But the men
of Sodom
were wicked
and sinners
before the LORD exceedingly.
And the LORD said,
Because the cry
of Sodom
and Gomorrah
is great,
and
because
their sin
is very grievous;
And the land
is defiled:
therefore I
do visit
the iniquity
thereof upon it,
and the land itself
vomiteth out her inhabitants.
Furthermore
the LORD
spake unto me,
saying,
I have seen
this people,
and,
behold,
it is a stiffnecked people:
Ye have been rebellious
against the LORD
from the day
that
I knew you.
He found him
in a desert land,
and
in the waste howling wilderness;
he led him about,
he instructed him,
he kept him
as the apple
of his eye.
For their vine
is of the vine
of Sodom,
and of the fields
of Gomorrah:
their grapes
are grapes
of gall,
their clusters
are bitter:
Their wine
is the poison
of dragons,
and the cruel venom
of asps.
As saith
the proverb
of the ancients,
Wickedness
proceedeth
from the wicked:
but mine hand
shall not be
upon thee.
And Ahab
said
to Elijah,
Hast
thou found me,
O mine enemy?
And he answered,
I have found thee:
because
thou hast sold
thyself
to work evil
in the sight
of the LORD.
For he walked
in the ways
of the kings
of Israel,
and made also
molten images
for Baalim.
And now
ye purpose
to keep
under the children
of Judah
and Jerusalem
for bondmen
and bondwomen
unto you:
but are there
not with you,
even with you,
sins
against the LORD your God?
Which thou
hast commanded
by thy servants the prophets,
saying,
The land,
unto which
ye go
to possess it,
is an unclean land
with the filthiness
of the people
of the lands,
with their abominations,
which have filled it
from one end
to another
with their uncleanness.
Who can bring
a clean thing
out of an unclean?
not one.
How much more abominable
and filthy
is man,
which drinketh
iniquity like water?
The wicked man
travaileth
with pain all
his days,
and the number of years
is hidden
to the oppressor.
A dreadful sound
is in his ears:
in prosperity
the destroyer
shall come upon him.
He believeth
not
that he
shall return out of darkness,
and
he is waited for
of the sword.
He wandereth abroad
for bread,
saying,
Where is it?
he knoweth that
the day
of darkness
is ready
at his hand.
Trouble
and anguish
shall make him afraid;
they shall prevail against him,
as a king ready
to the battle.
For he stretcheth out
his hand
against God,
and strengtheneth himself
against the Almighty.
He runneth upon him,
even on his neck,
upon the thick bosses
of his bucklers:
Because
he covereth
his face
with his fatness,
and maketh collops
of fat
on his flanks.
And
he dwelleth in desolate cities,
and in houses which no
man inhabiteth,
which are ready
to become heaps.
He shall not be rich,
neither shall
his substance continue,
neither shall
he prolong
the perfection
thereof upon the earth.
He shall not depart
out of darkness;
the flame
shall dry
up his branches,
and by the breath
of his mouth
shall he go away.
Let not him
that is deceived
trust in vanity:
for vanity
shall be
his recompence.
It shall be accomplished
before his time,
and his branch
shall not be green.
He shall shake
off his unripe grape
as the vine,
and shall cast
off his flower
as the olive.
For the congregation
of hypocrites
shall be desolate,
and fire
shall consume
the tabernacles
of bribery.
They conceive
mischief,
and bring forth
vanity,
and their belly
prepareth deceit.
Though wickedness
be sweet
in his mouth,
though he
hide it
under his tongue;
Though he
spare it,
and forsake it not;
but keep it still
within his mouth:
Is not thy wickedness great?
and thine iniquities infinite?
Some remove
the landmarks;
they violently take away flocks,
and feed
thereof.
They drive away
the ass
of the fatherless,
they take
the widow's ox
for a pledge.
They turn
the needy out of the way:
the poor
of the earth
hide themselves together.
Behold,
as wild asses
in the desert,
go they forth
to their work;
rising betimes
for a prey:
the wilderness
yieldeth food
for them and
for their children.
They reap every one
his corn
in the field:
and
they gather
the vintage
of the wicked.
They
cause the naked
to lodge without
clothing,
that they
have no
covering
in the cold.
They are wet with the showers
of the mountains,
and embrace
the rock
for want
of a shelter.
They pluck
the fatherless
from the breast,
and take
a pledge
of the poor.
