Book of Common Prayer

3 Tell the people again to obey their rulers and governments, and to do what they tell them to do. Tell them to be ready to do any honest work.

² They must not say wrong things about anyone. They must not quarrel. They must be kind and polite to everyone.

³ There was a time when we ourselves did not have understanding. We did not obey God. We were fooled by people. We did many wrong things we wanted to do. We did what we pleased. We lived our days in planning to do wrong things and wanting what other people had. People hated us, and we hated each other.

⁴ God who saves us showed how kind and good he is.

⁵ We were not saved by any good things we did ourselves, but he saved us because he is so kind. He washed us clean. We were born again as a new person. The Holy Spirit has made us new.

⁶ God is rich. And he gave the Holy Spirit to us because of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

⁷ He did this so that we can be put right with God, by his kindness. He did this so that we can become his children. So now we can look forward to everlasting life.

⁸ These are true words. And I want you to tell the people these things. Then those who have believed God will try to do good things. These things are right and help people.

⁹ Have nothing to do with: foolish quarrels; lists of people who lived long ago; those who make trouble and argue about the law. These things do not help people and are good for nothing.

¹⁰ Talk to any who do not believe right. Talk to them about it once or twice. Then, if they will not listen, have nothing more to do with them.

¹¹ You know that such people are wrong and what they do is wrong. They themselves know that they are wrong. Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at the city of Nicopolis. I have planned to stay there while it is the cold time of the year.

¹² Do your best to send Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos on their way. Give them all they need.

¹³ Our people should learn to spend their time in doing good things to help people who are poor. In that way, our people will not waste their time. Greet those who believe as we do and who love us. God bless you all.

⁴³ The next day Jesus said, `I will go to Galilee.' He found Philip and said to him, `Come with me.'

⁴⁴ Philip was from the town of Bethsaida. Andrew and Peter were also from that town.

⁴⁵ Philip went to find Nathanael. He said `We have found the man about whom Moses wrote in the books of the law. The prophets also wrote about him. He is Jesus, from Nazareth. He is the son of Joseph.'

⁴⁶ Nathanael said, `From Nazareth? Can any good thing come from there?' Philip said, `Come and see for yourself.'

⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him. He said, `Here is a man who is truly of Israel. He does not fool people.'

⁴⁸ Nathanael asked, `How do you know me?' Jesus answered, `I saw you when you were under the fig tree. That was before Philip called you.'

⁴⁹ Nathanael said, `Teacher, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.'

⁵⁰ Jesus answered, `I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. Is that why you believe in me now? You will see more wonderful things than that!

⁵¹ I tell you the truth,' said Jesus. `You will see heaven open. You will see God's angels going up and down to the Son of Man.'