The New Testament Part 39

4 [1:13]Retain the form of sound words which you heard from me in faith and the love in Christ Jesus. [1:14]Guard the good trust, through the Holy Spirit which dwells in us. [1:15]You know this, that all those in Asia left me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. [1:16]May the Lord show mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains, [1:17] but being at Rome he sought most diligently, and found me. [1:18]The Lord grant him to find mercy with the Lord in that day. And what services he performed at Ephesus, you know very well.

5 [2:1]Do you therefore, my son, be strong in the grace in Christ Jesus, [2:2] and what you heard from me through many witnesses, these things commit to faithful men, who shall be competent to teach others also. [2:3]Endure evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [2:4]No one who serves as a soldier is involved in the business of life, that he may please him who has employed him as a soldier. [2:5]And if a man contends as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he contends lawfully.

[2:6]The husbandman who labors must first partake of the fruits of the earth. [2:7]Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give you understanding in all things.

6 [2:8]Remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead, a descendant of David, according to my gospel, [2:9]in which I suffer even to chains as an evil doer; but the word of G.o.d is not bound. [2:10]Therefore I endure all things for the elect, that they may obtain the salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [2:11]The saying is true, For if we died together we shall live together; [2:12]if we endure patiently we shall reign together; if we deny him he will deny us; [2:13]if we believe not he continues faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

7 [2:14]Call to mind these things, charging [men] before the Lord not to debate about words, to no profit, to the subversion of the hearers.

[2:15]Be diligent to present yourself approved to G.o.d, a workman that will not be put to shame, rightly dividing the word of truth. [2:16]But profane and vain words, avoid; for they greatly increase impiety, [2:17]and their word will eat like a gangrene; of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, [2:18]who have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection has pa.s.sed already, and overturn the faith of some.

[2:19]But the foundation of G.o.d stands firm, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from wickedness. [2:20]But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but those also of wood and clay, and some for honor and some for dishonor; [2:21]if therefore any one purifies himself from these [errors], he shall be a vessel for honor, sanctified, of good use to the master, prepared for every good work.

8 [2:22]But avoid youthful desires, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

[2:23]But foolish and trifling disputes avoid, knowing that they produce contentions; [2:24]and the servant of the Lord must not contend, but must be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient under evil, [2:25]in meekness correcting the adversaries, that G.o.d may give them a change of mind to a knowledge of the truth, [2:26]and that they may recover themselves from the snare of the devil, who are made captives by him to his will.

CHAPTER II.

THE LAST TIME, HIS APPROACHING MARTYRDOM, ETC.

1 [3:1]AND know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

[3:2] Men will be selfish, avaricious, vain, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3:3]without natural affection, covenant breakers, slanderers, intemperate, ungentle, despisers of the good, [3:4]traitors, rash, boasters, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of G.o.d, [3:5]having a form of piety but denying its power; and these avoid. [3:6]Of these are those who go into the houses and take captive foolish women loaded with sins, and led by various desires, [3:7]always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. [3:8]As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, men of no judgment, reprobate in respect to the faith. [3:9]But they shall proceed no further; for their foolishness shall become manifest to all, as theirs also was. [3:10]But you have followed my instruction,--mode of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, [3:11]persecutions, sufferings, which befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; the great persecutions which I suffered, and the Lord delivered me from all. [3:12]And all who will live piously in Christ Jesus shall be persecuted. [3:13]But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. [3:14]But do you continue in what you learned and understood, knowing from whom you learned, [3:15]and that from a child you have known the sacred Scriptures, which can make you wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [3:16]All Scripture is divinely inspired and is profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, for education in righteousness, [3:17]that the man of G.o.d may be perfect, thoroughly fitted for every good work.

2 [4:1]I earnestly charge you before G.o.d and Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living and dead, and [by] his appearing and his kingdom, [4:2]preach the word, press it in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and instruction; [4:3]for the time will come when they will not endure sound instruction, but will acc.u.mulate for themselves teachers according to their desires, pleasing their ear, [4:4]and they will turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned to myths. [4:5]But do you be sober in all things, endure evil, do the work of an evangelist, perform fully your ministry. [4:6]

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

[4:7]I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; [4:8]henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me in that day, and not me only but all who love his appearing.