They cause him
to go naked
without clothing,
and
they take away
the sheaf
from the hungry;
Which make
oil
within their walls,
and tread
their winepresses,
and suffer thirst.
Men groan from
out of the city,
and the soul
of the wounded
crieth out:
yet God
layeth not folly
to them.
They are of those
that rebel
against the light;
they know not
the ways thereof,
nor
abide in
the paths thereof.
The murderer
rising with the light
killeth the poor
and needy,
and in the night
is as a thief.
The eye
also of the adulterer
waiteth for the twilight,
saying,
No eye
shall see me:
and disguiseth his face.
In the dark
they dig
through houses,
which they
had marked
for themselves
in the daytime:
they know not
the light.
For the morning
is to them
even as
the shadow
of death:
if one
know them,
they are in the terrors
of the shadow
of death.
He is swift
as the waters;
their portion
is cursed
in the earth:
he beholdeth not the way
of the vineyards.
Drought
and heat
consume the snow waters:
so doth
the grave those
which have sinned.
The womb
shall forget him;
the worm
shall feed sweetly
on him;
he shall be
no more remembered;
and wickedness
shall be broken
as a tree.
He evil
entreateth
the barren
that beareth not:
and doeth not good
to the widow.
He draweth also the mighty
with his power:
he riseth up,
and
no man
is sure
of life.
Though it
be given him
to be in safety,
whereon
he resteth;
yet his eyes
are upon their ways.
They are exalted
for a little while,
but are gone
and brought low;
they are taken
out of the way
as all other,
and cut off
as the tops
of the ears
of corn.
For there is no faithfulness
in their mouth;
their inward part
is very wickedness;
their throat
is an open sepulchre;
they flatter
with their tongue.
Behold,
he travaileth
with iniquity,
and hath conceived
mischief,
and brought forth
falsehood.
He made a pit,
and digged it,
and is fallen
into the ditch
which he made.
His mischief
shall return
upon his own head,
and his violent dealing
shall come down
upon his own pate.
The wicked,
through the pride
of his countenance,
will not seek
after God:
God is not
in all his thoughts.
His ways
are always grievous;
thy judgments
are far above
out of his sight:
as for all his enemies,
he puffeth at them.
He hath said
in his heart,
I shall not be moved:
for I
shall never be
in adversity.
His mouth
is full of cursing
and deceit
and fraud:
under his tongue
is mischief
and vanity.
He sitteth in the lurking places
of the villages:
in the secret
places
doth
he murder
the innocent:
his eyes
are privily set
against the poor.
He lieth
in wait secretly
as a lion
in his den:
he lieth
in wait
to catch the poor:
he doth catch
the poor,
when
he draweth him
into his net.
He croucheth,
and humbleth himself,
that the poor
may fall
by his strong ones.
He hath said
in his heart,
God hath forgotten:
he hideth his face;
he will never see it.
The transgression
of the wicked
saith within my heart,
that there is
no fear
of God
before his eyes.
For he
flattereth himself
in his own eyes,
until his iniquity
be found to be hateful.
The words
of his mouth
are iniquity
and deceit:
he hath left off
to be wise,
and to do good.
He deviseth mischief
upon his bed;
he setteth himself
in a way
that is not good;
he abhorreth not evil.
The wicked
plotteth against the just,
and gnasheth upon him
with his teeth.
Man that is
in honour,
and understandeth not,
is like
the beasts that perish.
Seeing
thou hatest instruction,
and casteth
my words
behind thee.
When
thou sawest a thief,
then
thou
consentedst with him,
and hast been partaker
with adulterers.
Thou givest
thy mouth
to evil,
and thy tongue
frameth deceit.
Thou sittest
and speakest
against thy brother;
thou slanderest thine
own mother's son.
Why boastest
thou thyself
in mischief,
O mighty man?
the goodness
of God
endureth continually.
The tongue
deviseth mischiefs;
like a sharp razor,
working deceitfully.
Thou lovest
evil more than good;
and lying rather than
to speak righteousness.
Selah.
Thou lovest all devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue.
The fool
hath said
in his heart,
There is no God.
Corrupt are they,
and have done
abominable iniquity:
there is none
that doeth good.
God looked down
from heaven
upon the children
of men,
to see
if there were
any that
did understand,
that did seek God.
Every one
of them is gone back:
they are altogether become filthy;
there is none
that doeth good,
no,
not one.
