Hebrews 12

1 Furthermore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses over us, let us set aside every burden and sin which may surround us, and advance, through patience, to the struggle offered to us.

2 Let us gaze upon Jesus, as the Author and the completion of our faith, who, having joy laid out before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and who now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 So then, meditate upon him who endured such adversity from sinners against himself, so that you may not become weary, failing in your souls.

4 For you have not yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to you like sons, saying: “My son, do not be willing to neglect the discipline of the Lord. Neither should you become weary, while being rebuked by him.”

6 For whomever the Lord loves, he chastises. And every son whom he accepts, he scourges.

7 Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct?

8 But if you are without that discipline in which all have become sharers, then you are of adultery, and you are not sons.

9 Then, too, we have certainly had the fathers of our flesh as instructors, and we reverenced them. Should we not obey the Father of spirits all the more, and so live?

10 And indeed, for a few days and according to their own wishes, they instructed us. But he does so to our benefit, so that we may receive his sanctification.

11 Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it.

12 Because of this, lift up your lazy hands and your lax knees,

13 and straighten the path of your feet, so that no one, being lame, may wander astray, but instead may be healed.

14 Pursue peace with everyone. Pursue sanctity, without which no one shall see God.

15 Be contemplative, lest anyone lack the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up and impede you, and by it, many might be defiled,

16 lest any fornicator or worldly person be like Esau, who, for the sake of one meal, sold his birthright.

17 For you know that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the benediction, he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance, even though he had sought it with tears.

18 But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm,

19 or the sound of a trumpet, or a voice of words. Those who had experienced these things excused themselves, lest the Word be spoken to them.

20 For they could not bear what was said, and so, if even a beast would have touched the mountain, it would have been stoned.

21 And what was seen was so terrible that even Moses said: “I am terrified, and so, I tremble.”

22 But you have drawn near to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels,

23 and to the Church of the first-born, those who have been inscribed in the heavens, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,

24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, and to a sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

25 Be careful not to reject the One who is speaking. For if those who rejected him who was speaking upon the earth were not able to escape, so much more we who might turn away from the One who is speaking to us from heaven.

26 Then, his voice moved the earth. But now, he makes a promise, saying: “There is still one more time, and then I will move, not only the earth, but also heaven itself.”

27 And so, in saying, “There is still one more time,” he declares the transfer of the moveable things of creation, so that those things which are immoveable may remain.

28 Thus, in receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace. So, through grace, let us be of service, by pleasing God with fear and reverence.

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13

1 May fraternal charity remain in you.

2 And do not be willing to forget hospitality. For by it, certain persons, without realizing it, have received Angels as guests.

3 Remember those who are prisoners, just as if you were imprisoned with them, and those who endure hardships, just as if you were in their place.

4 May marriage be honorable in every way, and may the marriage bed be immaculate. For God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

5 Let your behavior be without avarice; be content with what you are offered. For he himself has said, “I will not abandon you, and I will not neglect you.”

6 So then, we may confidently say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me.”

7 Remember your leaders, who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose faith you imitate, by observing the goal of their way of life:

8 Jesus Christ, yesterday and today; Jesus Christ forever.

9 Do not be led away by changing or strange doctrines. And it is best for the heart to be sustained by grace, not by foods. For the latter have not been as useful to those who walked by them.

10 We have an altar: those who serve in the tabernacle have no authority to eat from it.

11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is carried into the Holy of holies by the high priest, on behalf of sin, are burned outside the camp.

12 Because of this, Jesus, too, in order to sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 And so, let us go forth to him, outside the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For in this place, we have no everlasting city; instead, we seek one in the future.

15 Therefore, through him, let us offer the sacrifice of continual praise to God, which is the fruit of lips confessing his name.

16 But do not be willing to forget good works and fellowship. For God is deserving of such sacrifices.

17 Obey your leaders and be subject to them. For they watch over you, as if to render an account of your souls. So then, may they do this with joy, and not with grief. Otherwise, it would not be as helpful to you.

18 Pray for us. For we trust that we have a good conscience, being willing to conduct ourselves well in all things.

19 And I beg you, all the more, to do this, so that I may be quickly returned to you.

20 Then may the God of peace, who led back from the dead that great Pastor of sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the blood of the eternal testament,

21 equip you with all goodness, so that you may do his will. May he accomplish in you whatever is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I beg you, brothers, that you may permit this word of consolation, especially since I have written to you with few words.

23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he arrives soon, then I will see you with him.

24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. The brothers from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow laborer,

2 and to Apphia, most beloved sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in your house.

3 Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my God, always keeping remembrance of you in my prayers,

5 (for I am hearing of your charity and faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus and with all the saints)

6 so that the participation of your faith may become evident by the recognition of every good work which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For I have found great joy and consolation in your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8 Because of this, I have enough confidence in Christ Jesus to command you concerning certain things,

9 but I beg you instead, for the sake of charity, since you are so much like Paul: an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus.