3 [4:9]Make haste to come to me quickly; [4:10]for Demas forsook me having loved the present life and went to Thessalonica, Cresces to Galatia, t.i.tus to Dalmatia; [4:11]Luke only is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for [he will be] useful to me for service.

[4:12]But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. [4:13] The cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring, and the books, especially the parchments.

4 [4:14]Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; may the Lord reward him according to his work. [4:15]And do you beware of him, for he greatly opposed our words. [4:16]At my first defense no one stood by me, but all forsook me; may it not be set to their account; [4:17]but the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that the word should be fully declared by me, and all the nations should hear, and I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. [4:18]The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever; amen.

5 [4:19]Salute Prisca [Priscilla] and Aquila and the house of Onesiphorus. [4:20]Erastus remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. [4:21] Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia, and all the brothers, salute you.

[4:22]The Lord be with your spirit. The grace be with you.

THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES.

THE EPISTLE OF JAMES.

JERUSALEM, A.D. 61-66.

CHAPTER I.

TRIALS, PRAYER, FAITH AND WORKS.

1 [1:1]JAMES, a servant of G.o.d and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greeting. [1:2]Account it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials, [1:3]knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience. [1:4]But let patience have a perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

[1:5]And if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of G.o.d, who gives to all liberally and upbraids not, and it shall be given him. [1:6]But let him ask in faith, not doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and agitated. [1:7]For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord, [1:8]a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. [1:9]But let the brother that is humble rejoice in his exaltation, [1:10]and the rich in his humiliation, for he shall pa.s.s away like a flower of the gra.s.s.

[1:11]For the sun rose hot, and withered the gra.s.s, and its flower fell off, and the beauty of its appearance perished; so also shall the rich man perish in his ways.

2 [1:12]Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when proved he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. [1:13]Let no tempted one say, I am tempted by G.o.d; for G.o.d is not subject to temptation by evils, and he tempts no one. [1:14]But every one is tempted when he is drawn away by his desires, and enticed; [1:15]then the desire taking effect produces sin, and sin being finished brings forth death.

3 [1:16]Be not deceived, my beloved brothers. [1:17]All good giving, and every perfect gift, comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change or shadow of turning. [1:18]Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruit of his creatures.

4 [1:19]Understand, my beloved brothers, and let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; [1:20]for man's anger performs not G.o.d's righteousness. [1:21]Wherefore, laying aside all filthiness and abounding vice, receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. [1:22]But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [1:23]For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man perceiving his natural face in a gla.s.s; [1:24]for he perceived himself, and went away, and immediately forgot what kind of a man he was. [1:25]But he that looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer of work, he shall be blessed in his doing. [1:26]But if any one among you thinks he is religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his mind, that man's religion is vain. [1:27]Pure religion and undefiled with the G.o.d and Father is this, to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep one's self unspotted from the world.

5 [2:1]My brothers, have not the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with a respect of persons. [2:2]For if there comes into your a.s.sembly a man with a gold ring, in splendid clothing, and there also comes in a poor man in vile clothing, [2:3]and you look upon him who wears the splendid clothing, and say to him, Sit here in a good place, and say to the poor man, Stand there, or sit under my footstool, [2:4]are you not condemned in yourselves and judges of evil thoughts?

6 [2:5]Hear, my beloved brothers. Has not G.o.d chosen the poor of the world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love him? [2:6] But you dishonor the poor. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you to tribunals? [2:7]And do they not blaspheme the good name by which you are called? [2:8]If you keep indeed the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well; [2:9]but if you respect persons, you commit sin, convicted by the law as transgressors. [2:10]For whoever shall keep the whole law, and offend in one point, is guilty of all. [2:11]For he that said, You shall not commit adultery, said also, You shall not kill; and if you do not commit adultery, but kill, you are a transgressor of the law. [2:12]So speak and so do, as being about to be judged by the law of liberty. [2:13]For he shall have judgment without mercy who shows not mercy; mercy rejoices over judgment.

7 [2:14]What is the profit, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has not works? Can faith save him? [2:15]And if a brother or sister is naked, or dest.i.tute of daily food, [2:16]and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, but gives them not the necessary supplies for the body, what is the profit? [2:17]So also faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. [2:18]But some one will say, You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by works. [2:19]You believe that there is one G.o.d? You do well; demons also believe and tremble.

