Book of Common Prayer

A true preacher is diligent. He does not corrupt the word of God. He does not preach himself, but seeks the honour of Christ – yea though it be at the risk of his life.

4 Therefore, seeing that we have such an office, even as mercy has come on us, we faint not, ² but have cast from us the cloaks of dishonesty, and do not walk in craftiness. Neither do we corrupt the word of God, but walk in open truth, and appeal to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ If our gospel be yet hid, it is hid among those who are lost, ⁴ in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus to be the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For it is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing power of it may be seen to be of God, and not of us. ⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet we are not without means. We are in poverty, but not utterly bereft. ⁹ We are persecuted, but are not forsaken. We are cast down, nevertheless we do not perish. ¹⁰ And we always bear in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus so that the life of Jesus may appear in our bodies. ¹¹ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life also of Jesus may appear in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then, death works in us, and life in you.

³⁸ You have heard how it is said, An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. ³⁹ But I say to you, do not resist wrong. But whosoever gives you a blow on your right cheek, turn to him the other. ⁴⁰ And if any man would sue you at law and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever would compel you to go a mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks, and from him who would borrow, turn not away.

⁴³ You have heard how it is said, You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who do you wrong and persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be the children of your Father that is in heaven. For he makes his sun to arise on the evil and on the good, and sends his rain on the just and the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward should you have? Do not the publicans do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you are friendly to your brethren only, what singular thing are you doing? Do not the publicans do likewise? ⁴⁸ You must therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.