9:1It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints, 9:2for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them. 9:3But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared, 9:4lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be disappointed in this confident boasting. 9:5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness. 9:6Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 9:7Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 9:9As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” 9:10Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; 9:11you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving to God. 9:12For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God; 9:13seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all; 9:14while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. 9:15Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
10:1Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 10:2Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh. 10:3For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; 10:4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, 10:5throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; 10:6and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full. 10:7Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s. 10:8For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed, 10:9that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters. 10:10For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.” 10:11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present. 10:12For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. 10:13But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you. 10:14For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ, 10:15not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence, 10:16so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done. 10:17But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” 10:18For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
11:1I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me. 11:2For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 11:3But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 11:4For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news”, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough. 11:5For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles. 11:6But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things. 11:7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge? 11:8I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you. 11:9When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. 11:10As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11:11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows. 11:12But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we. 11:13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. 11:14And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. 11:15It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 11:16I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little. 11:17That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 11:18Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast. 11:19For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise. 11:20For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face. 11:21I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 11:22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I. 11:23Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. 11:24Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. 11:25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. 11:26I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; 11:27in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness. 11:28Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily: anxiety for all the assemblies. 11:29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation? 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness. 11:31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie. 11:32In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me. 11:33Through a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.
12:1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 12:2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven. 12:3I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows), 12:4how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 12:5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 12:6For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me. 12:7By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 12:8Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 12:9He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 12:10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 12:11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing. 12:12Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works. 12:13For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong. 12:14Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 12:15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 12:16But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. 12:17Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? 12:18I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps? 12:19Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. 12:20For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots; 12:21that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.
13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 13:2I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; 13:3seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you. 13:4For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you. 13:5Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 13:6But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified. 13:7Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate. 13:8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 13:9For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting. 13:10For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down. 13:11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 13:12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13:13All the saints greet you. 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
Galatians
1:1Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 1:2and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 1:3Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 1:5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 1:6I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”; 1:7and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 1:8But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 1:9As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed. 1:10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ. 1:11But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 1:12For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 1:13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. 1:14I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 1:15But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace, 1:16to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood, 1:17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 1:18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 1:19But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother. 1:20Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. 1:21Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 1:22I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 1:23but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” 1:24And they glorified God in me.
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.