# verses

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<f>ⓤ</f> who saved us and <f>ⓥ</f>called us to <f>[1]</f> a holy calling, <f>ⓦ</f>not because of our works but because of <f>ⓧ</f>his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus <f>ⓨ</f>before the ages began, <f>[2]</f>


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and which now has <f>ⓩ</f>been manifested through <f>ⓐ</f>the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, <f>ⓑ</f>who abolished death and <f>ⓒ</f>brought life and <f>ⓓ</f>immortality to light through the gospel,


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<f>ⓕ</f> which is why I suffer as I do. But <f>ⓖ</f>I am not ashamed, for <f>ⓗ</f>I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until <f>ⓘ</f>that day <f>ⓙ</f>what has been entrusted to me. <f>[3]</f>


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<f>ⓚ</f> Follow <f>ⓛ</f>the pattern of <f>ⓜ</f>the sound <f>[4]</f> words <f>ⓝ</f>that you have heard from me, in <f>ⓞ</f>the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


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<pb/>You are aware that <f>ⓡ</f>all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.


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May the Lord grant mercy to <f>ⓢ</f>the household of Onesiphorus, for he often <f>ⓣ</f>refreshed me and was not ashamed of <f>ⓤ</f>my chains,


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may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on <f>ⓦ</f>that day! — and you well know all the service he <f>ⓧ</f>rendered at Ephesus.


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and <f>ⓒ</f>what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses <f>ⓓ</f>entrust to faithful men, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓔ</f>who will be able to teach others also.


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No soldier <f>ⓗ</f>gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.


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<pb/>Remember Jesus Christ, <f>ⓛ</f>risen from the dead, the <f>ⓜ</f>offspring of David, <f>ⓝ</f>as preached in my gospel,


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<f>ⓞ</f> for which I am suffering, <f>ⓟ</f>bound with chains as a criminal. But <f>ⓠ</f>the word of God is not bound!


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Therefore <f>ⓡ</f>I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain <f>ⓢ</f>the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with <f>ⓣ</f>eternal glory.


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The saying is <f>ⓤ</f>trustworthy, for: <pb/><t><f>ⓥ</f>If we have died with him, we will also <f>ⓦ</f>live with him;</t>


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<t><f>ⓧ</f> if we endure, we will also reign with him; </t><t><f>ⓨ</f>if we deny him, he also will deny us;</t>


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<t><f>ⓩ</f> if we are faithless, <f>ⓐ</f>he remains faithful — </t> <pb/>for <f>ⓑ</f>he cannot deny himself.


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<pb/>Remind them of these things, and <f>ⓒ</f>charge them before God <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓓ</f>not to quarrel about words, <f>ⓔ</f>which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.


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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, <f>[3]</f> a worker <f>ⓕ</f>who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.


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But <f>ⓖ</f>avoid <f>ⓗ</f>irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,


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who have swerved from the truth, <f>ⓙ</f>saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.


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But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: <f>ⓚ</f>“The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone <f>ⓛ</f>who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”


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<pb/>Now in <f>ⓜ</f>a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, <f>ⓝ</f>some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.


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Therefore, <f>ⓞ</f>if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, <f>[4]</f> he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, <f>ⓟ</f>ready for every good work.


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<pb/>So <f>ⓠ</f>flee <f>ⓡ</f>youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with <f>ⓢ</f>those who call on the Lord <f>ⓣ</f>from a pure heart.


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And <f>ⓥ</f>the Lord's servant <f>[5]</f> must not be quarrelsome but <f>ⓦ</f>kind to everyone, <f>ⓧ</f>able to teach, patiently enduring evil,


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correcting his opponents <f>ⓨ</f>with gentleness. God <f>ⓩ</f>may perhaps grant them repentance <f>ⓐ</f>leading to a knowledge of the truth,


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and they may come to their senses and escape from <f>ⓑ</f>the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.


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For people will be <f>ⓑ</f>lovers of self, <f>ⓒ</f>lovers of money, <f>ⓓ</f>proud, <f>ⓔ</f>arrogant, abusive, <f>ⓕ</f>disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,


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<f>ⓖ</f> heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, <f>ⓗ</f>not loving good,


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treacherous, reckless, <f>ⓘ</f>swollen with conceit, <f>ⓙ</f>lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,


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For among them are <f>ⓜ</f>those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,


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Just as <f>ⓞ</f>Jannes and Jambres <f>ⓟ</f>opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, <f>ⓠ</f>men corrupted in mind and <f>ⓡ</f>disqualified regarding the faith.


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But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, <f>ⓢ</f>as was that of those two men.


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<pb/><f>ⓣ</f> You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,


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my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me <f>ⓤ</f>at Antioch, <f>ⓥ</f>at Iconium, and <f>ⓦ</f>at Lystra — which persecutions I endured; yet <f>ⓧ</f>from them all <f>ⓨ</f>the Lord rescued me.


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while <f>ⓑ</f>evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and <f>ⓒ</f>being deceived.


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But as for you, <f>ⓓ</f>continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom <f>[1]</f> you learned it


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and how <f>ⓔ</f>from childhood you have been acquainted with <f>ⓕ</f>the sacred writings, <f>ⓖ</f>which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.


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<f>ⓗ</f> All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,


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that <f>ⓘ</f>the man of God <f>[2]</f> may be complete, <f>ⓙ</f>equipped <f>ⓚ</f>for every good work.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, <f>ⓑ</f>who is to judge the living and the dead, and by <f>ⓒ</f>his appearing and his kingdom:


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preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; <f>ⓓ</f>reprove, rebuke, and <f>ⓔ</f>exhort, with complete patience and teaching.


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<f>ⓕ</f> For the time is coming when people will not endure <f>ⓖ</f>sound <f>[1]</f> teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,


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As for you, <f>ⓙ</f>always be sober-minded, <f>ⓚ</f>endure suffering, do the work of <f>ⓛ</f>an evangelist, <f>ⓜ</f>fulfill your ministry.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓝ</f>I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my <f>ⓞ</f>departure has come.


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Henceforth there is <f>ⓡ</f>laid up for me <f>ⓢ</f>the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, <f>ⓣ</f>the righteous judge, will award to me on <f>ⓤ</f>that day, and not only to me but also to all <f>ⓥ</f>who have loved his appearing.


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For <f>ⓧ</f>Demas, <f>ⓨ</f>in love with <f>ⓩ</f>this present world, <f>ⓐ</f>has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓑ</f>Titus to Dalmatia.


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<f>ⓒ</f> Luke alone is with me. Get <f>ⓓ</f>Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.


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When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.


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<f>ⓕ</f> Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; <f>ⓖ</f>the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.


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At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. <f>ⓗ</f>May it not be charged against them!


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But <f>ⓘ</f>the Lord stood by me and <f>ⓙ</f>strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and <f>ⓚ</f>all the Gentiles might hear it. So <f>ⓛ</f>I was rescued <f>ⓜ</f>from the lion's mouth.


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The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. <f>ⓝ</f>To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.


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<f>ⓡ</f> Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. <f>[3]</f>


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<pb/>Paul, a servant <f>[1]</f> of God and <f>ⓐ</f>an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and <f>ⓑ</f>their knowledge of the truth, <f>ⓒ</f>which accords with godliness,


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<f>ⓓ</f> in hope of eternal life, which God, <f>ⓔ</f>who never lies, <f>ⓕ</f>promised <f>ⓖ</f>before the ages began <f>[2]</f>


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and <f>ⓗ</f>at the proper time manifested in his word <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓘ</f>through the preaching <f>ⓙ</f>with which I have been entrusted <f>ⓚ</f>by the command of God our Savior;


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<pb/>To Titus, <f>ⓛ</f>my true child in <f>ⓜ</f>a common faith: <pb/><f>ⓝ</f>Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and <f>ⓟ</f>appoint elders in every town as I directed you —


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<f>ⓠ</f> if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, <f>[4]</f> and his children are believers <f>[5]</f> and not open to the charge of <f>ⓡ</f>debauchery or insubordination.


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For an overseer, <f>[6]</f> <f>ⓢ</f>as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not <f>ⓣ</f>be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent <f>ⓤ</f>or greedy for gain,


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He must <f>ⓦ</f>hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in <f>ⓧ</f>sound <f>[7]</f> doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.


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<pb/>For there are many who are insubordinate, <f>ⓨ</f>empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of <f>ⓩ</f>the circumcision party. <f>[8]</f>


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They must be silenced, since <f>ⓐ</f>they are upsetting whole families by teaching <f>ⓑ</f>for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.


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<f>ⓒ</f> One of the Cretans, <f>[9]</f> a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” <f>[10]</f>


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This testimony is true. Therefore <f>ⓓ</f>rebuke them <f>ⓔ</f>sharply, that they <f>ⓕ</f>may be sound in the faith,


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<f>ⓖ</f> not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and <f>ⓗ</f>the commands of people <f>ⓘ</f>who turn away from the truth.


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<f>ⓙ</f> To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and <f>ⓚ</f>unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both <f>ⓛ</f>their minds and their consciences are defiled.


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<f>ⓜ</f> They profess to know God, but they <f>ⓝ</f>deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, <f>ⓞ</f>unfit for any good work.


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Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, <f>ⓑ</f>sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.


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<f>ⓒ</f> Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, <f>ⓓ</f>not slanderers <f>ⓔ</f>or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,


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to be self-controlled, <f>ⓕ</f>pure, <f>ⓖ</f>working at home, kind, and <f>ⓗ</f>submissive to their own husbands, <f>ⓘ</f>that the word of God may not be reviled.


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Show yourself in all respects to be <f>ⓚ</f>a model of good works, and in your teaching <f>ⓛ</f>show integrity, <f>ⓜ</f>dignity,


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and <f>ⓝ</f>sound speech that cannot be condemned, <f>ⓞ</f>so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.


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<f>ⓟ</f> Bondservants <f>[2]</f> are to be submissive to their own masters <f>ⓠ</f>in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,


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not pilfering, <f>ⓡ</f>but showing all good faith, <f>ⓢ</f>so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.


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training us to renounce ungodliness and <f>ⓦ</f>worldly passions, and <f>ⓧ</f>to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in <f>ⓨ</f>the present age,


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<f>ⓩ</f> waiting for our blessed <f>ⓐ</f>hope, the <f>ⓑ</f>appearing of the glory of our great <f>ⓒ</f>God and Savior Jesus Christ,


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<f>ⓓ</f> who gave himself for us to <f>ⓔ</f>redeem us from all lawlessness and <f>ⓕ</f>to purify for himself <f>ⓖ</f>a people for his own possession who are <f>ⓗ</f>zealous for good works.


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<pb/>Declare these things; exhort and <f>ⓘ</f>rebuke with all authority. <f>ⓙ</f>Let no one disregard you.


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<pb/>Remind them <f>ⓐ</f>to be submissive to rulers and authorities, <f>ⓑ</f>to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,


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<f>ⓒ</f> to speak evil of no one, <f>ⓓ</f>to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and <f>ⓔ</f>to show perfect courtesy toward all people.


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For <f>ⓕ</f>we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.


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he saved us, <f>ⓗ</f>not because of works done by us in righteousness, but <f>ⓘ</f>according to his own mercy, by <f>ⓙ</f>the washing of regeneration and <f>ⓚ</f>renewal of the Holy Spirit,


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so that <f>ⓜ</f>being justified by his grace we might become <f>ⓝ</f>heirs <f>ⓞ</f>according to the hope of eternal life.


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The saying is <f>ⓟ</f>trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful <f>ⓠ</f>to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.


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But <f>ⓡ</f>avoid foolish <f>ⓢ</f>controversies, <f>ⓣ</f>genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for <f>ⓤ</f>they are unprofitable and worthless.


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As for a person who stirs up division, <f>ⓥ</f>after warning him once and then twice, <f>ⓦ</f>have nothing more to do with him,


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<pb/>When I send Artemas or <f>ⓧ</f>Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me <f>ⓨ</f>at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.


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Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and <f>ⓩ</f>Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.


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And let our people learn <f>ⓐ</f>to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not <f>ⓑ</f>be unfruitful.


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<pb/>All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. <pb/><f>ⓒ</f>Grace be with you all.


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and <f>ⓑ</f>Timothy our brother, <pb/>To Philemon our beloved fellow worker


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and Apphia our sister and <f>ⓒ</f>Archippus our <f>ⓓ</f>fellow soldier, and <f>ⓔ</f>the church in your house:


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because I <f>ⓗ</f>hear of your love and <f>ⓘ</f>of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,


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and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full <f>ⓙ</f>knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. <f>[1]</f>


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For I have derived much joy and <f>ⓚ</f>comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints <f>ⓛ</f>have been refreshed through you.


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<pb/>Accordingly, <f>ⓜ</f>though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do <f>ⓝ</f>what is required,


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yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you — I, Paul, an old man and now <f>ⓞ</f>a prisoner also for Christ Jesus —


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I appeal to you for <f>ⓟ</f>my child, <f>ⓠ</f>Onesimus, <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓡ</f>whose father I became in my imprisonment.


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I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me <f>ⓢ</f>on your behalf <f>ⓣ</f>during my imprisonment for the gospel,


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but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be <f>ⓤ</f>by compulsion but of your own accord.


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For this perhaps is why <f>ⓥ</f>he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,


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<f>ⓦ</f> no longer as a bondservant <f>[3]</f> but more than a bondservant, as <f>ⓧ</f>a beloved brother — especially to me, but how much more to you, <f>ⓨ</f>both in the flesh and in the Lord.


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<f>ⓐ</f> I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it — to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.


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<pb/><f>ⓒ</f> Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.


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At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for <f>ⓓ</f>I am hoping that <f>ⓔ</f>through your prayers <f>ⓕ</f>I will be graciously given to you.


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but <f>ⓑ</f>in these last days <f>ⓒ</f>he has spoken to us by <f>ⓓ</f>his Son, whom he appointed <f>ⓔ</f>the heir of all things, <f>ⓕ</f>through whom also he created <f>ⓖ</f>the world.


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He is the radiance of the glory of God and <f>ⓗ</f>the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. <f>ⓘ</f>After making purification for sins, <f>ⓙ</f>he sat down <f>ⓚ</f>at the right hand of the Majesty on high,


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having become as much superior to angels as the name <f>ⓛ</f>he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.


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<pb/>For to which of the angels did God ever say, <pb/><t><f>ⓜ</f>“You are my Son, </t><t>today I have begotten you”? </t> <pb/>Or again, <pb/><t><f>ⓝ</f>“I will be to him a father, </t><t>and he shall be to me a son”? </t>


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<pb/>And again, when he brings <f>ⓞ</f>the firstborn into the world, he says, <pb/><t><f>ⓟ</f>“Let all God's angels worship him.” </t>


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<pb/>Of the angels he says, <pb/><t><f>ⓠ</f>“He makes his angels winds, </t><t>and his ministers a flame of fire.” </t>


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<pb/>But of the Son he says, <pb/><t><f>ⓡ</f>“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, </t><t>the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.</t>


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<t>You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; </t><t>therefore God, your God, <f>ⓢ</f>has anointed you </t><t>with <f>ⓣ</f>the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” </t>


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<pb/>And, <pb/><t><f>ⓤ</f>“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, </t><t>and the heavens are the work of your hands;</t>


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<t>like a robe you will roll them up, </t><t>like a garment they will be changed. <f>[1]</f> </t><t>But you are <f>ⓥ</f>the same, </t><t>and your years will have no end.” </t>


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<pb/>And to which of the angels has he ever said, <pb/><t><f>ⓦ</f>“Sit at my right hand </t><t><f>ⓧ</f>until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? </t>


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<pb/>Are they not all ministering spirits <f>ⓨ</f>sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to <f>ⓩ</f>inherit salvation?


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For since <f>ⓐ</f>the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and <f>ⓑ</f>every transgression or disobedience received a just <f>ⓒ</f>retribution,


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<f>ⓓ</f> how shall we escape if we <f>ⓔ</f>neglect such a great salvation? It was <f>ⓕ</f>declared at first by the Lord, and it was <f>ⓖ</f>attested to us <f>ⓗ</f>by those who heard,


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<f>ⓘ</f> while God also bore witness <f>ⓙ</f>by signs and wonders and various miracles and by <f>ⓚ</f>gifts of the Holy Spirit <f>ⓛ</f>distributed according to his will.


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<pb/>For it was not to angels that God subjected the world <f>ⓜ</f>to come, of which we are speaking.


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It has been testified somewhere, <pb/><t><f>ⓝ</f>“What is man, that you are mindful of him, </t><t>or the son of man, that you care for him?</t>


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<t>You made him for a little while lower than the angels; </t><t>you have crowned him with glory and honor, <f>[1]</f></t>


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<t>putting everything in subjection under his feet.” </t> <pb/>Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, <f>ⓞ</f>we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.