Have the workers
of iniquity no knowledge?
who eat
up my people
as they
eat bread:
they have not called
upon God.
There were
they
in great fear,
where no fear was:
for God
hath scattered the bones
of him that
encampeth against thee:
thou hast put them
to shame,
because God
hath despised them.
The wicked
are estranged
from the womb:
they go astray
as soon as they
be born,
speaking lies.
Their poison
is like
the poison
of a serpent:
they are like
the deaf adder
that stoppeth her ear;
Which will not hearken to the voice
of charmers,
charming never
so wisely.
Who whet
their tongue like a sword,
and bend
their bows
to shoot their arrows,
even bitter words:
That they
may shoot
in secret
at the perfect:
suddenly do
they
shoot at him,
and fear not.
They encourage themselves
in an evil matter:
they commune
of laying
snares privily;
they say,
Who shall see them?
They search
out iniquities;
they accomplish
a diligent search:
both the inward thought
of every one
of them,
and the heart,
is deep.
For there are
no bands
in their death:
but their strength
is firm.
They are not
in trouble
as other men;
neither are
they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride
compasseth
them about
as a chain;
violence
covereth them
as a garment.
Their eyes
stand out
with fatness:
they
have more than
heart could wish.
They are corrupt,
and speak wickedly concerning
oppression:
they speak loftily.
They set their mouth
against the heavens,
and their tongue
walketh through the earth.
Therefore
his people return hither:
and waters
of a full cup
are wrung out
to them.
And they say,
How doth
God know?
and is there knowledge
in the most High?
Behold,
these are the ungodly,
who prosper
in the world;
they increase
in riches.
LORD,
how long
shall the wicked,
how long
shall the wicked triumph?
How long
shall
they utter
and speak
hard things?
and all
the workers
of iniquity
boast themselves?
They break
in pieces thy people,
O LORD,
and afflict
thine heritage.
They slay
the widow
and the stranger,
and murder
the fatherless.
Yet they say,
The LORD
shall not see,
neither shall
the God of Jacob
regard it.
Salvation is far
from the wicked:
for they
seek not
thy statutes.
For that
they hated
knowledge,
and did not choose
the fear
of the LORD:
They would none of my counsel:
they despised all
my reproof.
To deliver thee
from the way
of the evil man,
from the man
that speaketh froward things;
Who leave
the paths
of uprightness,
to walk
in the ways
of darkness;
Who rejoice
to do evil,
and delight
in the frowardness
of the wicked;
Whose ways
are crooked,
and
they froward
in their paths:
To deliver thee
from the strange woman,
even from the stranger which
flattereth with her words;
Which forsaketh
the guide
of her youth,
and forgetteth
the covenant
of her God.
For her house
inclineth unto death,
and her paths
unto the dead.
None that
go
unto her return again,
neither take
they hold
of the paths
of life.
For they
sleep not,
except they
have done mischief;
and their sleep
is taken away,
unless they
cause some
to fall.
A naughty person,
a wicked man,
walketh with a froward mouth.
He winketh with his eyes,
he speaketh with his feet,
he teacheth with his fingers;
Frowardness
is in his heart,
he deviseth mischief continually;
he soweth discord.
Therefore shall
his calamity
come suddenly;
suddenly shall
he be broken
without remedy.
It is
as sport
to a fool
to do mischief:
but a man
of understanding
hath wisdom.
The desire accomplished
is sweet
to the soul:
but it
is abomination
to fools
to depart
from evil.
Fools make a
mock
at sin:
but among the righteous
there is favour.
The way
of the wicked
is an abomination
unto the LORD:
but he
loveth him
that
followeth after righteousness.
Correction is grievous
unto him that
forsaketh the way:
and he
that
hateth
reproof shall die.
Though thou
shouldest bray a fool
in a mortar
among wheat
with a pestle,
yet will not
his foolishness
depart from him.
They that
forsake the law
praise the wicked:
but such as keep
the law
contend with them.
I said
in mine heart
concerning the estate
of the sons
of men,
that God
might manifest them,
and that
they might see
that they themselves
are beasts.
Because
sentence
against an evil work
is not executed speedily,
therefore the heart
of the sons
of men
is fully set
in them to do evil.
Ah sinful nation,
a people
laden
with iniquity,
a seed
of evildoers,
children
that are corrupters:
they have forsaken
the LORD,
they have provoked
the Holy One
of Israel
unto anger,
they are gone away backward.
