Bible in 90 Days

He thanks God for them, that they are so steadfast in faith & good works, and receive the gospel with such earnestness.  

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.

To the congregation of the Thessalonians in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

² We give God thanks always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing, ³ and call to remembrance your work in the faith and labour in love, and perseverance in the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God our Father, ⁴ because we know, brethren beloved of God, that you are elect. ⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and also in the Holy Spirit – and in much confidence, as you know how we conducted ourselves among you for your sakes.

⁶ And you became followers of us and of the Lord, and received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you were an example to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ For the word of the Lord sounded out from you – not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but the faith that you have in God went abroad in all quarters, so greatly that it is not necessary for us to say anything at all. ⁹ For people themselves speak of you: what manner of entry we had in to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to look for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from death; I mean Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Paul reminds them of the godly life he led among them when he preached the gospel to them, thanks God that they receive his word so fruitfully, and excuses his absence.

2 For you yourselves know, brethren, of our coming to you, how it was not in vain. ² But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated at Philippi (as you well know), then we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much striving. ³ Our exhortation was not to bring you to error, nor yet to uncleanness. Neither was it with guile, ⁴ but as we were approved by God to have the gospel committed to us, even so we speak – not as though we intended to please men, but God, who tries our hearts.

⁵ Neither was our conversation at any time with flattering words, as you well know, nor in cloaked covetousness; God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek praise from men: not from you, nor yet from any others, when we might have imposed ourselves upon you as the apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were tender among you. Even as a nurse-mother cares for her children, ⁸ so was our affection toward you. Our good pleasure was to have given you not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us.

⁹ You remember, brethren, our labour and travail. For we laboured day and night because we did not want to be burdensome to any of you, and preached to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, how holily and justly and blamelessly we conducted ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted and comforted and besought every one of you, as a father his children, ¹² to walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory.

¹³ We thank God without ceasing, because when you received from us the word whereby God was preached, you received it not as the word of man, but even as it was indeed: the word of God, which works in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brethren, took after the congregations of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. For you have suffered similar things from your countrymen as we ourselves have suffered from the Jews. ¹⁵ As they killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, even so have they persecuted us. And they do not please God, and are contrary to all men, ¹⁶ and oppose us preaching to the Gentiles so that they might be saved, to fulfil their sins always. For the wrath of God has come on them, even to the utmost.

¹⁷ But since, brethren, we have been kept from you for a season (as to bodily presence, but not in the heart), we tried all the more to see you personally, with great desire. ¹⁸ And therefore we would have gone to you – I, Paul, once and again – but Satan withstood us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? ²⁰ Yes, you are our pride and joy.

He tells them how greatly he was moved with joy when Timothy told him of their faith and love.

3 Therefore, since we could bear it no longer, it pleased us to remain at Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our labour-fellow in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to comfort you over your faith, ³ so that no one would be shaken in these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are even appointed to this. ⁴ For indeed, when I was with you, I warned that we would suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass and as you know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer bear it, I sent to find out about your faith, lest perhaps the tempter had tempted you and our labour had been bestowed in vain.

⁶ But now lately Timothy has come from you to us, and told us about your faith and your love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us as we desire to see you. ⁷ Therefore, brethren, we had consolation in you, in all our adversity and need, through your faith. ⁸ For now we are alive, if you stand steadfast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanks we can render to God for you, for all the joy that we have on your account before our God, ¹⁰ while we pray very much night and day that we might see you personally, and might make up that which is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ May God himself our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ guide our journey to you. ¹² And may the Lord prosper you, and make you flow over in love toward one another and toward all men, even as we do toward you, ¹³ to make your hearts constant and unblameable in holiness before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

He exhorts them to steadfastness, to keep themselves from sin and unclean conduct, and to love one another. He rebukes idleness, and speaks of the general resurrection.

4 Furthermore, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, as you learned from us how you ought to walk and please God, so to progress more and more. ² You remember what commandments we gave you in our Lord Jesus Christ. ³ For this is even the will of God: that you should be holy; that you should abstain from fornication; ⁴ that every one of you should know how to keep his vessel in holiness and honour, ⁵ and not in the passion of lust, as do the heathen who do not know God; ⁶ that no one should go too far and defraud his brother in bargaining. For the Lord is an avenger of all such things, as we have forewarned you and testified. ⁷ For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. ⁸ Whoever therefore rejects this, rejects not man, but God, who has sent his Holy Spirit among you.

⁹ But concerning brotherly love, you do not need me to write to you. For you are taught by God to love one another. ¹⁰ Yea and this you do, showing love to all the brethren who are throughout all Macedonia. We beseech you, brethren, to progress more and more, ¹¹ and to aspire to be quiet and to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we told you, ¹² so that you may conduct yourselves honourably toward those who are outside, and so that nothing be lacking to you.

¹³ I would not, brethren, have you be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow like others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so then also those who sleep in Jesus, God will bring again with him. ¹⁵ And this we say to you in the word of the Lord: we who live and are remaining at the coming of the Lord will not precede those who sleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will arise first. ¹⁷ Then shall we who live and remain be caught up with them also in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

He speaks of the day of doom and coming of the Lord. He exhorts them to watch, and to have regard for those who preach God’s word among them.

5 Of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you. ² For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come even as a thief in the night. ³ When they say, Peace, and no danger – then comes on them sudden destruction, like the travailing of a woman with child, and they shall not escape.

⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, such that that day should come on you as a thief. ⁵ You are all the children of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk, are drunk in the night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, armed with the breastplate of faith and love, and with the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep, we will live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort yourselves together, and strengthen one another, even as you do.

¹² We beseech you, brethren, to recognize those who labour among you, and have the oversight of you in the Lord and give you exhortation – ¹³ to have them the more in love for their work’s sake, and be at peace with them.

¹⁴ We desire you, brethren, to warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, bear up the weak, and have continual patience toward all people. ¹⁵ See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and among all people.

¹⁶ Rejoice always. ¹⁷ Pray continually. ¹⁸ In all things give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophesying. ²¹ Examine all things, and keep that which is good. ²² Keep from every appearance of evil. ²³ May the very God of peace sanctify you thoroughly. And I pray God that your whole spirit, soul, and body may be kept faultless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Faithful is he who called you, who will also do it.

²⁵ Brethren, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

²⁷ I charge you in the Lord to read this epistle to all the holy brethren. ²⁸ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Amen.

The end of the first epistle to
the Thessalonians.
Sent from
Athens.

He thanks God for their faith and love, and prays for the increase of the same.

1 Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy.

To the congregation of the Thessalonians who are in God our Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

² Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith grows exceedingly, and every one of you swims in love toward another between yourselves, ⁴ so that we ourselves rejoice over you in the congregations of God – over your patience and faith in all the persecutions and tribulations that you suffer, ⁵ which is a sign of the righteous judgment of God, that you are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.

⁶ It is surely a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to those who trouble you; ⁷ and to you who are troubled, rest with us when the Lord Jesus shows himself from heaven with his mighty angels, ⁸ in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to those who do not know God, and to those who will not heed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ These shall be punished with everlasting damnation, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, ¹⁰ when he comes to be glorified in his saints and to be made marvelous in all who believe, because our testimony to you was believed even the same day that we preached it.

¹¹ Therefore we pray always for you, that our God would make you worthy of the calling, and would fulfil all pleasure in goodness and the work of faith with power, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, through the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul explains that the day of the Lord does not come until the departing from the faith comes first, and therefore he exhorts them not to be deceived, but to stand steadfast in the things that he has taught them.

2 We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in that we shall assemble unto him, ² not to be suddenly moved from your mind. And be not troubled, neither by spirit nor by words, nor yet by letter which seems to come from us, as though the day of Christ were at hand. ³ Let no man deceive you by any means. For the Lord comes not unless there come a departing first and that sinful man be revealed – the son of perdition, ⁴ who is an adversary, and is exalted above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he shall sit as God in the temple of God and show himself as God.

⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things? ⁶ And now you know what withholds, so that he may be manifest at his time. ⁷ For the mystery of that iniquity does he already work, which only locks until it is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then shall that wicked one be exposed, whom the Lord will consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and will destroy with the appearance of his coming – ⁹ namely him whose coming is by the working of Satan, with all lying power, signs, and wonders, ¹⁰ and in all the deceptiveness of unrighteousness among those who are perishing. They perish because they would not receive the love of the truth, so that they might have been saved. ¹¹ And therefore God will send them strong delusion, so that they will believe lies; ¹² so that all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

¹³ But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you for salvation, through sanctifying by the Spirit and through believing the truth, ¹⁴ to which he called you by our gospel, to obtain the glory that comes of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast. And keep the ordinances that you have been taught, whether it was by our preaching or by epistle.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in all doctrine and good-doing.

He asks them to pray for him, that the gospel may prosper. He warns them to reprove the idle, and if they will not labour with their hands, they should not eat.

3 Furthermore, brethren, pray for us, that the word of God may have free passage and be glorified, as it is with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men. For all do not have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and keep you from evil. ⁴ We have confidence through the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do that which we instruct you. ⁵ And may the Lord guide your hearts to the love of God and patience of Christ.

⁶ We require you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother who is disorderly, not walking according to the teaching which you received from us. ⁷ You yourselves know how you ought to follow us. For we were not disorderly amongst you. ⁸ Neither did we take bread from anyone for nothing, but worked with labour and travail night and day, because we did not wish to be burdensome to any of you – ⁹ not that we had no right, but to make ourselves an example for you, to follow us. ¹⁰ For when we were with you, this we warned you of: that if there were any who would not work, the same should not eat.

¹¹ We have heard that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly way, and do not work at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ to work with quietness and eat their own bread.

¹³ Brethren, do not be weary of well-doing. ¹⁴ If any man does not heed what we say, send us word of him by a letter; and keep no company with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ And count him not as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

¹⁶ May the very Lord of peace give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand. This is the distinguishing mark in all epistles – thus I write.

¹⁸ May the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
all.
Amen.
Sent from Athens.

He exhorts Timothy to attend to his office; namely, to see that nothing is taught but God’s word, etc. He shows also for what the law is good, and tells this sweet and glad tidings: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope.

² To Timothy, his true-born son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ As I besought you to continue in Ephesus when I departed into Macedonia, so do, and direct certain men to teach no other way, ⁴ neither to give heed to legends and genealogies, which are endless and breed doubts more than godly edifying, which is by faith. ⁵ For the end of the commandment is love that comes of a pure heart and a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned – ⁶ from which things some have erred, and have turned to vain prattle, ⁷ because they want to be teachers of the scripture and yet do not understand what they speak, nor the things they assert.

⁸ We know that the law is good if one abides by it lawfully, ⁹ understanding that the law is not given for a righteous person, but for the unrighteous and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and unclean, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers ¹⁰ and whoremongers, for those who defile themselves with menkind, for kidnappers, for liars and perjurers, and so forth, if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome precept, ¹¹ according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which gospel is committed to me.

¹² And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has made me strong. For he counted me true and put me in office, ¹³ when before I was a blasphemer and a persecutor, and full of violence. But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, through unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord abounded more greatly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This is a true saying, and by all means worthy to be received: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ But notwithstanding, mercy was given to me, so that Jesus Christ could first show on me all long patience, as an example for those who will in time to come believe on him unto eternal life. ¹⁷ So then, to God the King everlasting, immortal, invisible, and alone wise, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ This charge I commit to you, son Timotheus, according to the prophecies that in time past were prophesied of you, so that you in them will fight a good fight, ¹⁹ having faith and a good conscience – which some have put away from them, and as concerning faith have made shipwreck. ²⁰ Of this number are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan so that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

He exhorts to pray for all people. He will not have women in showy attire, nor to teach in the congregation, but to be in silence and to obey their husbands.

