I beseech you
therefore,
brethren,
by the mercies
of God,
that ye
present
your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy,
acceptable
unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed
to this world:
but be
ye transformed
by the renewing
of your mind,
that ye
may prove
what is that good,
and acceptable,
and perfect,
will of God.
For I say,
through the grace given
unto me,
to every man
that is
among you,
not
to think
of himself
more highly than
he ought to think;
but
to think soberly,
according as God
hath dealt
to every man
the measure
of faith.
Having
then gifts
differing according to
the grace
that is given to us,
whether prophecy,
let us
prophesy
according to
the proportion
of faith;
Or ministry,
let us
wait on our ministering:
or he
that teacheth,
on teaching;
Or he
that exhorteth,
on exhortation:
he that giveth,
let him
do it
with simplicity;
he that ruleth,
with diligence;
he that
sheweth mercy,
with cheerfulness.
Let love
be without dissimulation.
Abhor
that which
is evil;
cleave to that which
is good.
Be kindly affectioned one
to another
with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one
another;
Not slothful
in business;
fervent
in spirit;
serving the Lord;
Rejoicing
in hope;
patient
in tribulation;
continuing instant
in prayer;
Distributing
to the necessity
of saints;
given
to hospitality.
Bless them
which persecute you:
bless,
and curse not.
Rejoice with them that
do rejoice,
and weep
with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one
toward another.
Mind not high things,
but condescend
to men
of low estate.
Be not wise
in your own conceits.
Recompense
to no man
evil for evil.
Provide things honest
in the sight
of all men.
If it
be possible,
as much as
lieth in you,
live peaceably
with all men.
Dearly beloved,
avenge not yourselves,
but
rather give
place unto wrath:
for it
is written,
Vengeance is mine;
I will repay,
saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger,
feed him;
if he thirst,
give him drink:
for in so
doing
thou shalt heap coals
of fire
on his head.
Be not overcome
of evil,
but overcome evil
with good.
Owe
no man any thing,
but
to love one
another:
for he
that loveth
another
hath fulfilled
the law.
For this,
Thou
shalt not commit
adultery,
Thou shalt not kill,
Thou shalt not steal,
Thou
shalt not bear
false witness,
Thou shalt not covet;
and
if there be
any other commandment,
it is briefly comprehended
in this saying,
namely,
Thou
shalt love
thy neighbour
as thyself.
Love worketh no ill
to his neighbour:
therefore love
is the fulfilling
of the law.
And that,
knowing the time,
that now
it is high
time
to awake out of sleep:
for now is
our salvation nearer
than
when we believed.
The night
is far spent,
the day
is at hand:
let us
therefore cast
off the works
of darkness,
and let us
put on the armour
of light.
Let us
walk honestly,
as in the day;
not in rioting
and drunkenness,
not in chambering
and wantonness,
not in strife
and envying.
But put
ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make not provision
for the flesh,
to fulfil the lusts
thereof.
Let us
therefore follow
after the things
which make
for peace,
and things
wherewith one
may edify another.
For meat
destroy not the work
of God.
All things
indeed are pure;
but it
is evil
for that man
who eateth with offence.
It is good neither
to eat flesh,
nor to drink wine,
nor any thing
whereby
thy brother stumbleth,
or is offended,
or is made weak.
We then that
are strong
ought to bear
the infirmities
of the weak,
and not
to please ourselves.
Let every one
of us please
his neighbour
for his good
to edification.
Now as touching things
offered
unto idols,
we know that
we all have knowledge.
Knowledge
puffeth up,
but charity edifieth.
Howbeit
there is not
in every man
that knowledge:
for some
with conscience
of the idol
unto this hour
eat it
as a thing
offered
unto an idol;
and their conscience
being weak
is defiled.
But meat
commendeth us not
to God:
for neither,
if we eat,
are
we the better;
neither,
if we
eat not,
are we the worse.
But take
heed lest by any
means
this liberty
of your's become
a stumblingblock
to them
that are weak.
For if any man
see thee
which hast
knowledge
sit
at meat
in the idol's temple,
shall not the conscience
of him which
is weak
be emboldened
to eat
those things
which are offered
to idols;
And through thy knowledge
shall
the weak brother perish,
for whom Christ died?
