will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the 1 Holy Ghost. 1Or, Holy Spirit 2 Or, sects of perdition 3 Or, cast them into dungeons 4 Gr. Tartarus. 5 Some ancient ties read authori chains. 6 Gr. a herald. 7 Gr. tormented. 8 Gr. glories. natural. 2 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in 2 destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift de2 struction. And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken 3 of. And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruc4 tion slumbereth not. For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but 3 cast them down to hell, and committed them to 5pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement; 9 Gr. 5 and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, 6a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the 6 ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live 7 ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wick-13 Gr. 8 ed (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, 7 vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds): 9 the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto 10 the day of judgement; but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, selfwilled, they trem 10 Or, to toke and to destroy 11 Or, corruption 12 Many ancient an adulteress. 14 Many ancient authori ties read Bosor. 15 Or, what 16 Many authori ancient ties read our. ble not to rail at 8 dignities: whereas angels, though greater 11 in might and power, bring not a railing judgement against them before the Lord. But 12 these, as creatures without reason, born 9 mere animals 10 to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their 11 destroying surely be destroyed, suffering wrong as the hire 13 of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their 12 lovefeasts while they feast with you; having eyes full of 18 adul- 14 tery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing; forsaking the right 15 way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of 14 Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; but 16 he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and stayed the madness of the prophet. These are springs 17 without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved. For, uttering 18 great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error; pro- 19 mising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of 15 whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage. For if, after they 20 have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of 16 the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than 21 the first. For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment 22 delivered unto them. It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire. 3 1 Gr. in 2 Gr. through 4 Or, wishing that any should perish, This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by 3 Or, putting you in remembrance; 2 that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apo3 stles: knowing this first, that 1in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking 4 after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his 2 coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of 5 the creation. For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an 6The most ther Paul also, according to earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word 6 of God; by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perish7 ed: but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been 4 stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men. 8 5 Or, ancient scripts read discovered. 7 Or, unto the day of But forget not this one thing, eternity. Wherefore, beloved, seeing 14 that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight. And account that the longsuf- 15 fering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved bro the wisdom given to him, wrote JOHN. 1 THAT which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the 1 Word of 2 life (and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he 2 is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. And hereby know we that we 3 know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I 4 you the life, the eternal life, 1 Or, word know him, and keepeth not which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); 3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus 4 Christ and these things we write, that 2 our joy may be fulfilled. 5 And this is the message which we have heard from him, and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him 6 is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not 7 the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from 8 all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 9 and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us 10 from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye may not sin. And if any 2 Many ancient authori your. his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him: but whoso keepeth his word, 5 in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby know we that we are in him: he that saith he abideth in 6 him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. Beloved, no new command- 7 ment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye ties read had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard. Again, a new 8 commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth. He that saith he is in the 9 light, and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now. He that loveth his bro- 10 ther abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he 11 that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes. 3 Or, Comforter Or, Helper Gr. Paraclete. I write unto you, my little 12 children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fa- 13 1 Or, I wrote not all are of us 3 Some very ancient authori thers, because ye know him which is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye 2 Or, that 14 know the Father. 1I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him which is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil 15 one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father 16 is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of 17 the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for 6 Or, so it 18 ever. Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know ties read and ye all know. 4 Or, that 5 Some ancient ties read is true, and is no lie; and even as &c. confesseth the Son hath the Father also. As for you, let 24 that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. And this 25 is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. These things have I 26 written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. And as for you, the 27 anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, 7ye abide in him. And 28 now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed 8 before him at his 9 coming. If ye know that he is right- 29 eous, 10 ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him. Behold what manner of 3 love the Father hath bestowed 19 that it is the last hour. They 7 Or, abide upon us, that we should be went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have ye called children of God: and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, be continued with us: but they 8 Gr. from cause it knew him not. Be- 2 went out, that they might be made manifest 2 how that they 20 all are not of us. And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you him. 9 Gr. presence. loved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if 11 he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him because ye know not the truth, 10 Or, know even as he is. And every one 3 ye but because ye know it, and 4 because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he that u Or, it denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Fa- 12 Or, bear 23 ther and the Son. Whosoever sins denieth the Son, the same that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Every one that 4 doeth sin doeth also lawlessness: and sin is lawlessness. And ye know that he was 5 manifested to 12 take away sins; and in him is no sin. Who- 6 soever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither 1 know7 eth him. My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is 8 righteous: he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten 10 of God. In this the children 1 Or, hath known persuade. of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness 2 Gr. is not of God, neither he that 11 loveth not his brother. For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another: 12 not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, brethren, if the 14 world hateth you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal 16 life abiding in him. Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives 17 for the brethren. But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth. 19 Hereby shall we know that we are of the truth, and shall 3 Gr. believe the name. 4 Some ancient authorities read annulleth Jesus. 2 assure our heart before him, whereinsoever our heart con- 20 demn us; because God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, 21 if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; and whatsoever we ask, we 22 receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is 23 his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. And 24 he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. Beloved, believe not every 4 spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Here- 2 by know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every 3 spirit which confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. Ye are of God, 4 my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. They are 5 of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them. We are 6 of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one an- 7 other: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not 8 |