15 Bible Verses about Ministers

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on a lamp stand; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me.

For they themselves show of us what manner of welcome we had unto you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to your trust, avoiding profane and vain utterances, and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge:

Neither give heed to myths and endless genealogies, which cause questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature who is under heaven; of which I Paul am made a minister;

Who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.

For which I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

And I saw another angel fly in midheaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people,

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

So I spoke unto the people in the morning: and at evening my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes beyond measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Therefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause who had done the wrong, nor for his cause who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

Besides those things that are outside, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found unto you such as you desire not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, conceit, tumults:

I am afraid for you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.

Her heads judge for reward, and her priests teach for hire, and her prophets divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? no evil can come upon us.

For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest everyone deals falsely.

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, says the LORD.

Your prophets have seen vain and foolish things for you: and they have not uncovered your iniquity, to turn away your captivity; but have given you false oracles and causes of banishment.

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you through prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.

Therefore I remind you that you stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops.

And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Preach the word; be diligent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but you go and preach the kingdom of God.

And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops.

And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Preach the word; be diligent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but you go and preach the kingdom of God.

For the scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

Nor bag for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet a staff: for the workman is worthy of his food.

Even so has the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches in all good things.

Nevertheless you have done well, that you did share in my affliction.

For the scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

Nor bag for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet a staff: for the workman is worthy of his food.

Even so has the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches in all good things.

Nevertheless you have done well, that you did share in my affliction.

Well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good, sensible, just, holy, temperate;

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Do you love me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.

And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, says the LORD.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Do you love me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.

And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, says the LORD.

For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

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

These things command and teach.

In meekness instructing those that oppose them; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

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

These things command and teach.

In meekness instructing those that oppose them; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

But if the watchman sees the sword come, and blows not the trumpet, and the people are not warned; if the sword comes, and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that you find; eat this scroll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that scroll. And he said unto me, Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. read more.
And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and of a hard language, but to the house of Israel; Not to many people of foreign speech and of a hard language, whose words you can not understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have hearkened unto you. But the house of Israel will not hearken unto you; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant harder than flint have I made your forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. And go, get you to them of the captivity, unto the children of your people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus says the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they refuse. Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a loud rumbling, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a noise of a loud rumbling. So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made you a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

To the one we are the fragrance of death unto death; and to the other the fragrance of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the severer judgment.

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.

If any man's work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a stewardship of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my right in the gospel.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in honor:

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

Remember them who have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their manner of life.

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who so walk, since you have us for an example.

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

Let no man despise your youth; but be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us.

Even as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; since as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.

As you know how we exhorted and encouraged and charged every one of you, as a father does his children,

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day nor night: you that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.

Son of man, I have made you a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we joy for your sakes before our God;

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in honor:

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches in all good things.

Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

Who goes to warfare any time at his own expense? who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or says not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the grain. Does God care for oxen? read more.
Or says he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that plows should plow in hope; and that he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your material things?

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind;

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of dishonest gain;

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy of money; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind;

So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? He said unto him, Yea, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my lambs. He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? He said unto him, Yea, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my sheep. He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Do you love me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

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: Therefore, brethren, we were encouraged over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. read more.
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we joy for your sakes before our God;

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you do dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops. And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed:

Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Behold, the 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.

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

For you remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be a burden unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my right in the gospel.

They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

And you shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good, sensible, just, holy, temperate;

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord has given me to edification, and not to destruction.

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord has given me to edification, and not to destruction.

Therefore, as you abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.

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:

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.

As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who so walk, since you have us for an example.

Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

For do I now seek the favor of men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children:

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

That you submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that works with us, and labors.

And my trial which was in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

But in all things presenting ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.

But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, read more.
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

But if the watchman sees the sword come, and blows not the trumpet, and the people are not warned; if the sword comes, and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die; if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand.

If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, which you have attained.

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs who can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his own quarter. Come you, they say, I will bring wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who ruin whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain.

He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be condemned.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your progress may appear to all.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

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;

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

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

And I entreat you also, true yokefellow, help those women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other of my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

Greet Urbanus our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

Depart you, depart you, go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out of the midst of her; be you clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

He that hears you hears me; and he that despises you despises me; and he that despises me despises him that sent me.

Let no man despise your youth; but be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

For the priest's lips should preserve knowledge, and they should seek the law from his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not according to their works: for they say, and do not.

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare your people, O LORD, and give not your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: why should they say among the people, Where is their God?

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;

Do not drink wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations:

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good, sensible, just, holy, temperate;

No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but you go and preach the kingdom of God.

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not given to dishonest gain;

Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy of money; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not given to dishonest gain;

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good, sensible, just, holy, temperate;

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not given to dishonest gain;

Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy of money; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

And take unto you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

And no man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

And through covetousness shall they with false words exploit you: whose judgment of old now lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not.