And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: and, being assembled together with them, commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. He led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And, while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel. I (Paul) delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures: and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Jesus Christ is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. CHAP. LXXIII. RETRIBUTION. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good. Surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God: but it shall not be well with the wicked. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid. The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years ars is hidden to the oppressor. A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Every one shall die for his own iniquity. He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. They that plough iniquity and sow wickedness, reap the same. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required. That servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace. Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an even; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name, shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and adulterers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. The Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. CHAP. LXXIV. RIGHTEOUSNESS. BLESSED are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Seek righteousness. Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Righteousness exalteth a nation. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. He loveth him that followeth after righteousness. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous. The Lord upholdeth the righteous. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. He heareth the prayer of the righteous. The desire of the righteous shall be granted. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way. The way of the righteous is made plain. The righteous shall hold on his way. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver |