# t_web

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After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.


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Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.


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But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!\"


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They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.


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They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus' name.


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Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily service.


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The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, \"It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.


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Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.


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These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;


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The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.


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But some of those who were of the synagogue called \"The Libertines,\" and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.


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Then they secretly induced men to say, \"We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.\"


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They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,


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and set up false witnesses who said, \"This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.


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For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.\"


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All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.


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He said, \"Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,


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and said to him, 'Get out of your land, and from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.'


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Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living.


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He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when he still had no child.


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God spoke in this way: that his seed would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.


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'I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,' said God, 'and after that will they come out, and serve me in this place.'


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He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.


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and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.


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Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food.


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On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's race was revealed to Pharaoh.


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and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.


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\"But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,


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The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn't stay alive.


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At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father's house.


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But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may be also correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"}, the children of Israel.


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Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian.


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He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn't understand.


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\"The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, 'Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?'


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But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?


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Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.


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\"When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.


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When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him,


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'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Moses trembled, and dared not look.


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The Lord said to him, 'Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.


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I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.'


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\"This Moses, whom they refused, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'--God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.


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This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.


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This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, 'The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.{TR adds \"You shall listen to him.\"}'


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This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,


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to whom our fathers wouldn't be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,


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saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him.'


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They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.


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But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?


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You took up the tent of Moloch, The star of your god Rephan, The figures which you made to worship. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.'


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\"Our fathers had the tent of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen;


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which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,


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'heaven is my throne, And the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?' says the Lord; 'Or what is the place of my rest?


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\"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.


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Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.


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Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.


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and said, \"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!\"


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They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.


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He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, \"Lord, don't hold this sin against them!\" When he had said this, he fell asleep.


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Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.


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But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.


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The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.


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For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.


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But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,


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to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, \"This man is that great power of God.\"


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But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.


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Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occuring, he was amazed.


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Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,


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Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,


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But Peter said to him, \"May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!


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Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.


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Simon answered, \"Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.\"


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They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.


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But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, \"Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.\"


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He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.


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Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, \"Do you understand what you are reading?\"


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He said, \"How can I, unless someone explains it to me?\" He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.


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Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, \"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, So he doesn't open his mouth.


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In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.\"


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The eunuch answered Philip, \"Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?\"


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As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, \"Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?\"


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{TR adds \"Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' He answered, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'\"}


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He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.


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When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn't see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.


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But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.


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But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,


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and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.


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As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.


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He said, \"Who are you, Lord?\" The Lord said, \"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.{TR adds \"It's hard for you to kick against the goads.\"}


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Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.


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Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, \"Ananias!\" He said, \"Behold, it's me, Lord.\"


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The Lord said to him, \"Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,


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and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.\"


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But Ananias answered, \"Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.


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But the Lord said to him, \"Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.


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Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, \"Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.\"


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Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.


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He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.


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All who heard him were amazed, and said, \"Isn't this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!\"


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But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.


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but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,


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When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.


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But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.


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preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and disputed against the Grecian Jews, but they were seeking to kill him.


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When the brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.


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So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.


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It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.


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There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.


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Peter said to him, \"Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!\" Immediately he arose.


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Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas.{\"Dorcas\" is Greek for \"Gazelle.\"} This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.


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It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.


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As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men{Reading from NU, TR; MT omits \"two men\"} to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.


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Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.


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Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, \"Tabitha, get up!\" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.


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Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,


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a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.


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At about the ninth hour of the day{3:00 PM}, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, \"Cornelius!\"


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He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, \"What is it, Lord?\" He said to him, \"Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.


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He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.{TR adds \"This one will tell you what it is necessary for you to do.\"}\"


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When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.


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Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.


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He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,


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in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.


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Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate,


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While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, \"Behold, three{Reading from TR and NU. MT omits \"three\"} men seek you.


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They said, \"Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.\"


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So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.


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On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.


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He said to them, \"You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn't call any man unholy or unclean.


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Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?\"


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Cornelius said, \"Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour,{3:00 P. M.} I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,


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and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.


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Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.'


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Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.\"


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The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all--


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that spoken word you yourselves know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;


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even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.


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We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also{TR omits \"also\"} killed, hanging him on a tree.


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not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.


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He charged us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.


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All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.\"


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They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.


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\"Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?\"


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He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.


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Now the apostles and the brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.


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\"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.


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When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.


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But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, 'What God has cleansed, don't you call unclean.'


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Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.


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The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house.


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He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, 'Send to Joppa, and get Simon, whose surname is Peter,


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I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.'


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If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?\"


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When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, \"Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!\"


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They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.


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But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.


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The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,


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who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.


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For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.


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When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that for a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.


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One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.


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As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;


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When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.


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When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.


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Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.


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The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.


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And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, \"Stand up quickly!\" His chains fell off from his hands.


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The angel said to him, \"Get dressed and put on your sandals.\" He did so. He said to him, \"Put on your cloak, and follow me.\"


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And he went out and followed him. He didn't know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.


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When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.


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When Peter had come to himself, he said, \"Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.\"


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Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.


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When she recognized Peter's voice, she didn't open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.


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They said to her, \"You are crazy!\" But she insisted that it was so. They said, \"It is his angel.\"


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But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, \"Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.\" Then he departed, and went to another place.


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Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.


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When Herod had sought for him, and didn't find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.


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Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king's chamberlain, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.


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On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.


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Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn't give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.


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Barnabas and Saul returned to{TR reads \"from\" instead of \"to\"} Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John whose surname was Mark.


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Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.


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As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, \"Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.\"


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So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.


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When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They had also John as their attendant.


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When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus,


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who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.


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and said, \"Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?


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Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!\" Immediately there fell on him a mist and darkness. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.


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Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.


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But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.


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After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, \"Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.\"


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The God of this people{TR, NU add \"Israel\"} chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it.


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When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.


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Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.


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When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'


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From this man's seed, God has brought salvation{TR, NU read \"a Savior, Jesus\" instead of \"salvation\"} to Israel according to his promise,


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before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.{TR, NU read \"to all the people of Israel\" instead of \"to Israel\"}


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As John was fulfilling his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'


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Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.


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For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn't know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.


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When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.


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and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.


t:
that God has fulfilled the same to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son. Today I have become your father.'


t:
\"Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'


t:
For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.


t:
Be it known to you therefore, brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"}, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,


t:
and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.


t:
'Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.'\"


t:
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.


t:
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, \"It was necessary that God's word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.


t:
For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 'I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, That you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'\"


t:
As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.


t:
But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.


t:
It happened in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.


t:
But the disbelieving{or, disobedient} Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.


t:
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.


t:
When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them,


t:
they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.


t:
At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.


t:
He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,


t:
When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, \"The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!\"


t:
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.


t:
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,


t:
\"Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;


t:
Yet he didn't leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you{TR reads \"us\" instead of \"you\"} rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.\"


t:
But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.


t:
But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.


t:
When they had preached the Gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,


t:
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God.


t:
When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.


t:
From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.


t:
When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.


t:
Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, \"Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved.\"


t:
Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.


t:
They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"}


t:
When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.


t:
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, \"It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.\"


t:
When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, \"Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe.


t:
God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.


t:
Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?


t:
But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,{TR adds \"Christ\"} just as they are.\"


t:
All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.


t:
'After these things I will return. I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,


t:
That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.


t:
but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.


t:
For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.\"


t:
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"}


t:
They wrote these things by their hand: \"The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.


t:
Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law,' to whom we gave no commandment;


t:
it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,


t:
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.


t:
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:


t:
that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.\"


t:
So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.


t:
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.


t:
After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.


t:
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.


t:
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, \"Let's return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.\"


t:
But Paul didn't think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do the work.


t:
Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,


t:
He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek.


t:
Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.


t:
As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.


t:
When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.


t:
When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn't allow them.


t:
A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, \"Come over into Macedonia and help us.\"


t:
When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Gospel to them.


t:
and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city.


t:
On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together.


t:
A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul.


t:
When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, \"If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay.\" So she persuaded us.


t:
It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling.


t:
Following Paul and us, she cried out, \"These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation!\"


t:
She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, \"I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!\" It came out that very hour.


t:
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.


t:
When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, \"These men, being Jews, are agitating our city,


t:
The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods.


t:
When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely,


t:
who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.


t:
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.


t:
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were loosened.


t:
The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.


t:
He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.


t:
He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.


t:
The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, \"The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out, and go in peace.\"


t:
But Paul said to them, \"They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most assuredly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!\"


t:
The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,


t:
and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city.


