Psalm 119:1-80
New King James Version
Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God
א ALEPH
119 Blessed are the [a]undefiled in the way,
(A)Who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the (B)whole heart!
3 (C)They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
6 (D)Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!
ב BETH
9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have (E)sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 (F)Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have (G)declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
And [b]contemplate Your ways.
16 I will (H)delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
ג GIMEL
17 (I)Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
19 (J)I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 (K)My soul [c]breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times.
21 You rebuke the proud—the cursed,
Who stray from Your commandments.
22 (L)Remove from me reproach and contempt,
For I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.
ד DALETH
25 (M)My soul clings to the dust;
(N)Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
(O)Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So (P)shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
28 (Q)My soul [d]melts from [e]heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
32 I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall (R)enlarge my heart.
ה HE
33 (S)Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
34 (T)Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36 [f]Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to (U)covetousness.
37 (V)Turn[g] away my eyes from (W)looking at worthless things,
And revive me in [h]Your way.
38 (X)Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.
ו WAW
41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—
Your salvation according to Your word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him who [i]reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
44 So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
45 And I will walk [j]at (Y)liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
46 (Z)I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
ז ZAYIN
49 Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is my (AA)comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
51 The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.
53 (AB)Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 (AC)I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,
And I keep Your law.
56 This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.
ח HETH
57 (AD)You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I (AE)thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 (AF)At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 (AG)The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.
ט TETH
65 You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and (AH)knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
67 Before I was (AI)afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
68 You are (AJ)good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have (AK)forged[k] a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 (AL)Their heart is [l]as fat as grease,
But I delight in Your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
72 (AM)The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
י YOD
73 (AN)Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 (AO)Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word.
75 I know, O Lord, (AP)that Your judgments are [m]right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud (AQ)be ashamed,
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me,
Those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
That I may not be ashamed.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:1 blameless
- Psalm 119:15 look into
- Psalm 119:20 is crushed
- Psalm 119:28 Lit. drops
- Psalm 119:28 grief
- Psalm 119:36 Cause me to long for
- Psalm 119:37 Lit. Cause my eyes to pass away from
- Psalm 119:37 So with MT, LXX, Vg.; Tg. Your words
- Psalm 119:42 taunts
- Psalm 119:45 Lit. in a wide place
- Psalm 119:69 Lit. smeared me with a lie
- Psalm 119:70 Insensible
- Psalm 119:75 Lit. righteous
Romans 9-16
New King James Version
Israel’s Rejection of Christ
9 I (A)tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 (B)that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For (C)I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my [a]countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, (D)to whom pertain the adoption, (E)the glory, (F)the covenants, (G)the giving of the law, (H)the service of God, and (I)the promises; 5 (J)of whom are the fathers and from (K)whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, (L)who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Israel’s Rejection and God’s Purpose(M)
6 (N)But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For (O)they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 (P)nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, (Q)“In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but (R)the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: (S)“At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”
10 And not only this, but when (T)Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of (U)Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, (V)“The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, (W)“Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
Israel’s Rejection and God’s Justice
14 What shall we say then? (X)Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, (Y)“I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For (Z)the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, (AA)“For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He (AB)hardens.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For (AC)who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? (AD)Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the (AE)potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make (AF)one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering (AG)the vessels of wrath (AH)prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known (AI)the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had (AJ)prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He (AK)called, (AL)not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As He says also in Hosea:
(AM)“I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
26 “And(AN) it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”
27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:
(AO)“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
(AP)The remnant will be saved.
28 For [b]He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
(AQ)Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”
29 And as Isaiah said before:
(AR)“Unless the Lord of [c]Sabaoth had left us a seed,
(AS)We would have become like Sodom,
And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”
Present Condition of Israel
30 What shall we say then? (AT)That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, (AU)even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, (AV)pursuing the law of righteousness, (AW)has not attained to the law [d]of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, [e]by the works of the law. For (AX)they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
(AY)“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And (AZ)whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Israel Needs the Gospel
10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for [f]Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness (BA)that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of (BB)God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own (BC)righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For (BD)Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, (BE)“The man who does those things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, (BF)“Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, (BG)“ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? (BH)“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that (BI)if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, (BJ)“Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For (BK)there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for (BL)the same Lord over all (BM)is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For (BN)“whoever calls (BO)on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Israel Rejects the Gospel
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear (BP)without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
(BQ)“How beautiful are the feet of those who [g]preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, (BR)“Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
(BS)“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
(BT)“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a (BU)foolish nation.”
20 But Isaiah is very bold and says:
(BV)“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But to Israel he says:
(BW)“All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.”
Israel’s Rejection Not Total
11 I say then, (BX)has God cast away His people? (BY)Certainly not! For (BZ)I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom (CA)He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 (CB)“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? (CC)“I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 (CD)Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And (CE)if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [h]But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7 What then? (CF)Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were (CG)blinded. 8 Just as it is written:
(CH)“God has given them a spirit of stupor,
(CI)Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”
9 And David says:
(CJ)“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
And bow down their back always.”
Israel’s Rejection Not Final
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But (CK)through their [i]fall, to provoke them to (CL)jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their [j]fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as (CM)I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and (CN)save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be (CO)but life from the dead?
16 For if (CP)the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if (CQ)some of the branches were broken off, (CR)and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and [k]fatness of the olive tree, 18 (CS)do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of (CT)unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, [l]goodness, (CU)if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise (CV)you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, (CW)if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be (CX)wise in your own [m]opinion, that (CY)blindness in part has happened to Israel (CZ)until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be [n]saved, as it is written:
(DA)“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For (DB)this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are (DC)beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are (DD)irrevocable. 30 For as you (DE)were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has [o]committed them (DF)all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
34 “For who has known the (DG)mind of the Lord?
Or (DH)who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or(DI) who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For (DJ)of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, (DK)to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Living Sacrifices to God
12 I (DL)beseech[p] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies (DM)a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [q]reasonable service. 2 And (DN)do not be conformed to this world, but (DO)be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may (DP)prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Serve God with Spiritual Gifts
3 For I say, (DQ)through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, (DR)not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt (DS)to each one a measure of faith. 4 For (DT)as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so (DU)we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is (DV)given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us (DW)prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; (DX)he who teaches, in teaching; 8 (DY)he who exhorts, in exhortation; (DZ)he who gives, with liberality; (EA)he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, (EB)with cheerfulness.
Behave Like a Christian
9 (EC)Let love be without hypocrisy. (ED)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 (EE)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, (EF)in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 (EG)rejoicing in hope, (EH)patient[r] in tribulation, (EI)continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 (EJ)distributing to the needs of the saints, (EK)given[s] to hospitality.
14 (EL)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 (EM)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (EN)Be of the same mind toward one another. (EO)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 (EP)Repay no one evil for evil. (EQ)Have[t] regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, (ER)live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, (ES)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, (ET)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
(EU)“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but (EV)overcome evil with good.
Submit to Government
13 Let every soul be (EW)subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists (EX)the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [u]bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? (EY)Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore (EZ)you must be subject, not only because of wrath (FA)but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 (FB)Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Love Your Neighbor(FC)
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for (FD)he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, (FE)“You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” [v]“You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, (FF)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore (FG)love is the fulfillment of the law.
Put on Christ
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time (FH)to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. (FI)Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and (FJ)let us put on the armor of light. 13 (FK)Let us walk [w]properly, as in the day, (FL)not in revelry and drunkenness, (FM)not in lewdness and lust, (FN)not in strife and envy. 14 But (FO)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and (FP)make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
The Law of Liberty
14 Receive(FQ) one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he (FR)may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and (FS)let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 (FT)Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 (FU)One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who (FV)observes the day, observes it to the Lord; [x]and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for (FW)he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For (FX)none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we (FY)live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For (FZ)to this end Christ died [y]and rose and lived again, that He might be (GA)Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For (GB)we shall all stand before the judgment seat of [z]Christ. 11 For it is written:
(GC)“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then (GD)each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another [aa]anymore, but rather resolve this, (GE)not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
The Law of Love
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus (GF)that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. (GG)Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 (GH)Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 (GI)for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and (GJ)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in [ab]these things (GK)is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 (GL)Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which (GM)one may [ac]edify another. 20 (GN)Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. (GO)All things indeed are pure, (GP)but it is evil for the man who eats with [ad]offense. 21 It is good neither to eat (GQ)meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles [ae]or is offended or is made weak. 22 [af]Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. (GR)Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for (GS)whatever is not from faith is [ag]sin.
Bearing Others’ Burdens
15 We (GT)then who are strong ought to bear with the [ah]scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 (GU)Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to [ai]edification. 3 (GV)For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, (GW)“The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For (GX)whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [aj]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 (GY)Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may (GZ)with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Glorify God Together
7 Therefore (HA)receive one another, just (HB)as Christ also received [ak]us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that (HC)Jesus Christ has become a [al]servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, (HD)to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and (HE)that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
(HF)“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
And sing to Your name.”
10 And again he says:
(HG)“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”
11 And again:
(HH)“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!”
12 And again, Isaiah says:
(HI)“There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all (HJ)joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
From Jerusalem to Illyricum
14 Now (HK)I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, (HL)filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish [am]one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, (HM)because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that (HN)I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the (HO)offering [an]of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus (HP)in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things (HQ)which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, (HR)to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 (HS)in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, (HT)lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written:
(HU)“To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
And those who have not heard shall understand.”