But
when ye
sin so
against the brethren,
and wound
their weak conscience,
ye sin
against Christ.
Wherefore,
if meat
make my brother
to offend,
I will eat
no flesh
while the world standeth,
lest
I make
my brother
to offend.
Neither be
ye idolaters,
as were
some of them;
as it is written,
The people
sat down
to eat and drink,
and rose up to play.
Neither let us
commit fornication,
as some of them committed,
and fell
in one day three
and twenty thousand.
Neither let us
tempt Christ,
as some of them
also tempted,
and were destroyed
of serpents.
Neither murmur ye,
as some of them
also murmured,
and were destroyed
of the destroyer.
Let
no man
seek his own,
but every man
another's wealth.
But
if any man
say unto you,
This
is offered
in sacrifice
unto idols,
eat not
for his sake
that shewed it,
and
for conscience sake:
for the earth
is the Lord's,
and the fulness
thereof:
Conscience,
I say,
not thine own,
but of the other:
for why
is
my liberty
judged
of another
man's conscience?
Whether therefore
ye eat,
or drink,
or whatsoever
ye do,
do all
to the glory
of God.
Give none offence,
neither to the Jews,
nor
to the Gentiles,
nor to the church
of God:
Brethren,
be not children
in understanding:
howbeit in malice
be
ye children,
but
in understanding
be men.
Watch ye,
stand fast
in the faith,
quit you like men,
be strong.
Let all
your things
be done
with charity.
Now
I pray to God
that
ye do no evil;
not that
we should appear approved,
but that ye
should do
that which
is honest,
though we
be as reprobates.
Stand
fast
therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ
hath made us free,
and be not entangled again
with the yoke
of bondage.
This
I say then,
Walk
in the Spirit,
and ye
shall not
fulfil the lust
of the flesh.
Brethren,
if a man
be overtaken
in a fault,
ye which
are spiritual,
restore
such an one
in the spirit
of meekness;
considering thyself,
lest
thou also be tempted.
Bear
ye one another's burdens,
and so
fulfil the law
of Christ.
I therefore,
the prisoner
of the Lord,
beseech you
that
ye walk worthy
of the vocation
wherewith
ye are called,
With all lowliness
and meekness,
with longsuffering,
forbearing one
another
in love;
Endeavouring
to keep the unity
of the Spirit
in the bond
of peace.
Be ye angry,
and sin not:
let not
the sun go down
upon your wrath:
Neither give
place
to the devil.
Let him
that stole
steal no more:
but rather let him labour,
working
with his hands
the thing which
is good,
that he
may have to give
to him that needeth.
Let no corrupt communication
proceed
out of your mouth,
but that which
is good
to the use
of edifying,
that it
may minister
grace
unto the hearers.
And grieve not
the holy Spirit
of God,
whereby
ye are sealed
unto the day
of redemption.
Let all bitterness,
and wrath,
and anger,
and clamour,
and evil speaking,
be put away
from you,
with all malice:
And be
ye kind one
to another,
tenderhearted,
forgiving one
another,
even as God
for Christ's sake
hath forgiven you.
Be ye
therefore followers
of God,
as dear children;
And walk in love,
as Christ
also hath loved us,
and hath given himself
for us an offering
and a
sacrifice
to God
for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication,
and all uncleanness,
or covetousness,
let it
not be once named
among you,
as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness,
nor foolish talking,
nor jesting,
which are not convenient:
but rather giving
of thanks.
For this
ye know,
that no whoremonger,
nor unclean person,
nor covetous man,
who is an idolater,
hath any inheritance
in the kingdom
of Christ
and of God.
Let no man
deceive you
with vain words:
for because
of these things
cometh the wrath
of God
upon the children
of disobedience.
And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works
of darkness,
but
rather reprove them.
See
then that
ye walk circumspectly,
not as fools,
but as wise,
Wherefore be
ye not unwise,
but understanding
what the will
of the Lord is.
And be not drunk
with wine,
wherein is excess;
but be filled
with the Spirit;
Speaking
to yourselves
in psalms
and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing
and making melody
in your heart
to the Lord;
Giving thanks
always
for all things
unto God
and the Father
in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one
to another
in the fear
of God.
