Greeting and Praise for the Corinthians
1 The Church of God which dwells in Rome to the Church of God which dwells in Corinth, to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from Almighty God through Jesus Christ be multiplied. Because of the sudden and repeated calamities and hardships that have come upon us, brothers and sisters, we realize that we have been somewhat slow in addressing the matters of dispute that have arisen among you, dear friends, and the detestable and unholy rebellion, foreign and strange to the elect of God, which a few headstrong and self-willed people have stirred up to such a pitch of madness that you, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all, have been greatly reviled. 2 For what visitor among you did not approve of your most virtuous and steadfast faith? Who did not admire your sober and patient devotion in Christ? Who did not speak of your magnificent hospitality? Who did not congratulate you on your perfect and sound knowledge? 3 For you did all things without favoritism, and you followed the ordinances of God, submitting yourselves to your leaders and giving the older men among you the honor that is their due. To the young, you encouraged modest and appropriate thoughts; and to the women, you instructed them to perform all their duties with a blameless, appropriate, and pure conscience, cherishing their own husbands as fitting; and you taught them to remain in the rule of obedience and to manage the affairs of their households with dignity and discretion.
1 And you were all humble in mind and free from arrogance, yielding rather than demanding submission, more glad to give than to receive, and content with the provisions that God supplied. And paying close attention to His words, you stored them up diligently in your hearts, and His sufferings were always before your eyes. 2 Thus, a deep and abundant peace was given to all, along with an insatiable desire to do good. An abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit also came upon all. 3 And, being full of holy counsel, with excellent zeal and devout confidence, you stretched out your hands to Almighty God, pleading with Him to be merciful if you had sinned unknowingly. 4 You struggled day and night for all the brotherhood, so that the number of His elect might be saved with reverence and steadfastness of mind. 5 You were sincere, pure, and free from malice toward one another. 6 Every rebellion and every division was detestable to you. You mourned over the transgressions of your neighbors, considering their shortcomings as your own. 7 You never regretted any good deed but were always ready for every good work. 8 Adorned with a most virtuous and honorable life, you carried out all your duties in reverence of Him. The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were written on the tablets of your hearts.
Jealousy Brings Rebellion to Corinth
1 All glory and abundance were given to you, and what was written was fulfilled: ‘My beloved ate and drank, grew strong, and became proud and rebellious.’ 2 From this came jealousy and envy, strife and rebellion, persecution and chaos, war and captivity. 3 So people were stirred up—the lowly against the honorable, the disrespected against the esteemed, the foolish against the wise, the young against the elder. 4 Because of this, righteousness and peace have withdrawn, while each person has forgotten the fear of the Lord and become blind in faith, no longer walking in the ordinances of His commandments or living in a way that honors Christ. Instead, each follows the desires of their corrupt heart, having embraced an unrighteous and ungodly jealousy—through which death entered the world.
What Jealousy Did in Ancient Times
1 For it is written, ‘And after some days Cain brought an offering to God from the fruits of the earth, and Abel also brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.’ 2 And God looked favorably upon Abel and his gifts, but He paid no attention to Cain and his offerings. 3 And Cain grieved deeply, and his face fell. 4 And God said to Cain, ‘Why are you so sorrowful, and why has your face fallen? If you have offered correctly but not divided correctly, have you not sinned? Be still.’ 5 ‘He will turn to you, and you will rule over him.’ 6 And Cain said to Abel, his brother, ‘Let us go to the fields.’ And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 7 You see, brothers and sisters, jealousy and envy led to a brother’s murder. 8 Because of jealousy, our father Jacob fled from the presence of his brother Esau. 9 Jealousy caused Joseph to be persecuted almost to death and sold into slavery. 10 Jealousy forced Moses to flee from Pharaoh, king of Egypt, when his fellow Israelite said to him, ‘Who made you a judge or ruler over us? Will you kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 11 Because of jealousy, Aaron and Miriam were shut out of the camp. 12 Jealousy brought Dathan and Abiram down alive to Hades because they rebelled against Moses, the servant of God. 13 Because of jealousy, David was not only envied by the Philistines but was also persecuted by Saul, king of Israel.
Peter and Paul Die as Martyrs
1 But, to move beyond the examples of ancient days, let us consider those champions who lived closer to our time. Let us set before us the noble examples of our own generation. 2 Because of jealousy and envy, the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled even to death. 3 Let us keep before our eyes the good Apostles. 4 There was Peter, who, because of unjust jealousy, endured not just one but many hardships, and after bearing his testimony, he went to his appointed place of glory. 5 Because of jealousy and conflict, Paul showed by his example the reward of patient endurance. After being imprisoned seven times, driven into exile, stoned, and having preached in the East and the West, he won the noble renown that was the reward of his faith. 6 Having taught righteousness to the whole world and reached the farthest boundary of the West, he bore his testimony before rulers, and so he departed from this world and entered the holy place, having been found a remarkable example of patient endurance.
1 A vast multitude of the elect was gathered to these men of holy lives, and through many indignities and tortures, as victims of jealousy, they set a brave example among us. 2 Because of jealousy, women were persecuted, and after suffering cruel and unholy insults, like the Danaids and Dircae, they safely reached the goal in the race of faith and received a noble reward, though they were weak in body. 3 Jealousy has separated wives from their husbands and reversed the words of our father Adam: ‘This now is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.’ 4 Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted great nations.
A Call to Repent
1 We write these things, dear friends, not only as a reminder to you but also to remind ourselves. For we are in the same struggle, and the same contest awaits us. 2 Therefore, let us abandon idle and vain thoughts and conform to the glorious and venerable rule that has been handed down to us. 3 And let us consider what is good, what is pleasant, and what is acceptable in the sight of Him who made us. 4 Let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ and understand how precious it is to His Father, for by being shed for our salvation, it won for the whole world the grace of repentance. 5 Let us look back at all the generations in turn and learn how, from age to age, the Master has given a place for repentance to those who desire to turn to Him. 6 Noah preached repentance, and those who obeyed were saved. 7 Jonah preached destruction to the people of Nineveh, but they repented of their sins, obtained pardon from God through their supplications, and received salvation, even though they were strangers to Him.
1 The ministers of the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, spoke concerning repentance. 2 Yes, and the Master of the universe Himself spoke about repentance with an oath. 3 For, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘I do not desire the death of the sinner as much as his repentance.’ 4 And He also gave a merciful judgment: ‘Repent, house of Israel, of your iniquity. Say to the children of My people: Though your sins reach from the earth to the heavens, and though they are redder than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, if you turn to Me with your whole heart and say, “Father,” I will listen to you as to a holy people.’ 5 And in another place He says: ‘Wash, be clean. Remove your iniquities from My sight. Cease from your sins; learn to do good; seek justice; defend those who are wronged; give judgment for the orphan and uphold righteousness for the widow. Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are as crimson, I will make them white as snow; though they are as scarlet, I will make them white as wool. If you are willing and listen to Me, you will eat the good things of the earth; but if you refuse and do not listen, a sword shall devour you—for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ 6 Since, then, He wants all His beloved to share in repentance, He confirmed it by an act of His almighty will.
People Who Obeyed God
1 Therefore, let us be obedient to His excellent and glorious will, and as supplicants of His mercy and goodness, let us fall before Him and seek His compassion, abandoning the vain toil, strife, and jealousy that lead to death. 2 Let us fix our eyes on those who ministered perfectly to His excellent glory. 3 Let us set before us Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was taken up, and his death was not found. 4 Noah, being found faithful, through his service preached renewal to the world, and through him, the Master saved the living creatures that entered the ark in harmony.
1 Abraham, who was called the ‘friend,’ was found faithful because he obeyed the words of God. 2 Through obedience, he left his land, his family, and his father’s house, so that by leaving a small land, a weak family, and a humble home, he might inherit the promises of God. 3 For He said to him, ‘Go out from your land, from your family, and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you and magnify your name, and you shall be blessed. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you, and through you, all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed.’ 4 And again, when he was separated from Lot, God said to him, ‘Lift up your eyes and look—from where you are—to the north, the south, the east, and the west; for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your descendants forever.’ 5 ‘And I will make your descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth. If anyone can count the dust of the earth, then your descendants shall also be counted.’ 6 And again He said, ‘God led Abraham out and said to him, Look up to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to number them. So your descendants shall be.’ And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. 7 Because of his faith and hospitality, a son was given to him in his old age, and through obedience, he offered him as a sacrifice to God on one of the mountains He showed him.
Lot and Rahab Are Saved for Their Hospitality
1 For his hospitality and godliness, Lot was saved from Sodom when all the surrounding country was judged by fire and sulfur. In this way the Master made clear beforehand that He does not abandon those who set their hope on Him, but appoints for punishment and torment those who turn aside. 2 For when his wife had gone out with him, being of a different mind and not in agreement, she was appointed as a sign, so that she became a pillar of salt to this day, in order that it might be known to all men that those who are double-minded and those who doubt the power of God are set for judgment and as a sign to all generations.
1 For her faith and hospitality, Rahab the prostitute was saved. 2 For when the spies were sent out to Jericho by Joshua, the son of Nun, the king of the land realized that they had come to spy out his country and sent men to seize them, so that, once captured, they might be put to death. 3 So the hospitable Rahab received them and hid them in the upper room under the flax stalks. 4 And when the messengers of the king came near and said, ‘The spies of our land came in to you; bring them out, for the king orders it,’ she answered, ‘The men you are looking for did come in to me, but they left at once and are on their way,’ and she pointed them toward the opposite road. 5 And she said to the men, ‘I know for certain that the Lord your God will hand this city over to you, for the fear and dread of you has fallen upon its inhabitants. So when you take it, save me and the house of my father.’ 6 And they said to her, ‘It will be just as you have said to us. When you see that we are coming, you shall gather all your household under your roof, and they will be saved; for everyone found outside the house will perish.’ 7 And they also gave her a sign: she was to hang a scarlet thread from her house, showing beforehand in this way that through the blood of the Lord there will be redemption for all who believe and hope in God. 8 You see, dear friends, not only faith, but prophecy, is found in this woman.
A Call to Be Humble
1 Let us therefore be humble, brothers and sisters, laying aside all arrogance and conceit and foolishness and anger, and let us do what is written. For the Holy Spirit says, “Let the wise man not boast in his wisdom, nor the strong in his strength, nor the rich in his riches; but let the one who boasts boast in the Lord, so that he may seek Him out and do justice and righteousness most of all remembering the words of the Lord Jesus which He spoke, teaching forbearance and patience.” 2 for this is how He spoke: “Have mercy, so that you may receive mercy; forgive, so that you may be forgiven. As you do, so it will be done to you. As you give, so it will be given to you. As you judge, so you will be judged. As you show kindness, so kindness will be shown to you. With what measure you measure, it will be measured to you.” 3 Let us strengthen ourselves with this commandment and these precepts, so that we may walk in obedience to His holy words, in humility. 4 For the holy word says, “On whom shall I look, except on the one who is gentle and quiet and fears My oracles?”
Obey God, Not the Leaders of the Rebellion
1 Therefore it is right and proper, brothers and sisters, for us to be obedient to God, rather than follow those who in arrogance and disorder have set themselves up as leaders in abominable jealousy. 2 For we will bring on ourselves no ordinary harm, but rather great danger, if we recklessly surrender ourselves to the purposes of men who plunge into strife and rebellion, so as to turn us away from what is right. 3 Let us be good to one another, in keeping with the compassion and gentleness of Him who made us. For it is written: 4 “The good shall dwell in the land, and the innocent shall be left on it, but those who transgress shall be utterly destroyed from it.” 5 And again He says, “I saw the ungodly lifted up on high and exalted as the cedars of Lebanon. And I passed by, and look, he was not there; and I searched for his place and did not find it. Keep innocence and look to uprightness; for there is a remnant for the peaceful man.”
1 Therefore let us be loyal to those who practice peace with godliness, and not to those who desire peace with hypocrisy. 2 For He says somewhere “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” 3 and again, “they blessed with their mouth, but they cursed with their heart.” 4 And again He says, “They loved Him with their mouth, and with their tongue they lied to Him; and their heart was not upright with Him, nor were they steadfast in His covenant.” 5 For this reason “let the deceitful lips that speak iniquity against the righteous be made silent.” And again, “May the Lord utterly destroy all the deceitful lips, the tongue that speaks proud things, those who say, ‘Let us magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?’” 6 “For the misery of the needy and for the groaning of the poor I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will set him in safety; I will deal boldly with him.”
Christ’s Example of Humility
1 For Christ is with those who are humble, not with those who exalt themselves over the flock. 2 The scepter of the majesty of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, did not come in the pomp of arrogance or of pride, though He could have done so, but in humility, just as the Holy Spirit spoke concerning Him. 3 For He says, “Lord, who believed our report? and to whom was the arm of the Lord revealed? We announced Him in His presence. He was like a child, like a root in thirsty ground. There is no form in Him, nor glory. And we saw Him, and He had no form or beauty, but His form was lowly, lacking more than the form of men. He was a man of wounds and of toil, and knowing how to bear weakness: for His face is turned away. He was dishonored and counted as nothing.” 4 “He bears our sins and suffers pain for our sakes: and we considered Him to be in toil and in wounds and in affliction.” 5 “And He was wounded for our sins and has been afflicted for our iniquities. The discipline of our peace is upon Him. With His bruises we were healed.” 6 “We all went astray like sheep, each man went astray in his own path.” 7 “and the Lord delivered Him over for our sins. And He does not open His mouth, because He is afflicted. As a sheep He was led to slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is silent, so He does not open His mouth. In His humiliation His judgment was taken away.” 8 “Who shall declare His generation? For His life is taken away from the earth.” 9 “For the iniquities of my people He has come to death.” 10 “And I will give the wicked for His burial, and the rich for His death; for He did no iniquity, nor was deceit found in His mouth. And the Lord desires to cleanse Him from His wounds.” 11 “If you offer for sin, your soul shall see long-lived descendants.” 12 “And the Lord desires to take away from the toil of His soul, to show Him light and to mold Him with understanding, to justify the Just One who is a good servant to many. And He shall bear their sins.” 13 “Therefore He shall inherit many, and shall divide the spoils of the strong; because His soul was delivered to death, and He was counted among the transgressors.” 14 “and He bore the sins of many, and for their sins He was delivered up.” 15 And again He Himself says; “But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and an outcast of the people.” 16 “All who saw me mocked me; they spoke with their lips, they wagged their heads, saying, ‘He hoped in the Lord; let Him deliver him, or let Him save him, for He desires him.’” 17 You see, dear friends, what the pattern is that has been given to us; for if the Lord was so humble, what should we do, who through Him have been brought under the yoke of His grace?
Other Examples of Humility
1 Let us be imitators also of those who went about in goatskins and sheepskins, preaching the coming of Christ. We mean Elijah and Elisha and likewise Ezekiel, the prophets, and besides them those men also who were well spoken of. 2 Abraham was very well spoken of and was called the friend of God; and gazing at the glory of God, he says in humility, “But I am dust and ashes.” 3 And about Job it is also written: “And Job was righteous and blameless, one who was true and honored God and kept away from all evil.” 4 Yet he accuses himself, saying, “No one is free from filth, not even if his life lasts only a day.” 5 Moses was called faithful in all His house, and through his service God judged Egypt with the plagues and the torments that came upon them. Yet he too, though greatly glorified, spoke no proud words, but said, when an oracle was given to him at the bush, “Who am I, that You send me?” 6 “No, I am weak in speech and slow of tongue.” And again he says, “But I am smoke from the pot.”
1 But what shall we say of David, who was well spoken of? God said of him, “I have found a man after My heart, David the son of Jesse: I have anointed him with eternal mercy.” 2 Yet he too says to God “Have mercy on me, God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my iniquity.” 3 “Wash me still more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. Against You alone I sinned, and I did evil in Your sight; so that You may be justified in Your words, and may conquer in Your pleading.” 4 “For look, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins my mother bore me. For look, You have loved truth: You have shown me the dark and hidden things of Your wisdom.” 5 “You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean. You shall wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.” 6 “You shall make me hear of joy and gladness. The bones which have been humbled shall rejoice.” 7 “Turn away Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.” 8 “Make a clean heart within me, God, and renew a right spirit in my inmost parts. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” 9 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and strengthen me with a princely spirit.” 10 “I will teach sinners Your ways, and godless men shall turn back to You.” 11 “Deliver me from bloodguilt, God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness.” 12 “Lord, You shall open my mouth, and my lips shall declare Your praise.” 13 “For, if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You will take no pleasure in whole burnt offerings.” 14 “A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; God will not despise a contrite and humble heart.”
Let Us Return to Peace
1 So the humility and submissiveness of so many great men, who have been so well spoken of, has through obedience made better not only us but also the generations before us, those who received His oracles in fear and truth. 2 Since, then, we have shared in many great and glorious deeds, let us hurry back to the goal of peace that has been handed down to us from the beginning, and let us fix our eyes on the Father and Maker of the whole world, and hold on to His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits. 3 Let us see Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul at His patient will. Let us note how free from anger He is toward all His creatures.
The Peace and Harmony of the Universe
1 The heavens are moved by His direction and obey Him in peace. 2 Day and night accomplish the course assigned to them by Him, without hindering each other. 3 The sun and the moon and the dancing stars circle as He has appointed in harmony within the bounds assigned to them, without swerving at all. 4 The earth, bearing fruit in fulfillment of His will at its proper seasons, produces abundant food for people and animals and all living things on it, without dissent and without altering anything He has decreed. 5 Moreover, the inscrutable depths of the abysses and the inexpressible statutes of the lower regions are constrained by the same ordinances. 6 The basin of the boundless sea, gathered together by His workmanship into its reservoirs, does not pass the barriers that surround it, but does just as He ordered it. 7 For He said, “So far will you come, and your waves shall be broken within you.” 8 The ocean which is impassable for men, and the worlds beyond it, are directed by the same ordinances of the Master. 9 The seasons of spring and summer and autumn and winter give way to one another in turn, in peace. 10 The winds in their various quarters fulfill their service at the proper season without disturbance; and the ever-flowing springs, created for enjoyment and health, without fail offer their breasts, which sustain human life. Yes, the smallest of living things come together in harmony and peace. 11 All these things the great Creator and Master of the universe ordered to be in peace and harmony, doing good to all things, but far beyond the rest to us who have taken refuge in His compassionate mercies through our Lord Jesus Christ. 12 to whom be the glory and the majesty forever and ever. Amen.
Living in a Way That Pleases God
1 “Take care, brothers and sisters, that His benefits, which are many, do not turn into judgment for all of us, if we do not walk worthily of Him and do what is good and pleasing in His sight in harmony.” 2 For He says somewhere, “The Spirit of the Lord is a lamp searching the inner chambers of the belly.” 3 Let us see how near He is, and that none of our thoughts or the plans we make escapes Him. 4 It is right, therefore, that we should not desert His will. 5 Let us offend foolish and senseless men who exalt themselves and boast in the arrogance of their words, rather than God. 6 Let us fear the Lord Jesus, whose blood was given for us. Let us respect our rulers; let us honor our elders; let us instruct our young men in the lesson of the fear of God. Let us guide our women toward what is good. 7 let them display their lovely disposition of purity; let them prove their sincere affection of gentleness; let them make the moderation of their tongue evident through their silence; let them show their love, not in partisan preferences but without partiality toward all who fear God, in holiness. Let our children share in the instruction that is in Christ. 8 let them learn how humility prevails with God, what power chaste love has with God, how the fear of Him is good and great and saves all who walk in it with a pure mind in holiness. 9 For He is the searcher of thoughts and desires; His breath is in us, and when He wills, He will take it away.
1 Now the faith that is in Christ confirms all these things: for He Himself through the Holy Spirit invites us in this way: “Come, my children, listen to Me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” 2 “Who is the man who desires life and loves to see good days?” 3 “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” 4 “Turn aside from evil and do good.” 5 “Seek peace and pursue it.” 6 “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are turned to their prayers. But the face of the Lord is upon those who do evil, to wipe out their memory from the earth.” 7 “The righteous cried out, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him from all his troubles. Many are the troubles of the righteous, and the Lord shall deliver him from them all.” 8 And again, “Many are the blows of the sinner, but mercy shall surround those who set their hope on the Lord.”
Do Not Doubt That the Lord Will Come
1 The Father, who is merciful in all things, and ready to do good, has compassion on those who fear Him, and kindly and lovingly gives His favors on those who draw near to Him with a single mind. 2 Therefore let us not be double-minded, and let our soul not indulge in idle fancies about His surpassing and glorious gifts. 3 Let this scripture be far from us where He says, “Wretched are the double-minded, who doubt in their soul and say, ‘We heard these things in the days of our fathers too, and look, we have grown old, and none of these things has happened to us.’” 4 “You fools, compare yourselves to a tree; take a vine. First it sheds its leaves, then a shoot comes, then a leaf, then a flower, and after these a sour berry, then a fully ripe grape. You see that in a short time the fruit of the tree reaches ripeness.” 5 “Truly His will shall be accomplished quickly and suddenly,” the scripture also bearing witness to it, saying, “He shall come quickly and shall not delay; and the Lord shall come suddenly into His temple, the Holy One, whom you expect.”
Nature Shows There Will Be a Resurrection
1 Let us understand, dear friends, how the Master continually shows us the coming resurrection; of which He made the Lord Jesus Christ the firstfruit, when He raised Him from the dead. 2 Let us look, dear friends, at the resurrection that happens at its proper season. 3 Day and night show us the resurrection. The night falls asleep, and day arises; the day departs, and night comes on. 4 Let us note the crops, how and in what way the sowing takes place. 5 The sower goes out and casts each of the seeds into the earth; and these, falling into the earth dry and bare, decay; then out of their decay the might of the Master’s providence raises them up, and from one they multiply many times over and bear fruit.
The Phoenix as a Sign of the Resurrection
1 Let us consider the marvelous sign that is seen in the regions of the east, that is, in the area around Arabia. 2 There is a bird called the phoenix. This bird, the only one of its kind, lives for five hundred years; and when it has reached the time of its end and must die, it makes itself a coffin of frankincense and myrrh and other spices, which it enters when the time is fulfilled, and so it dies. 3 But, as the flesh rots, a worm is produced, which is nourished by the moisture of the dead creature and grows wings. Then, when it has grown strong, it takes up the coffin that holds the bones of its parent, and carrying them it travels from the country of Arabia all the way to Egypt, to the place called the City of the Sun. 4 and in the daytime, in the sight of all, it flies to the altar of the Sun and lays them on it; and having done this, it sets out to return. 5 So the priests examine the records of the dates, and they find that it has come when the five hundredth year is completed.
Scripture Promises the Resurrection
1 Do we then think it a great and marvelous thing if the Creator of the universe brings about the resurrection of those who have served Him in holiness, in the assurance of a good faith, when He shows us the magnificence of His promise even through a bird? 2 For He says somewhere “And You shall raise me up, and I will praise You;” and; “I went to rest and slept, I was awakened, for You are with me.” 3 And again Job says “And You shall raise up this flesh of mine, which has endured all these things.”
1 With this hope, therefore, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises and righteous in His judgments. 2 He who commanded us not to lie will much more not lie Himself; for nothing is impossible with God except to lie. 3 Therefore let our faith in Him be kindled within us, and let us understand that all things are near to Him. 4 By a word of His majesty He formed the universe; and by a word He can destroy it. 5 Who shall say to Him, “What have You done?” or who shall resist the might of His strength? When He wills, and as He wills, He will do all things; and none of the things He has decreed shall pass away. 6 All things are in His sight, and nothing escapes His counsel. 7 since “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day utters word to day, and night proclaims knowledge to night; and there are no words or speeches whose voices are not heard.”
God Sees Everything
1 Since, then, all things are seen and heard, let us fear Him and abandon the abominable lusts of evil works, so that we may be shielded by His mercy from the coming judgments. 2 For where can any of us escape from His strong hand? And what world will receive any of those who desert His service? 3 For the holy writing says somewhere “Where shall I go, and where shall I hide from Your face? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I go away to the farthest parts of the earth, there is Your right hand; if I make my bed in the depths, there is Your Spirit.” 4 Where then can anyone go, or where can anyone flee, from Him who embraces the universe?
Come to God with a Pure Heart
1 Let us therefore approach Him in holiness of soul, lifting up pure and undefiled hands to Him, with love toward our gentle and compassionate Father who made us His own chosen portion. 2 For this is what is written: “When the Most High divided the nations, when He dispersed the sons of Adam, He fixed the boundaries of the nations according to the number of the angels of God. His people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the measurement of His inheritance.” 3 And in another place He says, “Look, the Lord takes for Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the firstfruits of his threshing floor; and the holy of holies shall come out of that nation.”
1 Since, then, we are the special portion of a Holy God, let us do everything that belongs to holiness, giving up slander, abominable and impure embraces, drunkenness and rioting and hateful lusts, abominable adultery, hateful pride. 2 For God, He says, resists the proud, but gives grace to those who are lowly. 3 Let us therefore be loyal to those to whom grace is given by God. Let us clothe ourselves in harmony, being humble and self-controlled, keeping ourselves far from all backbiting and slander, being justified by works and not by words. 4 For He says, “The one who says much shall hear much in return. Does the glib talker think he is righteous?” 5 “Blessed is the offspring of a woman who lives but a short time. Do not be abundant in words.” 6 Let our praise be with God, and not from ourselves: for God hates those who praise themselves. 7 Let the testimony to our good deeds be given by others, as it was given to our fathers who were righteous. 8 Boldness and arrogance and daring are for those who are cursed by God; but forbearance and humility and gentleness are with those who are blessed by God.
How to Receive God’s Blessing
1 Let us therefore hold on to His blessing, and let us see what the ways of blessing are. Let us study the records of the things that have happened from the beginning. 2 Why was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not because he practiced righteousness and truth through faith? 3 Isaac, with confidence, knowing the future, was led as a willing sacrifice. 4 Jacob, with humility, left his land because of his brother and went to Laban and served; and the twelve tribes of Israel were given to him.
Made Right with God by Faith, Not Works
1 If anyone considers them one by one in sincerity, he will understand the magnificence of the gifts given by Him. 2 For from Jacob come all the priests and levites who minister at the altar of God; from him comes the Lord Jesus according to the flesh; from him come kings and rulers and governors in the line of Judah; and the rest of his tribes are held in no small honor, since God promised, “Your descendants shall be as the stars of heaven.” 3 So they were all glorified and magnified, not through themselves or their own works or the righteous deeds they did, but through His will. 4 And so we, having been called through His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified through ourselves or through our own wisdom or understanding or piety or works that we did in holiness of heart, but through faith, by which the Almighty God justified all men who have lived from the beginning; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Keep Doing Good Works
1 What then must we do, brothers and sisters? Must we idly abstain from doing good, and abandon love? May the Master never allow this to happen to us; but let us hurry with earnestness and zeal to accomplish every good work. 2 For the Creator and Master of the universe Himself rejoices in His works. 3 For by His supremely great might He established the heavens, and in His incomprehensible wisdom He set them in order. And He separated the earth from the water that surrounds it, and He set it firm on the sure foundation of His own will; and He commanded the living creatures that walk on it to exist by His decree. Having first created the sea and the living creatures in it, He enclosed it by His own power. 4 Above all, as the most excellent and greatest work of His intelligence, with His sacred and faultless hands He formed man as the imprint of His own image. 5 For thus says God “Let us make man according to our image and according to our likeness.” And God made man; male and female He made them. 6 So having finished all these things, He praised them and blessed them and said, “Increase and multiply.” 7 We have seen that all the righteous were adorned in good works. Yes, and the Lord Himself, having adorned Himself with worlds, rejoiced. 8 Since, then, we have this pattern, let us conform ourselves with all diligence to His will; let us do the work of righteousness with all our strength.