Plan to Visit Rome
22 For this reason (HV)I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and (HW)having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, [ao]I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, (HX)and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may (HY)enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now (HZ)I am going to Jerusalem to [ap]minister to the saints. 26 For (IA)it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For (IB)if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, (IC)their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them (ID)this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 (IE)But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing [aq]of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and (IF)through the love of the Spirit, (IG)that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 (IH)that I may be delivered from those in Judea who [ar]do not believe, and that (II)my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 (IJ)that I may come to you with joy (IK)by the will of God, and may (IL)be refreshed together with you. 33 Now (IM)the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Sister Phoebe Commended
16 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in (IN)Cenchrea, 2 (IO)that you may receive her in the Lord (IP)in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
Greeting Roman Saints
3 Greet (IQ)Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet (IR)the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is (IS)the firstfruits of [as]Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the (IT)apostles, who also (IU)were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my [at]countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, (IV)chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 (IW)Greet one another with a holy kiss. [au]The churches of Christ greet you.
Avoid Divisive Persons
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those (IX)who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and (IY)avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [av]Jesus Christ, but (IZ)their own belly, and (JA)by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For (JB)your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be (JC)wise in what is good, and [aw]simple concerning evil. 20 And (JD)the God of peace (JE)will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
(JF)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Greetings from Paul’s Friends
21 (JG)Timothy, my fellow worker, and (JH)Lucius, (JI)Jason, and (JJ)Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
23 (JK)Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. (JL)Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 (JM)The[ax] grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Benediction
25 [ay]Now (JN)to Him who is able to establish you (JO)according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (JP)according to the revelation of the mystery (JQ)kept secret since the world began 26 but (JR)now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for (JS)obedience to the faith— 27 to (JT)God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Footnotes
- Romans 9:3 Or relatives
- Romans 9:28 NU the Lord will finish the work and cut it short upon the earth
- Romans 9:29 Lit., in Heb., Hosts
- Romans 9:31 NU omits of righteousness
- Romans 9:32 NU by works, omitting of the law
- Romans 10:1 NU them
- Romans 10:15 NU omits preach the gospel of peace, Who
- Romans 11:6 NU omits the rest of v. 6.
- Romans 11:11 trespass
- Romans 11:12 trespass
- Romans 11:17 richness
- Romans 11:22 NU adds of God
- Romans 11:25 estimation
- Romans 11:26 Or delivered
- Romans 11:32 shut them all up in
- Romans 12:1 urge
- Romans 12:1 rational
- Romans 12:12 persevering
- Romans 12:13 Lit. pursuing
- Romans 12:17 Or Provide good
- Romans 13:2 Lit. receive
- Romans 13:9 NU omits “You shall not bear false witness,”
- Romans 13:13 decently
- Romans 14:6 NU omits the rest of this sentence.
- Romans 14:9 NU omits and rose
- Romans 14:10 NU God
- Romans 14:13 any longer
- Romans 14:18 NU this thing
- Romans 14:19 build up
- Romans 14:20 A feeling of giving offense
- Romans 14:21 NU omits the rest of v. 21.
- Romans 14:22 NU The faith which you have—have
- Romans 14:23 M puts Rom. 16:25–27 here.
- Romans 15:1 weaknesses
- Romans 15:2 building up
- Romans 15:4 perseverance
- Romans 15:7 NU, M you
- Romans 15:8 minister
- Romans 15:14 M others
- Romans 15:16 Consisting of
- Romans 15:24 NU omits I shall come to you and joins Spain with the next sentence.
- Romans 15:25 serve
- Romans 15:29 NU omits of the gospel
- Romans 15:31 are disobedient
- Romans 16:5 NU Asia
- Romans 16:11 Or relative
- Romans 16:16 NU All the churches
- Romans 16:18 NU, M omit Jesus
- Romans 16:19 innocent
- Romans 16:24 NU omits v. 24.
- Romans 16:25 M puts Rom. 16:25–27 after Rom. 14:23.
Ephesians 1-6
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Redemption in Christ
3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as (B)He chose us in Him (C)before the foundation of the world, that we should (D)be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 (E)having predestined us to (F)adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, (G)according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, (H)by which He [a]made us accepted in (I)the Beloved.