Finally,
my brethren,
be strong
in the Lord,
and
in the power
of his might.
Put on the whole armour
of God,
that ye
may be able
to stand
against the wiles
of the devil.
Wherefore
take
unto you
the whole armour
of God,
that ye
may be able
to withstand
in the evil day,
and having done all,
to stand.
Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about
with truth,
and having
on the breastplate
of righteousness;
And your feet shod
with the preparation
of the gospel
of peace;
Above all,
taking the shield
of faith,
wherewith
ye shall be able
to quench all
the fiery darts
of the wicked.
And take
the helmet
of salvation,
and the sword
of the Spirit,
which is the word
of God:
Praying always
with all prayer
and supplication
in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto
with all perseverance
and supplication
for all saints;
Only let
your conversation
be as it
becometh
the gospel
of Christ:
that whether
I come
and see you,
or else
be absent,
I may hear
of your affairs,
that ye
stand
fast
in one spirit,
with one mind
striving together
for the faith
of the gospel;
And
in nothing
terrified
by your adversaries:
which is
to them
an evident token
of perdition,
but to you
of salvation,
and that of God.
Fulfil ye
my joy,
that ye
be likeminded,
having the same love,
being
of one accord,
of one mind.
Let nothing
be done
through strife
or vainglory;
but in lowliness
of mind
let each esteem other better
than themselves.
Look
not every man
on his own things,
but every man
also on the things
of others.
Let this mind
be in you,
which was also
in Christ Jesus:
Who,
being in the form
of God,
thought it
not robbery to be
equal
with God:
But made himself
of no reputation,
and took upon him the form
of a servant,
and was made
in the likeness
of men:
And being found
in fashion
as a man,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient
unto death,
even the death
of the cross.
Wherefore,
my beloved,
as ye
have always obeyed,
not as
in my presence only,
but
now much more
in my absence,
work out
your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
For it
is
God which
worketh in you both to
will
and
to do
of his good pleasure.
Do all things
without murmurings
and disputings:
That ye
may be
blameless
and harmless,
the sons of God,
without rebuke,
in the midst
of a crooked
and perverse nation,
among whom
ye shine
as lights
in the world;
Holding
forth the word
of life;
that I
may rejoice
in the day
of Christ,
that I
have not run
in vain,
neither laboured
in vain.
Rejoice
in the Lord alway:
and again
I say,
Rejoice.
Let your moderation
be known unto all men.
The Lord is at hand.
Be careful
for nothing;
but in every thing
by prayer and
supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests
be made
known
unto God.
Finally,
brethren,
whatsoever things
are true,
whatsoever things
are honest,
whatsoever things
are just,
whatsoever things
are pure,
whatsoever things
are lovely,
whatsoever
things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if
there be
any praise,
think
on these things.
Those things,
which ye
have both learned,
and received,
and heard,
and seen in me,
do:
and
the God
of peace
shall be
with you.
As ye
have therefore received Christ Jesus
the Lord,
so walk
ye in him:
Let no man
therefore judge you
in meat,
or in drink,
or in respect
of an holyday,
or of the new moon,
or of the sabbath days:
Wherefore
if ye
be dead
with Christ
from the rudiments
of the world,
why,
as though living
in the world,
are
ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not;
taste not;
handle not;
Which all are
to perish
with the using;)
after the commandments
and doctrines
of men?
Which things
have indeed
a shew
of wisdom
in will worship,
and humility,
and neglecting
of the body:
not in any honour
to the satisfying
of the flesh.
If ye
then be risen
with Christ,
seek those things
which are above,
where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection
on things above,
not on things
on the earth.
Mortify therefore your members
which are upon the earth;
fornication,
uncleanness,
inordinate affection,
evil concupiscence,
and covetousness,
which is idolatry:
But
now
ye also put off all these;
anger,
wrath,
malice,
blasphemy,
filthy communication
out of your mouth.
Lie not one
to another,
seeing that
ye have put off
the old man
with his deeds;
Put on therefore,
as the elect
of God,
holy
and beloved,
bowels
of mercies,
kindness,
humbleness
of mind,
meekness,
longsuffering;
Forbearing one
another,
and forgiving one
another,
if any man
have a quarrel
against any:
even as Christ
forgave you,
so also do ye.