2 I exhort therefore that, above all things, prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks be had for all people, ² for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life in all godliness and sanctity. ³ For that is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, ⁴ who would have all people saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, which is the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself a ransom for all, that it should be testified at his time. ⁷ For this I am ordained a preacher and an apostle. I speak the truth in Christ, and do not speak falsely, being the teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up pure hands, without wrath or doubting. ⁹ Likewise also the women, that they dress nicely, with modesty and discreet behaviour – not with broided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array, ¹⁰ but as becomes women who profess the worshipping of God through good works.

¹¹ Let the woman learn in silence with all submission. ¹² I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to have authority over the man, but to be in silence. ¹³ For Adam was first formed, and then Eve. ¹⁴ Also, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and was in transgression. ¹⁵ Notwithstanding, through the bearing of children they may be preserved, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with discretion.

What manner of man a bishop or priest ought to be, and how his wife and children should be. The qualities also required in a deacon or minister and in his wife.

3 This is a true saying: if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. ² Yea and a bishop must be faultless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, respectable; who is welcoming toward others and giving of shelter; able to teach; ³ not drunken, no fighter; not given to the love of money, but gentle, abhorring quarrels, abhorring covetousness; ⁴ and one who rules his own house well, having his children under obedience with all respectfulness. ⁵ For if a man cannot manage his own house, how will he care for the congregation of God? ⁶ He may not be a young scholar, lest he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. ⁷ He must also be well reported of among those who are outside, lest he fall into rebuke and the snare of the evil speaker.

⁸ Likewise must deacons be honourable: not double-tongued, not given to much drinking, nor to the love of money, ⁹ but having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ And let them first be proved, and then let them minister, if they be found faultless. ¹¹ Even so must their wives be honourable: not evil speakers, but sober and faithful in all things. ¹² Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as rule their children well, and their own households. ¹³ For those who minister well win good standing for themselves, and much trust in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ These things I write to you trusting to come to you shortly, ¹⁵ but if I am long in coming, so that you may yet have knowledge how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth.

¹⁶ And there is no denying, great is the mystery of godliness: God was shown in the flesh, was confirmed in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached to the Gentiles, was believed on in earth, and received up in glory.

He prophesies of the latter days, and exhorts Timothy to the diligent reading of the holy scripture.

4 The Spirit speaks clearly that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, and will give heed to spirits of error, and to devilish teaching ² by those who speak falsely through hypocrisy, who have their consciences marked with an hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. ⁵ For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. ⁶ If you put the brethren in mind of these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, who has been nourished up in the words of the faith and good teaching, which teaching you have continually followed. ⁷ But cast away unspiritual and old wives’ tales.

Exercise yourself unto godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise is of some benefit, but godliness is fruitful in all things, having promises for the life that is now and for the life to come. ⁹ This is a sure saying, and worthy to be received by all. ¹⁰ It is for this that we labour and suffer rebuke – because we believe in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, but especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Such things command and teach.

¹² Let no one dishonour your youth, but be to those who believe an example, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in pureness.

¹³ Until I come, attend to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy and with the laying on of the hands of an elder. ¹⁵ Be diligent in these things, and give yourself to them, so that it may be seen how you bring profit in all things. ¹⁶ Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine, and continue therein. For if you will so do, you will preserve yourself and those who hear you.

He teaches Timothy how he should conduct himself in rebuking all degrees of persons, and gives a direction concerning widows.

5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; and the younger men as brethren, ² the older women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all pureness. ³ Honour widows that are true widows. ⁴ If any widows have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to take godly responsibility in their own families, and to recompense their elders. For that is good and pleasing before God.

⁵ She who is a real widow and friendless puts her trust in God, and continues in supplication and prayer night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in pleasure is dead even while alive. ⁷ And instruct these things, so that the people may be without fault. ⁸ But if there be anyone who does not provide for his own, and particularly for those of his household, the same denies the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Let no widow be chosen who is under sixty years old, and let her be such a one as was the wife of one man, ¹⁰ and well reported of in good works: if she has raised children, if she has been generous to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has ministered to those who were in adversity, if she was continually given to all manner of good works. ¹¹ The younger widows refuse. For when they have begun to grow wanton, to the dishonour of Christ, then they want to marry, ¹² having condemnation because they have broken their first faith. ¹³ And also they learn to go from house to house idle, yea not only idle, but also gossiping and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

¹⁴ I will therefore that the younger women marry and bear children, and guide the house, and give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil. ¹⁵ For many of them have already turned back, and are gone after Satan.

¹⁶ And if any man or woman who believes has widows, let them minister to them, and do not let the congregation be charged, so that you may have sufficient for those who are widows indeed.

¹⁷ The elders who lead well are worthy of double honour, most especially those who labour in the word and teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says: You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn, and: The labourer is worthy of his reward.

¹⁹ Against an elder receive no accusation except with two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who sin, rebuke openly, so that others may fear.

²¹ I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, to observe these things without hasty judgment, and do nothing with partiality. ²² Lay hands quickly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins; keep yourself pure.

²³ Drink water no longer, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent ailments.

²⁴ Some people’s sins are open beforehand, and go before to judgment; some people’s sins follow after. ²⁵ Likewise also, good works are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

The duty of servants toward their masters. Against such as are not satisfied with the word of God. Against covetousness. A good lesson for the rich.

6 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and his precepts are not ill spoken of. ² See to it that those who have believing masters do not honour them less because they are brethren, but so much more rather serve them, because they are believing, and beloved, and will benefit from the good service.

These things teach and exhort. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise, and is not content with the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the instruction of godliness, ⁴ he is puffed up and knows nothing, but wastes his brains about questions and strife of words, whereof come envy, strife, railing, evil surmisings, ⁵ and the vain disputations of men with corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who think that wealth is godliness. Separate yourself from such people.

⁶ But godliness is great wealth, if a man is content with what he has. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and it is a plain case that we can carry nothing out. ⁸ When we have food and clothing, let us therewith be content. ⁹ Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and harmful desires, which drown men in perdition and destruction. ¹⁰ For covetousness is the root of all evil, which, when some followed after, they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows. ¹¹ But you who are the man of God, flee such things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, love, patience, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have pledged yourself with a good profession before many witnesses.

¹³ I give you charge in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and before Jesus Christ, who bore faithful witness under Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ to keep the commandment, and be without spot and unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ – ¹⁵ which appearing (when the time is come) he will show, who is blessed and sole in dominion, King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, and dwells in light to which no man can attain, whom no man ever saw neither can see: to whom be honour and rule everlasting. Amen.

¹⁷ Charge those who are rich in this world not to be high-minded, and not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us abundantly all things, to enjoy them; ¹⁸ and to do good, and to be rich in good works, and ready to give and distribute, ¹⁹ laying up in store for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, so that they may obtain eternal life.

²⁰ O Timothy, preserve that which has been given you to keep, and avoid unspiritual vanities of voices, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so-called, ²¹ which knowledge has led some who profess it to err as concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.

Sent from Laodicea, which is the
chiefest city of Phrygia,
Pacatiana.

Paul exhorts Timothy to steadfastness and patience in persecution, and to continue in the doctrine that he had taught him. A commendation of Onesiphorous.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to preach the promise of life, which life is in Christ Jesus.

² To Timothy, his beloved son.

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ our Lord.

³ I thank God, whom I serve apart from my fathers with a pure conscience, as without ceasing I make mention of you in my prayers night and day, ⁴ desiring to see you, mindful of your tears. I am filled with joy ⁵ when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and am assured that it dwells in you also. ⁶ And so I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you by the putting on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given to us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and soberness of mind.

⁸ Be not ashamed to testify of our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, who am bound for his sake. But suffer adversity also with the gospel, through the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our deeds, but according to his own purpose and grace. Which grace was given through Christ Jesus before the world was, ¹⁰ but is now declared openly by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has put away death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

¹¹ Of this gospel I am appointed a preacher and apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles – ¹² for which cause I also suffer these things. Nevertheless, I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and am sure that he is able to keep that which I have committed to his keeping for that day.

¹³ See that you have the example of the wholesome words that you heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing that was committed to your keeping, keep in the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.

¹⁵ This you know, how all those who are in Asia have turned away from me. Of which sort are Phygellus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains, ¹⁷ but when he was at Rome he sought me out very diligently, and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant to him that he may find mercy with the Lord at that day. And in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well.

As in the first chapter, so here Paul exhorts Timothy to be constant in trouble, to suffer manfully, and to abide fast in the wholesome doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And what things you have heard from me, many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men who are competent to teach others.

³ Therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No man who wars entangles himself with worldly business, because he wants to please him who has chosen him to be a soldier. ⁵ And though a man strive to win a competition, yet he is not crowned unless he strives lawfully. ⁶ The husbandman who labours must first receive of the fruits. ⁷ Consider what I say. May the Lord give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, being of the seed of David, rose again from death, as declared in my gospel – ⁹ for which gospel I suffer trouble as an evil-doer, even in bonds. But the word of God was not bound. ¹⁰ For this I suffer all things, for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

¹¹ It is a true saying: if we are dead with him, we also will live with him. ¹² If we are patient, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. ¹³ If we do not believe, yet he abides faithful; he cannot deny himself. ¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance. And warn them before the Lord not to strive about words, which accomplishes nothing but to pervert the hearers.

¹⁵ Be diligent to show yourself laudable to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ Unspiritual and vain voices pass over. For they will increase to greater ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their words will consume even as does a canker – of whose number are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who as concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of divers persons.

¹⁹ But the sure foundation of God remains, and has this seal: the Lord knows those that are his. And let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity. ²⁰ Notwithstanding, in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: some for honour, and some for dishonour. ²¹ But if a man purges himself from such fellows, he will be a vessel sanctified unto honour, meet for the Lord and prepared for all good works.

²² Lusts of youth avoid. Follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. ²³ Foolish and unlearned controversies put from you, remembering that they do but engender strife. ²⁴ But the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be peaceable towards all, able to teach, and one that can be patient with the evil, ²⁵ and can correct those who resist – if perhaps God at any time will give them repentance to know the truth, ²⁶ so that they may come to themselves again out of the snare of the devil, who are now taken by him at his will.

He prophesies of the perilous times. He describes the traits of hypocrites, and tells us what they are within for all their fair faces outwardly. Persecution for the gospel.

3 This understand: in the last days, perilous times will come. ² For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy, ³ unkind, truce breakers, stubborn, false accusers, dissolute, fierce, despisers of those who are good, ⁴ traitors, wilful, high-minded, greedy for pleasures more than lovers of God, ⁵ having a similitude of godly living, but who have denied the power thereof – and from such, turn away. ⁶ Of this sort are those who enter into houses and bring into bondage women laden with sin, which women are led by divers desires and lusts, ⁷ ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

⁸ As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, even so do these resist the truth. Men they are of corrupt minds, and ignorant concerning the faith. ⁹ But they will progress no further, for their madness will be revealed to all, as theirs was.

¹⁰ But you have seen the experience of my doctrine, fashion of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience – ¹¹ and the persecutions and afflictions that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which persecutions I suffered patiently. And from them all, the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecutions. ¹³ But the evil men and deceivers will grow worse and worse, while they deceive and are deceived themselves.

