:018 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. 003:001 Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; 003:002 who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. 003:003 For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who built the house has more honor than the house. 003:004 For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God. 003:005 Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken, 003:006 but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end. 003:007 Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you will hear his voice, 003:008 don't harden your hearts, as in the provocation, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, 003:009 where your fathers tested me by proving me, and saw my works for forty years. 003:010 Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, 'They always err in their heart, but they didn't know my ways;' 003:011 as I swore in my wrath, 'They will not enter into my rest.'"{Psalm 95:7-11} 003:012 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; 003:013 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today;" lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 003:014 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end: 003:015 while it is said, "Today if you will hear his voice, don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion."{Psalm 95:7-8} 003:016 For who, when they heard, rebelled? No, didn't all those who came out of Egypt by Moses? 003:017 With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn't it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 003:018 To whom did he swear that they wouldn't enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 003:019 We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. 004:001 Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 004:002 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn't profit them, because it wasn't mixed with faith by those who heard. 004:003 For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;"{Psalm 95:11} although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 004:004 For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, "God rested on the seventh day from all his works;"{Genesis 2:2} 004:005 and in this place again, "They will not enter into my rest."{Psalm 95:11} 004:006 Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 004:007 he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), "Today if you will hear his voice, don't harden your hearts."{Psalm 95:7-8} 004:008 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 004:009 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 004:010 For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 004:011 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. 004:012 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 004:013 There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 004:014 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 004:015 For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 004:016 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. 005:001 For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 005:002 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 005:003 Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 005:004 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. 005:005 So also Christ didn't glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your father."{Psalm 2:7} 005:006 As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."{Psalm 110:4} 005:007 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 005:008 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 005:009 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 005:010 named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 005:011 About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 005:012 For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 005:013 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 005:014 But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. 006:001 Therefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 006:002 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 006:003 This will we do, if God permits. 006:004 For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 006:005 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 006:006 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. 006:007 For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and brings forth a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 006:008 but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 006:009 But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this. 006:010 For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. 006:011 We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, 006:012 that you won't be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises. 006:013 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself, 006:014 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you."{Genesis 22:17} 006:015 Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 006:016 For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. 006:017 In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; 006:018 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. 006:019 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; 006:020 where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 007:001 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 007:002 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace; 007:003 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually. 007:004 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils. 007:005 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 007:006 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 007:007 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 007:008 Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives. 007:009 We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, 007:010 for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him. 007:011 Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 007:012 For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. 007:013 For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 007:014 For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 007:015 This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest, 007:016 who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life: 007:017 for it is testified, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."{Psalm 110:4} 007:018 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 007:019 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 007:020 Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath 007:021 (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, "The Lord swore and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.'"{Psalm 110:4} 007:022 By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant. 007:023 Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 007:024 But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 007:025 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. 007:026 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 007:027 who doesn't need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 007:028 For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected. 008:001 Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 008:002 a servant of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 008:003 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 008:004 For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 008:005 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, "See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain."{Exodus 25:40} 008:006 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law. 008:007 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 008:008 For finding fault with them, he said, "Behold, the days come," says the Lord, "that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 008:009 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they didn't continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them," says the Lord. 008:010 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days," says the Lord; "I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 008:011 They will not teach every man his fellow citizen,{TR reads "neighbor" instead of "fellow citizen"} and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 008:012 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more."{Jeremiah 31:31-34} 008:013 In that he says, "A new covenant," he has made the first old. But that which is becoming old and grows aged is near to vanishing away. 009:001 Now indeed even the first{TR adds "tabernacle"} covenant had ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary. 009:002 For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lampstand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place. 009:003 After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 009:004 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 009:005 and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can't speak now in detail. 009:006 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services, 009:007 but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people. 009:008 The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn't yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing; 009:009 which is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshipper perfect; 009:010 being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. 009:011 But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 009:012 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. 009:013 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: 009:014 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 009:015 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 009:016 For where a last will and testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it. 009:017 For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives. 009:018 Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood. 009:019 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 009:020 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you."{Exodus 24:8} 009:021 Moreover he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in like manner with the blood. 009:022 According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission. 009:023 It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 009:024 For Christ hasn't entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 009:025 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, 009:026 or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 009:027 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, 009:028 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation. 010:001 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. 010:002 Or else wouldn't they have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? 010:003 But in those sacrifices there is yearly reminder of sins. 010:004 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 010:005 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, "Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire, but you prepared a body for me; 010:006 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. 010:007 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.'"{Psalm 40:6-8} 010:008 Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn't desire, neither had pleasure in them" (those which are offered according to the law), 010:009 then he has said, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He takes away the first, that he may establish the second, 010:010 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 010:011 Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, 010:012 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; 010:013 from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 010:014 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 010:015 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 010:016 "This is the covenant that I will make with them: 'After those days,' says the Lord, 'I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;'"{Jeremiah 31:33} then he says, 010:017 "I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more."{Jeremiah 31:34} 010:018 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 010:019 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 010:020 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 010:021 and having a great priest over the house of God, 010:022 let's draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, 010:023 let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. 010:024 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 010:025 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching. 010:026 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 010:027 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. 010:028 A man who disregards Moses' law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. 010:029 How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 010:030 For we know him who said, "Vengeance belongs to me," says the Lord, "I will repay."{Deuteronomy 32:35} Again, "The Lord will judge his people."{Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14} 010:031 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 010:032 But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings; 010:033 partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. 010:034 For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. 010:035 Therefore don't throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 010:036 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. 010:037 "In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait. 010:038 But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."{Habakkuk 2:3-4} 010:039 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul. 011:001 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 011:002 For by this, the elders obtained testimony. 011:003 By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. 011:004 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks. 011:005 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn't see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God. 011:006 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. 011:007 By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 011:008 By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. 011:009 By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 011:010 For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 011:011 By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. 011:012 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead. 011:013 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen{TR adds "and being convinced of"} them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 011:014 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 011:015 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. 011:016 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 011:017 By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son; 011:018 even he to whom it was said, "In Isaac will your seed be called;"{Genesis 21:12} 011:019 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. 011:020 By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 011:021 By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 011:022 By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones. 011:023 By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 011:024 By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 011:025 choosing rather to share ill treatment with God's people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time; 011:026 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 011:027 By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 011:028 By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 011:029 By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up. 011:030 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days. 011:031 By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn't perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace. 011:032 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets; 011:033 who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,{Daniel 6:22-23} 011:034 quenched the power of fire,{Daniel 3:1-30} escaped the edge of the sword,{1 Kings 19:1-3; 2 Kings 6:31-7:20} from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee. 011:035 Women received their dead by resurrection.{1 Kings 19:1-3; 2 Kings 6:31-7:20} Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 011:036 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. 011:037 They were stoned.{2 Chronicles 24:20-21} They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword.{Jeremiah 26:20-23; 1 Kings 19:10} They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 011:038 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. 011:039 These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn't receive the promise, 011:040 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 012:001 Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 012:002 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 012:003 For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don't grow weary, fainting in your souls. 012:004 You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin; 012:005 and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, "My son, don't take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; 012:006 For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives."{Proverbs 3:11-12} 012:007 It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn't discipline? 012:008 But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children. 012:009 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? 012:010 For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. 012:011 All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby. 012:012 Therefore, lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,{Isaiah 35:3} 012:013 and make straight paths for your feet,{Proverbs 4:26} so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 012:014 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, 012:015 looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it; 012:016 lest there be any sexually immoral person, or profane person, like Esau, who sold his birthright for one meal. 012:017 For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears. 012:018 For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, storm, 012:019 the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them, 012:020 for they could not stand that which was commanded, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned{TR adds "or shot with an arrow" [see Exodus 19:12-13]};"{Exodus 19:12-13} 012:021 and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling."{Deuteronomy 9:19} 012:022 But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels, 012:023 to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 012:024 to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,{Jeremiah 31:31} and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. 012:025 See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven, 012:026 whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens."{Haggai 2:6} 012:027 This phrase, "Yet once more," signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. 012:028 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 012:029 for our God is a consuming fire.{Deuteronomy 4:24} 013:001 Let brotherly love continue. 013:002 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. 013:003 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body. 013:004 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. 013:005 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."{Deuteronomy 31:6} 013:006 So that with good courage we say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?"{Psalm 118:6-7} 013:007 Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. 013:008 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 013:009 Don't be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by food, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. 013:010 We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. 013:011 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp.{Leviticus 16:27} 013:012 Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. 013:013 Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. 013:014 For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come. 013:015 Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God{Psalm 50:23} continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name. 013:016 But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 013:017 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you. 013:018 Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. 013:019 I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner. 013:020 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 013:021 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 013:022 But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 013:023 Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you. 013:024 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you. 013:025 Grace be with you all. Amen. Book 59 James 001:001 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings. 001:002 Count it all joy, my brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}, when you fall into various temptations, 001:003 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 001:004 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 001:005 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. 001:006 But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. 001:007 For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 001:008 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 001:009 But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; 001:010 and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. 001:011 For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits. 001:012 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. 001:013 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 001:014 But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 001:015 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. 001:016 Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers. 001:017 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. 001:018 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 001:019 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 001:020 for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. 001:021 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls{or, preserve your life.}. 