The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

That you put off concerning the former way of life the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

The farmer that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight with afflictions;

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

For after this manner in former times the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.