Part 50 (1/2)

VI.

LET as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of G.o.d and the teaching be not blasphemed. (2)And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren; but the rather do them service, because they who receive the benefit are faithful and beloved. These things teach and exhort.

(3)If any one teaches otherwise, and a.s.sents not to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching which is according to G.o.dliness, (4)he is puffed up with pride, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5)vain disputings of men corrupted in mind, and robbed of the truth, supposing that G.o.dliness is a means of gain. (6)But G.o.dliness with contentment is a great means of gain.

(7)For we brought nothing into the world; it is certain we can also carry nothing out; (8)and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. (9)But they who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful l.u.s.ts, which sink men into destruction and perdition. (10)For the love of money is a root of all evils; which some coveting after wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

(11)But thou, O man of G.o.d, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, G.o.dliness, faith, love, patience, meekness of spirit.

(12)Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the eternal life, unto which thou wast called, and didst make the good profession before many witnesses.

(13)I charge thee in the sight of G.o.d, who preserves all alive, and of Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good profession, (14)that thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; (15)which in his own times[6:15]

he will show, who is the blissful and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (16)who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man has seen, or can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

(17)Charge those who are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor place their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but in G.o.d, who gives us all things richly for enjoyment; (18)that they do good, be rich in good works, be free in imparting, willing to communicate; (19)laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life.

(20)O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane babblings, and oppositions of that which is falsely called knowledge; (21)which some professing erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee.

THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY.

I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of G.o.d, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, (2)to Timothy, a beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from G.o.d the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

(3)I thank G.o.d, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; (4)longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; (5)calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that it dwells in thee also. (6)For which cause I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of G.o.d, which is in thee by the laying on of my hands. (7)For G.o.d did not give us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of chastis.e.m.e.nt.

(8)Be not then ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hards.h.i.+p with me for the gospel, according to the power of G.o.d; (9)who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and the grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before eternal ages, (10)but now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel; (11)for which I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (12)For which cause I suffer also these things. But I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him, unto that day.

(13)Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou heardest from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (14)The good thing committed to thee keep, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

(15)Thou knowest this, that all those in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (16)The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; because he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; (17)but when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. (18)The Lord grant to him, that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day! And in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

II.

THOU therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2)And the things that thou heardest from me by many witnesses[2:2], the same commit thou to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (3)Endure hards.h.i.+p with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4)No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who chose him to be a soldier. (5)And if a man also contends in the games, he is not crowned, unless he contends lawfully. (6)The husbandman that labors must first partake of the fruits. (7)Consider what I say; for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.

(8)Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel; (9)in which I endure hards.h.i.+p, even unto bonds, as an evil-doer; but the word of G.o.d is not bound. (10)For this cause, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

(11)Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him; (12)if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we shall deny him, he also will deny us; (13)if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he can not deny himself.

(14)Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the subverting of the hearers.

(15)Endeavor to present thyself approved to G.o.d, a workman not made ashamed, rightly dividing[2:15] the word of truth. (16)But shun the profane babblings; for they will go on to more unG.o.dliness. (17)And their word will eat as does a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18)who erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and overturn the faith of some.

(19)Nevertheless, G.o.d's firm foundation stands, having this seal: The Lord knew those who are his; and, Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. (20)But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some for honor and some for dishonor. (21)If a man therefore cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful for the master, prepared for every good work.