15:21. But as it is written: They to whom he was not spoken of shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
15:22. For which cause also, I was hindered very much from coming to you and have been kept away till now.
15:23. But now, having no more place in these countries and having a great desire these many years past to come unto you,
15:24. When I shall begin to take my journey into Spain, I hope that, as I pa.s.s, I shall see you and be brought on my way thither by you: if first, in part, I shall have enjoyed you.
15:25. But now I shall go to Jerusalem, to minister unto the saints.
15:26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a contribution for the poor of the saints that are in Jerusalem.
15:27. For it hath pleased them: and they are their debtors. For, if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also in carnal things to minister to them.
15:28. When therefore I shall have accomplished this and consigned to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
15:29. And I know that when I come to you I shall come in the abundance of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
15:30. I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the charity of the Holy Ghost, that you help me in your prayers for me to G.o.d,
15:31. That I may be delivered from the unbelievers that are in Judea and that the oblation of my service may be acceptable in Jerusalem to the saints.
15:32. That I may come to you with joy, by the will of G.o.d, and may be refreshed with you.
15:33. Now the G.o.d of peace be with, you all. Amen.
Romans Chapter 16
He concludes with salutations, bidding them beware of all that should oppose the doctrine they had learned.
16:1. And I commend to you Phebe, our sister, who is in the ministry of the church, that is in Cenchrae:
16:2. That you receive her in the Lord as becometh saints and that you a.s.sist her in whatsoever business she shall have need of you. For she also hath a.s.sisted many, and myself also.
16:3. Salute Prisca and Aquila, my helpers, in Christ Jesus
16:4. (Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not I only give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles),
16:5. And the church which is in their house. Salute Epenetus, my beloved: who is the firstfruits of Asia in Christ.
16:6. Salute Mary, who hath laboured much among you.
16:7. Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners: who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
16:8. Salute Ampliatus, most beloved to me in the Lord.
16:9. Salute Urba.n.u.s, our helper in Christ Jesus and Stachys, my beloved.
16:10. Salute Apellas, approved in Christ.
16:11. Salute them that are of Aristobulus" household. Salute Herodian, my kinsman. Salute them that are of Narcissus" household, who are in the Lord.
16:12. Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute Persis, the dearly beloved, who hath much laboured in the Lord.
16:13. Salute Rufus, elect in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
16:14. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes: and the brethren that are with them.
16:15. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympias: and all the saints that are with them.
16:16. Salute one another with an holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
16:17. Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them.
16:18. For they that are such serve not Christ our Lord but their own belly: and by pleasing speeches and good words seduce the hearts of the innocent.
16:19. For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good and simple in evil.
16:20. And the G.o.d of peace crush Satan under your feet speedily. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
16:21. Timothy, my fellow labourer, saluteth you: and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
16:22. I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
16:23. Caius, my host, and the whole church saluteth you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, saluteth you: and Quartus, a brother.
16:24. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
16:25. Now to him that is able to establish you, according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret from eternity;
16:26. (Which now is made manifest by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the precept of the eternal G.o.d, for the obedience of faith) known among all nations:
16:27. To G.o.d, the only wise, through Jesus Christ, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS
St. Paul, having planted the faithful in Corinth, where he had preached a year and a half and converted a great many, went to Ephesus. After being there three years, he wrote this first Epistle to the Corinthians and sent it by the same persons, Stepha.n.u.s, Fortunatus and Achaicus, who had brought their letter to him. It was written about twenty-four years after our Lord"s Ascension and contains several matters appertaining to faith and morals and also to ecclesiastical discipline.
1 Corinthians Chapter 1
He reproveth their dissensions about their teachers. The world was to be saved by preaching of the cross, and not by human wisdom or eloquence.
1:1. Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of G.o.d, and Sosthenes a brother,