2:1Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2:2I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 2:3But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 2:4This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 2:5to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 2:6But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 2:7but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcised 2:8(for he who worked through Peter in the apostleship with the circumcised also worked through me with the Gentiles); 2:9and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they 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 circumcision. 2:10They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do. 2:11But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 2:12For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 2:13And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 2:14But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do? 2:15“We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, 2:16yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 2:17But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 2:18For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. 2:19For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. 2:20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 2:21I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
3:1Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified? 3:2I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3:3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? 3:4Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 3:5He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and does miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3:6Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” 3:7Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. 3:8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.” 3:9So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 3:11Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.” 3:12The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” 3:14that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 3:15Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. 3:16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”, which is Christ. 3:17Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 3:18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. 3:19Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 3:20Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 3:21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 3:22But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 3:23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 3:24So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 3:25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 3:26For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 3:29If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.
4:1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 4:2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 4:3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4:4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 4:5that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. 4:6And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 4:7So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 4:8However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. 4:9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? 4:10You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 4:11I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you. 4:12I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, 4:13but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 4:14That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 4:15What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 4:16So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 4:17They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 4:18But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. 4:19My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 4:20but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 4:21Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? 4:22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. 4:23However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 4:24These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 4:25For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 4:26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 4:27For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you that don’t travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.” 4:28Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 4:29But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 4:30However what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 4:31So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
5:1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 5:2Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 5:3Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 5:4You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. 5:5For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. 5:7You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? 5:8This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 5:9A little yeast grows through the whole lump. 5:10I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 5:11But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 5:12I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. 5:13For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 5:14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 5:15But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another. 5:16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 5:17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 5:18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 5:20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 5:21envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 5:23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 5:24Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 5:25If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. 5:26Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.
6:1Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. 6:2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 6:4But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else. 6:5For each man will bear his own burden. 6:6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. 6:7Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 6:8For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 6:9Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. 6:10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. 6:11See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. 6:12As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised; just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 6:13For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. 6:14But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 6:16As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel. 6:17From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body. 6:18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Ephesians
1:1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 1:2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; 1:4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love; 1:5having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, 1:6to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved, 1:7in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 1:8which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 1:9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him 1:10to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; 1:11in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will; 1:12to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ. 1:13In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 1:14who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. 1:15For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, 1:16don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 1:17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 1:18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 1:19and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 1:20which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 1:21far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 1:22He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, 1:23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
2:1You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2:2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; 2:3among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 2:4But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 2:5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 2:6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 2:7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 2:8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 2:9not of works, that no one would boast. 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. 2:11Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision”, (in the flesh, made by hands); 2:12that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 2:13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 2:14For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, 2:15having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; 2:16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. 2:17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 2:18For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 2:19So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 2:20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 2:21in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 2:22in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
3:1For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, 3:2if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; 3:3how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, 3:4by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; 3:5which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 3:6that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, 3:7of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. 3:8To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 3:9and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; 3:10to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, 3:11according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; 3:12in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. 3:13Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory. 3:14For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 3:15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 3:16that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 3:17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 3:18may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 3:19and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 3:20Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 3:21to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
4:1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, 4:2with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; 4:3being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 4:5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. 4:7But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 4:8Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” 4:9Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 4:10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 4:11He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 4:12for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; 4:13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 4:14that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 4:15but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; 4:16from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. 4:17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 4:18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; 4:19who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 4:20But you did not learn Christ that way; 4:21if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 4:22that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 4:23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 4:24and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 4:25Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another. 4:26“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, 4:27and don’t give place to the devil. 4:28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. 4:29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. 4:30Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 4:31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. 4:32And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
5:1Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. 5:2Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance. 5:3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints; 5:4nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. 5:5Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. 5:6Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 5:7Therefore don’t be partakers with them. 5:8For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 5:9for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, 5:10proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. 5:11Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them. 5:12For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of. 5:13But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light. 5:14Therefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 5:15Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 5:17Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 5:18Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 5:19speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 5:20giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; 5:21subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. 5:22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 5:23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. 5:24But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. 5:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; 5:26that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, 5:27that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect. 5:28Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 5:29For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; 5:30because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 5:31“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” 5:32This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. 5:33Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
6:1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 6:2“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: 6:3“that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” 6:4You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 6:5Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; 6:6not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 6:7with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; 6:8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. 6:9You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 6:11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 6:12For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 6:13Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 6:14Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 6:15and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; 6:16above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 6:18with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: 6:19on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, 6:20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 6:21But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things; 6:22whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts. 6:23Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 6:24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
Philippians
1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants: 1:2Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:3I thank my God whenever I remember you, 1:4always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy, 1:5for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; 1:6being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. 1:7It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace. 1:8For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. 1:9This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 1:10so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; 1:11being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 1:12Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; 1:13so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; 1:14and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. 1:16The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; 1:17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. 1:18What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice. 1:19For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 1:20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. 1:21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 1:22But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose. 1:23But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 1:24Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. 1:25Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 1:26that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. 1:27Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; 1:28and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 1:29Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, 1:30having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.
2:1If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, 2:2make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 2:3doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 2:4each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. 2:5Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 2:6who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2:7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 2:8And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 2:9Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; 2:10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 2:11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 2:12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 2:13For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. 2:14Do all things without murmurings and disputes, 2:15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, 2:16holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain. 2:17Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all. 2:18In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me. 2:19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing. 2:20For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you. 2:21For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. 2:22But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News. 2:23Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me. 2:24But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly. 2:25But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need; 2:26since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick. 2:27For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. 2:28I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 2:29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor, 2:30because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
3:1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe. 3:2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision. 3:3For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh; 3:4though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more: 3:5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 3:6concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. 3:7However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ. 3:8Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ 3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 3:10that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; 3:11if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 3:12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 3:13Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 3:14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 3:15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. 3:16Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind. 3:17Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. 3:18For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, 3:19whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. 3:20For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 3:21who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
4:1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 4:2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 4:3Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 4:5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 4:6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 4:7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. 4:9The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 4:10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 4:11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 4:12I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 4:13I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. 4:14However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 4:15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. 4:16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 4:17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 4:18But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. 4:19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 4:20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. 4:21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 4:22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 4:23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Colossians
1:1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 1:2to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:3We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 1:4having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, 1:5because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News, 1:6which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 1:7even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 1:8who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. 1:9For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 1:10that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 1:11strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; 1:12giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 1:13who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; 1:14in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins; 1:15who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 1:16For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. 1:17He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. 1:18He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 1:19For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; 1:20and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross. 1:21You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, 1:22yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, 1:23if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant. 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly; 1:25of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God, 1:26the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, 1:27to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; 1:28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; 1:29for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
2:1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2:2that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 2:3in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. 2:4Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 2:5For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 2:6As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, 2:7rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. 2:8Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ. 2:9For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, 2:10and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power; 2:11in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; 2:12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 2:13You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 2:14wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; 2:15having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 2:16Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, 2:17which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s. 2:18Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 2:19and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth. 2:20If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, 2:21“Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” 2:22(all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? 2:23Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.