Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

All the saints greet you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

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

That you might walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

And you, that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled

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

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

For I desire that you know what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;

And have put on the new man, that is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

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

But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done: and there is no respect of persons.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are outsiders, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your state, and comfort your hearts;

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

For I bear him witness, that he has a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea and them in Hierapolis.

And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.

So that you were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.

For yourselves, brethren, know our visit unto you, that it was not in vain:

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and just and unblamable was our behavior among you that believe:

That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for you yourselves know that we are appointed unto this.

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.

But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:

That every one of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor;

That no man transgress and wrong his brother in any matter: because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given unto us his Holy Spirit.

But concerning brotherly love you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

And indeed you do it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that you increase more and more;

And that you study to be quiet, and to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

That you may walk honestly toward them that are outside, and that you may have lack of nothing.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that are drunk are drunk in the night.

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are idle, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Test all things; hold fast that which is good.

Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it.

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

So that we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer:

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Therefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come the falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Do you not remember, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

And now you know what restrains that he might be revealed in his time.

And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

And with all deception of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

That they all might be condemned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

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

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

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing; but worked with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you:

Not because we have not that right, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

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

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully;

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

For fornicators, for homosexuals, for slave traders, for liars, for perjurers, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

But for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for an example to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

This charge I commit unto you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which were made concerning you, that you by them might war a good warfare;

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with decency and propriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all respect;