American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,
but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:
Now all the {See marginal note on chapter 3:12.}publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.
And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
And he spake unto them this parable, saying,
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
Or what woman having ten {Greek: drachma, a coin worth about eight pence, or sixteen cents.}pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?
And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
And he said, A certain man had two sons:
and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of {Greek: the.}thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he would fain {Many ancient authorities read have been filled.}have filled his belly with {Greek: the pods of the carob tree.}the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck and {Greek: kissed him much. See chapter 7:38, 45.}kissed him.
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son {Some ancient authorities add make me as one of thy hired servants. See verse 19.}.
But the father said to his {Greek: bondservants.}servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:
for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.
But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.
And he said unto him, {Greek: Child.}Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.
But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Know ye not that they that run in a {Greek: race course.}race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.
The words of {Hebrew: Koheleth}the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun?
One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.
The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth.
The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.
All the {Or, torrents}rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.
{Or, All words are feeble}All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
There is no remembrance of the former generations; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter generations that are to come, among those that shall come after.
I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and {Or, a feeding on wind (see Hosea 12:1) Or, vexation of spirit (and so elsewhere)}a striving after wind.
That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and {Hebrew: defect}that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom {Or, yea, more than all}above all that were before me {Hebrew: over.}in Jerusalem; yea, my heart {Hebrew: hath seen abundantly.}hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
accounting the reproach of {Or, the Christ Compare 1 Corinthians 10:4.}Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places;Yea, I have a goodly heritage.
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,
{Many ancient authorities read but few things are needful, or one.}but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
Now all the {See marginal note on chapter 3:12.}publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.
And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
And he spake unto them this parable, saying,
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
Or what woman having ten {Greek: drachma, a coin worth about eight pence, or sixteen cents.}pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?
And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
And he said, A certain man had two sons:
and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of {Greek: the.}thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he would fain {Many ancient authorities read have been filled.}have filled his belly with {Greek: the pods of the carob tree.}the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck and {Greek: kissed him much. See chapter 7:38, 45.}kissed him.
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son {Some ancient authorities add make me as one of thy hired servants. See verse 19.}.
But the father said to his {Greek: bondservants.}servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:
for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.
But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.
And he said unto him, {Greek: Child.}Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.
But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that {Or, believeth not}obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if {Or, it}he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that {Or, believeth not}obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,
And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have {Hebrew: kanah, to get.}gotten a man with the help of Jehovah.
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, {Or, both rightousness and sanctification and redemption}and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
Your father Abraham rejoiced {Or, that he should see}to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.
accounting the reproach of {Or, the Christ Compare 1 Corinthians 10:4.}Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.
Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings {Greek: unto.}of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.
And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.
א ALEPH.Blessed are they that are {Or, upright in way}perfect in the way,Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,That seek him with the whole heart.
Yea, they do no unrighteousness;They walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,That we should observe them diligently.
Oh that my ways were establishedTo observe thy statutes!
Then shall I not be put to shame,When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,When I learn thy righteous judgments.
I will observe thy statutes:Oh forsake me not utterly.
ב BETH.Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee:Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I laid up in my heart,That I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Jehovah:Teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declaredAll the ordinances of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on thy precepts,And have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes:I will not forget thy word.
ג GIMEL.Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live;So will I observe thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may beholdWondrous things out of thy law.
I am a sojourner in the earth:Hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longingThat it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud {Or, Cursed are they that &c.}that are cursed,That do wander from thy commandments.
Take away from me reproach and contempt;For I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also sat and talked against me;But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delightAnd {Hebrew: the men of my counsel.}my counsellors.
ד DALETH.My soul cleaveth unto the dust:Quicken thou me according to thy word.
I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:Teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.
My soul {Hebrew: droppeth.}melteth for heaviness:Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Remove from me the way of falsehood;And grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness:Thine ordinances have I set before me.
I cleave unto thy testimonies:O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments,When thou shalt enlarge my heart.
ה HE.Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes;And I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;For therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,And not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,And quicken me in thy ways.
Confirm unto thy servant thy word, {Or, Who is devoted to}Which is in order unto the fear of thee.
Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid;For thine ordinances are good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:Quicken me in thy righteousness.
ו VAV.Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah,Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me;For I trust in thy word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
So shall I observe thy law continuallyFor ever and ever.
And I shall walk at liberty;For I have sought thy precepts.
I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,And shall not be put to shame.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments,Which I have loved.
I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved;And I will meditate on thy statutes.
ז ZAYIN.Remember the word unto thy servant, {Or, Wherein}Because thou hast made me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction; {Or, That}For thy word hath quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision:Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah,And have comforted myself.
{Or, Horror}Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me,Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songsIn the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night,And have observed thy law.
This I have had, {Or, That}Because I have kept thy precepts.
ח HHETH. {Or, Jehovah is my portion, have I said: That may observe &c.}Jehovah is my portion:I have said that I would observe thy words.