11 In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you.

12 So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart.

13 I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel.

14 But I was willing to do nothing without your counsel, so as not to make use of your good deed as if out of necessity, but only willingly.

15 So perhaps, then, he departed from you for a time, so that you might receive him again for eternity,

16 no longer as a servant, but, in place of a servant, a most beloved brother, especially to me: but how much so more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord!

17 Therefore, if you hold me to be a companion, receive him as you would me.

18 But if he has harmed you in any way, or if he is in your debt, charge it to me.

19 I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay. And I need not tell you, that you are also in debt yourself, to me.

20 So it is, brother. May I delight with you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.

21 I have written to you, trusting in your obedience, knowing, too, that you will do even more than what I say.

22 But also, at once, prepare a lodging for me. For I am hoping, through your prayers, to present myself to you.

23 Greet Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus,

24 and Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my helpers.

25 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, in accord with the faith of God’s elect and in acknowledgment of the truth which is accompanied by piety,

2 in the hope of the eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before the ages of time,

3 which, at the proper time, he has manifested by his Word, in the preaching that has been entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior;

4 to Titus, beloved son according to the common faith. Grace and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 For this reason, I left you behind in Crete: so that those things which are lacking, you would correct, and so that you would ordain, throughout the communities, priests, (just as I also ordained you)

6 if such a man is without offense, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of self-indulgence, nor of insubordination.

7 And a bishop, as a steward of God, must be without offense: not arrogant, not short-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not desiring tainted profit,

8 but instead: hospitable, kind, sober, just, holy, chaste,

9 embracing faithful speech which is in agreement with doctrine, so that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to argue against those who contradict.

10 For there are, indeed, many who are disobedient, who speak empty words, and who deceive, especially those who are of the circumcision.

11 These must be reproved, for they subvert entire houses, teaching things which should not be taught, for the favor of shameful gain.

12 A certain one of these, a prophet of their own kind, said: “The Cretans are ever liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

13 This testimony is true. Because of this, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith,

14 not paying attention to Jewish fables, nor to the rules of men who have turned themselves away from the truth.

15 All things are clean to those who are clean. But to those who are defiled, and to unbelievers, nothing is clean; for both their mind and their conscience have been polluted.

16 They claim that they know God. But, by their own works, they deny him, since they are abominable, and unbelieving, and reprobate, toward every good work.

Titus 2

1 But you are to speak the things that befit sound doctrine.

2 Old men should be sober, chaste, prudent, sound in faith, in love, in patience.

3 Old women, similarly, should be in holy attire, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teaching well,

4 so that they may teach prudence to the young women, so that they may love their husbands, love their children,

5 be sensible, chaste, restrained, have concern for the household, be kind, be subordinate to their husbands: so that the Word of God may be not blasphemed.

6 Exhort young men similarly, so that they may show self-restraint.

7 In all things, present yourself as an example of good works: in doctrine, with integrity, with seriousness,

8 with sound words, irreproachably, so that he who is an opponent may dread that he has nothing evil to say about us.

9 Exhort servants to be submissive to their masters, in all things pleasing, not contradicting,

10 not cheating, but in all things showing good fidelity, so that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

11 For the grace of God our Savior has appeared to all men,

12 instructing us to reject impiety and worldly desires, so that we may live soberly and justly and piously in this age,

13 looking forward to the blessed hope and the advent of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ.

14 He gave himself for our sake, so that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse for himself an acceptable people, pursuers of good works.

15 Speak and exhort and argue these things with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Titus 3

1 Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work,

2 to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men.

3 For, in times past, we ourselves were also unwise, unbelieving, erring, servants of various desires and pleasures, acting with malice and envy, being hateful and hating one another.

4 But then the kindness and humanity of God our Savior appeared.

5 And he saved us, not by works of justice that we had done, but, in accord with his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and by the renovation of the Holy Spirit,

6 whom he has poured out upon us in abundance, through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying. And I want you to confirm these things, so that those who believe in God may take care to excel in good works. These things are good and useful to men.

9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, as well as arguments against the law. For these are useless and empty.

10 Avoid a man who is a heretic, after the first and second correction,

11 knowing that one who is like this has been subverted, and that he offends; for he has been condemned by his own judgment.

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to return to me at Nicopolis. For I have decided to winter there.

13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollo ahead with care, and let nothing be lacking to them.

14 But let our men also learn to excel in good works pertaining to the necessities of life, so that they may not be unfruitful.

15 All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. May the grace of God be with you all. Amen.

2 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, in accord with the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 to Timothy, most beloved son. Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I give thanks to God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. For without ceasing I hold the remembrance of you in my prayers, night and day,

4 desiring to see you, recalling your tears so as to be filled with joy,

5 calling to mind the same faith, which is in you unfeigned, which also first dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and in your mother, Eunice, and also, I am certain, in you.

