The New Testament Part 44

4 [13:1]Let brotherly love continue. [13:2]Forget not hospitality; for by this some without knowing it have entertained angels. [13:3]Remember those bound as bound with them, and those injured as being yourselves also in the body. [13:4] Marriage is honorable in all, and married life without blame; but fornicators and adulterers G.o.d will judge. [13:5]Let your life be without avarice, and be contented with what you have; for he said, I will never leave you, I will never forsake you; [13:6]so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear; what can man do to me?

5 [13:7]Remember your guides who spoke to you the word of G.o.d, and considering the end of their life follow the faith. [13:8]Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. [13:9]Be not carried about with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the mind should be established with grace, not with aliments, in which those walking are not profited.

6 [13:10]We have an altar of which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. [13:11]For the bodies of those animals whose blood is carried into the sanctuary by the chief priest are burnt without the encampment. [13:12] Wherefore also Jesus, that he might purify the people through his blood, suffered without the gate. [13:13]Let us therefore go out to him without the encampment, bearing his reproach; [13:14]for we have not here a city that continues, but we seek that which is to come. [13:15]Through him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually to G.o.d, that is, the fruit of lips confessing his name. [13:16]And forget not beneficence and liberality; for with such sacrifices G.o.d is well pleased.

7 [13:17]Obey your guides and be in subjection; for they watch for your souls as having to give an account, that they may do this with joy and not with grief; for this is unprofitable for you.

8 [13:18]Pray for us; for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things wis.h.i.+ng to live well. [13:19]And I exhort you do this the more, that I may sooner be restored to you.

9 [13:20]And may the G.o.d of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, [13:21]perfect you in every good work to do his will, doing in you that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever; amen.

10 [13:22]And I beseech you, brothers, suffer the word of exhortation; for I have sent to you a letter in a few words. [13:23]Know that brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. [13:24]Salute all your guides and all the saints. Those from Italy salute you. [13:25]The grace be with you all; amen.

REVELATION BY JOHN.

PATMOS, A.D. 68.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION, A VISION OF CHRIST

1 [1:1]A REVELATION of Jesus Christ, which G.o.d gave him, to show his servants [things] which must shortly occur, and he sent and made them known by his angel to his servant John, [1:2]who declared the word of G.o.d and the testimony of Jesus Christ which he saw. [1:3]Blessed is he that reads, and those that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written in it; for the time is at hand.

2 [1:4]John, to the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace be to you, from the Is and the Was and the Is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne, [1:5]and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us and washed us from our sins with his blood, [1:6]and made us a kingdom, priests to G.o.d even his Father, to him be the glory and the power forever; amen.

3 [1:7]Behold, he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him and those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of him. Yes, amen. [1:8]I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord G.o.d; the Is, and the Was, and the Is to come, the Almighty.

4 [1:9]I, John, your brother and companion in the affliction and kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island called Patmos on account of the word of G.o.d and the testimony of Jesus. [1:10]I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a loud voice as of a trumpet, [1:11]saying, What you see write in a book, and send to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamus and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

5 [1:12]And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me; and having turned around I saw seven golden candlesticks, [1:13]and in the midst of the candlesticks one like the Son of man, clothed with a robe extending down to his feet, girded about the b.r.e.a.s.t.s with a golden girdle; [1:14]and his head and hairs were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes like a flame of fire, [1:15]and his feet like fine bra.s.s as if they were burned in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of many waters, [1:16]and he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword, and his face shone like the sun in his strength.

6 [1:17]And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead; and he put his right hand on me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last [1:18]and the living, and I was dead, and behold, I am living forever and ever; and I have the keys of death and of hades. [1:19]Write therefore the things which you saw, and which are, and which are about to appear hereafter, [1:20]the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks the seven churches.

CHAPTER II.

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES.

1 [2:1]To the angel of the church in Ephesus write, These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, [2:2]I know your works and your labor and your patience, and that you cannot bear the wicked, and you tried those who say they are apostles and are not, and found them false; [2:3]and you have patience, and suffered for my name, and did not faint. [2:4]But I have against you that you have left your first love.

[2:5]Remember therefore whence you have fallen, and change your minds, and do the first works, otherwise I will come to you and remove your candlestick from its place, unless you change your minds. [2:6]But you have this, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [2:7]Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that conquers will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my G.o.d.

2 [2:8]And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things says the first and the last, who was dead and lived, [2:9]I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich, and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

[2:10]Fear not what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you shall have affliction ten days. Be faithful till death, and I will give you the crown of life. [2:11]Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He that conquers shall not be injured by the second death.

3 [2:12]And to the angel of the church in Pergamus write, These things says he that has the two-edged sharp sword, [2:13]I know your works and where you live; where Satan's throne is; and you hold my name, and did not deny my faith in the days in which Antipas my faithful martyr was killed among you, where Satan dwells. [2:14]But I have a few things against you; you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put an occasion of sin before the children of Israel, both to eat things offered to idols and to commit fornication. [2:15]So in like manner you have also those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. [2:16]Change your minds therefore; otherwise I will come to you quickly, and fight with them with the sword of my mouth.

[2:17]Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that conquers will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white token, and on the token a new name engraved, which no one knows but he that receives it.

4 [2:18]And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things says the Son of G.o.d, he that has his eyes like a flame of fire and his feet like fine bra.s.s, [2:19]I know your works and love and faith and service and your patience, and your last works more than the first.

