8 [5:12]Above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, nor the earth, nor any other oath. But let your yes be yes, and your no, no, that you may not fall under condemnation.

9 [5:13]If any one among you is afflicted, let him pray; if any one is happy, let him sing psalms; [5:14]if any one is sick among you, let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [5:15]And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [5:16]Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be cured, for the prayer of the righteous operates with great power. [5:17]Elijah was a man of like pa.s.sions with us, and he prayed that it might not rain, and it rained not on the land for three years and six months; [5:18]

and again he prayed, and heaven gave rain, and the earth yielded her fruit.

10 [5:19]Brothers, if any one among you errs from the truth, and one converts him, [5:20]let him know that he who converts a sinner from an error of [his] way, shall save a soul from death, and hide a mult.i.tude of sins.

FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER.

BABYLON, A.D. 64.

CHAPTER I.

A FIRM ADHERENCE TO CHRIST, ETC.

1 [1:1]PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect strangers of the dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, [1:2]according to the foreknowledge of G.o.d the Father, by sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you.

2 [1:3]Blessed be the G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has begotten us to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [1:4]to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you [1:5]who are kept by the power of G.o.d through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [1:6]In which you rejoice, though now for a little while if need be made sad by manifold trials, [1:7]that the trial of your faith, which is much more precious than gold that is destroyed but proved by fire, may be found to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, [1:8]whom not having seen you love, in whom believing though now you see him not you rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious, [1:9] receiving the end of the faith, the salvation of souls. [1:10]Concerning which salvation the prophets also who prophesied concerning the grace [bestowed] on us inquired diligently and sought, [1:11]inquiring as to what person or what time the Spirit of Christ which was in them signified, when it declared before the sufferings of Christ and after these the glories, [1:12]to whom it was revealed that they ministered not to themselves but to us those things which have now been declared to you by those who preached to you the good news, with the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, into which the angels desire to look.

3 [1:13]Wherefore, girding up the loins of your minds, be sober, and hope to the end for the gift to be brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ. [1:14]As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the desires of your former ignorance, [1:15]but as he that called you is holy be you also holy in all [your] conduct, [1:16]because it is written, Be you holy, for I am holy. [1:17]And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, spend the time of your life with fear, [1:18] knowing that you were not redeemed from your vain mode of life received by tradition from your fathers, with destructible things, silver or gold, [1:19] but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without a spot; [1:20]who was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but made manifest in these last times for you, [1:21]who through him believed in G.o.d, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope may be in G.o.d.

4 [1:22]Having purified your souls by obeying the truth to unfeigned brotherly love, love one another fervently, from the heart, [1:23]having been born again, not from destructible seed but from indestructible, through the word of G.o.d which lives and endures.

[1:24]For all flesh is like gra.s.s, and all its glory like the flower of the gra.s.s; the gra.s.s has withered, and its flower fell off; [1:25]but the word of the Lord continues forever. And this is the word preached to you.

5 [2:1]Laying aside therefore all malice and all deceit and hypocrisies and envies and all evil speakings, [2:2]as new born babes desire earnestly the pure milk of the word, that you may grow by it to salvation, [2:3]if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

[2:4]To whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed by men but approved by G.o.d, elect, precious, [2:5]do you also yourselves be built up living stones, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices well pleasing to G.o.d through Jesus Christ, [2:6]for it is said in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious, and he that believes on him shall not be ashamed. [2:7]To you therefore who believe he is precious; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of a corner [2:8]and a stone of stumbling and rock of offense, who stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. [2:9]But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should declare the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his glorious light; [2:10] who formerly were not a people, but now are a people of G.o.d, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

CHAPTER II.

PERSONAL, POLITICAL, AND SOCIAL DUTIES, ETC.

1 [2:11]BELOVED, I exhort you as strangers and foreigners, abstain from carnal desires, which war against the soul, [2:12]having your conduct honorable among the gentiles, that wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, from the good works which they see they may glorify G.o.d in the day of visitation.

2 [2:13]Be subject therefore to every human government, for the Lord's sake, whether to the king, as superior, [2:14]to governors, sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of those who do well; [2:15]for this is the will of G.o.d, that by well-doing you may silence the ignorance of foolish men; [2:16]as free, and not using freedom for a cloak of vice, but as servants of G.o.d. [2:17]Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear G.o.d, honor the king.

