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unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of 6 God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon 7 him; for he careth for you.

BE sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring 8 lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist sted- 9 fastly in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who 10 hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever! Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye stand. The church that is at Baby- 13 lon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 'Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all 14 that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Conclusion.

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THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER.

SIMON PETER, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them 1 that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied 2 unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Sanctification ne- ACCORDING as his divine power hath given unto 3 cessary to salvation. us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby 4 are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corrup tion that is in the world through lust. And besides this, giving all 5 diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly 7 kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they 8 make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, 9 and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your 10 calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall : for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the 11 everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Peter's testimony to

WHEREFORE I will not be negligent to put you al- 12 the truth of the ways in remembrance of these things, though ye know gospel. them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I 13 think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my 14 tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. Moreover, 15 I will endeavor that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly 16 devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his Majesty. For 17

he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' And this voice which came from heaven 18 we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also 19

a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the 20 scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not 21 in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Warning against false teachers.

BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction: and many 2 shall follow their pernicious ways; (by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of,) and through covetousness shall they with 3 feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if 4 God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old, world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a 5 preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, 6 condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with 7 the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling 8 among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds ;) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the 9 godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judg ment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the 10 lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities: whereas 11 angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these,--as natural brute beasts, 12 made to be taken and destroyed,--speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption: and 13 shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time: spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; having eyes 14 full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, fol- 15 lowing the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 'but was rebuked for his iniquity: (the dumb ass, speak- 16 ing with man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet.) These are 17 wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great 18 swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves 19 are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the 20 pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better 21 for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they

have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them, according to the true proverb, The dog 22 is turned to his own vomit again;' and, 'The sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'

Judgment will assuredly come.

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THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; 3 in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken 2 before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come 3 in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, 4 Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the 5 heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, 6 perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same 7 word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this 8 one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his 9 promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in 10 the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be 11 dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day 12 of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to 13 his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Exhortation to ho

WHEREFORE, beloved, seeing that ye look for such 14 liness. Peter's and things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, Paul's teaching agree. without spot, and blameless, and account that the 15 long-suffering of our Lord is salvation: even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you; 'as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in 16 which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing that ye know 17 these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness: but grow in grace, and 18 in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever! Amen.

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THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN.

John has borne a true testimony to Christ.

THAT which was from the beginning, which we 1 have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the WORD OF LIFE: (for the LIFE was manifested, and we have seen it, and 2 bear witness, and show unto you that ETERNAL LIFE which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us :) that which we have seen and heard 3 declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And 4 these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

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Christians should THIS then is the message which we have heard of 5 walk in the light. him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and 6 walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the 7 light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say 8 that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and 9 to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not 10 sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The extent of

My little children, these things write I unto you, that Christ's propitiation. ye sin not: and if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation 2 for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

How we know that

AND hereby we do know that we know him, if we 3 we are Christians. keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, 4 and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God 5 perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abid. 6 eth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

The precept of BRETHREN, I write no new commandment unto you, 7 LOVE. but an old commandment which ye had from the begin. ning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which 8 thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his 9 brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother 10 abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, 11 and knoweth not whither he goeth; because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are for- 12 given you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because 13

ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto 14 you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 'Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any 15

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man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that 16 is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world 17 passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

come.

Antichrist, already LITTLE children, it is the last time: and as ye have 18 heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went 19 out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an 20 unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written 21 unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus 22 is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but he that 23 acknowledgeth the Son, hath the Father also.] Let that therefore abide 24 in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath prom- 25 ised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you con- 26 cerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have re- 27 ceived of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And 28 now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye 29 know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Faith insures to us

BEHOLD what manner of love the Father hath bestowed 3 the love of God. upon us, that we should be called the sons of God! Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, 2 now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Purity the effect of

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AND every man that hath this hope in him purifieth 3 Christian hope. himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him 5 is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth 6 hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man de- 17 ceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth 8 from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of 9 God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are 10 manifest, and the children of the devil.

LOVE must be WHOSOEVER doeth not righteousness is not of God,

unfeigned. neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the 11 message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his 12 brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world 13 hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because 14 we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death.

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