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


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However, what does the scripture say? Cast out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.


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<e><i>Freedom in Christ</i></e><br/> For freedom did Christ set us free. Therefore, stand fast and do not get entangled again in a yoke of bondage.


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


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


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I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.


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But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then has the stumbling-block of the cross been done away.


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I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision and emasculate themselves.<br/> <e><i>The Fruits of the Spirit and the Works of the Flesh</i></e>


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For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.


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For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are contrary to each other. You may not do the things you would like to!


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


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<e><i>Keep on Keeping on</i></e><br/> Brothers, even if a man is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself, lest you also be tempted.


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But let each man test his own work, and then shall he have his boasting in regard to himself alone, and not of his neighbour.


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For he that sows to his own flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.


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So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward those that are in the family of the faith.<br/> <e><i>A Final Appeal</i></e>


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It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.


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For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves fully keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised so they can boast about you.


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But far be it for me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.


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For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything. What counts is being a new creation.


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<e><i>Our Exalted Status in Christ</i></e><br/> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus.


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


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in that He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love.


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Having foreordained us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,


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


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in a plan which runs to the fullness of the times: To sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth.


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In whom also we were made His heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who does all things after the counsel of His will,


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In whom you also believed, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,


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which is a guarantee of our inheritance, of the final redemption of God's own possession, for the praise of His glory.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians</i></e>


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


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That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; so that you may have


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the eyes of your mind enlightened, that you may appreciate what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,


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and what the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of His might


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which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead and had him sit at His right hand in heaven,


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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.


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


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in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, according to the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience.


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Among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by our natural condition destined to be children of God’s wrath, even as the others.


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


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His intention was that throughout the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.


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For by grace have you been saved through faith, and that faith is not of yourselves, it is a gift from God.


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For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God beforehand prepared that we should walk in them.<br/> <e><i>Unity Created Between Jew and Gentile</i></e>


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Wherefore remember, that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by those called Circumcision (which is in the flesh and made with hands),


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you 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 living without God in the world.


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For he himself is our peace, who has made us one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility,


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


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


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So then you are no longer strangers and pilgrims, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God,


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


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<e><i>The Mystery Now Revealed</i></e><br/> For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,


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This in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:


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


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of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power.


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


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and to make all men see what is the intention of this mystery which for ages has been hid in God who created all things.


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The intention was that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places,


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Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Further Prayer for the Ephesians</i></e>


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that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, that you may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.


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That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you would be rooted and grounded in love,


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that you might be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height,


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and to truly know and understand the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


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Now to Him that is able to do immeasurably above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,


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to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. Amen.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>The Basis for Christian Unity</i></e><br/> I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,


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one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.<br/> <e><i>The Gifts of God</i></e>


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


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


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


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For the perfecting of the saints, to the work of holy service, to the building up of the body of Christ,


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until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.


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That we may no longer be like children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine devised by the trickery, craftiness and deceitful scheming of men.


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By him all the parts of the body fit and are knit together, with every joint supplying something according to its unique purpose, thus making the body grow as it builds up itself in love.<br/> <e><i>The New Life</i></e>


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Therefore, this I say and testify in the Lord: You are to no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,


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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.


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Therefore, putting away falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour. For we are members one of another.


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Let him that stole, steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, so he may have something to give to him that has need.


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Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but as the need arises, speak that which is good for encouragement, that it expresses grace to those that hear you.


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Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and railing be put away from you, along with all malice.


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<e><i>The Inevitable Judgment for Sin</i></e><br/> Therefore, as beloved children, be imitators of God,


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and walk in love- just as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.


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


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nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor crude joking, which are not befitting saints; but rather the giving of thanks.


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For this you know for sure, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.


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Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things comes the anger of God upon the sons of disobedience.


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But all things when they are reproved are revealed by the light. For everything that is revealed then becomes light.


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Therefore it is said: Awake, you that sleep, and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine upon you.


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Speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,


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For the husband is the head of the wife and Christ is the head of the church- himself being the saviour of the body.


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


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that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless.


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Thus husbands ought also to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his own wife loves himself.


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


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However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.


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<e><i>Commands to Children and Slaves</i></e><br/> Children, obey your parents in the Lord. For this is right.


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And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but nurture them in the training and instruction of the Lord.


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Servants, be obedient to those that according to the flesh are your masters, with respect and fear, in singleness of your heart, as if to Christ.


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


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Knowing that whatever good thing each one does, the same shall he receive in return from the Lord, whether he be slave or free.


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And you, masters, do the same things to them, and stop your threatening; knowing that he who is both their master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.<br/> <e><i>Spiritual Armour</i></e>


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For we do not wrestle only against flesh and blood, but also against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies.


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Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to withstand it; and after you have done everything, to stand firm.


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


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meanwhile taking up the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil.


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With all prayer and petition, praying at all times in the Spirit; and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,


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


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But so you may also know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, shall make known to you all things;


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


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<e><i>Paul Updates the Philippians on His Situation in Rome</i></e><br/> Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.


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Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will keep working at perfecting it, until the day of Jesus Christ.


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It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.


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so that you may approve the things that are excellent, so that you may be sincere and void of offence until the day of Christ;


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


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Now I would have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out for the progress of the gospel;


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


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The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;


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What then? In every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed and therein I rejoice, yes and will rejoice.<br/> <e><i>Paul Speaks of His Future</i></e>


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For I know that this shall result in my salvation, through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,


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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.


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But if by living in the flesh, this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I do not know.


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


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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- you standing fast in one spirit, with one mind together striving for the faith of the gospel,


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and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, and of your salvation- and that from God.


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Because to you it has been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer in his behalf;


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<e><i>The Mental Attitude of Christ to be Our Example</i></e><br/> Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,


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Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself;


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but poured himself out, taking the mental attitude of a servant, and was the made just the same as all ordinary men.


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And being perceived as a normal man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.


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


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So then, my beloved, even as you 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.


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


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holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or laboured in vain.


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Yes, and if I am poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.


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And in the same manner you also should be glad and rejoice with me.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Messengers</i></e>


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But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may also be cheered by news of you.


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But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served as an apprentice with me in declaring the gospel.


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


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For indeed he was sick and near to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.


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Therefore I have sent him more diligently, so that when you see him again, you may rejoice and that I may be less sorrowful.


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Because for the work of Christ he came near to death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>Warning Against the Judaizers</i></e><br/> Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. For me to repeat the same things to you as I did before is not tedious, indeed it only confirms their certainty.


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


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Though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more.


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Circumcised the eighth day, of Israelite stock, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As touching the law, a Pharisee.


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


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Yes indeed, I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ,


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and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own which is of the law, but which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness which is from God by faith;


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


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Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.


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Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet. But one thing I do, forgetting the past and looking forward to those things which are ahead,


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Let us therefore, as many as are mature, be thus decided; and if in anything you are otherwise decided, this also shall God reveal to you.


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For now, according to that understanding unto which we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.


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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;


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


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For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,


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who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>Being Spiritually Minded</i></e><br/> Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, my beloved, stand firm in the Lord.


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Yes, I urge you also, true companion, help these women, for they laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.


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


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


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Finally brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honourable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.


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The things which you both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Practical Needs</i></e>


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


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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 have plenty and to be in want.


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


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But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, they were as the odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, pleasing to God.


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to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ that are at Colosse. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians</i></e>


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We thank God because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.


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That Gospel is come to you, even as it has also come to all the world, bearing fruit and increasing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.


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Even as you learned it of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf;


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


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to walk worthily in the Lord fully pleasing him, bearing fruit in every good work; increasing in the knowledge of God,


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


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giving thanks to the Father, who made us suitable to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.


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Who delivered us out of the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love;


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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 on account of him and for him.


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And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; so that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.


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and through him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross- yes, to reconcile all things through him, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.<br/> <e><i>The Context of Paul’s Preaching</i></e>


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


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If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to all creation under heaven. Of which I Paul was made a servant,


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who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.


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Of which I was made a servant, according to the plan of God which was given me concerning you, to fulfil the word of God,


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the mystery of which has been hid for ages and generations; but now has it been manifested to His saints,


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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.


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We proclaim him, encouraging every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.


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<e><i>Paul Warns the Colossians of False Teaching</i></e><br/> For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,


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that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love; and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God as it is in Christ.


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For though I am absent in the flesh, I am still with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.


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


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Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.


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In him you 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. <e><i>The Meaning of Baptism</i></e>


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Having been buried with him in baptism, by which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.


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And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.


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Having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, Christ did away with it by nailing it to the cross.


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Having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.<br/> <e><i>No Need to Keep the Sabbaths</i></e>


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Let no one therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day.


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Let no one rob you of your prize by a false humility and worshiping of the angels, keeping on about all the things which he has supposedly seen in visions, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,


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


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If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances?


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Which things have indeed a false appearance of wisdom in worship and humility and severity to the body, but are not of any real value against stopping the indulgence of the flesh.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>The New Focus of our Lives in Christ</i></e><br/> If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.


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Therefore, put to death what is earthly in you: Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry.


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But now you are to also put away: Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.


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where there cannot be Gentile and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman- but Christ is all and in all.


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Therefore, as God's elect and beloved, put on sensitivity, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;


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forbearing one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as the Lord forgave you, so also forgive.


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And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts- to this you were also called in one body; and be thankful.


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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. In all wisdom teach and encourage one another with Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs- singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.


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And whatever you do, in word or in action, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.<br/> <e><i>Domestic Relationships</i></e>


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Servants, obey in all things those that are your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.


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Knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.


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meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for preaching the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for the sake of which I am also in chains.


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Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.<br/> <e><i>Greetings and News</i></e>


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


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Together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you, they shall make known to you all things that are done here.


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Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),


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


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


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For I bear witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and for those in Hierapolis.


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And when this letter has been read among you, take steps to have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and you also read the letter from Laodicea.


