Chapter 41

(15)Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. (16)And we have known and believed the love which God hath towards us. God is love; and he that abideth in love, abideth in God, and God in him. (17)By this is his love towards us perfected, that we might have confidence at the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world. (18)Fear is not in this love; but the perfect love casteth out fear: for fear hath anguish. He that is afraid is not made perfect in love.

(19)We love him, because he first loved us. (20)If any person say, I love God, yet hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he who loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love the God whom he hath not seen? (21)So this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love also his brother.

CHAP. V.

EVERY one who believeth that Jesus is the Messiah, is born of God; and every one who loveth him that begat, loveth him also who is begotten by him. (2)Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (3)For this is the love of God, that we should keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome. (4)Because every one that is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. (5)Who is he that overcometh the world, except he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

(6)This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus the Messiah; not by the water only, but by the water and the blood: and the Spirit is the witnessing person, because the Spirit is the truth. (7)For they are three who bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these, even the three, are one. (8)And there are three which bear witness upon earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood, and the three are for the same one object.

(9)If we receive the testimony of man, the testimony of God is stronger: for this is the testimony of God which he testified concerning his Son. (10)He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the testimony in himself; he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he hath not believed on the testimony which God testified of his Son. (11)And this is the testimony, that God hath given life eternal to us; and this life is in his Son. (12)He that hath the Son, hath this life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not this life. (13)These things have I written to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have life eternal, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (14)And this is the confidence that we have towards him, that whatsoever we ask according to his will, he heareth us. (15)And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we receive the petitions, which we have requested, from him.

(16)If any person see his brother committing a sin not unto death, he shall request, and God will grant him life for those that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I say not that he should request for that. (17)All unrighteousness is sin; and there is sin not unto death.

(18)We know that every one who is born of God sinneth not; but he that is born of God preserveth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not. (19)We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the power of that wicked one. (20)But we know that the Son of God hath come, and hath given to us understanding, that we might know the true God; and we are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus the Messiah. HE is the true God, and the life eternal.

(21)My dear children, guard yourselves against idols. Amen.

THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF THE APOSTLE JOHN.

THE presbyter to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all who have known the truth: (2)because of the truth which abideth in us, and shall be with us for ever: (3)grace, mercy, peace be with you from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

(4)I rejoiced greatly that I found thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father. (5)And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we should love one another. (6)And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, as ye have heard from the beginning, That ye should walk in it. (7)For many deceivers are gone out into the world, who do not confess Jesus the Messiah as come in the flesh. Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist.

(8)Take heed to yourselves that we lose not the things which we have wrought, but receive a full reward. (9)Every one that transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, this man holdeth both the Father and the Son. (10)If any person come unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house, nor say to him, Welcome. (11)He that biddeth him welcome, takes part in his wicked works.

(12)Having many things to write unto you, I would not do it with paper and ink; but I hope to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be complete.

(13)The children of thy elect sister salute thee. Amen.

THE THIRD GENERAL EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE JOHN.

THE presbyter to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. (2)Beloved, above all things I pray that thou mayest prosper, and be in sound health of body, even as thy soul prospereth.

(3)I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came, and bore witness to thy truth, even as thou walkest in the truth. (4)I have no greater joy than these tidings, that I hear my own children are walking in the truth.

(5)Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever services thou performest for the brethren, and for strangers; (6)who have borne testimony to thy love before the church; to whom thou wilt perform a good act of service in forwarding them on their journey, in a manner worthy of God. (7)For on account of his name they went forth, receiving nothing from the heathen. (8)We therefore ought to assist such men, that we may become fellow-labourers in the truth.

(9)I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who affects pre-eminence over them, receiveth us not. (10)Therefore if I come I will remember his works which he doth, with wicked words prating against us; and not content with these things, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and those who are willing he hindereth, and casteth them out of the church. (11)Beloved, be not an imitator of what is evil, but of that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

(12)Demetrius hath a good testimony from all men, and from the truth itself: and we also bear our testimony, and ye know that our testimony is true.

(13)I had many things to write; but I would not write to thee with ink and pen: (14)but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak mouth to mouth.

Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

THE EPISTLE GENERAL OF THE APOSTLE JUDE.

JUDE a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are sanctified in God the Father, and preserved by Jesus Christ, the called: (2)mercy unto you, and peace and love be multiplied.

(3)Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you concerning the common salvation, I held it necessary to write unto you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. (4)For certain men have craftily introduced themselves, who were from of old proscribed for this condemnation, ungodly men, changing the grace of God into impurity, and denying our only sovereign God and Lord, Jesus Christ. (5)But I would remind you, though ye once knew this, that the Lord, though he delivered the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who believed not. (6)And the angels who preserved not their own primitive state, but deserted their proper abode, hath he reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. (7)As Sodom and Gomorrha and the surrounding cities, in like manner with them abandoned to whoredom, and going after other flesh, are set forth an example, suffering the judicial punishment of eternal fire.

(8)In like manner also do these men, even when they dream, defile indeed the flesh, despise sovereignty, and revile dignities. (9)Though Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not to produce a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (10)But these men speak evil even of the things of which they have no knowledge: but such things as they know naturally, as the brute beasts, in these they corrupt themselves.

(11)Wo unto them! for they have walked in the way of Cain, and have eagerly run in Balaam's erroneous path of hire, and have perished in opposition, like Corah. (12)These are in your feasts of love, as sunken rocks; though joining in your banquet, they feed themselves fearlessly; clouds without water carried about by the winds; trees untimely withering, fruitless, twice dead, rooted up; (13)raging billows of the sea foaming out their own infamies; stars wandering from their courses, for whom the blackness of darkness for ever is reserved.

(14)Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied also of these men, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with myriads of his saints, (15)to execute judgment against all men, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have impiously committed, and of all the bitter words which impious offenders have spoken against him. (16)These men are murmurers, complainers at their lot in life, walking after their own corrupt passions; and their mouth utters hyperbolically pompous expressions, pretending high personal admiration, in order to make their advantage.

(17)But ye, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, (18)how they told you that in the last time there will be scoffers, walking after their own ungodly passions. (19)These are the men who separate themselves, sensual, destitute of the Spirit.

(20)But ye, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying by the Holy Ghost, (21)preserve yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22)And of some have compassion, distinguishing their case; (23)and others save with trembling, snatching them out of the fire; though hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

(24)Now to him who is able to guard you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exultation, (25)to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, might and dominion, both now and unto all eternity. Amen.

THE REVELATION OF JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN.

CHAP. I.

THE revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to shew to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass; and sending by his angel, he shewed them to his servant John: (2)who was a witness for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and for the things which he saw. (3)Blessed is he that readeth, and they who hear the words of this prophecy, and observe the things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

(4)John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be with you, and peace from him, who is, and who was, and who is coming; and from the seven spirits which are before the throne of God, (5)and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, and first-born from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth: to him who loved us, and washed us from our sins by his blood, (6)and made us kings and priests to his God and Father; to him be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.

(7)Behold! he is coming with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall lament bitterly, smiting their bosoms, because of him: even so! Amen.

(8)I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is coming--the Almighty.

(9)I John, your brother and companion also with you in the tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the island which is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (10)I was _rapt_ in spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet, (11)saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last; and what thou seest write in a book, and send to the churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. (12)And I turned to see what voice spake to me. And when I turned round I saw seven lamps of gold; (13)and in the midst of the seven lamps one like unto a son of man, clothed to the very feet, and girded about the breasts with a golden zone; (14)his head and flowing locks white as a white fleece of wool, even as the snow; and his eyes as a flame of fire; (15)and his feet resembled molten brass, as though they glowed in the furnace; and his voice was as the roar of many waters. (16)And he held in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as when the sun shineth in his meridian lustre. (17)And when I beheld him, I fell at his feet as dead: and he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last, (18)and I am the living one, though I was dead and lo! I am alive for evermore, Amen; and I hold the keys of hell and of death. (19)Write the things which thou seest, and the things which are, and the things which shall be in future after these, (20)the mystery of the seven stars which thou seest in my right hand, and the seven golden lamps. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamps which thou seest are the seven churches.

CHAP. II.

TO the angel of the Ephesian church write; These things saith he who grasps the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh round in the midst of the seven golden lamps; (2)I know thy works, and thy travail, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear the wicked; and hast tried those who give themselves out as apostles, yet are not, and hast found them liars; (3)and hast borne, and hast exercised patience, and for my name sake hast endured great toil, and hast not fainted. (4)Yet have I a charge against thee, that thou art gone back from thy first love. (5)Remember then from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and practise thy first works; but if not, I am coming to thee quickly, and I will remove thy lamp out of its place, except thou repent. (6)But this thou holdest, that thou abhorrest the deeds of the Nicolatans, which I also abhor. (7)He that hath ears, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches, To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

(8)And to the angel of the church of the Smyrnians write, These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive: (9)I know thy works, and thy tribulation, and thy poverty (though thou art rich), and the calumnies of those who say they are Jews, yet are not, but are Satan's synagogue. (10)Fear nothing from the things which thou shalt suffer: lo! the devil will cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have a ten day's tribulation: be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (11)He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. He that overcometh shall receive no injury from the second death.

