11 But, O man of God, do mortality, dwelling in light inthou flee these things; and fol- accessible; whom no man hath low after righteousness, godli-seen, or can see: to whom be ness, faith, love, patience, meek-aionian honour and dominion. ness. 12 Contend the good con- Amen. test of faith; lay hold on aionian life, to which thou hast been called, and with respect to which thou madest the honourable confession before many witnes ses. 17 CHARGE the rich in the present age, not to be highminded, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in [the living] God, who richly giveth us all things to enjoy ; 18 to do good, to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to bestow; 19 treasuring up for themselves a good foundation against the time approaching, that they may lay hold on the true life. 13 I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession, 14 that thou keep this commandment, so as to be without spot, 20 O TIMOTHY, keep that and unrebukeable, till the ap- which is committed to thy trust, pearance of our Lord Jesus avoiding profane empty declaChrist, 15 when, in its own sea-mations, and antitheses of scison, he will manifest, who is the ence falsely so called: 21 which blessed and only Potentate, the some professing, have erred King of kings, and Lord of concerning the faith. The falords; 16 who only hath im-vour of God be with thee. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY. CHAP. I. 1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, on account of the promise of life | which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy my beloved son, favour, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I THANK God, whom I serve, as did my forefathers, with a pure conscience, that without ceasing I make mention of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 longing to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 and calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Loïs, and in thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that it dwelleth also in thee. 6 WHEREFORE I remind thee that thou stir up the free gift of God, which is in thee through the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of prudence. 8 Be therefore not ashamed of the testimony concerning our Lord, or of me his prisoner: but suffer joint-affliction with the gospel, according to the power given thee of God; 9 who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and favour which was bestowed on us in Christ Jesus, before the aionian times; 10 but which hath now been made manifest by the appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and incorruption to light, through the gospel 11 of which I have been appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles. 12 For which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which he hath committed to me,* to that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from me, in that faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Keep that good docrine, which is committed to hy trust, through the holy spirit which dwelleth in us. 15 THOU knowest this, that all those who are in Asia have turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus: for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but, when he was in Rome, sought for me very diligently, and found me. 18 (The Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day.) And in how many things he ministered to me in Ephesus, thou knowest very well. CH. II. 1 BE thou therefore, my son, strong in the favour which is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which thou hast heard from me through many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Wherefore suffer thou hardships, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; but that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And also if any one contend in the games, he is not crowned unless he contend according to the laws. 6 The husbandman must first labour, and then partake of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the race of David, hath been raised from the dead, according to the gospel which I preach;† 9 * i. e. the gospel. See ver. 14; 1 Tim. v. 21, which are the only places in which the same word occurs. "The apostle triumphed in the thought, that, though he was persecuted, and soon to fall a sacrifice to the fury of his enemies, the gospel which was entrusted to him would not perish with him, but would be preserved by the power of God to the end of time." See Slichtingius in loco. Im. Ver. note. † Or, the gospel proclaimed by me. and on account of which I suffer hardships, unto bonds, as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound. 10 Wherefore I endure all these things for the sake of the chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with aionian glory. 11 This is a true saying: for if we have died with him, we shall also live with him: 12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 though we be faithless, yet he continueth faithful: he cannot deny himself. are not only vessels of gold, and of silver, but also of wood, and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If any one, therefore, cleanse himself thoroughly from these things, he will be a vessel to honour, sanctified, [and] fit for the master's use, and prepared to every good work. 22 Flee also youthful desires: and, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart, follow righteousness, faith, love, peace. 23 But avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget contentions: 24 and the servant of the Lord should not contend; but should be gentle to all men, apt to teach, forbearing; 25 in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves; if by any means God may give them re 14 Put men in remembrance of these things, charging them before the Lord that they contend not about words, to no profit, but to the subversion of the hearers. 15 Study to present thyself before God approv-pentance to the acknowledged by him, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But avoid profane empty declamations: for those who use them will increase to more ungodliness: 17 and their speech will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom are Hymenéus and Philetus: 18 who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and overturn the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the firm foundation of God standeth, having this inscription, "The Lord knoweth those who are his." And, "Let every one who nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." 20 But in a great house there ment of the truth: 26 and they who have been taken captive by the impostor may recover themselves out of his snare, to the will of God. CH. HI. 1 BUT know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of their own selves, lovers of wealth, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, covenant-breakers, impostors, incontinent, fierce, haters of good men, 4 treacherous, rash, vain, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying its power from such also turn away. 6 For of such are those who enter into families, and lead captive weak women laden with sins, led away by many evil desires, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so these also withstand the truth: men of corrupt minds, unapproved concerning the faith. 9 But they will not proceed far: for their folly will be manifest to all men, as that of the others also was. 10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, 11 persecutions, sufferings; what things befel me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra, what persecutions I endured: but out of all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all who will live religiously in Christ Jesus, will suffer persecution: 13 and evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being de ceived. 14 But do thou continue in the things which thou hast learned, and of which thou hast been persuaded, seeing from whom thou hast learned them; 15 and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture divinely inspired is profitable [both] for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly instructed in every good work. CH. IV. 1 I charge thee [therefore] before God, and before Jesus Christ who is about to judge the living and the dead, and whose manifestation and kingdom are at hand. 2 Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; confute, rebuke, comfort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when men will not endure sound teaching; but will heap to themselves teachers according to their own evil desires, having itching ears; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will be turned to fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. 6 FOR I am now ready to be poured out, and the time of my departure is near. 7 I have maintained the good contest, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 8 As for what remaineth, a crown of righteousness is laid up for me, with which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will reward me at that day: and not me only, but [all] those likewise who love his appearance. 9 ENDEAVOUR to come to me speedily. 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present age, and is departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12 Now Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloak which I left in Troas with Car pus, when thou comest, bring with thee; and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord will reward him according to his works. 15 Of whom beware thou also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16 In my first defence no one was with me, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their charge. 17 But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me: that through me the preaching of his gospel may be fully known, and that all the nations may hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 [And] the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory to the ages of ages. Amen. 19 SALUTE Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained in Corinth : and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus. 21 Endeavour to come before winter. Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren, salute thee. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. [The favour of God be with you.] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS. CHAP. I. 5 For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest regulate the things which are wanted, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed thee: 6 if any one be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, having believing children, who are not under accusation of dissolute 1 PAUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, (as to the faith of the chosen of God, and the acknowledgment of the truth which is in order to godliness; 2 in hope of aionian life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the aionian times; 3 but hath mani-ness, or disobedient. fested in its proper season his word of promise with which I am intrusted, according to the appointment of God our Saviour;) 4 to Titus, a genuine son according to our common faith: favour, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 7 For the bishop* must be irreproachable, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not addicted to wine, not quarrelsome, not greedy of sordid gains; 8 but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, discreet, just, holy, temperate; 9 holding fast the true word as *Or, a superintendant, the same as a presbyter or elder. See ver. 5; and Acts xx. 17, 28. |