7 (J)In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to (K)the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and [b]prudence, 9 (L)having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure (M)which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of (N)the fullness of the times (O)He might gather together in one (P)all things in Christ, [c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 (Q)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to (R)the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 (S)that we (T)who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard (U)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, (V)you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 (W)who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance (X)until the redemption of (Y)the purchased possession, (Z)to the praise of His glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
15 Therefore I also, (AA)after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 (AB)do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that (AC)the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, (AD)may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 (AE)the eyes of your [f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is (AF)the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, (AG)according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when (AH)He raised Him from the dead and (AI)seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 (AJ)far above all (AK)principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And (AL)He put all things under His feet, and gave Him (AM)to be head over all things to the church, 23 (AN)which is His body, (AO)the fullness of Him (AP)who fills all in all.
By Grace Through Faith
2 And (AQ)you He made alive, (AR)who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 (AS)in which you once walked according to the [j]course of this world, according to (AT)the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in (AU)the sons of disobedience, 3 (AV)among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in (AW)the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and (AX)were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, (AY)who is rich in mercy, because of His (AZ)great love with which He loved us, 5 (BA)even when we were dead in trespasses, (BB)made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together (BC)in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in (BD)His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 (BE)For by grace you have been saved (BF)through faith, and that not of yourselves; (BG)it is the gift of God, 9 not of (BH)works, lest anyone should (BI)boast. 10 For we are (BJ)His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Brought Near by His Blood
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called (BK)the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Christ Our Peace
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one (BL)new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might (BM)reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby (BN)putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For (BO)through Him we both have access (BP)by one Spirit to the Father.
Christ Our Cornerstone
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been (BQ)built (BR)on the foundation of the (BS)apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being (BT)the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into (BU)a holy temple in the Lord, 22 (BV)in whom you also are being built together for a (BW)dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
The Mystery Revealed
3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the [k]dispensation of the grace of God (BX)which was given to me for you, 3 (BY)how that by revelation (BZ)He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles (CA)should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 (CB)of which I became a minister (CC)according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by (CD)the effective working of His power.
Purpose of the Mystery
8 To me, (CE)who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles (CF)the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the [l]fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who (CG)created all things [m]through Jesus Christ; 10 (CH)to the intent that now (CI)the [n]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church (CJ)to the [o]principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 (CK)according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access (CL)with confidence through faith in Him. 13 (CM)Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, (CN)which is your glory.
Appreciation of the Mystery
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the (CO)Father [p]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, (CP)according to the riches of His glory, (CQ)to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in (CR)the inner man, 17 (CS)that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, (CT)being rooted and grounded in love, 18 (CU)may be able to comprehend with all the saints (CV)what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled (CW)with all the fullness of God.
20 Now (CX)to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly (CY)above all that we ask or think, (CZ)according to the power that works in us, 21 (DA)to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Walk in Unity
4 I, therefore, the prisoner [q]of the Lord, [r]beseech you to (DB)walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit (DC)in the bond of peace. 4 (DD)There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 (DE)one Lord, (DF)one faith, (DG)one baptism; 6 (DH)one God and Father of all, who is above all, and (DI)through all, and in [s]you all.
Spiritual Gifts
7 But (DJ)to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:
(DK)“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9 (DL)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [t]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One (DM)who ascended far above all the heavens, (DN)that He might fill all things.)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, (DO)for the [u]edifying of (DP)the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith (DQ)and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to (DR)a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be (DS)children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of (DT)deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the (DU)head—Christ— 16 (DV)from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The New Man
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should (DW)no longer walk as [v]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the (DX)blindness of their heart; 19 (DY)who, being past feeling, (DZ)have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you (EA)put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and (EB)be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you (EC)put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Do Not Grieve the Spirit
25 Therefore, putting away lying, (ED)“Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for (EE)we are members of one another. 26 (EF)“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 (EG)nor give [w]place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather (EH)let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something (EI)to give him who has need. 29 (EJ)Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but (EK)what is good for necessary [x]edification, (EL)that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And (EM)do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (EN)Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [y]clamor, and (EO)evil speaking be put away from you, (EP)with all malice. 32 And (EQ)be kind to one another, tenderhearted, (ER)forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Walk in Love
5 Therefore(ES) be imitators of God as dear (ET)children. 2 And (EU)walk in love, (EV)as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God (EW)for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all (EX)uncleanness or (EY)covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 (EZ)neither filthiness, nor (FA)foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, (FB)which are not fitting, but rather (FC)giving of thanks. 5 For [z]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any (FD)inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be (FE)partakers with them.
Walk in Light
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are (FF)light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for (FG)the fruit of the [aa]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 (FH)finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have (FI)no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [ab]expose them. 12 (FJ)For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But (FK)all things that are [ac]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
(FL)“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Walk in Wisdom
15 (FM)See then that you walk [ad]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 (FN)redeeming the time, (FO)because the days are evil.
17 (FP)Therefore do not be unwise, but (FQ)understand (FR)what the will of the Lord is. 18 And (FS)do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another (FT)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making (FU)melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 (FV)giving thanks always for all things to God the Father (FW)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (FX)submitting to one another in the fear of [ae]God.
Marriage—Christ and the Church(FY)
22 Wives, (FZ)submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For (GA)the husband is head of the wife, as also (GB)Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands (GC)in everything.
25 (GD)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (GE)gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [af]sanctify and cleanse her (GF)with the washing of water (GG)by the word, 27 (GH)that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, (GI)not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For (GJ)we are members of His body, [ag]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 (GK)“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the (GL)two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless (GM)let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she (GN)respects her husband.
Children and Parents(GO)
6 Children, (GP)obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (GQ)“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4 And (GR)you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but (GS)bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 (GT)Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, (GU)with fear and trembling, (GV)in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 (GW)not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 (GX)knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that [ah]your own (GY)Master also is in heaven, and (GZ)there is no partiality with Him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 (HA)Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [ai]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (HB)principalities, against powers, against (HC)the rulers of [aj]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 (HD)Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (HE)in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, (HF)having girded your waist with truth, (HG)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 (HH)and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking (HI)the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And (HJ)take the helmet of salvation, and (HK)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 (HL)praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, (HM)being watchful to this end with all perseverance and (HN)supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, (HO)that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which (HP)I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
A Gracious Greeting
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, (HQ)Tychicus, a beloved brother and (HR)faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 (HS)whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may (HT)comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 1:6 Lit. bestowed grace (favor) upon us
- Ephesians 1:8 understanding
- Ephesians 1:10 NU, M omit both
- Ephesians 1:14 NU which
- Ephesians 1:14 down payment, earnest
- Ephesians 1:18 NU, M hearts
- Ephesians 1:21 rule
- Ephesians 1:21 authority
- Ephesians 1:21 power
- Ephesians 2:2 Gr. aion, aeon
- Ephesians 3:2 stewardship
- Ephesians 3:9 NU, M stewardship (dispensation)
- Ephesians 3:9 NU omits through Jesus Christ
- Ephesians 3:10 variegated or many-sided
- Ephesians 3:10 rulers
- Ephesians 3:14 NU omits of our Lord Jesus Christ
- Ephesians 4:1 Lit. in
- Ephesians 4:1 exhort, encourage
- Ephesians 4:6 NU omits you; M us
- Ephesians 4:9 NU omits first
- Ephesians 4:12 building up
- Ephesians 4:17 NU omits the rest of
- Ephesians 4:27 an opportunity
- Ephesians 4:29 building up
- Ephesians 4:31 loud quarreling
- Ephesians 5:5 NU know this
- Ephesians 5:9 NU light
- Ephesians 5:11 reprove
- Ephesians 5:13 reproved
- Ephesians 5:15 carefully
- Ephesians 5:21 NU Christ
- Ephesians 5:26 set it apart
- Ephesians 5:30 NU omits the rest of v. 30.
- Ephesians 6:9 NU He who is both their Master and yours is
- Ephesians 6:11 schemings
- Ephesians 6:12 NU this darkness,
Philippians 1-4
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the [a]bishops and (A)deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thankfulness and Prayer
3 (B)I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in (C)every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 (D)for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun (E)a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness (F)which are by Jesus Christ, (G)to the glory and praise of God.
Christ Is Preached
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident (H)to the whole [b]palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 [c]The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
19 For I know that (I)this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but (J)with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life (K)or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I [d]cannot tell. 23 [e]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a (L)desire to depart and be with Christ, which is (M)far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that (N)your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Striving and Suffering for Christ
27 Only (O)let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, (P)with one mind (Q)striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but [f]to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you (R)it has been granted on behalf of Christ, (S)not only to believe in Him, but also to (T)suffer for His sake, 30 (U)having the same conflict (V)which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Unity Through Humility
2 Therefore if there is any [g]consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any (W)affection and mercy, 2 (X)fulfill my joy (Y)by being like-minded, having the same love, being of (Z)one accord, of one mind. 3 (AA)Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but (AB)in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 (AC)Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of (AD)others.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 (AE)Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, (AF)being in the form of God, did not consider it [h]robbery to be equal with God, 7 (AG)but [i]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form (AH)of a bondservant, and (AI)coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and (AJ)became (AK)obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 (AL)Therefore God also (AM)has highly exalted Him and (AN)given Him the name which is above every name, 10 (AO)that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and (AP)that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Light Bearers
12 Therefore, my beloved, (AQ)as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, (AR)work out your own salvation with (AS)fear and trembling; 13 for (AT)it is God who works in you both to will and to do (AU)for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things (AV)without [j]complaining and (AW)disputing,[k] 15 that you may become blameless and [l]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as (AX)lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that (AY)I may rejoice in the day of Christ that (AZ)I have not run in vain or labored in (BA)vain.
17 Yes, and if (BB)I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice (BC)and service of your faith, (BD)I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy Commended
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send (BE)Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your [m]state. 20 For I have no one (BF)like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, (BG)that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
Epaphroditus Praised
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you (BH)Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and (BI)fellow soldier, (BJ)but your messenger and (BK)the one who ministered to my need; 26 (BL)since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, [n]not regarding his life, (BM)to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
All for Christ
3 Finally, my brethren, (BN)rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2 (BO)Beware of dogs, beware of (BP)evil workers, (BQ)beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are (BR)the circumcision, (BS)who worship [o]God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though (BT)I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I (BU)more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, (BV)of the tribe of Benjamin, (BW)a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, (BX)a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, (BY)persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But (BZ)what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss (CA)for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having (CB)my own righteousness, which is from the law, but (CC)that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the (CD)power of His resurrection, and (CE)the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may (CF)attain[p] to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already (CG)attained,[q] or am already (CH)perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [r]apprehended; but one thing I do, (CI)forgetting those things which are behind and (CJ)reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 (CK)I press toward the goal for the prize of (CL)the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are (CM)mature, (CN)have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, (CO)God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [s]attained, (CP)let us walk (CQ)by the same [t]rule, let us be of the same mind.
Our Citizenship in Heaven
17 Brethren, (CR)join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as (CS)you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are (CT)the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 (CU)whose end is destruction, (CV)whose god is their belly, and (CW)whose glory is in their shame—(CX)who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For (CY)our citizenship is in heaven, (CZ)from which we also (DA)eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (DB)who will transform our lowly body that it may be (DC)conformed to His glorious body, (DD)according to the working by which He is able even to (DE)subdue all things to Himself.
Be Anxious for Nothing; Think These Thoughts
4 Therefore, my beloved and (DF)longed-for brethren, (DG)my joy and crown, so (DH)stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche (DI)to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 [u]And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who (DJ)labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in (DK)the Book of Life.
4 (DL)Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your [v]gentleness be known to all men. (DM)The Lord is at hand.
6 (DN)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with (DO)thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and (DP)the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are (DQ)true, whatever things are (DR)noble, whatever things are (DS)just, (DT)whatever things are pure, whatever things are (DU)lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and (DV)the God of peace will be with you.
Philippian Generosity
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last (DW)your[w] care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, (DX)to be content: 12 (DY)I know how to [x]be abased, and I know how to [y]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things (DZ)through [z]Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that (EA)you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, (EB)no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek (EC)the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I [aa]have all and abound. I am full, having received from (ED)Epaphroditus the things sent from you, (EE)a sweet-smelling aroma, (EF)an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God (EG)shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 (EH)Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greeting and Blessing
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren (EI)who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with [ab]you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 Lit. overseers
- Philippians 1:13 Or Praetorium
- Philippians 1:16 NU reverses vv. 16 and 17.
- Philippians 1:22 do not know
- Philippians 1:23 NU, M But
- Philippians 1:28 NU of your salvation
- Philippians 2:1 Or encouragement
- Philippians 2:6 Or something to be held onto to be equal
- Philippians 2:7 emptied Himself of His privileges
- Philippians 2:14 grumbling
- Philippians 2:14 arguing
- Philippians 2:15 innocent
- Philippians 2:19 condition
- Philippians 2:30 risking
- Philippians 3:3 NU, M in the Spirit of God
- Philippians 3:11 Lit. arrive at
- Philippians 3:12 obtained it
- Philippians 3:13 laid hold of it
- Philippians 3:16 arrived
- Philippians 3:16 NU omits rule and the rest of v. 16.
- Philippians 4:3 NU, M Yes
- Philippians 4:5 graciousness or forbearance
- Philippians 4:10 you have revived your care
- Philippians 4:12 live humbly
- Philippians 4:12 live in prosperity
- Philippians 4:13 NU Him who
- Philippians 4:18 Or have received all
- Philippians 4:23 NU your spirit
Colossians 1-4
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul, (A)an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints (B)and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
(C)Grace to you and peace from God our Father [a]and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Their Faith in Christ
3 (D)We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 (E)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of (F)your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope (G)which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, (H)as it has also in all the world, and (I)is bringing forth [b]fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew (J)the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from (K)Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is (L)a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your (M)love in the Spirit.
