Bible in 90 Days
15 Moreover brothers, I declare to you the Gospel which I preached to you, which you have also received, and wherein you continue,
2 And whereby you are saved, if you keep in memory the Word which I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.
3 For first of all, I delivered to you that which I received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures.
4 And that He was buried, and that He arose the third day, according to the Scriptures.
5 And that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve.
6 After that, He was seen by more than five hundred brothers at once, of whom many remain to this time, and some also are asleep.
7 After that, He was seen by James, then by all the Apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen also by me, as by one born at the wrong time.
9 For I am the least of the Apostles, who is not fit to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am that I am. And His grace which is in me, was not in vain. But I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which is with me.
11 Therefore, whether it was me or them, so we preach and so have you believed.
12 Now if it is preached that Christ is risen from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 And we are found also false witnesses of God. For we have testified of God, that He has raised up Christ, Whom He has not raised up, if it be so that the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ is not raised.
17 And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain. You are still in your sins.
18 And so those who are asleep in Christ, have perished.
19 If it is only in this life that we have hope in Christ, we are of all mankind the most miserable.
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead and made the firstfruits of those who slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 Yet, each in his own order: the Firstfruits, Christ; afterward, those who are of Christ, at His coming.
24 Then, the end, when He has delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He has abolished all rule, and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign till He has put all His enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be ended, is death.
27 For He has subjected all things under His feet. (And when He says that all things are subjected, it is obvious that He is excepted, Who subjected all things under Himself.)
28 And when all things shall be subjected to Him, then shall the Son also, Himself, be subject to Him, Who subjected all things under Him, so that God may be all in all.
29 Or else what shall they do who are baptized for dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why then are they baptized for dead?
30 Why are we also in danger every hour?
31 By your rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32 If, after the habit of man, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me, if the dead are not raised up? Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die.
33 Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good morals.
34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin. For some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come forth?”
36 O fool. That which you sow does not come alive unless it dies.
37 And that which you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but bare corn as it falls, of wheat, or of some other.
38 But God gives it a body at His pleasure, even to every seed his own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of man, and another flesh of beasts, and another of fish, and another of birds.
40 There are also heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.
41 There is another glory of the Sun, and another glory of the Moon, and another glory of the stars. For one star differs from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption and is raised in incorruption.
43 It is sown in dishonor and is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness and is raised in power.
44 It is sown a natural body and is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 As it is also written, “The first man, Adam, was made a living soul.” And the last Adam was made a life-giving Spirit.
46 But that which is spiritual was not first; but that which is natural, and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the Earth, earthly. The second Man is the Lord from Heaven.
48 As is the earthly, such are those who are earthly. And as is the heavenly, such are those also who are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthly, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly.
50 This I say, brothers: that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall blow, and the dead shall be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up into victory.”
55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?
56 The sting of death is sin. And the strength of sin is the Law.
57 But thanks be to God, Who has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, abundant always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
16 Concerning the gathering of the Saints: as I have ordained in the Churches of Galatia, so you do also.
2 Every first of the week, let every one of you lay up for himself as God has prospered him, so that then there will be no gatherings when I come.
3 And when I come, whomever you shall approve by letters, they will I send to carry your kindness to Jerusalem.
4 And if it be suitable that I go also, they shall go with me.
5 Now I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia (for I will pass through Macedonia.)
6 And it may be that I will stay (yea, or winter) with you, that you may send me on my way, wherever I go.
7 For I will not see you now in my passage. But I am expecting to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
8 And I will wait at Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 For a great and effective door has opened to me. And there are many adversaries.
10 Now, if Timothy comes, see that he is without fear with you. For he works the work of the Lord, even as I do.
11 Therefore, let no one despise him. But send him forth in peace, that he may come to me. For I looked for him with the brothers.
12 Concerning our brother, Apollos, I greatly desired him to come to you with the brothers. But his mind was not at all to come at this time. But he will come when he shall have convenient time.
13 Watch. Stand fast in the faith. Act like men, being strong.
14 Let all your things be done in love.
15 Now, brothers, I encourage you (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have given themselves to minister to the Saints.)
16 That you also be subject to such, and to all that help with us and labor.
17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus. For they have supplied what you lacked.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, recognize such as these.
19 The Churches of Asia salute you: Aquila and Priscilla, with the Church that is in their house, salute you greatly in the Lord.
20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Marana—tha!
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus, Amen.
(The first Epistle to the Corinthians, written from Philippi, and sent by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timothy.)
1 Paul - an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God - and brother Timothy, To the Church of God which is at Corinth (with all the Saints who are in all Achaia):
2 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort,
4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation abounds through Christ.
6 And if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is wrought in the enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer. Or, if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope is steadfast concerning you, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you also be of the consolation.
8 For brothers, we would not have you be ignorant of our affliction, which came to us in Asia; how we were pressed beyond measure, passing strength, so that we utterly despaired, even of life.
9 But, we received the sentence of death in ourselves, because we should not rest in ourselves, but in God, Who raised the dead.
10 Who delivered us from so great a death and does deliver us. And in Whom also we have hope will still yet deliver.
11 So that you labor together in prayer for us, that thanks on our behalf may be given by many for the grace bestowed upon us through many.
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience: that in simplicity and godly purity, not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and most of all towards you.
13 For we write no other things to you than what you read and understand. And I hope you shall understand even to the end,
14 as you have understood us partly, that we are your exultation, even as you are ours, on the day of our Lord Jesus.
15 And in this confidence, I initially intended to come to you. So that you might have had a second grace;
16 and to pass by you into Macedonia; and to come again to you, out of Macedonia; and to be led forth by you toward Judea.
17 Therefore, when I was thus-minded did I use lightness? Or do I purpose those things which I purpose according to the flesh, that with me should be, “Yes, yes”, and “No, no”?
18 But God is faithful. So that our word toward you was not “Yes”, and “No”.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Who was preached among you by us - by me, and Silvanus, and Timothy - was not “Yes” and “No”. But in Him was “Yes”.
20 For all the promises of God in Him are “Yes”, and in Him “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.
21 And it is God Who established us with you in Christ and has anointed us.
22 Who has also sealed us and has given the earnest portion of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 Now, I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you, I have not as yet come to Corinth.
24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but we are helpers of your joy. For by faith you stand.
2 But this I determined in myself: that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
2 For if I grieve you, who then should make me glad but the same one who is grieved by me?
3 And I wrote this same thing to you, lest when I come, I should not be grieved by those in whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For in great affliction, and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be made sorry, but that you might perceive the love which I have especially for you.
5 And if any have caused grief, the same has not grieved me, but partly (lest I overstate it) you all.
6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment that was inflicted by many.
7 So that now, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest the same should be overwhelmed with excessive heaviness.
8 Therefore, I encourage you to confirm your love towards him.
9 For this also I wrote: that I might know the proof of you, whether you would be obedient in all things.
10 To whom you forgive anything, I forgive also. For truly if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, I forgave it for your sakes, in the sight of Christ,
11 lest Satan should circumvent us. For we are not ignorant of his purposes.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s Gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus, my brother. But, taking my leave of them, I went away into Macedonia.
14 Now, thanks to God, Who always makes us triumph in Christ; and, by us, makes manifest the savor of His knowledge in every place.
15 For we are to God the sweet savor of Christ, in those who are saved, and in those who perish.
16 To the one we are the savor of death unto death, and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not as many who make merchandise of the Word of God. But as from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
3 Do we begin to praise ourselves again? Or do we need, as some others, letters of recommendation to you, or of recommendation from you?
2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, which is understood and read by all mankind;
3 in that you appear to be the letter of Christ, ministered by us, and written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone, but on fleshly tablets of the heart.
4 And such trust we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to think anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
6 Who has also made us able ministers of the New Testament - not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 If then, the ministry of death (written with letters and engraved in stones) was glorious; so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses because of the Glory of his countenance (a Glory which has gone away),
8 how shall not the ministry of the Spirit be more glorious?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness much more exceeds it in glory.
10 For even that which was glorified was not glorified in this point: that is, regarding the exceeding glory.
11 For if that which is abolished was glorious, much more so shall that which remains be glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such trust, we use great boldness of speech.
