The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 51

(15)To the pure all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and conscience are defiled. (16)They profess that they know G.o.d; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and for every good work reprobate.

II.

BUT do thou speak the things which become the sound teaching; (2)that aged men be sober, grave, discreet, sound in the faith, in love, in patience; (3)that aged women likewise be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; (4)that they may teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, (5)to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of G.o.d be not blasphemed.

(6)The younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. (7)In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in teaching, showing uncorruptness, gravity, (8)sound speech, that can not be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be put to shame, having no evil thing to say of us.

(9)Exhort servants to submit themselves to their own masters, to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting, (10)not purloining, but showing all good faith; that they may adorn the teaching of our Savior G.o.d in all things,

(11)For the saving grace of G.o.d appeared to all men, (12)teaching us that, having denied unG.o.dliness and worldly l.u.s.ts, we should live soberly, righteously, and G.o.dly, in this present world; (13)looking for the blissful hope and appearing of the glory of the great G.o.d and our Savior Jesus Christ; (14)who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and cleanse for himself a people to be his own, zealous of good works.

(15)These things speak, and exhort, and reprove with all authority.

Let no one despise thee.

III.

PUT them in mind to submit themselves to governments, to authorities, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2)to speak evil of no one, to be averse to strife, forbearing, showing all meekness to all men.

(3)For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, going astray, serving divers l.u.s.ts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. (4)But when the kindness and the love toward man of our Savior G.o.d appeared, (5)not by works of righteousness which we did, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the bathing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; (6)which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior; (7)that, having been justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(8)Faithful is the saying; and concerning these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed G.o.d may be careful to take the lead in good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (9)But avoid foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

(10)A man that causes divisions, after a first and second admonition, avoid[3:10]; (11)knowing that he that is such is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.

(12)When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, endeavor to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined there to winter.

(13)Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, send forward on their journey zealously, that nothing may be wanting to them. (14)And let ours also learn to take the lead in good works for necessary wants, that they may not be unfruitful.

(15)All that are with me salute thee. Salute those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

THE LETTER OF PAUL TO PHILEMON.

PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon the beloved and our fellow-laborer, (2)and to Apphia the beloved[1:2], and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: (3)Grace to you, and peace, from G.o.d our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(4)I thank my G.o.d always, making mention of thee in my prayers, (5)hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and unto all the saints; (6)that the fellows.h.i.+p of thy faith[1:6] may become effectual in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us, unto Christ Jesus. (7)For I had[1:7] much joy and consolation in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother. (8)Wherefore, though having much boldness in Christ to enjoin upon thee that which is becoming, (9)yet for love's sake I beseech rather; being such a one, as Paul an old man, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, (10)I beseech thee for my child, whom I begot in my bonds, Onesimus; (11)who in time past was unprofitable to thee, but is now profitable to thee and to me; (12)whom I sent back to thee. But do thou receive him, that is, my own flesh; (13)whom I would have retained with myself, that in thy stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel. (14)But without thy consent I desired to do nothing; that thy benefit may not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. (15)For perhaps he departed for a season to this end, that thou shouldest receive him as thine forever; (16)no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord!

(17)If thou countest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

(18)But if he wronged thee in any thing, or owes aught, put that to my account. (19)I, Paul, wrote it with my own hand, I will repay. Not to say to thee, that to me thou owest also thine own self besides.

(20)Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. (21)Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

(22)But at the same time be preparing for me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

(23)There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus; (24)Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers.

(25)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

LETTER TO THE HEBREWS.

I.

G.o.d, who in many parts and in many ways spoke of old to the fathers by the prophets, (2)in these last days spoke to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, by whom he also made the worlds; (3)who, being the brightness of his glory and the impress of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself[1:3] made a cleansing of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (4)having become so much superior to the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they.

(5)For to whom of the angels said he ever:

Thou art my Son, I this day have begotten thee;

and again: I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.

(6)But when he has again brought in[1:6] the first-begotten into the world, he says And let all the angels of G.o.d wors.h.i.+p him. (7)And of the angels he says:

Who makes his angels winds, And his ministers a flame of fire;

(8)but of the Son:

Thy throne, O G.o.d, is forever and ever; A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom; (9)Thou lovedst righteousness, and hatedst iniquity; Therefore G.o.d, thy G.o.d, anointed thee, With the oil of gladness, above thy fellows;

(10)and:

Thou, Lord, in the beginning, didst found the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands; (11)They will perish, but thou remainest; And they all will become old, as does a garment, (12)And as a vesture thou wilt fold them up, and they will be changed; But thou art the same, And thy years will not fail.

(13)But to whom of the angels has he ever said:

Sit on my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

(14)Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for ministration, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

II.

ON this account, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things heard, lest haply we should let them slip[2:1]. (2)For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received just retribution, (3)how shall we escape, having neglected so great a salvation; which began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard, (4)G.o.d also bearing witness, with signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

(5)For not to the angels did he put in subjection the world to come, of which we are speaking. (6)But one in a certain place testified, saying:

What is man, that thou art mindful of him, Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

(7)Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor; (8)Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet.

For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him.