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promise,) "that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God, from the heart: 'with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man 8 doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing 9 threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Exhortation to un- FINALLY, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in 10 wavering trust in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of 11 God, and continual prayer. God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against 12 principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take 13 unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having 14 your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of 15 peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able 16 to quench all the fiery darts of the Wicked. And take the helmet of 17 salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: pray- 18 ing always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, and for 19 me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 'for which I am an 20 ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Commendation of

BUT that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, 21 Tychicus. Apos- Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the tolical benediction. Lord, shall make known to you all things: whom I have 22 sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love 23 with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be 24 with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE

PHILIPPIANS.

PAUL and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints 1 in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.' Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord 2 Jesus Christ.

Paul's love for the I THANK my God upon every remembrance of you, 3 Philippians. 'always in every prayer of mine for you all,--making 4 request with joy,--for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day 5 until now being confident of this very thing, that he which hath 6 begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

' even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you 7 in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God 8 is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things 10 that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are 11 by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

His imprisonment at Rome, had been

a means of promoting the cause of Christ.

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BUT I would ye should understand, brethren, that the 12 things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in 13 Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places, and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my 14 bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

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Some 15 indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing 16 to add affliction to my bonds. But the other of love, knowing that I 17 am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, 18 every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall 19 turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation, and my hope, 20 that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 21 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor; yet what I shall 22 choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to 23 depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless, to 24 abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this con- 25 fidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant 26 in Jesus Christ for me, by my coming to you again.

Various exercises

of piety enjoined

Christ.

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ONLY let your conversation be as it becometh the 27 by the example of gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them 28 an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on 29 him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye 30 saw in me, and now hear to be in me. If there be therefore any conso- 2 lation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, ' fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, 2 having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing 3 be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own 4 things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be 5 in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 'who, being in the form of God, 6 thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no 17 reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled 8 himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name 9 which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee 10 should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under

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the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is 11 Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, 12 as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his 13 good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that 14 ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation: among whom ye shine as lights in the world, 'holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice 16 in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of 17 your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all: for the same cause also do 18 ye joy, and rejoice with me.

vain.

Praise of Timothy,

promises to send to

BUT I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus 19 whom the Apostle shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, them. Epaphroditus when I know your state. For I have no man like- 20 is sent back. minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all 21 seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know 22 the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall 23 see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself 24 shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaph- 25 roditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants; for he longed 26 after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death: but God 27 had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, 28 when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and 29 hold such in reputation. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh 30 unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward

me.

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Cautions against FINALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To 3 false teachers. write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, · 2 beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 'Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If 4 any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of 5 the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 'concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the 6 righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were 7 gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I 8 count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,' and be found in him, not 9 having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 'that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fel- 10 lowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if 11 by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as 12 though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: 13

but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the 14 mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us 15 therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Never- 16 theless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of 17 me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. For 18 many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, 'whose end 19 is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. For our conversation is in heaven; 20 from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, 'who 21 shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and 4 longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Admonitions and

nature.

I BESEECH Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that 2 precepts, of various they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat 3 thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the 4 Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice! Let your moderation be known 5 unto all men. The Lord is at hand: 'be careful for nothing; but in 6 every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which passeth 7 all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things 8 are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things; 'those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and 9 seen in me, do and the God of peace shall be with you.

He thanks the Phi lippians for their peculiar kindness to himself.

:

BUT I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at the 10 last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not 11 that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I 12 know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need: 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. Notwith. 13 standing, ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, 15 when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only: for even in Thessalonica 16 ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a 17 gift but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have 18 all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need 19 according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and 20 our Father be glory for ever and ever! Amen.

SALUTE every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with 21 me greet you all the saints salute you; chiefly they that are of Cesar's 22 household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE

COLOSSIANS.

PAUL an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timo- 1 theus our brother, ' to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which 2 are at Colosse. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

of Epaphras, their minister.

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Commendation of WE give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord 3 the Colossians and Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 'since we heard 4 of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven; 5 whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ: who also declared unto us 8 your love in the Spirit.

The dignity and majesty of Jesus Christ, the author and preserver of the church.

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For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do 9 not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: that ye might walk worthy 10 of the Lord unto all pleasing; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, ac- 11 cording to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet 12 to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who hath de- 13 livered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, ' in whom we have redemption, (through his 14 blood,) even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible 15 God, the first-born of every creature: (for by him were all things 16 created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him :) and he is before all things, 17 and by him all things consist; and he is the head of the body, the 18 church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence: for it pleased the Father that 19 in him should all fulness dwell; and having made peace through the 20 blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

By his death he

AND you, that were sometime alienated, and enemies 21 atoned for sin. in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death; to present you holy, 22 and unblamable, and unreprovable in his sight; if ye continue in the 23 faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; who 24 now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation 25 of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God: even 26 the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations; but

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