of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. 3 And every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God: and this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof you have heard, that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God he that knoweth God, heareth us: he that is not of God heareth not us, hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God: and every one that loveth, is born of God and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment: he that feareth, is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him: because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and ha Three witnesses. teth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God, love his brother also. CHAP. V. He that loveth God. HOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. WHOSOEVER 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood, and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God, which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son, hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may know, that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. 15 And if we know that he hear us, 219 whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and be shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death. 18 We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: but he that is be truth and love. gotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from Idols. Amen. The Second Epistle of JOHN. He exhorteth a matron. T THE Elder unto the elect Lady, and her children, whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth: 2 For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever: 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now, I beseech thee Lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee: but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his Commandments. This is the Commandment, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. T 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver, and an Antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him, God speed. 11 For he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. 12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink, but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. The Third Epistle of JOHN. He commendeth Gaius. HE Elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth: 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the Brethren, and to strangers: 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the Church: whom if 220 J The last time. 13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee. 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. The General Epistle of JUDE. To be constant in the faith. UDE the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love be multiplied. 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation: it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the Archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things, which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Wo unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam, for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds, trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame, wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But beloved, remember ye the words, which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit. 20 But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and 1 power, now and ever. Amen. 221 T The REVELATION of S. JOHN the Divine. CHAP. I. John writeth to the seven Churches. THE Revelation of Jesus Christ, which GOD gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his servant John, 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven Churches in Asia, Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne: 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth: unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen. 7 Behold he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him: even so. Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last and what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden Candlesticks, foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head, and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire, 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead: and he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first, and the last. 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead: and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter, 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden Candlesticks. The seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven Churches. CHAP. II. What is to be written to the Angels. UNTO the Angel of the church of Ephesus, write, These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks: 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, and thou hast tried them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my Name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy Candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Church 13 And in the midst of the seven can-es: To him that overcometh will I give dlesticks, one like unto the Son of man, to eat of the tree of life, which is in the clothed with a garment down to the midst of the Paradise of God. 222 8 And unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna, write, These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive, 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich, and 1 know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches. He that overcometh, shall not be hurt of the second death. 12 And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos, write, These things saith he, which hath the sharp sword with two edges: 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is, and thou holdest fast my Name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days, wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it. 18 And unto the Angel of the church in Thyatira, write, These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass: 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a Prophetess, to teach and To hold fast. to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her, into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will put upon you none other burden: 25 But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keep eth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 (And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers :) even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. CHAP. III. The Angel of the Church of Sardis, &c. AND unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write, These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his Angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. 7 And to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write, These things saith 223 |