And above
all these things
put on charity,
which is the bond
of perfectness.
And let
the peace of God
rule
in your hearts,
to the which
also ye
are called in
one body;
and be
ye thankful.
Let the word
of Christ
dwell in you
richly in all wisdom;
teaching
and admonishing one
another
in psalms
and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing
with grace
in your hearts
to the Lord.
And whatsoever
ye do
in word or deed,
do all
in the name
of the Lord Jesus,
giving
thanks
to God
and the Father
by him.
And whatsoever
ye do,
do it heartily,
as to the Lord,
and not unto men;
And the Lord
make you
to increase and
abound
in love one
toward another,
and
toward all men,
even as
we do toward you:
Furthermore
then
we beseech you,
brethren,
and exhort you
by the Lord Jesus,
that as ye
have received of us
how ye
ought to walk
and
to please God,
so ye
would abound
more
and more.
For this
is the will
of God,
even your sanctification,
that ye
should abstain
from fornication:
Not in the lust
of concupiscence,
even as the Gentiles which
know not God:
That no man
go beyond
and defraud
his brother
in any matter:
because
that the Lord
is the avenger
of all such,
as we
also have forewarned you
and testified.
But
as touching brotherly
love
ye need not that
I write unto you:
for ye yourselves
are taught
of God
to love one
another.
And indeed
ye do it
toward all
the brethren which
are in all Macedonia:
but
we beseech you,
brethren,
that ye
increase more
and more;
And
that ye
study
to be quiet,
and to do
your own business,
and
to work
with your own hands,
as we
commanded you;
That ye
may walk
honestly toward
them that
are without,
and that
ye may have
lack
of nothing.
Therefore let us
not sleep,
as do others;
but let us
watch and be sober.
But let us,
who are of the day,
be sober,
putting on the breastplate
of faith
and love;
and
for an helmet,
the hope
of salvation.
And
we beseech you,
brethren,
to know them which labour
among you,
and are over you
in the Lord,
and admonish you;
And
to esteem them very
highly in love
for their work's sake.
And be
at peace
among yourselves.
Now
we exhort you,
brethren,
warn them that
are unruly,
comfort
the feebleminded,
support the weak,
be patient
toward all men.
See that none
render evil for evil
unto any man;
but ever follow
that which
is good,
both among yourselves,
and to all men.
In every thing
give thanks:
for this
is
the will
of God
in Christ Jesus
concerning you.
Despise not
prophesyings.
Prove all things;
hold
fast
that which
is good.
Abstain
from all appearance
of evil.
Therefore,
brethren,
stand fast,
and hold
the traditions
which ye
have been taught,
whether by word,
or our epistle.
Now
we command you,
brethren,
in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye
withdraw yourselves
from every brother
that walketh disorderly,
and
not after the tradition
which he
received of us.
For yourselves
know how
ye ought to follow us:
for we
behaved not ourselves
disorderly among you;
Neither did
we eat
any man's bread
for nought;
but wrought
with labour
and travail
night and day,
that we
might not be chargeable
to any of you:
Not
because
we have not power,
but
to make ourselves
an ensample
unto you
to follow us.
For even
when
we were with you,
this
we commanded you,
that if any
would not work,
neither should
he eat.
For we
hear that
there are
some which
walk
among you disorderly,
working not
at all,
but are busybodies.
Now them
that are such
we command
and exhort
by our Lord Jesus Christ,
that with quietness
they work,
and eat
their own bread.
But ye,
brethren,
be not
weary in well doing.
And
if any man
obey not our word
by this epistle,
note that man,
and have no company
with him,
that
he may be ashamed.
Yet count him not
as an enemy,
but admonish him
as a brother.
Neither give
heed
to fables
and endless genealogies,
which minister questions,
rather than godly edifying which
is in faith:
so do.
I exhort therefore,
that,
first of all,
supplications,
prayers,
intercessions,
and giving
of thanks,
be made
for all men;
For kings,
and for all
that are in authority;
that we
may lead
a quiet
and peaceable life
in all godliness
and honesty.
I will therefore
that men
pray every where,
lifting
up holy hands,
without wrath
and doubting.
In like manner also,
that women
adorn themselves
in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness
and sobriety;
not with broided hair,
or gold,
or pearls,
or costly array;
But
(which
becometh women professing godliness)
with good works.
Let the woman
learn
in silence
with all subjection.
But I
suffer not
a woman
to teach,
nor
to usurp authority
over the man,
but
to be
in silence.
A bishop
then must be blameless,
the husband
of one wife,
vigilant,
sober,
of good behaviour,
given
to hospitality,
apt to teach;
Not given
to wine,
no striker,
not greedy
of filthy lucre;
but patient,
not a brawler,
not covetous;
One that
ruleth well
his own house,
having his children
in subjection
with all gravity;
(For
if a man
know not how
to rule
his own house,
how shall
he take care of
the church
of God?)
Not a novice,
lest
being lifted up
with pride
he fall
into the condemnation
of the devil.
Moreover he
must have
a good report
of them
which are without;
lest
he fall
into reproach
and the snare
of the devil.
Likewise must
the deacons
be grave,
not doubletongued,
not given
to much wine,
not greedy
of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery
of the faith
in a pure conscience.
And let
these also first be proved;
then let them
use the office
of a deacon,
being found blameless.
Even so
must their wives
be grave,
not slanderers,
sober,
faithful
in all things.
Let the deacons
be the husbands
of one wife,
ruling their children
and their own
houses well.
For they
that
have used the office
of a deacon
well purchase
to themselves
a good degree,
and great boldness
in the faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times
some shall depart
from the faith,
giving
heed
to seducing spirits,
and doctrines
of devils;
Speaking
lies
in hypocrisy;
having their conscience seared
with a hot iron;
Forbidding
to marry,
and commanding
to abstain
from meats,
which God
hath created
to be received
with thanksgiving
of them which
believe
and know
the truth.
For every creature
of God
is good,
and nothing
to be refused,
if it
be received
with thanksgiving:
For it
is sanctified by the word
of God and prayer.
If thou put
the brethren
in remembrance
of these things,
thou shalt be
a good minister
of Jesus Christ,
nourished up
in the words
of faith
and of good doctrine,
whereunto
thou hast attained.
But refuse
profane
and old wives' fables,
and exercise thyself rather
unto godliness.
Let
no man
despise thy youth;
but be
thou an example
of the believers,
in word,
in conversation,
in charity,
in spirit,
in faith,
in purity.
Till I come,
give attendance
to reading,
to exhortation,
to doctrine.
Neglect
not the gift
that is in thee,
which was given thee
by prophecy,
with the laying on
of the hands
of the presbytery.
Meditate
upon these things;
give thyself wholly to them;
that thy
profiting
may appear
to all.
Take
heed
unto thyself,
and
unto the doctrine;
continue in them:
for in doing this
thou shalt both save thyself,
and them that
hear thee.
Rebuke
not an elder,
but intreat him
as a father;
and the younger men
as brethren;
The elder women
as mothers;
the younger
as sisters,
with all purity.
Honour widows
that are widows indeed.
But
if any widow
have children
or nephews,
let them
learn first
to shew piety at home,
and
to requite their parents:
for that is
good
and acceptable
before God.
Now she
that is
a widow indeed,
and desolate,
trusteth in God,
and continueth in supplications
and prayers
night and day.
But she
that
liveth in pleasure
is dead
while she liveth.
And these things
give in charge,
that they
may be blameless.
But
if any
provide not
for his own,
and specially for those
of his own house,
he hath denied
the faith,
and is worse
than an infidel.
Let not a widow
be taken
into the number
under threescore years old,
having been the wife
of one man.
Well reported of
for good works;
if she
have brought
up children,
if she
have lodged strangers,
if she
have washed
the saints' feet,
if she
have relieved
the afflicted,
if she
have diligently followed
every good work.
But the younger widows refuse:
for when
they have begun
to wax wanton
against Christ,
they will marry;
Having damnation,
because
they have cast
off their first faith.
