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15 But according to him that hath called you, who is Holy, be you also in all manner of conversaon holy:

16 Because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.

3 If so be you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.

4 Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen and made honour able by God:

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17 And if you invoke as Father 5 Be you also as living stones him who, without respect of per- built up, a spiritual house, a holy sons, judgeth according to every priesthood, to offer up spiritual saone's work: converse in fear during crifices,acceptable to God by JESUS the time of your sojourning here. Christ.

18 Knowing that you were not 6 Wherefore it is said in the edeemed with corruptible things scripture: Behold I lay in Sion a as gold or silver, from your vain chief corner-stone, elect, precious. conversation of the tradition of And he that shall believe in him, your fathers. shall not be confounded.

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled,

20 Fore-known indeed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in the last times for you,

7 To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:

8 And a stone of stumbling, and 21 Who through him are faithful a rock of scandal, to them who in God, who raised him up from stumble at the word, neither do the dead, and hath given him glo- believe, whereunto also they are ry, that your faith and hope might set.

be in God.

9 But you are a chosen genera22 Purifying your souls in the tion, a kingly priesthood, a holy obedience of charity, with a bro- nation, a purchased people; that therly love from a sincere heart you may declare his virtues, who love one another earnestly: hath called you out of darkness in

23 Being born again not of cor- to his marvellous light. ruptible seed, but incorruptible by 10 Who in time past were not a the word of God who liveth and people but are now the people of remaineth for ever. God. Who had not obtained mercy :

24 For all flesh is as grass: and but now have obtained mercy. all the glory thereof as the flower of 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you grass. The grass is withered, and as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain the flower thereof is fallen away. yourselves from carnal desires 25 But the word of the Lord en- which war against the soul, dureth for ever, and this is the word which by the gospel hath been preached unto you. CHAP. II.

We are to lay aside all guile. Win malice, and all guile, and VHEREFORE laying away

dissimulations, and envies, and all detractions,

that

12 Having your conversation good among the gentiles: whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in tation. you, glorify God in the day of visi

13 Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's 2 Asnew born babes, desire the ra- sake: whether it be to the king as tional milk without guile,that there-excelling:

by you may grow unto salvation. 14 Or to governors as sent by him

for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of the good:

15 For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king..

18 Servants be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

19 For this is thanks-worthy, if for conscience towards God, a man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully.

2 Considering your chaste conversation with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel:

4 But the hidden man of the heart in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek spirit, which is rich in the sight of God.

5 For after this manner heretofore the holy women also, who trusted in God,adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands.

6 As Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, doing well, and not fearing any disturbance.

20 For what glory is it, if com- 7 Ye husbands likewise dwelling mitting sin and being buffeted for with them according to knowledge, it you endure? But if doing well giving honour to the female as to you suffer patiently, this is thanks-the weaker vessel, and as to the worthy before God.

21 For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps.

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.

8 And in fine be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brother hood, merciful, modest, humble: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, 23 Who, when he was reviled, nor railing for railing, but contrari did not revile: when he suffered, wise, blessing for unto this are he threatened, not but delivered you called, that you may inherit a himself to him that judged him unjustly.

24 Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we being dead to sins, should live to justice by whose stripes you were healed.,

25 For you were as sheep going astray but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

CHAP. III.

How wives are to behave to their husbands.

IN like manner also let wives be

blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.

11 Let him decline from evil, and do good: let him seek after peace, and pursue it:

12 Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers: but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things.

13 And who is he that can hurt

14 But if also you suffer any

subject to their husbands: that if any believe not the word, they thing for justice sake, blessed are may be won without the word, by ye. And be not afraid of their

the conversation of the wives. fear, and be not troubled.

15 But-sanctify the Lord Christ | the desires of men, but according in your hearts, being ready always to the will of God.

to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.

16 But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

17 For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer, than doing ill.

18 Because Christ also died once for our sins. the just for the unjust, that he might offer us to God,being pulto death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit.

19 In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison:

20 Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of JESUS Christ.

22 Who is on the right hand of God, swallowing down death, that we might be made heirs of life everlasting: being gone into heaven, the angels and powers and virtues being made subject to him.

CHAP. IV.

3 For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and unlawful worshipping of idols.

4 Wherein they think it strange, that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness, speaking evil of you.

5 Who shall render account to him, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: that they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh : but may live according to God in the Spirit.