t:
They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia's house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed.


t:
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.


t:
Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,


t:
explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, \"This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.\"


t:
Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.


t:
But the unpersuaded Jews took along{TR reads \"And the Jews who were unpersuaded, becoming envious and taking along\" instead of \"But the unpersuaded Jews took along\"} some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people.


t:
When they didn't find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may be also correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} before the rulers of the city, crying, \"These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,


t:
whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!\"


t:
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.


t:
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.


t:
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.


t:
Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.


t:
But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.


t:
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.


t:
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.


t:
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also{TR omits \"also\"} were conversing with him. Some said, \"What does this babbler want to say?\" Others said, \"He seems to be advocating foreign deities,\" because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.


t:
They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, \"May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you?


t:
For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.\"


t:
Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.


t:
Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, \"You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.


t:
For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you.


t:
The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn't dwell in temples made with hands,


t:
neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.


t:
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,


t:
that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.


t:
'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.'


t:
Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.


t:
The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,


t:
because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.\"


t:
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, \"We want to hear you again concerning this.\"


t:
But certain men joined with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.


t:
He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,


t:
and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.


t:
But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.


t:
When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, \"Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!\"


t:
He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.


t:
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.


t:
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,


t:
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, \"If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;


t:
but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don't want to be a judge of these matters.\"


t:
Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn't care about any of these things.


t:
Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.


t:
He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.


t:
but taking his leave of them, and saying, \"I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills,\" he set sail from Ephesus.


t:
Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.


t:
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.


t:
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.


t:
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more accurately.


t:
When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;


t:
It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.


t:
He said to them, \"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?\" They said to him, \"No, we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.\"


t:
Paul said, \"John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.\"


t:
When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.


t:
He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning the Kingdom of God.


t:
This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.


t:
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out.


t:
But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, \"We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.\"


t:
The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.


t:
This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.


t:
Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.{The 50,000 pieces of silver here probably referred to 50,000 drachmas. If so, the value of the burned books was equivalent to about 160 man-years of wages for agricultural laborers}


t:
Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, \"After I have been there, I must also see Rome.\"


t:
Having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.


t:
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,


t:
whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, \"Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.


t:
You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands.


t:
Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.\"


t:
When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, \"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!\"


t:
The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel.


t:
Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.


t:
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn't know why they had come together.


t:
They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.


t:
But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, \"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!\"


t:
When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, \"You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?


t:
For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.


t:
If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.


t:
For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn't be able to give an account of this commotion.\"


t:
After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.


t:
When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.


t:
These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.


t:
We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.


t:
On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.


t:
There were many lights in the upper chamber where we{TR reads \"they\" instead of \"we\"} were gathered together.


t:
A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.


t:
Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, \"Don't be troubled, for his life is in him.\"


t:
When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.


t:
But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.


t:
Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.


t:
For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.


t:
When they had come to him, he said to them, \"You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,


t:
serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;


t:
how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,


t:
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.{TR adds \"Christ\"}


t:
But these things don't count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.


t:
Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.


t:
Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and{TR, NU omit \"the Lord and\"} God which he purchased with his own blood.


t:
Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.


t:
Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.


t:
Now, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.


t:
In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'\"


t:
sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.


t:
When it happened that we had parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.


t:
When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.


t:
Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.


t:
When it happened that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.


t:
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.


t:
On the next day, we, who were Paul's companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.


t:
Coming to us, and taking Paul's belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, \"Thus says the Holy Spirit: 'So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'\"


t:
Then Paul answered, \"What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.\"


t:
Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.


t:
When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry.


t:
They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, \"You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.


t:
They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.


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Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law.


t:
But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.\"


t:
Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.


t:
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,


t:
crying out, \"Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!\"


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For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.


t:
All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut.


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As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.


t:
Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul.


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Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done.


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Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn't find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.


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When he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd;


t:
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, \"May I speak to you?\" He said, \"Do you know Greek?


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Aren't you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?\"


t:
But Paul said, \"I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.\"


t:
When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,


t:
\"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day.


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As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.


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It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me.


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\"Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn't understand the voice of him who spoke to me.


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I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.'


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When I couldn't see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.


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One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,


t:
came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' In that very hour I looked up at him.


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He said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.


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\"It happened that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,


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and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.'


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I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you.


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When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.'


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They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice, and said, \"Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn't fit to live!\"


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the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that.


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When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, \"Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?\"


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When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, \"Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!\"


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The commanding officer answered, \"I bought my citizenship for a great price.\" Paul said, \"But I was born a Roman.\"


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Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him.


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But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.


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Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, \"Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.\"


t:
Then Paul said to him, \"God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?\"


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Paul said, \"I didn't know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'\"


t:
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, \"Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!\"


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When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.


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For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.


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A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, \"We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not fight against God!\"


t:
When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.


t:
The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, \"Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.\"


t:
When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.


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They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, \"We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.


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Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.\"


t:
But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.


t:
Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, \"Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.\"


t:
So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and said, \"Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you.\"


t:
The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, \"What is it that you have to tell me?\"


t:
He said, \"The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.


t:
Therefore don't yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.\"


t:
So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, \"Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.\"


t:
He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, \"Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night{about 9:00 PM}.\"


t:
He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.


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\"This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.


t:
I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.


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When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.\"


t:
When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.


t:
When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,


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\"I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.\" He commanded that he be kept in Herod's palace.


t:
After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.


t:
When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, \"Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,


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For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.


t:
He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.{TR adds \"We wanted to judge him according to our law,\"}


t:
{TR adds \"but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,\"}


t:
{TR adds \"commanding his accusers to come to you.\"}By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.\"


t:
When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, \"Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,


t:
seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.


t:
In the temple they didn't find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.


t:
But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;


t:
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.


t:
amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.


t:
Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,


t:
unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!'\"


t:
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, \"When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.\"


t:
He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.


t:
But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.


t:
As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, \"Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.\"


t:
Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.


t:
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.


t:
Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,


t:
However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.


t:
\"Let them therefore,\" said he, \"that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.\"


t:
When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.


t:
When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,


t:
while he said in his defense, \"Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.\"


t:
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, \"Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?\"


t:
But Paul said, \"I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.


t:
For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!\"


t:
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, \"You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.\"


t:
Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.


t:
As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, \"There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;


t:
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.


t:
To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.


t:
When therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.


t:
but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.


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Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.


t:
But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.\"


t:
Agrippa said to Festus, \"I also would like to hear the man myself.\" \"Tomorrow,\" he said, \"you shall hear him.\"


t:
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.


t:
Festus said, \"King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.


t:
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.


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Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.


t:
For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.\"


t:
Agrippa said to Paul, \"You may speak for yourself.\" Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.


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\"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews,


t:
especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.


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\"Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem;


t:
having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.


t:
which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!


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\"I myself most assuredly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.


t:
This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.


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Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.


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at noon, O King, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.


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When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'


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But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you;


t:
to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'


t:
but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.


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Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen,


t:
how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.\"


t:
As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, \"Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!\"


t:
But he said, \"I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.


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For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.


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Paul said, \"I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.\"


t:
When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, \"This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.\"


t:
When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.


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Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.


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The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.


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When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.


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When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.


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With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.


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When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them,


t:
and said to them, \"Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.\"


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But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul.


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Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast.


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When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.


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But before long, a tempestuous wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.{Or, \"a northeaster.\"}


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Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.


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After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.


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When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small tempest pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.


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When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, \"Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.


t:
saying, 'Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'


t:
But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.


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They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms.{20 fathoms = 120 feet = 36.6 meters} After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms.{15 fathoms = 90 feet = 27.4 meters}.


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Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight.


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As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow,


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Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, \"Unless these stay in the ship, you can't be saved.\"


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While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, \"This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.


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Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads.\"


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When he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it, and began to eat.


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When it was day, they didn't recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it.


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Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.


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But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.


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But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;


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and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So it happened that they all escaped safely to the land.


t:
The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.


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But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.


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When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, \"No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.\"


t:
But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.


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Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.


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It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.


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They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.


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After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was \"The Twin Brothers.\"


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From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,


t:
where we found brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.


t:
From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.


t:
When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.


t:
It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, \"I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,


t:
But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.


t:
For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.\"


t:
They said to him, \"We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.


t:
But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.\"


t:
When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.


t:
When they didn't agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, \"The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers,


t:
saying, 'Go to this people, and say, In hearing, you will hear, But will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, But will in no way perceive.


t:
For this people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their heart, And would turn again, And I would heal them.'


t:
\"Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles. They will also listen.\"


t:
preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hinderance.


t:
who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,


t:
through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake;


t:
to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.


t:
For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,


t:
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;


t:
that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.


t:
Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.


t:
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.


t:
For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, \"But the righteous shall live by faith.\"


t:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,


t:
For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.