God Rewards Good Works
1 The good workman receives the bread of his work with confidence, but the lazy and slack one does not dare look his employer in the face. 2 So we must be eager to do good; for all things come from Him. 3 since He forewarns us saying, “Look, the Lord, and His reward is before His face, to repay each man according to his work.” 4 So He urges us to believe in Him with our whole heart, and not to be idle or slack in any good work. 5 Let our boast and our confidence be in Him: let us submit ourselves to His will; let us note the whole host of His angels, how they stand by and serve His will. 6 For the scripture says, “Ten thousands of ten thousands stood by Him, and thousands of thousands served Him: and they cried aloud, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Sabaoth; all creation is full of His glory.’” 7 Yes, and let us also, gathered together in harmony and with earnest hearts, cry out to Him earnestly as with one mouth, so that we may share in His great and glorious promises. 8 For He says, “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and it has not entered into the heart of man what great things He has prepared for those who patiently wait for Him.”
1 How blessed and marvelous are the gifts of God, dear friends! 2 Life in immortality, splendor in righteousness, truth in boldness, faith in confidence, self-control in holiness! And all these things are within our understanding. 3 What then, do you think, are the things being prepared for those who patiently wait for Him? The Creator and Father of the ages, the All-holy One Himself knows their number and their beauty. 4 Let us therefore strive to be found among the number of those who patiently wait for Him, so that we may share in His promised gifts. 5 But how shall this be, dear friends? If our mind is fixed on God through faith; if we seek out what is pleasing and acceptable to Him; if we do what fits His faultless will and follow the way of truth, casting off from ourselves all unrighteousness and iniquity, greed, quarrels, malice and deceit, gossip and slander, hatred of God, pride and arrogance, conceit and inhospitality. 6 For those who do these things are hateful to God; and not only those who do them, but also those who approve of them. 7 For the scripture says, “But to the sinner God said, ‘Why do you declare My ordinances, and take My covenant upon your lips?’” 8 “Yet you hated instruction and threw My words behind you. If you saw a thief you kept company with him, and with the adulterers you set your portion. Your mouth multiplied wickedness and your tongue wove deceit. You sat and spoke against your brother, and against the son of your mother you laid a stumbling block.” 9 “These things you have done, and I kept silent. You thought, unrighteous man, that I would be like you.” 10 “I will convict you and will set you face to face with yourself.” 11 “Now understand these things, you who forget God, or He may seize you like a lion, and there will be no one to rescue you.” 12 “The sacrifice of praise shall glorify Me, and there is the way in which I will show him the salvation of God.”
Every Blessing Comes Through Christ
1 This is the way, dear friends, in which we found our salvation: Jesus Christ, the High priest of our offerings, the Guardian and Helper of our weakness. 2 Through Him let us fix our gaze on the heights of the heavens; through Him we see as in a mirror His faultless and most excellent face; through Him the eyes of our hearts were opened; through Him our foolish and darkened mind springs up to the light; through Him the Master willed that we should taste immortal knowledge; Who, being the brightness of His majesty, is as much greater than angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent. 3 For it is written, “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.” 4 but of His Son the Master said this: “You are My Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of Me, and I will give You the Gentiles for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.” 5 And again He says to Him “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” 6 Who then are these enemies? Those who are wicked and resist His will.
The Church as an Army and a Body
1 Let us therefore enlist ourselves, brothers and sisters, with all earnestness in His faultless ordinances. 2 Let us note the soldiers who serve under our rulers, how precisely, how readily, how obediently they carry out the orders given to them. 3 Not all are prefects, nor rulers of thousands, nor rulers of hundreds, nor rulers of fifties, and so on; but each man in his own rank carries out the orders given by the king and the governors. 4 The great cannot exist without the small, nor the small without the great. There is a certain blending in all things, and in this there is usefulness. 5 Let us take our body as an example. The head without the feet is nothing; and likewise the feet without the head are nothing: even the smallest parts of our body are necessary and useful for the whole body: but all the members work together and unite in subjection, so that the whole body may be saved.
1 So in our case let the whole body be saved in Christ Jesus, and let each one be subject to his neighbor, in keeping with the special gift he was given. 2 Let the strong not neglect the weak; and let the weak respect the strong. Let the rich give help to the poor; and let the poor give thanks to God, because He has given him someone through whom his needs may be met. Let the wise show his wisdom, not in words, but in good works. Let the humble person not testify about himself, but leave it to his neighbor to testify about him. Let the one who is pure in the flesh remain so and not boast, knowing that it is Another who gives him his self-control. 3 Let us consider, brothers and sisters, what material we were made of; who we were and what kind of beings, when we came into the world; from what sepulchre and what darkness He who molded and created us brought us into His world, having prepared His benefits before we were born. 4 Since, then, we have all these things from Him, we ought in all things to give thanks to Him, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
No Reason for Pride
1 Senseless and stupid and foolish and ignorant men jeer and mock at us, wanting to be exalted in their own minds. 2 For what power does a mortal have? Or what strength does a child of earth have? 3 For it is written; “There was no form before my eyes; I heard only a breath and a voice.” 4 What then? Shall a mortal be clean in the sight of the Lord, or shall a man be blameless in his works, when He does not trust His servants and notes some perversity in His angels? 5 No, heaven is not clean in His sight. Away then, you who dwell in houses of clay, the same clay of which we ourselves are made. He struck them like a moth, and from morning to evening they are no more. Because they could not help themselves, they perished. 6 He breathed on them and they died, because they had no wisdom. 7 But call out, if perhaps someone will answer you, or if you will see one of the holy angels. For anger kills the foolish man, and envy kills the one who has gone astray. 8 And I have seen fools throwing out roots, but at once their dwelling was consumed. 9 May their sons be far from safety. May they be mocked at the gates of lesser men, and there shall be no one to rescue them. For the righteous shall eat what is prepared for them; but they themselves shall not be rescued from evils.
God Set an Order for Worship
1 Since, then, these things are clear to us, and we have searched into the depths of the Divine knowledge, we ought to do in order everything the Master has commanded us to perform at the appointed times. 2 Now He commanded the offerings and services to be performed with care, and not to be done carelessly or in disorder, but at fixed times and seasons. 3 And where and by whom He wants them performed, He Himself fixed by His supreme will, so that all things, being done with piety according to His good pleasure, might be acceptable to His will. 4 So those who make their offerings at the appointed seasons are acceptable and blessed; for while they follow the laws of the Master they cannot go wrong. 5 For the high priest has been assigned his proper services, and the priests have been appointed their proper place, and the levites are given their proper duties. The layman is bound by the layman’s ordinances.