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But we see him <f>ⓟ</f>who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, <f>ⓠ</f>crowned with glory and honor <f>ⓡ</f>because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might <f>ⓢ</f>taste death <f>ⓣ</f>for everyone.


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<pb/>For it <f>ⓤ</f>was fitting that he, <f>ⓥ</f>for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons <f>ⓦ</f>to glory, should make the <f>ⓧ</f>founder of their salvation <f>ⓨ</f>perfect through suffering.


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For <f>ⓩ</f>he who sanctifies and <f>ⓐ</f>those who are sanctified <f>ⓑ</f>all have one source. <f>[2]</f> That is why he is not ashamed to call them <f>ⓒ</f>brothers, <f>[3]</f>


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saying, <pb/><t><f>ⓓ</f>“I will tell of your name to my brothers; </t><t>in the midst of the <f>ⓔ</f>congregation I will sing your praise.” </t>


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<pb/>And again, <pb/><t><f>ⓕ</f>“I will put my trust in him.” </t> <pb/>And again, <pb/><t><f>ⓖ</f>“Behold, I and the children <f>ⓗ</f>God has given me.” </t>


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<pb/>Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise <f>ⓘ</f>partook of the same things, that <f>ⓙ</f>through death he might <f>ⓚ</f>destroy <f>ⓛ</f>the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,


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Therefore he had <f>ⓞ</f>to be made like his brothers in every respect, <f>ⓟ</f>so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest <f>ⓠ</f>in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.


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For because he himself has suffered <f>ⓡ</f>when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.


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<pb/>Therefore, holy brothers, <f>[1]</f> you who share in <f>ⓐ</f>a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, <f>ⓑ</f>the apostle and high priest of our confession,


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who was faithful to him who appointed him, <f>ⓒ</f>just as Moses also was faithful in all God's <f>[2]</f> house.


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For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses — as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.


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<f>ⓔ</f> Now Moses was faithful in all God's house <f>ⓕ</f>as a servant, <f>ⓖ</f>to testify to the things that were to be spoken later,


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but Christ is faithful over God's house as <f>ⓗ</f>a son. And <f>ⓘ</f>we are his house, if indeed we <f>ⓙ</f>hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. <f>[3]</f>


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<t>do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, </t><t>on the day of testing in the wilderness,</t>


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<t>Therefore I was provoked with that generation, </t><t>and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; </t><t>they have not known my ways.’</t>


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<pb/>Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from <f>ⓝ</f>the living God.


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But <f>ⓞ</f>exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by <f>ⓟ</f>the deceitfulness of sin.


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For we have come to share in Christ, <f>ⓠ</f>if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.


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As it is said, <pb/><t><f>ⓡ</f>“Today, if you hear his voice, </t><t>do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” </t>


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<pb/>For <f>ⓢ</f>who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not <f>ⓣ</f>all those who left Egypt led by Moses?


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And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, <f>ⓤ</f>whose bodies fell in the wilderness?


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And to whom did he swear that <f>ⓥ</f>they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?


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<pb/>Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem <f>ⓐ</f>to have failed to reach it.


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For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because <f>ⓑ</f>they were not united by faith with those who listened. <f>[1]</f>


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For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, <pb/><t><f>ⓒ</f>“As I swore in my wrath, </t><t>‘They shall not enter my rest,’” </t> <pb/>although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.


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For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: <f>ⓓ</f>“And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”


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<pb/>Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news <f>ⓕ</f>failed to enter because of disobedience,


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again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, <pb/><t><f>ⓖ</f>“Today, if you hear his voice, </t><t>do not harden your hearts.” </t>


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<pb/>For if Joshua had given them rest, God <f>[2]</f> would not have spoken of another day later on.


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<pb/>Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so <f>ⓘ</f>that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.


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For <f>ⓙ</f>the word of God is living and <f>ⓚ</f>active, <f>ⓛ</f>sharper than any <f>ⓜ</f>two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and <f>ⓝ</f>discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


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And <f>ⓞ</f>no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are <f>ⓟ</f>naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.


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<pb/>Since then we have <f>ⓠ</f>a great high priest <f>ⓡ</f>who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, <f>ⓢ</f>let us hold fast our confession.


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For we do not have a high priest <f>ⓣ</f>who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been <f>ⓤ</f>tempted as we are, <f>ⓥ</f>yet without sin.


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<f>ⓦ</f> Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.


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<pb/>For every high priest chosen from among men <f>ⓐ</f>is appointed to act on behalf of men <f>ⓑ</f>in relation to God, <f>ⓒ</f>to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.


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<f>ⓓ</f> He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself <f>ⓔ</f>is beset with weakness.


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Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins <f>ⓕ</f>just as he does for those of the people.


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And <f>ⓖ</f>no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, <f>ⓗ</f>just as Aaron was.


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<pb/>So also Christ <f>ⓘ</f>did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“You are my Son, </t><t>today I have begotten you”; </t>


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<pb/>as he says also in another place, <pb/><t><f>ⓚ</f>“You are a priest forever, </t><t>after the order of Melchizedek.” </t>


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<pb/>In the days of his flesh, <f>ⓛ</f>Jesus <f>[1]</f> offered up prayers and supplications, <f>ⓜ</f>with loud cries and tears, to him <f>ⓝ</f>who was able to save him from death, and <f>ⓞ</f>he was heard because of his reverence.


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<pb/>About this we have much to say, and it is <f>ⓣ</f>hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.


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For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again <f>ⓤ</f>the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need <f>ⓥ</f>milk, not solid food,


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for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is <f>ⓦ</f>a child.


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But solid food is for <f>ⓧ</f>the mature, for those who have their powers <f>ⓨ</f>of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.


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<pb/>Therefore <f>ⓐ</f>let us leave <f>ⓑ</f>the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance <f>ⓒ</f>from dead works and of faith toward God,


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and of <f>ⓓ</f>instruction about washings, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓔ</f>the laying on of hands, <f>ⓕ</f>the resurrection of the dead, and <f>ⓖ</f>eternal judgment.


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For it is impossible, in the case of those <f>ⓘ</f>who have once been enlightened, who have tasted <f>ⓙ</f>the heavenly gift, and <f>ⓚ</f>have shared in the Holy Spirit,


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and <f>ⓜ</f>then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since <f>ⓝ</f>they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.


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For <f>ⓞ</f>land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.


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But <f>ⓟ</f>if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, <f>ⓠ</f>and its end is to be burned.


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<pb/>Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things — things that belong to salvation.


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For <f>ⓡ</f>God is not unjust so as to overlook <f>ⓢ</f>your work and the love that you have shown for his name in <f>ⓣ</f>serving the saints, as you still do.


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And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance <f>ⓤ</f>of hope until the end,


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so that you may not be sluggish, but <f>ⓥ</f>imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.


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<pb/>For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, <f>ⓦ</f>he swore by himself,


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For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes <f>ⓩ</f>an oath is final for confirmation.


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So when God desired to show more convincingly to <f>ⓐ</f>the heirs of the promise <f>ⓑ</f>the unchangeable character of his purpose, <f>ⓒ</f>he guaranteed it with an oath,


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so that by two unchangeable things, in which <f>ⓓ</f>it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope <f>ⓔ</f>set before us.


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We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into <f>ⓕ</f>the inner place behind the curtain,


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where Jesus has gone <f>ⓖ</f>as a forerunner on our behalf, <f>ⓗ</f>having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.


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<pb/>For this <f>ⓐ</f>Melchizedek, king of <f>ⓑ</f>Salem, priest of <f>ⓒ</f>the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,


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and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.


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He is without father or mother <f>ⓓ</f>or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.


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And <f>ⓕ</f>those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, <f>[1]</f> though these also are descended from Abraham.


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But this man <f>ⓖ</f>who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed <f>ⓗ</f>him who had the promises.


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In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one <f>ⓘ</f>of whom it is testified that <f>ⓙ</f>he lives.


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<pb/><f>ⓚ</f> Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?


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For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.


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For it is evident that our Lord was descended <f>ⓛ</f>from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.


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who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.


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For it is witnessed of him, <pb/><t><f>ⓜ</f>“You are a priest forever, </t><t>after the order of Melchizedek.” </t>


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<pb/>For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside <f>ⓝ</f>because of its weakness and uselessness


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(for <f>ⓞ</f>the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, <f>ⓟ</f>a better hope is introduced, through which <f>ⓠ</f>we draw near to God.


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<pb/>And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,


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but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: <pb/><t><f>ⓡ</f>“The Lord has sworn </t><t>and will not change his mind, </t><t>‘You are a priest forever.’” </t>


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<pb/>The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,


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Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓤ</f>those who draw near to God <f>ⓥ</f>through him, since he always lives <f>ⓦ</f>to make intercession for them.


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<pb/>For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, <f>ⓧ</f>holy, innocent, unstained, <f>ⓨ</f>separated from sinners, and <f>ⓩ</f>exalted above the heavens.


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He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, <f>ⓐ</f>first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this <f>ⓑ</f>once for all when he offered up himself.


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For the law appoints men <f>ⓒ</f>in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made <f>ⓓ</f>perfect forever.


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<pb/>Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, <f>ⓐ</f>one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,


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a minister in the holy places, in <f>ⓑ</f>the true tent <f>[1]</f> that the Lord <f>ⓒ</f>set up, not man.


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For <f>ⓓ</f>every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus <f>ⓔ</f>it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.


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Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.


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They serve <f>ⓕ</f>a copy and <f>ⓖ</f>shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, <f>ⓗ</f>“See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”


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But as it is, Christ <f>[2]</f> has obtained a ministry that is <f>ⓘ</f>as much more excellent than the old as <f>ⓙ</f>the covenant <f>ⓚ</f>he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.


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<f>ⓛ</f> For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.


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<pb/>For he finds fault with them when he says: <f>[3]</f> <pb/><t><f>ⓜ</f>“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, </t><t>when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel </t><t>and with the house of Judah,</t>


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<t>not like the covenant that I made with their fathers </t><t>on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. </t><t>For they did not continue in my covenant, </t><t>and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.</t>


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<t><f>ⓝ</f> For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel </t><t>after those days, declares the Lord: </t><t>I will put my laws into their minds, </t><t>and <f>ⓞ</f>write them on their hearts, </t><t>and I will be their God, </t><t>and they shall be my people.</t>


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<t>And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor </t><t>and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ </t><t>for they shall <f>ⓟ</f>all know me, </t><t>from the least of them to the greatest.</t>


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<t>For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, </t><t><f>ⓠ</f>and I will remember their sins no more.” </t>


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<pb/>In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And <f>ⓡ</f>what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.


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<pb/>Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and <f>ⓐ</f>an earthly place of holiness.


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For <f>ⓑ</f>a tent <f>[1]</f> was prepared, the first section, in which were <f>ⓒ</f>the lampstand and <f>ⓓ</f>the table and <f>ⓔ</f>the bread of the Presence. <f>[2]</f> It is called the Holy Place.


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having the golden <f>ⓖ</f>altar of incense and <f>ⓗ</f>the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was <f>ⓘ</f>a golden urn holding the manna, and <f>ⓙ</f>Aaron's staff that budded, and <f>ⓚ</f>the tablets of the covenant.


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Above it were <f>ⓛ</f>the cherubim of glory overshadowing <f>ⓜ</f>the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.


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<pb/>These preparations having thus been made, <f>ⓝ</f>the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties,


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but into the second only <f>ⓞ</f>the high priest goes, and he but <f>ⓟ</f>once a year, and not without taking blood, <f>ⓠ</f>which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.


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By this the Holy Spirit indicates that <f>ⓡ</f>the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing


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(which is symbolic for the present age). <f>[4]</f> According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered <f>ⓢ</f>that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,


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but deal only with <f>ⓣ</f>food and drink and <f>ⓤ</f>various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.


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<pb/>But when Christ appeared as a high priest <f>ⓥ</f>of the good things that have come, <f>[5]</f> then through <f>ⓦ</f>the greater and more perfect tent (<f>ⓧ</f>not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)


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he <f>ⓨ</f>entered <f>ⓩ</f>once for all into the holy places, not by means of <f>ⓐ</f>the blood of goats and calves but <f>ⓑ</f>by means of his own blood, <f>ⓒ</f>thus securing an eternal redemption.


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For if <f>ⓓ</f>the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with <f>ⓔ</f>the ashes of a heifer, sanctify <f>[6]</f> for the purification of the flesh,


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how much more will <f>ⓕ</f>the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit <f>ⓖ</f>offered himself without blemish to God, <f>ⓗ</f>purify our <f>[7]</f> conscience <f>ⓘ</f>from dead works <f>ⓙ</f>to serve the living God.


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<pb/>Therefore he is <f>ⓚ</f>the mediator of a new covenant, so that <f>ⓛ</f>those who are called may <f>ⓜ</f>receive the promised eternal inheritance, <f>ⓝ</f>since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. <f>[8]</f>


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For <f>ⓞ</f>a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.


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For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took <f>ⓠ</f>the blood of calves and goats, <f>ⓡ</f>with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,


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And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both <f>ⓣ</f>the tent and all the vessels used in worship.


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Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and <f>ⓤ</f>without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.


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<pb/>Thus it was necessary for <f>ⓥ</f>the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.


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For Christ has entered, not into holy places <f>ⓦ</f>made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God <f>ⓧ</f>on our behalf.


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Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as <f>ⓨ</f>the high priest enters <f>ⓩ</f>the holy places every year with blood not his own,


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for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, <f>ⓐ</f>he has appeared <f>ⓑ</f>once for all <f>ⓒ</f>at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.


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so Christ, having been offered once <f>ⓕ</f>to bear the sins of <f>ⓖ</f>many, will appear <f>ⓗ</f>a second time, <f>ⓘ</f>not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly <f>ⓙ</f>waiting for him.


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<pb/>For since the law has but <f>ⓐ</f>a shadow <f>ⓑ</f>of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, <f>ⓒ</f>it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.


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Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?


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<pb/>Consequently, <f>ⓖ</f>when Christ <f>[1]</f> came into the world, he said, <pb/><t><f>ⓗ</f>“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, </t><t>but a body have you prepared for me;</t>


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<t>Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, </t><t>as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” </t>


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<pb/>When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in <f>ⓘ</f>sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),


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then he added, <f>ⓙ</f>“Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.


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And by that will <f>ⓚ</f>we have been sanctified through the offering of <f>ⓛ</f>the body of Jesus Christ <f>ⓜ</f>once for all.


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<pb/>And every priest stands <f>ⓝ</f>daily at his service, <f>ⓞ</f>offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, <f>ⓟ</f>which can never take away sins.


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But when Christ <f>[2]</f> had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he <f>ⓠ</f>sat down at the right hand of God,


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<pb/><t><f>ⓣ</f> “This is the covenant that I will make with them </t><t>after those days, declares the Lord: </t><t>I will put my laws on their hearts, </t><t>and write them on their minds,” </t>


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<pb/>then he adds, <pb/><t><f>ⓤ</f>“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” </t>


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<pb/><f>ⓥ</f> Therefore, brothers, <f>[3]</f> since we have confidence to enter <f>ⓦ</f>the holy places by the blood of Jesus,


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by <f>ⓧ</f>the new and living way that he opened for us through <f>ⓨ</f>the curtain, that is, through his flesh,


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let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts <f>ⓐ</f>sprinkled clean <f>ⓑ</f>from an evil conscience and our bodies <f>ⓒ</f>washed with pure water.


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<f>ⓓ</f> Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for <f>ⓔ</f>he who promised is faithful.


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<f>ⓖ</f> not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and <f>ⓗ</f>all the more as you see <f>ⓘ</f>the Day drawing near.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓙ</f>if we go on sinning deliberately <f>ⓚ</f>after receiving the knowledge of the truth, <f>ⓛ</f>there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,


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<f>ⓜ</f> but a fearful expectation of judgment, and <f>ⓝ</f>a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.


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<f>ⓞ</f> Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy <f>ⓟ</f>on the evidence of two or three witnesses.


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How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one <f>ⓠ</f>who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned <f>ⓡ</f>the blood of the covenant <f>ⓢ</f>by which he was sanctified, and has <f>ⓣ</f>outraged the Spirit of grace?


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For we know him who said, <f>ⓤ</f>“Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, <f>ⓥ</f>“The Lord will judge his people.”


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<pb/>But recall the former days when, after <f>ⓧ</f>you were enlightened, you endured <f>ⓨ</f>a hard struggle with sufferings,


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sometimes being <f>ⓩ</f>publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.


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For <f>ⓐ</f>you had compassion on those in prison, and <f>ⓑ</f>you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had <f>ⓒ</f>a better possession and an abiding one.


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For <f>ⓔ</f>you have need of endurance, so that <f>ⓕ</f>when you have done the will of God you may <f>ⓖ</f>receive what is promised.