6 Because of this, I admonish you to revive the grace of God, which is in you by the imposition of my hands.

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of virtue, and of love, and of self-restraint.

8 And so, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner. Instead, collaborate with the Gospel in accord with the virtue of God,

9 who has freed us and has called us to his holy vocation, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the ages of time.

10 And this has now been made manifest by the illumination of our Savior Jesus Christ, who certainly has destroyed death, and who has also illuminated life and incorruption through the Gospel.

11 Of this Gospel, I have been appointed a preacher, and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For this reason, I also suffer these things. But I am not confounded. For I know in whom I have believed, and I am certain that he has the power to preserve what was entrusted to me, unto that day.

13 Hold to the kind of sound words that you have heard from me in the faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 Guard the good entrusted to you through the Holy Spirit, who lives within us.

15 Know this: that all those who are in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phigellus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord have mercy on the house of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me, and he has not been ashamed of my chains.

17 Instead, when he had arrived in Rome, he anxiously sought me and found me.

18 May the Lord grant to him to obtain mercy from the Lord in that day. And you know well in how many ways he has ministered to me at Ephesus.

2 Timothy 2

1 And as for you, my son, be strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesus,

2 and by the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses. These things encourage faithful men, who shall then be suitable to teach others also.

3 Labor like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No man, acting as a soldier for God, entangles himself in worldly matters, so that he may be pleasing to him for whom he has proven himself.

5 Then, too, whoever strives in a competition is not crowned, unless he has competed lawfully.

6 The farmer who labors ought to be the first to share in the produce.

7 Understand what I am saying. For the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

8 Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel.

9 I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound.

10 I endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him.

12 If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself.

14 Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners.

15 Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly.

16 But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety.

17 And their word spreads like a cancer: among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 who have fallen away from the truth by saying that the resurrection is already complete. And so they have subverted the faith of certain persons.

19 But the firm foundation of God remains standing, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are his own, and all who know the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.

20 But, in a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also those of wood and of clay; and certainly some are held in honor, but others in dishonor.

21 If anyone, then, will have cleansed himself from these things, he shall be a vessel held in honor, sanctified and useful to the Lord, prepared for every good work.

22 So then, flee from the desires of your youth, yet truly, pursue justice, faith, hope, charity, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.

23 But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife.

24 For the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patient,

25 correcting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truth,

26 and then they may recover from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will.

2 Timothy 3

1 And know this: that in the last days perilous times will press near.

2 Men will be lovers of themselves, greedy, self-exalting, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked,

3 without affection, without peace, false accusers, unchaste, cruel, without kindness,

4 traitorous, reckless, self-important, loving pleasure more than God,

5 even having the appearance of piety while rejecting its virtue. And so, avoid them.

6 For among these are ones who penetrate houses and lead away, like captives, foolish women burdened with sins, who are led away by means of various desires,

7 always learning, yet never achieving knowledge of the truth.

8 And in the same manner that Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so also will these resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobates from the faith.

9 But they will not advance beyond a certain point. For the folly of the latter shall be made manifest to all, just as that of the former.

10 But you have fully comprehended my doctrine, instruction, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,

11 persecutions, afflictions; such things as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; how I endured persecutions, and how the Lord rescued me from everything.

12 And all those who willingly live the piety in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and deceivers will advance in evil, erring and sending into error.

14 Yet truly, you should remain in those things which you have learned and which have been entrusted to you. For you know from whom you have learned them.

15 And, from your infancy, you have known the Sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you toward salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture, having been divinely inspired, is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in justice,

17 so that the man of God may be perfect, having been trained for every good work.

2 Timothy 4

1 I testify before God, and before Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead through his return and his kingdom:

2 that you should preach the word urgently, in season and out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke, with all patience and doctrine.

3 For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, according to their own desires, they will gather to themselves teachers, with itching ears,

4 and certainly, they will turn their hearing away from the truth, and they will be turned toward fables.

5 But as for you, truly, be vigilant, laboring in all things. Do the work of an Evangelist, fulfilling your ministry. Show self-restraint.

6 For I am already being worn away, and the time of my dissolution presses close.

7 I have fought the good fight. I have completed the course. I have preserved the faith.

8 As for the remainder, a crown of justice has been reserved for me, one which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to those who look forward to his return. Hurry to return to me soon.

9 For Demas has abandoned me, out of love for this age, and he has departed for Thessalonica.

10 Crescens has gone to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for he is useful to me in the ministry.

12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 When you return, bring with you the supplies that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith has shown me much evil; the Lord will repay him according to his works.

15 And you should also avoid him; for he has strongly resisted our words.

16 At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them!

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching would be accomplished, and so that all the Gentiles would hear. And I was freed from the mouth of the lion.

18 The Lord has freed me from every evil work, and he will accomplish salvation by his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca, and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.

21 Hurry to arrive before winter. Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers greet you.

22 May the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. May grace be with you. Amen.