1 Let each of you, brothers and sisters, in his own order give thanks to God, maintaining a good conscience and not going beyond the appointed rule of his service, but acting with all propriety. 2 The continual daily sacrifices are not offered in every place, brothers and sisters, nor the freewill offerings, nor the sin offerings and the trespass offerings, but in Jerusalem alone. And even there the offering is not made in every place, but before the sanctuary in the court of the altar; and this too through the high priest and the ministers already mentioned, after the animal to be offered has been inspected for blemishes. 3 So those who do anything contrary to the proper ordinance of His will receive death as the penalty. 4 You see, brothers and sisters, the greater the knowledge that has been granted to us, the greater the danger we are exposed to.
The Apostles Appointed Bishops and Deacons
1 The Apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ was sent out from God. 2 So then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. So both came from the will of God in the appointed order. 3 So, having received their orders, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and confirmed in the word of God with the full assurance of the Holy Spirit, they went out with the good news that the kingdom of God was about to come. 4 So preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their firstfruits, when they had tested them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons for those who would believe. 5 And this was nothing new; for indeed it had been written about bishops and deacons from very ancient times; for the scripture says somewhere, “I will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith.”
Moses Settles the Dispute over the Priesthood
1 And is it any wonder that those who were entrusted in Christ with such a work by God appointed the persons already mentioned? For even the blessed Moses who was a faithful servant in all His house recorded as a sign in the sacred books everything that was commanded him. And the rest of the prophets followed him, bearing witness with him to the laws he had laid down. 2 For when jealousy arose over the priesthood, and the tribes were disputing which of them was adorned with the glorious name, he commanded the twelve chiefs of the tribes to bring him rods inscribed with the name of each tribe. And he took them and tied them and sealed them with the signet rings of the chiefs of the tribes, and put them away in the tabernacle of the testimony on the table of God. 3 And having shut the tabernacle he sealed the keys and the doors as well. 4 And he said to them, “Brothers and sisters, the tribe whose rod buds is the one God has chosen to be priests and ministers to Him.” 5 Now when morning came, he called together all Israel, the six hundred thousand men, and showed the seals to the chiefs of the tribes and opened the tabernacle of the testimony and took out the rods. And the rod of Aaron was found not only with buds, but also bearing fruit. 6 What do you think, dear friends? Did Moses not know beforehand that this would happen? Certainly he knew it. But he did this so that disorder would not arise in Israel, and so that the Name of the true and only God might be glorified: to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Apostles Provided for Successors
1 And our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife over the name of the bishop’s office. 2 For this reason, having received complete foreknowledge, they appointed the persons already mentioned, and afterward they made a provision that, if these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed to their ministry. So those who were appointed by them, or afterward by other men of repute with the consent of the whole Church, and have ministered blamelessly to the flock of Christ in humility, peacefully and with all modesty, and for a long time have been well spoken of by all—these men we consider to be unjustly removed from their ministry. 3 For it will be no small sin for us, if we remove those who have offered the gifts of the bishop’s office blamelessly and in holiness. 4 Blessed are those presbyters who have gone before, since their departure was fruitful and ripe; for they have no fear that anyone will remove them from their appointed place. 5 For we see that you have displaced certain persons, though they were living honorably, from the ministry they had honored blamelessly.
Only the Wicked Persecute the Righteous
1 Be contentious, brothers and sisters, and jealous about the things that pertain to salvation. 2 You have searched the scriptures, which are true, which were given through the Holy Spirit. 3 and you know that nothing unrighteous or counterfeit is written in them. You will not find that righteous persons have been driven out by holy men. 4 Righteous men were persecuted, but it was by the lawless; they were imprisoned, but it was by the unholy. They were stoned by transgressors: they were killed by those who had conceived a detestable and unrighteous jealousy. 5 Suffering these things, they endured nobly. 6 For what shall we say, brothers and sisters? Was Daniel thrown into the lions’ den by those who feared God? 7 Or were Ananias and Azarias and Misael shut up in the furnace of fire by those who practiced the excellent and glorious worship of the Most High? Far be this from our thoughts. Who then did these things? Abominable men, full of all wickedness, were stirred up to such a pitch of anger that they brought cruel suffering on those who served God with a holy and blameless purpose, not knowing that the Most High is the champion and protector of those who serve His excellent Name with a pure conscience: to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 8 But those who endured patiently in confidence inherited glory and honor; they were exalted, and had their names recorded by God in their memorial forever and ever. Amen.
Stay Close to the Righteous and End the Division
1 So we too, brothers and sisters, ought to cling to examples such as these. 2 For it is written; “Be loyal to the saints, for those who are loyal to them shall be sanctified.” 3 And again He says in another place; “With the guiltless person you shall be guiltless, and with the elect you shall be elect, and with the crooked you shall deal crookedly.” 4 Let us therefore cling to the guiltless and righteous: and these are the elect of God. 5 Why are there quarrels and outbursts of anger and factions and divisions and war among you? 6 Have we not one God and one Christ and one Spirit of grace that was poured upon us? And is there not one calling in Christ? 7 Why do we tear and rip apart the members of Christ, and stir up factions against our own body, and reach such a pitch of folly that we forget that we are members of one another? 8 Remember the words of Jesus our Lord: for He said, “Woe to that man; it would have been good for him if he had not been born, rather than cause one of My elect to stumble. It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around him and be thrown into the sea than to lead astray one of My elect.” 9 Your division has led many astray; it has brought many to despair, many to doubt, and all of us to sorrow. And your rebellion still continues.
This Division Is Worse Than the One in Paul’s Time
1 Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle. 2 What did he write first to you in the beginning of the Gospel? 3 Truly he instructed you in the Spirit concerning himself and Cephas and Apollos, because even then you had formed factions. 4 Yet that forming of factions brought less sin on you; for you were partisans of highly reputed Apostles, and of a man approved in their sight. 5 But now note who they are that have led you astray and diminished the glory of your renowned love for the brotherhood. 6 It is shameful, dear friends, yes, utterly shameful and unworthy of your conduct in Christ, that it should be reported that the very steadfast and ancient Church of the Corinthians, for the sake of one or two persons, is rebelling against its presbyters. 7 And this report has reached not only us, but those also who differ from us, so that you even heap blasphemies on the Name of the Lord because of your folly, and also create danger for yourselves.
Return to Love for One Another
1 Let us therefore root this out quickly, and let us fall down before the Master and plead with Him with tears, that He may show Himself merciful and be reconciled to us, and may restore us to the proper and pure conduct that belongs to our love of the brothers and sisters. 2 For this is a gate of righteousness that opens into life, as it is written; “Open the gates of righteousness for me, so that I may enter through them and proclaim the Lord.” 3 “This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.” 4 Since, then, many gates are opened, this is the gate that is in righteousness, the one that is in Christ; blessed are all who have entered through it and direct their path in holiness and righteousness, doing all things without confusion. 5 Let a person be faithful, let him be able to explain a deep saying, let him be wise in the discernment of words, let him be energetic in deeds, let him be pure. 6 for the greater he seems to be, the more humble he ought to be; and he ought to seek the common good of all, and not his own.