¹⁴ But continue in the things that you have learned, which also were committed to you, seeing you know from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and also that from childhood you have known the holy scripture, which is able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith that is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ For all scripture given by the inspiration of God is profitable to teach, to convict, to reform, and to instruct in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be perfect and prepared for all good works.

He exhorts Timothy to be fervent in the word and to suffer adversity, makes mention of his own death, and bids Timothy to come to him.

4 I charge you therefore before God, and before the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the quick and the dead at his appearing in his kingdom: ² preach the word; be fervent, be it in season or out of season. Refute, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and instruction.

³ For the time will come when the people will not suffer wholesome doctrine, but, after their own fancies, they (whose ears itch) will get themselves a heap of teachers, ⁴ and will turn their ears from the truth, and will be given to fables. ⁵ But as for you, watch in all things, and suffer adversity, and do the work of an evangelist. Fulfil your office to the utmost.

⁶ For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departing is at hand. ⁷ I have fought a good fight, and have fulfilled my course, and have kept the faith. ⁸ From henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, who is a righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  not to me only, but to all who love his coming.

⁹ Make speed to come to me at once. ¹⁰ For Demas has left me, and loves this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me.

Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is necessary to me, to minister. ¹² And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

¹³ The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring with you – and the books, but especially the parchment.

¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much ill; the Lord reward him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ You must beware of him also, for he withstood our preaching sore.

¹⁶ At my first defence, no one assisted me, but all forsook me. I pray God that it may not be laid to their charges. ¹⁷ Notwithstanding, the Lord assisted me and strengthened me, so that by me the preaching should be fulfilled to the utmost, and so that all the Gentiles may hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸ And the Lord will deliver me from all evil-doing, and will keep me for his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

²⁰ Erastus stayed at Corinth. Trophimus I left at Miletum, sick.

²¹ Make speed to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

²² The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The end of the second epistle to Timothy.
Written from Rome when Paul was
presented the second time
up before Emperor
Nero.

Paul exhorts Titus to ordain priests or bishops in every city, declares what manner of men they ought to be that are chosen to that office, and charges Titus to rebuke such persons as withstand the gospel.

1 Paul the servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ to preach the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth, which leads to godliness ² in the hope of eternal life. Which life God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began, ³ but has declared his word openly at the time appointed through preaching, which preaching is committed to me by the commandment of God our Saviour.

⁴ To Titus, his true-born son in the common faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete was in order that you should complete that which was lacking, and should ordain elders in every city as I directed you – ⁶ if any be faultless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not known for running wild or disobedience. ⁷ For a bishop must be faultless, as it becomes the minister of God: not stubborn, not angry, no drunkard, no fighter; not given to the love of money, ⁸ but welcoming toward people and willing to take them in; one who loves goodness, sober-minded, righteous, holy, temperate; ⁹ and such as cleaves to the true word of doctrine, so that he may be able to exhort with wholesome teaching, and to refute those who speak against it.

¹⁰ For there are many contrary, who speak vanity and beguile minds, namely they of the circumcision, ¹¹ whose mouths must be stopped. They pervert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for easy money. ¹² One of them, who was an author of their own, said, The Cretans are always liars, evil creatures and lazy gluttons. ¹³ This witness is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ and not paying heed to Jewish fables, and to commandments of men that turn from the truth.

¹⁵ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but even their very minds and consciences are defiled. ¹⁶ They confess that they know God, but with their deeds they deny him, and are abominable and obstinately self-willed, not to be trusted for any good works.

He tells Titus how he should teach all degrees of persons to conduct themselves.

2 But you, teach the things that are appropriate to wholesome doctrine: ² that the elder men should be sober, grave, discreet; sound in the faith, in love and in patience. ³ And the elder women likewise: that they should be attired as becomes holiness, and not be false accusers, not given to much drinking, but teachers of good things, ⁴ to make the young women sober-minded, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, housewifely, good, and obedient to their own husbands, so that the word of God is not ill-spoken of. ⁶ Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.