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Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.


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and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.


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Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,


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who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


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For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.


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Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.


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Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;


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being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,


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who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.


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Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things.


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Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?


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Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?


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But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God;


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but to those who are self-seeking, and don't obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,


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oppression and anguish, on every soul of man who works evil, on the Jew first, and also on the Greek.


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For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.


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For it isn't the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified


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(for when Gentiles who don't have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves,


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in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them)


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a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babies, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth.


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You therefore who teach another, don't you teach yourself? You who preach that a man shouldn't steal, do you steal?


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You who say a man shouldn't commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?


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For circumcision indeed profits, if you are a doer of the law, but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.


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If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won't his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision?


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Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?


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For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh;


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but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.


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May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, \"That you might be justified in your words, And might prevail when you come into judgment.\"


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But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.


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For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?


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Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), \"Let us do evil, that good may come?\" Those who say so are justly condemned.


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What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.


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They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, No, not, so much as one.\"


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\"Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.\"  \"The poison of vipers is under their lips;\"


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Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.


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Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.


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But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;


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even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,


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whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice{or, a propitiation}, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God's forbearance;


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to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.


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Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.


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since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.


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For what does the Scripture say? \"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.\"


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But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.


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Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,


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Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.


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How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.


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He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.


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The father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.


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For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn't through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.


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For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.


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For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.


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As it is written, \"I have made you a father of many nations.\" This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.


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Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, \"So will your seed be.\"


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Without being weakened in faith, he didn't consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.


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Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,


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but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,


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through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.


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and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.


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For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.


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For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.


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Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.


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Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.


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Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.


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But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.


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The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.


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For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.


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So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.


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For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one will many be made righteous.


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The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly;


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that as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


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We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.


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For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;


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knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.


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Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.


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Don't you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?


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But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered.


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I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification.


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What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.


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But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life.


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Or don't you know, brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives?


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For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.


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So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.


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Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God.


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For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death.


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But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.


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What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn't have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn't have known coveting, unless the law had said, \"You shall not covet.\"


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But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.


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Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.


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For I don't know what I am doing. For I don't practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.


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For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good.


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I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God's law, but with the flesh, the sin's law.


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There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.


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For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;


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For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.


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because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.


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But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.


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If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.


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But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.


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For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.


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For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, \"Abba{Abba is a Chaldee word for father or daddy, often used affectionately and respectfully in prayer to our Father in heaven.}! Father!\"


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and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.


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For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.


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For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope


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that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.


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Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.


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In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.


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He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.


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We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.


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For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"}


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Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.


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He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?


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Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.


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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?


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Even as it is written, \"For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.\"


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nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


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For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers' sake, my relatives according to the flesh,


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who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises;


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of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.


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But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel.


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Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children. But, \"In Isaac will your seed be called.\"


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That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed.


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For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,


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For he said to Moses, \"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.\"


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For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, \"For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth.\"


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But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, \"Why did you make me like this?\"


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Or hasn't the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?


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What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction,


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and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,


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As he says also in Hosea, \"I will call them 'my people,' which were not my people; And her 'beloved,' who was not beloved.\"


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\"It will be that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' There they will be called 'children of the living God.'\"


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Isaiah cries concerning Israel, \"If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, It is the remnant who will be saved;


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For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.\"


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As Isaiah has said before, \"Unless the Lord of Hosts{Greek: Sabaoth} had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And would have been made like Gomorrah.\"


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What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn't follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith;


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Why? Because they didn't seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;


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even as it is written, \"Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; And no one who believes in him will be disappointed.\"


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For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn't subject themselves to the righteousness of God.


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For Christ is the fulfillment{or, completion, or end} of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.


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But the righteousness which is of faith says this, \"Don't say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down);


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But what does it say? \"The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;\" that is, the word of faith, which we preach:


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that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


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For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


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For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.


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How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher?


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And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: \"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!\"


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But they didn't all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, \"Lord, who has believed our report?\"


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But I say, didn't they hear? Yes, most assuredly, \"Their sound went out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world.\"


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But I ask, didn't Israel know? First Moses says, \"I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of understanding I will make you angry.\"


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Isaiah is very bold, and says, \"I was found by those who didn't seek me. I was revealed to those who didn't ask for me.\"


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But as to Israel he says, \"All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.\"


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I ask then, Did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.


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God didn't reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don't you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel:


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\"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.\"


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But how does God answer him? \"I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.\"


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And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.


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What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn't obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.


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According as it is written, \"God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.\"


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David says, \"Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, A stumbling block, and a retribution to them.


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I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.


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Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?


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For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;


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For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?


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But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;


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don't boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.


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True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don't be conceited, but fear;


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See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.


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They also, if they don't continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.


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For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?


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For I don't desire, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} to have you ignorant of this mystery, so that you won't be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,


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and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, \"There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, And he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.


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Concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake.


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even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.


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Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!


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Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.


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Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.


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For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.


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Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;


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or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.


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Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits.


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Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, \"Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.\"


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Therefore \"If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.\"


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Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.


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Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.


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For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,


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for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.


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Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.


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For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing.


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Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.


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Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.


t:
For the commandments, \"You shall not commit adultery,\" \"You shall not murder,\" \"You shall not steal,\" \"You shall not give false testimony,\" \"You shall not covet,\"{TR adds \"You shall not give false testimony,\"} and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, \"You shall love your neighbor as yourself.\"


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Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.


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The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let's therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let's put on the armor of light.


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Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.


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Don't let him who eats despise him who doesn't eat. Don't let him who doesn't eat judge him who eats, for God has received him.


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Who are you who judge another's servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.


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One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.


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He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn't eat, to the Lord he doesn't eat, and gives God thanks.


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For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord's.


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For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.


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But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.


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For it is written, \"'As I live,' says the Lord, 'to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.'\"


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Therefore let's not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother's way, or an occasion for falling.


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I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.


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Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don't destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.


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for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.


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So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.


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Don't overthrow God's work for food's sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating.


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It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.


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Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn't judge himself in that which he approves.


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But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn't of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. (14:24) Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, (14:25) but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; (14:26) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.{TR places verses 24-26 after Romans 16:24 as verses 25-27.}


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For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, \"The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.\"


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For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.


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Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus,


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Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you,{TR reads \"us\" instead of \"you\"} to the glory of God.


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Now I say that Christ has been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,


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and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, \"Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, And sing to your name.\"


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Again, Isaiah says, \"There will be the root of Jesse, He who arises to rule over the Gentiles; On him will the Gentiles hope.\"


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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.


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I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"}, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.


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But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,


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that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the Gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.


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For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,


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in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ;


t:
yes, making it my aim to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another's foundation.


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But, as it is written, \"They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven't heard will understand.\"


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but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,


t:
whenever I journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.


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For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.


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Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.


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When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.


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I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.


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Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,


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that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;


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I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant{literally, deacon} of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,


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that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.


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who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.


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Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.


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Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.


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Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.


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Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} who are with them.


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Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.


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Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.


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For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.


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For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.


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And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


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Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.


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{See Romans 14:23} {TR places Romans 14:24-26 at the end of Romans instead of at the end of chapter 14, and numbers these verses 16:25-27.}


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to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:


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God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.


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Now I beg you, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.


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For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.


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Now I mean this, that each one of you says, \"I follow Paul,\" \"I follow Apollos,\" \"I follow Cephas,\" and, \"I follow Christ.\"


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(I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don't know whether I baptized any other.)


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For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel--not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn't be made void.


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For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.


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For it is written, \"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.\"


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Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?


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For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.


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but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.


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For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;


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but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;


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and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:


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But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:


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When I came to you, brothers, I didn't come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.


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My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,


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We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing.


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But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,


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which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory.


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But as it is written, \"Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear, Which didn't enter into the heart of man, These God has prepared for those who love him.\"


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But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.


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For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God's Spirit.


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But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.


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Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.


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Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


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for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men?


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Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?


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Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.


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According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.


t:
each man's work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man's work is.


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If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.


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If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are.


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Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.


t:
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, \"He has taken the wise in their craftiness.\"


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whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,


t:
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self.


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For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.


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Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.


t:
Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.


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For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?


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You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.


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For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.


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We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.


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Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.


t:
Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.


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For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Gospel.


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Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.


t:
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.


t:
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father's wife.


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You are puffed up, and didn't rather mourn, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.


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For I most assuredly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.


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In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.


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Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.


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Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


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yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world.


t:
But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Don't even eat with such a person.


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For what have I to do with also judging those who are outside? Don't you judge those who are within?


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Don't you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?


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If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?


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I say this to move you to shame. Isn't there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?


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Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?


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Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,


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nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God.


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Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.


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\"All things are lawful for me,\" but not all things are expedient. \"All things are lawful for me,\" but I will not be brought under the power of anything.


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\"Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods,\" but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.


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Don't you know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!


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Or don't you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, \"The two,\" says he, \"will become one flesh.\"


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Flee sexual immorality! \"Every sin that a man does is outside the body,\" but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.


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Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,


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for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.


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But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.


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Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.


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The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife.


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Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.


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Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.


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(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.


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But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her.


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The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.


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For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy.


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Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.


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For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?


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Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.


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Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.


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Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.


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For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's bondservant.


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Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.


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I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.


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But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.


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But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;


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and those who weep, as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn't possess;


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and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.


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But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;


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There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband.


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This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.


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But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry.


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But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well.


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So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage does better.


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A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord.


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But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit.


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Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.


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Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.


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For though there are things that are called \"gods,\" whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many \"gods\" and many \"lords;\"


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yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.


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However, that knowledge isn't in all men. But some, with consciousness of the idol until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.


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But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don't eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.


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For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol's temple, won't his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?


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Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.


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Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I don't cause my brother to stumble.


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Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord?


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If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


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Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?


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What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn't eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn't drink from the flock's milk?


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For it is written in the law of Moses, \"You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.\" Is it for the oxen that God cares,


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or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.


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If others partake of this right over you, don't we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Gospel of Christ.


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Don't you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?


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But I have used none of these things, and I don't write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.


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For if I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don't preach the Gospel.


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For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.


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What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Gospel, I may present the Gospel of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Gospel.


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To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law;


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to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.


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To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.


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Don't you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.


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Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.


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but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.


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Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;


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and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.


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Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, \"The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.\"


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Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.


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Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.


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No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.


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The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a communion of the body of Christ?


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But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don't desire that you would have communion with demons.


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You can't both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.


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\"All things are lawful for me,\" but not all things are profitable. \"All things are lawful for me,\" but not all things build up.


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But if one of those who don't believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.


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But if anyone says to you, \"This was offered to idols,\" don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For \"the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness.\"


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Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?


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even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.


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Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.


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But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.


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But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.


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For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.


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For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.


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Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord.


t:
But in giving you this command, I don't praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse.


t:
For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.


t:
For in your eating each one takes his own supper before others. One is hungry, and another is drunken.


t:
What, don't you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God's assembly, and put them to shame who don't have? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don't praise you.


t:
For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread.


t:
When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, \"Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.\"


t:
In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, \"This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.\"


t:
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.


t:
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord's cup in a manner unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.


t:
For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn't discern the Lord's body.


t:
But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.


t:
You know that when you were heathen{or Gentiles}, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.


t:
Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God's Spirit says, \"Jesus is accursed.\" No one can say, \"Jesus is Lord,\" but by the Holy Spirit.


t:
For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;


t:
and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.


t:
But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.


t:
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.


t:
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.


t:
If the foot would say, \"Because I'm not the hand, I'm not part of the body,\" it is not therefore not part of the body.


t:
If the ear would say, \"Because I'm not the eye, I'm not part of the body,\" it's not therefore not part of the body.


t:
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?


t:
The eye can't tell the hand, \"I have no need for you,\" or again the head to the feet, \"I have no need for you.\"


t:
Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety;


t:
whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,


t:
that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.


t:
When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.


t:
God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.


t:
If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.


t:
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.


t:
If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.


t:
doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;


t:
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.


t:
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.


t:
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.


t:
For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.


t:
Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.


t:
But now, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?


t:
Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?


t:
So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.


t:
If then I don't know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.


t:
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.


t:
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.


t:
Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the \"Amen\" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't know what you say?


t:
However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.


t:
In the law it is written, \"By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.\"


t:
Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.


t:
If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won't they say that you are crazy?


t:
But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.


t:
And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.


t:
What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.


t:
If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.


t:
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.


t:
let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says.


t:
If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly.


t:
If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.


t:
Now I declare to you, brothers, the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,


t:
by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.


t:
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,


t:
Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.


t:
For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.


t:
But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.


t:
Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?


t:
Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn't raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised.


t:
Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power.


t:
For, \"He put all things in subjection under his feet.\" But when he says, \"All things are put in subjection,\" it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.


t:
When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.


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Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren't raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead?


t:
If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then \"let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.\"


t:
That which you sow, you don't sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind.


t:
All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.


t:
There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial.


t:
There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.


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It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.


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So also it is written, \"The first man, Adam, became a living soul.\" The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.


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However that which is spiritual isn't first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.


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As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.


t:
As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let's{NU, TR read \"we will\" instead of \"let's\"} also bear the image of the heavenly.


t:
Now I say this, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} that flesh and blood can't inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.


t:
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.


t:
But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: \"Death is swallowed up in victory.\"


t:
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.


t:
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.


t:
On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.


t:
When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.


t:
But with you it may be that I will stay, or even winter, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.


t:
For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.


t:
Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.


t:
Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.


t:
Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.


t:
Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister to the saints),


t:
I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.


t:
The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.


t:
If any man doesn't love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed{Greek: anathema.}. Come, Lord!{Aramaic: Maranatha!}


t:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:


t:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;


t:
who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.


t:
But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.


t:
Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort.


t:
For we don't desire to have you uninformed, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.


t:
Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,


t:
who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;


t:
you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed on us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.


t:
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.


t:
For we write no other things to you, than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end;


t:
as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.


t:
and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my journey to Judea.


t:
When I therefore was thus determined, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the \"Yes, yes\" and the \"No, no?\"


t:
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not \"Yes and no,\" but in him is \"Yes.\"


t:
For however many are the promises of God, in him is the \"Yes.\" Therefore also through him is the \"Amen,\" to the glory of God through us.


t:
Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.


t:
And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn't have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.


t:
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.


t:
But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.


t:
so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.


t:
For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.


t:
Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,


t:
I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn't find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.


t:
Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.


t:
to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?


t:
For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.


t:
Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?


t:
being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.


t:
who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


t:
But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away:


t:
For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.


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For most assuredly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.


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and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn't look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.


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But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.


t:
But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.


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But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.


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in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.


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For we don't preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake;


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seeing it is God who said, \"Light will shine out of darkness,\" who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


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But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.


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always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.


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For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.


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But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, \"I believed, and therefore I spoke.\" We also believe, and therefore also we speak;


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knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.


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For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.


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Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.


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For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;


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while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.


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For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.


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For most assuredly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven;


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For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.


t:
Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;


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We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.


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For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.


t:
Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.


t:
For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.


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For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.


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He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.


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Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.


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Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.


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But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;


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namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.


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We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.


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For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.


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for he says, \"At an acceptable time I listened to you, In a day of salvation I helped you.\" Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.


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but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,


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as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.


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Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness?


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What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, \"I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.\"


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Therefore, \"'Come out from among them, And be separate,' says the Lord, 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.


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I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.


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Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.


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For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.


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and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.


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For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.


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I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.


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For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.


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For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.


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So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.


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Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.


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For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.


t:
His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.


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Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;


t:
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.


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begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.


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This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.


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But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.


t:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.


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I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.


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But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.


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For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don't have.


t:
but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.


t:
As it is written, \"He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.\"


t:
For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.


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We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Gospel is known through all the assemblies.


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Not only so, but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.


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We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.


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Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.


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We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.


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As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.


t:
Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.


t:
for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.


t:
But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,


t:
so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.


t:
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.


t:
Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.


t:
Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.


t:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.


t:
As it is written, \"He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.\"


t:
Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;


t:
For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;


t:
seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;


t:
while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.


t:
Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you.


t:
Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.


t:
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,


t:
throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;


t:
Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also we are Christ's.


t:
For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,


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For, \"His letters,\" they say, \"are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.\"


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Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.


t:
For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.


t:
But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.


