and they did this not as we hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God;

so that we exhorted Titus that, as he began before, so also he would finish in you this same grace also.

But, as ye abound in everything??n faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us??ee that ye abound in this grace also.

And I give my judgment in this; for this is profitable for you, who, indeed, began before others, a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

and not that only, but who was also appointed by the assemblies, as our fellow-traveler with this gift which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and our zeal;

avoiding this, that no one should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us;

But I sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that even as I said, ye may be prepared;

Lest by any means, if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.

I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously promised bounty, that this may be ready as a matter of bounty and not as of covetousness.

But I say this: He that sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

Because the ministry of this service not only fully supplies the deficiencies of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;

through the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the Gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

Ye look at things according to appearance. If anyone has trusted to himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, as he is Christ's, so also are we.

Let such a one consider this: that such as we are in word through letters, when absent; such also are we in deed, when present.

As the truth of Christ is in me, this glorying shall not be stopped in regard to me in the regions of Achaia.

What I am speaking I speak not according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

For what is there in which ye were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong!

Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Think ye all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you? Before God in Christ we are speaking; and all, beloved, for your edification.

This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses, and of three, shall every word be established.

For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray for??our perfection.

For this cause, I write these things while absent; that I may not, when present, deal sharply according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not casting down.

This only do I wish to learn of you: Did ye receive the Spirit by works of law, or by the hearing of faith?

But this I say: A covenant previously confirmed by God, the law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate, that it should make the promise of no effect.

for the whole law has been fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

On this account I also, having heard of the faith, on your part, in the Lord Jesus, and the love which ye show towards all the saints,

far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that to come;

in which ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the authority of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience;

For by grace ye have been saved through faith: and this, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God:

For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you gentiles,

To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to proclaim, to the gentiles, the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of Christ;

For this cause I bow my knees to the Father,

This, therefore, I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,

For this ye know, assuredly, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

For this reason, be not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

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

This mystery is great; but I am speaking of Christ and of the assembly.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.

knowing that whatsoever good thing each one does, this shall he receive from the Lord, whether bond or free.

because to us the struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

On this account, take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day; and, having fully accomplished all, to stand.

whom I sent to you for this very purpose, that ye may know our affairs, and that he may encourage your hearts.

having become persuaded of this very thing, that He Who began in you a good work will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ;

even as it is right for me to think this in behalf of you all; because ye have me in your heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, all of you being partakers with me of the grace.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and all discernment;

What then? save that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

For I know that this will turn out for my salvation, through your supplication and a supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ;

But if it be to live in flesh, this is to me a fruit of labor; and what I shall choose I know not;

And, having become assured of this, I know that I shall abide, and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

and in nothing terrified by the adversaries; which, indeed, to them is a token of destruction, but of your salvation, and this from God;

Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;

Let us, therefore, as many as are perfect, think this: and, if in anything ye think differently, even this God will reveal to you;

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, cease not praying for you, and asking that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

to whom God willed 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;

This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasive speech;

Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing in the Lord.

whom I sent to you for this very purpose, that ye may know the things that concern us, and that he may comfort your hearts;

And, for this reason, we also give thanks to God without ceasing, that, having received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God, which also is working in you who believe.

that no one should be shaken in these tribulations; for ye yourselves know that for this we are appointed.

For this reason, I also, no longer enduring it, sent, that I might know your faith, lest by some means the tempter tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

But, Timothy having just now come to us from you, and having brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us at all times, longing to see us, as we also to see you??7 for this reason, brethren, we were comforted over you, in all our tribulation and distress, through your faith;

For this is the will of God??ven your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;

For this we say to You, in a word of the Lord, that we, the living who remain over to the coming of the Lord, shall in nowise precede those who fell asleep;

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting you.

I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren.

And, for this cause, God sendeth them a working of delusion, that they may believe the lie;

For, even when we were with you, this we commanded you, "If anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat."

And, if anyone obey not our word through this letter, note this one, not to associate with him, that he may be ashamed.

knowing this, that law is not enacted for a righteous man, but for lawless and unruly ones, for ungodly and sinful, for unholy and profane, for patricides, and matricides, for man-slayers,

but for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me, as chief, Christ Jesus might show forth all His longsuffering for an example to those about to believe on Him unto eternal life.

This charge I commit to you, child Timothy, according to the prophecies going before in respect to you, that you may war with these the noble warfare;

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

For to this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, Who is Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Take heed to yourself, and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

But, if any widow has children or grand-children, let them learn first to show regard to their own family, and to make returns to their parents; for this is acceptable before God.

Charge those who are rich in this present age, not to be high-minded, nor to have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, Who giveth us richly all things for enjoyment;

You know this, that all in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God has been standing, having this seal, "The Lord knew those who are His:" and "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness."

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come;

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

For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;

This testimony is true. For which cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

For, perhaps, he departed for a season for this reason, that you might have him back forever;

But, if he wronged you in anything, or owes you anything, set down this to my account.

For to whom of the angels said He at any time, "You are My Son; I this day have begotten you?" And again, "I will be to him a Father; and He shall be to me a Son?"

For this reason, it is needful that we give the more earnest heed to the things heard, lest at any time we drift past them.

For This One has been accounted worthy of more glory than Moses, by as much as He Who built the house hath more honor than the house;

and, in this place, again: "They shall not enter into My rest."

Thus Christ also glorified not Himself to become a high priest, but He Who spake to Him, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee";

And this will we do, if, indeed, God permit.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him,

Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the chief spoils.

Who hath no necessity daily, as the high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people (for this He did once for all, when He offered up Himself);

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; wherefore, it is necessary that This One also have something which He may offer.

Because this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Putting My laws into their mind, I will also write them upon their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people;

the Holy Spirit signifying this, that the way into the Holies has not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing;

But Christ, having come as a High Priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hand (that is, not of this creation),

And, for this cause, He is the Mediator of a new covenant, that, death having taken place for redemption from the transgressions against the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.