Why should
ye be stricken any more?
ye will revolt
more
and more:
the whole head
is sick,
and the whole heart faint.
From the sole
of the foot
even unto the head
there is no soundness in it;
but wounds,
and bruises,
and putrifying sores:
they have not been closed,
neither bound
up,
neither
mollified
with ointment.
The shew
of their countenance
doth witness against them;
and
they declare
their sin
as Sodom,
they hide it not.
Woe unto their soul!
for they
have rewarded evil
unto themselves.
Woe unto them that rise
up early
in the morning,
that they
may follow
strong drink;
that continue until night,
till wine
inflame them!
And the harp,
and the viol,
the tabret,
and pipe,
and wine,
are in their feasts:
but
they regard not
the work
of the LORD,
neither consider
the operation
of his hands.
Woe unto them that draw iniquity
with cords
of vanity,
and sin as it
were with a cart rope:
That say,
Let him make speed,
and hasten
his work,
that we
may see it:
and let
the counsel
of the Holy One
of Israel
draw nigh
and come,
that we
may know it!
Woe unto them that call
evil good,
and good evil;
that put darkness
for light,
and light
for darkness;
that put bitter
for sweet,
and sweet
for bitter!
Woe unto them that
are wise
in their own eyes,
and prudent
in their own sight!
Woe unto them that
are mighty
to drink wine,
and men
of strength
to mingle strong drink:
Which justify
the wicked
for reward,
and take away
the righteousness
of the righteous
from him!
Therefore as the fire
devoureth the stubble,
and the flame
consumeth the chaff,
so their root
shall be
as rottenness,
and their blossom
shall go up
as dust:
because
they have cast away
the law
of the LORD
of hosts,
and despised
the word
of the Holy One
of Israel.
Therefore is
the anger
of the LORD
kindled
against his people,
and
he hath stretched
forth his hand
against them,
and hath smitten them:
and the hills
did tremble,
and their carcases
were torn
in the midst
of the streets.
For all
this his anger
is not turned away,
but his hand
is stretched out still.
Let favour
be shewed
to the wicked,
yet will
he not learn
righteousness:
in the land
of uprightness
will
he deal unjustly,
and will not behold
the majesty
of the LORD.
LORD,
when thy hand
is lifted up,
they will not see:
but
they shall see,
and be ashamed
for their envy
at the people;
yea,
the fire
of thine enemies
shall devour them.
Woe to the rebellious children,
saith the LORD,
that take counsel,
but not of me;
and that cover
with a covering,
but not of my spirit,
that they
may add sin to sin:
That this
is a rebellious people,
lying children,
children
that will not hear
the law
of the LORD:
Which say
to the seers,
See not;
and
to the prophets,
Prophesy not unto us right things,
speak unto us smooth things,
prophesy deceits:
Get you
out of the way,
turn aside
out of the path,
cause the Holy One
of Israel
to cease from
before us.
For the vile person
will speak villany,
and his heart
will work iniquity,
to practise hypocrisy,
and
to utter error
against the LORD,
to make
empty the soul
of the hungry,
and he
will cause
the drink
of the thirsty
to fail.
The instruments
also of the churl
are evil:
he deviseth
wicked devices
to destroy the poor
with lying words,
even
when the needy
speaketh right.
But the wicked
are like
the troubled sea,
when it
cannot rest,
whose waters
cast up mire
and dirt.
There is no peace,
saith my God,
to the wicked.
But your iniquities
have separated
between you
and your God,
and your sins
have hid
his face
from you,
that he
will not hear.
For your hands
are defiled
with blood,
and your fingers
with iniquity;
your lips
have spoken lies,
your tongue
hath muttered perverseness.
None calleth
for justice,
nor any
pleadeth for truth:
they trust
in vanity,
and speak lies;
they conceive
mischief,
and bring forth
iniquity.
They hatch
cockatrice'
eggs,
and weave
the spider's web:
he that
eateth of their eggs dieth,
and that which
is crushed
breaketh out
into a viper.
Their webs
shall not become
garments,
neither shall
they cover themselves
with their works:
their works
are works
of iniquity,
and
the act
of violence
is in their hands.
Their feet
run to evil,
and
they make haste
to shed innocent blood:
their thoughts
are thoughts
of iniquity;
wasting
and destruction
are in their paths.