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For we don't stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn't reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Gospel of Christ,


t:
not boasting beyond proper limits in other men's labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,


t:
so as to preach the Gospel even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.


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For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.


t:
But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.


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For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different gospel, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.


t:
But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.


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Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God's Gospel free of charge?


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When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn't a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.


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But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.


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It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.


t:
I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.


t:
That which I speak, I don't speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.


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For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.


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I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.


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Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.


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Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.


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I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers;


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in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.


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Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.


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In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes desiring to arrest me.


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It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.


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I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.


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how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.


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On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.


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For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above that which he sees in me, or hears from me.


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By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted excessively.


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He has said to me, \"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\" Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.


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Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.


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I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.


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Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.


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For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.


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Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.


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I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?


t:
I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps?


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Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.


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For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;


t:
that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.


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This is the third time I am coming to you. \"At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word established.\"


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I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;


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seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.


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For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.


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Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don't you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.


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Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.


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For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.


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For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.


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Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.


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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.


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and all the brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:


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who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father--


t:
I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel;


t:
and there isn't another gospel. Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ.


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But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.


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As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be cursed.


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For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ.


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But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Gospel which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.


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For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.


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For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.


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I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.


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But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,


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to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood,


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nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.


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but they only heard: \"He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.\"


t:
Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.


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I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.


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This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;


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to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you.


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But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man)--they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,


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but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Gospel for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Gospel for the circumcision


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(for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);


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and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.


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For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.


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And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.


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But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter before them all, \"If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?


t:
yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.


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But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!


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I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.


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I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!\"


t:
Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified?


t:
I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?


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He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?


t:
The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, \"In you all the nations will be blessed.\"


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For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, \"Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.\"


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Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, \"The righteous will live by faith.\"


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Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, \"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,\"


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that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


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Brothers, I speak like men. Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.


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Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, \"To seeds,\" as of many, but as of one, \"To your seed,\" which is Christ.


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Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.


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For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.


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What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.


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Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most assuredly righteousness would have been of the law.


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But the Scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.


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But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed.


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There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


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But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;


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And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, \"Abba,{Abba is a Greek spelling for the Chaldee word for \"Father\" or \"Daddy\" used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.} Father!\"


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But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elements, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?


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That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


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What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.


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However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.


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These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.


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For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.


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For it is written, \"Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.\"


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But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.


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However what does the Scripture say? \"Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman.\"


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Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.


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Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.


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You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.


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For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.


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I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.


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But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling-block of the cross has been removed.


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For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.


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For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one other, that you may not do the things that you desire.


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Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,


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envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.


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Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted.


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For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.


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So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.


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As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.


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For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.


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But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.


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From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.


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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:


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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;


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even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;


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having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,


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to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;


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in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;


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in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,


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who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory.


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For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints,


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that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;


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having the eyes of your hearts{TR reads \"understanding\" instead of \"hearts\"} enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,


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and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might


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which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,


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far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.


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He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,


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in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;


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among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.


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even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),


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that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;


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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.


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Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called \"uncircumcision\" by that which is called \"circumcision,\" (in the flesh, made by hands);


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that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.


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having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;


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and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.


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So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,


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being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;


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if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;


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which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;


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that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel,


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of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.


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To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,


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and to make all men see what is the administration{TR reads \"fellowship\" instead of \"administration\"} of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;


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to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,


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that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;


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that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,


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may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,


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and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


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Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,


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I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,


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Now this, \"He ascended,\" what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?


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He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.


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He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds{The word for \"shepherds\" (poimenas) can also be correctly translated \"pastors.\"} and teachers;


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until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;


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that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;


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from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.


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This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,


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being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts;


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that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit;


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and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.


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Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members one of another.


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Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.


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Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.


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And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.


t:
Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.


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But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;


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nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.


t:
Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.


t:
Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.


t:
But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that is revealed is light.


t:
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord;


t:
giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;


t:
For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.


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But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.


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that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.


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Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.


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For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;


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\"For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.\"


t:
Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.


t:
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


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Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;


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not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;


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knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.


t:
You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.


t:
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.


t:
Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.


t:
Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,


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above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.


t:
with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:


t:
on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel,


t:
But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things;


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whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.


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Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers{The word translated \"overseers\" (episkopos) can also be translated superintendents, guardians, curators, or bishops.} and deacons{Or, servants}:


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for your partnership{The word translated \"partnership\" (koinonia) also means \"fellowship\" and \"sharing.\"} in furtherance of the Gospel from the first day until now;


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being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.


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It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.


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so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;


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being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.


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Now I desire to have you know, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Gospel;


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so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;


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and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.


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The former insincerly preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;


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What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.


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For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,


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according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.


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But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't make known what I will choose.


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But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.


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Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,


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Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Gospel;


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and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.


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Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,


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If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,


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doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;


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And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.


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that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,


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So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.


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that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,


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holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.


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Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.


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But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.


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But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Gospel.


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But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and minister to my need;


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For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.


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I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.


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because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.


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Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.


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For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;


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though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:


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circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;


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concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.


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Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ


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and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;


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that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;


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Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.


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Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,


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Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.


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Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.


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Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.


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For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,


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whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.


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who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.


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Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.


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Yes, I beg you also, true yoke-fellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.


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In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.


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And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.


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Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.


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The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.


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But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.


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Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.


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I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.


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You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.


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But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.


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to the saints and faithful brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel,


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which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;


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even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,


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For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,


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that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;


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strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;


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giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;


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who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;


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For by him were all things created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.


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He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.


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and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.


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yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him,


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if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.


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Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the assembly;


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of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,


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the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,


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to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;


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whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;


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For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;


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that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,


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For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.


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rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.


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Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.


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in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;


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having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.


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You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,


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wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;


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having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.


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Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,


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Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,


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and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth.


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If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,


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Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.


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If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.


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Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;


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but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.


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where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.


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Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;


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bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.


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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.


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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.


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Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.


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Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.


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knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.


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But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.


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Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.


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praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;


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Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.


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All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.


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I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,


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together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.


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Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, \"if he comes to you, receive him\"),


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and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, men who have been a comfort to me.


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Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.


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For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.


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When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.


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Tell Archippus, \"Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.\"


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Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.


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We know, brothers{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} loved by God, that you are chosen,


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and that our Gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.


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You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,


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For from you has sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth; so that we need not to say anything.


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For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,


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and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.


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but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Gospel of God in much conflict.


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But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.


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For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),


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nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.


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Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.


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For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Gospel of God.


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You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.


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As you know how we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,


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For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.


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For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;


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who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn't please God, and are contrary to all men;


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forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.


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But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,


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For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn't it even you, before our Lord Jesus{TR adds \"Christ\"} at his coming?


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Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,


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and sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;


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For most assuredly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.


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For this cause I also, when I couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.


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But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;


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for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.


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For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;


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and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,


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to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.


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Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more.


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that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.


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But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,


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for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;


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and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we charged you;


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But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope.


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For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.


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For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.


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For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,


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then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.


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But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.


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For when they are saying, \"Peace and safety,\" then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.


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You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness,


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But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.


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For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,


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But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,


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We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.


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See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.


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May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:


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We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds;


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so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.


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This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.


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and to give relief to you that are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,


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giving vengeance to those who don't know God, and to those who don't obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus,


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who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,


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when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.


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To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power;


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that the name of our Lord Jesus{TR adds \"Christ\"} may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you


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not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.


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Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,


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he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.


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For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.


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Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nothing by the brightness of his coming;


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even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,


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and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.


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But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;


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So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.


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Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,


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Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you;


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Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.


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neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;


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not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.


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For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: \"If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.\"


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Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.


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If any man doesn't obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.


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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.


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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope;


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to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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As I exhorted you to stay at Ephesus when I was going into Macedonia, that you might charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,


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neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God's stewardship, which is in faith--


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desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.


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as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,


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for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;


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And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;


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although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.


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The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.


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However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.


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Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.


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This charge I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;


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holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;


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of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.


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I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:


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for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.


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to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.


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I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.


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In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;


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but she will be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.


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This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer{Or, bishop}, he desires a good work.


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The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;


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(but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?)


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Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.


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Deacons{The word for \"deacons\" literally means \"servants.\"}, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money;


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For those who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.


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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.


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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.


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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,


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forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.


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For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.


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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.


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For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value for all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.


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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.


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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.


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Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling.


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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.


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Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.


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For the Scripture says, \"You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.\" And, \"The laborer is worthy of his wages.\"


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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.


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Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.


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In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can't be hidden.


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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.


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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.


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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,


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he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,


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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.


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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.


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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.


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But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.


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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.


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I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,


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that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;


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which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;


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who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.


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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;


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laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.


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Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;


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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,


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to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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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


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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.


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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.


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Therefore don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Gospel according to the power of God,


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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,


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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 Gospel.


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For this cause I suffer also 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.


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Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.


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May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,


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(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.


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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.


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No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.


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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.


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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.


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Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.


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men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.


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However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, \"The Lord knows those who are his,\" and, \"Let every one who names the name of the Lord{TR reads \"Christ\" instead of \"the Lord\"} depart from unrighteousness.\"


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Now in a great 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.


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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.


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Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


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in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,


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and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.


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For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,


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without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,


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For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,


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Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.


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But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.


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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.


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But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.


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From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.


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Every writing inspired by God{literally, God-breathed} is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,


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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:


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preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.


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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;


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But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.


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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.


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for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.


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Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.


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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.


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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.


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Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.


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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,


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but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;


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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.


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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;


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if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.


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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;


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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.


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For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,


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whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake.


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One of them, a prophet of their own, said, \"Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.\"


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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.


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They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.


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that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience:


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and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;


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to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed.


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in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,


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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.


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Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;


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not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.


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instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;


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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.


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Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,


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For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.


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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,


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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;


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but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.


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When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.


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Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.


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Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.


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hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;


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that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.


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For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.


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yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.


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I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,{Onesimus means \"useful.\"}


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But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.


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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.


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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).


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Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.


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God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,


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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.


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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;


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having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.


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For to which of the angels did he say at any time,  \"You are my Son, Today have I become your father?\" and again,  \"I will be to him a Father, And he will be to me a Son?\"


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Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, \"Let all the angels of God worship him.\"


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but of the Son he says, \"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.


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You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.\"


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And, \"You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.


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As a mantle you will roll them up, And they will be changed; But you are the same. Your years will not fail.\"


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But of which of the angels has he said at any time, \"Sit at my right hand, Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?\"


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Aren't they all ministering spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?


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Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.


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For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense;


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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;


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God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?


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But one has somewhere testified, saying, \"What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?


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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\"}


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You have put all things in subjection under his feet.\" 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.


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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.


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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.


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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.\"},


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saying, \"I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.\"


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Again, \"I will put my trust in him.\" Again, \"Behold, here am I and the children whom God has given me.\"


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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,


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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.


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Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus;


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For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who built the house has more honor than the house.


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Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken,


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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.


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Therefore I was displeased with that generation, And said, 'They always err in their heart, But they didn't know my ways;'


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Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God;


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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.


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For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end:


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while it is said, \"Today if you will hear his voice, Don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.\"


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With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn't it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?


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Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps a promise being left of entering into his rest, anyone of you should seem to have come short of it.


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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.


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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;\" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.


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For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, \"God rested on the seventh day from all his works;\"


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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,


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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.\"


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Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.


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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.


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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.


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Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.


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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.\"


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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,


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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.


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But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.


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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,


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of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.


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For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,


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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.


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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;


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but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.


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But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this.


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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.


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that you won't be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.


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For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.


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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;


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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.


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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;


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where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.


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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;


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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.


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Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils.


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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 loins of Abraham,


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but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has taken tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.


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Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.


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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?


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For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.


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For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.


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This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,


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who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life:


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(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.


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(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'\".


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Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.


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For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;


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who doesn't need, like those high priests, to daily offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.


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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.


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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,


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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.


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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;


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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.\"


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But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.


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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;


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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.


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\"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 to them a God, And they will be to me a people.


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They will not teach every man his fellow citizen,{TR reads \"neighbor\" instead of \"fellow citizen\"} Every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' For all will know me, From the least of them to the greatest of them.


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For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.\"


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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.


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Now indeed even the first{TR adds \"tabernacle\"} covenant had ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary.


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For there was a tabernacle prepared. In the first part were the lampstand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place.


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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 tables of the covenant;


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and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can't now speak in detail.


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Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services,


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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.


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The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn't yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing;


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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;


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being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.


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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,


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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.


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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:


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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?


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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.


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For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives.


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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,


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Moreover he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in like manner with the blood.


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According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.


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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;


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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,


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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.


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so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.


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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.


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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?


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Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, \"Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire, But a body did you prepare for me;


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Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of me) To do your will, God.'\"


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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),


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then he has said, \"Behold, I have come to do your will.\" He takes away the first, that he may establish the second,


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Every priest indeed stands day by day ministering and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,


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\"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;'\" then he says,


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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,


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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.


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For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,


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but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.


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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?


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For we know him who said, \"Vengeance belongs to me,\" says the Lord, \"I will repay.\" Again, \"The Lord will judge his people.\"


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But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings;


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partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.


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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.


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But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.


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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.


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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 bearing witness with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.


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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.


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By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son;


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accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.


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By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.


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By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.


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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.


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choosing rather to share ill treatment with God's people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;


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accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.


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


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By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.


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By faith, they passed through the Red sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.


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By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn't perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.


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What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;


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who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,


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quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and turned to flight armies of aliens.


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Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.


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They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated


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(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.


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God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.


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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,


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looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


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For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don't grow weary, fainting in your souls.


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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;


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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?


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But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children.


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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?


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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.


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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.


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and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.


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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 thereby the many be defiled;


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lest there be any sexually immoral person, or profane person, as Esau, who sold his birthright for one meal.


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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.


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For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, tempest,


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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,


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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]};\"


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But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,


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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,


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to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.


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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,


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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.\"


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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.


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Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,


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Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.


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Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.


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Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.


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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.\"


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So that with good courage we say, \"The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?\"


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Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.


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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.


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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.


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Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.


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Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.


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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.


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Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.


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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,


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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.


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James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings.


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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,


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.


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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.


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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.


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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.}.


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For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror;


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But he who looks into the perfect law, the 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.


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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.


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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.


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For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your assembly, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in;


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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;\"


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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?


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But you have dishonored the poor man. Don't the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?


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However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, \"You shall love your neighbor as yourself,\" you do well.


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For he who said, \"Do not commit adultery,\" said also, \"Do not commit murder.\" Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.


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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?


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Yes, a man will say, \"You have faith, and I have works.\" Show me your faith from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.


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and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, \"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness;\" and he was called the friend of God.


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In like manner wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?


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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.


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Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.


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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.


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So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!


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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.{Gehenna is a name that describes a burning Hell with rotting bodies and unclean things in it}


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For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.


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Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.


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Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.


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Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.


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But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.


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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.


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Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?


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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.


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You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.


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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.


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But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, \"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.\"


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Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.


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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.


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Come now, you who say, \"Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.\"


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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.


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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.


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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 Hosts.


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You have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.


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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.


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Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.


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Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.


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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.


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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\"}


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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,


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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.


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Confess your offenses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.


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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.


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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.


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Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as strangers in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,


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according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled in his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.


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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,


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who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


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Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,


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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--


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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--


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Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,


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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.


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To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.


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Therefore, prepare your minds for action,{Literally, \"gird up the loins 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--


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as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,


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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 strangers here in reverent fear:


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knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,


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who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake,


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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.


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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:


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having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.


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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;


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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.


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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.\"


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For you therefore who believe is the honor, but for such as are disobedient, \"The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone,\"


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and, \"A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.\" For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed.


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But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:


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who in time past were no people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.


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Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;


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having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.


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Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;


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For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:


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Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.


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For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.


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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.


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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,


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Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;


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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.


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For you were going astray like sheep; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer{\"Overseer\" is from the Greek episkopon, which can mean overseer, curator, guardian, or superintendent.} of your souls.


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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;


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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;


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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.


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For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God, also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:


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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.


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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.


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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.


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For, \"He who would love life, And see good days, Let him keep his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.


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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.\"


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But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. \"Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled.\"


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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:


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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.


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For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.


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Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;


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who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.


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This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you-- not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


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who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.


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Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;


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that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.


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For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.


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For to this end was the Gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.


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But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.


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According as each has received a gift, be ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the grace of God in its various forms.


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If any man speaks, let it be as it were oracles of God. If any man serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


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Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.


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But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also you may rejoice with exceeding joy.


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If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.


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For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters.


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But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.


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For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Gospel of God?


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Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.


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I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.


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Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;


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Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for \"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.\"


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Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.


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Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.


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But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.


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Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.


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Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:


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seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;


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by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.


