the instructions which ye were taught, whether by word, or epistle.

16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself our God and Father, who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope thro' grace, 17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you for every good word and work.

CHAP. III.

PAUL DESIRES THEIR PRAYERS.

FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as among you. 2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all men have not fidelity. 3. But the Lord who is faithful, shall establish you, and keep you from evil. 4. And we have confidence by the Lord concerning you, that ye will continue to do the things we command you. 5. And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not according to the instruction he received of us. 7. For ye know how ye ought to imitate us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you: 8. Nor did we eat any man's bread for nought; but laboured night and day not to be burdensome to any of you; 9. Not because we have no right nor authority, but. to be an example to you to imitate us. 10. For when we were with you, we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some disorderly among you, doing no business, but prying into the business of others.

11.

12. Now we command and exhort such, by our Lord Jesus Christ, to work with quietness, and eat their own bread.

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13. But, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. 14. And if any obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15. Yet account him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16. Now, (may Jesus), the Lord of peace himself give you peace always, everywhere. The Lord be with you all.

17. The salutation by the hand of me Paul, which I write as the token in every epistle.

18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

¶ Written from Athens.

ST. PAUL'S FIRST EPISTLE TO
TIMOTHY.

CHAP. I.

TIMOTHY PUT IN MIND OF HIS CHARGE.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the appoint

ment of God our Saviour, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope; 2. To Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, to charge some to. teach no other doctrine; 4. Nor give heed to Jew. ish fables, and endless genealogies, which produce debates, rather than godly edification in the faith.

5. Now, the end of the command is, Love, from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned. 6. From which some having swerved, have turned aside to vain jangling; 7. Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." 8. But we

know the law is good, if used lawfully; 9. Knowing that it is not made against a righteous man, but the lawless and disobedient, the ungodly, and sinners, unholy and profane, murderers of fathers and of mothers, assassins, 10. Whoremongers, sodomites, men-stealers, liars, perjured persons, and any other thing contrary to sound doctrine; 11. According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled me, and counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13. Who was before a blasphemer (of Christ) a persecutor, and injurious; but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, by faith and love, in Christ Jesus.

15. These are true sayings, and worthy to be received by all, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am a first rate one. 16. But for this end I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for an example to them who should hereafter believe on him to everlasting life.

17. Now, to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever. Amen.

18. This charge I commit to thee, son Timothy, according to former prophecies concerning thee, that thou by minding them mightest war a good warfare; 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, have made shipwreck concerning faith; 20. Of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered to Satan, (to suffer bodily pains, Job ii. 7.) that they may learn not to blaspheme.

CHAP. II.

PRAY THAT ALL MEN MAY BE GOOD, OR RESTRAINED FROM DOING EVIL.

I EXHORT, therefore, first of all, that supplica

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tions, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2. For kings, and all in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty; 3. For this is good and acceptable before God our Father; 4. Who is willing that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6. Who gave himself a ransom (sufficient, John xvii. 9.) for all, to be testified in due time. 7. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle; I speak the truth in Christ, I speak not falsely, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8. I will, therefore that men pray every where, lifting up pure hands without wrath and doubting.

9. And also, that women adorn themselves with decent apparel, with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly garments; 10. But with what becomes women profess ing godliness, even good works. 11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be silent. 13. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14. And Adam was not first deceived; but the woman, being deceived, was first in the transgression. 15. Yet she shall be saved in parturition, if they continue in faith, love, holiness, and sobriety.

CHAP. III.

OF BISHOPS AND DEACONS.

Ir is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, (or overseer of the church), he desireth a good employment. 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, watchful, sober, of good behaviour, hospitable, fit to teach; 3. Not

addicted to wine, no striker, not greedy of base gain; but moderate, not contentious, not covetous; 4. One who rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5. For if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 6. Not a novice, lest, being puffed up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7. Moreover, he must have a good report from them who are without (the church); lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil.

8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain; 9. Retaining the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. 10. And let those first be proved; and found blameless, before they use the office of a deacon.

11. Their wives also must be grave, not slanderers; sober, faithful in all things.

12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13. For they that have used the office of a deacon well, acquire to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14. These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15. But that thou mayest know if I delay, how thou shouldst behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, as a pillar and support of the truth.

16. And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, approved by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

CHAP. IV.

APOSTACY FROM THE FAITH FORETOLD.

BUT the Spirit expressly saith (in the scriptures),