OF
JAMES THE APOSTLE.
JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are dispersed, greeting.
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into various trials;3knowing that the proof of your faith produceth patience.4But let patience have its work perfected, that ye may be perfect and complete, deficient in nothing.5But if any man of you be deficient in wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and it shall be given him.6But let him ask in faith, harbouring no doubt: for he who is doubtful is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind, and in constant agitation.7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord.8A double-minded man is unsteady in all his ways.
9Let the brother low in station rejoice in his elevation:10but the rich, in his abasement: for as the flower of grass he shall pass away.11For the sun arose with fervour, and burnt up the grass, and the flower of it fell off, and the beauty of its appearance was lost: just so the rich man in his course of life shall wither away.12Blessed is the man who patiently supports temptation: for when he is proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to those who love him.13Let no man under temptation say, I am tempted of God: for God is incapable of temptation from evils, and he tempteth no man:14but every person is tempted, when by his own peculiar passion he is born away, and ensnared.15Then passion impregnated, bringeth forth sin, and sin reaching its consummation, bringeth forth death.16Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.
17Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, descending from the father of illuminations, with whom there is no variableness, nor shadow of change.18Of his own choice he produced us by the word of truth, that we might be a sort of first fruit of his creatures.—19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.21Wherefore laying aside all vicious pollution, and the abundance of iniquity, receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which hath power to save your souls.22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves by false reasoning.23For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man that looks at his natural face in a glass;24for he beheld himself, and went away, and immediately forgot what sort of person he was.25But he that looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and perseveres, this man not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, he shall be blessed in his practice.
26If any man thinks he is a religious character among you, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.27Pure religion and undefiled with God even the Father is this, To pay diligent attention to the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to preserve himself spotless from the world.
MY brethren, hold not the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus shewing a respect for persons.2For if there come into your congregation a man with a gold ring, and in splendid apparel, and there come in also a poor man in a sordid garb;3and ye fix your eyes upon him who bears the splendid robe, and say to him, Sit thou here in an honourable place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:4are you not thus partial among yourselves, and form your decision from bad reasonings?5Hear me, my beloved brethren. Hath not God elected the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to those who love him;6but ye have put contempt on the poor man? Do not the rich men tyrannize over you? and they drag you to the tribunals.7Do they not blaspheme that honourable name by which ye are called?8If indeed ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:9but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offendeth in a single particular, he is chargeable with the breach of all.11For he that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not commit murder. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, yet dost commit murder, thou art a transgressor of the law.
12So speak, and so act, as those who shall be judged by the law of liberty.13For judgment without mercy shall be on him who shewed no mercy, and mercy glorieth against judgment.
14What is the advantage, my brethren, if a man profess to have faith, but hath not works; can faith save him?15Now if a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,16and should one of you say to them, Go in peace, be warm, be replenished with food: yet if ye give them not the necessaries for their body; what doth it avail?17So also faith, if it hath not works, is dead itself.
18Perhaps a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith by thy works, and I will shew thee by my works my faith.19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble.20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?21Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?22Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith consummated.23And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness145;” and he was called “the friend of God146.”24Observe therefore that by works a man is justified, and not by faith merely.25But was not Rahab the harlot in like manner justified by works, when she entertained the messengers, and sent them away by a different road?26For as the body without breath is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
MY brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive a severer judgment.2For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, he is a perfect man, and capable of reining in the whole body.3Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.4Behold also the ships, though so great, and driven by tempestuous winds, are turned about by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the inclination of the pilot pleaseth.5So also the tongue is a little member, and proudly vaunts. Behold how great a pile of wood, a little fire kindleth!6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: in such manner is the tongue placed among our members, that it defileth all the body, and setteth on fire the circle of nature; and is set on fire of hell.7For every species of wild beasts, and also of birds, of reptiles, and even of fishes, is tamed, and hath also been tamed by human ingenuity:8but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9With it we bless God even the Father; and with the same we curse men, though after the likeness of God.10Out of the same mouth goeth forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be thus.11Doth a fountain from the same aperture spout forth sweet water and bitter?12Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives; or a vine figs? so also can no fountain send forth salt water and sweet.
13Who is a wise man and intelligent among you, let him shew in a becoming conduct his works with the meekness of wisdom.14But if ye have bitter envy and contention in your heart, boast not, and lie not against the truth.15This is not the wisdom which cometh from above, but is earthly, sensual, diabolical.16For where envy and contention dwell, there is tumult and every vile deed.17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, meek, easily persuadable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and void of dissimulation.18But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for those who are peacemakers.
FROM whence come wars and conflicts among you? spring they not from hence, even from your passions, which war in your members?2Ye eagerly covet, yet have not: ye murder, and are envious, yet cannot obtainyour object; ye wage war, but have not, because ye pray not.3Ye ask, and receive nothing, because ye ask vilely, in order to consume it on your sensual appetites.
4Ye adulterers and adultresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity against God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is set down an enemy to God.5Think ye that the scripture saith without meaning, The spirit which dwelleth in you strongly urges to envy?6But he giveth mightier grace. Wherefore he saith, “God sets himself against the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly147.”
7Be in subjection then to God. Resist the devil, and he will fly from you.8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Make clean your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.9Be bitterly afflicted and lament, and let your tears run down; let your laughter be converted into mourning, and your joy into dejection.10Be humbled in the presence of God, so he will exalt you.
11Traduce not one another, brethren. He that traduceth his brother, and judgeth his brother, traduceth the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but as judge.12There is one lawgiver, who can save or destroy: who art thou that judgest another man?
13Come now, ye that talk, To-day or to-morrow we will go to such a town, and do business there during one year, and traffic, and make great profits:14though ye know nothing of what shall be to-morrow. For what is your life? It is but a vapour which appeareth for a little while, and then vanishes away.15Instead of your saying, If the Lord pleases, and we are alive, then we will do this or that thing.16But now ye glory in your proud boastings: all such glorying is wicked.17Therefore if a man knoweth how to act properly, and doth not, he is criminal.
COME now, ye rich men, let your tears run down, howling over your miseries which are coming upon you.2Your wealth is corrupted, and your robes are moth-eaten.3Your gold and silver is cankered with rust; and the rust upon them is a testimony against you, and shall eat into your flesh as fire. Ye have heaped up treasures in the last days.4Behold, the wages of the workmen who have mowed down your fields, which is kept back by you from them, crieth out: and the loud moans of the reapers are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
5Ye have gormandized upon the earth, and lived in every luxury: ye have pampered your hearts, as in a day of feasting on the victim slain.6Ye have falsely condemned, ye have murdered the just man; nor doth he resist you.7Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, in patient expectation for it, till it receives the former and the latter rain.8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest be ye condemned: lo! the judge standeth at the gates.10My brethren, take a pattern for suffering affliction, and patience from the prophets, who have spoken to you in the name of the Lord.
11Behold, we esteem those blessed who patiently endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; for the Lord is full of bowels of mercy, and tenderly compassionate.
12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your no, no; that ye fall not under condemnation.
13Is any man among you under afflictions? let him pray. Is any man happy in mind? let him sing psalms.14Is any man sick among you? let him send for the presbyters of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:15and the prayer of faith shall recover the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16Confess your offences one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The energetic prayer of a righteous man is mightily prevalent.17Elias was a man of like feelings with us, and he prayed fervently that it should not rain; and there fell no rain on the earth during three years and six months.18And he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth shot up its fruit.
19Brethren, if any man among you should have erred from the truth, and one convert him;20let him know, that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.
FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL
OF
PETER THE APOSTLE.
PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners, dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,2elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by sanctification of the Spirit, that they might be brought to the obedience, and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you and peace be multiplied.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto an animating hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4for an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in the heavens for you,5who are guarded by the omnipotence of God, through faith to obtain the salvation which is ready to appear at the last time.6Wherein ye exult, though yet for a little space, (if it must be so,) ye are in sorrow through various trials:7that the test of your faith (much more precious than that of gold, which is of a perishing nature, though proved by fire) may be found unto praise and honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ:8whom though ye have not seen, ye love; on whom, though ye have not as yet gazed, yet believing, ye exult with joy unutterable and glorious:9receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.10Concerning which salvation the prophets eagerly sought and diligently inquired, who prophesied of the grace which is come to you:11investigating to what time and to what conjuncture the Spirit of Christ in them pointed, when predicting the sufferings coming upon Christ, and the glories subsequent thereto.12To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us were their ministrations employed in the things which are now declared unto you by those who have preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; on which things the angels bending forwards eagerly desire to gaze.
13Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, vigilant, wait with assured hope for the grace, which shall be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;14as obedient children, not conformed to the former passions of the days of your ignorance:15but as he who hath called you is holy, be ye holy also in all your conduct:16because it is written, “Be ye holy; for I am holy148.”17And if ye invoke him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, conduct yourselves during the time of your sojourning withjealousfear:18knowing that ye have not been redeemed out of your vain manner of life, derived traditionally from your fathers, by the corruptible things, silver and gold,19but by the precious blood of Christ, as the unblemished and spotless lamb:20who was indeed predestined before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for us,21who by him believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.22Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit unto fraternal affection undissembled, love each other intensely out of a pure heart:23born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the quickening word of God, and which abideth for ever.24“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man, as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower of it falleth off149:”25but the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
WHEREFORE putting far away wickedness of every kind, and all deceit, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and all backbitings,2as new-born babes desire earnestly the unadulterated milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:3if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.4Whom approaching, as the living stone, rejected indeed of men, but elect of God, and honourable,5ye also, as living stones, are built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, well pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, “Behold, I lay in Sion a cornerstone, elect, precious, and the believer on him shall never be confounded150.”7By you therefore who believe is he honoured: but respecting the disobedient, “the stone which the builders rejected, this very stone is become the head of the corner,8and a stone of stumbling, and rock of offence151,” to those who stumble at the word, disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.9But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired by purchase; that ye should publish abroad the excellencies of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:10who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but are now the objects of mercy.
11Beloved, I exhort you, as strangers and sojourners, Abstain from carnal lusts, which war against the soul;12having your conduct ornamental among the Gentiles: that, whereas they malign you as wicked doers, they may, being eye-witnesses of your good works, glorify God in the day when he visits them.
13Be subject therefore to every human constitution for the Lord’s sake; whether to a king as the supreme magistrate;14or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of wicked doers, but the praise of those who do well.15For such is the will of God, that by well doing ye hold under restraint the ignorance of foolish men:16as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for wicked practices; but as being servants of God.17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but even to the froward.19For this is gracious conduct, if for conscience towards God, any man undergo sorrows, suffering wrongfully.20For what glory would there be, if committing faults, and being buffeted, ye suffered patiently? but if, when ye behave well, yet suffer, ye bear it patiently, this is graciously accepted of God.21For hereunto have ye been called, because Christ also hath suffered for you, leaving you a pattern, that ye should follow his steps;22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:23who, when reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he used no menaces; but referred himself to him who judgeth righteously:24who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead unto sins, might live unto righteousness; “by whose stripes,evenhis, ye were healed152.”25For ye were as sheep wandering astray; but are now returned unto the pastor and bishop of your souls.
LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if some obey not the word, by their wives’ conduct without the word, they may be won over;2being eye-witnesses of your chaste behaviour with timidity.3Whose adorning let it not be that exterior one of braided locks, and golden trimmings, and dresses put on with nicety;4but let it be the hidden man of the heart, with that incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God highly valuable.5For so in times of old the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye are, if ye do well, and are not affrighted with any terror.
7Ye husbands, in like manner dwell with them discreetly, putting respect on the dear woman as being the weaker vessel, and as co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may meet no interruption.
8Finally, be all like-minded, sympathizing, loving fraternally, compassionate, friendly hearted,9not returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, contrariwise, wishing men every blessing; knowing that hereunto ye have been called, that ye should inherit thedivinebenediction.10“For he that would love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile.11Let him depart from every wicked thing, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it153.”12For the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who practise wicked things.13And who will do you harm if ye be imitators of him that is good?14But if ye should even suffer for righteousness, blessed are ye: be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled,15but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be always ready with your reply to every man who demands a reason respecting the hope which is in you with meekness and fear:16keeping a good conscience; that whereas they malign you, as evil doers, they may be confounded who take pleasure in ridiculing your good conduct in Christ.17For it is better (if it be God’s will) to suffer as well doers than as evil doers.18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, put to death indeed in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit:19by which also he went and preached to those spirits imprisoned;20who in time of old were disobedient, when the long suffering of God in the days of Noe waited, while the ark was preparing, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were preserved through the water.21The antitype to which baptism now saveth us (not the mere removal of filth from the flesh, but the engagement of a good conscience to God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:22who is at the right hand of God, gone into heaven, angels and dominations and powers being put in subjection under him.
CHRIST then having suffered for us in the flesh, be ye also in mind armed for the same conflict: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinning;2that he might not spend the remaining space of life in the flesh after human passions, but the divine will.3For the time past of life is enough for us to have wrought the will of the heathen, when we walked in all impurities, lewd appetites, excess of wine, revels, drinking-bouts, and abominable idolatries;4wherein they think it a strange thing, that you are not running with them into the same gulph of profligacy, spreading every scandalous report of you:5who shall give an account to him, who holds himself ready to judge the living and the dead.6For to this end was the gospel preached to those that are dead, that they might be judged indeed in the flesh according to the will of men, but live in spirit according to the will of God.
7But the end of all things is near: be ye therefore sober-minded, and vigilant in prayers.8But above all things have fervent love towards each other: for love will conceal a multitude of faults.
9Exercise hospitality one towards another without grudgings.10Let every one, according as he hath received a gift, minister it to others, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11If any man speak, let it be agreeably to the oracles of God; if any man act as a deacon, let it be from the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.
12Beloved, be not amazed at the fiery trial among you which is to bring you to the test, as though something strange happened to you;13but as ye share in the sufferings of Christ rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory also ye may hail him with exultations.14If ye suffer reproach for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: by them indeed he is blasphemed, but by you he is glorified.15Let no one of you then suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or a meddler in other persons’ business.16But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him give glory to God on this very account.17For now is the time when judgment is commencing at the house of God; and if it begin with us, what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?18And if the righteous man is hardly saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?19Wherefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in well-doing as to the faithful Creator.
THE presbyters among you I exhort, who am a co-presbyter and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed:2feed the flock of God which is among you, exercising your pastoral office not of necessity, but of choice, not for base gain, but with alacrity of mind;3not as domineering over your allotted congregations, but as being examples of the flock.4And when the arch Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that will never fade away.
5In like manner, ye who are younger persons, be in subjection to your elders: but all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed from head to foot with humility: for God sets himself in opposition to the proud, but he giveth grace to the lowly.6Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due season:7casting all your anxiety upon him; for he careth for you.8Be sober, be vigilant; for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, prowleth around, seeking whom he may devour:9against whom stand fast, firm in the faith, knowing that the very same sufferings are fully endured by the brotherhood which is in the world.10But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered a little while, himself perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11To him be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.
12By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I think, I have written to you a few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye are standing fast.13She who is co-elect at Babylon, saluteth you, and my son Mark.
14Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
SECOND GENERAL EPISTLE
OF
THE APOSTLE PETER.
