Ye know, that when ye were gentiles, ye were carried away to dumb idols, as ye happened to be led;

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or freemen; and were all made to drink one Spirit.

If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?

And if they were all one member, where would be the body?

Whether, then, it were I or they, thus we preach, and thus ye believed.

But their understandings were blinded; for until this day, when the old covenant is read, the same veil remaineth, since it is not unveiled to them that it is done away in Christ;

For whether we were beside ourselves, it was for God; or whether we are in our sound mind, it is for you.

We then are ambassadors for Christ; as though God were exhorting you by us, in behalf of Christ we entreat you, Be reconciled to God.

For indeed when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorrowful, but that your sorrow produced repentance. For the sorrow which ye felt had respect to God, that ye might in nothing receive injury from me.

What I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were in folly, in this confidence of boasting.

I say it to my reproach, that we were weak; but in whatever any one is bold, (I speak in folly,) I am bold also.

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you with all endurance, by signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

For what is there in which ye were at disadvantage when compared with other churches, except that I myself was not a charge to you? Forgive me this wrong.

For do I now seek the favor of men, or of God? Or am I endeavoring to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

and I was unknown by face to the churches of Judaea which were in Christ;

but they were only hearing that "He who was once our persecutor is now preaching the faith which he was once destroying";

And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the gentiles; but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

But from those who were reputed to be somewhatwhatever they were, it matters not to me, (God accepteth no mans person,) for to me those in reputation communicated nothing new.

and when they knew the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcised;

For before certain persons came from James, he used to eat with the gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

But when I saw that they were not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of gentiles, and not that of the Jews, how is it that thou compellest the gentiles to keep the customs of the Jews?

But the promises were made to Abraham and "to his offspring." He doth not say, "and to offsprings," as speaking of many, but, as speaking of one, "and to thy offspring," which is Christ.

But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the Law, shut up unto the faith which was to be revealed.

for as many of you as were baptized into Christ, did put on Christ.

So also we, when we were children, were in bondage under the rudiments of the world;

But at that time, indeed, when ye knew not God, ye were in slavery to those who in their nature are not gods;

Ye were running well; who hindered you, that ye should not obey the truth?

For ye, brethren, were called to liberty; only use not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by your love serve one another.

in whom ye also, after having heard the word of truth, the glad tidings of your salvation, in whom, I say, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit that was promised,

and you also [he raised up], who were dead through your trespasses and sins,

among whom even we all had our way of life in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as others;

that ye were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God, in the world;

but now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who formerly were afar off, have been brought nigh by the blood of Christ.

And he came and brought the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off, and of peace to those that were near;

I exhort you, therefore, I the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which ye were called,

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye were called in one hope of your calling;

if indeed ye heard him, and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus;

and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.

For ye were once darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

But whatever things were gain to me, those for the sake of Christ I have counted but loss.

for in him were created all things, those in the heavens, and those on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things have been created through him and for him;

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

having been buried with him in your baptism; in which also ye were raised to life with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead;

and to you also who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he given life together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God.

and let the peace of Christ, to which ye were called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be ye thankful.

but after we had suffered before and had been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

But we were gentle in the midst of you, even as a nurse cherisheth her own children;

so having a strong affection for you, we were willing to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because ye became dear to us.

for even when we were with you, we told you before that we are to suffer affliction, just as it came to pass, and ye know.

for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction by your faith;

that ye be not easily shaken in mind, nor troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, as if the day of the Lord were close at hand.

So then, brethren, stand firm, and hold fast the traditions which ye were taught by us, whether by word, or by our letter.

neither did we eat any mans bread for nought, but were working with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any of you.

For also when we were with you, this we commanded you: If any one will not work, neither let him eat.

For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, going astray, slaves to divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

and might deliver those who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, that he might testify of those things which were to be spoken;

And to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest, except to those who were disobedient?

For to us were glad tidings addressed, as well as to them; but the word which was heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

For we who believed enter into the rest, as he hath said: "So I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Since then it still remaineth for some to enter into it, and they to whom the glad tidings of it were first brought did not enter in because of disobedience,

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;

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great struggle with sufferings;

partly, while ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while ye became partakers with those that were so used.

Through faith we perceive that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that that which is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.

These all died in faith, not having received the promised blessings, but having seen them from afar, and greeted them, and having professed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; which the Egyptians attempted and were swallowed up.

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

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

they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented,

Furthermore, we were chastened by the fathers of our flesh, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?

Be not carried aside with various and strange teachings; for it is good that the heart be established with grace, not with meats, in which those who walked were not profited.

searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them signified, when it testified beforehand the sufferings to come upon Christ, and the glories that were to follow;

to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they were ministering the things, which have now been announced to you by them that have brought the glad tidings to you by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

knowing that not with perishable things, silver or gold, were ye redeemed from your vain manner of life received by tradition from your fathers,

and "a stone of stumbling, and a rock to strike against;" even to those who stumble, being disobedient to the word; to which they were also appointed.

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

For to this ye were called; because even Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps;

who himself bore our sins in his own body on the cross, that we, having died to our sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were going astray like sheep; but ye have now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, on the contrary, blessing the evildoer; because for this end ye were called, that ye might inherit blessing.

who were disobedient in times past, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water;

Beloved, be not surprised at the fiery trial which is taking place among you to prove you, as though a strange thing were befalling you;

And this voice we heard borne from heaven when we were with him in the holy mount.

For speaking great swelling words of vanity, they allure in the lusts of the flesh, by dissolute ways, such as were in some measure escaping from those who live in error;

that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Saviour by your apostles;

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,

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.

not as Cain was of the Evil One, and slew his brother. And wherefore did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brothers righteous.

For there have stealthily crept in certain men who were of old appointed beforehand for this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into wantonness, and denying the only Sovereign, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

But do ye, beloved, remember the words which were before spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

His head and his hairs were white as white wool, as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

and his feet were like fine brass, as if burning in a furnace; and his voice was as the sound of many waters.

Be watchful, and strengthen the remaining things, that were ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before my God.

And around the throne were twentyfour thrones; and upon the thrones I saw the twentyfour elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and on their heads crowns of gold.

And out of the throne proceed lightnings, and voices and thunders; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God;

and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass like to crystal; and in the middle before the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.