And withal
they learn
to be idle,
wandering about
from house to house;
and not only idle,
but tattlers
also and busybodies,
speaking things
which they ought not.
I will therefore
that the younger women marry,
bear children,
guide the house,
give none occasion
to the adversary
to speak reproachfully.
If any man
or woman
that believeth
have widows,
let them
relieve them,
and let not
the church
be charged;
that it
may relieve them
that are widows indeed.
Let the elders
that rule
well be counted
worthy of double honour,
especially
they
who labour
in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith,
Thou
shalt not muzzle
the ox
that treadeth
out the corn.
And,
The labourer
is worthy
of his reward.
Against an elder
receive not
an accusation,
but before two
or three witnesses.
Them that sin
rebuke
before all,
that others
also may fear.
I charge thee
before God,
and the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the elect angels,
that thou
observe these things
without preferring one
before another,
doing nothing
by partiality.
But thou,
O man of God,
flee these things;
and follow
after righteousness,
godliness,
faith,
love,
patience,
meekness.
Fight the good fight
of faith,
lay hold on
eternal life,
whereunto
thou art
also called,
and hast professed
a good profession
before many witnesses.
I give thee charge
in the sight
of God,
who quickeneth all things,
and
before Christ Jesus,
who before Pontius Pilate
witnessed
a good confession;
That thou
keep this commandment
without spot,
unrebukable,
until the appearing
of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Charge them that
are rich in
this world,
that they
be not highminded,
nor trust
in uncertain riches,
but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all
things
to enjoy;
That they
do good,
that they
be
rich in good works,
ready
to distribute,
willing
to communicate;
Laying up
in store
for themselves
a good foundation
against the time
to come,
that they
may lay
hold on
eternal life.
O Timothy,
keep that
which is committed
to thy trust,
avoiding profane
and vain babblings,
and oppositions
of science falsely so called:
Hold
fast
the form
of sound words,
which thou
hast heard of me,
in faith
and love which
is in Christ Jesus.
That good thing
which was committed
unto thee
keep
by the Holy Ghost
which dwelleth in us.
Nevertheless
the foundation
of God
standeth sure,
having this seal,
The Lord
knoweth them
that are his.
And,
Let every one that
nameth the name
of Christ
depart
from iniquity.
Flee also youthful lusts:
but follow
righteousness,
faith,
charity,
peace,
with them that
call on the Lord
out of a pure heart.
But foolish
and unlearned questions avoid,
knowing that
they do gender
strifes.
And the servant
of the Lord
must not strive;
but be gentle
unto all men,
apt to teach,
patient,
In meekness
instructing
those that
oppose themselves;
if God peradventure
will give them repentance
to the acknowledging
of the truth;
For men
shall be lovers
of their own selves,
covetous,
boasters,
proud,
blasphemers,
disobedient
to parents,
unthankful,
unholy,
Without natural affection,
trucebreakers,
false accusers,
incontinent,
fierce,
despisers
of those
that are good,
Traitors,
heady,
highminded,
lovers
of pleasures
more than lovers
of God;
Having a form
of godliness,
but denying
the power thereof:
from such turn away.
For this cause left
I thee in Crete,
that thou
shouldest set
in order
the things
that are wanting,
and ordain elders
in every city,
as I
had appointed thee:
If any
be blameless,
the husband
of one wife,
having
faithful children
not accused
of riot
or unruly.
For a bishop
must be blameless,
as the steward
of God;
not selfwilled,
not soon angry,
not given
to wine,
no striker,
not given
to filthy lucre;
But a lover
of hospitality,
a lover
of good men,
sober,
just,
holy,
temperate;
Holding fast
the faithful word as he
hath been taught,
that he
may be able
by sound doctrine both
to exhort
and
to convince the gainsayers.
For there are
many unruly
and vain talkers
and deceivers,
specially
they
of the circumcision:
Whose mouths
must be stopped,
who subvert
whole houses,
teaching things
which they ought not,
for filthy lucre's sake.
One
of themselves,
even a prophet
of their own,
said,
The Cretians
are alway liars,
evil beasts,
slow bellies.
This witness
is true.
Wherefore rebuke them sharply,
that they
may be
sound
in the faith;
Not giving
heed
to Jewish fables,
and commandments
of men,
that turn
from the truth.
