But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. {labour: or, endeavour}

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

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

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. {dishonesty: Gr. shame}

Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

In whom ye also {trusted}, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. {giveth life: or, quickeneth}

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. {unbelief: or, disobedience}

For he that in these things serveth Christ {is} acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all {men}. {exhort: or, beseech} {unruly: or, disorderly}

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe {which is} instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man {that is} an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure {things} new and old.

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, {even} as unto babes in Christ.

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom {his} lord shall make ruler over his household, to give {them their} portion of meat in due season?

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' {household}. {household: or, friends}

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear {it}.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; {In: or, For}

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, {what} clearing of yourselves, yea, {what} indignation, yea, {what} fear, yea, {what} vehement desire, yea, {what} zeal, yea, {what} revenge! In all {things} ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

In whom ye also {trusted}, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, {even} of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.