L Light

God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.

God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." There was evening and there was morning, one day.

God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years;

and let them be for lights in the expanse of sky to give light on the earth;" and it was so.

God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.

God set them in the expanse of sky to give light to the earth,

God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work which he had created and made.

They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

He said, "Blessed are you by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich.

Stay this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part. But if he will not do the part of a kinsman for you, then will I do the part of a kinsman for you, as Yahweh lives. Lie down until the morning."

It happened the same night, that the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying,

I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.

You established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God.

Let your name be magnified forever, saying, 'Yahweh of Armies is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you.'

For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.

"Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly: Yahweh will hear when I call to him.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh.

In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.

You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever.

Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.

You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.

Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,

Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple.

Yahweh's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh's commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust the name of Yahweh our God.

Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him: my Savior, my helper, and my God.

How great are your works, Yahweh! Your thoughts are very deep.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.

In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.

They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice.

Yahweh remembers us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless those who fear Yahweh, both small and great.

The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh; but the earth has he given to the children of men.

Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me.

If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!

Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.

I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.

Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.

to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man:

that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

A wise son listens to his father's instruction, but a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.

Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.

Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.

The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen.

But the noble devises noble things; and he will continue in noble things.

and he said to me, "You are my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

yes, he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth."

Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; and break forth into singing, mountains: for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Lift up your eyes all around, and see: all these gather themselves together, and come to you. As I live," says Yahweh, "you shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament, and dress yourself with them, like a bride.

Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon;

that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Then was the secret revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding;

but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these:

as for you, O king, your thoughts came [into your mind] on your bed, what should happen hereafter; and he who reveals secrets has made known to you what shall happen.

This is the dream; and we will tell its interpretation before the king.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort.

It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me.

How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the sky.

Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him;

At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed: for Yahweh dwells in Zion."

They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks blamelessly.

and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of Armies.

The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says Yahweh of Armies; 'and in this place will I give peace,' says Yahweh of Armies."

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.

Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.

Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

He summoned them, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?

Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers!

For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

Jesus summoned them, saying, "Allow the little children to come to me, and don't hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."

Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you."

I didn't know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel."

Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the Earth belongs to the Earth, and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.

One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. From where then have you that living water?

But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers.

The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah comes," (he who is called Christ). "When he has come, he will declare to us all things."

Don't you say, 'There are yet four months until the harvest?' Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.

From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, "He told me everything that I did."

This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.

He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

I don't receive glory from men.

But he said to them, "It is I. Don't be afraid."

But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don't believe.

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Jesus answered them, "Didn't I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?"

Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!

I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.

and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means "Sent"). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.

He answered, "A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.' So I went away and washed, and I received sight."

Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see."

The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,

He therefore answered, "I don't know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see."

We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.

If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of God?"

Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, that those who don't see may see; and that those who see may become blind."

Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.

Jesus answered, "Aren't there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn't stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see God's glory?"

His disciples didn't understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him.

Jesus therefore said to them, "Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn't overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn't know where he is going.

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light." Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.

Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?

You call me, 'Teacher' and 'Lord.' You say so correctly, for so I am.

For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me."

After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."

Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you can't come,' so now I tell you.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.

I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.

But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they don't know him who sent me.

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

He who hates me, hates my Father also.

If I hadn't done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn't have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father.

You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

His disciples said to him, "Behold, now you speak plainly, and speak no figures of speech.

Now we know that you know all things, and don't need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came forth from God."

Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?

Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, "Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none."

that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.

Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS."

He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.

Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him, "Rabboni!" which is to say, "Teacher!"

Jesus said to her, "Don't hold me, for I haven't yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Lord?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.

Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.

He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,

This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.

While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men seek you.

But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say."

He said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn't call any man unholy or unclean.

Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.

Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."

Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism;

but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all--

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.

They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.

Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.

And he went out and followed him. He didn't know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.

For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 'I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'"

He called for lights and sprang in, and, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,

There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together.

When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.

testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.

When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.

"Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn't understand the voice of him who spoke to me.

came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' In that very hour I looked up at him.

having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,

at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.

But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you;

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

"Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles."

For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve,

From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.

When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

"Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen."

preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;" that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."

But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.

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

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.

For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit;

But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not "Yes and no."

For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us.

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God;

who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

won't service of the Spirit be with much more glory?

For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

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

in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;

So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

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

It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.

But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;

each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,

so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything.

but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;

to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled;

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.

To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation--which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard;

You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.

For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

Again, "I will put my trust in him." Again, "Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me."

That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life

For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ.

But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They said to you that "In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts."

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.

John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;

I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands.

And among the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.

the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.

"To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: "The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things:

"I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first.