That the aged men
be sober,
grave,
temperate,
sound in faith,
in charity,
in patience.
The aged women likewise,
that they
be
in behaviour
as becometh holiness,
not false accusers,
not given
to much wine,
teachers
of good things;
That they
may teach
the young women
to be sober,
to love their husbands,
to love their children,
To be discreet,
chaste,
keepers at home,
good,
obedient
to their own husbands,
that the word
of God
be not blasphemed.
Exhort
servants
to be obedient
unto their own masters,
and
to please them
well in all things;
not answering again;
Not purloining,
but shewing all
good fidelity;
that they
may adorn
the doctrine
of God
our Saviour
in all things.
For the grace
of God
that
bringeth
salvation
hath appeared
to all men,
Put them in mind
to be subject to principalities
and powers,
to obey magistrates,
to be ready
to every good work,
To speak evil
of no man,
to be no brawlers,
but gentle,
shewing all meekness
unto all men.
This is a faithful saying,
and these things
I will
that thou
affirm constantly,
that they which
have believed
in God
might be careful
to maintain good works.
These things
are good
and profitable
unto men.
Therefore leaving the principles
of the doctrine
of Christ,
let us
go on
unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation
of repentance
from dead works,
and of faith
toward God,
And we
desire that every one
of you
do shew
the same diligence
to the full assurance
of hope
unto the end:
That ye
be not slothful,
but followers
of them
who through faith
and patience
inherit the promises.
Let us
draw near
with a true heart
in full assurance
of faith,
having
our hearts
sprinkled
from an evil conscience,
and our bodies
washed
with pure water.
Let us
hold
fast the profession
of our faith
without wavering;
(for he
is faithful
that promised;)
And let us
consider one
another
to provoke
unto love
and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves
together,
as the manner
of some is;
but exhorting one
another:
and so much
the more,
as ye
see the day approaching.
Wherefore seeing
we also are compassed about
with so great
a cloud
of witnesses,
let us
lay aside every weight,
and the sin which
doth so easily beset us,
and let us
run
with patience
the race
that is set
before us,
Looking unto Jesus
the author
and finisher
of our faith;
who for the joy
that was set
before him
endured the cross,
despising
the shame,
and is set down
at the right hand
of the throne
of God.
For consider him that
endured
such contradiction
of sinners
against himself,
lest
ye be wearied
and faint
in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted
unto blood,
striving against sin.
And
ye have forgotten
the exhortation
which speaketh unto you as
unto children,
My son,
despise not
thou the chastening
of the Lord,
nor faint
when
thou art
rebuked of him:
Wherefore lift
up the hands
which hang down,
and the feeble knees;
And make straight paths
for your feet,
lest
that which
is lame
be turned
out of the way;
but let it
rather be healed.
Follow peace
with all men,
and holiness,
without which no man
shall see
the Lord:
Looking diligently
lest any man
fail of the grace
of God;
lest any root
of bitterness
springing
up trouble you,
and thereby many
be defiled;
Lest
there be
any fornicator,
or profane person,
as Esau,
who for one morsel
of meat
sold his birthright.
Be not forgetful
to entertain strangers:
for thereby some
have entertained angels unawares.
Remember them that
are in bonds,
as bound with them;
and them which
suffer adversity,
as being yourselves also
in the body.
Let your conversation
be without covetousness;
and be content
with such things
as ye have:
for he
hath said,
I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.
Remember them which
have the rule
over you,
who have spoken
unto you
the word of God:
whose faith follow,
considering the end
of their conversation.
Be not carried about
with divers
and strange doctrines.
For it
is a good thing
that the heart
be established
with grace;
not with meats,
which have not profited them
that have been occupied
therein.
By him therefore let us offer
the sacrifice
of praise
to God continually,
that is,
the fruit
of our lips
giving
thanks
to his name.
But
to do good and
to communicate
forget not:
for with such sacrifices God
is well pleased.
Obey them that
have the rule
over you,
and submit yourselves:
for they watch
for your souls,
as they
that must give
account,
that they
may do it
with joy,
and not with grief:
for that is unprofitable
for you.