The way of peace
they know not;
and there is no judgment
in their goings:
they have made them
crooked paths:
whosoever
goeth
therein shall not know peace.
We are thine:
thou
never barest
rule over them;
they
were not called
by thy name.
For though thou
wash thee
with nitre,
and take
thee much soap,
yet thine iniquity
is marked
before me,
saith the Lord GOD.
How canst
thou say,
I am not polluted,
I have not gone
after Baalim?
see thy way
in the valley,
know
what
thou hast done:
thou art a swift dromedary
traversing
her ways;
A wild ass
used to
the wilderness,
that snuffeth up the wind
at her pleasure;
in her occasion
who can turn
her away?
all they that
seek her
will not weary themselves;
in her month
they shall find her.
Withhold thy
foot
from being unshod,
and thy throat
from thirst:
but thou saidst,
There
is
no hope:
no;
for I
have loved strangers,
and
after them
will I go.
Will
he reserve
his anger
for ever?
will
he keep it
to the end?
Behold,
thou hast spoken
and done evil things
as thou couldest.
For my people
is foolish,
they have not known me;
they are sottish children,
and
they have
none understanding:
they are wise
to do evil,
but to do good
they have
no knowledge.
Therefore I said,
Surely these
are poor;
they are foolish:
for they
know not the way
of the LORD,
nor the judgment
of their God.
I will get me
unto the great men,
and
will speak unto them;
for they
have known the way
of the LORD,
and the judgment
of their God:
but these
have altogether broken
the yoke,
and burst
the bonds.
For among my people
are found
wicked men:
they lay wait,
as he
that setteth snares;
they set a trap,
they catch men.
As a cage
is full of birds,
so are their houses
full of deceit:
therefore they
are become great,
and waxen rich.
They are waxen fat,
they shine:
yea,
they overpass
the deeds
of the wicked:
they judge not
the cause,
the cause
of the fatherless,
yet they prosper;
and the right
of the needy
do
they not judge.
As a fountain
casteth out her waters,
so she
casteth out her wickedness:
violence
and spoil
is heard in her;
before me
continually is grief
and wounds.
Were they ashamed
when
they had committed
abomination?
nay,
they were not
at all ashamed,
neither could
they blush:
therefore they
shall fall
among them that fall:
at the time
that
I visit them they shall be cast
down,
saith the LORD.
I hearkened
and heard,
but they
spake
not aright:
no man
repented him
of his wickedness,
saying,
What
have
I done?
every one
turned
to his course,
as the horse
rusheth into the battle.
And they
bend
their tongues like
their bow
for lies:
but
they are not valiant
for the truth
upon the earth;
for they proceed
from evil to evil,
and
they know not me,
saith the LORD.
Take
ye heed every one
of his neighbour,
and trust
ye not in any brother:
for every brother
will utterly supplant,
and every neighbour
will walk with slanders.
And
they will deceive every one
his neighbour,
and will not speak
the truth:
they
have taught
their tongue
to speak lies,
and weary themselves
to commit iniquity.
Thine habitation
is in the midst
of deceit;
through deceit
they refuse
to know me,
saith the LORD.
Yet
they obeyed not,
nor inclined
their ear,
but walked every one
in the imagination
of their evil heart:
therefore I
will bring
upon them all the words
of this covenant,
which I
commanded them to do:
but
they did them not.
What hath
my beloved
to do
in mine house,
seeing
she hath wrought lewdness
with many,
and the holy flesh
is passed
from thee?
when
thou doest evil,
then
thou rejoicest.
This evil people,
which refuse
to hear my words,
which walk
in the imagination
of their heart,
and walk
after other gods,
to serve them,
and
to worship them,
shall even be
as this girdle,
which is good
for nothing.
Thus
saith
the LORD
unto this people,
Thus
have
they loved
to wander,
they have not refrained
their feet,
therefore the LORD
doth not accept them;
he will now remember
their iniquity,
and visit
their sins.
The sin
of Judah
is written
with a pen
of iron,
and
with the point
of a diamond:
it is graven
upon the table
of their heart,
and
upon the horns
of your altars;
For thus
saith the LORD,
Thy bruise
is incurable,
and thy
wound is grievous.
There is none
to plead
thy cause,
that thou
mayest be bound up:
thou hast no healing medicines.
All thy lovers
have forgotten thee;
they seek thee not;
for I
have wounded thee
with the wound
of an enemy,
with the chastisement
of a cruel one,
for the multitude
of thine iniquity;
because
thy sins
were increased.
