16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit for those who have become Christians. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

23 And whatsover ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of an everlasting inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong, whether he be master or servant, parent or child, husband or wife, shall receive punishment for the wrong he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.

CHAP. IV.

1 MASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue in the habit and practice of prayer; watch your thoughts narrowly in the same with thanksgiving:

3 Withal praying also for us your ministers, that God would open unto us a door of utterance-an opportunity to speak, and hearers inclined to receive the wonderful salvation by Christ, for which preaching I am also in prison.

4 Pray for me, that I may preach with boldness and clearness, as I ought to speak.

5 Let your conduct towards those who are not of the faith, be in all wisdom, giving none offence.

6 Let your speech be alway mild, kind and courteous. wise and discreet, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:

8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts:

9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom

ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him.)

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision [converted Jews]. These only are my fellow-workers [in Rome] unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, [a citizen of Colosse,] a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in the other cities of Phrygia, Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea. Salute Nymphas, and the church which is at his house.

16 And when this Epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea.

17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

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18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. member my bonds [that I am in prison for the gospel's sake]. Grace be with you. Amen.

Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

THE

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS.

This Epistle was written by Paul the Apostle from Corinth about the year of our Lord 52.

It is supposed to be the first Epistle he ever wrote.

It is chiefly addressed to heathen converts.

It contains five chapters.

CHAP. I.

1 PAUL and Silvanus [Silas] and Timotheus [Timothy] unto the church of the Thessalonians, which is established in [founded in the knowledge and faith of] God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your active faith, laborious love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election, the especial favour of God in calling you.

5 For the gospel of Christ, which we preach, came not unto you in word only, but also in power, [with conviction unto holiness,] and in the Holy Ghost, and in full assurance; as ye know how we conducted ourselves among you

for your sake.

6 And therefore ye became followers of us as Christ's ministers, having received the word [gospel] amidst much persecution, yet with joy at the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit ;

7 So that ye were examples of faith and practice to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For the fame of your conversion was reported not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad, so that we have no need to speak of it.

9 For wherever we go, they themselves [the people] having heard the report, show us thereof, and what manner of success we had with you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

10 And that ye wait the second coming of his Son from heaven, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

CHAP. II.

1 Such, brethren, is the report of you; and you yourselves know that our coming to you [our preaching] was not in vain :

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