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2 PETER II.

14 in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as A. D. 66. 15 our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. Moreover 1 will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

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For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses 17 of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, 18 in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

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We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and 20 the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the 21 Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

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BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of 3 truth shall be evil spoken cf. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and 5 delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of right6 eousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, 7 making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and de8 livered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous 9 soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment 10 to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise 3 government.

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Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accus12 ation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and 13 shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast 14 with you; having eyes full of 5 adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; 15 cursed children: which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad 17 the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

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For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped 19 from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is 20 he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than 21 the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy command22 ment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true

1 Or, at any time.

2 Or, lascivious ways, as some copics read.

3 Or, dominion.

4 Some read, against themselves.

5 Gr. an adulteress.

6 Or, for a little, or, a while, as some read.

3

203

proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words 2 which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us 3 the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come 4 in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

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For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens 6 were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: where7 by the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

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But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord 9 as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repent10 ance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons 12 ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and 2 hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be 13 dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

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Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye 15 may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that

the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul 16 also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

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Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL

OF

JOHN.

1 THAT which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, 2 of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and 9 was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with 4 the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

1 Gr. consisting.

2 Or, hasting the coming.

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1 JOIN II.

After A. D. 90.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, 6 that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have 7 fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in 9 us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to 10 cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and 2 he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

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And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and 5 the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love 6 of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

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Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which 8 ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the 9 true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, 10 is in darkness even until now. 11 and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he But he that hateth his goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

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I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his 13 name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the 14 Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked

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one.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love 16 the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the 17 Father, but is of the world. but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:

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Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last 19 time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they 20 might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction 21 from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the 22 truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti23 christ, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

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Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall 25 continue in the Son, and in the Father. 26 promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning And this is the promise that he hath 27 them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

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AND now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may 29 have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know

1 Gr. scandal.

2 Or, il.

that he is righteous, 1 ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of 3 him. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because 2 it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

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And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is 4 pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the 5 transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away 6 our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not; whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

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Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is 8 righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was 9 manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, 10 because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.

Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not 11 his brother. For this is the 2 message that ye heard from the beginning, that 12 we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were 13 evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate 14 you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the 15 brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: 17 and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of com18 passion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

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And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts 20 before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and 21 knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we con22 fidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we 23 keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus 24 Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

4 BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know 2 ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in 3 the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is 5 he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: there6 fore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that 8 loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not 9 God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live 10 through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and 11 sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we 12 ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we 13 love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby

1 Or know ye.

2 Or, commandment.

3 Gr. persuade.

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know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour 15 of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God 16 dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in 17 God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath 19 torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because 20 he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God 21 whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

5 WHOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every

one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this 2 we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his 3 commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: 4 and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our 5 faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

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This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because 7 the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record [in heaven, the Father, 8 the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth], the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is 10 the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in 12 his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 THESE things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on 14 the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, 15 that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

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If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto 17 death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and

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there is a sin not unto death.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten 19 of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know 20 that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

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Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1 Gr. love with us.

2 Or, concerning him.

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