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.
3:1If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 3:2Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3:3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3:4When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 3:5Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 3:6for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 3:7You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 3:8but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 3:9Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 3:10and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 3:11where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 3:12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 3:13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 3:14Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 3:17Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. 3:18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 3:19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. 3:20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 3:21Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged. 3:22Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 3:23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 3:24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 3:25But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
4:1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. 4:2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 4:3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4:4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. 4:5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 4:6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. 4:7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 4:8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 4:9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here. 4:10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 4:11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me. 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 4:13For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 4:14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 4:15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house. 4:16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 4:17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.” 4:18The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
1 Thessalonians
1:1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:2We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, 1:3remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. 1:4We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, 1:5and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. 1:6You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 1:7so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1:8For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything. 1:9For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 1:10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
2:1For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain, 2:2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict. 2:3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. 2:4But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts. 2:5For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), 2:6nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. 2:7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 2:8Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us. 2:9For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God. 2:10You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe. 2:11As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, 2:12to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory. 2:13For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe. 2:14For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews; 2:15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn’t please God, and are contrary to all men; 2:16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost. 2:17But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire, 2:18because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us. 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 2:20For you are our glory and our joy.