(2)I beseech Euodia, and I beseech Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. (3)Yea, I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help these women, who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
(4)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (5)Let your forbearance be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6)Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to G.o.d. (7)And the peace of G.o.d, which pa.s.ses all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(8)Finally, brethren, 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 be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9)The things also, which ye learned, and received, and heard, and saw in me, these do; and the G.o.d of peace will be with you.
(10)But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye revived again in your care for my welfare; for which ye were also careful, but lacked opportunity. (11)Not that I speak in respect of want; for I learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. (12)I both know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in every thing, and in all things, I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. (13)I can do all things, in him who strengthens me.
(14)Notwithstanding, ye did well to share with me in my affliction.
(15)And ye also know, Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I went forth from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in an account of giving and receiving[4:15], but ye only; (16)that also in Thessalonica, ye sent once and again to my necessity. (17)Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that abounds to your account.
(18)But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things sent from you, an odor of sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to G.o.d. (19)But my G.o.d will supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, in Christ Jesus.
(20)Now to G.o.d and our Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
(21)Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me salute you.
(22)All the saints salute you, but especially they that are of Caesar"s household.
(23)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.
THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS.
I.
PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of G.o.d, and Timothy the brother, (2)to the saints in Colosse, and faithful brethren in Christ: Grace to you, and peace, from G.o.d our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3)We give thanks to G.o.d the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (4)having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints, (5)because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (6)which is come to you, as also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit and increasing also in you, since the day ye heard it, and knew the grace of G.o.d in truth; (7)as ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ, (8)who also made known to us your love in the Spirit.
(9)For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10)that ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, bringing forth fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of G.o.d; (11)being strengthened with all strength, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joy; (12)giving thanks to the Father, who made us meet for the portion of the inheritance of the saints in light; (13)who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; (14)in whom we have the redemption, the remission of our sins; (15)who is the image of the invisible G.o.d, the first-born of every creature, (16)because in him were all things created, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or princ.i.p.alities, or powers; all things have been created by him, and for him; (17)and he is before all things, and in him all things subsist. (18)And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that he may become in all things pre-eminent. (19)For He was pleased, that in him should all the fullness dwell; (20)and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, whether the things on the earth, or the things in the heavens.
(21)And you also, being in time past alienated, and enemies in your mind in wicked works, yet now has he reconciled (22)in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and unaccused before him; (23)if indeed ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye heard, which was preached in the whole creation which is under heaven; of which I Paul was made a minister.
(24)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the church; (25)of which I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of G.o.d which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of G.o.d, (26)the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been manifested to his saints; (27)to whom G.o.d willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; (28)whom we announce, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; (29)to which end I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me with power.
II.
FOR I would have you know how great a conflict I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (2)that their hearts might be encouraged, they being knit together in love, and unto all the riches of the full a.s.surance of the understanding, unto the full knowledge of the mystery of G.o.d, even Christ; (3)in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.
(4)And this I say, that no one may beguile you with enticing words.
(5)For though I am absent in the flesh, yet in the spirit I am with you, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith toward Christ.
(6)As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him; (7)having been rooted and being built up in him, and being established in the faith as ye were taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
(8)Beware lest there shall be any one that despoils you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9)Because in him dwells all the fullness of the G.o.dhead bodily. (10)And ye are made complete in him[2:10], who is the head of all princ.i.p.ality and power; (11)in whom ye were also circ.u.mcised with a circ.u.mcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circ.u.mcision of Christ; (12)being buried with him in the immersion, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of G.o.d, who raised him from the dead. (13)And you also, being dead in your trespa.s.ses and the uncirc.u.mcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, graciously forgiving us all our trespa.s.ses; (14)blotting out the handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was opposed to us, and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (15)despoiling princ.i.p.alities and powers[2:15a], he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it[2:15b].
(16)Let not any one therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast-day, or of a new-moon, or of a sabbath; (17)which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ. (18)Let no one defraud you of the prize, seeking it[2:18] in humiliation and worship of the angels, intruding into things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19)and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, by means of the joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and being knit together, increases with the increase of G.o.d.
(20)If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (21)"Handle not, nor taste, nor touch," (22)(which are all to perish with the using,) after the commandments and teachings of men? (23)Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-chosen worship, and humiliation, and neglecting of the body, not in any honor, for the satisfying of the flesh.
III.
IF then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, sitting on the right hand of G.o.d. (2)Set your mind on the things above, not on the things upon the earth. (3)For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in G.o.d. (4)When Christ, our life, shall be manifested, then will ye also with him be manifested in glory.
(5)Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, pa.s.sion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; (6)on account of which things the wrath of G.o.d comes on the sons of disobedience; (7)in which ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things. (8)But now, do ye also put all away, anger, wrath, malice, reviling, filthy communication out of your mouth. (9)Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, (10)and have put on the new man, who is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him who created him; (11)where there is no Greek and Jew, circ.u.mcision and uncirc.u.mcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
(12)Put on therefore, as G.o.d"s chosen, holy and beloved, bowels of compa.s.sion, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, (13)forbearing one another, and freely forgiving each other, if any one have a complaint against any, even as Christ freely forgave you, so also do ye; (14)and over all these, love, which is the bond of perfectness. (15)And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which ye were also called in one body; and be thankful.
(16)Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to G.o.d. (17)And whatever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to G.o.d the Father through him.
(18)Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
(19)Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter toward them.
(20)Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing, in the Lord.
(21)Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.
(22)Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. (23)Whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men; (24)knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the recompense of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ. (25)For he that does wrong will receive that which he did wrongfully; and there is no respect of persons.
(1)Masters, render to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
(2)Persevere in prayer, being watchful therein with thanksgiving; (3)at the same time praying also for us, that G.o.d would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for the sake of which I am also in bonds, (4)that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
(5)Walk in wisdom toward those without, redeeming the time. (6)Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
(7)All my affairs will Tychicus make known to you, the beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord; (8)whom I sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know your condition, and may comfort your hearts; (9)together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all the things here.
(10)Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom ye received commands (if he come to you, receive him), (11)and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circ.u.mcision. These only are my fellow-workers, for the kingdom of G.o.d, who have been a comfort to me.
(12)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully a.s.sured in all the will of G.o.d. (13)For I bear him witness, that he has much concern[4:13] for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
(14)Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
(15)Salute the brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church in his house. (16)And when the letter has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that ye also read that from Laodicea. (17)And say to Archippus: Take heed to the ministry which thou didst receive in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
(18)The salutation by the hand of me, Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS.