4 And because ye are sons, he hath sent forth his Spirit into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 5 Since indeed then ye were in bondage to those who not by nature are gods. 6 But now, having known God, or rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which again anew ye desire to be in bondage? 7 Days ye observe, and months and times and years and sabbaths, so I suppose, meagre suppers, and fasts and high days. 8 I am afraid of you, lest somehow in vain I have labored unto you. 9 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 10 Ye know how through weakness of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 11 And your temptation which was in my flesh, ye despised not nor rejected with contempt; but as an angel of God ye received me, even as Christ Jesus. 12 Where then is your blessedness? For I bear witness to you, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 13 So your enemy have I become, speaking truth to you? 14 They are zealous of you, not rightly, but to exclude you they desire, 15 who, zealous at all times, and not only when I am present with you. 16 My little children, of whom I travail again until Christ be formed in you, 17 But I was desiring to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed in you. 18 Tell me, ye who under the law desire to be, the law do ye not hear? 19 For as it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondmaid and one by the freewoman. 20 But he from the bondwoman after the flesh was born; and he from the freewoman was through the promise. 21 Which things are allegorized: for these are two covenants; one indeed from mount Sinai unto the synagogue of the Jews, according to the law, generates unto bondage; 22 But the other generates above all powers power, lordship, and every name that is named not only in this
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. CHAPTER SIX 1 Or do you not know, brothers, for I speak to men who know the law, that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives? 2 For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband. 3 So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man. 4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death. 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I would not have known sin, except through the law. For I would not have known coveting, unless the law had said, You shall not covet. 8 But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead. 9 I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death; 11 for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 12 Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. 13 Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
21 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 22 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 23 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 24 What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only? 25 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 26 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 27 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 28 Let all things be done decently and in order. CHAPTER FIFTEEN 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day. 5 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 6 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 7 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 8 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 9 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 10 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 11 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 12 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 13 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
14 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 15 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 16 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 17 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 18 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the hope of the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the hope of the dead? 19 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? 20 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 21 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 22 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 23 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 24 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 25 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 26 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 27 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 28 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 29 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 30 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 31 The first man was from the dust of the earth; the second man is from heaven. 32 As the man of dust, such are they also that are of the dust: and as is the heavenly man, such are they also that are heavenly.
15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a season, that you should have him forever more; 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, yet more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you regard me a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has in any way wronged you, or owes you anything, put that to my account; 19 I put it in writing with my own hand, ‘I Paul will repay it’, not mentioning how you even owe to me yourself as well. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Having confidence in your obedience I write unto you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. 22 But prepare me also lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you; 24 and so does Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christbe with your spirit. Amen.
another, and toward all, even as we also do toward you; 13 to the end he may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our GOD and Father, at the appearing of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. CHAPTER FOUR 1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, that ye abound yet more. 2 For ye know what instructions we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; 4 that each one of you should know how to possess his vessel in honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; 6 that no one transgresses, and wrongs his brother or sister in this matter: because the Lord God is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but unto sanctification. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who gives his holy spirit unto you. 9 But concerning love of the brothers and sisters ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed ye do it toward all the brothers and sisters that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers and sisters, that ye abound yet more; 11 and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we instructed you; 12 that ye may walk respectably toward outsiders, and be dependent on no one. 13 But we would not have you ignorant, brothers and sisters, concerning them who fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who are falling asleep through Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the appearing
after the tradition which they received of us. 7 For you know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 neither did we eat bread without paying for it, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you: 9 not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and example unto you, that ye should imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: if any will not work, neither let him eat. . 11 For we hear of some who walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and earn their own living. 13 But ye, brothers and sisters, be not weary in well doing. 14 If anyone obey not our word by this epistle, take note of such, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now the same Lord of peace give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. 17 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christbe with you all.
10 and putting on the new, which is being renewed unto knowledge, after the image of the One creating it: 11 where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, goodness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to GOD the Father through him. 18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing in the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as 23 but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord: whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; 24 knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 For he that does wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he has done: and there is no respect of persons. CHAPTER FOUR 1 Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in the heavens.
3 And, I ask you also, true friend, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is near. 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good repute; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. 12 I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. 13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless ye did well that ye had fellowship with me in my affliction. 15 And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; 16 for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. 17 Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18 But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you; an odor of a sweet smell, a
sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto our GOD and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you. 22 All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Here endeth the Apostolicon