(12)And to the angel of the church at Pergamos write, These things saith he who holdeth the sharp two-edged sword; (13)I know thy works and where thou hast thy abode, even where Satan's throne _is erected_: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days when Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was put to death among you, where Satan dwelleth. (14)Yet I have a few things against thee, that thou hast there some who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to lay a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat of idol sacrifices, and to commit whoredom. (15)Thou hast also some who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I abhor. (16)Repent! but if not, I am coming to thee quickly, and will war against them with the sword of my mouth. (17)He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white pebble, and upon the pebble a new name inscribed, which no man knoweth except the person who receiveth it.

(18)And to the angel of the church which is at Thyatira write, These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like the molten brass; (19)I know thy deeds, and thy love, and thy charity to the poor, and thy faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and that the last are more abundant than the first. (20)Yet I have a few things against thee, because thou hast suffered that woman Jezabel, calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead my servants into error, to commit whoredom, and eat the idol sacrifices. (21)And I gave her a space that she should repent of her whoredom, and she hath not repented. (22)Behold, I am about to cast her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. (23)And I will slay her children by death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and the hearts: and I will give to you, even to every one, according to your works. (24)But to you I say, and to the rest that are at Thyatira, as many as do not hold this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will lay upon them no other burden. (25)Nevertheless that which you have, hold fast till I come. (26)And he who overcometh, and perseveres in my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations; (27)he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as a potter's vessels they shall be broken in pieces, even as I have received authority from my Father: (28)and I will give him the star of the morning. (29)He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

CHAP. III.

AND to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, and that thou hast a name, as though thou wert alive, yet art dead. (2)Be vigilant and strengthen the things which remain, which are ready to die; for I have not found thy works complete before God. (3)Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and observe, and repent. If then thou art not found watching, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt in no wise know at what hour I will come upon thee. (4)Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white robes, for they are worthy. (5)He that overcometh, this man shall be clothed in white robes; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (6)He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

(7)And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things saith the Holy One, he that is true, who hath the key of David, who openeth, and none shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth. (8)I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; because thou hast but little strength, yet hast thou kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (9)Behold, I give thee out of Satan's synagogue those who say they are Jews, yet they are not, but do lie. Lo! I will make them that they shall come and prostrate themselves at thy feet, and they shall know that I have loved thee. (10)Because thou hast keep the word of my patience, I also will preserve thee from the hour of temptation, which is coming upon the whole habitable globe to try the dwellers upon earth. (11)Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (12)He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall never more go out from thence: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. (13)He that hath an ear to hear, let him ear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

(14)And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of the creation of God; (15)I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: (16)I wish thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit thee out of my mouth: (17)because thou sayest, I am rich, and wallow in wealth, and have no want unsupplied; yet thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (18)I advise thee to buy of me gold purified by the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white robes, that thou mayest be completely clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and anoint thine eyes with a collyrium, that thou mayest see. (19)As many as I love, I rebuke and correct: be zealous then, and repent. (20)Lo! I stand at the door, and knock: if any person hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with me. (21)He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit on my throne, as I also have overcome, and have sat down with my Father on his throne. (22)He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

CHAP. IV.

AFTER these things I beheld, and, lo! a door was opened in heaven, and a voice, the first which I heard, as of a trumpet, speaking to me, said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee what things will be after these. (2)And immediately I was _rapt_ in spirit: and, lo! a throne was placed in heaven, and upon the throne a person sitting. (3)And he that sat was in appearance like a stone of jasper and sardine: and a rainbow encircled the throne, like in hue to an emerald. (4)And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon these thrones I saw twenty-four presbyters seated, clothed in white robes; and they had on their heads golden crowns. (5)And out of the throne issued forth lightnings, and thunder, and loud voices; and seven lamps of fire burned before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. (6)And before the throne was a sea of glass like crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and within the circle of the throne, were four living beings full of eyes before and behind. (7)And the first living being was like a lion, and the second living being was like a calf, and the third living being had a face as a man, and the fourth living being was like an eagle with wings expanded. (8)And the four living beings had each for himself six wings encircling him, and within they were full of eyes; and they never cease day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is coming. (9)And when these living beings give glory, and honour, and thanksgiving to him that sitteth on the throne, to him who liveth for ever and ever, (10)the four and twenty presbyters prostrate themselves before him who is Seated on the throne, and worship him who liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (11)Worthy art thou, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and by thy will they exist, and were created.

CHAP. V.