⁷ Above all things, show yourself an example of good works, with uncorrupt doctrine, with gravity, ⁸ and with the wholesome word that cannot be rebuked, so that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having nothing in you that he may fault.

⁹ Exhort the servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please in all things – not answering back, ¹⁰ not stealing, but showing all good faithfulness, so that they do honour to the doctrine of our Saviour God in all things. ¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation to all men has appeared, ¹² and teaches us that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live sober-minded, righteously, and godly in this present world, ¹³ looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the mighty God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness, and to make clean for himself an special people, fervently given to good works.

¹⁵ These things speak and exhort. And rebuke with all authority. See that no one disrespects you.

Of obedience to persons in authority. Of gentleness to all people. He warns Titus to beware of foolish and unprofitable questions.

3 Warn the people to submit themselves to rule and authority, to obey the officials, to be ready for all good works, ² to speak evil of no one, and not to be fighters, but soft, showing all gentleness to all people. ³ For we ourselves also were in times past unwise: disobedient, deceived; captive to desires, lusts, and diverse kinds of sensuality; living in maliciousness and envy, full of hate, hating one another.

⁴ But after the kindness and love of our Saviour God toward man appeared, ⁵ he saved us – not for the deeds of righteousness that we have done, but of his mercy, by the fountain of the new birth, and with the renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, ⁷ so that we, once justified by his grace, should be heirs of eternal life through hope.  ⁸ This is a true saying.

These things I want you to affirm constantly, so that those who believe God may be diligent to go forward in good works. These things are good and profitable to people. ⁹ Foolish questions and genealogies, and brawling and strife about the law, avoid. For they are unprofitable and superfluous.

¹⁰ A person who is given to heresy, after the first and the second admonition, avoid, ¹¹ remembering that such a one has been perverted, and sins, even condemned by his own judgment.

¹² When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, try your best to come to me to Nicopolis. For I have determined to winter there. ¹³ Set Zenas the lawyer and Apollos well on their journey, so that nothing is lacking to them. ¹⁴ And let our people also learn to excel in good works, as much as need requires, so that they are not unfruitful.

¹⁵ Everyone who is with me sends greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Written from Nicopolis,
a city of Macedonia.

He rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, whom he asks to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him back.

¹ Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy.

To Philemon the beloved and our helper, ² and to the beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the congregation of your house.

³ Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ I thank my God, making mention always of you in my prayers, ⁵ when I hear of the love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, ⁶ so that the fellowship that you have in the faith is fruitful through the knowledge of all good things, which are in you by Jesus Christ. ⁷ And we have great joy and consolation over your love. For by you, brother, the saints’ hearts are comforted.

⁸ Therefore, though I might be bold in Christ to enjoin that which behoves you, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather beseech you, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and now in bonds for Jesus Christ’s sake. ¹⁰ I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I begat in my bonds – ¹¹ who in time past was unprofitable to you, but is now able to profit both you and also me, ¹² whom I have sent home again. Therefore receive him; that is to say, my own offspring, ¹³ whom I would gladly have retained with me so that on your behalf he could have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, without your consent I would do nothing, because the good that comes of you should not be, as it were, usurped through circumstance, but willing.

¹⁵ Perhaps he therefore departed for a season so that you would receive him forever, ¹⁶ not now as a servant, but above a servant; I mean a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and also in the Lord. ¹⁷ If you count me a fellow, receive him as myself. ¹⁸ If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, lay it to my charge. ¹⁹ I, Paul, have written it with my own hand. I will recompense it.

So I do not say to you that you owe to me even your own self. ²⁰ Even so, brother, let me enjoy this fruit from you in the Lord. Comfort my heart in the Lord.

²¹ Trusting in your willingness, I have written to you, knowing that you will do more than I say. ²² Moreover, prepare a room for me. For I trust that through the help of your prayers, I shall be given to you.

²³ Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my helpers.

²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amen.

Sent from Rome by the hands
of Onesimus,
a servant.