Why criest
thou for thine affliction?
thy sorrow
is incurable
for the multitude
of thine iniquity:
because
thy sins
were increased,
I have done
these things
unto thee.
But
the house
of Israel
will not hearken
unto thee;
for they will not hearken
unto me:
for all
the house
of Israel
are impudent
and hardhearted.
And ye
shall know
that I
am the LORD:
for ye
have not walked
in my statutes,
neither executed my judgments,
but have done
after the manners
of the heathen
that are round
about you.
Yet hast
thou not walked
after their ways,
nor done
after their abominations:
but,
as if
that were a very little thing,
thou wast corrupted more than
they
in all thy ways.
Because
they despised
my judgments,
and walked not
in my statutes,
but polluted my sabbaths:
for their heart
went after their idols.
They eat
up the sin
of my people,
and they set
their heart
on their iniquity.
They make
the king glad
with their wickedness,
and the princes
with their lies.
Strangers
have devoured
his strength,
and
he knoweth it not:
yea,
gray hairs
are here and
there upon him,
yet
he knoweth not.
I found
Israel like grapes
in the wilderness;
I saw
your fathers
as the firstripe
in the fig tree
at her
first time:
but
they went to Baalpeor,
and separated themselves
unto that shame;
and their abominations
were according
as they loved.
The iniquity
of Ephraim
is bound up;
his sin is hid.
They hate him that
rebuketh in the gate,
and they
abhor him that
speaketh uprightly.
And I said,
Hear,
I pray you,
O heads of Jacob,
and
ye princes
of the house
of Israel;
Is it
not for you
to know judgment?
Who hate
the good,
and love
the evil;
who pluck
off their skin
from off them,
and their flesh from
off their bones;
The good man
is perished
out of the earth:
and there is none upright
among men:
they all lie
in wait
for blood;
they hunt every man
his brother
with a net.
That they
may do evil
with both hands earnestly,
the prince asketh,
and the judge
asketh for a reward;
and the great man,
he uttereth his mischievous desire:
so they
wrap it up.
The best
of them is as a brier:
the most upright
is sharper than
a thorn hedge:
the day
of thy watchmen
and thy visitation cometh;
now shall be
their perplexity.
The just LORD
is in the midst
thereof;
he will not do
iniquity:
every morning
doth
he bring
his judgment
to light,
he faileth not;
but the unjust
knoweth no shame.
I said,
Surely
thou wilt fear me,
thou wilt receive
instruction;
so their dwelling
should not be cut off,
howsoever
I punished them:
but
they rose early,
and corrupted all
their doings.
Then answered
Haggai,
and said,
So is this people,
and so
is this nation
before me,
saith the LORD;
and so
is every
work
of their hands;
and
that which
they offer
there is unclean.
The people which
sat in darkness
saw great light;
and to them which
sat
in the region
and shadow
of death
light
is sprung up.
But if thine
eye
be evil,
thy whole body
shall be
full of darkness.
If therefore
the light
that is in thee
be darkness,
how great
is that darkness!
And
he said unto them,
Unto you
it is given
to know the mystery
of the kingdom
of God:
but unto them that
are without,
all these things
are done
in parables:
To give
light to them
that sit
in darkness
and in the shadow
of death,
to guide our feet
into the way
of peace.
For the Son
of man
is come to seek
and
to save
that which
was lost.
He that believeth
on him is not condemned:
but
he that believeth
not is condemned already,
because
he hath not believed
in the name
of the only begotten Son
of God.
And this
is the condemnation,
that light
is come
into the world,
and men
loved
darkness rather than light,
because
their deeds were evil.
For every one
that
doeth
evil hateth the light,
neither cometh to the light,
lest
his deeds
should be reproved.
But I
know you,
that ye
have not the love
of God in you.
Jesus answered them,
Verily,
verily,
I say unto you,
Whosoever
committeth
sin
is the servant
of sin.
Ye are of your father
the devil,
and the lusts
of your father
ye will do.
He was a murderer
from the beginning,
and abode
not in the truth,
because there is no truth
in him.
When
he speaketh a lie,
he speaketh of his own:
for he
is a liar,
and the father of it.
Thou hast neither part
nor lot
in this matter:
for thy heart
is not
right in the sight
of God.
