Of obedience and humility.

the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among vou, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but a willingly; not for filthy ⚫ lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble 1 yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adver-y

Ep.6.23.

Of steadfastness in the faith

sary the devil, as " a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle You.

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye w stand.

13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 14 Greet

ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

a

CHAPTER I.

Confirming them in hope of the increase of God's graces, 5 he exhorteth them, by faith, and good works, to make their calling sure: 12 whereof he is careful to remember thein, knowing that his death is at hand: 16 and warneth them to be constant in the faith of Christ, who is the true Son of God, by the eye-witness of the apostles be holding his majesty, and by the testimony of the Father, and the prophets.

SIMON Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of • God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

b Ep.4.5.

c our God and Sa viour.

d Da.4.1. 6.25.

e Ps. 84.11. 1 T1.4.8.

2 Grace and peace d be multiplied unto you for, by. through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and & virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge m temperance; and to temperance" patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness a charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither ber barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

g 2 T1.1.9.

h 2 Co.7.1.

i He. 12.10. c.2.18,20.

k Phi. 48.

1 Phi. 1.9.

m 1 Co.9.25.

n Ja.1.4.

o 1 Ti.4.7.

P313.34,

q 100.13.1..

3.

y 2 Co.4.2.

z Mat.17.1 ..5. Jn.1.14. a P.119. 105. Рг.6.23. b. Re.2.28. 22.16.

15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy

mount.

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star barise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time> by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

CHAPTER II.

1 He foretelleth them of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers: 7 from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom: 10 and more fully describeth the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers, whereby they may be the better known, and avoided.

B

d Lu.1.70.

e 2 Ti.3.16.

a De.13.1,

&c.

b Mat.24.5,

24.

Ac. 20.29,
30.
1 Ti.4.1.

cor, lasci

vious, as воте со

pies read.

swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you whose judgment d now of a long time lin gereth not, and their damnation slumbereth

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved • Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making & them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise 1 government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption:

A. M. cir. 4069. A. D. cir. 65.

e Ge.7.1, &c.

25.

f Ge. 19.24, & D. 23.23.

h Ge.19.16.

P.34.15..

J Jude 14,15 k He.13.4.

1 or, do

Цол

False teachers foretold.

CHAPTER III.

lusts,

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.,

e

a hule

воте

read.

v Jn.8.34.

Ro.6.16.

w Lo.11.26. He. 6.4, &c. 10.26,27.

x Ma.11.23, 24.

Lu. 12.47, 48.

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings y Pr.12.28. while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

z Pr.26.11.

a Jude 17,18 b 1 T1.4.1.

2 Ti 3.1.

c Is. 5.19.

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam d Je. 17.15. the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds ⚫ that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

Eze. 12.22

27.

Mat. 24.48

e Ge.1.6,9.

f consist

ing.

g Ps. 24.2.

i

h Ge.7.11,

&c.

Pa 50.3.

Zep.3.8.

2 Th. 1.8.

Pa. 90.4.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts k Ha. 2.3. of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for * of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens Pshall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new theavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be " diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15 And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

CHAPTER I.

He describeth the person of Christ, in whom we have eternal life, by a communion with God: 5 to which we must adjoin holiness of life, to testify the truth of that our communion and profession of faith, as also to assure us of the forgiveness of our sins y Christ's death.

THAT which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal d life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us ;)

A. M. cir. 4072 A. D. cir. 68.

a Jn.1.1, &c.

b 2 Pe.1.16.

c Lu.24.39.

d Jn.17.3.

e Jn. 17.21.

f Jn. 15.11.

g Jn.1.4,9.

1 TL.6.16.

h Jn. 12.35.

1 Ep.1.7.

He.9.14. 1 Pe.1.19. Re.1.5.

Job Ec.7.20. Ja.3.2.

k Job 33.27, 28 Ps32.5. Pr. 28.13.

1 Co.6.11.

a Ro.8.34. He.7.25.

b Ro.3.25.

c Lu.6.46. Jn.14.15,

23.

d Jn.15.4,5.

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's * sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth • in you, and ye have overcome the wicked

one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the • flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride " of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it,

Lu. 21.47. and that no lie is of the truth.

MY little children, these things write I unto

Ac. 10.43.

22 Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Je

you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin,

1 c.1.1.

sus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth

if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth d in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness & is past, and the true light now shineth.

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Ja 4.4.

8 2 Pe.2.10.

1 Ps.119.37.

u Ps. 73.6.

v Ps.39.6.

1 Co.7.31.

w He.1.2.

x Mat. 24.24

1 Ti.4.1.

24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any y 2 TL.2.19. man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

An exhortation to persevere

d the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

2 JOHN.

A. M. cir.
4072
A. D. cir.
68.

d 1Co.15.57

e Jn. 19.34.

f Jn. 14.17.

g Jn.8.18.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Jn. 15.26. Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the bloed: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that Pye may know that ye have eternal life, and

h He.4.12,

13.

Re. 19.13.

i Jn. 10.30.

k Ac.22.4.

2 Co.1.22.

11 Pe.3.21.

He. 13.12

m Ro.8.16.

n Jn.1.4.

o Jn.5.24.

p Jn.20.31.

qor, concerning.

г. Pr. 15.29.

Je 29.12,

13.

a Mat. 12.

31,32

t Je 7.16. u c.3.4.

▼ Ro.5.20,

21.

w Ja.1.27.

x Lu.24.45.

y 1.9.6. 21 Co.10.14

in Christian love and belief.

that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing acerding to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

16 If any man see his brother sin a in which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: Ido not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness" is sin: and there' is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols Amen.

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look d to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not & in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath poth the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity 1 Ia.66.5. before the church: whom if thou bring for- m Ps.37.21.

ward on their journey & after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive suca, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth. them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil