Wisdom to be sought of God. CHAP. II. upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double-minded man is unstable in all de-minded his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 12 Blessed is the man that endureflytempt ation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath pro mised to them that love him. a of faith without works which is a dead faith, 19 the faith of devils, 21 not of Abraham, 25 and Rahab. brethren, have not the faith of our MLord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly, a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do nét rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye com 15 Then, when lust hath conceived, it bring-mit sin, and are convinced of the law as trans eth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. gressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adul 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Fa-tery; said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou ther of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.et 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mer cy that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works can faith save him 14have not works 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and des titute of daily food, 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. of wind 14% in 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not bearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwith. standing ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his and I have works: shew me thy faith with way, and straightway forgetteth what man-out thy works, and I will shew thee my faith ner of man he was. by my works. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work this man shall be blessed in his deed. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceivetlr his own heart, this man's religion is vain 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his and the Father is this, To visit the father-works, and by works was faith made perfect! less and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. CHAP. II. 1 Not right to regard the rich, and to despise the poor: 13rather to be loving and merciful: 14 not to beast of faith where no deeds are, 17 23 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was im puted unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 829 Of bridling the tongue. JAMES. Of intemperance, pride, &c. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot ROM whence come wars and fightings FR justified by works, when she had received among you? come they not hence, ever the messengers, and had sent them out ano- of your lusts that war in your members? ther way? 2 Ye lust and have not: ye kin, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmi 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. CHAP. III. M 1 Not rashly to reprove others: 5but to bridle the tongue, a little member, but a powerful instrument of good, and harm. 13 The truly wise be mild, and peaceable, without envy and strife. Y brethren, be not many masters, know-ty with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. ing that we shall receive the greater 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in condemnation. 6 But he giveth_more_grace. vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. man offend not in word, the same is a perfect 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man, and able also to bridle the whole body 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which, though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: 80 is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed, of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Wherefore 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Re 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh sist the devil, and he will flee from you. to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to happiness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Ford, and he shall lift you up. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save, and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To-day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and con10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth bless-tinue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get ing and cursing. My brethren, these things 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on gain: ought not so to be. even a vapour, that appeareth for little the morrow. For what is your life' It is 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-time, and then vanisheth away. berries? either a vine, figs? so can no foun-will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord tain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. CHAP. IV. 1 To strive against covetousness, 4 intempe rance, 5 pride, 11 detraction: 13not to be confident in the success of worldly business, but mindful of the uncertainty of life, to commit ourselves and our affairs to God. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. CHAP. V. 1 Wicked rich men to fear God's vengeance. To be patient in afflictions like the prophets, and Job: 12 against swearing, 13 to pray in adversity, to sing in prosperity: 16 to acknow ledge mutually our faults, to pray one for another, 19 and to reduce a straying brother. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against Ye have heaped treasure together for the you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of Of patience in aflictions. CHAP. V. Efficacy of prayer. you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries, be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into of them which have reaped are entered into condemnation. the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the Judge standeth before the door. 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who might not rain: and it rained not on the earth have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an ex-by the space of three years and six months. ample of suffering affliction, and of patience, 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven 11 Behold, we count them happy which en gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. dure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the and have seen the end of the Lord; that the truth, and one convert him; Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.420 Let him know, that he which converteth 12 But above all things, my brethren, swear he sinner from the error of his way shall not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, save a soul from death, and shall hide a mul neither by any other oath ; but let your yea, titude of sins. N. Fe general of PETER. CHAP. I. The First Epistle 1 He blesseth God for his many spiritual graces: 10 shewing that the salvation in Christ is a thing prophesied of old: 13 and exhorteth them to a godly conversation, as they are born anew by the word of God. PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the suf ferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minis.. ter the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: 14 Asobedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who with out respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear : re 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that rais 831 36 Christ the corner-stone. 1. PETER. ed him up from the dead, and gave him glory; away: Glory 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. CHAP. II. 1 He exhorteth them to charity: 4 Christ the foundation whereupon they are built. 11beseecheth them to abstain from fleshly lusts, 13 to be obedient to magistrates, 18 teacheth servants to obey their masters, 20 patiently suffering, after the example of Christ. WHEREFORE, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings, 2 As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 To whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; His example in suffering, sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with welldoing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, 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 thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 CHAP. III. The duty of wives and husbands, 8 exhorts all men to unity and love, 14 and to suffer persecution. 19 The benefits of Christ toward the old world. IKEWISE. ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own busbands: 6 Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are pitiful, be courteous: Benefits toward the old world. CHAP. IV, V. 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise, blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a 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 eschew evil, and do good: let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: 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 and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, 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 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward 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. CHAP. IV. 1 He exhorteth to cease from sin by the example of Christ, and the end that approacheth: 12 comforteth them against persecution. ORASMUCH then as Christ hath suf Comfort against persecution. 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 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and domi. nion 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 happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ. happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and o God resteth upon you. On their part he is ev'l spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busy. body in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For 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 the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator. CHAP. V. 1 He exhorteth the elders to feed their flocks, 5 the younger to obey, 8and all to be sober, watchful, and constant in the faith: 9 to resist the cruel adversary the devil. HE elders which are among you I ex Ffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves Thort, who we also an elder, and a wit likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked 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 excess of riot, speaking evil of you: ness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's herit age, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth 5 Who shall give account to him that is 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the |