[2:20]But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

[2:21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? [2:22]You see that faith cooperated with his works, and by works was faith made perfect, [2:23]and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, And Abraham believed G.o.d and it was accounted to him a righteousness, and he was called G.o.d's friend. [2:24]You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith only. [2:25]And in like manner also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? [2:26]For as the body without a spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

CHAPTER II.

ON CENSORIOUSNESS, WISDOM, CONTENTION, ETC.

1 [3:1]BE not many of you teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive a severer judgment. [3:2]For in many things we all offend; if one offends not in word he is a perfect man, able to keep in subjection also the whole body. [3:3]But we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, and direct their whole body; [3:4]behold also the ships, though of so great size and driven by powerful winds, are directed by a very small helm wherever the will of the pilot chooses; [3:5]so also the tongue is a small member and boasts of great things.

Behold, how much wood a little fire kindles! [3:6]And the tongue is a fire, the tongue is made a world of wickedness among our members, it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature and is set on fire by h.e.l.l. [3:7]For every kind of beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race, [3:8]but the tongue can no man tame; it is a disorderly evil, full of a deadly poison. [3:9]With it bless we the Lord and Father, and with it curse we men made in the likeness of G.o.d. [3:10]Out of the same mouth proceeds a blessing and a curse. My brothers, these things ought not so to be. [3:11]Does a fountain send forth sweet water and bitter from the same opening? [3:12]Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine, figs? So you cannot make salt water sweet.

2 [3:13]What wise and intelligent man is there among you? Let him show his works by good conduct, in the meekness of wisdom. [3:14]But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and lie not against the truth. [3:15]This wisdom comes not from above, but is earthly, natural, demoniacal. [3:16]For where envy and strife are, there are disorder and every evil work. [3:17]But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be persuaded, full of mercy and of good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.

[3:18]And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who make peace.

3 [4:1]Whence come wars and contentions among you? Come they not thence, from your pleasures that war in your members? [4:2]You desire and have not; you kill, and envy, and cannot obtain; you fight and carry on war. You have not, because you do not ask; [4:3]you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, to expend on your pleasures.

[4:4]Adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity against G.o.d? Whoever therefore wishes to be a friend of the world, is made an enemy of G.o.d. [4:5]Or do you suppose that the Scripture says in vain, The spirit which dwells in us desires to envy?

[4:6]But he gives more grace; wherefore he says, G.o.d resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. [4:7]Be subject therefore to G.o.d; resist the devil and he will flee from you; [4:8]draw nigh to G.o.d and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, purify your hearts, double-minded. [4:9]Lament, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into sorrow. [4:10]Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.

4 [4:11]Speak not one against one another, brothers. He that speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. [4:12]There is one law-giver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you that judge a neighbor?

5 [4:13]Come now, you that say, To-day and to-morrow we will go to such a city and engage in business there a year, and trade and make profits, [4:14]who know not what will be on the morrow; for what is your life?

You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes away; [4:15]for you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall both live and do this or that. [4:16]But now you glory in your boasting; all such glorying is evil. [4:17]He therefore that knows how to do good and does it not, to him it is sin.

6 [5:1]Come now, rich men, weep and lament for the miseries which are coming upon you. [5:2]Your riches have decayed, and your garments are moth-eaten, [5:3]your gold and silver are destroyed with rust, and their rust will be a witness against you, and consume your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasures for the last days. [5:4]Behold, the wages of the laborers who harvested your fields, kept back by you, cry, and the loud calls of the reapers have entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. [5:5]You have lived in luxury on the earth and in pleasure, you have nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter.

[5:6]You have condemned and killed the just, and he does not resist you.

7 [5:7]Wait patiently therefore, brothers, till the coming of the Lord.

Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and is of long patience, till he receives the autumnal and vernal rain.

[5:8]Do you also have long patience, confirm your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. [5:9] Complain not, brothers, against one another, that you be not judged; behold, the judge stands before the doors. [5:10]You have the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, my brothers, as an example of patience and long-suffering.

[5:11]Behold, we account them blessed who are patient. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you know the purpose of the Lord, that he is very merciful and compa.s.sionate.