were all things created in the heavens, and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or powers, or authorities. All things have been created 17 through him and for him; and he is before all things and 18 in him all things exist; and he is the head of the body, of the church: who is the beginning, firstborn from among the dead, that he may become in all things himself pre19 eminent, because in him all the fulness was pleased to 20 dwell; and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether they be things on the earth, or 21 things in the heavens. And you, that were once alienated and enemies by your mind that shewed itself in the evil 22 works, has he now reconciled in the body of his flesh

through death, to present you holy and unblameable and 23 unreproveable in his sight; if indeed ye abide in the faith grounded and stedfast, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation that is under heaven; whereof I Paul became a minister.

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I now rejoice in the sufferings on your behalf, and fill up that which is wanting of the afflictions of Christ in my 25 flesh for his body's sake, which is the church; whereof I became a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given to me for you, to fulfil the word 26 of God, even the mystery which has been hid from the ages and from the generations, but is now manifested to 27 his saints; to whom God desired to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ among you, the hope of glory; 28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man 29 perfect in Christ; whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working which works in me with power.

CH. II.

FOR I would have you know how great a conflict I have for you, and them in Laodicea, and as many as have not 2 seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be encouraged, they being compacted in love and unto all

riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, even Christ, in whom 3 are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. This I say, lest any one should beguile you with enticing 4 words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet in the 5 spirit I am with you, rejoicing and seeing your close array, and the stedfastness of your faith toward Christ. As 6 therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him: having been rooted and being built up in him, and con- 7 firmed in the faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Beware lest any one make a prey of you 8 through his philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ, because in him dwells all 9 the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are filled full 10 in him, who is the head of all rule and authority; in 11 whom also ye were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with him in 12 baptism, wherein also ye were raised with him through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead; and you being dead by your trespasses and the uncircum- 13 cision of your flesh, he quickened together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; having blotted out the 14 handwriting in the ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross; having stript off the powers 15 and the authorities, he made an example of them openly, while leading them in triumph in it.

Let no one therefore judge you in eating or in drinking 16 or in respect of a feast or new moon or sabbath; which 17 are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ. Let no one deprive you of your reward, delighting 18 in lowliness of mind and worship of the angels, intruding into things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh, and not holding fast the Head, from which all 19 the body by means of the joints and bands having nourishment supplied, and compacted, grows with the growth of

20 God. If ye died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, do ye let yourselves be subject 21, 22 to ordinances, handle not, nor taste, nor touch, (which all

are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and 23 doctrines of men ? such as have indeed a show of wisdom in voluntary worship, and lowliness of mind, and not sparing of the body, not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. CH. III. IF then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of 2 God: mind the things above, not those on the earth. 3 For ye died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in 4 God: when Christ, your life, is manifested, then will ye also be manifested with him in glory.

5

Deaden therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust, and 6 covetousness, which is idolatry, on account of which things 7 the wrath of God comes. In which ye also walked once, 8 when ye lived in them: but now do ye also put off the whole, wrath, anger, viciousness, blasphemy, filthy com9 munication out of your mouth; lie not one to another,

seeing that ye have stript off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man, which is being renewed unto full knowledge after the image of him that created 11 him; where there is no such thing as Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, non-Greek, Scythian, bond, free; but Christ is all and in all.

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Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, hearts of compassion, goodness, lowliness of mind, meek13 ness, longsuffering; forbearing one another and forgiving each other, if any have a complaint against any, even as 14 Christ forgave you, so also do ye; and over all these 15 things, love, which is a bond of perfection. And let the

peace of Christ rule in your hearts, into which also ye were 16 called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing each other; in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, 17 with grace singing in your hearts to God; and every thing whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of

the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subject unto your husbands, as it is fit in 18 the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter 19. against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: 20 for this is well pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, provoke not 21 your children, that they be not dispirited. Servants, obey 22 in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-services as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatsoever ye do, work at it heartily, as to 23 the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that from the Lord 24 ye will receive the recompense of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ; for he that does wrong will receive back 25 the wrong he did, and there is no respect of persons. Masters, render unto your servants justice and equality, (Iv.1) knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

CH.

ATTEND upon prayer, watching therein with thanks- IV. giving, withal praying also for us, that God would open 3 unto us a door of the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been bound, that I may manifest it, 4 as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are 5 without, buying up the opportunity. Let your speech be 6 always in grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

All my state will Tychicus make known unto you, the 7 beloved brother, and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord, whom I sent unto you for this very purpose, 8 that ye might know our state, and he might encourage your hearts; with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, 9 who is one of you. They will make known unto you all the things here.

Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark 10 the cousin of Barnabas, touching whom ye received commandments, (if he come unto you, receive him,) and 11 Jesus who is called Justus; they who are of the circumcision, these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, who became a comfort unto me. Epa- 12 phras, 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 13 God. For I bear him witness, that he has much labour for 14 you and them in Laodicea and them in Hierapolis. Luke 15 the beloved physician salutes you, and Demas. Salute the

brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church in 16 their house. And when the epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; 17 and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou receivedst in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

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The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

TO THE THESSALONIANS FIRST.

CH. I.

2

PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be unto you and peace.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making 3 mention on our prayers; unceasingly remembering your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before God and our Father; 4, 5 knowing, brethren beloved by God, your election; because our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, even as ye know what manner of men we became among 6 you for your sakes. And ye became imitators of us and

of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, 7 with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that ye became a type to 8 all them that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you has sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but in every place your faith