Preeminence of Christ
9 (N)For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask (O)that you may be filled with (P)the knowledge of His will (Q)in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 (R)that you may walk worthy of the Lord, (S)fully pleasing Him, (T)being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the (U)knowledge of God; 11 (V)strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, (W)for all patience and longsuffering (X)with joy; 12 (Y)giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of (Z)the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from (AA)the power of darkness (AB)and [c]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 (AC)in whom we have redemption [d]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is (AD)the image of the invisible God, (AE)the firstborn over all creation. 16 For (AF)by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or (AG)dominions or [e]principalities or [f]powers. All things were created (AH)through Him and for Him. 17 (AI)And He is before all things, and in Him (AJ)all things consist. 18 And (AK)He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, (AL)the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Reconciled in Christ
19 For it pleased the Father that (AM)in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and (AN)by Him to reconcile (AO)all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, (AP)having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, (AQ)who once were alienated and enemies in your mind (AR)by wicked works, yet now He has (AS)reconciled 22 (AT)in the body of His flesh through death, (AU)to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue (AV)in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are (AW)not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, (AX)which was preached to every creature under heaven, (AY)of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Sacrificial Service for Christ
24 (AZ)I now rejoice in my sufferings (BA)for you, and fill up in my flesh (BB)what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for (BC)the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to (BD)the [g]stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 (BE)the [h]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, (BF)but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 (BG)To them God willed to make known what are (BH)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: [i]which is (BI)Christ in you, (BJ)the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, (BK)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, (BL)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me (BM)mightily.
Not Philosophy but Christ
2 For I want you to know what a great (BN)conflict[j] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [k]both of the Father and of Christ, 3 (BO)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say (BP)lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For (BQ)though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [l]to see (BR)your good order and the (BS)steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 (BT)As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 (BU)rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [m]in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone [n]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to (BV)the tradition of men, according to the (BW)basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For (BX)in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [o]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the (BY)head of all [p]principality and power.
Not Legalism but Christ
11 In Him you were also (BZ)circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by (CA)putting off the body [q]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 (CB)buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through (CC)faith in the working of God, (CD)who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 (CE)having wiped out the [r]handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 (CF)Having disarmed (CG)principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one (CH)judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a [s]festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 (CI)which are a shadow of things to come, but the [t]substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has [u]not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to (CJ)the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, (CK)grows with the increase that is from God.
20 [v]Therefore, if you (CL)died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, (CM)why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 (CN)“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—(CO)according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 (CP)These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and [w]neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Not Carnality but Christ
3 If then you were (CQ)raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, (CR)where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the (CS)earth. 3 (CT)For you died, (CU)and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 (CV)When Christ who is (CW)our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in (CX)glory.
5 (CY)Therefore put to death (CZ)your members which are on the earth: (DA)fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, (DB)which is idolatry. 6 (DC)Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon (DD)the sons of disobedience, 7 (DE)in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 (DF)But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who (DG)is renewed in knowledge (DH)according to the image of Him who (DI)created him, 11 where there is neither (DJ)Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, (DK)but Christ is all and in all.
Character of the New Man
12 Therefore, (DL)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (DM)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (DN)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (DO)But above all these things (DP)put on love, which is the (DQ)bond of perfection. 15 And let (DR)the peace of God rule in your hearts, (DS)to which also you were called (DT)in one body; and (DU)be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (DV)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And (DW)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The Christian Home(DX)
18 (DY)Wives, submit to your own husbands, (DZ)as is fitting in the Lord.
19 (EA)Husbands, love your wives and do not be (EB)bitter toward them.
20 (EC)Children, obey your parents (ED)in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 (EE)Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
22 (EF)Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 (EG)And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 (EH)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; (EI)for[x] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and (EJ)there is no partiality.
Christian Graces; Final Greetings
4 Masters,(EK) give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Christian Graces
2 (EL)Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (EM)with thanksgiving; 3 (EN)meanwhile praying also for us, that God would (EO)open to us a door for the word, to speak (EP)the [y]mystery of Christ, (EQ)for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 (ER)Walk in (ES)wisdom toward those who are outside, (ET)redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be (EU)with grace, (EV)seasoned with salt, (EW)that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Final Greetings(EX)
7 (EY)Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 (EZ)I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that [z]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with (FA)Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 (FB)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with (FC)Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 (FD)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always (FE)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand (FF)perfect and [aa]complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great [ab]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 (FG)Luke the beloved physician and (FH)Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and [ac]Nymphas and (FI)the church that is in [ad]his house.
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
16 Now when (FJ)this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to (FK)Archippus, “Take heed to (FL)the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 (FM)This salutation by my own hand—Paul. (FN)Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Footnotes
- Colossians 1:2 NU omits and the Lord Jesus Christ
- Colossians 1:6 NU, M add and growing
- Colossians 1:13 transferred
- Colossians 1:14 NU, M omit through His blood
- Colossians 1:16 rulers
- Colossians 1:16 authorities
- Colossians 1:25 dispensation or administration
- Colossians 1:26 secret or hidden truth
- Colossians 1:27 M who
- Colossians 2:1 struggle
- Colossians 2:2 NU omits both of the Father and
- Colossians 2:5 Lit. and seeing
- Colossians 2:7 NU omits in it
- Colossians 2:8 Lit. plunder you or take you captive
- Colossians 2:9 in bodily form
- Colossians 2:10 rule and authority
- Colossians 2:11 NU omits of the sins
- Colossians 2:14 certificate of debt with its
- Colossians 2:16 feast day
- Colossians 2:17 Lit. body
- Colossians 2:18 NU omits not
- Colossians 2:20 NU, M omit Therefore
- Colossians 2:23 severe treatment, asceticism
- Colossians 3:24 NU omits for
- Colossians 4:3 hidden truth
- Colossians 4:8 NU you may know our circumstances and he may comfort
- Colossians 4:12 NU fully assured
- Colossians 4:13 NU concern
- Colossians 4:15 NU Nympha
- Colossians 4:15 NU her
1 Timothy 1-4
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2 To Timothy, a (A)true son in the faith:
(B)Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
No Other Doctrine
3 As I urged you (C)when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may [a]charge some (D)that they teach no other doctrine, 4 (E)nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now (F)the purpose of the commandment is love (G)from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to (H)idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is (I)good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is [c]contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the (J)blessed God which was (K)committed to my trust.
Glory to God for His Grace(L)
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has (M)enabled me, (N)because He counted me faithful, (O)putting me into the ministry, 13 although (P)I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an [d]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because (Q)I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 (R)And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, (S)with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 (T)This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that (U)Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to (V)the King eternal, (W)immortal, (X)invisible, to [e]God (Y)who alone is wise, (Z)be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
18 This [f]charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are (AA)Hymenaeus and (AB)Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to (AC)blaspheme.
Pray for All Men
2 Therefore I [g]exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 (AD)for kings and (AE)all who are in [h]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and [i]reverence. 3 For this is (AF)good and acceptable in the sight (AG)of God our Savior, 4 (AH)who desires all men to be saved (AI)and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 (AJ)For there is one God and (AK)one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 (AL)who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 (AM)for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth [j]in Christ and not lying—(AN)a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Men and Women in the Church
8 I desire therefore that the men pray (AO)everywhere, (AP)lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the (AQ)women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and [k]moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 (AR)but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And (AS)I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Qualifications of Overseers
3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [l]bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not [m]given to wine, not violent, [n]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not [o]covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a [p]novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the (AT)snare of the devil.
Qualifications of Deacons
8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, (AU)not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the [q]mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not [r]slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons (AV)obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The Great Mystery
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and [s]ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the [t]mystery of godliness:
(AW)God[u] was manifested in the flesh,
(AX)Justified in the Spirit,
(AY)Seen by angels,
(AZ)Preached among the Gentiles,
(BA)Believed on in the world,
(BB)Received up in glory.
The Great Apostasy
4 Now the Spirit [v]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed (BC)to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 (BD)speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience (BE)seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is [w]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, (BF)nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But (BG)reject profane and old wives’ fables, and (BH)exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For (BI)bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, (BJ)having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end [x]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, (BK)who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Take Heed to Your Ministry
12 Let no one [y]despise your youth, but be an (BL)example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, [z]in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [aa]doctrine. 14 (BM)Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy (BN)with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 1:3 command
- 1 Timothy 1:5 Lit. unhypocritical
- 1 Timothy 1:10 opposed
- 1 Timothy 1:13 violently arrogant
- 1 Timothy 1:17 NU the only God,
- 1 Timothy 1:18 command
- 1 Timothy 2:1 encourage
- 1 Timothy 2:2 a prominent place
- 1 Timothy 2:2 dignity
- 1 Timothy 2:7 NU omits in Christ
- 1 Timothy 2:9 discretion
- 1 Timothy 3:1 Lit. overseer
- 1 Timothy 3:3 addicted
- 1 Timothy 3:3 NU omits not greedy for money
- 1 Timothy 3:3 loving money
- 1 Timothy 3:6 new convert
- 1 Timothy 3:9 hidden truth
- 1 Timothy 3:11 malicious gossips
- 1 Timothy 3:15 foundation, mainstay
- 1 Timothy 3:16 hidden truth
- 1 Timothy 3:16 NU Who
- 1 Timothy 4:1 explicitly
- 1 Timothy 4:5 set apart
- 1 Timothy 4:10 NU we labor and strive,
- 1 Timothy 4:12 look down on your youthfulness
- 1 Timothy 4:12 NU omits in spirit
- 1 Timothy 4:13 teaching
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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