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And say to Archippus: Take heed to the service which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfil it.


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


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remembering without ceasing before our God and Father your work of faith, labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.<br/> <e><i>The Power of Example</i></e>


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how that our preaching of the gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance. Even as you know what manner of men we have shown ourselves toward you, for your sake.


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


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For from you has sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia but in every place your faith toward God has gone forth; so that we do not need to say anything about you.


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For others report about what kind of reception you gave us and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,


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and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>The History of the Gospel in Thessalonica</i></e><br/> Brothers, you know our visit with you, that it has not been found vain.


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As you know, previously in Philippi we suffered and were spitefully treated; but even amid much opposition we were bold in our God to tell you about the gospel of God.


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But even as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who tests our hearts.


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For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;


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nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.


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So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.


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For, brothers, you remember our labour and distress, working night and day, so that we would not burden any of you while we preached the gospel of God to you.


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You are witnesses and God also, how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe.


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As you know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, encouraging you and testifying,


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And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works powerfully in you that believe.


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For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea. For you also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews,


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who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and do not please God, and oppose all mankind,


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forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved. By doing so they fill up the full measure of their sins. But God’s wrath comes upon them at last.


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But we, brothers, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence but not in heart, endeavoured more eagerly to see your face with great desire.


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For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?


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<e><i>Paul’s Great Love for the Thessalonians</i></e><br/> Wherefore when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;


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and sent Timothy, our brother and God's minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith.


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For truly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction. Even as it came to pass and you know.


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For this cause I also, when I could no longer endure it, sent Timothy, that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be in vain.


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But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us the good news of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also you.


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For this cause, brothers, in all our distress and affliction, we were comforted through hearing of your faith.


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For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,


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night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and may perfect whatever is lacking in your faith?


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And the Lord make you increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men, even as we also toward you,


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so that he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>The Sanctified Life</i></e><br/> Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God.


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Let no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter. Because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.


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But concerning love of the brothers, you have no need that anyone write to you. For you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.


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For indeed you do it toward all the brothers that are in all Macedonia. But, brothers, we encourage you to abound more and more.


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May you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,


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that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing<e><i>Comfort From the Hope of Resurrection </i></e>


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Brothers, we would not have you ignorant concerning those that fall asleep, lest you grieve like those who have no hope.


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For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, just as surely those that have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring up with him.


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For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are still living at the coming of the Lord, shall in no way precede those that have fallen asleep.


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For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.


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Then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be snatched away in the clouds in the air to meet the Lord, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


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But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that something be written to you.


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When people are saying: Peace and safety, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no way escape.


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But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.


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For God has not destined us to suffer His wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,


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Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, even as you already do.<br/> <e><i>Closing Thoughts</i></e>


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But brothers, we urge you to recognize those that labour among you, who are over you in the Lord and who encourage you.


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And we exhort you, brothers, warn the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.


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See that no one repays anyone evil with evil, but always follow after that which is good one toward another and toward all.


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Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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<e><i>Suffering Has an End- At the Return of Christ</i></e><br/> Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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Brothers, we are obligated to thank God always for you, as is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,


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so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.


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These are proof that God’s judgment is righteous, and you are enduring them to the end you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.


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and to give relief to those who are afflicted (and to us too), when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,


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rendering vengeance to them that do not acknowledge God and to them that do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.


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They shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,


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when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that have believed in that day (because our testimony to you was believed).


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To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling and fulfil every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power.


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To the end that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>The Man of Sin</i></e><br/> Now brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, we urge you


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not to be quickly shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter appearing to be from us, as though the day of Christ had come.


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Let no one beguile you in any way. For first of all must come the falling away and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of destruction,


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he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.


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For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so, until he is out of the way.


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And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the powerful glory of his coming.


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But the coming of the lawless one will be according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders,


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and with all unrighteous deceit of them that perish. Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved,


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that they all might be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.<br/> <e><i>An Appeal to Stand Firm</i></e>


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But, brothers, we are obligated to give thanks to God always for you, beloved of the Lord, for God chose you from the beginning to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;


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unto which He called you through our preaching of the gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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So then, brothers, stand fast, and hold to the teachings which you were taught, whether by word, or by our epistle.


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Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,


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<e><i>Paul Asks For Prayer</i></e><br/> Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, even as also it is with you.


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And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do, and will do, the things which we command;


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and so may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ.<br/> <e><i>Discipline Those Who Just Want Material Benefit </i></e>


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Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the tradition which they received from us.


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For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us. For we ourselves did not behave disorderly among you,


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neither did we eat bread for nothing at anyone's hand; but we ate our bread as the result of our own labour and toil, working night and day, that we might not financially burden any of you.


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Not because we do not have the right to do so, but to make ourselves an example to you- that you should imitate us.


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For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: If any will not work, neither let him eat of your food.


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Now those that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread.


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And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, note that man, that you have no association with him, so that he may be ashamed.


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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.


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<e><i>Paul Encourages Timothy</i></e><br/> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope.


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To Timothy, my true child in faith. Grace, mercy and peace to you, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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Stay at Ephesus, just as I urged you to do when I was going into Macedonia, so that you might instruct certain men not to teach a different doctrine,


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nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than Godly edification which is in faith.


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The intended result of this instruction is love out of a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith.


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desiring to be teachers of the law, though they neither understand what they say, nor what they confidently affirm.


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since we know that law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,


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for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,


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in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Conversion a Pattern for All</i></e>


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I thank him that enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service.


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Though I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor and abusive. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.


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Faithful is the saying and worthy of all acceptance: That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.


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However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as the chief sinner might Jesus Christ show all his patience as a pattern to those that would later believe in him to gain eternal life.


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Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.


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This charge I commit to you, my child Timothy, in accordance with the prophecies which were made about you, that by them you may war the good warfare.


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Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust from them, made shipwreck of their faith.


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Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.<br/> <e><i>


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<e><i>Paul Encourages Prayerfulness</i></e><br/> I urge therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men;


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for kings, and all that are in high place, that we may lead a calm and quiet life in all Godliness and dignity.


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To this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.


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In like manner, I urge that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with bashfulness and sobriety; not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly clothing,


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But she shall be saved through the child-bearing, if they continue in faith, love and sanctification with sobriety.


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<e><i>About Bishops and Deacons</i></e><br/> Faithful is the saying: If a man seeks the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.


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The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober, orderly, given to hospitality, able to teach;


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Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace or into a snare of the devil.


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Likewise, deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money;


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For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.


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But if I am delayed, I write so you may know how you ought to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.


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And without controversy, great is the mystery of reverence towards God: He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, received up in glory.


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<e><i>A Prediction of Apostasy</i></e><br/> But the Spirit says expressly, that in the last times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of the idol worshippers,


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Forbidding to marry, and to abstain from food- which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.


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For every creature of God is good and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving.


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If you put the believers in mind of these things, you shall be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed.


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For bodily exercise is profitable for a little time; but reverence towards God is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life which now is and of that which is to come.


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For to this end we labour and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe.


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Let no one despise your youth. Be an example to those that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.


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Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given to you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.


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Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be manifest to all.


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Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.


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<e><i>Commands About Widows</i></e><br/> Do not rebuke an elder but exhort him as a father. The younger men as brothers.


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But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show devotion towards their own family and to repay their parents. For this is acceptable in the sight of God.


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Now she that is indeed a widow and alone has her hope set on God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.


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But if anyone does not provide for his own family and specially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.


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Let no one be registered as a widow who is under sixty years old. Only register those who have been the woman of one man and


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well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has helped the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.


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But refuse to register younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry,


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Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.


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I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for slander.


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If any woman that believes has widows in her family, let her help them and let not the church be burdened, so that it may help those that are indeed widows.<br/> <e><i>Commands About Elders</i></e>


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Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and in teaching.


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For the scripture says: You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his wages.


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I charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.


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No longer drink only water; instead use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.


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Some men's sins are evident, preceding them to judgment; but those of others follow them there later.


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Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.


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Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.


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And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them because those whom they are serving are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.<br/> <e><i>The Danger of Riches</i></e>


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If anyone teaches a different doctrine and consents not to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which shows reverence towards God,


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he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,


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wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, who suppose that reverence towards God is a way of gain.


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But they that are intent on being rich fall into a temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and condemnation.


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For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, which some, by seeking for, have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.


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But you, O man of God, flee these material things and instead pursue after righteousness, reverence towards God, faith, love, patience, meekness.


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Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the everlasting life, whereunto you were called and did confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.


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I urge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate made the good confession:


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In due time He shall reveal him, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,


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who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable. Whom no one has seen, nor can see. To whom be honour and power eternal. Amen.


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Instruct those that are rich in this present world, that they are not proud, nor have their hope set on the uncertain riches; but instead on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.


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Let the rich do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;


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laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.


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O Timothy, guard that which was committed to you, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of false knowledge,


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<e><i>Paul’s Relationship with Timothy</i></e><br/> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,


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I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of you in my prayers, night and day


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I am often reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded dwells in you also.<br/> <e><i>Living up to Potential</i></e>


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Because of this I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.


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Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but suffer hardship for the gospel according to the power of God.


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Who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal;


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but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel;


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For which cause I suffer also these things. Yet I am not ashamed. For I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard what I have committed to him against that day.


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Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.


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The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain.


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(the Lord grant to him that he find the mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he gave service to me at Ephesus, you know very well.


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<e><i>Suffering Hardship for Christ</i></e><br/> You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.


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And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, you are to commit the same to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.


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No soldier in service entangles himself in the affairs of this life, so that he may please whoever enrolled him as a soldier.


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And if also a man competes in the games, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.


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Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to the gospel I preached.


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Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, so that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.


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if we are faithless, he abides faithful. For he cannot deny himself.<br/> <e><i>Don’t Argue About Words</i></e>


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Of these things put them in remembrance, instructing them in the sight of the Lord, that they do not fight about words, to no profit, to the catastrophic destruction of those that hear them.


