by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.


For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;


and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;


and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;


then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;


then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;


and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.


For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.


But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.


Whether then it be I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.


Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?


But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:


and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.


Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.


For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised:


and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.


Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.


If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.


But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.


For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.


For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.


But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.


Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.


For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.


The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.


For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.


And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.


Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?


why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?


I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.


If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.


Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.


Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.


But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come?


Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened except it die:


and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind;


but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.


All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes.


There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.


There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.


So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:


it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:


it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.


So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.


Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.


The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven.


As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.


And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.


Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.


Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,


in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.


For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.


But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.


O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?


The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:


but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.


Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.


Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.


And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:


and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.


But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia;


but with you it may be that I shall abide, or even winter, that ye may set me forward on my journey whithersoever I go.


For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.


But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost;


for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.


Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do:


let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.


But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not at all his will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.


Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.


Let all that ye do be done in love.


Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints),


that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth.


And I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they supplied.


For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge ye therefore them that are such.


The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.


All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.


The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.


If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.


Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:


Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;


who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.


For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.


But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:


and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort.


For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:


yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:


who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;


ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.


For our glorying 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 to you-ward.


For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end:


as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.


And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit;


and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judæa.


When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay?


But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.


For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.


For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us.


Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;


who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.


But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth.


Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.


But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow.


For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me?


And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.


For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.


But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all.


Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;


so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow.


Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him.


For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things.


But to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ;


that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.


Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord,


I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.


But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place.


For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;


to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?


For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.


Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you?


Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men;


being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh.


And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward:


not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;


who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.


But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:


how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?


For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.


For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth.


For if that which passeth away was with glory, much more that which remaineth is in glory.


Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,


and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away:


but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.


But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.


But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.


Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.


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.


Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:


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.


And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish:


in whom the god of this world hath 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 upon them.


For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.


Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;


we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;


pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;


always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.


For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.


So then death worketh in us, but life in you.


But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;


knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.


For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.


Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.


For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;


while we look not 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.


For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.


For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:


if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.


For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.


Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit.


Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord


(for we walk by faith, not by sight);


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.


Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.


For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.


Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.


We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.


For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.


For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;


and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.


Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.


Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.


But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;


to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.


We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.


Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.


And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain


(for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):


giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;


but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,


in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;


in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,


in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,


by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;


as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;


as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.


Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged.


Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections.


Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.


Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?


And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?


And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we 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 shall be my people.


Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,


And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.


Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.


Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man.


I say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together.


Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.


For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.


Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;


and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more.


For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret it (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),


I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing.


For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.


For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.


So although I wrote unto 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 made manifest unto you in the sight of God.


Therefore we have been comforted: and in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all.


For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.


And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.


I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.


Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;


how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.


For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,


beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:


and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.


Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.


But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.


I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.


For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.


And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.


But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.


For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.


For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;


but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality:


as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.


But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.


For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.


And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches;


and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness:


avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:


for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.


And 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 hath in you.


Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.


Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.


For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:


for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.


But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared:


lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.


I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.


But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.


Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.


And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:


as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.


And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:


ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.


For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;


seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all;


while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.


Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.


Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you:


yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.


For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh


(for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds);


casting 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;


and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full.


Ye look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also are we.


For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame:


that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.


For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.


Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.


For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.


But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you.


For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ:


not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance,


so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in another's province in regard of things ready to our hand.


But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.


For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.


Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.


For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.


But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.


For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.


For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.


But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things.


Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought?


I robbed other churches, taking wages of them that I might minister unto you;


and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.


As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in the regions of Achaia.


Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.


But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.


For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.


And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.


It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.


I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if ye do, yet as foolish receive me, that I also may glory a little.


That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying.


Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.


For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves.


For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.


I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.


Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.


Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.


Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.


Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep;


in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;


in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.


Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches.


Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?


If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness.


The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lie not.


In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me:


and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.


I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.


I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.


And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),


how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.


On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses.


For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.


And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.


Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.


And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


Wherefore 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.


I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.


Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.


For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.


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 yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.


And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?


But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.


Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?


I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?


Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.


For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;


lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.


This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established.


I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;


seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:


for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.


Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.


But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.


Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.


For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.


For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.


For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.


Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.


Salute one another with a holy kiss.


All the saints salute you.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.


Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),


and all the brethren that are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:


Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,


who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father:


to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.


I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;


which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.


But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.


As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.


For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.


For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.


For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.


For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and made havoc of it:


and I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.


But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,


to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:


neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.


Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.


But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.


Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.


Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.


And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ:


but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc;


and they glorified God in me.


Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.


And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.


But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:


and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:


to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.


But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man's person)-they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:


but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision


(for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles);


and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision;


only they would that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.


But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned.


For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision.


And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation.


But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?


We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,


yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.


But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.


For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.


For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God.


I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.


I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.


O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?


This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?


Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?


Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain.


He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?


Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.


Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.


And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.


So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.


For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.


Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;


and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.


Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:


that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.


Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.


Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.


For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.


What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.


Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.


Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.


But the scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.


But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.


So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.


But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.


For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.


For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.