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For, <pb/><t><f>ⓗ</f>“Yet a little while, </t><t>and <f>ⓘ</f>the coming one will come and will not delay;</t>


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<t><f>ⓙ</f> but my righteous one shall live by faith, </t><t>and if he shrinks back, </t><t>my soul has no pleasure in him.” </t>


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<pb/>But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.


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By faith we understand that the universe was created by <f>ⓑ</f>the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of <f>ⓒ</f>things that are visible.


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<pb/>By faith <f>ⓓ</f>Abel offered to God <f>ⓔ</f>a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And <f>ⓕ</f>through his faith, though he died, he <f>ⓖ</f>still speaks.


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By faith <f>ⓗ</f>Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.


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And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God <f>ⓘ</f>must believe that he exists and <f>ⓙ</f>that he rewards those who seek him.


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By faith <f>ⓚ</f>Noah, being warned by God concerning <f>ⓛ</f>events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of <f>ⓜ</f>the righteousness that comes by faith.


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<pb/>By faith <f>ⓝ</f>Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place <f>ⓞ</f>that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.


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By faith he went to live in <f>ⓟ</f>the land of promise, as in a foreign land, <f>ⓠ</f>living in tents <f>ⓡ</f>with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.


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For he was looking forward to <f>ⓢ</f>the city that has <f>ⓣ</f>foundations, <f>ⓤ</f>whose designer and builder is God.


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By faith <f>ⓥ</f>Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered <f>ⓦ</f>him faithful who had promised.


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Therefore from one man, and <f>ⓧ</f>him as good as dead, were born descendants <f>ⓨ</f>as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.


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<pb/>These all died in faith, <f>ⓩ</f>not having received the things promised, but <f>ⓐ</f>having seen them and greeted them from afar, and <f>ⓑ</f>having acknowledged that they were <f>ⓒ</f>strangers and exiles on the earth.


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If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, <f>ⓓ</f>they would have had opportunity to return.


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But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed <f>ⓔ</f>to be called their God, for <f>ⓕ</f>he has prepared for them a city.


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<pb/>By faith <f>ⓖ</f>Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,


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<f>ⓘ</f> He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.


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By faith <f>ⓚ</f>Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, <f>ⓛ</f>bowing in worship over the head of his staff.


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By faith <f>ⓜ</f>Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.


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<pb/>By faith <f>ⓝ</f>Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of <f>ⓞ</f>the king's edict.


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<f>ⓠ</f> choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy <f>ⓡ</f>the fleeting pleasures of sin.


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<f>ⓢ</f> He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to <f>ⓣ</f>the reward.


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By faith he <f>ⓤ</f>left Egypt, <f>ⓥ</f>not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured <f>ⓦ</f>as seeing him who is invisible.


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By faith <f>ⓧ</f>he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.


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<pb/>By faith <f>ⓨ</f>the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.


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By faith <f>ⓐ</f>Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she <f>ⓑ</f>had given a friendly welcome to the spies.


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<pb/>And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of <f>ⓒ</f>Gideon, <f>ⓓ</f>Barak, <f>ⓔ</f>Samson, <f>ⓕ</f>Jephthah, of <f>ⓖ</f>David and <f>ⓗ</f>Samuel and the prophets —


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who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, <f>ⓘ</f>stopped the mouths of lions,


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<f>ⓙ</f> quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, <f>ⓚ</f>became mighty in war, <f>ⓛ</f>put foreign armies to flight.


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<f>ⓜ</f> Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.


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<f>ⓞ</f> They were stoned, they were sawn in two, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓟ</f>they were killed with the sword. <f>ⓠ</f>They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated —


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of whom the world was not worthy — <f>ⓡ</f>wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.


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<pb/>And all these, <f>ⓢ</f>though commended through their faith, <f>ⓣ</f>did not receive what was promised,


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since God had provided something better for us, <f>ⓤ</f>that apart from us they should not be made perfect.


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<pb/>Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and <f>ⓐ</f>sin which clings so closely, and <f>ⓑ</f>let us run <f>ⓒ</f>with endurance the race that is <f>ⓓ</f>set before us,


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looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, <f>ⓔ</f>who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising <f>ⓕ</f>the shame, and <f>ⓖ</f>is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.


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<pb/><f>ⓗ</f> Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or <f>ⓘ</f>fainthearted.


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And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“My son, <f>ⓚ</f>do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, </t><t>nor be weary when reproved by him.</t>


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<t>For <f>ⓛ</f>the Lord disciplines the one he loves, </t><t>and chastises every son whom he receives.” </t>


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<pb/>It is for discipline that you have to endure. <f>ⓜ</f>God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?


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If you are left without discipline, <f>ⓝ</f>in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.


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Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to <f>ⓞ</f>the Father of spirits <f>ⓟ</f>and live?


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For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, <f>ⓠ</f>that we may share his holiness.


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<f>ⓡ</f> For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields <f>ⓢ</f>the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.


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and <f>ⓤ</f>make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint <f>ⓥ</f>but rather be healed.


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<f>ⓦ</f> Strive for peace with everyone, and for the <f>ⓧ</f>holiness <f>ⓨ</f>without which no one will see the Lord.


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See to it that no one <f>ⓩ</f>fails to obtain the grace of God; that no <f>ⓐ</f>“root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;


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that no one is <f>ⓑ</f>sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.


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For you know that <f>ⓒ</f>afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.


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<pb/>For you have not come to <f>ⓓ</f>what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest


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and <f>ⓔ</f>the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words <f>ⓕ</f>made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.


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For they could not endure the order that was given, <f>ⓖ</f>“If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”


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But you have come to <f>ⓘ</f>Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, <f>ⓙ</f>the heavenly Jerusalem, and to <f>ⓚ</f>innumerable angels in festal gathering,


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and to <f>ⓛ</f>the assembly <f>[1]</f> of the firstborn who are <f>ⓜ</f>enrolled in heaven, and to <f>ⓝ</f>God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,


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and to Jesus, <f>ⓞ</f>the mediator of a new covenant, and to <f>ⓟ</f>the sprinkled blood <f>ⓠ</f>that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.


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<pb/>See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For <f>ⓡ</f>if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.


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At that time <f>ⓢ</f>his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, <f>ⓣ</f>“Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”


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This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates <f>ⓤ</f>the removal of things that are shaken — that is, things that have been made — in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.


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Therefore let us be grateful for receiving <f>ⓥ</f>a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus <f>ⓦ</f>let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,


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<f>ⓑ</f> Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby <f>ⓒ</f>some have entertained angels unawares.


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<f>ⓓ</f> Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.


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<f>ⓔ</f> Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge <f>ⓕ</f>the sexually immoral and adulterous.


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Keep your life <f>ⓖ</f>free from love of money, and <f>ⓗ</f>be content with what you have, for he has said, <f>ⓘ</f>“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”


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So we can confidently say, <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“The Lord is my helper; </t><t><f>ⓚ</f>I will not fear; </t><t>what can man do to me?” </t>


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<pb/>Remember <f>ⓛ</f>your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and <f>ⓜ</f>imitate their faith.


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Do not be <f>ⓞ</f>led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, <f>ⓟ</f>not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.


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For <f>ⓡ</f>the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned <f>ⓢ</f>outside the camp.


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So Jesus also <f>ⓣ</f>suffered <f>ⓤ</f>outside the gate in order to sanctify the people <f>ⓥ</f>through his own blood.


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<f>ⓨ</f> Through him then let us continually offer up <f>ⓩ</f>a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, <f>ⓐ</f>the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.


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Do not neglect to do good and <f>ⓑ</f>to share what you have, for such <f>ⓒ</f>sacrifices are pleasing to God.


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<pb/>Obey <f>ⓓ</f>your leaders and submit to them, <f>ⓔ</f>for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to <f>ⓕ</f>give an account. <f>ⓖ</f>Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.


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<pb/><f>ⓗ</f> Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓙ</f>may the God of peace <f>ⓚ</f>who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, <f>ⓛ</f>the great shepherd of the sheep, by <f>ⓜ</f>the blood of the eternal covenant,


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<f>ⓝ</f> equip you with everything good that you may do his will, <f>ⓞ</f>working in us <f>[2]</f> that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, <f>ⓟ</f>to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.


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<pb/>I appeal to you, brothers, <f>[3]</f> bear with my word of exhortation, for <f>ⓠ</f>I have written to you briefly.


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You should know that <f>ⓡ</f>our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> James, a servant <f>[1]</f> of God and <f>ⓑ</f>of the Lord Jesus Christ, <pb/>To <f>ⓒ</f>the twelve tribes in <f>ⓓ</f>the Dispersion: <pb/>Greetings.


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<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> Count it all joy, my brothers, <f>[2]</f> when you meet trials <f>ⓕ</f>of various kinds,


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And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be <f>ⓘ</f>perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


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<pb/><f>ⓙ</f> If any of you lacks wisdom, <f>ⓚ</f>let him ask God, <f>ⓛ</f>who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.


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But <f>ⓜ</f>let him ask in faith, <f>ⓝ</f>with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like <f>ⓞ</f>a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.


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and <f>ⓡ</f>the rich in his humiliation, because <f>ⓢ</f>like a flower of the grass <f>[3]</f> he will pass away.


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For the sun rises with its scorching heat and <f>ⓣ</f>withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.


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<pb/><f>ⓤ</f> Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive <f>ⓥ</f>the crown of life, <f>ⓦ</f>which God has promised to those who love him.


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Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.


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Then desire <f>ⓧ</f>when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and <f>ⓨ</f>sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.


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<f>ⓩ</f> Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from <f>ⓐ</f>the Father of lights, <f>ⓑ</f>with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. <f>[4]</f>


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<f>ⓒ</f> Of his own will he <f>ⓓ</f>brought us forth by the word of truth, <f>ⓔ</f>that we should be a kind of <f>ⓕ</f>firstfruits of his creatures.


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<pb/><f>ⓖ</f> Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person <f>ⓗ</f>be quick to hear, <f>ⓘ</f>slow to speak, <f>ⓙ</f>slow to anger;


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Therefore <f>ⓚ</f>put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with <f>ⓛ</f>meekness the implanted word, <f>ⓜ</f>which is able to save your souls.


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For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.


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But the one who looks into the perfect law, <f>ⓞ</f>the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, <f>ⓟ</f>he will be blessed in his doing.


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<pb/>If anyone thinks he is religious <f>ⓠ</f>and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's <f>ⓡ</f>religion is worthless.


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Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: <f>ⓢ</f>to visit <f>ⓣ</f>orphans and widows in their affliction, and <f>ⓤ</f>to keep oneself <f>ⓥ</f>unstained from the world.


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<pb/>My brothers, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, <f>ⓑ</f>the Lord of glory.


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For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,


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and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” <f>ⓒ</f>while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”


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Listen, my beloved brothers, <f>ⓔ</f>has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be <f>ⓕ</f>rich in faith and heirs of <f>ⓖ</f>the kingdom, <f>ⓗ</f>which he has promised to those who love him?


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But you <f>ⓘ</f>have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who <f>ⓙ</f>drag you <f>ⓚ</f>into court?


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<pb/>If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, <f>ⓜ</f>“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.


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But if you <f>ⓝ</f>show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.


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For he who said, <f>ⓟ</f>“Do not commit adultery,” also said, <f>ⓠ</f>“Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.


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<pb/>What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith <f>ⓣ</f>but does not have works? Can that faith save him?


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<f>ⓥ</f> and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good <f>[2]</f> is that?


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<pb/>But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith <f>ⓦ</f>apart from your works, and I will show you my faith <f>ⓧ</f>by my works.


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<f>ⓐ</f> Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?


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You see that <f>ⓑ</f>faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed <f>ⓒ</f>by his works;


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and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, <f>ⓓ</f>“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” — and he was called a <f>ⓔ</f>friend of God.


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And in the same way was not also <f>ⓕ</f>Rahab the prostitute justified by works <f>ⓖ</f>when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.


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For <f>ⓑ</f>we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, <f>ⓒ</f>he is a perfect man, <f>ⓓ</f>able also to bridle his whole body.


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If we put <f>ⓔ</f>bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.


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Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.


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So also the tongue is a small member, yet <f>ⓕ</f>it boasts of great things. <pb/>How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!


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And <f>ⓖ</f>the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, <f>ⓗ</f>staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, <f>[1]</f> and set on fire by hell. <f>[2]</f>


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For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,


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With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people <f>ⓙ</f>who are made in the likeness of God.


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From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, <f>[3]</f> these things ought not to be so.


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Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.


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<pb/>Who is wise and understanding among you? <f>ⓚ</f>By his good conduct let him show his works <f>ⓛ</f>in the meekness of wisdom.


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But if you have bitter <f>ⓜ</f>jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.


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This is not <f>ⓝ</f>the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, <f>ⓞ</f>demonic.


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But <f>ⓟ</f>the wisdom from above is first pure, then <f>ⓠ</f>peaceable, gentle, open to reason, <f>ⓡ</f>full of mercy and good fruits, <f>ⓢ</f>impartial and <f>ⓣ</f>sincere.


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<pb/>What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions <f>[1]</f> are <f>ⓐ</f>at war within you? <f>[2]</f>


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You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.


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<f>ⓒ</f> You adulterous people! <f>[3]</f> Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? <f>ⓓ</f>Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.


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Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit <f>ⓔ</f>that he has made to dwell in us”?


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But <f>ⓕ</f>he gives more grace. Therefore it says, <f>ⓖ</f>“God opposes the proud but <f>ⓗ</f>gives grace to the humble.”


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<f>ⓙ</f> Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. <f>ⓚ</f>Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and <f>ⓛ</f>purify your hearts, <f>ⓜ</f>you double-minded.


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<f>ⓝ</f> Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.


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<pb/><f>ⓟ</f> Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. <f>[4]</f> The one who speaks against a brother or <f>ⓠ</f>judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.


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There is only <f>ⓡ</f>one lawgiver and <f>ⓢ</f>judge, he who is able to save and <f>ⓣ</f>to destroy. But <f>ⓤ</f>who are you to judge your neighbor?


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<pb/>Come now, you who say, <f>ⓥ</f>“Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” —


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yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For <f>ⓦ</f>you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.


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Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. <f>ⓔ</f>You have laid up treasure <f>ⓕ</f>in the last days.


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Behold, <f>ⓖ</f>the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and <f>ⓗ</f>the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of <f>ⓘ</f>the Lord of hosts.


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<f>ⓙ</f> You have lived on the earth in luxury and <f>ⓚ</f>in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in <f>ⓛ</f>a day of slaughter.


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<pb/>Be patient, therefore, brothers, <f>[1]</f> until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives <f>ⓞ</f>the early and the late rains.


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Do not grumble against one another, brothers, <f>ⓡ</f>so that you may not be judged; behold, <f>ⓢ</f>the Judge is standing <f>ⓣ</f>at the door.


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As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take <f>ⓤ</f>the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.


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Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of <f>ⓥ</f>the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen <f>ⓦ</f>the purpose of the Lord, how <f>ⓧ</f>the Lord is compassionate and merciful.


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<pb/>But above all, my brothers, <f>ⓨ</f>do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.


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Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, <f>ⓐ</f>anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.


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And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And <f>ⓑ</f>if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.


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Therefore, <f>ⓒ</f>confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, <f>ⓓ</f>that you may be healed. <f>ⓔ</f>The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. <f>[2]</f>


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Elijah was a man <f>ⓕ</f>with a nature like ours, and <f>ⓖ</f>he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for <f>ⓗ</f>three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.


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<pb/>My brothers, <f>ⓙ</f>if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone <f>ⓚ</f>brings him back,


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let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering <f>ⓛ</f>will save his soul from death and <f>ⓜ</f>will cover a multitude of sins.


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<pb/>Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, <pb/>To those who are elect exiles of <f>ⓐ</f>the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,


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according to <f>ⓑ</f>the foreknowledge of God the Father, <f>ⓒ</f>in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and <f>ⓓ</f>for sprinkling with his blood: <pb/>May <f>ⓔ</f>grace and <f>ⓕ</f>peace be multiplied to you.


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<pb/><f>ⓖ</f> Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! <f>ⓗ</f>According to his great mercy, <f>ⓘ</f>he has caused us to be born again to a living hope <f>ⓙ</f>through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


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to <f>ⓚ</f>an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and <f>ⓛ</f>unfading, <f>ⓜ</f>kept in heaven for you,


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who by God's power are being guarded <f>ⓝ</f>through faith for a salvation <f>ⓞ</f>ready to be revealed in the last time.


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In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by <f>ⓟ</f>various trials,


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so that <f>ⓠ</f>the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes <f>ⓡ</f>though it is tested by <f>ⓢ</f>fire — may be found to result in <f>ⓣ</f>praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


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<f>ⓤ</f> Though you have not seen him, you love him. <f>ⓥ</f>Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,


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<pb/>Concerning this salvation, <f>ⓧ</f>the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,


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inquiring <f>ⓨ</f>what person or time <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓩ</f>the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating <f>ⓐ</f>when he predicted <f>ⓑ</f>the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.


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<f>ⓒ</f> It was revealed to them that <f>ⓓ</f>they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you <f>ⓔ</f>by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, <f>ⓕ</f>things into which angels long to look.


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<pb/>Therefore, <f>ⓖ</f>preparing your minds for action, <f>[2]</f> and <f>ⓗ</f>being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


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And if you <f>ⓝ</f>call on him as Father who <f>ⓞ</f>judges <f>ⓟ</f>impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves <f>ⓠ</f>with fear throughout the time of your exile,


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knowing that you <f>ⓡ</f>were ransomed from <f>ⓢ</f>the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,


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but <f>ⓣ</f>with the precious blood of Christ, like that of <f>ⓤ</f>a lamb <f>ⓥ</f>without blemish or spot.


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He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but <f>ⓦ</f>was made manifest <f>ⓧ</f>in the last times for the sake of you


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<f>ⓨ</f> who through him are believers in God, <f>ⓩ</f>who raised him from the dead and <f>ⓐ</f>gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.


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<pb/>Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for <f>ⓑ</f>a sincere brotherly love, <f>ⓒ</f>love one another earnestly from a pure heart,


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<f>ⓓ</f> since you have been born again, <f>ⓔ</f>not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through <f>ⓕ</f>the living and abiding word of God;


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for <pb/><t><f>ⓖ</f>“All flesh is like grass </t><t>and all its glory like the flower of grass. </t><t>The grass withers, </t><t>and the flower falls,</t>


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<t><f>ⓗ</f> but the word of the Lord remains forever.” </t> <pb/>And this word <f>ⓘ</f>is the good news that was preached to you.


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<f>ⓑ</f> Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual <f>ⓒ</f>milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation —


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<pb/>As you come to him, a living stone <f>ⓔ</f>rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,


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<f>ⓕ</f> you yourselves like living stones are being built up as <f>ⓖ</f>a spiritual house, to be <f>ⓗ</f>a holy priesthood, <f>ⓘ</f>to offer spiritual sacrifices <f>ⓙ</f>acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


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For it stands in Scripture: <pb/><t><f>ⓚ</f>“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, </t><t>a cornerstone chosen and precious, </t><t><f>ⓛ</f>and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” </t>


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<pb/>So the honor is for you who <f>ⓜ</f>believe, but for those who <f>ⓝ</f>do not believe, <pb/><t><f>ⓞ</f>“The stone that the builders rejected </t><t>has become the cornerstone,” <f>[1]</f> </t>


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<pb/>and <pb/><t><f>ⓟ</f>“A stone of stumbling, </t><t>and a rock of offense.” </t> <pb/>They stumble because they disobey the word, <f>ⓠ</f>as they were destined to do.


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<pb/>But you are <f>ⓡ</f>a chosen race, <f>ⓢ</f>a royal <f>ⓣ</f>priesthood, <f>ⓤ</f>a holy nation, <f>ⓥ</f>a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you <f>ⓦ</f>out of darkness into <f>ⓧ</f>his marvelous light.


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<f>ⓨ</f> Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


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<pb/>Beloved, I urge you <f>ⓩ</f>as sojourners and exiles <f>ⓐ</f>to abstain from the passions of the flesh, <f>ⓑ</f>which wage war against your soul.


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<f>ⓒ</f> Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, <f>ⓓ</f>they may see your good deeds and glorify God on <f>ⓔ</f>the day of visitation.


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<pb/><f>ⓕ</f> Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, <f>[2]</f> whether it be to the emperor <f>[3]</f> as supreme,


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or to governors as sent by him <f>ⓖ</f>to punish those who do evil and <f>ⓗ</f>to praise those who do good.


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For this is the will of God, <f>ⓘ</f>that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.


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<f>ⓙ</f> Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but <f>ⓚ</f>living as servants <f>[4]</f> of God.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.


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For this is a gracious thing, when, <f>ⓟ</f>mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.


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For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But <f>ⓠ</f>if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.


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For <f>ⓡ</f>to this you have been called, <f>ⓢ</f>because Christ also suffered for you, <f>ⓣ</f>leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.


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<f>ⓥ</f> When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, <f>ⓦ</f>but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.


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<f>ⓧ</f> He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we <f>ⓨ</f>might die to sin and <f>ⓩ</f>live to righteousness. <f>ⓐ</f>By his wounds you have been healed.


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For <f>ⓑ</f>you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to <f>ⓒ</f>the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.


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<pb/>Likewise, wives, <f>ⓐ</f>be subject to your own husbands, so that <f>ⓑ</f>even if some do not obey the word, <f>ⓒ</f>they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,


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<f>ⓔ</f> Do not let your adorning be external — the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear —


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but let your adorning be <f>ⓕ</f>the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.


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For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,


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as Sarah obeyed Abraham, <f>ⓖ</f>calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and <f>ⓗ</f>do not fear anything that is frightening.


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<pb/>Likewise, <f>ⓘ</f>husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker <f>ⓙ</f>vessel, since they are heirs with you <f>[1]</f> of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.


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<pb/>Finally, all of you, <f>ⓚ</f>have unity of mind, sympathy, <f>ⓛ</f>brotherly love, <f>ⓜ</f>a tender heart, and <f>ⓝ</f>a humble mind.


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<f>ⓞ</f> Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, <f>ⓟ</f>bless, for <f>ⓠ</f>to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.


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For <pb/><t><f>ⓡ</f>“Whoever desires to love life </t><t>and see good days, </t><t>let him keep his tongue from evil </t><t>and his lips from speaking deceit;</t>


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<t>For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, </t><t>and his ears are open to their prayer. </t><t>But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” </t>


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<f>ⓣ</f> But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. <f>ⓤ</f>Have no fear of them, <f>ⓥ</f>nor be troubled,


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but <f>ⓦ</f>in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, <f>ⓧ</f>always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and <f>ⓨ</f>respect,


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<f>ⓩ</f> having a good conscience, so that, <f>ⓐ</f>when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.


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For <f>ⓑ</f>it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.


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<pb/>For Christ also <f>ⓒ</f>suffered <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓓ</f>once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, <f>ⓔ</f>that he might bring us to God, being put to death <f>ⓕ</f>in the flesh but made alive <f>ⓖ</f>in the spirit,


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because <f>[5]</f> they formerly did not obey, <f>ⓘ</f>when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, <f>ⓙ</f>while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, <f>ⓚ</f>eight persons, were brought safely through water.


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Baptism, which corresponds to this, <f>ⓛ</f>now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but <f>ⓜ</f>as an appeal to God for a good conscience, <f>ⓝ</f>through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


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who has gone into heaven and <f>ⓞ</f>is at the right hand of God, <f>ⓟ</f>with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.


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<pb/>Since therefore <f>ⓐ</f>Christ suffered in the flesh, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓑ</f>arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for <f>ⓒ</f>whoever has suffered in the flesh <f>ⓓ</f>has ceased from sin,


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<f>ⓔ</f> so as to live for <f>ⓕ</f>the rest of the time in the flesh <f>ⓖ</f>no longer for human passions but <f>ⓗ</f>for the will of God.


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For the time that is past <f>ⓘ</f>suffices <f>ⓙ</f>for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.


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With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of <f>ⓚ</f>debauchery, and <f>ⓛ</f>they malign you;


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For this is why <f>ⓝ</f>the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> The end of all things is at hand; therefore <f>ⓟ</f>be self-controlled and sober-minded <f>ⓠ</f>for the sake of your prayers.


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<f>ⓣ</f> As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, <f>ⓤ</f>as good stewards of God's varied grace:


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whoever speaks, as one who speaks <f>ⓥ</f>oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves <f>ⓦ</f>by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything <f>ⓧ</f>God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. <f>ⓨ</f>To him belong glory and <f>ⓩ</f>dominion forever and ever. Amen.


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<pb/>Beloved, do not be surprised at <f>ⓐ</f>the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.


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But rejoice <f>ⓑ</f>insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad <f>ⓒ</f>when his glory is revealed.


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<f>ⓓ</f> If you are insulted <f>ⓔ</f>for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory <f>[2]</f> and of God rests upon you.


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Yet <f>ⓗ</f>if anyone suffers as a <f>ⓘ</f>Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God <f>ⓙ</f>in that name.


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For it is time for judgment <f>ⓚ</f>to begin at the household of God; and <f>ⓛ</f>if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who <f>ⓜ</f>do not obey the gospel of God?


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And <pb/><t><f>ⓝ</f>“If the righteous is scarcely saved, </t><t>what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” <f>[3]</f> </t>


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<pb/>Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will <f>ⓞ</f>entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.


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<pb/>So I exhort the elders among you, <f>ⓐ</f>as a fellow elder and <f>ⓑ</f>a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:


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<f>ⓒ</f> shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓓ</f>not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓔ</f>not for shameful gain, but eagerly;


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And when <f>ⓗ</f>the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the <f>ⓘ</f>unfading <f>ⓙ</f>crown of glory.


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Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. <f>ⓚ</f>Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for <f>ⓛ</f>“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”


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<pb/><f>ⓜ</f> Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,


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<f>ⓟ</f> Be sober-minded; <f>ⓠ</f>be watchful. Your <f>ⓡ</f>adversary the devil <f>ⓢ</f>prowls around <f>ⓣ</f>like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


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<f>ⓤ</f> Resist him, <f>ⓥ</f>firm in your faith, knowing that <f>ⓦ</f>the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.


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And <f>ⓧ</f>after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, <f>ⓨ</f>who has called you to his <f>ⓩ</f>eternal glory in Christ, will himself <f>ⓐ</f>restore, <f>ⓑ</f>confirm, strengthen, and establish you.


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<pb/>By <f>ⓓ</f>Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, <f>ⓔ</f>I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is <f>ⓕ</f>the true grace of God. <f>ⓖ</f>Stand firm in it.


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She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does <f>ⓗ</f>Mark, my son.


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<f>ⓘ</f> Greet one another with the kiss of love. <pb/><f>ⓙ</f>Peace to all of you who are in Christ.


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<pb/>Simeon <f>[1]</f> Peter, a servant <f>[2]</f> and apostle of Jesus Christ, <pb/>To those who have obtained <f>ⓐ</f>a faith of equal standing with ours <f>ⓑ</f>by the righteousness of our <f>ⓒ</f>God and Savior Jesus Christ:


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<pb/><f>ⓓ</f> May grace and peace be multiplied to you <f>ⓔ</f>in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.


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<pb/>His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him <f>ⓕ</f>who called us to <f>[3]</f> his own glory and excellence, <f>[4]</f>


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by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become <f>ⓖ</f>partakers of the divine nature, <f>ⓗ</f>having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.


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For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith <f>ⓘ</f>with virtue, <f>[5]</f> and virtue <f>ⓙ</f>with knowledge,


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and knowledge with self-control, and self-control <f>ⓚ</f>with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,


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For if these qualities <f>[6]</f> are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or <f>ⓝ</f>unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he <f>ⓞ</f>is blind, having forgotten that he was <f>ⓟ</f>cleansed from his former sins.


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Therefore, brothers, <f>[7]</f> be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and <f>ⓠ</f>election, for if you practice these qualities <f>ⓡ</f>you will never fall.


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For in this way there will be richly provided for you <f>ⓢ</f>an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


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<pb/>Therefore I intend <f>ⓣ</f>always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in <f>ⓤ</f>the truth that you have.


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I think it right, as long as I am in this <f>ⓥ</f>body, <f>[8]</f> <f>ⓦ</f>to stir you up by way of reminder,


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<f>ⓧ</f> since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, <f>ⓨ</f>as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.


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And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.


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<pb/>For we did not follow <f>ⓩ</f>cleverly devised <f>ⓐ</f>myths when we made known to you <f>ⓑ</f>the power and <f>ⓒ</f>coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but <f>ⓓ</f>we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


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For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, <f>ⓔ</f>“This is my beloved Son, <f>[9]</f> with whom I am well pleased,”


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we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on <f>ⓕ</f>the holy mountain.


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And <f>ⓖ</f>we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention <f>ⓗ</f>as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until <f>ⓘ</f>the day <f>ⓙ</f>dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,


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For <f>ⓚ</f>no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God <f>ⓛ</f>as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.


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<pb/>But <f>ⓐ</f>false prophets also arose among the people, <f>ⓑ</f>just as there will be false teachers among you, who will <f>ⓒ</f>secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master <f>ⓓ</f>who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.


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And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth <f>ⓔ</f>will be blasphemed.


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And <f>ⓕ</f>in their greed they will exploit you <f>ⓖ</f>with false words. <f>ⓗ</f>Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.


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<pb/>For if God did not spare <f>ⓘ</f>angels when they sinned, but <f>ⓙ</f>cast them into hell <f>[1]</f> and committed them to chains <f>[2]</f> of gloomy darkness <f>ⓚ</f>to be kept until the judgment;


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if he did not spare the ancient world, but <f>ⓛ</f>preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought <f>ⓜ</f>a flood upon the world of the ungodly;


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if by <f>ⓝ</f>turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, <f>ⓞ</f>making them an example of <f>ⓟ</f>what is going to happen to the ungodly; <f>[3]</f>


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(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, <f>ⓡ</f>he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);


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then <f>ⓢ</f>the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, <f>[4]</f> and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,


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and especially <f>ⓣ</f>those who indulge <f>[5]</f> in the lust of defiling passion and <f>ⓤ</f>despise authority. <pb/>Bold and willful, they do not tremble <f>ⓥ</f>as they blaspheme the glorious ones,


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<f>ⓦ</f> whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.


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<f>ⓧ</f> But these, like irrational animals, <f>ⓨ</f>creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction,


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suffering wrong as <f>ⓩ</f>the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure <f>ⓐ</f>to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, <f>[6]</f> while <f>ⓑ</f>they feast with you.


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They have eyes full of adultery, <f>[7]</f> <f>ⓒ</f>insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts <f>ⓓ</f>trained in greed. <f>ⓔ</f>Accursed children!


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Forsaking the right way, <f>ⓕ</f>they have gone astray. They have followed <f>ⓖ</f>the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved <f>ⓗ</f>gain from wrongdoing,


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but was rebuked for his own transgression; <f>ⓘ</f>a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.


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<pb/><f>ⓙ</f> These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. <f>ⓚ</f>For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.


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For, <f>ⓛ</f>speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely <f>ⓜ</f>escaping from those who live in error.


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They promise them <f>ⓝ</f>freedom, <f>ⓞ</f>but they themselves are slaves <f>[8]</f> of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.


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For if, <f>ⓟ</f>after they have escaped the defilements of the world <f>ⓠ</f>through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, <f>ⓡ</f>the last state has become worse for them than the first.


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For <f>ⓢ</f>it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from <f>ⓣ</f>the holy commandment delivered to them.


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What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The <f>ⓤ</f>dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”


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<pb/>This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them <f>ⓐ</f>I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,


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<f>ⓑ</f> that you should remember the predictions of <f>ⓒ</f>the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,


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knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come <f>ⓓ</f>in the last days with scoffing, <f>ⓔ</f>following their own sinful desires.


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<f>ⓕ</f> They will say, “Where is the promise of <f>ⓖ</f>his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”


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For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth <f>ⓗ</f>was formed out of water and through water <f>ⓘ</f>by the word of God,


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and that by means of these the world that then existed <f>ⓙ</f>was deluged with water and <f>ⓚ</f>perished.


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But by the same word <f>ⓛ</f>the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and <f>ⓜ</f>destruction of the ungodly.


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<pb/>But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and <f>ⓝ</f>a thousand years as one day.


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<f>ⓞ</f> The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise <f>ⓟ</f>as some count slowness, but <f>ⓠ</f>is patient toward you, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓡ</f>not wishing that any should perish, but <f>ⓢ</f>that all should reach repentance.


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But <f>ⓣ</f>the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then <f>ⓤ</f>the heavens will pass away with a roar, and <f>ⓥ</f>the heavenly bodies <f>[2]</f> will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. <f>[3]</f>


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<pb/>Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, <f>ⓦ</f>what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,


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<f>ⓧ</f> waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and <f>ⓨ</f>the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!


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But according to his promise we are waiting for <f>ⓩ</f>new heavens and a new earth <f>ⓐ</f>in which righteousness dwells.


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<pb/><f>ⓑ</f> Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him <f>ⓒ</f>without spot or <f>ⓓ</f>blemish, and <f>ⓔ</f>at peace.


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And count <f>ⓕ</f>the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as <f>ⓖ</f>our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you <f>ⓗ</f>according to the wisdom given him,


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as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. <f>ⓘ</f>There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, <f>ⓙ</f>as they do the other Scriptures.


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You therefore, beloved, <f>ⓚ</f>knowing this beforehand, <f>ⓛ</f>take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.


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But <f>ⓜ</f>grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. <f>ⓝ</f>To him be the glory both now and to the day of <f>ⓞ</f>eternity. Amen.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> That which was <f>ⓑ</f>from the beginning, <f>ⓒ</f>which we have heard, <f>ⓓ</f>which we have seen with our eyes, <f>ⓔ</f>which we looked upon and <f>ⓕ</f>have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life —


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<f>ⓖ</f> the life <f>ⓗ</f>was made manifest, and we have seen it, and <f>ⓘ</f>testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, <f>ⓙ</f>which was with the Father and <f>ⓚ</f>was made manifest to us —


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<f>ⓛ</f> that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed <f>ⓜ</f>our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that <f>ⓟ</f>God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.


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<f>ⓠ</f> If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and <f>ⓡ</f>do not practice the truth.


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But <f>ⓢ</f>if we walk in the light, <f>ⓣ</f>as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and <f>ⓤ</f>the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.


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<f>ⓧ</f> If we confess our sins, he is <f>ⓨ</f>faithful and just to forgive us our sins and <f>ⓩ</f>to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


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<pb/>My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, <f>ⓐ</f>we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.


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<f>ⓑ</f> He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but <f>ⓒ</f>also for the sins of the whole world.


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Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments <f>ⓔ</f>is a liar, and <f>ⓕ</f>the truth is not in him,


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but whoever <f>ⓖ</f>keeps his word, in him truly <f>ⓗ</f>the love of God is perfected. <f>ⓘ</f>By this we may know that we are in him:


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<pb/>Beloved, I am writing you <f>ⓛ</f>no new commandment, but <f>ⓜ</f>an old commandment <f>ⓝ</f>that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.


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At the same time, it is <f>ⓞ</f>a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓟ</f>the darkness is passing away and <f>ⓠ</f>the true light is already shining.


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Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him <f>[2]</f> there is no <f>ⓢ</f>cause for stumbling.


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But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and <f>ⓣ</f>walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.


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<pb/><t>I am writing to you, little children, </t><t>because <f>ⓤ</f>your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.</t>


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<t>I am writing to you, fathers, </t><t>because you know <f>ⓥ</f>him who is from the beginning. </t><t>I am writing to you, young men, </t><t>because <f>ⓦ</f>you have overcome the evil one. </t><t>I write to you, children, </t><t>because <f>ⓧ</f>you know the Father.</t>


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<t>I write to you, fathers, </t><t>because you know <f>ⓨ</f>him who is from the beginning. </t><t>I write to you, young men, </t><t>because <f>ⓩ</f>you are strong, </t><t>and the word of God abides in you, </t><t>and you have overcome the evil one. </t>


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Do not love the world or the things in the world. <f>ⓑ</f>If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


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For all that is in the world — <f>ⓒ</f>the desires of the flesh and <f>ⓓ</f>the desires of the eyes and pride of life <f>[3]</f> — is not from the Father but is from the world.


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And <f>ⓔ</f>the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.


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<pb/>Children, <f>ⓕ</f>it is the last hour, and as you have heard that <f>ⓖ</f>antichrist is coming, so now <f>ⓗ</f>many antichrists have come. <f>ⓘ</f>Therefore we know that it is the last hour.


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<f>ⓙ</f> They went out from us, but they were not of us; for <f>ⓚ</f>if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, <f>ⓛ</f>that it might become plain that they all are not of us.


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But you have been <f>ⓜ</f>anointed by <f>ⓝ</f>the Holy One, and <f>ⓞ</f>you all have knowledge. <f>[4]</f>


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I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.


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Who is the liar but <f>ⓟ</f>he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is <f>ⓠ</f>the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.


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Let <f>ⓢ</f>what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then <f>ⓣ</f>you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.


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But <f>ⓦ</f>the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and <f>ⓧ</f>you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and <f>ⓨ</f>is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him.


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<pb/>And now, little children, abide in him, so that <f>ⓩ</f>when he appears <f>ⓐ</f>we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his <f>ⓑ</f>coming.


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If you know that <f>ⓒ</f>he is righteous, you may be sure that <f>ⓓ</f>everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.


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<pb/>See <f>ⓐ</f>what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called <f>ⓑ</f>children of God; and so we are. The reason why <f>ⓒ</f>the world does not know us is that <f>ⓓ</f>it did not know him.


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Beloved, we are <f>ⓔ</f>God's children <f>ⓕ</f>now, and what we will be <f>ⓖ</f>has not yet appeared; but we know that <f>ⓗ</f>when he appears <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓘ</f>we shall be like him, because <f>ⓙ</f>we shall see him as he is.


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<pb/>Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; <f>ⓜ</f>sin is lawlessness.


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You know that <f>ⓝ</f>he appeared in order to <f>ⓞ</f>take away sins, and <f>ⓟ</f>in him there is no sin.


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No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; <f>ⓠ</f>no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.


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Little children, <f>ⓡ</f>let no one deceive you. <f>ⓢ</f>Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.


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<f>ⓣ</f> Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was <f>ⓤ</f>to destroy the works of the devil.


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<f>ⓥ</f> No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's <f>[2]</f> seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.


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By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, <f>ⓦ</f>nor is the one who <f>ⓧ</f>does not love his brother.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓨ</f>this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, <f>ⓩ</f>that we should love one another.


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We should not be like <f>ⓐ</f>Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? <f>ⓑ</f>Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.


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We know that <f>ⓓ</f>we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.


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<f>ⓔ</f> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that <f>ⓕ</f>no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.


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<pb/>By this we know love, that <f>ⓖ</f>he laid down his life for us, and <f>ⓗ</f>we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.


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But <f>ⓘ</f>if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet <f>ⓙ</f>closes his heart against him, <f>ⓚ</f>how does God's love abide in him?


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and <f>ⓟ</f>whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and <f>ⓠ</f>do what pleases him.


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And this is his commandment, <f>ⓡ</f>that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and <f>ⓢ</f>love one another, <f>ⓣ</f>just as he has commanded us.


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<f>ⓤ</f> Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, <f>[4]</f> and God <f>[5]</f> in him. And <f>ⓥ</f>by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.


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<pb/>Beloved, <f>ⓐ</f>do not believe every spirit, but <f>ⓑ</f>test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for <f>ⓒ</f>many <f>ⓓ</f>false prophets <f>ⓔ</f>have gone out into the world.


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By this you know the Spirit of God: <f>ⓕ</f>every spirit that confesses that <f>ⓖ</f>Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,


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and every spirit <f>ⓗ</f>that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and <f>ⓘ</f>now is in the world already.


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Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for <f>ⓙ</f>he who is in you is greater than <f>ⓚ</f>he who is in the world.


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<f>ⓛ</f> They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and <f>ⓜ</f>the world listens to them.


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We are from God. <f>ⓝ</f>Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know <f>ⓞ</f>the Spirit of truth and <f>ⓟ</f>the spirit of error.


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<pb/>Beloved, <f>ⓠ</f>let us love one another, for love is from God, and <f>ⓡ</f>whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.


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In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that <f>ⓤ</f>God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.


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In this is love, <f>ⓥ</f>not that we have loved God <f>ⓦ</f>but that he loved us and sent his Son to be <f>ⓧ</f>the propitiation for our sins.


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<f>ⓨ</f> No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and <f>ⓩ</f>his love is perfected in us.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.


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And <f>ⓑ</f>we have seen and testify that <f>ⓒ</f>the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of <f>ⓓ</f>the world.


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So <f>ⓕ</f>we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. <f>ⓖ</f>God is love, and <f>ⓗ</f>whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.


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By this <f>ⓘ</f>is love perfected with us, so that <f>ⓙ</f>we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because <f>ⓚ</f>as he is so also are we in this world.


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There is no fear in love, but <f>ⓛ</f>perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not <f>ⓜ</f>been perfected in love.


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<f>ⓞ</f> If anyone says, “I love God,” and <f>ⓟ</f>hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot <f>[1]</f> love God <f>ⓠ</f>whom he has not seen.


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And <f>ⓡ</f>this commandment we have from him: <f>ⓢ</f>whoever loves God must also love his brother.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Everyone who believes that <f>ⓑ</f>Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and <f>ⓒ</f>everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.


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<f>ⓓ</f> By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.


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For <f>ⓔ</f>this is the love of God, that we <f>ⓕ</f>keep his commandments. And <f>ⓖ</f>his commandments are not burdensome.


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For <f>ⓗ</f>everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — <f>ⓘ</f>our faith.


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Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes <f>ⓙ</f>that Jesus is the Son of God?


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<pb/>This is he who came <f>ⓚ</f>by water and blood — Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And <f>ⓛ</f>the Spirit is the one who testifies, because <f>ⓜ</f>the Spirit is the truth.


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<f>ⓝ</f> If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God <f>ⓞ</f>that he has borne concerning his Son.


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Whoever believes in the Son of God <f>ⓟ</f>has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God <f>ⓠ</f>has made him a liar, <f>ⓡ</f>because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.


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And this is the testimony, that God gave us <f>ⓢ</f>eternal life, and <f>ⓣ</f>this life is in his Son.


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<pb/>I write <f>ⓥ</f>these things to you who <f>ⓦ</f>believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.


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And this is <f>ⓧ</f>the confidence that we have toward him, that <f>ⓨ</f>if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.


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And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.


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<pb/>If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and <f>ⓩ</f>God <f>[1]</f> will give him life — to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. <f>ⓐ</f>There is sin that leads to death; <f>ⓑ</f>I do not say that one should pray for that.


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<pb/>We know that <f>ⓓ</f>everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but <f>ⓔ</f>he who was born of God <f>ⓕ</f>protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.


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<pb/>And we know that the Son of God has come and <f>ⓗ</f>has given us understanding, so that we may know <f>ⓘ</f>him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and <f>ⓙ</f>eternal life.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> The elder to the elect lady and her children, <f>ⓑ</f>whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who <f>ⓒ</f>know <f>ⓓ</f>the truth,


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<pb/><f>ⓕ</f> Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.


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<pb/><f>ⓖ</f> I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.


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And now I ask you, dear lady — <f>ⓗ</f>not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning — <f>ⓘ</f>that we love one another.


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And <f>ⓙ</f>this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just <f>ⓚ</f>as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.


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For <f>ⓛ</f>many deceivers <f>ⓜ</f>have gone out into the world, <f>ⓝ</f>those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.


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Watch yourselves, <f>ⓞ</f>so that you may not lose what we <f>[1]</f> have worked for, but <f>ⓟ</f>may win a full reward.


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Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, <f>ⓠ</f>does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching <f>ⓡ</f>has both the Father and the Son.


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If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, <f>ⓢ</f>do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,


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<pb/><f>ⓤ</f> Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. <f>ⓥ</f>Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, <f>ⓦ</f>so that our joy may be complete.


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<pb/>Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.


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For <f>ⓒ</f>I rejoiced greatly when the brothers <f>[1]</f> came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.


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<pb/>Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for <f>ⓔ</f>these brothers, <f>ⓕ</f>strangers as they are,


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who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner <f>ⓖ</f>worthy of God.


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For they have gone out for the sake of <f>ⓗ</f>the name, <f>ⓘ</f>accepting nothing from the Gentiles.


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<pb/>I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.


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So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.


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<pb/>Beloved, <f>ⓙ</f>do not imitate evil but imitate good. <f>ⓚ</f>Whoever does good is from God; <f>ⓛ</f>whoever does evil has not seen God.


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Demetrius <f>ⓜ</f>has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and <f>ⓝ</f>you know that our testimony is true.


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<pb/>Jude, a servant <f>[1]</f> of Jesus Christ and brother of James, <pb/><f>ⓐ</f>To those who are called, <f>ⓑ</f>beloved in God the Father and <f>ⓒ</f>kept for <f>[2]</f> Jesus Christ:


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<pb/>Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our <f>ⓕ</f>common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you <f>ⓖ</f>to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.


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For <f>ⓗ</f>certain people <f>ⓘ</f>have crept in unnoticed <f>ⓙ</f>who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert <f>ⓚ</f>the grace of our God into sensuality and <f>ⓛ</f>deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.


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<pb/>Now I want <f>ⓜ</f>to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that <f>ⓝ</f>Jesus, who saved <f>[3]</f> a people out of the land of Egypt, <f>ⓞ</f>afterward destroyed those who did not believe.


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And <f>ⓟ</f>the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day —


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just as <f>ⓠ</f>Sodom and Gomorrah and <f>ⓡ</f>the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and <f>ⓢ</f>pursued unnatural desire, <f>[4]</f> serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.


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<pb/>Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and <f>ⓣ</f>blaspheme the glorious ones.


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But when <f>ⓤ</f>the archangel <f>ⓥ</f>Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing <f>ⓦ</f>about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, <f>ⓧ</f>“The Lord rebuke you.”


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<f>ⓨ</f> But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.


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Woe to them! For they walked in <f>ⓩ</f>the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain <f>ⓐ</f>to Balaam's error and <f>ⓑ</f>perished in Korah's rebellion.


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These are hidden reefs <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓒ</f>at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, <f>ⓓ</f>shepherds feeding themselves; <f>ⓔ</f>waterless clouds, <f>ⓕ</f>swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, <f>ⓖ</f>uprooted;


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<f>ⓗ</f> wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of <f>ⓘ</f>their own shame; <f>ⓙ</f>wandering stars, <f>ⓚ</f>for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.


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<pb/>It was also about these that Enoch, <f>ⓛ</f>the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, <f>ⓜ</f>“Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,


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<f>ⓝ</f> to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have <f>ⓞ</f>committed in such an ungodly way, and of all <f>ⓟ</f>the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”


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These are grumblers, malcontents, <f>ⓠ</f>following their own sinful desires; <f>ⓡ</f>they are loud-mouthed boasters, <f>ⓢ</f>showing favoritism to gain advantage.


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<pb/>But you must <f>ⓣ</f>remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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They <f>[6]</f> said to you, <f>ⓤ</f>“In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”


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But you, beloved, <f>ⓦ</f>building yourselves up in your most holy faith and <f>ⓧ</f>praying in the Holy Spirit,


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<f>ⓨ</f> keep yourselves in the love of God, <f>ⓩ</f>waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.


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save others by <f>ⓐ</f>snatching them out of <f>ⓑ</f>the fire; to others show mercy <f>ⓒ</f>with fear, hating even <f>ⓓ</f>the garment <f>[7]</f> stained by the flesh.


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<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> Now to him who is able <f>ⓕ</f>to keep you from stumbling and <f>ⓖ</f>to present you <f>ⓗ</f>blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,


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to <f>ⓘ</f>the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, <f>ⓙ</f>be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time <f>[8]</f> and now and forever. Amen.


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<pb/>The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God <f>ⓐ</f>gave him <f>ⓑ</f>to show to his servants <f>[1]</f> the things that must soon take place. <f>ⓒ</f>He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,


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<f>ⓓ</f> who bore witness to the word of God and to <f>ⓔ</f>the testimony of Jesus Christ, even <f>ⓕ</f>to all that he saw.