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Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;


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For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.


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Therefore, brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.


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For thus will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.


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Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.


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knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.


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Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.


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For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


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For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, \"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.\"


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We have the more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arises in your hearts:


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For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.


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But there also arose false prophets among the people, as among you also there will be false teachers, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.


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Many will follow their immoral{TR reads \"destructive\" instead of \"immoral\"} ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned.


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In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber.


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For if God didn't spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus{Tartarus is another name for Hell}, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved to judgment;


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and didn't spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood on the world of the ungodly;


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and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly;


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(for that righteous man dwelling among them, was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds):


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the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment;


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but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;


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whereas angels, though greater in might and power, don't bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord.


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But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed,


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receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you;


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having eyes full of adultery, and who can't cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;


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forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing;


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but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with man's voice and stopped the madness of the prophet.


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These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.


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For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;


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promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for by whom a man is overcome, by the same is he also brought into bondage.


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For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state has become worse with them than the first.


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For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.


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But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, \"The dog turns to his own vomit again,\" and \"the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.\"


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This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you;


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that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:


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and saying, \"Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.\"


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For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water, by the word of God;


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But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.


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But don't forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.


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The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.


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But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.


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Therefore since all these things are thus to be destroyed, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy living and godliness,


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looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?


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But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.


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Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight.


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Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;


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as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.


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You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.


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But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.


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That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life


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(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);


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that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.


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This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.


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If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth.


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But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.


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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


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My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor{Greek Parakleton: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comfortor.} with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.


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And he is the atoning sacrifice{\"atoning sacrifice\" is from the Greek \"hilasmos,\" an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation-- the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.} for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.


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One who says, \"I know him,\" and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.


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But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:


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Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.


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Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.


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But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.


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I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.


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I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.


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Don't love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him.


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For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's.


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Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the end times.


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They went out from us, but they didn't belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.


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I have not written to you because you don't know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.


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Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.


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Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn't have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.


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Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.


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As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don't need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.


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Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.


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If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him.


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Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.


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Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.


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Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.


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He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil.


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Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.


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In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother.


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unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.


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We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn't love his brother remains in death.


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Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.


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By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.


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But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?


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My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.


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and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.


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This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded.


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He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.


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Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


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By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,


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and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already.


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You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.


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We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn't listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.


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Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.


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By this was God's love revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.


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In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice{\"atoning sacrifice\" is from the Greek \"hilasmos,\" an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation-- the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.} for our sins.


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No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.


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We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.


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In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.


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There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.


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If a man says, \"I love God,\" and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?


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Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Whoever loves the father also loves the child who is born of him.


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For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.


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This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.


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For there are three who testify{Only a few recent manuscripts add \"in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth\"}:


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If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God's testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.


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He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn't believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son.


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These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.


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This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.


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And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.


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If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don't say that he should make a request concerning this.


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We know that whoever is born of God doesn't sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn't touch him.


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We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.


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The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth;


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Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


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I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.


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Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.


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This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.


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For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don't confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist.


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Watch yourselves, that we don't lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.


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Whoever transgresses and doesn't remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn't have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.


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If anyone comes to you, and doesn't bring this teaching, don't receive him into your house, and don't welcome him,


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Having many things to write to you, I don't want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.


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For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.


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Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.


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They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God,


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I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say.


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Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.


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Beloved, don't imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn't seen God.


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Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.


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but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.


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Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:


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Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.


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For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ.


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Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn't believe.


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Angels who didn't keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.


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Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these, given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.


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Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.


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But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, \"May the Lord rebuke you!\"


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But these speak evil of whatever things they don't know. What they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.


t:
Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah's rebellion.


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These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;


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wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.


t:
About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, \"Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,


t:
to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.\"


t:
These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.


t:
But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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They said to you that \"In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.\"


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and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.


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Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,


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to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.


t:
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,


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Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.


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John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;


t:
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;


t:
and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


t:
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.


t:
\"I am the Alpha and the Omega,{TR adds \"the Beginning and the End\"}\" says the Lord God,{TR omits \"God\"} \"who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.\"


t:
I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God's Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.


t:
saying, \"{TR adds \"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.\"}What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies{TR adds \"which are in Asia\"}: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.\"


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And among the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.


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His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.


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He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.


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When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, \"Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last,


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and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.


t:
Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter;


t:
the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.


t:
To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: \"He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lampstands says these things:


t:
\"I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.


t:
You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have{TR adds \"have labored and\"} not grown weary.


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Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.


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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.


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\"To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: \"The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things:


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\"I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.


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Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.


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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won't be harmed by the second death.


t:
\"To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: \"He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:


t:
\"I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.


t:
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.


t:
So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise{TR reads \"which I hate\" instead of \"likewise\"}.


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Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.


t:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna,{Manna is supernatural food, named after the Hebrew for \"What is it?\". See Exodus 11:7-9.} and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.


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\"To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: \"The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says these things:


t:
I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first.


t:
But I have this against you, that you tolerate your{TR, NU read \"that\" instead of \"your\"} woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.


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Behold, I will throw her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent of her works.


t:
I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.


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But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as don't have this teaching, who don't know what some call 'the deep things of Satan,' to you I say, I am not putting any other burden on you.


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He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.


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He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:


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\"And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: \"I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.


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Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God.


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Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won't watch, I will come as a thief, and you won't know what hour I will come upon you.


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Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.


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He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.


t:
\"To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: \"He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:


t:
\"I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn't deny my name.


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Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.


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Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.


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He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.


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\"To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: \"The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God's creation, says these things:


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Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;


t:
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.


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Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.


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He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.


t:
After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, \"Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this.\"


t:
Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne


t:
that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.


t:
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.


t:
Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.


t:
Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.


t:
The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.


t:
The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, \"Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy{TR and NU read \"holy\" 3 times instead of 9.} is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!\"


t:
When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,


t:
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,


t:
\"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One,{TR omits \"and God, the Holy One,\"} to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!\"


t:
I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals.


t:
I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, \"Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?\"


t:
No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look in it.


t:
One of the elders said to me, \"Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.\"


t:
I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.


t:
Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.


t:
They sang a new song, saying, \"You are worthy to take the book, And to open its seals: For you were killed, And bought us for God with your blood, Out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,


t:
I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands;


t:
saying with a loud voice, \"Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!\"


t:
I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, \"To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!{TR omits \"Amen!\"}\"


t:
The four living creatures said, \"Amen!\" The {TR adds \"twenty-four\"}elders fell down and worshiped.{TR adds \"the one living forever and ever\"}


t:
I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, \"Come and see!\"


t:
And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.


t:
Another came forth, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword.


t:
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, \"Come and see!\" And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.


t:
I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, \"A choenix{A choenix is a dry volume measure that is a little more than a litre (a little more than a quart).} of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius! Don't damage the oil and the wine!\"


t:
And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him.


t:
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had.


t:
They cried with a loud voice, saying, \"How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?\"


t:
A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers,{The word for \"brothers\" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated \"brothers and sisters\" or \"siblings.\"} who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.


t:
I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood.


t:
The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.


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The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.


t:
The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.


t:
They told the mountains and the rocks, \"Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,


t:
After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.


t:
I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea,


t:
saying, \"Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!\"


t:
I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:


t:
Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,


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Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,


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Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,


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Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.


t:
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.


t:
They cried with a loud voice, saying, \"Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!\"


t:
All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God,


t:
saying, \"Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.\"


t:
One of the elders answered, saying to me, \"These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?\"


t:
I told him, \"My lord, you know.\" He said to me, \"These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb's blood.


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Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.


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They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat;


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for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.\"


t:
Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.


t:
The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.


t:
The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.


t:
The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up,{TR omits \"One third of the earth was burnt up\"} and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.


t:
The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood,


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and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.


t:
The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters.


t:
The name of the star is called \"Wormwood.\" One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.


t:
The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn't shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way.


t:
I saw, and I heard an eagle,{TR reads \"angel\" instead of \"eagle\"} flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, \"Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!\"


t:
The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him.


t:
He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a{TR adds \"great\"} burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit.


t:
Then out of the smoke came forth locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.


t:
They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don't have God's seal on their foreheads.


t:
They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person.


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In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them.


t:
The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people's faces.


t:
They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war.


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They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.


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They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is \"Abaddon,\"{\"Abaddon\" is a Hebrew word that means ruin, destruction, or the place of destruction} but in Greek, he has the name \"Apollyon.\"{\"Apollyon\" means \"Destroyer.\"}


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saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, \"Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!\"


t:
The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind.


t:
The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million{literally, \"ten thousands of ten thousands\"}. I heard the number of them.


t:
Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur.


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By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths.


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For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm.


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The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn't repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn't worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk.


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They didn't repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries,{The word for \"sorceries\" (pharmakeia) also implies the use of potions, poisons, and drugs} nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.


t:
I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.


t:
He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.


t:
When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, \"Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don't write them.\"


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and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay,


t:
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets.


t:
The voice which I heard from heaven, again speaking with me, said, \"Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.\"


t:
I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, \"Take it, and eat it up. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.\"


t:
I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.


t:
A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, \"Rise, and measure God's temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it.


t:
Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don't measure it, for it has been given to the gentiles. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.


t:
I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.\"


t:
If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way.


t:
These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.


t:
When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.


t:
Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.


t:
From among the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations people will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.


t:
Those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.


t:
After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them.


t:
I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, \"Come up here!\" They went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them.


t:
In that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven.


t:
The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, \"The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!\"


t:
The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God,


t:
saying: \"We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was{TR adds \"and who is coming\"}; because you have taken your great power, and reigned.


t:
The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.\"


t:
God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.


t:
A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.


t:
Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns.


t:
His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.


t:
She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.


t:
The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.


t:
There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.


t:
The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.


t:
I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, \"Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.


t:
They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death.


t:
Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.\"


t:
When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.


t:
Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


t:
The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.


t:
The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth.


t:
The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony.


t:
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.


t:
The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.


t:
One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.


t:
They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, \"Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?\"


t:
A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.


t:
He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven.


t:
It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.


t:
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.


t:
If anyone has captivity, he will go. If anyone is with the sword, he must be killed.{TR reads \"If anyone leads into captivity, into captivity he goes. If anyone will kill with the sword, he must be killed with a sword.\" instead of \"If anyone has captivity, he goes away. If anyone is with the sword, he must be killed.\"} Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.


t:
I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.


t:
He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.


t:
He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.


t:
He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.


t:
It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed.


t:
He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads;


t:
and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.


t:
Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.


t:
I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads.


t:
I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps.


t:
They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.


t:
These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.


t:
I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people.


t:
He said with a loud voice, \"Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!\"


t:
Another, a second angel, followed, saying, \"Babylon the great has fallen, which has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality.\"


t:
Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, \"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand,


t:
he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.


t:
The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.


t:
Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.\"


t:
I heard the voice from heaven saying, \"Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'\" \"Yes,\" says the Spirit, \"that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.\"


t:
I looked, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.


t:
Another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, \"Send forth your sickle, and reap; for the hour to reap has come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe!\"


t:
Another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, \"Send forth your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for the earth's grapes are fully ripe!\"


t:
The angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.


t:
The winepress was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out from the winepress, even to the bridles of the horses, as far as one thousand six hundred stadia.{1600 stadia = 296 kilometers or 184 miles}


t:
I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished.


t:
I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image,{TR adds \"his mark,\"} and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.


t:
They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, \"Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations.


t:
Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, And glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed.\"


t:
After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.


t:
The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts.


t:
One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.


t:
The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished.


t:
I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, \"Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!\"


t:
The first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth, and it became a harmful and evil sore on the people who had the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his image.


t:
The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man. Every living thing in the sea died.


t:
I heard the angel of the waters saying, \"You are righteous, who are and who were, you Holy One, because you have judged these things.


t:
For they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this.\"


t:
People were scorched with great heat, and people blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They didn't repent and give him glory.


t:
The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain,


t:
and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores. They didn't repent of their works.


t:
The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates. Its water was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrise.


t:
I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, something like frogs;


t:
for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day of God, the Almighty.


t:
\"Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he doesn't walk naked, and they see his shame.\"


t:
The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came forth out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, \"It is done!\"


t:
There were lightnings, sounds, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men on the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty.


t:
The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.


t:
Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent,{1 talent is about 34 kilograms or 75 pounds} came down out of the sky on people. People blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for this plague is exceedingly severe.


t:
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, \"Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters,


t:
with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and those who dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her sexual immorality.\"


t:
He carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored animal, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.


t:
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of the sexual immorality of the earth.


t:
And on her forehead a name was written, \"MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.\"


t:
I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered with great amazement.


t:
The angel said to me, \"Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.


t:
The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present.{TR reads \"yet is\" instead of \"shall be present\"}


t:
They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while.


t:
The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction.


t:
The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour.


t:
These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. They also will overcome who are with him, called and chosen and faithful.\"


t:
He said to me, \"The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.


t:
The ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute, and will make her desolate, and will make her naked, and will eat her flesh, and will burn her utterly with fire.


t:
For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.


t:
After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory.


t:
He cried with a mighty voice, saying, \"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird!


t:
For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality, the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from the abundance of her luxury.\"


t:
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, \"Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don't receive of her plagues,


t:
Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.


t:
However much she glorified herself, and grew wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning. For she says in her heart, 'I sit a queen, and am no widow, and will in no way see mourning.'


t:
Therefore in one day her plagues will come: death, mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire; for the Lord God who has judged her is strong.


t:
The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived wantonly with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning,


t:
standing far away for the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For your judgment has come in one hour.'


t:
merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all expensive wood, every vessel of ivory, every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble;


t:
and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, sheep, horses, chariots, bodies, and people's souls.


t:
The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you, and all things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you will find them no more at all.


t:
The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far away for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning;


t:
saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, she who was dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls!


t:
For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.' Every shipmaster, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away,


t:
They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!' For in one hour is she made desolate.


t:
Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her.\"


t:
A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, \"Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all.


t:
The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. No craftsman, of whatever craft, will be found any more at all in you. The sound of a mill will be heard no more at all in you.


t:
The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you; for your merchants were the princes of the earth; for with your sorcery all the nations were deceived.


t:
In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on the earth.\"


t:
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, \"Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God:


t:
for true and righteous are his judgments. For he has judged the great prostitute, who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.\"


t:
The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, \"Amen! Hallelujah!\"


t:
A voice came forth from the throne, saying, \"Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!\"


t:
I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, \"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!


t:
Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.\"


t:
It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.


t:
He said to me, \"Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'\" He said to me, \"These are true words of God.\"


t:
I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, \"Look! Don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.\"


t:
I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.


t:
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself.


t:
Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.


t:
I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, \"Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God,{TR reads \"supper of the great God\" instead of \"great supper of God\"}


t:
that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, and small and great.\"


t:
I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse, and against his army.


t:
The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.


t:
The rest were killed with the sword of him who sat on the horse, the sword which came forth out of his mouth. All the birds were filled with their flesh.


t:
I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.


t:
He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years,


t:
and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time.


t:
I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn't worship the beast nor his image, and didn't receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with Christ for the thousand years.


t:
The rest of the dead didn't live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.


t:
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.


t:
and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.


t:
They went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God, and devoured them.


t:
The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.


t:
I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them.


t:
I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.


t:
The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works.


t:
I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.


t:
I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.


t:
I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, \"Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.


t:
He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.\"


t:
He who sits on the throne said, \"Behold, I am making all things new.\" He said, \"Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.\"


t:
He said to me, \"It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.


t:
But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,{The word for \"sorcerers\" here also includes users of potions and drugs.} idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.\"


t:
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, \"Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb's bride.\"


t:
He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,


t:
having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal;


t:
having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.


t:
On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.


t:
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.


t:
He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls.


t:
The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia{12,012 stadia = or 2,221 kilometers or 1,380 miles. TR reads 12,000 stadia instead of 12,012 stadia.}. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.


t:
Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits,{144 cubits is about 65.8 meters or 216 feet} by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.


t:
The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire{or, lapis lazuli}; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;


t:
the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.


t:
The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.


t:
The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.


t:
The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.


t:
There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.


t:
He showed me a{TR adds \"pure\"} river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,


t:
in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.


t:
There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him.


t:
There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.


t:
He said to me, \"These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.\"


t:
Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.


t:
He said to me, \"See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.\"


t:
He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.\"


t:
Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.


t:
Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.


t:
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.\"


t:
The Spirit and the bride say, \"Come!\" He who hears, let him say, \"Come!\" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.


t:
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.


t:
If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.