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Exert yourself, to prove you are pleasing to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling correctly the word of truth.


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men who concerning the truth have erred, in saying that the resurrection is past already; and they ruin the faith of some.


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However the firm foundation of God stands sure, having this seal: The Lord knows those that are his. And: Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.


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Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonour.


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If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, fulfilling the use intended by the master, prepared to do every good work.


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Enthuse about righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


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And the Lord's servant must not quarrel but be gentle towards all, eager to teach, patient of ills and wrongs,


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in meekness correcting those that contradict themselves, so that God may give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,


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and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.


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<e><i>A Prophecy About the Last Days</i></e><br/> But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.


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For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, argumentative, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,


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without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good,


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Holding a form of reverence towards God, but having denied the power of it. From such people- turn away.


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For of these are they that creep into houses and take captive weak minded women laden with sins, led away by various lusts,


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Just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.


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But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be made evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Encouragement to Timothy</i></e>


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persecutions, sufferings. Think of what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.


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But you, grow in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.


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And that from a child you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus.


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Every scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;


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I charge you in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,


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to preach the word. Preach it urgently, whether the occasion seems appropriate or not. Reprove, rebuke, exhort, as you patiently teach.


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For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own lusts;


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But you, be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.<br/> <e><i>Paul Speaks of His Impending Death</i></e>


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From this time forward there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me alone, but also to all those that have loved his appearing.


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For Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.


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When you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.


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But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed; and so all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.


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The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will save me to his heavenly kingdom; to him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.


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Try by all means to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia, and all the brothers.


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Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth- the truth which is ultimately all about reverence towards God.


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but in His own time manifested His word in the message with which I was entrusted, according to the commandment of God our Saviour;


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to Titus, my true child after a common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Advice About the Church in Crete</i></e>


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The reason I left you in Crete was so you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I instructed you-


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if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.


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For the bishop, as God's steward, must be blameless, not arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain;


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holding to the faithful word which is according to the doctrine, that he may be able to minister comfort using the sound doctrine and also refute those who oppose it.


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whose mouths must be stopped. Men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they should not, all for money's sake.


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not giving heed to Jewish fables and the commandments of mere men who aim to turn away others from the truth.


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To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; both their minds and their consciences are defiled.


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They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.


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<e><i>Commands to Men and Women, Old and Young</i></e><br/> But you must teach what accords with sound doctrine:


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That older women likewise be reverent in demeanour, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;


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to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands; that the preaching of the word of God may not be mocked.


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sound speech, that cannot be condemned; so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.


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Encourage servants to be submissive to their masters, and to be pleasing to them in all things. Not argumentative,


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not petty thieves, but showing integrity in everything; that they in all things may make attractive the doctrine of God our Saviour.


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It trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives in this present age,


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as we look for the blessed hope: The manifesting of the glory of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ,


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who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.


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<e><i>The Way of Life Elicited by God’s Grace</i></e><br/> Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities- to be obedient, to be eagerly ready to do every good work,


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to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, but to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.


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For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.


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not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit


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This was so that being justified by His grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


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This teaching is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.


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But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.


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When I shall send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, give diligence to come to me at Nicopolis, for there I have decided to winter.


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And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, to help those in urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.


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I pray that our fellowshipping of your faith may result in our coming to acknowledge every good thing which is in you in Christ.


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Already I had much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you our brother.


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yet I prefer to appeal to you for love's sake- I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus.


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I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.<br/> <e><i>Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus</i></e>


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I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel.


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But I preferred to do nothing without your consent, so that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.


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no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.


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But meanwhile also prepare for me a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.


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<e><i>The Supremacy of Christ</i></e><br/> God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,


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has in these last times spoken to us in the Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, on account of whom also He structured the ages.


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Who being the brightness of His glory and the exact image of His person, upholds all things by the word of his power. When he had accomplished the purification of sins, he then sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven.


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He thus became so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they.<br/> <e><i>Christ Greater than Angels</i></e>


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For to which of the angels said He at any time: You are my Son, this day have I begotten you? And again: I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son?


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And again, when He brings the firstborn into the world He says: And let all the angels of God worship him.


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But of the Son He said: Your throne, O Mighty One, is for ever and ever, and the sceptre of your kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness.


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You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.


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And: You, Lord, in the beginning did lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands.


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and like a cloak You shall roll them up as a garment, and they shall be changed; but You are the same and Your years are without end.


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But of which of the angels has He said at any time: Sit on my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?


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Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of those that shall inherit salvation?


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Therefore we ought to give the more earnest attention to the things that we heard, lest we drift away from them.


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For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,


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how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? Which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those that heard;


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God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various powers and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.


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But one has somewhere testified: What is man, that You are mindful of him? Or the Son of Man, that You visit him?


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You made him a little lower than the angels, You crowned him with glory and honour and did set him over the works of Your hands;


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You did put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He subjected all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not see all things subjected to him.<br/> <e><i>The Humanity of Christ</i></e>


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But we behold him who has been made a little lower than the angels- Jesus- crowned with glory and honour because of his suffering of death, whereby, by the grace of God, he tasted death for every person.


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For it became Him for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.


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For both he that sanctifies and they that are sanctified are all of the same nature. For this cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,


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saying: I will declare Your name to my brothers, in the midst of the congregation will I sing Your praise.


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Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same nature; so that through his death he might bring to nothing him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil;


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Therefore in all things he had to be made like his brothers, so that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.


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<e><i>The Supremacy of Christ Over Moses</i></e><br/> Therefore holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus,


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For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, in that he that built the house has more honour than the house.


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And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken.


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But Christ, as a Son over his own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope, remaining firm to the end.<br/> <e><i>Learn the Lesson from Israel </i></e>


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Therefore I was displeased with this generation, and said: They do always err in their heart. They did not know My ways.


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Brothers, take care, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, causing you to depart from the living God.


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But encourage one another day by day, so long as it is called today, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.


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For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast to our original confidence, remaining firm to the end.


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And with whom was He displeased for forty years? Was it not with those that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?


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<e><i>The Possibility of Rejection</i></e><br/> Therefore, while the promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any one of you should seem to have failed to attain it.


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For indeed we have had good tidings preached to us, even as also they did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard it.


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For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as He has said: As I swore in my anger: They shall not enter into My rest, although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.


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For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.


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Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good tidings were earlier preached failed to enter in because of disobedience;


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He again defines a certain day, a today, saying through David a long time afterwards (in the words already quoted): Today, if you shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts.


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Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no one fall by the same kind of disobedience.


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For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, and pierces even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.


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And there is no creature that is not revealed to his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to give account.<br/> <e><i>The Comfort of Christ’s Humanity</i></e>


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Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.


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For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things, yet did not sin.


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Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help us in our time of need.


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For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.


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He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness;


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and because of it, he is required to offer sacrifices both for his sins and also for the sins of the people.


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So Christ also did not glorify himself to become a high priest, but He that spoke to him: You are my Son. This day have I begotten you.


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Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard for his Godly fear;


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For when by reason of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God; and have become as those in need of milk and not solid food.


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For everyone that partakes of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.


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But solid food is for the mature, those who by experience of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.


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Therefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to completion. Not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith toward God,


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the teaching of baptisms and of laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment.


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For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,


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but then fell away- it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.


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For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God.


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But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and in danger of being cursed, whose end is to be burned.


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But beloved, though we speak in this manner, we are confident of better things for you; things that accompany salvation.


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For God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you serve the saints and still do.


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And we desire that each one of you may show the same zeal to have the full assurance of hope until the end.


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Do not be lazy, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.<br/> <e><i>The Certainty of God’s Promise</i></e>


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For men swear by something greater, and in every dispute of theirs, the oath is final for confirmation.


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Therefore God, determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of His purpose, confirmed with an oath;


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so that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us.


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This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast and passing into the presence beyond the veil;


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into which as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.


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<e><i>Christ and Melchizedek</i></e><br/> For this Melchizedek, king of Jerusalem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him;


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to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all. He was first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also, King of Jerusalem, which is, King of peace.


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He was without recorded father or mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life but presented as being like the Son of God, abiding a priest continually.


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And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have the commandment according to the law to take tithes from the people, that is, of their brothers; even though they are also descendants of Abraham.


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Melchizedek was not descended from Levi by genealogy, but he took tithes of Abraham and blessed him that had received the promises.


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And here mortal men receive tithes; but there one received them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.


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And, so to say, when Abraham paid the tithe, Levi, whose descendants receive the tithe, also paid a tithe.


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Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?


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For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.


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For it is evident that our Lord originated from the tribe of Judah. Regarding this tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.


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And what we say is even more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,


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who has been appointed, not on the basis of a law about physical descent, but according to the power of an endless life.


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On the other hand, there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness


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(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.<br/> <e><i>The End of the Old Priesthood</i></e>


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The Levitical priests were made priests without an oath, but he with an oath: The Lord swore and will not change His mind; you are a priest for ever.


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And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing.


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Therefore he is able to save for ever those that draw near to God through him, seeing he lives forever to make intercession for them.


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For such a High Priest was fitting for us- holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has been exalted higher than the heavens.


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Who needs not to offer up sacrifices daily, like those high priests, first for his own sins and then for those of the people. For this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.


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For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.


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<e><i>The Old Covenant Replaced by the New Covenant</i></e><br/> Now in the things of which we are talking, the chief point is this. We have such a high priest who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,


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For every high priest being appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it is therefore necessary that this high priest also have these to offer.


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Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law,


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who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned when he is about to make the tabernacle. For He said: See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.


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But now has he obtained a more excellent service, as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises.


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For finding fault with them, He said: Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-


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not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in My covenant, so I paid no attention to them.


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For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws into their mind and in their heart also will I write them, and I will be to them a God and they shall be to Me a people.


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None of them shall teach his neighbour, and none his brother, saying: Know the Lord. For all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.


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For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will not remember against them.


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In that He said: A new covenant, He has made the first redundant. Now what is becoming redundant and growing old is ready to vanish away.


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<e><i>The Mosaic Rituals Pointed Forward to Christ </i></e><br/> Now even the first covenant had regulations for Divine service and an earthly sanctuary.


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For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first section, wherein was the candlestick, the table and the bread of the Presence, which is called the Holy Place.


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This had the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.


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And above it were cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we cannot now speak in detail.


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Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests went in continually into the first tabernacle, performing the services.


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But into the second only the high priest went, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people;


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the Holy Spirit indicating that the way into the Holy Place was not yet made manifest whilst the first tabernacle remained


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(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this system, both gifts and sacrifices were offered which could not make the worshiper perfect as relates to the conscience,


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being merely foods, drinks and various washings, earthly ordinances imposed until a time of reformation.


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But Christ having become a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,


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nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, he entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.


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For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, could sanctify to the cleansing of the flesh-


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how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?


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And because of this, he is the mediator of a new covenant; that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.


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For a will is of force where there has been death; it does not have power while he that made it lives.


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For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,


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Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood.


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And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood; and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.


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It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these things, but the heavenly things themselves had better sacrifices than these.


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For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are only copies of the true ones; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the actual presence of God for us.


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Nor must he offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the Holy Place year by year with blood not his own.


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Or else he must often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once at the end of the ages has he been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.


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so Christ also, having once been offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him.


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<e><i>The Weakness of the Mosaic System</i></e><br/> For the law having only a shadow of the good things to come, not the reality of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those that draw near.


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Else would they not have ceased to be offered? Because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins.


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Therefore when he came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering You did not want, but a body did You prepare for me.


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Then said I: Behold, I come (in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do Your will, O God.


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First he said: Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor did You have pleasure in them (all of which are offered according to the law).


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Then he said: Behold, I come to do Your will. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second.


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By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


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And every priest indeed stands day by day serving, and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.


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This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and on their minds I will write them;


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Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin required.<br/> <e><i>The Practical Result of Christ’s Sacrifice</i></e>


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by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;


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let us draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water;


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let us hold fast the confession of our hope so that it does not waver. For He who promised is faithful.


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not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the habit of some is; but rather encouraging one another, and so much the more, as you see the day drawing near.<br/> <e><i>Do Not Go Back</i></e>


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For if we sin wilfully after what we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,


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but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.


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Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, shall be considered those who have trodden underfoot the Son of God and have counted the blood of the covenant (with which they were sanctified) an unholy thing, and have insulted the Spirit of grace?


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For we know Him that said: Vengeance belongs to Me, I will reward. And again: The Lord shall judge His people.


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But call to remembrance the former days, when you were first enlightened. You endured a hard struggle, with sufferings;


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partly in that you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly in that you became companions of those who were so treated.


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For you had both compassion on them that were in bonds, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your own property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one.


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But My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul will have no pleasure in him.


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But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.


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<e><i>The Definition of Faith</i></e><br/> Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction about invisible things.


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By faith we understand that the ages have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which appear.<br/> <e><i>Abel, Enoch and Noah</i></e>


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By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect to his gifts; and through it he, though being dead, still speaks.


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By faith Enoch was snatched away so that he should not be killed; and he was not found, because God had taken him away. He had witness borne to him, that before his being snatched away he had been well pleasing to God.


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And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him. For he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those that seek after Him.


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By faith Noah, being warned concerning things not seen as yet, moved with Godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.


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<e><i>Abraham and Sarah</i></e><br/> By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed, and left for a place which he was to receive for an inheritance afterwards. And he left not knowing where he was going to.


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By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as yet not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.


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By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted Him faithful who had made the promise.


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Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude- innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.


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These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them, and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.


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And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.


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But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them- to be called their God. For He has prepared for them a city.


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By faith Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.


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Abraham accounted that God is able to raise up, even from the dead. From where he did, figuratively, receive him back.<br/> <e><i>Isaac, Jacob and Joseph</i></e>


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By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.


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By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his bones.<br/> <e><i>Moses</i></e>


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By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.


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choosing instead to share ill treatment with the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time;


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considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. For he looked to the greater reward.


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By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king. For he endured, because he saw Him who is invisible.


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By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborns should not touch them.


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By faith they passed through the Red Sea as if on dry land, which the Egyptians in trying to do were swallowed up.<br/> <e><i>Joshua, Rahab and Many Others</i></e>


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By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.


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And what more shall I say? For time will run out if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.


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Those who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,


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quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens.


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Women received their dead by a resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.


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They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tested, they were killed with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated


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(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and the holes of the earth.


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And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, did not receive the fulfilment of the promise;


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God having provided some better thing involving us, that without us they should not be made perfect.


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<e><i>Think About Jesus</i></e><br/> Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


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looking to Jesus the author and completer of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has been sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


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Think on him that endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.


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In your striving against sin you have yet to resist to the point of shedding your blood.<br/> <e><i>The Reason for Suffering </i></e>


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You have forgotten the word of encouragement which reasons with you as with sons: My son, do not regard lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor become faint when you are reproved by Him.


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Endure your sufferings as a father’s chastening; it shows how God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not chastise?


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But if you are without chastening, of which all have been made partakers, then aren't you illegitimate children and not real sons?


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Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them respect; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?


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For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but He for our profit, so that we may be partakers of His holiness.


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All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields peaceable fruit to those that have been exercised thereby- the fruit of righteousness.


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and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be disabled further, but rather be healed.


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See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many are defiled.


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Ensure that no one is an immoral or Godless person like Esau, who for one meal sold his own birthright.


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For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no conditions for a change of mind, though he sought it diligently with tears.<br/> <e><i>Zion Rather Than Sinai</i></e>


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For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,


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and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words which they that heard them begged that no more words should be spoken to them.


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For they could not endure that which was commanded- If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned.


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But you have come to association with mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,


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to the general assembly and church of the firstborns, who are enrolled in heaven; and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,


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and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.


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See you do not reject him that speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that warns from heaven.


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Whose voice then shook the earth, but now He has promised, saying: Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also heaven.


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And further: Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.


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Therefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe.


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Remember those that are in bonds, as if you were bound with them; those that are ill treated, as being yourselves also in the body.


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Let marriage be held in respect among all, and let the marital bed be undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge.


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Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have. For God Himself has said: I will in no way fail you, neither will I in any way forsake you.


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So that with good courage we can say: The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What shall man do to me?


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Remember those that had the rule over you, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.


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Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings. For it is good that the heart be established by grace- not with food laws, which have not profited those who have been so occupied with them.


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For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp.


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Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.


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Through him, therefore, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God; that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to His Name.


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Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive; for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.<br/> <e><i>Final Requests and Greetings</i></e>


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Pray for us. For we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honourably in all things.


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Now the God of peace, who brought from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, through the blood of an eternal covenant,


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perfect you in every good thing to do His will; working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. To whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.


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But I urge you, brothers, bear with this word of encouragement; for I have written to you in few words.


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Be informed that our brother Timothy has been set at liberty; along with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.


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James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the dispersion, greeting.


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But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproaching, and it shall be given him.


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But let him ask in faith, never doubting. For he that doubts is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.


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For the sun rises with the scorching wind and withers the grass, and the flower of it falls and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also shall the rich man fade away in his business.<br/> <e><i>Temptation and God’s Word</i></e>


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Blessed is the man that endures temptation. For when he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.


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Let no one say when he is tempted: I am tempted by God. For God cannot be tempted with evil, and He tempts no one.


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Then the lust, when it has conceived, carries sin; and the sin, when it is fully grown, brings death.


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Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor shifting shadow.


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Of His own will He gave us birth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creations.


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You know this, my beloved brothers! But let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.


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Wherefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.<br/> <e><i>Self-examination</i></e>


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For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like to a man seeing his natural face in a mirror;


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But he that looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues, being not a hearer that forgets, but a doer that works, this man shall be blessed in what he does.


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If anyone thinks himself to be religious while he does not hold his tongue but rather just deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.


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Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: To visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.


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<e><i>Surface Level Judgment</i></e><br/> My brothers, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.


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For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;


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and you have regard to him that wears the fine clothing, and say: Sit here in a good place; and you say to the poor man: Stand there, or, Sit under my footstool;


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Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those that are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those that love him?


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But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the courts?


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However, if you fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture: You shall love your neighbour as yourself, you do well!


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For whoever shall keep the whole law and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of breaking all of it.


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For He that said: Do not commit adultery, also said: Do not kill. So if you do not commit adultery but if you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.


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For judgment is without mercy to whomsoever has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.<br/> <e><i>Faith and Works</i></e>


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My brothers, what good is it if a man claims to have faith but has no works? Can that faith save him?


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and one of you says to them: Go in peace, be warmed and filled! And yet you do not give them the things needful to the body- what does it profit?


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Yes, a man will say, you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works and I, by my works, will show you my faith.


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And the scripture was fulfilled which said: And Abraham believed God and it was accredited to him as righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.


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And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers and sent them out another way?


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<e><i>The Tongue</i></e><br/> Be not many teachers. My brothers, realize that we teachers shall receive heavier judgment.


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For in many things we all make others stumble. If any does not cause stumbling by his words, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.


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Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.


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Behold the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are all the same turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the steersman wills.


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So the tongue also is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!


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And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.


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For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.


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With this we bless the Lord and the Father, and with this we curse men, even though they are made after the likeness of God.


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Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.


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My brothers, can a fig tree yield olives or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.<br/> <e><i>True Wisdom</i></e>


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Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works in his good life, in meekness of wisdom.


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But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your heart, do not boast about it and deny the truth.


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But the wisdom that is from above is most importantly pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.


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<e><i>A Call to Repentance</i></e><br/> What causes the wars and fights among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasures that war within you?


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You want what you don't have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.


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You ask and do not receive because you ask with the wrong motivation, you want only what will give you pleasure.


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You adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever would be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.


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But He gives more grace. Wherefore the scripture said: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.


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Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you doubleminded sinners, and purify your hearts.


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Brothers, do not speak evil against each other. He that speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.


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One only is the lawgiver and judge. He who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge your neighbour?


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Come now, you that say that today or the next day we will go into this city and spend a year there and trade and make a profit.


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Whereas you do not know what shall be the next day. What is your life? For you are as a vapour that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.


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<e><i>A Call for Justice</i></e><br/> Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.


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Your gold and your silver are rusted, and their rust shall be a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days.


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Indeed, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.


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You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts only for a day of slaughter.


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You have condemned, you have killed the righteous, even though he does not oppose you.<br/> <e><i>A Call for Patience</i></e>


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Therefore brothers, be patient until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.


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Brothers, do not complain about each other, so that you are not judged. Behold! The judge stands at the door!


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Brothers, take for an example the suffering and patience of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.


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Behold, we call them blessed that endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the result that the Lord intended, how the Lord is full of pity and is merciful.<br/> <e><i>Prayer and Healing</i></e>


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But above all things, my brothers, do not make oaths. Neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yes, mean yes, and your no, mean no, so that you will not fall under judgment.


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Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.


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And the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.


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Therefore, confess your sins to each other, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man avails much in its working.


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Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.


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let him know, that he who turns back a sinner from the error of his way, he shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.


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Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are temporary dwellers of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,


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chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, to be obedient and sprinkled by the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be multiplied.<br/> <e><i>The Purpose of Trials</i></e>


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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy begat us to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


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to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you;


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you who by the power of God are guarded through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


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Wherein you greatly rejoice; though now, for a little while, if need be, you have suffered many trials,


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so that the proof of your faith (more precious than gold that perishes though it is proved by fire) may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ;


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whom you love though you have not seen him. On whom you believe, though now you do not see him, and rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory;


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Concerning this salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come to you;


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searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point to, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow them.


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It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven. Which things the Angels desire to look into.


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Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope completely on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


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Because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.<br/> <e><i>Our Response to the Gospel</i></e>


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And if you call on Him as Father, who without partiality judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear.


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Knowing you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;


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He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake,


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who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory. So that your faith and hope might be in God.


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Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth to sincere love of the brothers, fervently love one another from the heart.


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Having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and endures.


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For, All flesh is as grass and all the glory of it as the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls,


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but the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word of good news which was preached to you.


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Be as newborn babes, longing for the spiritual milk which is without deceit, so that you may grow thereby to salvation,


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You as living stones are being built up into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


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Because it is contained in scripture: Look, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, chosen, precious. And he that believes in him shall not stumble.


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Therefore, for you that believe he is precious. But to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,


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a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. For being disobedient, they stumble at the word; to which they also were appointed.


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But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellence of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.


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Who in times past were no people but now are the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.


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Beloved, I urge you as temporary residents and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.


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Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.<br/> <e><i>Our Attitude to Those in Authority</i></e>


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For so is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.


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Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle but also to the harsh.


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For what glory is it, if,when you sin and are beaten, you shall take it patiently? But if when you do well, and suffer, you shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.


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For this were you called. Because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps.


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Who, when he was insulted, did not retaliate with insults, when he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to Him that judges righteously.


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Who himself bore our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.


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For you were going astray like sheep, but are now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.


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<e><i>Husbands and Wives</i></e><br/> In like manner, you wives be in subjection to your husbands. That, even if any do not obey the word, they may without the word be gained by the behaviour of their wives,


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Whose adorning, let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel;


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but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great value.


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For after this manner, in the past, the holy women who trusted in God also made themselves beautiful by submitting to their husbands.


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As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. Whose children you now are, if you do well and are not put in fear by any terror.


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You husbands, in like manner live with your wife with understanding, giving honour to the woman as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers are not impeded.<br/> <e><i>A Gracious Life</i></e>


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Not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but instead give blessing. For this were you called, that you should inherit a blessing.


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For he that would love life and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil and restrain his lips so they speak no lies.


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For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.<br/> <e><i>Coping with Persecution</i></e>


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But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled,


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but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord, always ready to give answer to every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear.


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Having a good conscience, that, when you are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.


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For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that you suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.


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Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.


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that previously were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was prepared. Wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.


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Which is also a true likeness of how baptism does now save you: not the washing away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.


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Who is the one at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, Angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.


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<e><i>Living to God</i></e><br/> Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind. For he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.


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You should no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.


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For we have spent enough of our past lifetime doing the will of the Gentiles- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.


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In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, and so speak evil of you- you


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For to this end was the gospel preached to those now dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.


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according as each has received a gift, minister it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.


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If anyone speaks, let him speak as if it were oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To whom belongs the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.<br/> <e><i>Encouragement for the Last Days</i></e>


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Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you.


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But insomuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice! That at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.


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If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you.


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For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters.


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For the time of judgment begins at the house of God, and if we are judged first, what shall be the outcome of those that do not obey the gospel of God?


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Therefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls in doing well to a faithful Creator.


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<e><i>Elders in the Church</i></e><br/> The elders among you I urge (I who am a fellow-elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who is also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed),


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tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not reservedly but willingly, according to the will of God; not for dishonest gain, but eagerly.


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And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, you shall receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.


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Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder men. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another. For God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.


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Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the Devil, like a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.


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Stand firm in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brothers who are in the world.


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And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, shall Himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.


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By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it!


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<e><i>Spiritual Growth</i></e><br/> Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those that have obtained the same precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God, and the Saviour Jesus Christ.


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Seeing that His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the precise and correct knowledge of Him that called us by His own glory and virtue.


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Whereby He has granted to us His precious and exceedingly great promises, that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust.


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Yes and for this very cause you on your part should show all diligence; to your faith add virtue, and to virtue, knowledge.


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And to your knowledge self-control, and to your self-control patience, and to your patience, reverence toward God.


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For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be neither idle nor unfruitful in the precise and correct knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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For he that lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.


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Wherefore brothers, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you shall never stumble.


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For thus shall be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.<br/> <e><i>The Certainty of Truth</i></e>


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Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth which is with you.


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And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.


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Knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ indicated to me.


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Yes, I will give diligence that at every time you may be able after my death to call these things to remembrance.


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For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


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For he received from God the Father honour and glory, delivered to him by such a voice from the Majestic Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.


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And we have the word of prophecy made yet more sure; to which you do well that you take heed, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the day-star arises in your hearts.


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For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.


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<e><i>False Teachers</i></e><br/> But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.


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And many shall follow their destructive ways, by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be blasphemed.


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And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. Their sentence now from of old does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber.<br/> <e><i>Old Testament Examples of Judgment</i></e>


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For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved until judgment;


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and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;


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and turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemning them to destruction, having made them an example to those that should live ungodly lives;


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(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, tormented his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds):


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therefore the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment to the day of judgment.<br/> <e><i>Characteristics of False Teachers</i></e>


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Chief among these are those that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.


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Whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not dare bring before the Lord an injurious accusation against them.


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But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, speak reproachfully in matters of which they are ignorant; they shall in their destroying surely be destroyed,


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suffering wrong as the wages of wrong-doing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you.


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Having eyes full of adultery, they cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness, children of cursing.


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Forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing.


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But he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spoke with a man's voice and hindered the madness of the prophet.


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These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved.


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For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error;


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promising them liberty, while they are in fact slaves to corruption. For of whom a person is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.


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For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.


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For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.


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It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.


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<e><i>Prophecy of the Last Days</i></e><br/> This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance:


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that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles.


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Knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,


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and saying: Where is the promise of his coming? For from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.<br/> <e><i>Judgment to Come</i></e>


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For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;


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But the heavens that now are and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.


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But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.


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The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should came to repentance.


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But the day of the Lord will come as a thief. Then the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.


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Seeing that these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be- in all holy living and reverence toward God.


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Looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.


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But, according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.


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Wherefore, beloved, seeing you look for these things, give diligence that you may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.


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And consider, that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. Even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;


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as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things. In his letters there are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the other scriptures.


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Therefore beloved, you, knowing these things beforehand, beware; lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, you lose your own stability.


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But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.


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<e><i>Prologue</i></e><br/> That which existed from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we saw and our hands handled, concerning the word of life.


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The life was manifested and we have seen and testify and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which existed with the Father and was manifested to us.


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What we have seen and heard, we declare to you also, so that you may also have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.


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And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you: That God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.


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But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.


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If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


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My little children, these things write I to you, so you may not sin. And if anyone sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.


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He that says: I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.


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But who keeps his word, in him truly has the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him.<br/> <e><i>Walking in the Light</i></e>


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Beloved, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard.


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But now, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in him and in you. Because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.


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But he that hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he goes, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.<br/> <e><i>Something for Everyone of Every Age</i></e>


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I write to you fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you little children, because you know the Father.


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I have written to you fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.


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Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


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For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.


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And the world passes away and the lust of it, but he that does the will of God abides for ever.<br/> <e><i>Antichrists</i></e>


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Little children, it is the last hour; and as you heard that antichrist comes, even now have there arisen many antichrists. Whereby we know that it is the last hour.


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They 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 went out, that they might be revealed, that all these are not of us.


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I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it! And because no lie is of the truth.


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Who is the liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist: he that denies the Father and the Son.


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As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also shall abide in the Son and in the Father.


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And as for you, the anointing which you received of him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you all things and is true and is no lie and even as it taught you, so you are to abide in him.


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And now, little children, abide in him. That, when he shall be manifested, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming.


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If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone also that does righteousness is begotten of him.


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<e><i>Children of God</i></e><br/> Look what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God. And we are! For this cause the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.


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Beloved, now are we children of God; and it is not yet revealed what we shall be. We know that, when He shall be manifested, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him even as He is.


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Whoever abides in him does not keep on in sin. Whoever keeps on in sin has not seen him, nor truly knows him.<br/> <e><i>Overcoming Sin</i></e>


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My little children, let no one lead you astray. He that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.


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He that keeps on in sin is of the Devil. For the Devil sins from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil.


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Whoever is begotten of God does not keep on in sin, because his seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on in sin, because he is begotten of God.


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In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devil. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he that does not love his brother.


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Not as Cain, who was of the evil one, who killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.


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We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He that does not love abides in death.


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Whoever hates his brothers is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.


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Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.


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But whosoever has the world's goods and sees his brothers in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God abide in him?


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And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.


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And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as He gave us commandment.


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And he that keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He gave us.


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<e><i>Warning Against False Teachers</i></e><br/> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God. Because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


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Hereby do you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh is of God.


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And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus came in the flesh is not of God, and they are proved to be of the antichrist; of whom you have heard that it comes, and now is already in the world.


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You are of God, little children, and have overcome them. Because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.


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We are of God. He that knows God hears us. He who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <br/><e><i>Love One Another</i></e>


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Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone that loves is begotten of God and knows God.


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Herein was the love of God manifested to us, in that God has sent His only Son into the world that we might live through him.


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Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


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No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.


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And we know and have believed the love which God has toward us. God is love, and he that abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.


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In this way is love made perfect with us, so that we may have boldness in the day of judgment. Because as he is, even so are we in this world.


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There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; because fear has punishment, and he that fears is not made perfect in love.


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If a man says, I love God, and hates his fellow believers, he is a liar. For he that does not love his fellow believers whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.


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<e><i>God’s Children</i></e><br/> Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God; and whoever loves Him that begat, loves him also that is begotten of Him.


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For whatever is begotten of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.


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This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ. Not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.


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For there are three who testify, the spirit and the water and the blood; and the three agree in one.


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If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For the witness of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.


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He that believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself. He that does not believe God has made Him a liar; because he has not believed in the witness that God has given concerning His Son.


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He that has the Son has life. He that does not have the Son of God does not have life.<br/> <e><i>Assurance and Encouragement</i></e>


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I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.


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And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.


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And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we obtain the requests we have asked of him.


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If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask and God will give him life for them that sin not to death. There is a sin unto death. Not concerning this do I say that he should make requests.


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We know that whoever is begotten of God does not keep on in sin; but he that was begotten of God keeps himself, and the evil one touches him not.


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And we know that the Son of God came, and has given us an understanding so that we truly know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.


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The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth.


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Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


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I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.


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And now lady, I urge you not as though I write a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.


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And this is love, that we should walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.<br/> <e><i>Antichrist Defined</i></e>


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For many deceivers have gone out into the world, especially those that do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.


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Look to yourselves, that we do not lose the things which we have done but that we receive a full reward.


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Whoever goes ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. He that continues in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.


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If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him into your house and give him no greeting.


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Having many things to write to you, I would not write them with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.


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For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified to the truth which is in you, even as you walk in truth.


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Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you do toward those that are brothers and especially to strangers,


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who testify of your love before the church. You will do well to set them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God;


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I wrote somewhat to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the pre-eminence among them, does not welcome us.


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Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, prating against us with wicked words, and not content therewith, neither does he welcome the brothers; and those that would, he forbids and throws them out of the church.


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Beloved, do not imitate such evil, but imitate that which is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God.


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Demetrius has the witness of all and of the truth itself. Yes, we also testify, and you know that our witness is true.


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<span class='blue'> But I hope shortly to see you, and we shall speak face to face.</span><br/> <span class='blue'>(1:15) Peace be to you. The friends salute you. Salute the friends by name.</span>


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Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those that are called; beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.


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Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write to you of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you, urging you to contend earnestly for the faith which was delivered once and for all to his saints.


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For there are certain people who have crept in secretly, who long ago were designated for condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.<br/> <e><i>Old Testament Warnings</i></e>


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Now I desire to have you remember (as you know all things already) that the Lord having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that did not believe.


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And the angels which did not keep to their own domain, who left their proper abode, He has kept in everlasting bonds, under darkness, to the judgment of the great day.


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Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them, these gave themselves over to fornication and went after strange flesh. Such are given as an example. All of them suffered the punishment of eternal fire.


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But Michael the archangel, when contending with the Devil in dispute about the body of Moses, does not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said: The Lord rebuke you.


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But these revile whatever things they do not see with their eyes or cannot examine naturally. They are like the beasts without reason. In these things are they destroyed.


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Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. <e><i>Characteristics of the Rejected</i></e>


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These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves. Clouds without water, carried along by winds, autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;


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wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.


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And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying: Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of His holy ones,


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to execute judgment upon all and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.


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These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of personal advantage.


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But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken previously by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;


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how they said to you: In the last time there shall be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.


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And others save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some, have mercy with fear, hating even the underclothing stained by the flesh.


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Now to him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy,


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to the only God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now and for always in the future. Amen.


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The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass; which he sent and put into sign by his Angel to his servant John;


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who testified of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.


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Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein; for the time is near.


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John to the seven churches that are in Asia. Grace to you and peace, from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne.


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And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him that loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood,


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and who made us kings and priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.


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Behold, he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. So shall it be! Amen.


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I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.


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I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and the kingdom and patience of Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.


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I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying:


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What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches. To Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.<br/> <e><i>A Vision of the Glorified Jesus</i></e>


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And in the midst of the candlesticks- one like a Son of Man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.


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And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire.


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And his feet were like bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the voice of many waters.


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And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was as the sun shines in its strength.


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And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the first and the last,


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the living one; and I was dead, but behold, I am alive for always, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades.


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Therefore write the things which you see, and the things which are, and the things which shall hereafter come to pass.


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This is the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.


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<e><i>The Letter to Ephesus</i></e><br/> To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, he that walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:


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I know your works and your toil and patience, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and did test them that call themselves apostles, and yet are not, and found them false.


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Therefore remember from where you have fallen and repent, and do the first works. Or else, unless you repent, I will come to you and move your candlestick out of its place.


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He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.<br/> <e><i>The Letter to Smyrna</i></e>


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And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write these things: The first and the last, who was dead and lived again, says:


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I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich!) and the blasphemy of those that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.


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Do not fear the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison, you may be tried have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.


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He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.<br/> <e><i>The Letter to Pergamum</i></e>


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And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things says he that has the sharp two-edged sword:


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I know where you live, where Satan's throne is, yet you remained loyal to my name and did not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.


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But I have a few things against you, because you have there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.


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Therefore repent, or else I will come to you quickly, and I will make war against those with the sword of my mouth.


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He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he that receives it.<br/> <e><i>The Letter to Thyatira</i></e>


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And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire and his feet are like to burnished bronze:


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I know your works and your love, faith, ministry and patience; and that your last works are more than the first.


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But I have this against you: you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.


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Behold, I will cast her into a bed, into great tribulation, and those that commit adultery with her-unless they repent of their works.


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And I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will repay each of you as your works deserve.


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But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this teaching, who do not know the so-called deep things of Satan: I will not impose any other burden


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And he that overcomes, and he that keeps my works to the end, to him will I give authority over the nations.


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And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces; as I also have received from my Father.


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<e><i>The Letter to Sardis</i></e><br/> And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.


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Be watchful and establish the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.


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Therefore remember how you have received, and did once hear and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you shall not watch, I will come as a thief, and you shall not know what time I will come upon you.


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But you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their clothes, and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.


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He that overcomes shall thus be dressed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life; and I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels.


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He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.<br/> <e><i>The Letter to Philadelphia</i></e>


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And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens and none shall shut, and that shuts and none opens.


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I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which none can shut), you have a little power and did keep my word and did not deny my name.


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Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and they are not, but do lie- behold, I will make these come to you and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.


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Because you did keep the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the time of trial which is to come upon the whole world, to test them that dwell upon the earth.


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He that overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall leave there no more, and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God; and my own new name.


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He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.<br/> <e><i>The Letter to Laodicea</i></e>


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And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.


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For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.


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I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may become rich; and to clothe yourselves with white garments, that the shame of your nakedness be not revealed; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve so you may see.


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Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him and he with me.


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He that overcomes, I will allow him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.


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<e><i>The Heavenly Throne Room</i></e><br/> After these things I looked, and beheld a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard, as if a trumpet was speaking to me, was as one saying: Come up here, and I will show you the things which hereafter must came to pass.


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Immediately I was in the Spirit, and beheld a throne set in heaven; and one sitting upon the throne.


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And he that sat on it was to look upon like a jasper stone, and a sardius; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.


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And round about the throne were twenty four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, and on their heads were crowns of gold.


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And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, voices and thunders. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.


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And in front of the throne there was as it were a sea of glass like a crystal; and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.


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And the first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had the face of a man and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.


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And the four living creatures each had six wings, full of eyes round about and within; and they have no rest day and night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.


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And when the living creatures shall give glory and honour and thanks to him that sits on the throne, to him that lives for ever and ever,


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the twenty four elders shall fall down before him that sits on the throne and shall worship him that lives for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying:


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Worthy are you, our Lord, to receive the glory and the honour and the power. For you did create all things, and for your sake they existed and were created.


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<e><i>Opening the Scroll</i></e><br/> And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.


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And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice: Who is worthy to open the scroll and to undo the seals of it?


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And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the scroll, or to look thereon.


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And one of the elders said to me: Do not weep. Behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered; he can open the scroll and the seven seals of it.


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And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had just been slain. The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.


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And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.


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And they sing a new song, saying: Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open the seals of it. For you once were slain, and did purchase for God a people with your blood, people of every tribe, tongue and nation,


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and made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they shall reign upon the earth.<br/> <e><i>Praise to the Lamb</i></e>


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And I looked, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.


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They were saying with a great voice: Worthy is the Lamb that has been slain to receive the power, riches, wisdom, might, honour, glory and blessing.


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And I heard every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing, honour, glory and might, for ever and ever.


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<e><i>Six Seals</i></e><br/> And I looked when the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder: Come!


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And I looked and beheld a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow, and there was given to him a crown, and he came forth conquering and to conquer.


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And another horse came forth, a red horse, and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, that they should slay one another. And there was given to him a great sword.


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And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: Come! And I looked and beheld a black horse, and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand.


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And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying: A measure of wheat for a denarius and three measures of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.


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And I looked and beheld a pale horse, and he that sat upon him. His name was Death, and Hades followed behind him. And there was given to them authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with death and by the wild beasts of the earth.


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And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those that had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.


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And they cried with a great voice, saying: How long, O Master, the holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?


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And each one was given a white robe, and they were told that they should wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been, was completed.


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And I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake, the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon turned the colour of blood.


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And the stars of the heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts her unripe figs when she is shaken by a great wind.


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And the sky was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.


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And the kings of the earth, the princes, the chief captains, the rich, the strong and every slave and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.


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And they said to the mountains and to the rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him that sits on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb.


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<e><i>Sealing God’s Servants</i></e><br/> After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree.


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And I saw another angel ascend from the sunrising, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,


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saying: Do not hurt the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.


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And I heard the number of those that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel.


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Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand.


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Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand.


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Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand.


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Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.


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After these things I saw and beheld a great crowd, which no one could number, out of every nation, comprised of all tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes and with palms in their hands.


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And they cry with a great voice, saying: Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!


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And all the angels were standing round about the throne and about the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces and worshiped God,


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saying: Amen. Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power and might to our God for ever and ever. Amen.


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And one of the elders asked me: These that are dressed in white robes, who are they and from where did they come?


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And I replied: My lord, do you know? And he explained to me: These are they that came out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


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Therefore are they before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple, and He that sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them.


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They shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more. Neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat.


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For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of living water, and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.


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<e><i>The Seventh Seal</i></e><br/> And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven for about half an hour.


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And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.


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And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.


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And the angel took the censer, filled it with the fire of the altar and cast it upon the earth. There followed thunders, voices, lightnings and an earthquake.<br/> <e><i>The First Four Angels Sound</i></e>


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And the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood; and they were cast upon the earth. The third part of the earth was burnt up, as was the third part of the trees; and all green grass was burnt up.


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And the second angel blew his trumpet and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became blood.


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And there died the third part of the creatures (even they that had life) which were in the sea, and the third part of the ships were destroyed.


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And the third angel blew his trumpet, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch; and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of the waters.


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And the name of the star is called Wormwood, and one third of the waters became bitter-tasting; and many men died because the waters were made so bitter.


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And the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck and a third of the moon and a third of the stars. This meant that the third part of them were darkened; and the day would not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.


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And I saw and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice: Woe, woe, woe, for those who dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.


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<e><i>The Fifth Trumpet</i></e><br/> And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star from heaven fall to the earth; and there was given to him the key to the pit of the abyss.


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And he opened the pit of the abyss and smoke went out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.


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And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.


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And it was said to them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only such men as do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.


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And they were told that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented for five months; their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.


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And in those days men shall seek death and shall in no way find it, and they shall desire to die and death will flee from them.


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And the shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war, and upon their heads as if crowns of gold, and their faces were as men's faces.


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And they had breastplates, like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war.


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And they have tails like scorpions and stings, and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months.


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They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he has the name Apollyon.


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The first Woe is past. Behold, hereafter there come two other woes.<br/> <e><i>The Sixth Trumpet</i></e>


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And the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God,


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one saying to the sixth angel that had one trumpet: Release the four angels that are chained at the great river Euphrates.


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And the four angels were released, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill a third of all mankind.


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And the number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard the number of them.


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And thus I saw the horses in the vision and those that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of sulphur, and heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke and sulphur.


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By these three illnesses was one third of all mankind killed, by the fire and the smoke and the sulphur, which proceeded out of their mouths.


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For the power of the horses is in their mouth and in their tails. For their tails are like those of serpents and have heads, and by means of them they wound.


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And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these illnesses, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood- which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk.


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And they did not repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.


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<e><i>An Angel with Seven Thunders</i></e><br/> And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, his face was as the sun and his feet as pillars of fire.


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And he had in his hand a little scroll that was opened, and he set his right foot upon the sea and his left upon the earth.


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And he cried with a great voice, as a lion roars; and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.


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And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying: Keep secret the things which the seven thunders uttered and do not write them down.


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And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven,


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and swore by Him that lives forever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be no more delay.


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But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good news which He declared to His servants the prophets.


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And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard it again speaking with me, and saying: Go, take the book which is opened in the hand of the angel that stands upon the sea and upon the earth.


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And I went to the angel, saying to him that he should give me the little book. And he said to me: Take it and eat it up; it shall make your belly bitter but in your mouth it shall be as sweet as honey.


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And I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey. But when I had eaten it, my belly was made bitter.


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<e><i>The Two Witnesses</i></e><br/> And there was given to me a reed like a measuring rod, and I was told: Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those that worship therein.


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But the court which is outside the temple, do not measure it. For it has been given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty two months


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And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.


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And if anyone desires to hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies, and if anyone shall desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed.


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These have the power to shut the heaven so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.


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And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss shall make war with them and overcome them and kill them.


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And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.


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And from among the peoples, tribes, tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies for three and a half days, and they will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.


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And they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them and make merry, and they shall send gifts to each other, because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth.


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And after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon those that saw them.


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And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them: Come up here! And they went into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them.


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And in that hour there was a great earthquake and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.


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And the seventh angel blew his trumpet and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.


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And the twenty four elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshiped God, saying:


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We give You thanks O Lord God, the Almighty, who is and who was; because You have taken Your great power and have reigned.


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And the nations were angry, and Your anger came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give reward to Your servants the prophets and to the saints, and to those that fear Your Name, the small and the great, and to destroy those that destroy the earth.


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And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His covenant, and there followed lightnings, voices, thunders, an earthquake and great hail.


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<e><i>The Woman and the Dragon</i></e><br/> And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.


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And there was seen another sign in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and upon his heads seven diadems.


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And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and he did throw them to the earth; and the dragon stands before the woman that is about to give birth, so that when she gives birth he may devour her child.


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And she gave birth to a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.


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And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred and sixty days.


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And there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels retaliated.


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And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.


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And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying: Now has come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accuses them before our God day and night.


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And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they did not love their life even to death.


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Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea! Because the Devil has gone down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has but a short time.


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And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that had brought forth the man child.


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And there was given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time from the presence of the serpent.


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The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.


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And the earth helped the woman; the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth.


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And the dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed that keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.


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<span class='blue'><e><i>The Sea Beast</i></e></span><br/> And I stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads; and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads were names of blasphemy.


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And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were as the feet of a bear, his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.


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And I saw one of his heads as though it had a mortal wound; but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marvelled as they followed the beast.


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And they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying: Who is like to the beast? And who is able to war with him?


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And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and there was given to him authority to continue for forty two months.


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And he opened his mouth to blaspheme against God, to blaspheme His Name and His tabernacle, even those that dwell in the heaven.


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And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.


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And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name has not been written in the book of life of the Lamb that has been slain from the foundation of the world.


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If anyone is for captivity, into captivity he goes. If anyone shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.<br/> <e><i>The Earth Beast</i></e>


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And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.


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He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his sight. He makes the earth and those who dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose wound had been healed.


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And he does great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men.


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And he deceives those that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which were given to him to do in the sight of the beast, saying to those that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image of the beast who was wounded by the sword but lived.


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And he was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should speak, and cause to have killed as many as would not worship the image of the beast.


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And he causes all, the small and the great and the rich and the poor and the free and the bondservant, to be given a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead;


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so that no one should be able to buy or to sell, unless he has the mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.


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Here is wisdom. He that has understanding, let him count the number of the beast. For it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty six.


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<e><i>The Lamb on Mount Zion</i></e><br/> And I looked, and beheld the Lamb standing on mount Zion, and with him one hundred and forty four thousand, each having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.


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And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder; and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers playing their harps.


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And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song save the hundred and forty four thousand, they that had been purchased out of the earth.


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These are they that were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were purchased from among men to be the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.


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And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good news to proclaim to those that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.


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He said with a great voice: Fear God and give Him glory! For the hour of His judgment comes, and worship Him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.


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And another, a second angel, followed, saying: Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the great, that has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the anger of her fornication.


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And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice: If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives the mark on his forehead, or upon his hand,


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he also shall drink of the wine of the anger of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of His anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.


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And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image and whoever receives the mark of his name.


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And I heard the voice from heaven saying: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from this time forward. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours. For their works follow them.<br/> <e><i>The Harvest of the Earth</i></e>


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And I looked and beheld a white cloud, and on the cloud I saw one sitting like a Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a sharp sickle.


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And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud: Send forth your sickle and reap. For the hour to reap comes. For the harvest of the earth is ripe.


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And another angel came out from the altar, he that has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying: Send forth your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth. For her grapes are fully ripe.


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And the angel cast his sickle into the earth and gathered the vintage of the earth, and cast it into the winepress, the great winepress of the anger of God.


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And the winepress was trodden outside of the city; and there came out blood from the winepress, even to the bridles of the horses, as far as a sixteen hundred stadia.


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<e><i>The Seven Last Plagues</i></e><br/> And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous. Seven angels having seven illnesses which are the last woe, for in them is finished the anger of God.