3 [2:18]Let servants be subject with all fear to masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the perverse. [2:19]For this deserves thanks, if on account of a knowledge of G.o.d one endures pain, suffering unjustly. [2:20]For what glory is it if when you sin and are punished you bear it patiently? But if you do well and suffer and bear it patiently, [this deserves thanks], for it is acceptable to G.o.d.

[2:21]For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you a copy that you should follow his steps, [2:22]who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth, [2:23]who being reviled reviled not, suffering threatened not, but committed himself to him that judges righteously, [2:24]who himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we having died to sins, may live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. [2:25]For you were like lost sheep, but are now returned to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

4 [3:1]In like manner let the women be subject to their husbands, that even if some disobey the word, they may be gained through the conduct of their wives without the word, [3:2]seeing your pure mode of life in the fear [of G.o.d]. [3:3]Whose ornament let it not be the external [ornament] of braided hair and the putting on of chains of gold or of clothing, [3:4]but let the hidden man of the heart be adorned with the imperishable [ornaments] of a meek and quiet spirit, which are of great price before G.o.d. [3:5]For so formerly also the holy women who hoped in G.o.d adorned themselves, being subject to their husbands, [3:6]as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose children you are, doing good and having no fear. [3:7]In like manner let the husbands [do], living together in knowledge with the wife as with a vessel of less strength, deeming them precious, co-heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

5 [3:8]Finally, be all of one mind, sympathising, loving as brothers, compa.s.sionate, humble, [3:9]not returning evil for evil or railing for railing, but on the contrary blessing [your enemies], because to this you are called, that you may inherit blessing. [3:10]For he that will love life and see good days, let him withhold his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, [3:11]let him abstain from evil and do good, let him seek peace and pursue it, [3:12]for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

6 [3:13]And who is he that will injure you if you are followers of what is good? [3:14]But even if you suffer on account of righteousness, you are blessed. But fear not with their fear, neither be troubled; [3:15]and sanctify the anointed Lord in your hearts, and be always ready with a defense to every one that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you; but with meekness and fear, [3:16]having a good conscience, that in what they speak evil of you they may be ashamed who slander your good conduct in Christ. [3:17]For it is better to suffer doing good, if the will of G.o.d allows, than doing evil. [3:18]For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might lead us to G.o.d, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, [3:19] in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, [3:20]who were formerly disobedient when the long suffering of G.o.d waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls, were saved by water. [3:21]The archetype of which, baptism, also now saves us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience in G.o.d, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [3:22]who is on the right hand of G.o.d, having gone to heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

7 [4:1]Christ therefore having suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [4:2]that you may no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh according to the desires of men, but according to the will of G.o.d. [4:3]For the time past is sufficient for us to have performed the will of the gentiles, walking in lewdness, inordinate desires, drunkenness, revellings, drinkings and unlawful idolatries, [4:4]in which they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excessive intemperance, blaspheming, [4:5]who shall give an account to him that is ready to judge the living and dead. [4:6]And for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to G.o.d in the Spirit.

8 [4:7]But the end of all things is at hand. Be sober therefore, and watch in prayers; [4:8]above all things have fervent love one for another, for love hides a mult.i.tude of sins. [4:9]Be hospitable one to another, without complaining; [4:10]as each has received a gift, minister the same among yourselves as good stewards of the manifold grace of G.o.d. [4:11]If any one speaks, let him speak as the oracles of G.o.d, if any one serves, let it be as of the strength which G.o.d supplies, that in all things G.o.d may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the power for ever and ever; amen.

CHAPTER III.

TRIALS, ADMONITIONS TO PRESBYTERS, ETC.

1 [4:12]BELOVED, think not strange of the fiery trial which is to try you, as if some strange thing happened to you, [4:13]but as you partake of the sufferings of Christ rejoice, that you may also rejoice exulting at the revelation of his glory. [4:14]If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you, for the Spirit of glory and of G.o.d rests on you. [4:15]But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or as a meddler in other men's affairs; [4:16]but as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, let him glorify G.o.d on this account.

[4:17]For it is time for judgment to begin at the house of G.o.d; and if it first begins with us, what will the end be of those that obey not the gospel of G.o.d? [4:18]And if the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the unG.o.dly and the sinner appear? [4:19]Let those therefore who suffer by the will of G.o.d, commit their souls to him in well doing as a faithful creator.

2 [5:1]The elders among you I exhort, who am a co-elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed; [5:2]feed the flock of G.o.d which is among you, not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but of a ready mind, [5:3]not as having a lordship over G.o.d's inheritance but being examples to the flock; [5:4]and when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive an unfading crown of glory.