There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.


And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.


But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all;


but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father.


So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world:


but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,


that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.


And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.


So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.


Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:


but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?


Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.


I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.


I beseech you, brethren, become as I am, for I also am become as ye are. Ye did me no wrong:


but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:


and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.


So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?


They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them.


But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.


My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you-


but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.


Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?


For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.


Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise.


Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.


Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.


But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.


For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband.


Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.


But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so also it is now.


Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.


Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.


For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.


Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.


Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.


Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.


For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.


For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.


Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?


This persuasion came not of him that calleth you.


A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.


I have confidence to you-ward in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.


But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away.


I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.


For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.


For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.


But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.


But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.


For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.


But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.


Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,


idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,


envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,


meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.


And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.


If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.


Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.


Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.


Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.


For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.


But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor.


For each man shall bear his own burden.


But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.


Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.


For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.


And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.


So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.


See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.


As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.


For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.


But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.


For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.


And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.


Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.


Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:


Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:


even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:


having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,


to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:


in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,


which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,


making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him


unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say,


in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;


to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:


in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,


which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory.


For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints,


cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;


that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;


having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,


and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might


which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,


far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:


and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,


which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.


And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,


wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;


among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:-


but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,


even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),


and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:


that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:


for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;


not of works, that no man should glory.


For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.


Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;


that ye 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.


But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.


For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,


having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace;


and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:


and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh:


for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.


So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,


being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;


in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;


in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.


For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,-


if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;


how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,


whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;


which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;


to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,


whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.


Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;


and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;


to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,


according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:


in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.


Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.


For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,


from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,


that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;


that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,


may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,


and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.


Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,


unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.


I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called,


with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;


giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.


There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;


one Lord, one faith, one baptism,


one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.


But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.


Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.


(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?


He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)


And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;


for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:


till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:


that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;


but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;


from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.


This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,


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 heart;


who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.


But ye did not so learn Christ;


if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:


that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit;


and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,


and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.


Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.


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 labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.


Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.


And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.


Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice:


and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.


Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;


and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.


But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;


nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.


For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.


Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.


Be not ye therefore partakers with them;


for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light


(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),


proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;


and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;


for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.


But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light.


Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.


Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;


redeeming the time, because the days are evil.


Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.


And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;


speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;


giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;


subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.


Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.


For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.


But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.


Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;


that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,


that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.


Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:


for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church;


because we are members of his body.


For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.


This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church.


Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband.


Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.


Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise),


that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.


And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.


Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;


not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;


with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men:


knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.


And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.


Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.


Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.


For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.


Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.


Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,


and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;


withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.


And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:


with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,


and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,


for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.


But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:


whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.


Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.


Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:


Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,


always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,


for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;


being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:


even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.


For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.


And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;


so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;


being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.


Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel;


so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole prætorian guard, and to all the rest;


and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.


Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:


the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel;


but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds.


What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.


For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,


according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.


For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.


But if to live in the flesh,-if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.


But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:


yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.


And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;


that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.


Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;


and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;


because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf:


having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.


If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,


make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;


doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;


not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.


Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:


who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,


but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;


and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.


Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;


that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,


and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


So then, my beloved, even 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 who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.


Do all things without murmurings and questionings:


that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,


holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.


Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:


and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me.


But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.


For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state.


For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.


But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.


Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me:


but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.


But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;


since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:


for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.


I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.


Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor:


because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.


Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.


Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:


for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:


though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more:


circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;


as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.


Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.


Yea verily, 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 do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,


and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:


that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death;


if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.


Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.


Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,


I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you:


only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.


Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.


For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:


whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.


For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:


who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.


Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.


I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord.


Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, 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.


Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.


Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.


In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.


And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.


Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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.


The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.


But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity.


Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.


I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.


I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.


Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction.


And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only;


for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need.


Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.


But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.


And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.


Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.


Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you.


All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Cæsar's household.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.


Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,


to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.


We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,


having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints,


because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,


which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth;


even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,


who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.


For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,


to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;


strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;


giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;


who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;


in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:


who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;


for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;


and he is before all things, and in him all things consist.


And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.


For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;


and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.


And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,


yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him:


if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.


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 church;


whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God,


even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,


to whom God was pleased 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:


whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;


whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.


For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;


that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ,


in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.


This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.


For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.


As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,


rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.


Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:


for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,


and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:


in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;


having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.


And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;


having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;


having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.


Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:


which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.


Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,


and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.


If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances,


Handle not, nor taste, nor touch


(all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?


Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.


If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.


Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.


For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.


When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.


Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;


for which things' sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience:


wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things;


but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:


lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,


and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:


where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.


Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;


forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:


and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.


And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were 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 with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.


And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.


Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.


Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.


Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.


Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:


whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;


knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.


For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.


Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.


Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;


withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;


that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.


Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.


Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.


All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:


whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;


together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.


Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),


and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.


Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.


For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.


Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you.


Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.


And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.


And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.


The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.


Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.


We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;


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;


knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,


how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.


And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;


so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.


For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything.


For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,


and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.


For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:


but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict.


For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:


but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.


For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;


nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.


But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children: