But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, that God chose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth;

For we hear of some who walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

for kings, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and propriety.

moreover he must also have a good report from them that are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.

And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they are without reproach.

Honor as widows those that are widows indeed.

If any man or woman that is a believer have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be burdened, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed.

Some mens sins are openly manifest, going before them to judgment; and some men they follow after.

In like manner also the good works of some are openly manifest; and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Let all who are under the yoke as bondservants count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they who receive the benefit are faithful and beloved. These things teach and exhort.

Charge those who are rich in this world that they be not highminded, nor place their hope in uncertain riches, but in God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good,

Thou knowest this, that all those in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

if we are faithless, he remaineth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

Nevertheless Gods firm foundation standeth, having this seal, "The Lord knoweth them that are his;" and, "Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also wooden and earthen ones; and some for honor, and some for dishonor.

For of these are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,

and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

For this cause I left thee behind in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed thee;

if any one is without reproach, the husband of one wife, having believing children, that are not accused of dissoluteness, or unruly.

For there are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision;

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said: "The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slothful gluttons."

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

True is the saying; and these things I desire that thou affirm earnestly, that they who have believed in God may be careful to practise good works. These things are good and profitable to men;

but avoid foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

All that are with me salute thee. Salute those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

And: "Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst found the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands.

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

For not to angels did he put in subjection the world to come, of which we are speaking.

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.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren;

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner shared in the same, that through death he might bring to nought him who had the power of death, that is, the Devil,

For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

but Christ as a son over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and joyousness of our hope.

and there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and laid open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

For we have not a highpriest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who hath in all points been tempted as we are, without sin.

For while on account of the length of time ye ought to be teachers, ye again have need that some one should teach you the first elements of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

but solid food belongs to those who are of full age, who by use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that are connected with salvation, though we do thus speak.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered and are still ministering to the saints.

For he of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, of which no one hath given attendance at the altar;

Now the principal thing among those of which we are speaking is this: We have such a highpriest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

For if, indeed, he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are those that offer the gifts according to the Law;

For finding fault with them, he saith: "Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant;

which is a figure for the present time, in accordance with which are offered both gifts and sacrifices, which have no power as to the conscience to perfect the worshipper,

being only ordinances pertaining to the flesh, which in addition to meats and drinks and divers washings are imposed until the time of reformation.

for a testament is of force after men are dead, since it is of no force while the testator is living.

And almost all things are according to the Law purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

so also Christ having been once offered up to bear the sins of many, will appear the second time, without sin, for the salvation of those who are waiting for him.

Saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings, and whole burntofferings and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, and hadst no pleasure in them,"such as are offered in conformity to the Law,

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever those who are sanctified.

But we are not of those who draw back, unto perdition; but of those who believe, to the saving of the soul.

For they who say such things show plainly that they are seeking a country.

But if ye are without chastening, of which all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.

and to the church of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven; and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect;

And this expression, "Yet once more," signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, in order that those things which are not shaken may abide.

For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the highpriest are burned without the camp.

for here we have no abiding city, but are seeking that which is to come.

Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring in all things to conduct ourselves well;

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

Do not they blaspheme the worthy name by which ye are called?

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Behold also the ships, which, though they are so great, and driven by fierce winds, are yet turned about with a very small rudder, whithersoever the steersman chooseth.

Whence are wars and whence are fightings among you? Are they not hence, from your lusts that war in your members?

(whereas ye know not what will be on the morrow; for what is your life? Ye are even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away;)

Come now, ye rich men, weep and wail for your miseries that are coming upon you.

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are become motheaten;

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

who through him have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye may show forth the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light;

who once were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

For what glory is it, if, when ye are beaten for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently [it is glory]; for this is acceptable with God.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their supplication; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

And who is he that shall harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good?

But if ye even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye. And be not afraid at their terrors, nor alarmed;

having a good conscience, that, wherein ye are evil spoken of, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ.

at which they are astonished that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you;

If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.

whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being accomplished in your brethren in the world.

Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all that are in Christ.

For if these things are in you and abound, they make you neither inactive nor unfruitful in gaining the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore I shall be careful always to remind you of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth that is with you.

but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise dominion. Presumptuous, selfwilled, they are not afraid to rail at dignities;

whereas angels, who are greater in strength and power, bring not against them a railing accusation;

These are wells without water, and mists driven by a tempest; for whom the blackness of darkness is reserved.

promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by the same is he also brought into bondage.

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 therein and overcome, the last state is worse with them than the first.

For of this they are willingly ignorant, that of old by the word of God there were heavens, and an earth formed out of the water and by the water,

but the present heavens and the present earth are by his word kept in store, reserved for fire against the day of judgment and the perdition of ungodly men.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein will be burned up.

Seeing that all these things are thus to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in holy conduct and godliness,

as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which things are some that are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as also the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

But whoever keepeth his word, truly in him is the love of God perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him.

I have written to you, fathers, because ye know him that was from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the Evil One.

My children, the last time is come; and as ye have heard that Antichrist is coming, even now there are many antichrists; whereby we know that the last time is come.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they are not all of us.

Beloved, now are we children of God, and it hath not yet been manifested what we shall be. We know that, when it shall be manifested, we shall be like him; because we shall see him as he is.

In this are manifest the children of God and the children of the Devil. Whoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, and he that loveth not his brother.

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him;

and whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.