The Epistle of PAUL to PHILEMON. 4 He rejoiceth to hear of the faith and love of A. D. 64. Philemon: 9 whom he desireth to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again. PAUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, a 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all saints; 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 8 Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient. 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son & Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11 Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels: 1 Thes.1.2. 2 Thes. 1. 3. › Col. 4. 9. 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord ?. 17 If thou accountest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on my account; 19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you. 23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. e A. D. 64. Ps. 2. 7. Acts 13. 33. c. 5. 5. © 2 Sam.7.14. 1 Chr.22.10. Ps. 89.26,27. d Ps. 97. 7. Ps. 104. 4. Ps. 45. 6, 7. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his min-2 Gr. right isters a flame of fire. 8 But to the Son, he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of 2 righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. ness, or, rectitude. Ps. 102. 25, &c. A Ps. 110. 1. 1 Matt. 22.44. Gr. run out as leak ing ves. sels. 2 or, dis 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands. tributions. 11 They shall perish; but thou re-a Ps. 8. 4,&c. mainest: and they all shall become old 3 or, a little as doth a garment; while inferior to. 12 And as a vesture wilt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall inherit salvation? CHAP. II. 1 We ought to be obedient to Christ Jesus, 5 and that because he vouchsafed to take our nature upon him, 14 as it was necessary. HEREFORE we ought to give the which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; b 1 Cor. 15. 27. or, by. < Ps. 22. 22. d Ps. 18. 2. Isa. 8. 18. 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was 5 Gr. he confirmed to us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them testimony, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and 2 gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? 5 For to the angels he hath not put in subjection the world to come, concerning which we speak. 8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not made subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels 4 for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise to thee. e 13 And again, d I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, 1, and the children which God hath given me. 14 Since then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them, who, through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage. 16 For verily 5 he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like his brethren; that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. CHAP. III. 1 Christ is more worthy than Moses; 7 therefore if we believe not in him, we shall be more worthy of punishment than hard-hearted Israel. WHEREFORE, holy brethren, par takers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that 1 aptaketh not pointed him, as also a Moses was faithhold of an-ful in all his house. gels, but of the seed ham he taof Abra keth hold. 1 Gr. made. 6 But one in a certain place testified, 1 Sam. 12.6. saying, • What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him 3 a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: a Num. 12.7. 3 For this man was counted worthy he who hath built the house, hath more of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterwards to be spoken. 6 But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers 2 tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I swore in my wrath, shall not enter into my rest.) They 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end; 15 While it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: yet, not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. CHAP. IV. 1 The rest of Christians is obtained by faith. 12 The power of God's word. 14 By our or, because they were not united by faith to. a Ps. 95. 11. b Gen. 2. 2. 6 or, sab. High Priest Jesus the Son of God, subject to 7 or, diso- ET us therefore fear, lest a promise rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. bedience. 1 or, can reasonbily 2 For to us 1 was the gospel preached, as well as to them: but 2 the word which they heard did not profit them, 3 not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter 2 Chr. 26. into rest, as he said, " As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the the foundation of the world. a 18. 4 For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God & Ps. 2. 7. rested the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, if they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter into it, and they to whom 4 it was first preached entered not because of unbelief: 7 (Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time; as it is said, To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if 5 Jesus had given them rest, then he would not afterward have spoken of another day. c. 1. 5. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that hath entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.) 11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of 7 unbelief. 12 For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but who was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. CHAP. V. 1 The authority and honor of our Savior's priesthood. 11 Negligence in the knowledge of it is reproved. FOR OR every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who I can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason of this he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to of fer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as was Aaron: 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said to him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard, 2 in that he feared; 8 Though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became Ps. 110. 4. the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him; d 1 Cor. 3. 2. 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor 13 For every one that useth milk, 3 is unskillful in the word of righteousness: 3 Gr. hath no of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and for he is a babe. 14 But strong food belongeth to them that are 4 of full age, even those who by reason 5 of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. CHAP. VI. 1 He exhorteth, not to fall back from the faith, 11 but to be steadfast, 12 diligent and patient to wait upon God, 13 because God is most sure in his promise. experience. 4 or, perfect. 5 or, of an habit, or, perfection. 1 or, the word the which entereth into that within the vail; 20 Whither the forerunner hath for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec. CHAP. VII. 1 Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedec, 11 and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order, THEREFORE leaving 1 the princi- beginning FOR this Melchizedec, king of Sa of Christ. a c. 10. 26. ples of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, and of 2 or, for. laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judg Gen. 22.16. 17. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs fit for them 2 by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and 18, &c. briers is rejected, and is nigh to cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. a Gen. 14. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which 1 Gr. without ye have shown towards his name, in that pedigree. ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire every one of you to show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Num. 18. 21. lem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, 1 without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they come from the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose 2 descent is not counted from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed by the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes ; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is testified that he liveth. 9 And as I may say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang from Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. C A. D. 64. the mediator of a better 3 covenant, which was established upon better promises. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest Ps. 110. 4. for ever after the order of Melchizedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling 3 or, but it of the preceding commandment on account of its weakness and unprofitable ness. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, 3 but the introduction of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh to God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made 4 without an oath; but this with an oath, by him that said to him, d The Lord swore, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec :) 22 By so much was Jesus made a 5 surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them 7 to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; was the bringing in. 4 or, without swearing of an oath. d Ps. 110. 4. 5 or, a mediator. 6 or, which passeth not from one to another. 16. 6. faultless, then would no place have been sought for the second. 7 For if that first covenant had been 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will 4 put my laws into their mind, and write them sin their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 7 or, for ever. 11 And they shall not teach every man Lev. 9. 7. & his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 8 Gr. perfected. or, of holy things. 1 By the eternal priesthood of Christ, the Levitical priesthood of Aaron is abolished; 7 ment. b Jer. 31. 31, 32, 33, 34. 4 Gr. give. 5 or, upon. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and groweth old is ready to vanish away. Taisolvedinances of divine service, HEN verily the first covenant had and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; a the first, in which was the candlestick, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called 2 the sanctuary. 3 And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and and the temporal covenant with the fathers, 1 or, ceremo- the ark of the covenant overlaid around by the eternal covenant of the gospel. NOW nies. [OW of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have a Ex. 40. such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister 1 of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man should have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, seeing 2 there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: with gold, in which was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and a the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God: 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not with out blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both that thou make all things according to Ex. 30. 10. gifts and sacrifices, that could not make the pattern shown to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more ex cellent ministry, by how much also he is Lev. 16. 2. him that did the service perfect, as per taining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and |