7 But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers.

8 But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.

9 Using hospitality one towards another without murmuring.

10 As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the power, which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through JESUS Christ; to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

• Exhortation to cease from sin. CHA HRIST therefore having suf- 12 Dearly beloved, think not fered in the flesh, be you also strange the burning heat which is armed with the same thought: for to try you, as if some new thing he that hath suffered in the flesh,! happened to you: hath ceased from sins:

13 But if you partake of the suf2 That now he may live the rest ferings of Christ, rejoice, that when of his time in the flesh, not after his glory shall be revealed you may

Ver 19. Spirits in prison See here a proof of the middle state of soula,

also be glad with exceeding joy. 4 And when the prince of pastors 14 If you be reproached for the shall appear, you shall receive a nename of Christ, you shall be bles-¡ver-fading crown of glory. sed: for that which is of the honour, 5 In like manner ye young men glory and power of God, and that be subject to the ancients. And do which is hisSpirit,restethupon you. ye all insinuate humility one to ano 15 But let none of you suffer as ther, for God resisteth the proud, a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, but to the humble he giveth grace. or a coveter of other men's things. Be you humbled therefore under 16 But if as a Christian, let him the mighty hand of God, that he not be ashamed, but let him glori- may exalt you in the time of visify God in this name.

tation.

17 For the time is that judg-7 Casting all your care upon him, ment should begin at the house of for he hath care of you. God. And if first at us, what shall 8 Be sober and watch: because be the end of them that believe not your adversary the devil, as a roarthe gospel of God? ing lion,goeth about, seeking whom he may devour.

18 And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator.

THE

CHAP. V.

He exhorts both priests and laity to
their respective duties.
HE ancients therefore that are
among you, I beseech, who
am myself also an ancient, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ,
as also a partaker of that glorywhich
is to be revealed in time to come:
2 Feed the flock of God which is
among you, taking care of it not by
constraint, but willingly according
to God: not for filthy lucre's sake,
but voluntarily:

3 Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart.

9 Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same afflic tion befalls your brethren who are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory, in Christ JESUS, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you.

11 To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Sylvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I think, I have written briefly beseeching and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein you stand.

13. The church that is in Babylon,elected together with you, saluteth you: and so doth my son Mark. 14 Salute one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all you who are in Christ JESUS. Amen.

Ver. 18. Scarcely. That is, not without much labour and difficulty.

The second EPISTLE of St. PETER.
CHAP. I.

the justice of our God and Saviour

He exhorts them to join all other JESUS Christ.

virtues with their faith.

2 Grace to you and peace be acIMON Peter, servant and apos-complished in the knowledge of Sue of Jesus Christ, to them that God and of Christ JESUS our

have obtained equal faith with us in Lord;

3 As all things of his divine pow-that after my decease also, you may er, which appertain to life and god- often have, whereby you may keep liness, are given us, through the a memory of these things. knowledge of him who hath called us by his own proper glory and

virtue.

4 By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world.

5 And you employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue and in virtue, knowledge:

6 And in knowledge, abstinence: and in abstinence, patience: and in patience, godliness :

7 And in godliness, love of brotherhood and in love of brotherhood, charity.

8 For if these things be with you, and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord JESUS Christ.

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord JESUS Christ: but having been made eye witness of his majesty.

17 For, he received from God the Father, honour and glory; this. voice coming down to him from. the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son in whom I have pleased myself, hear ye him.

18 And this voice we heard brought from heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts:

20 Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation,

9. For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and gro- 21 For prophecy came not by the ping, having forgotten that he was will of man at any time: but the purged from his old sins. holy men of God spoke, inspired

10 Wherefore, brethren, labour by the Holy Ghost. the more, that by good works you

CHAP. II.

may make sure your calling and He warns them against false teachers.

election. For doing these things,

you shall not sin at any time.

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour JESUS Christ.

12 For which cause 1 will begin to put you always in remembrance of these things: though indeed you know them, and are confirmed in the present truth.

13 But I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. 14 Being assured that the laying away of this my tabernacle is at hand, according as our Lord JESUS Christ also hath signified to me.

15 And I will do my endeavour,

BUT there were also false prophets among the people, even as there shall be among you lying teachers who shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their riotousnesses, through whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their perdition slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the an-. gels that sinned but delivered them drawn down by infernal ropes

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