[2:20]But I have against you that you allow your wife Jezebel, who says she is a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit fornication and eat things offered to idols. [2:21]And I gave her time to change her mind, and she will not change her mind from her fornication. [2:22]Behold, I will cast her on a [sick] bed, and those committing adultery with her into great affliction, unless they change their minds from her works. [2:23]And her children will I kill with pestilence, and all the churches shall know that I am he that searches the minds and hearts, and I will give you each one according to your works. [2:24]But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira who have not this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden; [2:25]but what you have, hold fast till I come. [2:26]And to him that conquers and keeps my works till the end, I will give power over the nations, [2:27]and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and crush them like earthen vessels, as I also have received of my Father, [2:28]and I will give him the star of the morning. [2:29]Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

5 [3:1]And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says he that has the seven spirits of G.o.d and the seven stars, I know your works, that you have a name to live, and are dead. [3:2]Be watchful, confirm the rest who are about to die. For I have not found your works perfect before my G.o.d. [3:3] Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and watch, and change your minds. If therefore you do not watch, I will come as a thief, and you shall not know at what hour I will come upon you. [3:4]But you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. [3:5]He that conquers shall be clothed in white robes, and I will not obliterate his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. [3:6]Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

6 [3:7]And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things says the Holy One, the True, he that has the key of David, he that opens and no one shall shut, and shuts and no one shall open, [3:8]I know your works; behold, I have placed before you an opened door, which no man can shut; because you have a little power, and kept my word, and did not deny my name. [3:9]Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and are not, but lie, behold, I will make them come and wors.h.i.+p at your feet, and they shall know that I have loved you. [3:10]Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which is to come on all the world, to try those who dwell on the earth. [3:11]I come quickly; keep what you have, that no man may take your crown.

[3:12]Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my G.o.d, and he shall go out of it no more, and I will write on him the name of my G.o.d and the name of the city of my G.o.d, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my G.o.d, and my new name. [3:13]Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

7 [3:14]And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write, These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of G.o.d, [3:15]I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. [3:16]Because therefore you are warm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spew you out of my mouth.

[3:17]For you say, I am rich and have become rich and have need of nothing, and know not that you are miserable, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked. [3:18]I advise you to buy of me gold purified in the fire that you may be rich, and white robes that you may put on, and the shame of your nakedness not appear, and an eye-salve to anoint your eyes that you may see. [3:19]As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and change your minds. [3:20]Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one shall hear my voice and open the door, I will enter in to him, and feast with him, and he with me. [3:21]To him that conquers will I give to sit down with me on my throne, as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. [3:22]Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

CHAPTER III.

THE HEAVENLY WORLD, THE THRONE OF G.o.d AND HIS COURT--THE ELDERS, CHERUBS, SEALED BOOK, LAMB, ETC.

1 [4:1]AFTER this I saw, and behold, a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard was of a trumpet speaking to me, saying, Come up hither, and I will show you things that must occur hereafter.

[4:2]And immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. [4:3]And he that sat was like a jasper and sardine stone, and there was an iris about the throne, similar in appearance to an emerald. [4:4]And about the throne were twenty-four thrones; and on the thrones twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white robes, and having crowns of gold on their heads.

2 [4:5]And there proceeded from the throne lightnings and voices and thunders; and seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of G.o.d, [4:6]and before the throne was as it were a sea of gla.s.s like crystal; and in the midst of the throne and about the throne were four living ones [cherubs] full of eyes before and behind. [4:7]And the first cherub was like a lion, and the second cherub like a bullock, and the third cherub had the face of a man, and the fourth cherub was like a flying eagle.

3 [4:8]And the four cherubs had each six wings apiece. And they were full of eyes around and within, and they had no rest day nor night, saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord G.o.d Almighty the Was and the Is and the Is to come. [4:9]And when the cherubs gave glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne who lives forever and ever, [4:10]the twenty-four elders fell down on their faces before him that sat on the throne, and wors.h.i.+pped him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before his throne, saying, [4:11]Thou art worthy, our Lord and G.o.d, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou hast created all things, and on account of thy will they are and were created.

4 [5:1]And I saw at the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. [5:2]And I saw a mighty angel proclaim with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seven seals? [5:3]And no one in heaven above, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, could open the book, or look in it. [5:4]And I wept much because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it. [5:5]And one of the elders said to me, Weep not; behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, he is opening the book and its seven seals.

5 [5:6]And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four cherubs and in the midst of the elders, a lamb standing as if killed, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of G.o.d sent into all the earth. [5:7]And he came and took [the book] from the right hand of him that sat on the throne.

6 [5:8]And when he took the book, the four cherubs and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which is the prayers of the saints: [5:9]And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for thou wast killed and hast redeemed to G.o.d with thy blood [men] from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, [5:10]and hast made them a kingdom and priests, and they shall reign on the earth.

[5:11]And I saw, and heard a voice of many angels about the throne, and of the cherubs, and of the elders,--and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands,-- [5:12]saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was killed to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. [5:13]And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those which are on the sea, and all things in them, all heard I saying, To him that sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and power forever and ever.

[5:14]And the four cherubs said, Amen. And the elders fell down and wors.h.i.+pped:

CHAPTER IV.

THE FIRST SIX SEALS OF THE BOOK OF PROPHECY, THE SEALING OF G.o.d'S SERVANTS, ETC.

1 [6:1]AND I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and heard one of the four cherubs say like the sound of thunder, Come. [6:2]And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat on it had a bow, and a crown was given him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer.

2 [6:3]And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second cherub say, Come. [6:4]And there went out another fiery horse, and it was given to him that sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another, and there was given him a great sword.

3 [6:5]And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third cherub say, Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and he that sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. [6:6]And I heard a voice in the midst of the four cherubs, saying, A choenix [a quart] of wheat for a denarius [14 cents], and three choenices of barley for a denarius; and injure not the oil and wine.