encouraged, they being knit together in love, and unto all the riches of the full assurance of the understanding, unto the full knowledge of the mystery of God, even Christ; in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. 4 And this I say, that no one may beguile you with enticing words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet in the spirit I am with you, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith toward Christ. As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him; having been rooted and being built up in him, and being established in the faith as ye were taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest there shall be any one that despoils you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Because in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 1o And ye are made complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power; 11 in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; 12 being buried with him in the immersion, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you also, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, graciously forgiving us all our trespasses; 14 blotting out the handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was opposed to us, and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; 15 despoiling principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let not any one therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast-day, or of a new-moon, or of a sabbath; 17 which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no one defraud you of the prize, seeking it in humiliation and worship of the angels, intruding into things V. 10. Or, are in him made full V. 15. Or, putting off principalities and powers V. 15. Or, in him which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, by means of the joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and being knit together, increases with the increase of God. 20 If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 “Handle not, nor taste, nor touch," 22 (which are all to perish with the using,) after the commandments and teachings of men? 23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-chosen worship, and humiliation, and neglecting of the body, not in any honor, for the satisfying of the flesh. III. IF then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, sitting on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things upon the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, shall be manifested, then will ye also with him be manifested in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; on account of which things the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience; in which ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things. But now, 8 do ye also put all away, anger, wrath, malice, reviling, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him who created him; 11 where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, 13 forbearing one another, and freely forgiving each other, if any one have a complaint against any, even as Christ freely forgave you, so also do ye; 14 and over all these, love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which ye were also called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to God. "And whatever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing, in the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord." Whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men ; 24 knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the recompense of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ. 25 For he that does wrong will receive that which he did wrongfully; and there is no respect of persons. 1 Masters, render to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. 2 Persevere in prayer, being watchful therein with thanksgiving; at the same time praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for the sake of which I am also in bonds, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. All my affairs will Tychicus make known to you, the beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord; 8 whom I sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know your condition, and may comfort your hearts; together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all the things here. 10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom ye received commands (if he come to you, receive him), 11 and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers, for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness, that he has much concern for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you. 15 Salute the brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church in his house. 16 And when the letter has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that ye also read that from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus: Take heed to the ministry which thou didst receive in the Lord, that thou fulfill it. 18 The salutation by the hand of me, Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS. I. PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace. 3 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before God and our Father; 4knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election; because our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner V. 13. Or, much labor 5 of men were we among you, for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; so that ye became an example to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you has sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth; so that we have no need to speak anything. For they themselves report concerning us, what manner of entrance we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. II. FOR yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, y - that it has not become vain. But having before suffered, and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who proves our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness; nor of men sought we glory, neither from you, nor from others, though able to use authority, as Christ's apostles. But we were gentle among you, as a nurse cherishes her children; so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because ye were dear to us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil; night and day working, in order not to burden any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 6 11 10 Ye are witnesses, and God, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves to you that believe; as ye know how we exhorted, and encouraged, and charged every one of you, as a father his children, 12 that ye should walk worthy of God, who is calling you into his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that στην |