In Praise of Love
1 Let the one who has love in Christ fulfill the commandments of Christ. 2 Who can declare the bond of the love of God? 3 Who is able to describe the majesty of its beauty? 4 The height to which love lifts us is beyond words. 5 Love joins us to God; love covers a multitude of sins; love endures all things, is patient in all things. There is nothing coarse, nothing arrogant in love. Love has no divisions, love does not rebel, love does all things in harmony. In love all the elect of God were made perfect; without love nothing is pleasing to God. 6 in love the Master took us to Himself; because of the love He had for us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God, and His flesh for our flesh and His life for our lives.
1 You see, dear friends, how great and marvelous a thing love is, and its perfection is beyond description. 2 Who is fit to be found in it, except those to whom God grants it? Let us therefore beg and ask of His mercy that we may be found blameless in love, standing apart from human factions. All the generations from Adam to this day have passed away; but those who by God’s grace were perfected in love live in the dwelling place of the pious; and they shall be revealed at the visitation of the Kingdom of God. 3 For it is written; “Enter the inner room for a very little while, until My anger and My fury pass away, and I will remember a good day and will raise you from your tombs.” 4 Blessed would we be, dear friends, if we were doing the commandments of God in the harmony of love, so that our sins might be forgiven us through love. 5 For it is written; “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall charge no sin, and in whose mouth there is no deceit.” 6 This declaration of blessedness was pronounced upon those who have been chosen by God through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Those Who Caused the Division Should Confess
1 For all our transgressions that we have committed through any of the tricks of the adversary, let us beg that we may obtain forgiveness. And those who set themselves up as leaders of faction and division ought to look to the common ground of hope. 2 For those who live in fear and love would rather suffer themselves than have their neighbors suffer; and they pronounce condemnation on themselves rather than on the harmony that has been handed down to us nobly and righteously. 3 For it is good for a man to confess his trespasses rather than to harden his heart, as the hearts of those who rebelled against Moses the servant of God were hardened; their condemnation was made plain. 4 for they went down to Hades alive, and Death shall be their shepherd. 5 Pharaoh and his army and all the rulers of Egypt, their chariots and their horsemen, were overwhelmed in the depths of the Red Sea and perished for no other reason than that their foolish hearts were hardened after the signs and the wonders had been performed in the land of Egypt by the hand of Moses the servant of God.
1 The Master, brothers and sisters, needs nothing at all. He wants nothing from anyone, except that they confess to Him. 2 For the elect David says; “I will confess to the Lord, and it shall please Him more than a young calf that grows horns and hoofs. Let the poor see it, and rejoice.” 3 And again He says; “Sacrifice to God a sacrifice of praise, and pay your vows to the Most High: and call upon Me in the day of your affliction, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” 4 For a sacrifice to God is a broken spirit.
Moses’ Love for His People
1 For you know, and know well, the sacred scriptures, dear friends, and you have searched into the oracles of God. So we write these things to remind you. 2 When Moses went up into the mountain and had spent forty days and forty nights in fasting and self-humbling, God said to him; “Moses, Moses, come down quickly from here, for My people whom you led out of the land of Egypt have committed iniquity: they have quickly turned aside from the way which you commanded them: they have made cast images for themselves.” 3 And the Lord said to him; “I have spoken to you once and twice, saying, I have seen this people, and look, it is stiff-necked. Let Me destroy them completely, and I will blot out their name from under heaven, and I will make of you a nation great and wonderful and far more numerous than this one.” 4 And Moses said; “No, not so, Lord! Forgive this people their sin, or blot me also out of the book of the living.” 5 What mighty love! What unsurpassable perfection! The servant is bold with his Master; he asks forgiveness for the multitude, or demands that he himself also be blotted out with them.
Leaving for the Sake of Peace
1 Who therefore is noble among you? Who is compassionate? Who is filled with love? 2 Let him say; “If faction and strife and divisions exist because of me, I will withdraw, I will go away, wherever you wish, and I will do what is ordered by the people: only let the flock of Christ be at peace with its duly appointed presbyters.” 3 Whoever does this will win great renown for himself in Christ, and every place will receive him: for the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. 4 This is what those who live as citizens of the kingdom of God, which brings no regrets, have done and will do.
Others Who Sacrificed Themselves for Their People
1 But, to bring forward examples from the Gentiles also: many kings and rulers, when some season of plague pressed upon them, being taught by oracles, have given themselves over to death, so that they might rescue their fellow citizens through their own blood. Many have withdrawn from their own cities, so that there might be no more rebellions. 2 We know that many among ourselves have given themselves up to chains, so that they might ransom others. Many have sold themselves into slavery, and with the price paid for themselves have fed others. 3 Many women, strengthened through the grace of God, have performed many manly deeds. 4 The blessed Judith, when the city was besieged, asked the elders to be allowed to go out into the camp of the foreigners. 5 So she exposed herself to danger and went out for love of her country and of her people who were besieged; and the Lord delivered Holophernes into the hand of a woman. 6 Esther also, who was perfect in faith, exposed herself to no less danger, so that she might rescue the twelve tribes of Israel when they were about to perish. For through her fasting and her self-humbling she pleaded with the all-seeing Master, the God of the ages; and He, seeing the humility of her soul, rescued the people for whose sake she faced the danger.
Accepting Correction
1 Therefore let us also intercede for those who are in any transgression, that forbearance and humility may be given them, so that they may yield not to us, but to the will of God. For in this way the compassionate remembrance of them before God and the saints will be fruitful for them, and perfect. 2 Let us accept discipline, which no one should resent, dear friends. The correction we give one another is good and extremely useful; for it joins us to the will of God. 3 For thus says the holy word; “The Lord has indeed disciplined me, and has not handed me over to death.” 4 “For the Lord corrects the one He loves, and disciplines every son He receives.” 5 For the righteous, it is said, shall discipline me in mercy and shall correct me, but let the mercy of sinners not anoint my head. 6 And again He says; “Blessed is the man whom the Lord has corrected, and do not refuse the warning of the Almighty. For He causes pain, and He restores.” 7 “He has struck, and His hands have healed.” 8 “Six times He shall rescue you from afflictions and at the seventh no evil shall touch you.” 9 “In famine He shall deliver you from death, and in war He shall release you from the arm of the sword.” 10 “And He shall hide you from cruel words, and you shall not be afraid when evils approach.” 11 “You shall laugh at the unrighteous and wicked, and you shall not be afraid of the wild beasts.” 12 “For wild beasts shall be at peace with you.” 13 “Then you shall know that your house shall be at peace: and the dwelling of your tent shall not fail.” 14 “and you shall know that your descendants are many, and your children like the abundant grass of the field.” 15 “And you shall come to the grave as ripe grain reaped in due season, or as the heap of the threshing floor gathered together at the right time.” 16 You see, dear friends, how great a protection there is for those who are disciplined by the Master: for, being a kind father, He disciplines us so that we may obtain mercy through His holy discipline.