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<f>ⓖ</f> Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, <f>ⓗ</f>for the time is near.


text:
<pb/>John to the seven churches that are in Asia: <pb/>Grace to you and peace from <f>ⓘ</f>him <f>ⓙ</f>who is and <f>ⓚ</f>who was and who is to come, and from <f>ⓛ</f>the seven spirits who are before his throne,


text:
and from Jesus Christ <f>ⓜ</f>the faithful witness, <f>ⓝ</f>the firstborn of the dead, and <f>ⓞ</f>the ruler of kings on earth. <pb/>To <f>ⓟ</f>him who loves us and <f>ⓠ</f>has freed us from our sins by his blood


text:
and made us <f>ⓡ</f>a kingdom, <f>ⓢ</f>priests to <f>ⓣ</f>his God and Father, to him be <f>ⓤ</f>glory and <f>ⓥ</f>dominion forever and ever. Amen.


text:
Behold, <f>ⓦ</f>he is coming with the clouds, and <f>ⓧ</f>every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail <f>[2]</f> on account of him. Even so. Amen.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓨ</f> “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, <f>ⓩ</f>“who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”


text:
<pb/>I, John, your brother and <f>ⓐ</f>partner in <f>ⓑ</f>the tribulation and <f>ⓒ</f>the kingdom and <f>ⓓ</f>the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos <f>ⓔ</f>on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.


text:
<f>ⓕ</f> I was in the Spirit <f>ⓖ</f>on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice <f>ⓗ</f>like a trumpet


text:
saying, <J> <f>ⓘ</f>“Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”</J>


text:
<pb/>Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw <f>ⓙ</f>seven golden lampstands,


text:
and in the midst of the lampstands <f>ⓚ</f>one like <f>ⓛ</f>a son of man, <f>ⓜ</f>clothed with a long robe and <f>ⓝ</f>with a golden sash around his chest.


text:
<f>ⓞ</f> The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. <f>ⓟ</f>His eyes were like a flame of fire,


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<f>ⓠ</f> his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and <f>ⓡ</f>his voice was like the roar of many waters.


text:
<f>ⓢ</f> In his right hand he held seven stars, <f>ⓣ</f>from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and <f>ⓤ</f>his face was like the sun shining <f>ⓥ</f>in full strength.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓦ</f> When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But <f>ⓧ</f>he laid his right hand on me, <f>ⓨ</f>saying, <J>“Fear not, <f>ⓩ</f>I am the first and the last,</J>


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<J>and the living one. <f>ⓐ</f>I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and <f>ⓑ</f>I have the keys of Death and Hades.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓒ</f> Write therefore <f>ⓓ</f>the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.</J>


text:
<J>As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and <f>ⓔ</f>the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and <f>ⓕ</f>the seven lampstands are the seven churches.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of <f>ⓐ</f>him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, <f>ⓑ</f>who walks among the seven golden lampstands.</J>


text:
<pb/><J><f>ⓒ</f> “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but <f>ⓓ</f>have tested those <f>ⓔ</f>who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.</J>


text:
<J>I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up <f>ⓕ</f>for my name's sake, and you <f>ⓖ</f>have not grown weary.</J>


text:
<J>Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do <f>ⓘ</f>the works you did at first. If not, <f>ⓙ</f>I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓛ</f> He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. <f>ⓜ</f>To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of <f>ⓝ</f>the tree of life, which is in <f>ⓞ</f>the paradise of God.’</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of <f>ⓟ</f>the first and the last, <f>ⓠ</f>who died and came to life.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“‘I know your tribulation and <f>ⓡ</f>your poverty (<f>ⓢ</f>but you are rich) and the slander <f>[1]</f> of <f>ⓣ</f>those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.</J>


text:
<J>Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, <f>ⓤ</f>that you may be tested, and for <f>ⓥ</f>ten days <f>ⓦ</f>you will have tribulation. <f>ⓧ</f>Be faithful <f>ⓨ</f>unto death, and I will give you <f>ⓩ</f>the crown of life.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓐ</f> He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. <f>ⓑ</f>The one who conquers will not be hurt by <f>ⓒ</f>the second death.’</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has <f>ⓓ</f>the sharp two-edged sword.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“‘I know where you dwell, <f>ⓔ</f>where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not <f>ⓕ</f>deny my faith <f>[2]</f> even in the days of Antipas <f>ⓖ</f>my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.</J>


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<J>But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of <f>ⓗ</f>Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might <f>ⓘ</f>eat food sacrificed to idols and <f>ⓙ</f>practice sexual immorality.</J>


text:
<J>Therefore repent. If not, <f>ⓛ</f>I will come to you soon and <f>ⓜ</f>war against them with <f>ⓝ</f>the sword of my mouth.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓞ</f> He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. <f>ⓟ</f>To the one who conquers I will give some of <f>ⓠ</f>the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with <f>ⓡ</f>a new name written on the stone <f>ⓢ</f>that no one knows except the one who receives it.’</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, <f>ⓣ</f>who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.</J>


text:
<pb/><J><f>ⓤ</f> “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.</J>


text:
<J>But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman <f>ⓥ</f>Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants <f>ⓦ</f>to practice sexual immorality and <f>ⓧ</f>to eat food sacrificed to idols.</J>


text:
<J>Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,</J>


text:
<J>and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he <f>ⓩ</f>who searches mind and heart, and <f>ⓐ</f>I will give to each of you according to your works.</J>


text:
<J>But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call <f>ⓑ</f>the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I <f>ⓒ</f>do not lay on you any other burden.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓔ</f> The one who conquers and who keeps my works <f>ⓕ</f>until the end, <f>ⓖ</f>to him I will give authority over the nations,</J>


text:
<J>and <f>ⓗ</f>he will <f>ⓘ</f>rule <f>[3]</f> them with a rod of iron, <f>ⓙ</f>as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him <f>ⓐ</f>who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.</J> <pb/><J>“‘I know your works. You have the reputation <f>ⓑ</f>of being alive, <f>ⓒ</f>but you are dead.</J>


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<J>Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works <f>ⓓ</f>complete in the sight of my God.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓔ</f> Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, <f>ⓕ</f>I will come <f>ⓖ</f>like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.</J>


text:
<J>Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not <f>ⓗ</f>soiled their garments, and they will walk with me <f>ⓘ</f>in white, for they are <f>ⓙ</f>worthy.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓚ</f> The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never <f>ⓛ</f>blot his name out of <f>ⓜ</f>the book of life. <f>ⓝ</f>I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of <f>ⓟ</f>the holy one, <f>ⓠ</f>the true one, <f>ⓡ</f>who has the key of David, <f>ⓢ</f>who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you <f>ⓣ</f>an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.</J>


text:
<J>Behold, I will make those of <f>ⓤ</f>the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie — behold, <f>ⓥ</f>I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that <f>ⓦ</f>I have loved you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓧ</f> Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try <f>ⓨ</f>those who dwell on the earth.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓩ</f> I am coming soon. <f>ⓐ</f>Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize <f>ⓑ</f>your crown.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓒ</f> The one who conquers, I will make him <f>ⓓ</f>a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him <f>ⓔ</f>the name of my God, and <f>ⓕ</f>the name of the city of my God, <f>ⓖ</f>the new Jerusalem, <f>ⓗ</f>which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own <f>ⓘ</f>new name.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the <f>ⓚ</f>Amen, <f>ⓛ</f>the faithful and true witness, <f>ⓜ</f>the beginning of God's creation.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. <f>ⓝ</f>Would that you were either cold or hot!</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓞ</f> For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, <f>ⓟ</f>blind, and naked.</J>


text:
<J>I counsel you <f>ⓠ</f>to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and <f>ⓡ</f>white garments so that you may clothe yourself and <f>ⓢ</f>the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, <f>ⓣ</f>so that you may see.</J>


text:
<J>Behold, I stand at the door and <f>ⓥ</f>knock. <f>ⓦ</f>If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, <f>ⓧ</f>I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓨ</f> The one who conquers, <f>ⓩ</f>I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as <f>ⓐ</f>I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.</J>


text:
<pb/>After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me <f>ⓐ</f>like a trumpet, said, <J> <f>ⓑ</f>“Come up here, and <f>ⓒ</f>I will show you what must take place after this.”</J>


text:
At once <f>ⓓ</f>I was in the Spirit, and behold, <f>ⓔ</f>a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.


text:
And he who sat there had the appearance of <f>ⓕ</f>jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was <f>ⓖ</f>a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.


text:
Around the throne were <f>ⓗ</f>twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, <f>ⓘ</f>clothed in white garments, with <f>ⓙ</f>golden crowns on their heads.


text:
From the throne came <f>ⓚ</f>flashes of lightning, and rumblings <f>[1]</f> and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning <f>ⓛ</f>seven torches of fire, <f>ⓜ</f>which are the seven spirits of God,


text:
and before the throne there was <f>ⓝ</f>as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. <pb/>And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are <f>ⓞ</f>four living creatures, <f>ⓟ</f>full of eyes in front and behind:


text:
<f>ⓠ</f> the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.


text:
And the four living creatures, <f>ⓡ</f>each of them with six wings, are <f>ⓢ</f>full of eyes all around and within, and <f>ⓣ</f>day and night they never cease to say, <pb/><t><f>ⓤ</f>“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, </t><t><f>ⓥ</f>who was and is and is to come!” </t>


text:
<pb/>And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, <f>ⓦ</f>who lives forever and ever,


text:
the twenty-four elders <f>ⓧ</f>fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast <f>ⓨ</f>their crowns before the throne, saying,


text:
<pb/><t><f>ⓩ</f> “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, </t><t>to receive glory and honor and power, </t><t>for <f>ⓐ</f>you created all things, </t><t>and <f>ⓑ</f>by your will they existed and were created.” </t>


text:
<pb/>Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne <f>ⓐ</f>a scroll written within and on the back, <f>ⓑ</f>sealed with seven seals.


text:
And <f>ⓒ</f>I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”


text:
And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, <f>ⓓ</f>the Lion <f>ⓔ</f>of the tribe of Judah, <f>ⓕ</f>the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”


text:
<pb/>And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw <f>ⓖ</f>a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with <f>ⓗ</f>seven eyes, which are <f>ⓘ</f>the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.


text:
And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders <f>ⓙ</f>fell down before the Lamb, <f>ⓚ</f>each holding a harp, and <f>ⓛ</f>golden bowls full of incense, <f>ⓜ</f>which are the prayers of the saints.


text:
And they sang <f>ⓝ</f>a new song, saying, <pb/><t>“Worthy are you to take the scroll </t><t>and to open its seals, </t><t>for <f>ⓞ</f>you were slain, and by your blood <f>ⓟ</f>you ransomed people for God </t><t>from <f>ⓠ</f>every tribe and language and people and nation,</t>


text:
<t>and you have made them <f>ⓡ</f>a kingdom and priests to our God, </t><t>and they shall reign on the earth.” </t>


text:
<pb/>Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering <f>ⓢ</f>myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,


text:
saying with a loud voice, <pb/><t><f>ⓣ</f>“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, </t><t>to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might </t><t>and honor and glory and blessing!” </t>


text:
<pb/>And I heard <f>ⓤ</f>every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, <pb/><t>“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb </t><t>be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” </t>


text:
<pb/>And the four living creatures <f>ⓥ</f>said, “Amen!” and the elders <f>ⓦ</f>fell down and worshiped.


text:
<pb/>Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of <f>ⓐ</f>the seven seals, and I heard <f>ⓑ</f>one of the four living creatures say <f>ⓒ</f>with a voice like thunder, <f>ⓓ</f>“Come!”


text:
And I looked, and behold, <f>ⓔ</f>a white horse! And <f>ⓕ</f>its rider had a bow, and <f>ⓖ</f>a crown was given to him, and he came out <f>ⓗ</f>conquering, and to conquer.


text:
And out came another horse, <f>ⓙ</f>bright red. Its rider was permitted <f>ⓚ</f>to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.


text:
<pb/>When he opened the third seal, I heard the <f>ⓛ</f>third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, <f>ⓜ</f>a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.


text:
And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, <f>ⓝ</f>“A quart <f>[1]</f> of wheat for a denarius, <f>[2]</f> and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and <f>ⓞ</f>do not harm the oil and wine!”


text:
<pb/>When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of <f>ⓟ</f>the fourth living creature say, “Come!”


text:
And I looked, and behold, <f>ⓠ</f>a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill <f>ⓡ</f>with sword and with famine and with pestilence and <f>ⓢ</f>by wild beasts of the earth.


text:
<pb/>When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under <f>ⓣ</f>the altar <f>ⓤ</f>the souls of those who had been slain <f>ⓥ</f>for the word of God and for <f>ⓦ</f>the witness they had borne.


text:
They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, <f>ⓧ</f>holy and true, <f>ⓨ</f>how long <f>ⓩ</f>before you will judge and <f>ⓐ</f>avenge our blood on <f>ⓑ</f>those who dwell on the earth?”


text:
Then they were each given <f>ⓒ</f>a white robe and <f>ⓓ</f>told to rest a little longer, <f>ⓔ</f>until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓕ</f>should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.


text:
<pb/>When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, <f>ⓖ</f>there was a great earthquake, and <f>ⓗ</f>the sun became black as <f>ⓘ</f>sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,


text:
and <f>ⓙ</f>the stars of the sky fell to the earth <f>ⓚ</f>as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.


text:
<f>ⓛ</f> The sky vanished <f>ⓜ</f>like a scroll that is being rolled up, and <f>ⓝ</f>every mountain and island was removed from its place.


text:
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave <f>[4]</f> and free, <f>ⓞ</f>hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,


text:
<f>ⓟ</f> calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of <f>ⓠ</f>him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,


text:
<pb/>After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back <f>ⓐ</f>the four winds of the earth, <f>ⓑ</f>that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.


text:
Then I saw another angel ascending <f>ⓒ</f>from the rising of the sun, with <f>ⓓ</f>the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,


text:
saying, <f>ⓔ</f>“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God <f>ⓕ</f>on their foreheads.”


text:
And <f>ⓖ</f>I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:


text:
<pb/><t>12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Gad,</t>


text:
<t>12,000 from the tribe of Asher, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,</t>


text:
<t>12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Levi, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,</t>


text:
<t>12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, </t><t>12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. </t>


text:
<pb/>After this I looked, and behold, <f>ⓗ</f>a great multitude that no one could number, <f>ⓘ</f>from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, <f>ⓙ</f>clothed in white robes, with <f>ⓚ</f>palm branches in their hands,


text:
and crying out with a loud voice, <f>ⓛ</f>“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”


text:
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and <f>ⓜ</f>the four living creatures, and they <f>ⓝ</f>fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,


text:
<f>ⓞ</f> saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”


text:
<pb/>Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, <f>ⓟ</f>clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”


text:
I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of <f>ⓠ</f>the great tribulation. <f>ⓡ</f>They have washed their robes and <f>ⓢ</f>made them white <f>ⓣ</f>in the blood of the Lamb.


text:
<pb/><t>“Therefore they are before the throne of God, </t><t>and <f>ⓤ</f>serve him day and night in his temple; </t><t>and he who sits on the throne <f>ⓥ</f>will shelter them with his presence.</t>


text:
<t><f>ⓦ</f> They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; </t><t><f>ⓧ</f>the sun shall not strike them, </t><t>nor any scorching heat.</t>


text:
<t>For the Lamb in the midst of the throne <f>ⓨ</f>will be their shepherd, </t><t>and he will guide them to springs of <f>ⓩ</f>living water, </t><t>and <f>ⓐ</f>God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” </t>


text:
<pb/>When the Lamb opened <f>ⓐ</f>the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.


text:
And another angel came and stood <f>ⓒ</f>at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with <f>ⓓ</f>the prayers of all the saints on <f>ⓔ</f>the golden altar before the throne,


text:
and <f>ⓕ</f>the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.


text:
Then the angel took the censer and <f>ⓖ</f>filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and <f>ⓗ</f>there were peals of <f>ⓘ</f>thunder, rumblings, <f>[1]</f> flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.


text:
<pb/>The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed <f>ⓙ</f>hail and <f>ⓚ</f>fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a <f>ⓛ</f>third of the earth was burned up, and a third of <f>ⓜ</f>the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.


text:
<pb/>The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like <f>ⓝ</f>a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea <f>ⓞ</f>became blood.


text:
<pb/>The third angel blew his trumpet, and <f>ⓠ</f>a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on <f>ⓡ</f>the springs of water.


text:
The name of the star is Wormwood. <f>[2]</f> A third of the waters <f>ⓢ</f>became wormwood, and many people died from the water, <f>ⓣ</f>because it had been made bitter.


text:
<pb/>The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of <f>ⓤ</f>the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.


text:
<pb/>Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, <f>ⓥ</f>“Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”


text:
<pb/>And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and <f>ⓐ</f>I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given <f>ⓑ</f>the key to the shaft of <f>ⓒ</f>the bottomless pit. <f>[1]</f>


text:
He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft <f>ⓓ</f>rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and <f>ⓔ</f>the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft.


text:
Then from the smoke came <f>ⓕ</f>locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.


text:
They were told <f>ⓖ</f>not to harm <f>ⓗ</f>the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have <f>ⓘ</f>the seal of God on their foreheads.


text:
They were allowed to torment them <f>ⓙ</f>for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.


text:
And in those days <f>ⓚ</f>people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓛ</f> In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: <f>ⓜ</f>on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were <f>ⓝ</f>like human faces,


text:
they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was <f>ⓟ</f>like the noise of many chariots with <f>ⓠ</f>horses rushing into battle.


text:
They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people <f>ⓡ</f>for five months is in their tails.


text:
They have <f>ⓢ</f>as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is <f>ⓣ</f>Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. <f>[2]</f>


text:
<pb/>Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from <f>ⓥ</f>the four horns of the golden altar before God,


text:
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release <f>ⓦ</f>the four angels who are bound at <f>ⓧ</f>the great river Euphrates.”


text:
So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released <f>ⓨ</f>to kill a third of mankind.


text:
The number of <f>ⓩ</f>mounted troops was <f>ⓐ</f>twice ten thousand times ten thousand; <f>ⓑ</f>I heard their number.


text:
And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire <f>[3]</f> and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were <f>ⓒ</f>like lions' heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths.


text:
By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths.


text:
For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound.


text:
<pb/>The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, <f>ⓓ</f>did not repent of <f>ⓔ</f>the works of their hands nor give up worshiping <f>ⓕ</f>demons <f>ⓖ</f>and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,


text:
nor did they repent of their murders or their <f>ⓗ</f>sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.


text:
<pb/>Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with <f>ⓐ</f>a rainbow over his head, and <f>ⓑ</f>his face was like the sun, and <f>ⓒ</f>his legs like pillars of fire.


text:
<f>ⓓ</f> He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land,


text:
and called out with a loud voice, <f>ⓔ</f>like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.


text:
And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, <f>ⓕ</f>“Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”


text:
And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land <f>ⓖ</f>raised his right hand to heaven


text:
and swore by <f>ⓗ</f>him who lives forever and ever, <f>ⓘ</f>who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay,


text:
but that <f>ⓙ</f>in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, <f>ⓚ</f>just as he announced to his servants the prophets.


text:
<pb/>Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”


text:
So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, <f>ⓛ</f>“Take and <f>ⓜ</f>eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”


text:
And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter.


text:
And I was told, <f>ⓝ</f>“You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”


text:
<pb/>Then I was given <f>ⓐ</f>a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there,


text:
but do not measure <f>ⓑ</f>the court outside the temple; leave that out, for <f>ⓒ</f>it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for <f>ⓓ</f>forty-two months.


text:
And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for <f>ⓔ</f>1,260 days, <f>ⓕ</f>clothed in sackcloth.”


text:
<pb/>These are <f>ⓖ</f>the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.


text:
And if anyone would harm them, <f>ⓗ</f>fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, <f>ⓘ</f>this is how he is doomed to be killed.


text:
They have the power <f>ⓙ</f>to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and <f>ⓚ</f>to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.


text:
And when they have finished their testimony, <f>ⓛ</f>the beast that rises from <f>ⓜ</f>the bottomless pit <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓝ</f>will make war on them and conquer them and kill them,


text:
and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically <f>[2]</f> is called <f>ⓞ</f>Sodom and <f>ⓟ</f>Egypt, where their Lord was crucified.


text:
For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and <f>ⓠ</f>refuse to let them be placed in a tomb,


text:
and <f>ⓡ</f>those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and <f>ⓢ</f>exchange presents, because these two prophets <f>ⓣ</f>had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.


text:
But after the three and a half days <f>ⓤ</f>a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.


text:
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, <f>ⓥ</f>“Come up here!” And <f>ⓦ</f>they went up to heaven <f>ⓧ</f>in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.


text:
And at that hour there was <f>ⓨ</f>a great earthquake, and <f>ⓩ</f>a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and <f>ⓐ</f>gave glory to <f>ⓑ</f>the God of heaven.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>ⓓ</f>the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and <f>ⓔ</f>there were loud voices in heaven, saying, <f>ⓕ</f>“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of <f>ⓖ</f>his Christ, and <f>ⓗ</f>he shall reign forever and ever.”


text:
And the twenty-four elders <f>ⓘ</f>who sit on their thrones before God <f>ⓙ</f>fell on their faces and worshiped God,


text:
saying, <pb/><t>“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, </t><t><f>ⓚ</f>who is and who was, </t><t>for you have taken your great power </t><t>and <f>ⓛ</f>begun to reign.</t>


text:
<t>The nations raged, </t><t>but <f>ⓜ</f>your wrath came, </t><t>and <f>ⓝ</f>the time for the dead to be judged, </t><t>and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, </t><t>and <f>ⓞ</f>those who fear your name, </t><t>both small and great, </t><t>and <f>ⓟ</f>for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” </t>


text:
<pb/>Then <f>ⓠ</f>God's temple in heaven was opened, and <f>ⓡ</f>the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, <f>[3]</f> peals of thunder, an earthquake, and <f>ⓢ</f>heavy hail.


text:
<pb/>And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman <f>ⓐ</f>clothed with <f>ⓑ</f>the sun, with <f>ⓒ</f>the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.


text:
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great <f>ⓔ</f>red dragon, <f>ⓕ</f>with seven heads and <f>ⓖ</f>ten horns, and on his heads <f>ⓗ</f>seven diadems.


text:
His tail swept down <f>ⓘ</f>a third of the stars of heaven and <f>ⓙ</f>cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child <f>ⓚ</f>he might devour it.


text:
She gave birth to a male child, <f>ⓛ</f>one who is to rule <f>[1]</f> all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was <f>ⓜ</f>caught up to God and to his throne,


text:
and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for <f>ⓝ</f>1,260 days.


text:
<pb/>Now war arose in heaven, <f>ⓞ</f>Michael and <f>ⓟ</f>his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,


text:
And <f>ⓠ</f>the great dragon was thrown down, <f>ⓡ</f>that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, <f>ⓢ</f>the deceiver of the whole world — <f>ⓣ</f>he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.


text:
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now <f>ⓤ</f>the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers <f>[2]</f> has been thrown down, <f>ⓥ</f>who accuses them day and night before our God.


text:
And <f>ⓦ</f>they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for <f>ⓧ</f>they loved not their lives <f>ⓨ</f>even unto death.


text:
Therefore, <f>ⓩ</f>rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But <f>ⓐ</f>woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because <f>ⓑ</f>he knows that his time is short!”


text:
<pb/>And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued <f>ⓒ</f>the woman who had given birth to the male child.


text:
But the woman was given the two <f>ⓓ</f>wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent <f>ⓔ</f>into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished <f>ⓕ</f>for a time, and times, and half a time.


text:
The serpent poured water <f>ⓖ</f>like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.


text:
But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.


text:
Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off <f>ⓗ</f>to make war on the rest of <f>ⓘ</f>her offspring, <f>ⓙ</f>on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to <f>ⓚ</f>the testimony of Jesus. And he stood <f>[3]</f> on the sand of the sea.


text:
<pb/>And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, <f>ⓐ</f>with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and <f>ⓑ</f>blasphemous names on its heads.


text:
And the beast that I saw was <f>ⓒ</f>like a leopard; its feet were like <f>ⓓ</f>a bear's, and its mouth was like <f>ⓔ</f>a lion's mouth. And to it <f>ⓕ</f>the dragon gave his power and <f>ⓖ</f>his throne and great authority.


text:
One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and <f>ⓗ</f>the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.


text:
And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, <f>ⓘ</f>“Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”


text:
<pb/>And the beast was given <f>ⓙ</f>a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for <f>ⓚ</f>forty-two months.


text:
It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, <f>[1]</f> that is, those who dwell in heaven.


text:
Also it was allowed <f>ⓛ</f>to make war on the saints and to conquer them. <f>[2]</f> And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,


text:
and all <f>ⓜ</f>who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in <f>ⓝ</f>the book of life of <f>ⓞ</f>the Lamb <f>ⓟ</f>who was slain.


text:
<pb/><t><f>ⓡ</f> If anyone is to be taken captive, </t><t>to captivity he goes; </t><t><f>ⓢ</f>if anyone is to be slain with the sword, </t><t>with the sword must he be slain. </t> <pb/><f>ⓣ</f>Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>ⓤ</f>I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.


text:
It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, <f>[3]</f> and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, <f>ⓥ</f>whose mortal wound was healed.


text:
<f>ⓦ</f> It performs great signs, even <f>ⓧ</f>making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,


text:
and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of <f>[4]</f> the beast <f>ⓨ</f>it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast <f>ⓩ</f>that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.


text:
And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not <f>ⓐ</f>worship the image of the beast <f>ⓑ</f>to be slain.


text:
Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓒ</f>to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,


text:
so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, <f>ⓓ</f>the name of the beast or <f>ⓔ</f>the number of its name.


text:
<f>ⓕ</f> This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number <f>ⓖ</f>of a man, and his number is 666. <f>[6]</f>


text:
<pb/>Then I looked, and behold, on <f>ⓐ</f>Mount Zion <f>ⓑ</f>stood the Lamb, and with him <f>ⓒ</f>144,000 who <f>ⓓ</f>had his name and his Father's name written <f>ⓔ</f>on their foreheads.


text:
And I heard a voice from heaven <f>ⓕ</f>like the roar of many waters and <f>ⓖ</f>like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of <f>ⓗ</f>harpists playing on their harps,


text:
and they were singing <f>ⓘ</f>a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. <f>ⓙ</f>No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.


text:
It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for <f>ⓚ</f>they are virgins. It is these <f>ⓛ</f>who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as <f>ⓜ</f>firstfruits for God and the Lamb,


text:
<pb/>Then I saw another angel <f>ⓟ</f>flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to <f>ⓠ</f>those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.


text:
And he said with a loud voice, <f>ⓡ</f>“Fear God and <f>ⓢ</f>give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and <f>ⓣ</f>worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the <f>ⓤ</f>springs of water.”


text:
<pb/>Another angel, a second, followed, saying, <f>ⓥ</f>“Fallen, fallen is <f>ⓦ</f>Babylon the great, <f>ⓧ</f>she who made all nations drink <f>ⓨ</f>the wine of the passion <f>[1]</f> of her sexual immorality.”


text:
<pb/>And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone <f>ⓩ</f>worships the beast and its image and receives <f>ⓐ</f>a mark on his forehead or on his hand,


text:
he also will drink <f>ⓑ</f>the wine of God's wrath, <f>ⓒ</f>poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and <f>ⓓ</f>he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.


text:
And <f>ⓔ</f>the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and <f>ⓕ</f>they have no rest, day or night, these <f>ⓖ</f>worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”


text:
<pb/><f>ⓗ</f> Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who <f>ⓘ</f>keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. <f>[2]</f>


text:
<pb/>And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: <f>ⓙ</f>Blessed are the dead <f>ⓚ</f>who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, <f>ⓛ</f>“that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”


text:
<pb/>Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one <f>ⓜ</f>like a son of man, <f>ⓝ</f>with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.


text:
And another angel <f>ⓞ</f>came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, <f>ⓟ</f>“Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for <f>ⓠ</f>the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.”


text:
And another angel came out from the altar, <f>ⓡ</f>the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, <f>ⓢ</f>for its grapes are ripe.”


text:
So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great <f>ⓣ</f>winepress of the wrath of God.


text:
And <f>ⓤ</f>the winepress was trodden <f>ⓥ</f>outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as <f>ⓦ</f>a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia. <f>[3]</f>


text:
<pb/>Then <f>ⓐ</f>I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, <f>ⓑ</f>seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.


text:
<pb/>And I saw <f>ⓒ</f>what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire — and also those <f>ⓓ</f>who had conquered the beast and its image and <f>ⓔ</f>the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass <f>ⓕ</f>with harps of God in their hands.


text:
And they sing <f>ⓖ</f>the song of Moses, <f>ⓗ</f>the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, <pb/><t><f>ⓘ</f>“Great and amazing are your deeds, </t><t>O Lord God the Almighty! </t><t><f>ⓙ</f>Just and true are your ways, </t><t>O King of the nations! <f>[1]</f></t>


text:
<t><f>ⓚ</f> Who will not fear, O Lord, </t><t>and glorify your name? </t><t>For you alone are <f>ⓛ</f>holy. </t><t><f>ⓜ</f>All nations will come </t><t>and worship you, </t><t>for your righteous acts have been revealed.” </t>


text:
<pb/>After this I looked, and <f>ⓝ</f>the sanctuary of <f>ⓞ</f>the tent <f>[2]</f> of witness in heaven was opened,


text:
and out of the sanctuary came <f>ⓟ</f>the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright <f>ⓠ</f>linen, <f>ⓡ</f>with golden sashes around their chests.


text:
And one of <f>ⓢ</f>the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven <f>ⓣ</f>golden bowls full of the wrath of God <f>ⓤ</f>who lives forever and ever,


text:
and <f>ⓥ</f>the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and <f>ⓦ</f>no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.


text:
<pb/>Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling <f>ⓐ</f>the seven angels, “Go and <f>ⓑ</f>pour out on the earth <f>ⓒ</f>the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”


text:
<pb/>So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful <f>ⓓ</f>sores came upon the people who bore <f>ⓔ</f>the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.


text:
<pb/>The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and <f>ⓕ</f>it became like the blood of a corpse, and <f>ⓖ</f>every living thing died that was in the sea.


text:
<pb/>The third angel poured out his bowl into <f>ⓗ</f>the rivers and the springs of water, and <f>ⓘ</f>they became blood.


text:
And I heard the angel in charge of the waters <f>[1]</f> say, <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“Just are you, <f>ⓚ</f>O Holy One, <f>ⓛ</f>who is and who was, </t><t>for you brought these judgments.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>ⓜ</f>they have shed the blood of <f>ⓝ</f>saints and prophets, </t><t>and <f>ⓞ</f>you have given them blood to drink. </t><t>It is what they deserve!” </t>


text:
<pb/>And I heard <f>ⓟ</f>the altar saying, <pb/><t>“Yes, Lord God the Almighty, </t><t><f>ⓠ</f>true and just are your judgments!” </t>


text:
<pb/>The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people <f>ⓡ</f>with fire.


text:
They were scorched by the fierce heat, and <f>ⓢ</f>they cursed <f>[2]</f> the name of God who had power over these plagues. <f>ⓣ</f>They did not repent <f>ⓤ</f>and give him glory.


text:
<pb/>The fifth angel poured out his bowl on <f>ⓥ</f>the throne of the beast, and <f>ⓦ</f>its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish


text:
and cursed <f>ⓧ</f>the God of heaven for their pain and <f>ⓨ</f>sores. <f>ⓩ</f>They did not repent of their deeds.


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<pb/>The sixth angel poured out his bowl on <f>ⓐ</f>the great river Euphrates, and <f>ⓑ</f>its water was dried up, <f>ⓒ</f>to prepare the way for the kings <f>ⓓ</f>from the east.


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And I saw, coming out of the mouth of <f>ⓔ</f>the dragon and out of the mouth of <f>ⓕ</f>the beast and out of the mouth of <f>ⓖ</f>the false prophet, three <f>ⓗ</f>unclean spirits like <f>ⓘ</f>frogs.


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For they are <f>ⓙ</f>demonic spirits, <f>ⓚ</f>performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, <f>ⓛ</f>to assemble them for battle on <f>ⓜ</f>the great day of God the Almighty.


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<J>(“Behold, <f>ⓝ</f>I am coming like a thief! <f>ⓞ</f>Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, <f>ⓟ</f>that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)</J>


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<pb/>The seventh angel poured out his bowl into <f>ⓢ</f>the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, <f>ⓣ</f>“It is done!”


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And there were <f>ⓤ</f>flashes of lightning, rumblings, <f>[3]</f> peals of thunder, and <f>ⓥ</f>a great earthquake <f>ⓦ</f>such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.


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<f>ⓧ</f> The great city <f>ⓨ</f>was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God <f>ⓩ</f>remembered <f>ⓐ</f>Babylon the great, <f>ⓑ</f>to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.


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And <f>ⓓ</f>great hailstones, about one hundred pounds <f>[4]</f> each, fell from heaven on people; and <f>ⓔ</f>they cursed God for <f>ⓕ</f>the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.


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<pb/>Then <f>ⓐ</f>one of the seven angels who had <f>ⓑ</f>the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of <f>ⓒ</f>the great prostitute <f>ⓓ</f>who is seated on many waters,


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<f>ⓔ</f> with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and <f>ⓕ</f>with the wine of whose sexual immorality <f>ⓖ</f>the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”


text:
And <f>ⓗ</f>he carried me away in the Spirit <f>ⓘ</f>into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on <f>ⓙ</f>a scarlet beast that was full of <f>ⓚ</f>blasphemous names, and <f>ⓛ</f>it had seven heads and ten horns.


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The woman <f>ⓜ</f>was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned <f>ⓝ</f>with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand <f>ⓞ</f>a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.


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And on her forehead was written a name of <f>ⓟ</f>mystery: <f>ⓠ</f>“Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.”


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And I saw the woman, drunk <f>ⓡ</f>with the blood of the saints, the blood of <f>ⓢ</f>the martyrs of Jesus. <f>[1]</f> <pb/>When I saw her, I marveled greatly.


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But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you <f>ⓣ</f>the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.


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The beast that you saw <f>ⓤ</f>was, and is not, and <f>ⓥ</f>is about to rise from <f>ⓦ</f>the bottomless pit <f>[2]</f> and <f>ⓧ</f>go to destruction. And <f>ⓨ</f>the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in <f>ⓩ</f>the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because <f>ⓐ</f>it was and is not and is to come.


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<f>ⓑ</f> This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;


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they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.


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As for the beast <f>ⓒ</f>that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.


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And <f>ⓓ</f>the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings <f>ⓔ</f>for one hour, together with the beast.


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They <f>ⓕ</f>will make war on the Lamb, and <f>ⓖ</f>the Lamb will conquer them, for he is <f>ⓗ</f>Lord of lords and <f>ⓘ</f>King of kings, and those with him are <f>ⓙ</f>called and chosen and faithful.”


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<pb/>And the angel <f>[3]</f> said to me, <f>ⓚ</f>“The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.


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And <f>ⓛ</f>the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast <f>ⓜ</f>will hate the prostitute. They will make her <f>ⓝ</f>desolate and <f>ⓞ</f>naked, and <f>ⓟ</f>devour her flesh and <f>ⓠ</f>burn her up with fire,


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for <f>ⓡ</f>God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and <f>ⓢ</f>handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.