13 And we are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face so that the children of Israel would not look intently into the end of that which would be abolished.
14 But their minds were hardened. For until this day remains the same covering in the reading of the old Testament, which veil is put away in Christ.
15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is laid over their hearts.
16 Nevertheless, when their heart shall be turned to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
17 Now, the Lord is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, behold as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord; and are changed into the same image, from glory to Glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
4 Therefore, seeing that we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not faint.
2 But we have cast from us the cloaks of shame, and do not walk in craftiness, nor handle the Word of God deceitfully. But in declaration of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 If the Gospel is then hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost,
4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving; that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should not shine unto them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants, for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the excellency of that power might be of God, and not of us.
8 We are afflicted on every side, yet we are not in distress. We are in doubt, but yet we do not despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but we do not perish.
10 Everywhere we carry about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in our bodies.
11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then, death works in us, and life in you.
13 And because we have the same spirit of faith, as it is written, “I believed, and therefore I have spoken”, we also believe, and therefore speak,
14 knowing that He Who has raised up the Lord Jesus, shall also raise us up by Jesus, and shall set us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, so that that superabundant grace by the thanksgiving of many, may increase to the praise of God.
16 Therefore, we do not faint. But though our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed daily.
17 For our light affliction, which is only for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
18 While we look, not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary. But the things which are not seen are eternal.
5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle is destroyed, we have a building given by God; that is, a house, made not with hands, but eternal, in the heavens.
2 For therefore we sigh, desiring to be clothed with our house, which is from Heaven.
3 Because if we are clothed, we shall not be found naked.
4 For indeed, we who are in this tabernacle sigh and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed; so that mortality might be swallowed up in life.
5 And He Who has created us for this thing, is God; Who also has given us the earnest portion of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always bold; although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, and not by sight.
8 Nevertheless, we are bold, and are well-pleased rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
9 Therefore also, we desire eagerly, whether present or absent, to be acceptable to Him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that everyone may receive the things done through the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil.
11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade man and are made manifest to God. And I trust also that we are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we do not commend ourselves to you again but give you an occasion to exult on our behalf, so that you may have an answer toward those who rejoice in appearance, and not in the heart.
13 For if we are out of our wits, we are so to God: or if we are in our right minds, we are so to you.
14 For the love of Christ constrains us,
15 because we thus judge: that if One is dead for all, then were all dead. And He died for all, so that those who live, should henceforth no longer live for themselves, but for Him Who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, henceforth we consider no one according to the flesh. Yea, even though we had known Christ according to the flesh, we do so no more.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
18 And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us unto Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
19 For God was in Christ, and reconciled the world to Himself, not imputing their sins unto them; and has committed the Word of reconciliation to us.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God is exhorting you through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God!
21 For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we should be made the righteousness of God in Him.
6 So we, therefore, as workers together, encourage you, that you do not receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For He says, “I have heard you at an acceptable time, and on the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold now the accepted time. Behold now the day of salvation.
3 We cause no one to stumble in anything, that the ministry should not be blamed.
4 But in all things, we commend ourselves as the ministers of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 in stripes, in prisons, in instability, in labors;
6 by sleeplessness, by fasting, by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love without hypocrisy;
7 by the Word of Truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand, and on the left;
8 by honor and dishonor; by evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown and yet known; as dying and behold, we live; as chastised and yet not killed;
10 as grieving and yet always rejoicing; as poor and yet making many rich; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians, our mouth has been opened to you. Our heart has been made large!
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained your own inward parts.
13 Now, for the same reward, I speak as to my children. You, also, be enlarged.
14 Do not be unequally yoked with the unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 And what agreement has Christ with Belial? Or, what share has the believer with the unbeliever?
16 And what assent has the Temple of God with idols? For you are the Temple of the living God. As God has said, “I will dwell among them, and walk there. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 “Therefore, come out from among them, and separate yourselves”, says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing. And I will receive you.
18 “And I will be a Father to you. And you shall be my sons and daughters”, says the Lord Almighty.
7 Seeing then we have these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, and complete our sanctification in the fear of God.
2 Receive us. We have wronged no one. We have corrupted no one. We have defrauded no one.
3 I speak it not to your condemnation. For I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die and live together.
4 I use great boldness of speech toward you. I rejoice greatly in you. I am filled with comfort and am exceedingly joyous in all our tribulation.
5 For when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest. But we were troubled on every side, fightings without, and terrors within.
6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us at the coming of Titus;
7 and only not by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted by you, when he told us your great desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me, so that I rejoiced much more.
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent. Though, I did repent. For I perceive that the same letter made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 I now rejoice, not that you were sorry, but that you sorrowed unto repentance. For you sorrowed in a godly way, so that in nothing were you hurt by us.
10 For godly sorrow causes repentance unto salvation, not to be reconsidered. But the worldly sorrow causes death.
11 For behold, this thing of which you have been godly sorry, what great care it has wrought in you; yea, what acquittal of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea, how great desire; yea, what a zeal; yea, what vengeance. In all things, you have shown yourselves to be pure in this matter.
12 Therefore, though I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of the one who had done the wrong, nor the sake of the one who had the injury, but that our care toward you in the sight of God might appear to you.
13 Therefore we were comforted, because you were comforted. But we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14 For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I have not been ashamed. But as I have spoken to you all things in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was true.
15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you when he remembers the obedience of you all, and how you received him with fear and trembling.
16 I rejoice that I may put my confidence in you in all things.
8 We also make known to you, brothers, the grace of God bestowed upon the Churches of Macedonia.
2 Because, in great trial of affliction, their joy abounded, and their most extreme poverty abounded unto their rich generosity.
3 For to their power I bear record. Yea, and beyond their power they were willing.
4 And asked us with great instance to receive the grace and fellowship of the ministry which is toward the Saints.
5 And this they did, not as we expected; but gave themselves, first to the Lord, and afterwards to us, by the will of God;
6 that we should exhort Titus to accomplish the same grace among you which he had begun.
7 Therefore, as you abound in everything - in faith and Word and knowledge and in all diligence and in your love towards us - see that you also abound in this grace.
8 This I say not by Commandment, but because of the diligence of others. Therefore, I prove the sincerity of your love.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: that He, being rich, became poor for your sakes. So that you, through his poverty, might be made rich.
10 And in this I give my counsel. For it is profitable for those of you who a year ago began not only to do, but also to will.
11 Now therefore, complete the doing of it also. So that as there was a readiness of will, you may also complete it out of that which you have.
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted, according to what one has, and not according to what he has not.
13 Nor should others be eased, and you grieved. But out of equality, your abundance supplies their lack at this time.
14 And also their abundance may be for your lack, that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, “He who gathered much, did not abound, and he who gathered little, did not lack.
16 And thanks be to God, Who had put in the heart of Titus the same care for you.
17 Because he accepted the exhortation. Yea, he was so careful, that of his own accord he went to you.
18 And we have also sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches.
19 And not only so but was also chosen by the churches to be a fellow traveler concerning this grace that is ministered by us, to the glory of the same Lord, and the declaration of your eager mind.
20 And so avoiding this: that no one should blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,
21 providing for honest things, not only before the Lord, but also before man.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved to be diligent in many things, but who is now much more diligent because of the great confidence in you.
23 And if anyone asks about Titus, he is my partner and helper concerning you; or of our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore, show toward them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of the rejoicing that we have on your behalf.
9 Now, as far as the ministry to the Saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you.
2 For I know your readiness of mind, of which I boast to the Macedonians myself, saying that Achaia was prepared a year ago. And your zeal has incited many.
3 Now, I have sent the brothers (lest our boasting over you should be in vain in this matter), that you (as I have said) be ready.
4 Or else perhaps the Macedonians might come with me and find you unprepared, so that we (and not you) should be ashamed by my constant boasting.
5 Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers to come to you beforehand, and to finish your previously-promised blessing, that it might be ready and be received as a blessing (not with greed).
6 But remember this: whoever sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly. And whoever sows liberally, shall also reap liberally.
7 As everyone purposes in his heart, so let him give (not grudgingly or of necessity). For God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace to abound toward you. So that you always - having all sufficiency in all things - may abound in every good work,
9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad and has given to the poor. His benevolence remains forever.”
10 Also, He Who supplies seed to the sower will likewise provide bread for food and multiply your seed and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 that you may be enriched in every way unto all simplicity, which causes thanksgiving to God through us.
12 For the ministry of this service not only supplies the necessities of the Saints, but also abundantly causes many to give thanks to God,
13 who, by the trials of this ministry, praise God for your voluntary submission to the Gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and to all.
14 And in their prayer for you, they long after you greatly, for the abundant grace of God in you.
15 Therefore, thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
10 Now I, Paul, encourage you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I, who am lowly when present among you but bold when absent).
2 And I urge you that, when I am present, I need not be bold with the same confidence as that which I think to be bold against some, who think of us as though we walked according to the flesh.
3 Nevertheless, though we walk in the flesh, yet we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to cast down strongholds,
5 overthrowing arguments - and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God - and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to avenge all disobedience, once your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do you perceive things by outward appearance? If anyone is persuaded in himself that he is Christ’s, let him further consider this in himself: that as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority (which the Lord has given us for building up and not for pulling you down) I shall not be ashamed -
9 lest I might seem as if to frighten you away with letters.
10 For indeed they say, “his letters are heavy and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is of no value.”
11 Let such a one think this: that as such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, we will also be in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not reckon ourselves among, or compare ourselves to, those who praise themselves. But they do not understand that they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with themselves.
13 But we will not boast of things which are not measurable, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us; a measure to reach even to you.
14 For we do not stretch ourselves beyond measure, as though we had not reached you. For as far as you also we have come in the Gospel of Christ,
15 not boasting of things which are beyond measure (that is, of others’ labors). But we do hope, when your faith shall increase, to be magnified by you abundantly, according to our area,
16 and to preach the Gospel in those regions beyond you (not to rejoice in another’s area which has already been prepared).
17 But, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord”.
18 For the one who praises himself is not approved, but the one whom the Lord praises.
11 I wish you could suffer a little of my foolishness, and indeed, suffer me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I have prepared you for one husband; to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
3 Yet I fear, however, that just as the serpent tricked Eve through his subtlety, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if someone comes, preaching another Jesus whom we have not preached - or if you receive another spirit whom you have not received, or another gospel which you have not received - you might well tolerate him.
5 For I suppose that I am not inferior to the very chief Apostles.
6 And though I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge. And among you we have made ourselves clearly understood in all things.
7 Have I committed an offense because I abased myself, that you might be exalted; and because I freely preached to you the Gospel of God?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and had need, I was not a hindrance to anyone. For that which I was lacking, the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied. And in all things, I have myself from being burdensome to you, and will keep doing so.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this rejoicing shall not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.
12 But what I do I will do so that I may cut off the opportunity of those who desire the opportunity to be found like us in that of which they boast.
13 For such false apostles are deceitful workers and transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ.
14 And it is no wonder; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore, it is no great thing for his ministers to transform themselves, as though they were the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, let no one think that I am foolish, (or even take me as a fool) that I may also boast of myself a little.
17 What I speak, I do not speak according to the Lord but, as it were, foolishly, while we are boasting.
18 Seeing that many rejoice after the flesh, I will rejoice also.
19 For you endure fools gladly, because you are wise.
20 For you endure, even if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone takes from you, if someone exalts himself, if someone strikes you on the face.
21 Concerning dishonor I speak as though we were weak. But wherein anyone is bold (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.
22 They are Hebrews, so am I. They are Israelites, so am I. They are the seed of Abraham, so am I.
23 They are the ministers of Christ. (I speak as a fool) I am more: in labors, more abundant; in stripes, above measure; in prison, more exceedingly; in death, often.
24 Five times I have received forty stripes minus one from the Jews.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods. I was once stoned. I suffered shipwreck three times. Night and day, I have been on the deep sea.
26 While journeying I was often in perils from waters, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils among the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brothers,
27 in weariness and painfulness, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and in nakedness.