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And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those that had conquered the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God.


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And they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, singing: Great and marvellous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are Your ways, You King of the ages.


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Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your Name? For You only are holy. For all the nations shall come and worship before You. For Your righteous acts have been revealed.


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And there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven illnesses, dressed with precious linen, pure and bright and golden sashes around their chests.


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And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the anger of God, who lives for ever and ever.


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And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished.


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<e><i>The Seven Bowls</i></e><br/> And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels: Go and pour out the seven bowls of the anger of God into the earth.


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Harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.


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And the second poured out his bowl into the sea; and it became like the blood of a dead man, and every living thing died, even the things that were in the sea.


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And the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters, and they became blood.


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And I heard the angel of the waters saying: Righteous are You, who is and who was, You Holy One, because You did thus judge.


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For they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and blood have You given them to drink. They are worthy.


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And I heard another angel out of the altar saying: Yes, O Lord God the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.


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And men were scorched with great heat, and they cursed the Name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give Him glory.


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And the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues for pain because of the pain.


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They cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.


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And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates, and the water of it dried up, so that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the east.


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And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, that looked like frogs.


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For they are spirits of demons, who work signs. These go to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.


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(Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!)


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And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying: It is done!


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And there were lightnings and voices and thunders, and there was a great earthquake, such as has never occurred since men came upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty.


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And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His anger.


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And great hailstones, each about the weight of a talent, came down out of heaven upon men, and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail. For the plague was so severe.


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<e><i>The Judgment of Babylon</i></e><br/> And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls and spoke with me, saying: Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute that sits upon many waters,


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with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.


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And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.


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And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication,


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and upon her forehead a name written of a mystery: Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.


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And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.


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But the angel said to me: Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.


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The beast you saw was and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into destruction. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was and is not, and shall come.


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And they are seven kings. The five are fallen, the one is, the other is yet to come; and when he comes, he must continue a little while.


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And the beast that was and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes into destruction.


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And the ten horns you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings with the beast, for one hour.


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These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and they that are with him, called and chosen and faithful, these also shall overcome.


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And he said to me: The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.


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And the ten horns which you saw: they and the beast, these shall hate the prostitute and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and shall burn her completely with fire.


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For God did put it in their hearts to do his mind and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.


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<e><i>The Fall of Babylon</i></e><br/> After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lit with his glory.


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And he cried with a mighty voice, saying: Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the great, and has become a habitation of demons, a refuge of every unclean spirit, and a refuge of every unclean and hateful bird.


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For by the wine of the anger of her fornication all the nations are fallen; for the kings of the earth had committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich by the power of her greed.


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And I heard another voice from heaven, saying: Come out of her My people, lest you take part in her sins, and partake of her plagues.


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Give to her even as she gave, and repay her double according to her deeds. In the cup in which she mixed, mix for her a double portion.


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As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says: I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.


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Therefore in one day shall her plagues come, death and mourning and famine; and she shall be completely burned with fire. For strong is the Lord God who judges her.


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And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived wantonly with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they look upon the smoke of her burning,


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standing far away for the fear of her torment, saying: Woe, woe, the great city! Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour does your judgment come.


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Merchandise of gold and silver and precious stone and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet and all kinds of scented wood, and every vessel of ivory and every vessel made of most precious wood and of brass and iron and marble,


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and cinnamon and spice and incense and ointment and frankincense and wine and oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep and horses and chariots and slaves and the souls of men.


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And the fruits which your soul lusted after are gone from you, and all things that were dainty and sumptuous are lost to you, never to be found again!


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The merchants of these things who were made rich by her shall stand far away, for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,


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saying: Woe, woe, the great city! She that was dressed in fine linen and purple and scarlet and decked with gold and precious stone and pearl!


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For in an hour so many great riches are laid waste. And every shipmaster and everyone that sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living at sea, stood far away,


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and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning, saying: What city is like the great city?


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And they cast dust on their heads and cried, weeping and mourning, saying: Woe, woe, the great city, wherein all that had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her expense! For in one hour she is made desolate.


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Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you saints, and you apostles, and you prophets. For God has judged your judgment on her.


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And a strong angel took up a stone, as it were a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying: Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and shall never be found again.


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And the voice of harpers and minstrels and flute players and trumpeters shall never be heard again in you, and no craftsman of whatever craft shall ever be found again in you, and the voice of a mill shall never be heard again in you.


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The light of a lamp shall never shine again in you, and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall never be heard again in you. For your merchants were the princes of the earth; and with your sorcery were all the nations deceived.


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And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth.


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<e><i>Praise to God!</i></e><br/> After these things I heard what seemed to be a great voice of a great crowd in heaven, saying: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power, belong to our God.


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For true and righteous are His judgments. For He has judged the great prostitute, she that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and He has avenged the blood of His servants shed by her.


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And the twenty four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God that sits on the throne, saying: Amen. Hallelujah!


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And a voice came from the throne, saying: Give praise to our God all you His servants, you that fear Him, the small and the great.


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And I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great crowd, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying: Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.


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Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to Him. For the marriage of the Lamb comes, and his wife has made herself ready.


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And it was given to her that she should dress herself in fine linen, bright and pure. For the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.


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And he said to me: Write, Blessed are they that are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me: These are the true words of God.


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And I fell down before his feet to worship him, and he said to me: You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you, and with your brothers that hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.


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<e><i>The Victorious Jesus</i></e><br/> And I saw the heaven open; and beheld a white horse, and he that sat thereon was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.


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And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems, and he has a name written which no one knows but him.


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And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure.


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And out of his mouth proceeds a sharp sword, that with it he should strike down the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treads the winepress of the fierceness of the anger of God the Almighty.


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And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying: To all the birds that fly in mid heaven, come, be gathered together to the great supper of God.


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Eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bondservant and small and great.


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And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.


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And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet, who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.


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And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse; and all the birds were filled with their flesh.


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<e><i>The Last Judgment and the Thousand Years</i></e><br/> And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain in his hand.


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And he laid hold of the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;


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and threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished. After this he must be released for a little time.


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Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.


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The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.


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Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.


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and shall come to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war. The number of them is as the sand of the sea.


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And they went over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city, and fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.


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And the Devil that deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where are also the beast and the false prophet, and they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.


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And I saw a great white throne and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them.


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And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.


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And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and every man was judged according to their works.


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<e><i>The New Jerusalem</i></e><br/> And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.


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And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride, adorned for her husband.


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And I heard a great voice out of the throne, saying: Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.


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And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things are passed away.


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And he that sits on the throne said: Behold! I make all things new. And he said: Write! For these words are faithful and true.


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And he said to me: They have come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.


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But for the fearful and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and fornicators and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their share shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur; which is the second death.


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And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spoke with me, saying: Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.


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And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,


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having the glory of God. Her light was like a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal.


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She had a wall great and high, having twelve gates; and at the gates were twelve angels, and the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel written thereon.


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On the east were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates and on the west three gates.


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The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.


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And he that spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city and the gates of it, and the wall of it.


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And the city is laid out as a square, its length is as great as its breadth, and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand stadia. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.


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And he measured the wall of it, one hundred and forty four cubits according to the measurement of a man, which is also an angel's measurement.


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The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper. The second, sapphire. The third, chalcedony. The fourth, emerald.


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The fifth, sardonyx. The sixth, sardius. The seventh, chrysolite. The eighth, beryl. The ninth, topaz. The tenth, chrysoprase. The eleventh, jacinth. The twelfth, amethyst.


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And the twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each of the separate gates was of one pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, as if it were transparent glass.


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And the city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it. For the glory of God did light it, and the lamp of it is the Lamb.


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And the nations shall walk by the light of it, and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it.


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There shall in no way enter into it anything unclean, or he that makes an abomination and a lie, but only they that are written in the Lamb's book of life.


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<e><i>Eden Restored</i></e><br/> And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,


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in the midst of the street thereof. And on both sides of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.


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And there shall be no curse any more, and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein, and his servants shall serve him.


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There shall be night no more, so they do not need the light of a lamp, nor the light of the sun; for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.<br/> <e><i>Final Charges</i></e>


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And he said to me: These words are faithful and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.


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And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things.


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And he said to me: You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you, and with your brothers the prophets, and with those that keep the words of this book. Worship God!


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He that is unrighteous, let him continue to do unrighteousness, and he that is filthy, let him remain filthy, and he that is righteous, let him continue to do righteousness, and he that is holy, let him remain holy.


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Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to eat of the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.


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Outside it are the dogs and the sorcerers and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and lovers and practisers of falsehood.


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I Jesus have sent my angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.


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And the Spirit and the bride say: Come! And he that hears, let him say: Come! And he that is thirsty, let him come. Let him that desires take the water of life freely.


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I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, that if anyone shall add to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book.


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And if anyone shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and out of the holy city, which are written of in this book.


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<e><i>God Commissions Joshua</i></e><br/> After the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,


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From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.


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<e><i>God Tells Israel to Leave Horeb</i></e><br/> These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah over against Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.


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In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that Yahweh had given him in commandment to them,


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after he had struck Sihon the king of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.


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Now the earth was formless and empty; darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.


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Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.


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Joseph said to his brothers, I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.


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Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.


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So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.


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<e><i>A Census Taken</i></e><br/> Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,


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Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ families, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one;


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from twenty years old and upward, all who are able to go out to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their divisions.


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Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I give to them, even to the children of Israel.


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<e><i>David Told about Saul's Death</i></e><br/> It happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag;


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it happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes torn and dust upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and showed respect.


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<e><i>Solomon Asks for Wisdom</i></e><br/> Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and Yahweh his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.


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Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households.


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So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.


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Jeremiah lamented for Josiah. All the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel. These are written in the lamentations.


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Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds, according to that which is written in the law of Yahweh,


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<e><i>The King Makes a Feast</i></e><br/> Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces),


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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,


