word may be given me with openness of my mouth, that I may boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may speak with freedom, as it behoveth me to speak it.

But that you may know also what relateth to me, and what I am doing, behold, Tykikos, a brother beloved, and a faithful minister of our Lord, will make known to you; whom I have sent to you on account of this, that he may make you acquainted with what relateth to me, and may comfort your hearts.

Peace be with the brethren, and love with faith from Aloha our Father, and from our Lord Jeshu Meshiha. Grace be with all them who love our Lord Jeshu Meshiha incorruptibly. Amen.

Finished is the Epistle to the Ephesoyee, which was written from Ruma, and sent by the hand of Tykikos.

THE

EPISTLE OF PAULOS TO THE
PHILIPISOYEE.

I.

PAULOS and Timotheus, servants of Jeshu the Meshiha, to all the saints who are in Jeshu Meshiha at Philipos, with the presbyters and deacons. Grace be with you and peace from Aloha our Father, and from our Lord Jeshu Meshiha. I offer thanks unto Aloha upon the remembrance of you constantly, in all my prayers on your behalf; and while rejoicing, I pray, for your fellowship which is in the gospel from the first day until now; because I am confident of this, that he who hath begun good workings in you will himself make perfect until the day of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha. For so it is right for me to think concerning you all, because you are laid up in my heart; and in my bonds, and in the defence of the truth of the gospel, you are partakers with me in grace. For Aloha is my witness how I love you with the bowels of Jeshu Meshiha. And this I pray, that your love may still increase and abound in knowledge and in all spiritual understanding; that you may distinguish those things that are proper, and may be pure and without offence in

the day of the Meshiha, and filled with the fruits of righteousness which are in Jeshu Meshiha, to the glory and the honour of Aloha.

II.

BUT I wish you to know, my brethren, that my business tendeth the more to the forwarding of the gospel.

For so also my bonds are manifest for the Meshiha in the whole palace,1 and unto all besides. And a multitude of brethren who are in our Lord are strengthened on account of my bonds, and have dared the more fearlessly to speak the word of Aloha. Some preach from envy and contention, but some from good-will, and in the love of the Meshiha; for they know that for the defence of the gospel I am appointed. But those who preach the Meshiha from contention do it not sincerely,2 but think to add affliction to my bonds. Yet in this I have rejoiced, and do rejoice, that in every way, if for an occasion, or if in truth, the Meshiha shall be preached. For I know that these things shall be found unto my life by your prayers, and by the gift of the Spirit of Jeshu Meshiha; even as I hope and expect, that in nothing I shall be confounded, but manifestly, as at all times, so also now, the Meshiha shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For my life is the Meshiha ; and if I die, it is gain to me. But if in this life of the flesh there be also fruit to me from my works, I know not what to choose. For these two straiten me. I desire to be set free, that I might be with the Meshiha, and this is greatly preferable3 to me; but also to remain in my body is the thing which constraineth me on your account. For I know this confidently, that I am to remain and tarry for your joy and for the increase of your faith that when I come again to you, your glorying which is in Jeshu Meshiha alone shall abound in me. As it becometh the gospel of the Meshiha, so have your conversation; that if coming I see you, or absent, I may hear of you, that you stand in one spirit and in one soul, conquering together for the faith of the gospel; in nothing moved by them who stand against us, to the

:

1 Or, prætorium.

2 Or, purely.

3 Profitable.

forthshowing of their perdition, and of our salvation. And this from Aloha hath been given to you, not only believing to believe in the Meshiha, but also for his sake to suffer, and to sustain a conflict, as you have seen in me, and now hear concerning me.

III.

Ir, therefore, you have consolation in the Meshiha, and if there be comfort in love, and if communion of the Spirit, and if compassions and mercies, complete my gladness by having one sentiment and one love, and one soul and one mind. And do nothing in contention or vainglorying, but in meekness of mind let a man consider his neighbour as better than himself. And let no one care for himself (only), but every one for his neighbour also. And feel this in yourselves, which Jeshu the Meshiha (did) also: who, when he was in the form of Aloha, considered this not to be robbery, (this, namely,) that he was the co-equal of Aloha: yet emptied he himself, and took the form of a servant, and was made in the form of men; and in fashion was found as a man, and humbled himself, and was obedient unto death, but the death of the cross. Wherefore also Aloha greatly exalted him, and gave him a name that is more excellent than all names, that at the name of Jeshu every knee should kneel, of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jeshu the Meshiha is the Lord, to the glory of Aloha his Father.

▲ Ven mamálé belebo bachubo, "If there be the speaking of the heart in love." Mamálé belebo, (like the Hebrew, Dibber al leb,) "the speaking of, or into, the heart," is an idiom for giving consolation. Compare John xi. 19, 31.

5 Or, be of this sentiment in yourselves.

IV.

WHEREFORE, my beloved, as you have all time obeyed, not while I am near you only, but now that I am far from you, the more with fear and trembling work the work of your salvation; for Aloha himself effectuates in you also to will, also to do, the thing which you will. Do every thing without murmuring and without division; that you may be perfect and without spot, as the pure children of Aloha, who dwell in a generation depraved and perverse; and be manifest among them as luminaries in the world, to be unto them for a place of salvation, for my exultation in the day of the Meshiha, that I may not have run in vain, nor laboured to no purpose. But, also, [if I should be] offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all; so also you be glad and rejoice with me. But I hope in our Lord Jeshu to send Timotheos to you soon, that I also may have quietness when I learn concerning you. For I have no other who is so as my (own) soul, who will diligently take care for yours. For all are seeking what is theirs, and not what is of Jeshu Meshiha. But the proof of this [evangelist] you know, that as a son with his father, so hath he wrought with me in the gospel. Him, therefore, I hope to send to you speedily, when I shall have seen what [will be done] with me. And I confide on my Lord, that I also speedily shall come unto you. But now the matter hath pressed me to send to you the brother Epaphroditos, who is a helper and labourer with me, but your messenger and minister to my necessity; for he desired to see you all, and was anxious, because he knew that you had heard that he was sick. Yes, he was sick, unto death; but Aloha had

6

Mechaphet becun.

7 Medem detsobeen.