The Birth of Jesus Christ

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Giving to the Needy

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”

And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.

When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

The Parable of the Weeds

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him,

A Mother's Request

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

See, I have told you beforehand.

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.

But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”

And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus Before Pilate

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”

Jesus Is Mocked

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him.

and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

The Guard at the Tomb

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate

Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,

And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him.

But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.

And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.

The Transfiguration

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,

The Rich Young Man

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.

And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him,

She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

Jesus Before the Council

And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Jesus Is Buried

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,

But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,

but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.

And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.

This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.

for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;

The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

Acknowledge Christ Before Men

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,

but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,

As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.

And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy.

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’

But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.

Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

Jesus Before the Council

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said,

Jesus Before Pilate

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate.

Jesus Before Herod

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.

And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

and he took it and ate before them.

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”

Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,

But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

Before Abraham Was, I Am

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves.

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.

And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.

The Hatred of the World

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Jesus Before Pilate

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

Peter and John Before the Council

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,

For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.

These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,

And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’

Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David,

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,

You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”

And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing

and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

Peter Is Rescued

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.

Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.

And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.

Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,

But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.

“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

Paul Before the Council

But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.

they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.

Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,

other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”

But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.

Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.

And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix,

I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.

But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.

Paul's Defense Before Agrippa

So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,

and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.

and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.

in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Lawsuits Against Believers

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?

So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?

but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.

So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.

I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—

As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

(In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)

I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.

For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.

But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

By Faith, or by Works of the Law?

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.

envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

A Worker Approved by God

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.

in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

Doxology

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Greeting to the Seven Churches

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,

and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:

the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,

and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God,

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,

His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.