The Leaders of the Rebellion Must Submit
1 So you who laid the foundation of the rebellion, submit to the presbyters and accept discipline leading to repentance, bending the knees of your heart. 2 Learn to submit, laying aside the arrogant and proud stubbornness of your tongue. For it is better for you to be found small in the flock of Christ and to have your name on God’s roll than to be held in very high honor and yet be cast out from the hope of Him. 3 For thus says the All virtuous Wisdom; “Look, I will pour out for you a saying of My breath, and I will teach you My word.” 4 “Because I called and you did not obey, and I held out words and you paid no attention, but made My advice of no effect and disobeyed My correction; therefore I also will laugh at your destruction, and will rejoice over you when ruin comes upon you, and when confusion overtakes you suddenly, and your overthrow is at hand like a whirlwind.” 5 “or when you call on Me, I will not hear you. Evil men shall seek Me and not find Me: for they hated wisdom and did not choose the fear of the Lord, nor would they pay attention to My advice, but mocked My correction.” 6 “Therefore they shall eat the fruits of their own way, and shall be filled with their own ungodliness.” 7 “For because they wronged infants, they shall be killed, and an inquiry shall destroy the ungodly. But the one who hears Me shall dwell safely, trusting in hope, and shall be at rest from all fear of all evil.”
1 Let us therefore be obedient to His most holy and glorious Name, and so escape the threats that were spoken long ago by the mouth of Wisdom against those who disobey, so that we may dwell safely, trusting in the most holy Name of His majesty. 2 Accept our advice, and you will have no cause for regret. For as God lives, and the Lord Jesus Christ lives, and the Holy Spirit—who are the faith and the hope of the elect—so surely will the one who, in humility and with earnest gentleness, has without regret carried out the ordinances and commandments given by God be enrolled and have a name among the number of those who are saved through Jesus Christ, through whom is the glory to Him forever and ever. Amen.
1 But if certain persons should be disobedient to the words spoken by Him through us, let them understand that they will entangle themselves in no slight transgression and danger. 2 but we shall be guiltless of this sin. And we will ask, with earnestness of prayer and supplication, that the Creator of the universe may guard intact to the end the number that has been numbered of His elect throughout the whole world, through His beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom He called us from darkness to light, from ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His Name.
A Closing Prayer
3 “Grant to us, Lord, that we may set our hope on Your Name which is the primal source of all creation, and open the eyes of our hearts so that we may know You, who alone abide Highest in the lofty, Holy in the holy; who lay low the insolence of the proud, who set the lowly on high, and bring the lofty low; who make rich and make poor; who kill and make alive; who alone are the Benefactor of spirits and the God of all flesh; who look into the abysses, who observe the works of man; the Helper of those who are in danger, the Savior of those who are in despair; the Creator and Overseer of every spirit; who multiply the nations on earth, and have chosen out from all men those who love You through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom You instructed us, sanctified us, honored us.” 4 “We beg You, Lord and Master, to be our help and support. Save those among us who are in tribulation; have mercy on the lowly; lift up the fallen; show Yourself to the needy; heal the ungodly; convert the wanderers of Your people; feed the hungry; release our prisoners; raise up the weak; encourage the fainthearted. Let all the Gentiles know that You are God alone, and Jesus Christ is Your Son, and we are Your people and the sheep of Your pasture.”
1 “You made the everlasting structure of the world visible through Your works. You, Lord, created the earth. You who are faithful throughout all generations, righteous in Your judgments, marvelous in strength and excellence, You who are wise in creating and prudent in establishing what You have made, who are good in the things that are seen and faithful to those who trust in You, merciful and compassionate, forgive us our iniquities and our unrighteous acts and our transgressions and shortcomings.” 2 “Do not count against us every sin of Your servants and Your maidservants, but cleanse us with the cleansing of Your truth, and guide our steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and sincerity of heart, and to do what is good and pleasing in Your sight and in the sight of our rulers.” 3 “Yes, Lord, make Your face shine upon us in peace for our good, so that we may be sheltered by Your mighty hand and delivered from every sin by Your uplifted arm. And deliver us from those who hate us unjustly.” 4 “Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth, as You gave to our fathers when they called on You in faith and truth with holiness, so that we may be saved while we obey Your almighty and most excellent Name, and our rulers and governors on the earth.”
1 “You, Lord and Master, have given them the power of sovereignty through Your excellent and indescribable might, so that we, knowing the glory and honor You have given them, may submit to them, not resisting Your will in anything. Grant them therefore, Lord, health, peace, harmony, stability, so that they may administer without fault the government You have given them.” 2 “For You, heavenly Master, King of the ages, give to the sons of men glory and honor and power over all things on the earth. Lord, direct their counsel according to what is good and pleasing in Your sight, so that, administering in peace and gentleness with Godliness the power You have given them, they may obtain Your favor.” 3 “You who alone are able to do these things, and things far better than these, for us, we praise You through the High priest and Guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom be the glory and the majesty to You both now and for all generations and forever and ever. Amen.”
Summary of the Letter
1 We have written fully to you, brothers and sisters, about the things that befit our religion and are most useful for a virtuous life to those who want to guide their steps in holiness and righteousness. 2 For we have touched on every point concerning faith and repentance and genuine love and self-control and sobriety and patience, reminding you that you ought to please Almighty God in righteousness and truth and forbearance with holiness, laying aside malice and pursuing harmony in love and peace, with earnest gentleness; just as our fathers, of whom we spoke before, pleased Him, being humble toward their Father and God and Creator and toward all men. 3 And we have reminded you of these things all the more gladly, since we knew well that we were writing to men who are faithful and highly regarded and have diligently searched into the oracles of the teaching of God.
1 Therefore it is right for us to pay attention to so many great examples, and to bow the neck and, taking the place of obedience, to side with those who are the leaders of our souls, so that, ceasing from this foolish dissension, we may reach the goal that lies before us in truthfulness, keeping clear of every fault. 2 For you will give us great joy and gladness if you obey the things written by us through the Holy Spirit, and root out the unrighteous anger of your jealousy, in keeping with the plea we have made for peace and harmony in this letter. 3 And we have also sent faithful and prudent men who have lived among us blamelessly from youth to old age, who will also be witnesses between you and us. 4 And we have done this so that you may know that our whole concern has been, and still is, that you should quickly be at peace.
A Blessing
1 Finally may the All-seeing God and Master of spirits and Lord of all flesh, who chose the Lord Jesus Christ, and us through Him to be His own people, grant to every soul that is called after His excellent and holy Name faith, fear, peace, patience, forbearance, self-control, purity and sobriety, so that they may be pleasing to His Name through our High priest and Guardian Jesus Christ, through whom to Him be glory and majesty, might and honor, both now and forever and ever. Amen.
Send Our Messengers Back with News of Peace
1 Now send our messengers Claudius Ephebus and Valerius Bito, together with Fortunatus also, back to us quickly, in peace and with joy, so that they may report all the sooner the peace and harmony that we pray for and earnestly desire, and so that we also may rejoice all the sooner over your good order. 2 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with all men in all places who have been called by God and through Him, through whom be glory and honor, power and greatness and eternal dominion, to Him, from the ages past and forever and ever. Amen.