American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the {Greek: good tidings: and so elsewhere; see marginal note on Matthew 4:23.}gospel,
which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on {Many ancient authorities read your.}our behalf,
who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
for all {Greek: sinned.}have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
For the grace of God {Or, hath appeared to all men, bringing salvation}hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present {Or, age}world;
looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory {Or, of our great God and Saviour}of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
These things speak and exhort and reprove with all {Greek: commandment.}authority. Let no man despise thee.
Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I {Or, go hence}go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.