For I
perceive that thou art
in the gall
of bitterness,
and in the bond
of iniquity.
And said,
O full of all subtilty
and all mischief,
thou child
of the devil,
thou enemy
of all righteousness,
wilt thou
not cease
to pervert the right ways
of the Lord?
For the invisible things
of him
from the creation
of the world
are clearly seen,
being understood
by the things
that are made,
even his eternal power
and Godhead;
so that
they are without excuse:
Because that,
when
they knew God,
they glorified him not
as God,
neither were thankful;
but became vain
in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart
was darkened.
Professing themselves
to be wise,
they became fools,
And changed
the glory
of the uncorruptible God
into an image made like
to corruptible man,
and to birds,
and fourfooted beasts,
and creeping things.
Wherefore God
also gave them
up to uncleanness
through the lusts
of their own hearts,
to dishonour
their own bodies
between themselves:
Who changed the truth
of God
into a lie,
and worshipped
and served
the creature more than the Creator,
who is blessed
for ever.
Amen.
For this cause God
gave
them up
unto vile affections:
for even
their women
did change
the natural use
into that
which is against nature:
And likewise
also the men,
leaving the natural use
of the woman,
burned
in their lust one
toward another;
men with men
working
that which
is unseemly,
and receiving
in themselves that recompence
of their error which
was meet.
And
even as
they did not like
to retain God
in their knowledge,
God gave
them over
to a reprobate mind,
to do
those things which
are not convenient;
Being filled
with all unrighteousness,
fornication,
wickedness,
covetousness,
maliciousness;
full of envy,
murder,
debate,
deceit,
malignity;
whisperers,
Backbiters,
haters of God,
despiteful,
proud,
boasters,
inventors
of evil things,
disobedient
to parents,
Without understanding,
covenantbreakers,
without natural affection,
implacable,
unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment
of God,
that they
which commit such things
are worthy
of death,
not only do
the same,
but have
pleasure in them that
do them.
But unto them that
are contentious,
and do not obey
the truth,
but obey
unrighteousness,
indignation
and wrath,
As it is written,
There is none righteous,
no,
not one:
There is none
that understandeth,
there is none
that seeketh after God.
They are all gone
out of the way,
they are
together become unprofitable;
there is none
that doeth good,
no,
not one.
Their throat
is an open sepulchre;
with their tongues
they have used
deceit;
the poison
of asps
is under their lips:
Whose mouth
is full of cursing
and bitterness:
Their feet
are swift
to shed blood:
Destruction
and misery
are in their ways:
And the way
of peace
have
they not known:
There is
no fear
of God
before their eyes.
For they
that
are after the flesh
do mind
the things
of the flesh;
but they
that are after the Spirit
the things
of the Spirit.
Because
the carnal mind
is enmity
against God:
for it
is not subject to
the law of God,
neither indeed can be.
So then
they
that are in the flesh
cannot please God.
That is,
They which
are the children
of the flesh,
these are not
the children
of God:
but the children
of the promise
are counted
for the seed.
And you
hath
he quickened,
who were dead
in trespasses
and sins;
Wherein in time
past ye
walked according to
the course
of this world,
according to the prince
of the power
of the air,
the spirit that
now worketh
in the children
of disobedience:
Among whom also
we all had
our conversation
in times past
in the lusts
of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires
of the flesh
and of the mind;
and were by nature
the children
of wrath,
even as others.
That at that time
ye were without Christ,
being aliens
from the commonwealth
of Israel,
and strangers
from the covenants
of promise,
having
no hope,
and without God
in the world:
This
I say therefore,
and testify
in the Lord,
that ye
henceforth walk not
as other Gentiles walk,
in the vanity
of their mind,
Having
the understanding darkened,
being alienated
from the life
of God
through the ignorance
that is in them,
because
of the blindness
of their heart:
Who being
past feeling
have given themselves over
unto lasciviousness,
to work all uncleanness
with greediness.
And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works
of darkness,
but
rather reprove them.
For it
is
a shame
even
to speak
of those things which
are done of them
in secret.
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;
And you,
that were sometime alienated
and enemies
in your mind
by wicked works,
yet now hath
he reconciled
For they
that sleep
sleep
in the night;
and they that
be drunken
are drunken
in the night.
In flaming fire
taking vengeance
on them that
know not God,
and
that obey not
the gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Knowing this,
that the law
is not made
for a righteous man,
but for the lawless
and disobedient,
for the ungodly
and for sinners,
for unholy
and profane,
for murderers
of fathers
and murderers
of mothers,
for manslayers,
For whoremongers,
for them that
defile themselves
with mankind,
for menstealers,
for liars,
for perjured persons,
and if
there be
any other thing
that is contrary
to sound doctrine;
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 of this sort
are
they which creep
into houses,
and lead
captive silly women
laden with sins,
led away
with divers lusts,
Ever learning,
and never able
to come
to the knowledge
of the truth.
Now as Jannes
and Jambres
withstood Moses,
so do
these also resist
the truth:
men
of corrupt minds,
reprobate concerning
the faith.
But they
shall proceed
no further:
for their folly
shall be
manifest
unto all men,
as their's
also was.
But
thou hast fully known
my doctrine,
manner of life,
purpose,
faith,
longsuffering,
charity,
patience,
Persecutions,
afflictions,
which came
unto me
at Antioch,
at Iconium,
at Lystra;
what persecutions
I endured:
but out of them all
the Lord
delivered me.
Yea,
and all
that will live
godly
in Christ Jesus
shall suffer
persecution.
But evil men
and seducers
shall wax
worse
and worse,
deceiving,
and being deceived.
Unto the pure all things
are pure:
but unto them that
are defiled
and unbelieving
is nothing pure;
but
even their mind
and conscience
is defiled.
They profess that
they know God;
but in works
they deny him,
being abominable,
and disobedient,
and unto every good work reprobate.
For we ourselves
also were sometimes foolish,
disobedient,
deceived,
serving divers
lusts
and pleasures,
living in malice
and envy,
hateful,
and hating one
another.
But chiefly
them that walk
after the flesh
in the lust
of uncleanness,
and despise
government.
Presumptuous are they,
selfwilled,
they are not afraid
to speak evil
of dignities.
But these,
as natural brute beasts,
made to be taken
and destroyed,
speak evil
of the things
that
they understand not;
and shall utterly perish
in their own corruption;
And shall receive
the reward
of unrighteousness,
as they
that count
it pleasure
to riot
in the day time.
Spots
they are
and blemishes,
sporting themselves
with their own
deceivings
while they
feast
with you;
Having
eyes
full of adultery,
and that
cannot cease
from sin;
beguiling unstable souls:
an heart
they have exercised
with covetous practices;
cursed children:
Which have forsaken
the right way,
and are gone
astray,
following the way
of Balaam
the son of Bosor,
who loved the wages
of unrighteousness;
But was rebuked
for his iniquity:
the dumb ass speaking
with man's voice
forbad the madness
of the prophet.
These are wells
without water,
clouds
that are carried
with a tempest;
to whom
the mist
of darkness
is reserved
for ever.
For when
they speak great swelling
words of vanity,
they allure
through the lusts
of the flesh,
through much wantonness,
those that
were
clean
escaped
from them
who live
in error.
While they
promise them
liberty,
they themselves
are the servants
of corruption:
for of
whom a man
is overcome,
of the same
is
he brought in bondage.
He that
committeth
sin
is of the devil;
for the devil
sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose
the Son
of God
was manifested,
that he
might destroy
the works
of the devil.
In this the children
of God
are manifest,
and the children
of the devil:
whosoever
doeth not
righteousness
is not of God,
neither he
that loveth not
his brother.
We know that
we have passed
from death
unto life,
because
we love
the brethren.
He that
loveth not
his brother abideth
in death.
Whosoever
hateth
his brother
is a murderer:
and ye
know that no murderer
hath
eternal life
abiding in him.
These are
spots
in your feasts
of charity,
when they
feast
with you,
feeding themselves
without fear:
clouds
they are without water,
carried about
of winds;
trees whose fruit withereth,
without fruit,
twice dead,
plucked up
by the roots;
Raging waves
of the sea,
foaming
out their own shame;
wandering stars,
to whom
is reserved the blackness
of darkness
for ever.
Because
thou sayest,
I am rich,
and increased
with goods,
and have
need of nothing;
and knowest not that
thou art wretched,
and miserable,
and poor,
and blind,
and naked:
I counsel thee
to buy
of me gold tried
in the fire,
that thou
mayest be rich;
and white raiment,
that thou
mayest be clothed,
and
that the shame
of thy nakedness
do not appear;
and anoint thine
eyes
with eyesalve,
that thou
mayest see.