The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 56

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

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

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

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

(25)For ye were going astray like sheep; but have returned now unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

III.

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

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

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

(10)For he who desires to love life, and to see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; (11)let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it. (12)Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their supplications; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (13)And who is he that shall harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good? (14)But if ye even suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; but fear not with their fear, nor be troubled; (15)but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts; ready always to give an answer to every one that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16)having a good conscience, that wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good deportment in Christ.

(17)For it is better, if it be the will of G.o.d, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing. (18)Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to G.o.d, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit; (19)in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, (20)who were disobedient in times past, when the long-suffering of G.o.d waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water; (21)which in an ant.i.type, immersion, now saves us also (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the requirement of a good conscience toward G.o.d), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; (22)who is on the right hand of G.o.d, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

IV.

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

(7)But the end of all things is at hand. Be therefore sober, and watch unto prayer; (8)but above all things having your love toward one another fervent, because love covers a mult.i.tude of sins; (9)hospitable to one another, without grudging; (10)according as each received a gift, ministering the same to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of G.o.d; (11)if any one speaks, as [uttering]

G.o.d's oracles; if any one ministers, as of the ability which G.o.d bestows; that G.o.d in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

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

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

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

V.

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

(5)In like manner, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yea, all of you submitting to one another, gird yourselves with humility; because, G.o.d resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

(6)Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of G.o.d, that he may exalt you in due time; (7)casting all your care upon him, because he cares for you.

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

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

(12)By Silva.n.u.s, the faithful brother, as I consider, I wrote to you in few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of G.o.d, wherein ye stand.

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

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

THE SECOND GENERAL LETTER OF PETER.

I.

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

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

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

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

(16)For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but had been eye-witnesses of his majesty. (17)For he received from G.o.d the Father honor and glory, when such a voice was borne to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; (18)and this voice we heard borne from heaven, being with him in the holy mount.

(19)And we have more sure the prophetic word; to which ye do well that ye take heed, as to a lamp s.h.i.+ning in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts; (20)knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture comes of private interpretation; (21)for prophecy was never brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from G.o.d.

II.

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

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

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

(17)These are wells without water, mists driven by a tempest, to whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever. (18)For, speaking swelling words of vanity, in l.u.s.ts of the flesh they allure, by wanton ways, such as partly escape those who live in error; (19)promising them liberty, while they themselves are servants of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by the same he is also brought into bondage.

(20)For if, having escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christy but having again become entangled therein they are overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. (21)For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. (22)But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog, returned to his own vomit; and, A sow that was washed, to the wallowing in the mire.

III.

THIS second letter, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure mind by putting you in remembrance; (2)that ye may be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior by your apostles; (3)knowing this first, that there shall come in the last of the days scoffers, in their scoffings, walking after their own l.u.s.ts, (4)and saying: Where is the promise of his coming? for from the day the fathers fell asleep, all things so continue, from the beginning of the creation.

(5)For of this they willingly are ignorant, that by the word of G.o.d there were heavens of old, and earth framed out of water and by means of water, (6)whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; (7)but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by his word are kept in store, being reserved for fire unto the day of judgment and of perdition of unG.o.dly men.

(8)But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

(9)The Lord is not tardy in respect to the promise, as some account tardiness; but is long-suffering toward us[3:9], not wis.h.i.+ng that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10)But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in which the heavens will pa.s.s away with a rus.h.i.+ng noise, and the elements will be dissolved with burning heat, and the earth and the works therein will be burned up.

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

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