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And the woman that you saw is <f>ⓣ</f>the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”


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<pb/>After this I saw <f>ⓐ</f>another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and <f>ⓑ</f>the earth was made bright with his glory.


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And he called out with a mighty voice, <pb/><t><f>ⓒ</f>“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! </t><t>She has become <f>ⓓ</f>a dwelling place for demons, </t><t>a haunt <f>ⓔ</f>for every unclean spirit, </t><t>a haunt <f>ⓕ</f>for every unclean bird, </t><t>a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.</t>


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<t>For all nations have drunk <f>[1]</f> </t><t><f>ⓖ</f>the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, </t><t>and <f>ⓗ</f>the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, </t><t>and <f>ⓘ</f>the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” </t>


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<pb/>Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“Come out of her, my people, </t><t>lest you take part in her sins, </t><t>lest you share in her plagues;</t>


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<t>for <f>ⓚ</f>her sins are heaped high as heaven, </t><t>and <f>ⓛ</f>God has remembered her iniquities.</t>


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<t><f>ⓜ</f> Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, </t><t>and repay her <f>ⓝ</f>double for her deeds; </t><t>mix a double portion for her <f>ⓞ</f>in the cup she mixed.</t>


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<t><f>ⓟ</f> As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, </t><t>so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, </t><t>since in her heart she says, </t><t><f>ⓠ</f>‘I sit as a queen, </t><t>I am no widow, </t><t>and mourning I shall never see.’</t>


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<t>For this reason her plagues will come <f>ⓡ</f>in a single day, </t><t>death and mourning and famine, </t><t>and <f>ⓢ</f>she will be burned up with fire; </t><t>for <f>ⓣ</f>mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” </t>


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<pb/>And <f>ⓤ</f>the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, <f>ⓥ</f>will weep and wail over her <f>ⓦ</f>when they see the smoke of her burning.


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<f>ⓧ</f> They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, <pb/><t>“Alas! Alas! <f>ⓨ</f>You great city, </t><t>you mighty city, Babylon! </t><t>For <f>ⓩ</f>in a single hour your judgment has come.” </t>


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<pb/>And <f>ⓐ</f>the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore,


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cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,


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cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls. <f>[2]</f>


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<pb/><t>“The fruit for which your soul longed </t><t>has gone from you, </t><t>and all your delicacies and your splendors </t><t>are lost to you, </t><t>never to be found again!” </t>


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<pb/><f>ⓑ</f> The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, <f>ⓒ</f>will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,


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<pb/><t>“Alas, alas, for the great city </t><t><f>ⓓ</f>that was clothed in fine linen, </t><t>in purple and scarlet, </t><t>adorned with gold, </t><t>with jewels, and with pearls!</t>


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<t>For <f>ⓔ</f>in a single hour all this wealth <f>ⓕ</f>has been laid waste.” </t> <pb/>And <f>ⓖ</f>all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off


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and <f>ⓗ</f>cried out <f>ⓘ</f>as they saw the smoke of her burning, <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“What city was like the great city?” </t>


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<pb/>And they threw <f>ⓚ</f>dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, <pb/><t>“Alas, alas, for the great city </t><t><f>ⓛ</f>where all who had ships at sea </t><t>grew rich by her wealth! </t><t>For <f>ⓜ</f>in a single hour she has been laid waste.</t>


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<t><f>ⓝ</f> Rejoice over her, O heaven, </t><t>and you saints and <f>ⓞ</f>apostles and prophets, </t><t>for <f>ⓟ</f>God has given judgment for you against her!” </t>


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<pb/>Then <f>ⓠ</f>a mighty angel <f>ⓡ</f>took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, <pb/><t>“So will Babylon <f>ⓢ</f>the great city be thrown down with violence, </t><t>and will be found no more;</t>


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<t>and <f>ⓣ</f>the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, </t><t>will be heard in you no more, </t><t>and a craftsman of any craft </t><t>will be found in you no more, </t><t>and <f>ⓤ</f>the sound of the mill </t><t>will be heard in you no more,</t>


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<t>and the light of a lamp </t><t>will shine in you no more, </t><t>and <f>ⓥ</f>the voice of bridegroom and bride </t><t>will be heard in you no more, </t><t>for <f>ⓦ</f>your merchants were the great ones of the earth, </t><t>and all nations were deceived <f>ⓧ</f>by your sorcery.</t>


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<t>And <f>ⓨ</f>in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, </t><t>and of <f>ⓩ</f>all who have been slain on earth.” </t>


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<pb/>After this I heard <f>ⓐ</f>what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, <pb/><t>“Hallelujah! </t><t><f>ⓑ</f>Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,</t>


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<t>for <f>ⓒ</f>his judgments are true and just; </t><t>for he has judged <f>ⓓ</f>the great prostitute </t><t>who corrupted the earth with her immorality, </t><t>and <f>ⓔ</f>has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” </t>


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<pb/>Once more they cried out, <pb/><t>“Hallelujah! </t><t><f>ⓕ</f>The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” </t>


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<pb/>And <f>ⓖ</f>the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”


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And from the throne came a voice saying, <pb/><t><f>ⓗ</f>“Praise our God, </t><t>all you his servants, </t><t><f>ⓘ</f>you who fear him, </t><t>small and great.” </t>


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<pb/>Then I heard what seemed to be <f>ⓙ</f>the voice of a great multitude, like <f>ⓚ</f>the roar of many waters and <f>ⓛ</f>like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, <pb/><t>“Hallelujah! </t><t>For the Lord our God </t><t>the Almighty <f>ⓜ</f>reigns.</t>


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<t>Let us rejoice and exult </t><t>and give him the glory, </t><t>for <f>ⓝ</f>the marriage of the Lamb has come, </t><t>and <f>ⓞ</f>his Bride has made herself ready;</t>


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<t><f>ⓟ</f> it was granted her to clothe herself </t><t>with fine linen, bright and pure” — </t> <pb/>for the fine linen is <f>ⓠ</f>the righteous deeds of the saints.


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<pb/>And the angel said <f>[1]</f> to me, “Write this: <f>ⓡ</f>Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, <f>ⓢ</f>“These are the true words of God.”


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Then <f>ⓣ</f>I fell down at his feet to worship him, <f>ⓤ</f>but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to <f>ⓥ</f>the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.


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<pb/>Then I saw <f>ⓦ</f>heaven opened, and behold, <f>ⓧ</f>a white horse! The one sitting on it is called <f>ⓨ</f>Faithful and True, and <f>ⓩ</f>in righteousness he judges and makes war.


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<f>ⓐ</f> His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are <f>ⓑ</f>many diadems, and he has <f>ⓒ</f>a name written that no one knows but himself.


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He is clothed in <f>ⓓ</f>a robe dipped in <f>[2]</f> blood, and the name by which he is called is <f>ⓔ</f>The Word of God.


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And the armies of heaven, <f>ⓕ</f>arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, <f>ⓖ</f>were following him on white horses.


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<f>ⓗ</f> From his mouth comes a sharp sword <f>ⓘ</f>with which to strike down the nations, and <f>ⓙ</f>he will rule <f>[3]</f> them with a rod of iron. <f>ⓚ</f>He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.


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On his robe and on his thigh <f>ⓛ</f>he has a name written, <f>ⓜ</f>King of kings and Lord of lords.


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<pb/>Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to <f>ⓝ</f>all the birds that fly directly overhead, <f>ⓞ</f>“Come, gather for <f>ⓟ</f>the great supper of God,


text:
<f>ⓠ</f> to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, <f>[4]</f> both small and great.”


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And I saw <f>ⓡ</f>the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies <f>ⓢ</f>gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.


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And the beast was captured, and with it <f>ⓣ</f>the false prophet <f>ⓤ</f>who in its presence <f>[5]</f> had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who <f>ⓥ</f>worshiped its image. These two were <f>ⓦ</f>thrown alive into the lake of <f>ⓧ</f>fire that burns with sulfur.


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And the rest were slain by the sword <f>ⓨ</f>that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and <f>ⓩ</f>all the birds were gorged with their flesh.


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<pb/>Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, <f>ⓐ</f>holding in his hand the key to <f>ⓑ</f>the bottomless pit <f>[1]</f> and a great chain.


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And he seized <f>ⓒ</f>the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and <f>ⓓ</f>bound him for a thousand years,


text:
and threw him into <f>ⓔ</f>the pit, and shut it and <f>ⓕ</f>sealed it over him, so that <f>ⓖ</f>he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.


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<pb/>Then I saw <f>ⓗ</f>thrones, and <f>ⓘ</f>seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw <f>ⓙ</f>the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those <f>ⓚ</f>who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. <f>ⓛ</f>They came to life and <f>ⓜ</f>reigned with Christ for a thousand years.


text:
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.


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<f>ⓝ</f> Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such <f>ⓞ</f>the second death has no power, but they will be <f>ⓟ</f>priests of God and of Christ, and they <f>ⓠ</f>will reign with him for a thousand years.


text:
and will come out <f>ⓢ</f>to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, <f>ⓣ</f>Gog and Magog, <f>ⓤ</f>to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.


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And <f>ⓥ</f>they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded <f>ⓦ</f>the camp of the saints and <f>ⓧ</f>the beloved city, but <f>ⓨ</f>fire came down from heaven <f>[2]</f> and consumed them,


text:
and the devil <f>ⓩ</f>who had deceived them was <f>ⓐ</f>thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where <f>ⓑ</f>the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.


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<pb/>Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence <f>ⓒ</f>earth and sky fled away, and <f>ⓓ</f>no place was found for them.


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And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and <f>ⓔ</f>books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is <f>ⓕ</f>the book of life. And <f>ⓖ</f>the dead were judged by what was written in the books, <f>ⓗ</f>according to what they had done.


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And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, <f>ⓘ</f>Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, <f>ⓙ</f>according to what they had done.


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Then <f>ⓚ</f>Death and Hades <f>ⓛ</f>were thrown into the lake of fire. This is <f>ⓜ</f>the second death, the lake of fire.


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And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, <f>ⓝ</f>he was thrown into the lake of fire.


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<pb/>Then I saw <f>ⓐ</f>a new heaven and a new earth, for <f>ⓑ</f>the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.


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And I saw <f>ⓒ</f>the holy city, <f>ⓓ</f>new Jerusalem, <f>ⓔ</f>coming down out of heaven from God, <f>ⓕ</f>prepared <f>ⓖ</f>as a bride adorned for her husband.


text:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, <f>ⓗ</f>the dwelling place <f>[1]</f> of God is with man. He will <f>ⓘ</f>dwell with them, and they will be his people, <f>[2]</f> and God himself will be with them as their God. <f>[3]</f>


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<f>ⓙ</f> He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and <f>ⓚ</f>death shall be no more, <f>ⓛ</f>neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”


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<pb/>And <f>ⓜ</f>he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I <f>ⓝ</f>am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for <f>ⓞ</f>these words are trustworthy and true.”


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And he said to me, <f>ⓟ</f>“It is done! <f>ⓠ</f>I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. <f>ⓡ</f>To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.


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<f>ⓢ</f> The one who conquers will have this heritage, and <f>ⓣ</f>I will be his God and <f>ⓤ</f>he will be my son.


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<f>ⓥ</f> But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, <f>ⓦ</f>their portion will be in <f>ⓧ</f>the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is <f>ⓨ</f>the second death.”


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<pb/>Then came <f>ⓩ</f>one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of <f>ⓐ</f>the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you <f>ⓑ</f>the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”


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And <f>ⓒ</f>he carried me away in the Spirit to <f>ⓓ</f>a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,


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<f>ⓔ</f> having the glory of God, <f>ⓕ</f>its radiance <f>ⓖ</f>like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.


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It had a great, high wall, <f>ⓗ</f>with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed —


text:
on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.


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And the wall of the city had twelve <f>ⓘ</f>foundations, and <f>ⓙ</f>on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.


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<pb/>And the one who spoke with me <f>ⓚ</f>had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls.


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The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. <f>[4]</f> Its length and width and height are equal.


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He also measured its wall, 144 cubits <f>[5]</f> by <f>ⓛ</f>human measurement, which is also <f>ⓜ</f>an angel's measurement.


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<f>ⓟ</f> The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,


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the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.


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And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and <f>ⓠ</f>the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.


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<pb/>And <f>ⓡ</f>I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.


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And the city <f>ⓢ</f>has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for <f>ⓣ</f>the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.


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By its light <f>ⓤ</f>will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth <f>ⓥ</f>will bring their glory into it,


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But <f>ⓨ</f>nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's <f>ⓩ</f>book of life.


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<pb/>Then the angel <f>[1]</f> showed me <f>ⓐ</f>the river of <f>ⓑ</f>the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb


text:
through the middle of <f>ⓒ</f>the street of the city; <f>ⓓ</f>also, on either side of the river, <f>ⓔ</f>the tree of life <f>[2]</f> with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were <f>ⓕ</f>for the healing of the nations.


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<f>ⓖ</f> No longer will there be anything accursed, but <f>ⓗ</f>the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and <f>ⓘ</f>his servants will worship him.


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And <f>ⓛ</f>night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp <f>ⓜ</f>or sun, for <f>ⓝ</f>the Lord God will be their light, and <f>ⓞ</f>they will reign forever and ever.


text:
<pb/>And he said to me, <f>ⓟ</f>“These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of <f>ⓠ</f>the spirits of the prophets, <f>ⓡ</f>has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”


text:
<pb/><J>“And behold, <f>ⓢ</f>I am coming soon. <f>ⓣ</f>Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”</J>


text:
<pb/>I, <f>ⓤ</f>John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, <f>ⓥ</f>I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,


text:
<f>ⓦ</f> but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those <f>ⓧ</f>who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”


text:
<pb/>And he said to me, <f>ⓨ</f>“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.


text:
<f>ⓩ</f> Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”


text:
<pb/><J>“Behold, <f>ⓐ</f>I am coming soon, <f>ⓑ</f>bringing my recompense with me, <f>ⓒ</f>to repay each one for what he has done.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓓ</f> I am the Alpha and the Omega, <f>ⓔ</f>the first and the last, <f>ⓕ</f>the beginning and the end.”</J>


text:
<pb/>Blessed are those who <f>ⓖ</f>wash their robes, <f>[3]</f> so that they may have the right to <f>ⓗ</f>the tree of life and that <f>ⓘ</f>they may enter the city by the gates.


text:
<f>ⓙ</f> Outside are <f>ⓚ</f>the dogs <f>ⓛ</f>and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.


text:
<pb/><J><f>ⓜ</f> “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things <f>ⓝ</f>for the churches. I am <f>ⓞ</f>the root and <f>ⓟ</f>the descendant of David, <f>ⓠ</f>the bright morning star.”</J>


text:
<pb/>The Spirit and <f>ⓡ</f>the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And <f>ⓢ</f>let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the <f>ⓣ</f>water of life without price.


text:
<pb/>I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: <f>ⓤ</f>if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,


text:
and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in <f>ⓥ</f>the tree of life and in <f>ⓦ</f>the holy city, which are described in this book.


text:
<pb/>He who testifies to these things says, <J>“Surely <f>ⓧ</f>I am coming soon.”</J> Amen. <f>ⓨ</f>Come, Lord Jesus!


# info

name: detailed_info
value:
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 
<br/>ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). 
<br/>Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.


# stories

title:
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:


title:
Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.


title:
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.


title:
To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”


title:
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?”


title:
To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.


title:
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.


title:
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.


title:
To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.


title:
A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.


# introductions

introduction:
<div class="vinfo-content">
            <h2>Version Information</h2>
            <p>
            <p>&nbsp;</p><p>The English Standard Version (ESV) stands in the classic mainstream of English Bible translations over the past half-millennium. The fountainhead of that stream was William Tyndale&#39;s New Testament of 1526; marking its course were the King James Version of 1611 (KJV), the English Revised Version of 1885 (RV), the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), and the Revised Standard Version of 1952 and 1971 (RSV). In that stream, faithfulness to the text and vigorous pursuit of accuracy were combined with simplicity, beauty, and dignity of expression. Our goal has been to carry forward this legacy for a new century.</p><p>To this end each word and phrase in the ESV has been carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity and to avoid under-translating or overlooking any nuance of the original text. The words and phrases themselves grow out of the Tyndale-King James legacy, and most recently out of the RSV, with the 1971 RSV text providing the starting point for our work. Archaic language has been brought to current usage and significant corrections have been made in the translation of key texts. But throughout, our goal has been to retain the depth of meaning and enduring language that have made their indelible mark on the English-speaking world and have defined the life and doctrine of the church over the last four centuries.</p><p>The ESV is an &quot;essentially literal&quot; translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. It seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original. <a href="http://www.esv.org/about/translation-philosophy/">More about the ESV translation philosophy...</a></p>            </p>
          </div>

          