28 Besides outward things, I am daily-laden, and care for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I do not burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of my infirmities.
31 The God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is blessed forevermore, knows that I do not lie.
32 In Damascus, the governor of the people under King Aretas posted a guard over the city of the Damascenes and would have caught me.
33 But at a window, I was let down in a basket, through the wall, and escaped his hands.
12 Doubtless, it is not profitable for me to boast. Yet, I will now come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 More than fourteen years ago I knew a man in Christ, (whether he was in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knows.) who was taken up into the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knows).
4 How that he was taken up into Paradise, and heard words which cannot be spoken, which are not possible for man to utter.
5 Of such a man I will boast. Of myself I will not boast, except that it be of my weakness.
6 For though I would desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think me above that which he sees in me, or hears of me;
7 and lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, because I should not be exalted out of measure.
8 For this thing I implored the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. For My power is made perfect through weakness.” Therefore, rather, I will very gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in anguish for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become a fool in boasting. You have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you. For in nothing was I inferior to the very chief Apostles, though I am nothing.
12 Indeed, the signs of an Apostle were worked out among you with all patience; with signs and wonders and great works.
13 For in what have you been inferior to other churches, except that I myself have not been burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.
14 Behold, I am ready to come to you this third time. And yet I will not be burdensome to you. For I seek not what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the fathers, but the fathers for the children.
15 And I will most gladly spend, and will be spent, for your souls; though, the more I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But let it be that I do not burden you. Yet for as much as I was crafty, I took you with guile.
17 Did I defraud you by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I have urged Titus to go. And with him I have sent a brother. Did Titus defraud you of anything? Have we not walked in the selfsame spirit, in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we defend ourselves to you? We speak before God, in Christ. But we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20 For I fear that when I come, I shall not find you as I would like - and that I shall not be found by you as you would like - and that there is strife, envying, wrath, rivalry, slander, gossip, pride, and discord;
21 that when I come again, my God humbles me among you. And I shall lament many of those who have sinned already and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lewdness which they have committed.
13 This is the third time that I come to you. In the mouths of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.
2 I told you before, and tell you now beforehand, as though I had been present a second time. So I write now - being absent from those who until now have sinned, and to all others - that if I come again, I will not spare anyone;
3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me, Who is not weak toward you, but is mighty in you.
4 For though He was crucified through His weakness, yet He lives through the power of God. And we, no doubt, are weak in Him. But we shall live with Him, through the power of God, toward you.
5 Test yourselves, whether you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Do you not know yourselves how that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are disqualified?
6 But I trust that you shall know that we are not disqualified.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we should seem approved, but that you should do that which is honest, though we may be disqualified.
8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad when we are weak, and you are strong. For this also we pray: even your perfecting.
10 Therefore, I write these things while being absent (so that when I am present, I should not use sharpness) according to the power which the Lord has given me to edification, and not to destruction.
11 Finally brothers, farewell. Be perfect. Be of good comfort. Be of one mind. Live in peace. And the God of love and peace shall be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the Saints salute you.
13 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ - and the love of God - and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.
(the second Epistle to the Corinthians written from Philippi - a city in Macedonia - and sent by Titus and Lucas)
1 Paul, an Apostle (neither of man, nor by man; but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, Who has raised Him from the dead),
2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the Churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be with you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God, even our Father,
5 to Whom be glory, forever and ever, Amen.
6 I marvel that you are so soon lured away to another gospel from Him who had called you in the grace of Christ,
7 which is not another gospel. Yet, there are some who are agitating you, and intend to pervert the Gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from Heaven, preach to you any other gospel than that which we have preached, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so say I now again: If anyone preaches to you any other gospel than that which you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For as of now, do I preach man’s doctrine, or God’s? Or, do I go about to please man? For if I were still pleasing man, I would not be the servant of Christ.
11 Now let it be known, brothers, that the Gospel which was preached by me, is not according to man.
12 Neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former way of life in the Jewish religion; how I persecuted the Church of God extremely, and destroyed it,
14 And advanced in the Jewish religion above many of my countrymen and was much more devoted to the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God (who had set me apart from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace)
16 To reveal his Son in me; that I should preach Him among the Gentiles immediately. I did not communicate with flesh and blood.
17 Nor did I return to Jerusalem, to those who were Apostles before me. But I went into Arabia and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then, after three years, I came again to Jerusalem, to visit Peter; and stayed with him fifteen days.
19 And I saw no other Apostle except James, the Lord’s brother.
20 Now the things which I write to you, behold, I testify before God, that I do not lie.
21 After that, I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. For I was unknown by face to the Churches of Judea which are in Christ,
22 Who had only heard some say, “He who formerly persecuted us, now preaches the faith which before he destroyed.”
23 And they glorified God in me.
2 Then, fourteen years after, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took with me Titus also.
2 And I went up by revelation and declared to them that Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles (but privately to those who were the chief, lest by any means I should run - or had run - in vain).
3 But not even Titus - who was with me, though he were a Grecian - was compelled to be circumcised,
4 This was because of the false brethren who were craftily sent in; and crept in privately to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into bondage.
5 But we gave them no place, not even for an hour, that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you.
6 But by those who seemed to be great, I was not taught (whatever they were in time past, I am nothing the better; God accepts no man’s person) For those who are the chief have added nothing to me above what I had.
7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the Gospel was committed to me over the uncircumcision, as the Gospel over the circumcision was to Peter:
8 (For he who was mighty by Peter in the Apostleship over the circumcision, was also mighty by me toward the Gentiles.)
9 And when James and Cephas and John knew of the grace that was given to me - who are counted as pillars - they gave to me and to Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should preach to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision,
10 warning only that we should remember the poor (which I was also diligent to do).
11 And when Peter had come to Antioch, I opposed him to his face. For he was to be condemned.
12 For before certain ones came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they had come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews likewise played the hypocrites with him. So much so that Barnabas was led away with them by their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that they did not go the right way to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter before all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles, and not like the Jews, why constrain the Gentiles to do like the Jews?
15 “We, who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners,
16 “know that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. Even we, I say, have believed in Jesus Christ; that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law. Because, by the works of the Law, no flesh shall be justified.
17 “If then, while we seek to be made righteous by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is Christ therefore the minister of sin? Absolutely not!
18 “For if I build again the things that I have destroyed, I make myself a trespasser.
19 “For I, through the Law, am dead to the Law, that I might live to God.
20 “I am crucified with Christ, but I live; yet not I anymore, but Christ lives in me. And, in that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God, Who has loved me and given Himself for me.
21 “I do not abrogate the grace of God. For if righteousness is by the Law, then Christ died for nothing.”
3 O, foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth; before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
2 This only would I learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are you so foolish, that after you have begun in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain, if so be it even in vain?
5 He, therefore, who ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he do it through the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Rather, as Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness,
7 know you therefore that those who are of faith, are the same children of Abraham.
8 For the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you shall all the Gentiles be blessed.”
9 So then those who are of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law, are under the curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the Law, to do them.”
11 And it is evident that no one is justified by the Law, in the sight of God. For the just shall live by faith.
12 And the Law is not of faith: but the one who shall do those things, shall live in them.
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us, (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus. That we might receive the promise of the Spirit, through faith.
15 Brothers, I speak as man does: Though it be but man’s covenant, when it is confirmed, no one ignores it, or adds anything to it.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say, “and to the seeds”, as speaking of many, but, “And to your seed”, as of one, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant that was previously confirmed by God in Christ, cannot be annulled by the Law, which was four hundred and thirty years after; so that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the Law, it is no more by the promise. But God gave it freely to Abraham by promise.
19 Why, then, the Law? It was added because of the transgressions; till the seed came, to which the promise was made. And it was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator.
20 However, there is no Mediator of one. But God is one.
21 Is the Law, then, against the promises of God? Never may it be! For if there had been a Law given which could have given life, surely righteousness should have been by the Law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise, by faith in Jesus Christ, should be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, as under guard, and locked up, until that faith which should be revealed.
24 So that the Law was our tutor, bringing us to Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith.
25 But after that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
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