001:022 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. 001:023 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; 001:024 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 001:025 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does. 001:026 If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless. 001:027 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 002:001 My brothers, don't hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality. 002:002 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue{or, meeting}, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in; 002:003 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;" 002:004 haven't you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 002:005 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn't God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? 002:006 But you have dishonored the poor man. Don't the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts? 002:007 Don't they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? 002:008 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"{Leviticus 19:18} you do well. 002:009 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. 002:010 For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 002:011 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"{Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18} also said, "Do not commit murder."{Exodus 10:13; Deuteronomy 5:17} Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 002:012 So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom. 002:013 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 002:014 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 002:015 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 002:016 and one of you tells them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled;" and yet you didn't give them the things the body needs, what good is it? 002:017 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. 002:018 Yes, a man will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 002:019 You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder. 002:020 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? 002:021 Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 002:022 You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected; 002:023 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness;"{Genesis 15:16} and he was called the friend of God. 002:024 You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. 002:025 In like manner wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? 002:026 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. 003:001 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 003:002 For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 003:003 Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. 003:004 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. 003:005 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 003:006 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.{or, Hell} 003:007 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. 003:008 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 003:009 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. 003:010 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 003:011 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 003:012 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. 003:013 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 003:014 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. 003:015 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 003:016 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 003:017 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 003:018 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 004:001 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members? 004:002 You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask. 004:003 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures. 004:004 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 004:005 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"? 004:006 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."{Proverbs 3:34} 004:007 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 004:008 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 004:009 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 004:010 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you. 004:011 Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. 004:012 Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another? 004:013 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit." 004:014 Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 004:015 For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that." 004:016 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. 004:017 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin. 005:001 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you. 005:002 Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. 005:003 Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days. 005:004 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies{Greek: Sabaoth (for Hebrew: Tze'va'ot)}. 005:005 You have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 005:006 You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous one. He doesn't resist you. 005:007 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain. 005:008 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 005:009 Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door. 005:010 Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 005:011 Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 005:012 But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your "yes" be "yes," and your "no," "no;" so that you don't fall into hypocrisy.{TR reads "under judgment" instead of "into hypocrisy"} 005:013 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. 005:014 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, 005:015 and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 005:016 Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. 005:017 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn't rain on the earth for three years and six months. 005:018 He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. 005:019 Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 005:020 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. Book 60 1 Peter 001:001 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 001:002 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 001:003 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 001:004 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn't fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 001:005 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 001:006 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, 001:007 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 001:008 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory— 001:009 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 001:010 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 001:011 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. 001:012 To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. 001:013 Therefore, prepare your minds for action,{literally, "gird up the waist of your mind"} be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 001:014 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, 001:015 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; 001:016 because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."{Leviticus 11:44-45} 001:017 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear: 001:018 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 001:019 but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ; 001:020 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, 001:021 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. 001:022 Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently: 001:023 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever. 001:024 For, "All flesh is like grass, and all of man's glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; 001:025 but the Lord's word endures forever."{Isaiah 40:6-8} This is the word of Good News which was preached to you. 002:001 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, 002:002 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, 002:003 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 002:004 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. 002:005 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 002:006 Because it is contained in Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed."{Isaiah 28:16} 002:007 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone,"{Psalm 118:22} 002:008 and, "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense."{Isaiah 8:14} For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. 002:009 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 002:010 who in time past were no people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 002:011 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 002:012 having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. 002:013 Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 002:014 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well. 002:015 For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 002:016 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 002:017 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 002:018 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. 002:019 For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. 002:020 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. 002:021 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you{TR reads "us" instead of "you"} an example, that you should follow his steps, 002:022 who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth."{Isaiah 53:9} 002:023 Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; 002:024 who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. 002:025 For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer{"Overseer" is from the Greek episkopon, which can mean overseer, curator, guardian, or superintendent.} of your souls. 003:001 In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; 003:002 seeing your pure behavior in fear. 003:003 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; 003:004 but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. 003:005 For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: 003:006 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. 003:007 You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered. 003:008 Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, 003:009 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. 003:010 For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 003:011 Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 003:012 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."{Psalm 34:12-16} 003:013 Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? 003:014 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."{Isaiah 8:12} 003:015 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: 003:016 having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Christ. 003:017 For it is better, if it is God's will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. 003:018 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous,