versation in the fear of God; 3. Let not your adorning be outward, in plaiting the hair, and of gold, of putting on and wearing of apparel; 4. But let it be the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is highly precious. 5. For thus of old the holy women, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being subject to their husbands; 6. As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord: whose daughters ye are if ye do well, and are not so afraid as to err by any terror.

7. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker person, and as being joint heirs of grace of life; that your prayers be not hinder

the

ed.

8. Finally, be all of one mind, having compassion one of another, be full of brotherly kindness, be tenderly affectioned, be humble minded: 9. Not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called to inherit a blessing.

10. For whoever would love life, and see good days, should refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; 11. Let him avoid evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers, but his anger is against them that do evil. 18. And who will harm you you if ye be followers of what is good, 14. But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; so be not afraid of their terror, nor be troubled; 15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man with meekness and fear, who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you. 16. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

17. For it is better, if the will of God be so, to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. 18. For Christ also once suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (of God;) 19. By which also he went and preached to the spirits (now) in prison, 20. Which sometime were disobedient, when once God's forbearance waited in Noah's days, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved upon water. 21. And what answers to this, even baptism now also saves us, not by putting away the pollution of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; 22. Who is gone into heaven, and at the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers, being subject to him.

CHAP. IV.

AN EXHORTATION TO CEASE FROM SIN.

THEREFORE, as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin, 2. That he should not live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3. For the time past of our life, may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, banquetings, excess of wine, drunkenness, and abominable idolatries. 4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you; 5. But they shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

6. To this purpose was the gospel preached also to them that are dead (in sins), that tho' they might be condemned by men in the flesh, yet they might be made to live according to God in the spirit.

7. Now the end of all things (in the Jewish state) is near; be ye, therefore, sober, and watch unto prayer. 8. But above all things have fervent love among yourselves, for charity shall cover the mul titude of sins.

9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10. According as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11. If any man speak, let him speak as the ora cles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12. Beloved, be not surprised at the fiery persecution which is to try you, as though some strange thing befell you; 13. But rejoice that ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be even transported with joy.

14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of God and glory resteth on you; on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busy meddler in other men's

matters.

16. But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this respect. 17. As the time is come that judg ment is to begin at the house of God; and if it begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (Rom. v. 7.)

19. Therefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him, in well doing, as to a faithful Creator.

CHAP. V.

THE ELDERS EXHORTED TO TEACH.

THE presbyters among you I exhort, being also a presbyter, and a witness of Christ's sufferings, and also a partaker of the glory to be revealed: 2. Feed the flock of God among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly; not for base gain, but of a ready mind; 3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock; 4. And when the chief Shepherd appears ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not.

5. Likewise ye younger, submit to the elder; yea, all of you submit to one another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7. Casting all your (anxiety) on him; for he careth for you.

8. Be sober, be watchful, because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour; 9. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing the same sufferings are undergone by your brethren in the world.

10. But the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered a short time, will prepare, support, strengthen, and stablish you. 11. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12. By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true gracious gospel of God, wherein ye stand.

13. The church at Babylon, chosen together with you, salutes you; and so doth Mark my son. 14. Greet one another with a salutation of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

VOL. III.

3 Y

35

S. PETER'S

SECOND GENERAL EPISTLE.

CHAP. I.

PETER EXHORTETH TO CONTINUE IN THE FAITH.

SIMON

IMON PETER, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the mercy of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: 2. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 3. According as his divine power hath given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness, thro' the knowledge of him that called us to glory and virtue; 4. Whereby are giv. en to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world through lust.

5. And for this purpose, using all diligence, add to your faith, fortitude; and to fortitude, knowledge; 6. And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; 7. And to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity. 8. For if these things exist and abound in you, they make you to be neither inactive nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9. But he that hath not these things is blind, closing his eyes, and hath forgotten his former pu. rification from his sins. 10. Therefore, brethren, endeavour the more earnestly to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things ye shall never fall; 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12. Therefore, I will not be negligent to remind you