Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what {is} that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things {are} honest, whatsoever things {are} just, whatsoever things {are} pure, whatsoever things {are} lovely, whatsoever things {are} of good report; if {there be} any virtue, and if {there be} any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}

{Let} love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know {them}, because they are spiritually discerned.

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; {approve: or, try} {are...: or, differ}

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, {it is} because {there is} no light in them. {no...: Heb. no morning}

Confirming the souls of the disciples, {and} exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, {then} are ye my disciples indeed;

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

But that which ye have {already} hold fast till I come.

And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that {was} in their possession, in the midst of all Israel: {substance...: or, living substance which followed them} {was...: Heb. was at their feet}

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Let us hold fast the profession of {our} faith without wavering; (for he {is} faithful that promised;)

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

Buy the truth, and sell {it} not; {also} wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Bind them continually upon thine heart, {and} tie them about thy neck.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

{It was} but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Take fast hold of instruction; let {her} not go: keep her; for she {is} thy life.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things {are} honest, whatsoever things {are} just, whatsoever things {are} pure, whatsoever things {are} lovely, whatsoever things {are} of good report; if {there be} any virtue, and if {there be} any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, {even} those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {of full age: or, perfect} {use: or, an habit, or, perfection}

{Let} love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. {judgeth: or, discerneth} {judged: or, discerned}

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; {approve: or, try} {are...: or, differ}

But that which ye have {already} hold fast till I come.

Take fast hold of instruction; let {her} not go: keep her; for she {is} thy life.

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what {is} good.

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. {as...: or, in teaching}

And knowest {his} will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; {approvest...: or, triest the things that differ}

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, {even} where Satan's seat {is}: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas {was} my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry {it} again in your hand; peradventure it {was} an oversight:

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Why {then} is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.