humbled,] and how to be in prosperity [in abundance]. Everywhere and in all things I am instructed, by the faith that is in me, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things [bear any situation or circumstances] through Christ, which strengtheneth

me.

14 Notwithstanding, ye have well done, that ye did communicate with [relieve] my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians, know this also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church assisted me in my temporal wants, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 I say not this to excite your liberality, or because I desire a gift, but that your charity may abound to your own advantage.

18 But I have received all, and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you; an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice [on the altar of your consciences ] acceptable, well pleasing to God.

19 But the God whom I serve shall reward you; he shall supply your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Give my salutation in Christ Jesus to every holy Christian. The ministers with me greet you. 22 All the saints [holy brethren] salute you; and

chiefly the Christian converts who are in Cæsar's [the emperor] household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.

THE

EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS.

This Epistle was written by Paul the Apostle, in the year of our Lord 62.

It was sent to them by Tychicus and Onesimus; Epaphras, whom they had sent to him to inform him of their state, being imprisoned at Rome.

It contains four chapters.

CHAP. I.

1 PAUL, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy, our brother in the faith,

2 Writing to all the saints and the faithful brethren in Christ, which are at Colosse [a city of Phrygia, in Asia Minor]: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We give grace to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the evidences of grace in you, praying always for you

4 And this we have especially done since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the faithful brethren in Christ;

5 And giving thanks also for the hope of future glory, which is laid up [prepared] for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, and have now shown forth the fruits [effects] thereof.

6 Which hope is come unto you, as indeed it is come [offered, published] in all the world; and everywhere bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard thereof, and experienced the grace of God:

7 Even as ye learned also of Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is for you [as the minister by whom ye were converted] a faithful servant of Christ;

8 Who also declared unto us the love and charity which is wrought in you by the Holy Spirit.

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 That, being so taught, ye might walk [live] worthy of the Lord, as his faithful servants; pleasing him in all things, and abounding in every good work, and increasing daily in the knowledge of God;

11 And that ye may be strengthened with all might from on high for every good work, according to his glorious power; to endure persecutions and afflictions, not only with patience and long-suffering, but even with joyfulness ;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from heathen ignorance and the power of the devil, and hath translated [converted] us into the kingdom of his dear Son [the knowledge and means of salvation]:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 In whom is the image of the Father, the invisible God, who was before the world, the first-born of every creature :

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And having redeemed us and established the church, he is its head: he is the beginning [the first cause], the first-born from the dead, [the first in the resurrection,] that in this, as well as in all things, he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him all fulness [the fulfilling of all things] should dwell;

20 And having made peace, [healed up the breach of Adam's disobedience,] through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, the blessed Jesus, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven.