Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

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

And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.

But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,

The Transfiguration

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

If Your Brother Sins Against You

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.

saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’

Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.

James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.

And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”

And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her.

For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.”

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,

who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.

There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring.

And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,

Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.

And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”

But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

The Parable of the Great Banquet

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,

And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children.

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.

but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,

So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.

For not even his brothers believed in him.

But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.

It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.

and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,

“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.

“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

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 on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh.

“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.

And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’

This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Reports to the Church

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.

So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

He killed James the brother of John with the sword,

But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

The Jerusalem Council

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.

The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.

And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

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,

Paul and Silas in Berea

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.

Paul Returns to Antioch

After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.

And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,

When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.

Paul Visits James

When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.

And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,

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

as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.

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

And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

Paul in Rome

After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Released from the Law

Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Heirs with Christ

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

The Mystery of Israel's Salvation

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

A Living Sacrifice

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

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;

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,

Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

Final Instructions and Greetings

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

Greeting

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

Divisions in the Church

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

Divisions in the Church

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,

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

But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,

And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

Warning Against Idolatry

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—

Spiritual Gifts

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Orderly Worship

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

The Resurrection of Christ

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

Mystery and Victory

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Final Instructions

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—

All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Greeting

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.

my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

Encouragement to Give Generously

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.

And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.

on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;

I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

Final Greetings

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Paul Called by God

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.

But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—

The Law and the Promise

To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.

Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Bear One Another's Burdens

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Final Greetings

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Advance of the Gospel

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Final Greetings

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

Greeting

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Final Greetings

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,

for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

A Life Pleasing to God

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

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.

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

The Coming of the Lord

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

The Day of the Lord

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.

But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Final Instructions and Benediction

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Brothers, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

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

Thanksgiving

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

The Man of Lawlessness

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,

Stand Firm

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Pray for Us

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,

Warning Against Idleness

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

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.

Instructions for the Church

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,

Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

False Teachers and True Contentment

Teach and urge these things.

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

Greeting

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Jesus Greater Than Moses

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham.

And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

The Full Assurance of Faith

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

Sacrifices Pleasing to God

Let brotherly love continue.

Final Greetings

I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.

You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.

Testing of Your Faith

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Hearing and Doing the Word

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

The Sin of Partiality

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

Faith Without Works Is Dead

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Patience in Suffering

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Final Greetings

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.

Support and Opposition

Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,

So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

Greeting

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

Vision of the Son of Man

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

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.

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”