3 [5:5]Let the younger in like manner be subject to the elder, and do you all be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for G.o.d resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. [5:6]Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of G.o.d, that he may exalt you in due time; [5:7]casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you.

4 [5:8]Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; [5:9]whom resist, firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished by your brothers in the world. [5:10]And may the G.o.d of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, when you have suffered a little while, himself make you perfect, confirm, strengthen, establish you. [5:11]To him be the glory and the power for ever; amen.

5 [5:12]I have written to you in a few words by Silva.n.u.s [Silas], a faithful brother as I suppose, exhorting you, and testifying that this is the true grace of G.o.d in which you stand. [5:13]The co-elect [church] at Babylon salutes you, and Mark my son. [5:14]Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all in Christ.

SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER.

BABYLON, A.D. 67.

CHAPTER I.

THE PURSUIT OF THE VIRTUES, THE GLORY OF CHRIST, FALSE TEACHERS, ETC.

1 [1:1]SIMEON Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our G.o.d and Saviour Jesus Christ. [1:2]Grace and peace be multiplied to you by a knowledge of G.o.d and of Jesus our Lord.

2 [1:3]As his divine power has given us all things which pertain to life and piety, through the knowledge of him that has called us to his own glory and virtue, [1:4]through which have been given us very great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption which is in the world by inordinate desire, [1:5]and for the same purpose also, giving all diligence add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, [1:6]and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience piety, [1:7]and to piety brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. [1:8]For if these are in you and abound, they will make you not inactive nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; [1:9]for a man that is without these is blind, not seeing to a distance, and has forgotten the purification from his former errors.

[1:10]Wherefore, brothers, use the greater diligence to make your calling and election sure; for doing these things you shall never fall.

[1:11]For thus shall you have an abundant entrance given you into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

3 [1:12]Wherefore I will not neglect always to remind you of these things, although you have known them, and have been established in the present truth. [1:13]I think it right as long as I am in this tabernacle, to excite you by remembrance, [1:14]knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle is at hand, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. [1:15]But I will also be diligent and especially that you may be able to make mention of these things after my departure.

[1:16]For we did not follow skilfully constructed myths in making known to you the power and appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of his majesty. [1:17]For he received from G.o.d the Father honor and glory, when this voice was brought to him from the magnificent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

[1:18]And this voice we heard brought from heaven when we were with him on the holy mount. [1:19]And we have the more sure prophetic word, to which you will do well to attend, as to a light shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the day-star arises in your hearts, [1:20]knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of its own solution. [1:21]For prophecy was never brought by the will of man, but moved by the Holy Spirit men spoke from G.o.d.

4 [2:1]But there were also false prophets among the people, as there shall also be false teachers among you, who shall bring in by stealth destructive heresies, even denying the master that bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction; [2:2]and many shall follow their lewdness, on account of whom the way of truth shall be reviled, [2:3]and with covetousness they will make a gain of you with feigned words, whose judgment a long time lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not. [2:4]For if G.o.d spared not the angels that sinned, but plunging them into Tartarus delivered them up in chains to be kept in darkness till the judgment, [2:5]and spared not the old world, but preserved Noah a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, bringing the flood on the world of the unG.o.dly, [2:6]and condemned Sodom and Gomorrah to be overthrown, reducing them to ashes, making them an example to those who should afterwards be wicked, [2:7]and delivered righteous Lot, vexed by the lewd conduct of the wicked;-- [2:8]for that righteous man living among them vexed his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their wicked deeds;-- [2:9]the Lord knows how to deliver the pious from trial, and to keep the wicked to the day of judgment to be punished, [2:10]but especially those who walk after the flesh, in corrupt desires, and despise government. Presumptuous, self-complacent, they fear not to revile glories, [2:11]where the angels who are greater in strength and power do not bring against them a reproachful judgment; [2:12]but these, like irrational animals, brutes made to be taken and destroyed, reviling things which they do not understand, will also be destroyed in their depravity, [2:13]

receiving the wages of wickedness, accounting luxury in the day-time a pleasure, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceptions while feasting with you, [2:14]having eyes full of an adulteress, and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart exercised in covetousness, cursed children, [2:15]having left the right way they have gone astray, following in the way of Balaam the son of Beor who loved the wages of wickedness, [2:16]but had a rebuke of his transgression; the dumb a.s.s, speaking with a man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet.