The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 50

VI.

LET as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of G.o.d and the teaching be not blasphemed. (2)And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren; but the rather do them service, because they who receive the benefit are faithful and beloved. These things teach and exhort.

(3)If any one teaches otherwise, and a.s.sents not to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching which is according to G.o.dliness, (4)he is puffed up with pride, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5)vain disputings of men corrupted in mind, and robbed of the truth, supposing that G.o.dliness is a means of gain. (6)But G.o.dliness with contentment is a great means of gain.

(7)For we brought nothing into the world; it is certain we can also carry nothing out; (8)and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. (9)But they who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful l.u.s.ts, which sink men into destruction and perdition. (10)For the love of money is a root of all evils; which some coveting after wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

(11)But thou, O man of G.o.d, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, G.o.dliness, faith, love, patience, meekness of spirit.

(12)Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the eternal life, unto which thou wast called, and didst make the good profession before many witnesses.

(13)I charge thee in the sight of G.o.d, who preserves all alive, and of Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good profession, (14)that thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; (15)which in his own times[6:15]

he will show, who is the blissful and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (16)who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man has seen, or can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

(17)Charge those who are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor place their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but in G.o.d, who gives us all things richly for enjoyment; (18)that they do good, be rich in good works, be free in imparting, willing to communicate; (19)laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life.

(20)O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane babblings, and oppositions of that which is falsely called knowledge; (21)which some professing erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee.

THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY.

I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of G.o.d, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, (2)to Timothy, a beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from G.o.d the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

(3)I thank G.o.d, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; (4)longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; (5)calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that it dwells in thee also. (6)For which cause I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of G.o.d, which is in thee by the laying on of my hands. (7)For G.o.d did not give us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of chastis.e.m.e.nt.

(8)Be not then ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hards.h.i.+p with me for the gospel, according to the power of G.o.d; (9)who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and the grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before eternal ages, (10)but now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel; (11)for which I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (12)For which cause I suffer also these things. But I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him, unto that day.

(13)Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou heardest from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (14)The good thing committed to thee keep, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

(15)Thou knowest this, that all those in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (16)The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; because he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; (17)but when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. (18)The Lord grant to him, that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day! And in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

II.

THOU therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2)And the things that thou heardest from me by many witnesses[2:2], the same commit thou to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (3)Endure hards.h.i.+p with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4)No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who chose him to be a soldier. (5)And if a man also contends in the games, he is not crowned, unless he contends lawfully. (6)The husbandman that labors must first partake of the fruits. (7)Consider what I say; for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.

(8)Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel; (9)in which I endure hards.h.i.+p, even unto bonds, as an evil-doer; but the word of G.o.d is not bound. (10)For this cause, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

(11)Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him; (12)if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we shall deny him, he also will deny us; (13)if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he can not deny himself.

(14)Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the subverting of the hearers.

(15)Endeavor to present thyself approved to G.o.d, a workman not made ashamed, rightly dividing[2:15] the word of truth. (16)But shun the profane babblings; for they will go on to more unG.o.dliness. (17)And their word will eat as does a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18)who erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and overturn the faith of some.

(19)Nevertheless, G.o.d's firm foundation stands, having this seal: The Lord knew those who are his; and, Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. (20)But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some for honor and some for dishonor. (21)If a man therefore cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful for the master, prepared for every good work.

(22)But flee youthful l.u.s.ts; and follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (23)But the foolish and ignorant questionings avoid, knowing that they beget strifes. (24)And a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle toward all, apt in teaching, patient of evil; (25)in meekness admonis.h.i.+ng those who oppose themselves; if haply G.o.d may give them repentance unto the full knowledge of the truth; (26)and that they may awake to soberness out of the snare of the Devil, being taken captive by him, to do his will[2:26].

III.

BUT know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. (2)For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3)without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, without love to the good, (4)betrayers, headlong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of G.o.d; (5)having a form of G.o.dliness, but denying the power thereof; and from these turn away. (6)For of these are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers l.u.s.ts, (7)ever learning, and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.

(8)Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also do these withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. (9)But they shall proceed no further; for their folly shall be fully manifest to all, as was also theirs.

(10)But thou didst strictly follow my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, (11)persecutions, afflictions; what things came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of all the Lord delivered me. (12)Yea, and all who desire to live G.o.dly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (13)But evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14)But do thou continue in the things which thou learnedst and wast a.s.sured of, knowing of whom thou didst learn; (15)and that from a child thou didst know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

(16)All Scripture is inspired by G.o.d, and is profitable[3:16] for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; (17)that the man of G.o.d may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

IV.

I CHARGE thee before G.o.d, and Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom, (2)preach the word; apply thyself in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. (3)For the time will come when they will not endure the sound teaching, but according to their own desires will to themselves heap up teachers, having itching ears; (4)and they will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to fables.

(5)But be thou watchful in all things, endure hards.h.i.+p, do the work of an evangelist, fully accomplish thy ministry. (6)For I am now about to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7)I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; (8)henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

(9)Endeavor to come to me shortly. (10)For Demas forsook me, having loved the present world, and departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, t.i.tus to Dalmatia. (11)Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for the ministry. (12)But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.

(13)The cloak, which I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest bring, and the books, especially the parchments.

(14)Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord reward him according to his works. (15)Of whom do thou also beware; for he has greatly withstood our words.

(16)At my first answer no one came forward with me, but all forsook me. May it not be laid to their charge! (17)But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the preaching might be fully accomplished, and all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (18)The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

(19)Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

(20)Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.

(21)Endeavor to come before winter. Eubulus salutes thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

(22)The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.

THE LETTER OF PAUL TO t.i.tUS.

I.

PAUL, a servant of G.o.d, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of G.o.d's chosen, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to G.o.dliness; (2)upon hope of eternal life, which G.o.d, who can not lie, promised before eternal ages, (3)but in its own[1:3] times manifested his word in the preaching, with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of our Savior G.o.d; (4)to t.i.tus, a true child according to the common faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from G.o.d the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

(5)For this cause I left thee behind in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in each city, as I directed thee; (6)if any one is without reproach, the husband of one wife, having believing children not accused of rioting or unruly.

(7)For the overseer[1:7] must be, without reproach, as G.o.d's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of gain; (8)but hospitable, a lover of the good, discreet, just, holy, temperate; (9)holding fast the faithful word according to the teaching, that he may be able with the sound teaching both to exhort, and to refute the gainsayers. (10)For there are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers, chiefly they of the circ.u.mcision; (11)whose mouths must be stopped, who overturn whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of base gain. (12)One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said: Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. (13)This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (14)not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, who turn away from the truth.