Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

:

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THOU therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ 2 Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many 2 witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth 4 himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for 5 masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The 6 husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in 7 all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, 8 was raised from the dead, according to my gospel; wherein I 9 suffer trouble; as an evil-doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's 10 sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying; for if we be 11 dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we 12 shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: ! if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny him- 13 self. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them 14 before the Lord that they strive not about words, to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved 15 unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain bab- 16 blings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their 17 word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus, 'who concerning the truth have erred, saying, that the re- 18 surrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this 19 seal, 'The Lord knoweth them that are his;' and, 'Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.' But in a 20 great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be 21 a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: 22 but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned 23 questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the 24 servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose 25 themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover 26 themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 3 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, 2 proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

' without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incon- 3 tinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 'traitors, heady, 4 high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,' hav- 5 ing a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into 6 houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 'ever learning and never able to come to the 7 knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood 8 Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no fur- 9 ther for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, 10 purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, 'persecutions, af- 11 flictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus 12 shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax 13 worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue 14 thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, ' and that from a 15 child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profit- 16 able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly 17 furnished unto all good works. I charge thee therefore before 4 God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be 2 instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come, when they 3 will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers; having itching ears; and 4 they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do 5 the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For 6 I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I 7 have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

8

'Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me, 'for Demas has 9 forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me: take Mark, and bring him with thee: 11 for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have 12 I sent to Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, 13 when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: 14 the Lord reward him according to his works. Of whom be thou 15 ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first 16

answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: (I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge!) notwithstanding, 17 the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion: and the 18 Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever! Amen.

SALUTE Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 19 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Mile- 20 tum sick. 'Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus 21 greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 'The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be 22 with you. Amen.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO
TITUS.

PAUL, a servant of God, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, (ac- 1 cording to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness, 'in hope of eternal life, which 2 God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began,' but hath 3 in due times manifested his word, through preaching which is committed unto me, according to the commandment of God our Savior :) 'to Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, 4 mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

FOR this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in 5 order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every city, as I had appointed thee; if any be blameless, the husband 6 of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; 7 not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good 8 men, sober, just, holy, temperate, 'holding fast the faithful word 9 as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are 10 many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision,' whose mouths must be stopped; who subvert 11 whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, 12 said,

The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.' This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that 13 they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fa- 14 bles, and commandments of men that turn from the truth. Unto 15 the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and

unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they 16 deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

1

BUT speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in 2 charity, in patience; the aged women likewise, that they be in 3 behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the 4 young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient 5 to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 'Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. In all things 6,7 showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 'sound speech that cannot be 8 condemned; that he that is of a contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obe- 9 dient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things, not answering again, 'not purloining, but showing all 10 good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation 11 hath appeared to all men, ' teaching us, that denying ungodliness 12 and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glo- 13 rious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all in- 14 iquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with 15 all authority. Let no man despise thee.

PUT them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, 3 to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 'to speak 2 evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes fool- 3 ish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, liv. ing in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But 4 after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, 5 but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost,' which he shed on 6 us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior,' that being justi- 7 fied by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying; and these things I will 8 that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and gene- 9 alogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic, after the 10 first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such, 11 is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

WHEN I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be dili- 12 gent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there

to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey 13 diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. And let ours also 14 learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. 'All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that 15 love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO

PHILEMON.

PAUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother; 1 unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer,' and to 2 our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our 3 Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making 4 mention of thee always in my prayers; hearing of thy love and 5 faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual 6 by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, 7 because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, Brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee 8 that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech 9 thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ: I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I 10 have begotten in my bonds: which in time past was to thee un- 11 profitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: whom I have 12 sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels. Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he 13 might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: but 14 without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he 15 therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother 16 beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a part- 17 ner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth 18 thee aught, put that on mine account. I Paul have written it with 19 mine own hand, I will repay it; albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, Brother, let 20 me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing 21 that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me 22 also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-pris- 23 oner in Christ Jesus, 'Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my 24 fellow-laborers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with 25 your spirit. Amen.