evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are [open] unto their supplication but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But if even ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye and be not afraid with their terror, neither be troubled : 15 But sanctify Christ in your hearts as Lord: being ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, but with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, in the matter in which ye are spoken against, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once; a just person for unjust persons, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit: 19 In which he also went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 1 Not expressed in the originai. So the oldest MS.: the others reading as the A. V. 20 Which were once disobedient, when the longsuffering of God was waiting in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 Which, the antitype [of that], doth now save you also, even baptism: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the enquiry of a good conscience after God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ : 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. CHAPTER IV. Fo then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: because he that suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh by the lusts of men, but by the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought out the will of the Gentiles, walking as ye have done in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries : 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same slough of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 So the three oldest MSS. 6 For us is omitted by two of the oldest MSS.: the Sinaitic MS. reads for you. 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached to dead men also, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer, 8 Above all things having your love towards one another fervent because love 'covereth a multitude of sins. 9 Using hospitality one to another without murmuring. IO Each man even as he received a gift of grace, ministering it one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. II If any speaketh, [speaking] as oracles of God; if any ministereth, [ministering] as of the ability which God bestoweth that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the might for ever and ever. Amen. 12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing were happening unto you: 13 But in as far as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that, at the revelation of his glory, ye may be glad also with exultation. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are for the Spirit of glory and ye; 1 So most of the ancient MSS. 2 Not expressed in the original. the Spirit of God resteth upon you :3 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a prier into other men's matters. 16 Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. 17 Because the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let also them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls in well doing 'unto a faithful Creator. CHAPTER V. HE elders 'therefore which ΤΗ are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory which is about to be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, [overseeing it,] not by constraint, but willingly;5 not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over your portions, but becoming examples to the flock. 3 On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified, is omitted in all the oldest MSS. and versions. 4 So all the oldest MSS. 5 Two of the oldest MSS. add according to God. 4 And when the chief Shep-complished in your brotherherd shall be manifested, ye hood that are in the world. shall receive the amarantine 10 But the God of all grace, crown of his glory. who called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. II To him be the 'might for ever and ever. Amen. 5 In like manner, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elders. Yea, all 'gird on humility one to another: because God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 12 By Silvanus the faithful brother, as I reckon, I have written unto you in few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God : wherein "stand ye. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; your 13 She that is elected toadversary the devil, as a roar-gether with you in Babylon saluteth you; and Marcus my son. ing lion, walketh about, seek- 1 So the oldest MSS. 2 Because is omitted by two out of three of the oldest MSS. so doth 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be to you all that are in 'Christ. 3 So all the ancient MSS. THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. S CHAPTER I. YMEON PETER, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and [our] Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 3 Seeing that his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us 'by his own glory and virtue, 4 Through which he hath given unto us his exceeding great and precious promises: that by means of these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And for this reason, giving on your part all diligence, provide, in [the exercise of] your faith, virtue; and in your virtue, knowledge; 6 And in your knowledge, selfrestraint; and in your selfrestraint, patience; and in your patience, godliness; 7 And in your godliness, brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For these things, being in you, and multiplying, render you not idle nor yet unfruitful towards the perfect knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he that lacketh these things is blind, shortsighted, having forgotten the purification of his former sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election secure for doing these things, ye shall never fall: II For so your entrance shall be richly ministered unto you into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will be sure to put you always in remembrance of these things, though 1 So three of the four oldest MSS. 2 Literally, in. 3 So all the oldest MSS. ye know them, and be established in the truth which is present [with you]. 13 But I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ shewed unto me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may on every occasion be able after my decease to have these things in remembrance. 16 For not in pursuance of cunningly devised fables did we make known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but having been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there was sent such a I voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice we heard sent from heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 And we have more secure the prophetic word; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a candle shining in a dark place, until the day shall dawn, and the morning star shall arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture cometh of private interpreta tion. 21 For prophecy was never sent after the will of man: but men had utterance from God,' being moved by the Holy Spirit. CHAPTER II. OUT there were false proBUT the phets also among people, even as there shall be false teachers likewise among you, which shall bring in heresies of destruction, even deny ing the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their licentious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: for whom the sentence now of a long time lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell, and delivered them unto 3dens of darkness, being reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but preserved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of ungodly men ; 6 And burning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes condemned them to be overthrown, laying down an ex1 The readings of the oldest MSS. are in a state of confusion, which can hardly be explained in English. That adopted in the text is found in the Vatican MS. 2 So all the MSS. The reading pernicious has no authority what ever. 8 So all the oldest MSS. ample of those that should in after time live ungodly; 7 And delivered righteous Lot, vexed with the behaviour of the lawless in their licentiousness: 8 For the righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, tormented his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds; 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unrighteous unto the day of judgment under punishment: 10 But chiefly them that go after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous, selfwilled, they are not afraid to rail at 'dignities. II Whereas angels, though they be greater in strength and might, bring not railing judg ment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as irrational animals, born to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil of the things that they understand not, shall even perish in their corruption, 13 Receiving the reward of unrighteousness: counting as pleasure that delicate living which is but for a day: spots and blemishes, sporting themselves in their deceits while they feast with you: 14 Having eyes full of adul- 4 Literally, glories. an |