testament many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 Now this I say; A 1 covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so 1 Or, as to make the promise of 18 none effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham 19 by promise. What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed 2 Or, the should come to whom the faith promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a media20 tor. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God 21 is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? 3 Or, God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law. 22 Howbeit the scripture hath 23 shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. elements 4 Gr. former. But before 2 faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be 24 revealed. So that the law hath been our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be 5 Gr. spat 25 justified by faith. But now that faith is come, we are no 26 longer under a tutor. For ye are all sons of God, through 27 faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. out. yours 28 There can be neither Jew nor 6 Or, of Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female: for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. But I say that so long as 4 the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; but 2 is under guardians and stewards until the term appointed of the father. So we also, when 3 we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: but when the 4 fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem them 5 which were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because 6 ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that 7 thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Howbeit at that time, not 8 knowing God, ye were in bondage to them which by nature are no gods: but now 9 that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known of God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? Ye observe days, and 10 months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, lest by any 11 means I have bestowed labour upon you in vain. I beseech you, brethren, be 12 as I am, for I am as ye are. Ye did me no wrong: but ye 13 know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the 4 first time: and that which was a 14 temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor 5 rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where then is that 15 gratulation 6 of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and 16 given them to me. So then am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously seek you in no out the handmaid and her son for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. Where- 31 good way; nay, they desire to 1 Or, deal fore, brethren, we are not chil shut you out, that ye may 18 seek them. But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with 19 you. My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you, 20 yea, I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed about you. 21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear 22 the law? For it is written, truly with you 2 Many ancient authorities read For Sinai is a moun tain in 3 Many ancient authorities read ye. 4 Or, For that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one 23 by the freewoman. Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born 24 through promise. Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing freedom children unto bondage, which 25 is Hagar. 2 Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our 27 mother. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that 5 Gr. brought to nought. Break forth and cry, thou 6 Or, that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her which hath the husband. 28 Now 8 we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, 30 even so it is now. Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast | wrought 7 Or, mutilate themselves dren of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. 4 With freedom did 5 Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto 2 you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. Yea, I testify 3 again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Ye are 5 severed from 4 Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. For 5 we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus nei- 6 ther circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith 6 working through love. Ye were running well; who 7 did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This per- 8 suasion came not of him that calleth you. A little leaven 9 leaveneth the whole lump. I 10 have confidence to you-ward in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgement, whosoever he be. But I, brethren, if I still 11 preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumblingblock of the cross been done away. I would that 12 they which unsettle you would even 7 cut themselves off. For ye, brethren, were call. 13 ed for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. For the whole law is fulfilled 14 in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye 15 1 Or, 2 Or, bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 But I say, Walk by the Spi- parties rit, and ye shall not fulfil the 17 lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, fornication, uncleanness, las20 civiousness, idolatry, sorcery, 4 Gr. enmities, strife, jealousies, the other. wraths, factions, divisions, 1he21 resies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of and not of 4 his neighbour. For 5 But let him that is taught 6 the which I 2 forewarn you, 5 Or, load especially toward them that are even as I did 2 forewarn you, that they which practise such things shall not inherit the of the household of the faith. See with how large letters 11 I have written unto you with 22 kingdom of God. But the fruit Or, write mine own hand. As many as 12 of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, good23 ness, faithfulness, meekness, 3 temperance: against such 24 there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. 25 If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. 26 Let us not be vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. 6 Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye 7 Or, by 8 Some ties read circum- desire to make a fair show in which are spiritual, restore 9 Or, a law is circumcision any thing, nor such a one in a spirit of meekness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. whom 2 Bear ye one another's bur- 10 Or, 11 Or, creation uncircumcision, but a new From henceforth let no man 17 The grace of our Lord Jesus 18 Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 1 PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints which are 1 at Ephesus, and the faith2 ful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 2 Or, him: 3 Or, 143 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the hea4 venly places in Christ: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before 2 him 5 in love having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good 6 pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestow7 ed on us in the Beloved: in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the 5 Gr. forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his 8 grace, 4 which he made to a 4 Or, where- abounded seasons. we who 7 had before hoped in Christ in whom ye also, hav- 13 ing heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our 14 inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory. For this cause I also, having 15 heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is 8 among you, and 9 which ye shew toward all the saints, cease not to give 16 thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord 17 Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; having the eyes of your heart 18 enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding 19 greatness of his power to us bound toward us in all wis- 6 Gr. upon. ward who believe, according to 9 dom and prudence, having made known unto us the mys that working of the strength tery of his will, according to 7 Or, have in Christ, when he raised him his good pleasure which he 10 purposed in him unto a dispensation of the fulness of the 8 Or, in 5 times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon 11 the earth; in him, I say, in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things 9 Many ancient authorities in sert the love. from the dead, and made him after the counsel of his will; 10 Or, age church, which is his body, the 28 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, fulness of him that filleth all in all. 1 Gr. age. 2 And you did he quicken, when ye were dead through 2 your trespasses and sins, wherein aforetime ye walked according to the 1course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons 3 of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the 2 mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even 4 as the rest:-but God, being 3 Some rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead 2 Gr. thoughts. ancient authorities read in Christ. 4 Gr. preached good tidings of peace. through our trespasses, quickened us together 3 with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in 7 Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us 8 in Christ Jesus: for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of your selves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, that no man 10 should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we 6 Or, sancshould walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that aforetime ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which 5 Gr. every building. tuary who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his 15 flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the twain one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both 16 in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby and he came 17 and 4 preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: for 18 through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. So then ye are no 19 more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built 20 upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom 5 each 21 several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy 6 temple in the Lord; in whom 22 ye also are builded together 7 for a habitation of God in the Spirit. For this cause I Paul, the 3 prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,-if so 2 be that ye have heard of the 8 dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by reve- 3 lation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, 4 is called Circumcision, in the 7 Gr. into. when ye read, ye can perceive 12 flesh, made by hands; that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in 13 the world. But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of 11 Christ. For he is our peace, 8 Or, steward ship my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other 5 generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to wit, that 6 the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus |