the feeble-minded, support the, weak, be patient toward all men. 15 Sce that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle unto the Thessalo nians was written from Athens. I The Second Epistle of PAUL, the Apostle, CHAP. I. Paul's opinion of their faith, &c. PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timo theus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 7 And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not 2 Grace unto you, and peace, God, and that obey not the gospel from God our Father, and the of our Lord Jesus Christ: Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Who shall be punished with 3 We are bound to thank God everlasting destruction from the always for you, brethren, as it is presence of the Lord, and from the meet, because that your faith grow- glory of his power; eth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; glorified in his saints, and to be ad10 When he shall come to be mired in all them that believe (be4 So that we ourselves glory in cause our testimony among you you in the churches of God, for was believed) in that day. your patience and faith in all your 11 Wherefore also we pray persecutions and tribulations that ways for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, 5 Which is a manifest token of and fulfil all the good pleasure of the righteous judgment of God, his goodness, and the work of faith ye endure; that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: al with power; 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing you, and ye in him, according to with God to recompense tribula- the grace of our God, and the Lord tion to them that trouble you; Jesus Christ.. CHAP. II. Paul adviseth to stedfastness, &c. Now OW, we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting.consolation, and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts,and establish you in every good word and work. CHAP. III. Paul craveth their prayers, &c. 5 Remember ye not, that wher FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, I was yet with you,I told you these that the word of the Lord may things? have free course, and be glorified, And now ye know what with-even as it is with you; holdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way: & And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; 12 That they all might be damned who believed not 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 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you: 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Notbecause we have notpower but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that If any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an ene my, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now, the Lord of peace him some which walk among you dis-self give you peace always, by all orderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command, and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 15 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. means. The Lord be with you all. 17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the to ken in every epistle: so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens. 1 The First Epistle of PAUL, the Apostle, to TIMOTHY. CHAP. I. Timothy put in mind of his charge. e Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine; not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for simers, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the gloriousgos pel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 4 Neither give heed to fables, and endless genealogies, which minister questions,rather than godly edifying which is in faith; so do. 5 Now, the end of the command-ting me into the ministry; ment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned; 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, put 6 Fromwhich some having swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is Is Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit, for this cause I ob- sobriety; not with: broidered hair, tained mercy, that in me first Jesus or gold, or pearls, or costly array; Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which | should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now, unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 181 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck: 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived; but the woman, being deceived, was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in child-bearing, if they continue in faith, and charity, and holiness, with sobriety. CHAP. III. 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered How bishops should be qualified, &c. unto Satan, that they may learnHIS is a true saying, If a man THIS not to blaspheme. desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. CHAP. II. It is meet to pray for all men, &c. EXHORT, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty: 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the con 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,demnation of the devil. the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 8 I will, therefore, that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 7 Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 9 In like manner also, that wo- 10 And let these also first be provmen adorn themselves in modested; then let them use the office of apparel, with shamefacedness and a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be| 8 For bodily exercise profiteth grave, not slanderers; sober, faith-little: but godliness is profitable ful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy, great is the mystery ofgodliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. CHAP. IV. A departing from the faith foretold. pressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy ; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." 4 For every creature of God 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 thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the be lievers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 18 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying the hands of the presbytery, on of 15 Meditate upon these things give thyself wholly to them, that thy pronting may appear sell, a 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. CHAP. V. Rules to be observed in reproving. EBUKE not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren; RE 2 The elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows that are wi dows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now, she that is a widow in deed, and desolate, trusteth in God and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge that they may be blameless. |