SIMON Peter, the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained with us the same precious faith by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:2grace unto you and peace be multiplied through the knowledge of God, even Jesus our Lord,3as his divine power hath freely given us all things tending to life and godliness, through the acknowledgment of him who hath called us to glory and fortitude:4whereby superlatively great and precious promises are freely given to us: that by these ye might become partakers of a divine nature, having fled far away from the corruption that is in the world through inordinate concupiscence.—5And for this very purpose employing the greatest diligence, lead up in the train of your faith courage; and with courage intelligence;6and with intelligence moderation; and with moderation patience; and with patience piety;7and with piety fraternal affection; and with fraternal affection love.8For if these things are in your possession, and abounding, they will render you neither inactive nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9But he that hath no possession of these things, is blind, dim-sighted, sinking into oblivion of his purification from the sins of his former days.10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make sure your calling and election: for by doing these things, ye shall never at any time stumble:11but an entrance will thus be richly afforded you into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12Wherefore I will not be negligent continually to remind you of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the present truth.13Indeed, I think it right, as long as I am in this frail tabernacle, to rouse up your attention by reminding you:14knowing that the deposition of this frail tabernacle of mine is hastily approaching, as our Lord Jesus Christ hath made evident to me.15I will endeavour then that even after my decease, ye may always have wherewith to preserve the remembrance of these things.16For we have not followed artfully devised fables, when we made known to you the power and advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when such a voice was sent forth to him from the transcendently magnificent glory, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.18And this voice we heard coming out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.19And we hold the prophetic word more confirmed, to which ye do well to attend, as to a lamp shining in a dark passage, until the day dawn, and the morning-star arise upon your hearts.20Knowing this in the first place, that all scriptural prophecy is not from any man’s own suggestions.21For prophecy in old time came not by the will of man: but the holy men of God spake under the impulse of the Holy Ghost.
BUT there were false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers also among you, who wickedly introduce damnable heresies, and deny the sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.2And many will go out of the way after their fatal errors; by means of whom the way of truth will be injuriously reviled.3And with plausible speeches will they avariciously make gain of you whose condemnation from of old lingereth not, and their perdition doth not slumber.4For if God spared not the angels when they sinned, but casting them bound in chains of darkness into hell, delivered them to be kept fast until the judgment;5and spared not the old world, but guarded safely Noah the eighth person, the preacher of righteousness, when he brought a deluge on the world of the ungodly:6and reducing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, condemned them to final destruction, making them an example for all who in future should live ungodly;7but righteous Lot, afflicted grievously with the infamously impure conduct of those lawless men, he plucked out:8for by seeing and hearing, that righteous man whilst sojourning among them, suffered torment day by day in his righteous soul from their lawless doings;9the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, but to reserve the wicked unto the day of judgment to be punished:10especially such as walk after the flesh in the eager pursuit of defilement, and despise government. Daring, self-sufficient, they tremble not at dignities, railing against them.11Whereas the angels, though so much greater in might and power, bring not a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.12But these men, as the naturally irrational brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil of the things of which they are ignorant, will perish by their own corruption;13receiving the recompence of iniquity, counting daily luxury their pleasure; spots and blemishes, when they feast together with you; riotously indulging in their own delusions:14having eyes full of adultery, and insatiable of sin; ensnaring souls of no stability; having a heart practised in all the wiles of covetousness; children for a curse:15who forsaking the strait road are gone out of the way, following the path of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of iniquity.16But received a reproof for his peculiar transgression: the dumb ass articulating with a human voice restrained the perverseness of the prophet.
17These are fountains without water, clouds driven by a hurricane; for whom the blackness of darkness for ever is reserved.18Uttering pompous discourses of inanity, ensnaring by the lusts of the flesh, by lascivious impurities, those who had truly escaped from such as live in a course of delusion.19Preaching liberty to them, while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for by whatever a man is overcome, by that also he is enslaved.20For if having escaped from the defilements of the world by the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again enveloped by them and overcome, their last deeds are worse than the first.21For it had been better for them never to have been acquainted with the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to have turned aside from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22But the true proverb is verified in them, The dog hath returned to his own vomit; and the sow which was washed to its wallowing in the mire.
THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I rouse up your sincere mind by awakening your recollection2to remember the words, that have been spoken aforetime by the holy prophets, and the injunction of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:3knowing this principally, that in the last of the days there will come scoffers, walking after their own lewd passions,4and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue in the same state as from the beginning of the creation.5For this they chuse to keep out of sight, that by the word of God the heavens were created of old, and the earth rising out of the water and subsisting amidst the water;6whence the world then existing, being deluged by water, was destroyed;7but the present heavens and earth by the same word are treasured up, reserved for fire at the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8But let not this particular be concealed from you, beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9The Lord doth not delay the promise (as some count it delay); but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should have space for repentance.10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief by night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a rushing noise, and the first principles of matter in flames dissolve, and the earth and all the works upon it be burnt up.11Seeing then that all these things must be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be in a course of holy conduct and acts of piety,12expecting and hastening towards the coming of God’s day, at which the heavens on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements in flames be melted as wax?13But we expect according to his promise new heavens and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousness.14Wherefore, beloved, seeing ye are expecting these things, be diligent to be found of him in peace, spotless and blameless.15And account the long suffering of our Lord conducive to salvation; as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, hath written unto you;16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, of which some are difficult to be understood, which the uninstructed and the unstable torture, as indeed they do the rest of the scriptures unto their own destruction.17Ye therefore, beloved, knowing this before, be on your guard, that ye be not carried away with the delusion of these lawless men, and fall from your own stedfastness.18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and unto the day of eternity. Amen.
FIRST GENERAL EPISTLE
OF
THE APOSTLE JOHN.
THAT which was from the beginning, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have gazed upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life;2(for the life was manifested, and we have beheld it, and bear testimony, and declare unto you that life eternal, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)3that which we have seen and heard, declare we to you, that ye also may have communion with us: and indeed our communion is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be complete.
5And this is the promise which we have heard from him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and that darkness in him there is none.6If we say that we have communion with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and practise not the truth:7but if we walk in the light, as he is himself in the light, we have communion with each other, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9If we confess our sins, faithful is he and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
MY dear children, these things I write to you, that ye should not sin. And if any of us sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2and he himself is the propitiatory victim for our sins: and indeed not for ours only, but for the whole world.3And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and in him the truth is not.5But whosoever keepeth his word, verily in him is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in him.6He who saith that he abideth in him, ought as he walked, even so himself to walk.
7Brethren, I write not a new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which is a true thing in him, and in you, because the darkness is past, and the true light is now shining.9He who saith, that he is in the light, yet hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.10He that loveth his brother is in the light, and occasion of stumbling in him there is none.11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he is departing, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.13I write unto you, fathers, because 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.14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him, who 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.
15Love not the world, neither the things which are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For every thing which is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pomp of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17And the world is passing away, and the lust thereof, but he who doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18My dear children, it is the last hour; and as ye have heard that antichrist is coming, even now there are many antichrists: by which we know it is the last hour.19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they departed, that they might be made manifest that they are not all of us:20though ye have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things.21I have not written to you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.22Who is the liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Messiah? This man is the antichrist, who denieth the Father and the Son.23Every one that denieth the Son, neither doth he hold the Father; but he that acknowledgeth the Son, holdeth the Father also.24Let that abide in you therefore which ye have heard from the beginning. If that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning, ye also shall abide in the Son and in the Father.25And this is the promise which he hath promised to us, even life eternal.
26These things have I written unto you concerning those who are leading you astray.27But the unction which ye have received from him abideth in you; and ye need not that any person should instruct you. But as the same unction teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie; and as it hath taught you, abide in him.28And now, my dear children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be put to shame by him at his coming.29If ye know that he is righteous, know that every one who practises righteousness is born of him.
BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God! therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.2Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it is not yet evident what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; because we shall see him as he is.3And every one who hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4Every one who committeth sin, committeth also a transgression of the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.5And ye know that he was manifested, that he might take away our sins; and in him there is no sin.6Every one who abideth in him, doth not sin; every one who sinneth hath not seen him, nor known him.7My dear children, let no man deceive you: he who doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous:8he that practises sin is of the devil; for from the beginning the devil sinneth. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.9Every one who is born of God, doth not practise sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.10By this the children of God are manifestly seen, and the children of the devil. Every one that doth not practise righteousness, is not of God, and he that loveth not his brother.
11For this is the commandment which ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother: and wherefore did he slay him? Because his own works were wicked, and those of his brother righteous.
13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.14We know that we are passed out ofa state ofdeath into life, because we love the brethren: he that loveth not his brother abideth in death.15Every one who hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath life eternal abiding in him.
16By this we have known the loveof Christ, because for us he laid down his own life: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.17But whosoever hath worldly abundance, and seeth his brother under necessity, and shutteth his bowels of compassion against him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?18My dear children, let us not love in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth;19and hereby we know that we are of the truth, and in his presence have this persuasion in our hearts.20For should our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have confidence towards God.22And whatsoever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things which are pleasing in his sight.23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.24And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him; and by this we know that he abideth in us, from the Spirit which he hath given us.
BELOVED, believe not every pretender to inspiration, but bring these spirits to the trial whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone forth into the world.2By this ye know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesseth that Jesus the Messiah is come in the flesh, is from God.3And every spirit who confesseth not that Jesus the Messiah is come into the world, is not from God: and this is that spirit of antichrist which ye have heard that it is coming, and now is already in the world.4Ye are of God, my dear children, and have overcome them; because he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.5They are of the world, therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of delusion.
7Beloved, let us love one another; because love is from God, and every one who loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8He that loveth not, never knew God; for God is love.9By this was the love of God manifested to us, that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might have life by him.10Herein is love, not that we have loved God, but that he hath loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiatory sacrifice for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us.13By this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his own Spirit.14And we have seen and bear testimony, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.16And we have known and believed the love which God hath towards us. God is love; and he that abideth in love, abideth in God, and God in him.17By this is his love towards us perfected, that we might have confidence at the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.18Fear is not in this love; but the perfect love casteth out fear: for fear hath anguish. He that is afraid is not made perfect in love.
19We love him, because he first loved us.20If any person say, I love God, yet hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he who loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love the God whom he hath not seen?21So this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love also his brother.
EVERY one who believeth that Jesus is the Messiah, is born of God; and every one who loveth him that begat, loveth him also who is begotten by him.2Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we should keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome.4Because every one that is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world,our faith.5Who is he that overcometh the world, except he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus the Messiah; not by the water only, but by the water and the blood: and the Spirit is the witnessing person, because the Spirit is the truth.7For they are three who bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these, even the three, are one.8And there are three which bear witness upon earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood, and the three are for the same one object.
9If we receive the testimony of man, the testimony of God is stronger: for this is the testimony of God which he testified concerning his Son.10He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the testimony in himself; he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he hath not believed on the testimony which God testified of his Son.11And this is the testimony, that God hath given life eternal to us; and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son, hath this life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not this life.13These things have I written to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have life eternal, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.14And this is the confidence that we have towards him, that whatsoever we ask according to his will, he heareth us.15And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we receive the petitions, which we have requested, from him.
16If any person see his brother committing a sin not unto death, he shall request, and God will grant him life for those that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I say not that he should request for that.17All unrighteousness is sin; and there is sin not unto death.
18We know that every one who is born of God sinneth not; but he that is born of God preserveth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not.19We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the power of that wicked one.20But we know that the Son of God hath come, and hath given to us understanding, that we might know the true God; and we are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus the Messiah. HE is the true God, and the life eternal.
21My dear children, guard yourselves against idols. Amen.