I entreated thy favor with my whole heart:Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
I thought on my ways,And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not,To observe thy commandments.
The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round;But I have not forgotten thy law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto theeBecause of thy righteous ordinances.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee,And of them that observe thy precepts.
The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness:Teach me thy statutes.
ט TETH.Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge;For I have believed in thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray;But now I observe thy word.
Thou art good, and doest good;Teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me:With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
Their heart is as fat as grease;But I delight in thy law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted;That I may learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth is better unto meThan thousands of gold and silver.
י YODH.Thy hands have made me and {Or, established}fashioned me:Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee shall see me and be glad,Because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous,And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort,According to thy word unto thy servant.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live;For thy law is my delight.
Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me {Or, with falsehood}wrongfully:But I will meditate on thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me; {Anothing reading is, Even they that know.}And they shall know thy testimonies.
Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes,That I be not put to shame.
כ KAPH.My soul fainteth for thy salvation;But I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word,While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke;Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
How many are the days of thy servant?When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me,Who are not according to thy law.
All thy commandments are faithful:They persecute me {Or, with falsehood}wrongfully; help thou me.
They had almost consumed me upon earth;But I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness;So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
ל LAMEDH.For ever, O Jehovah,Thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
{Or, As for thine ordinances, they abide this day}They abide this day according to thine ordinances;For all things are thy servants.
Unless thy law had been my delight,I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts;For with them thou hast quickened me.
I am thine, save me;For I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me;But I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection;But thy commandment is exceeding broad.
מ MEM.Oh how love I thy law!It is my meditation all the day.
{Or, Thou through thy commandments makest}Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies;For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers;For thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,Because I have kept thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way,That I might observe thy word.
I have not turned aside from thine ordinances;For thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my {Hebrew: palate.}taste!Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding:Therefore I hate every false way.
נ NUN.Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,And light unto my path.
I have sworn, and have confirmed it,That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
I am afflicted very much:Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah,And teach me thine ordinances.
My soul is continually in my hand;Yet do I not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me;Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever;For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutesFor ever, even unto the end.
ס SAMEKH.I hate them that are of a double mind;But thy law do I love.
Thou art my hiding-place and my shield:I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evil-doers,That I may keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live;And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe,And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes;For their deceit is {Or, vain}falsehood.
Thou {Hebrew: causest to cease.}puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross:Therefore I love thy testimonies.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee;And I am afraid of thy judgments.
ע AYIN.I have done justice and righteousness:Leave me not to mine oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good:Let not the proud oppress me.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation,And for thy righteous word.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy lovingkindness,And teach me thy statutes.
I am thy servant; give me understanding,That I may know thy testimonies.
It is time for Jehovah to work;For they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandmentsAbove gold, yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;And I hate every false way.
פ PE.Thy testimonies are wonderful;Therefore doth my soul keep them.
The opening of thy words giveth light;It giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened wide my mouth, and panted;For I longed for thy commandments.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Establish my footsteps in thy word;And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man:So will I observe thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;And teach me thy statutes.
Streams of water run down mine eyes,Because they observe not thy law.
צ TSADHE.Righteous art thou, O Jehovah,And upright {Or, in thy judgements}are thy judgments.
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousnessAnd very faithfulness.
My zeal hath {Hebrew: cut me off.}consumed me,Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very {Hebrew: tried, or, refined.}pure;Therefore thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised;Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,And thy law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have {Or, found me}taken hold on me;Yet thy commandments are my delight.
Thy testimonies are righteous for ever:Give me understanding, and I shall live.
ק QOPH.I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah:I will keep thy statutes.
I have called unto thee; save me,And I shall observe thy testimonies.
I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried:I hoped in thy words.
Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,That I might meditate on thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness:Quicken me, O Jehovah, {Or, as thou art wont}according to thine ordinances.
They draw nigh {Or, that persecute me with wickedness}that follow after wickedness;They are far from thy law.
Thou art nigh, O Jehovah;And all thy commandments are truth.
Of old have I known from thy testimonies,That thou hast founded them for ever.
ר RESH.Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;For I do not forget thy law.
Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:Quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked;For they seek not thy statutes.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah:Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
I beheld the treacherous, and {Or, loathed them}was grieved,Because they observe not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts:Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
The sum of thy word is truth;And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
שׁ SHIN.Princes have persecuted me without a cause;But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
I rejoice at thy word,As one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood;But thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee,Because of thy righteous ordinances.
Great peace have they that love thy law;And they have no occasion of stumbling.
I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah,And have done thy commandments.
My soul hath observed thy testimonies;And I love them exceedingly.
I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies;For all my ways are before thee.
ת TAV.Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah:Give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee:Deliver me according to thy word.
Let my lips utter praise;For thou teachest me thy statutes.
Let my tongue sing of thy word;For all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let thy hand be ready to help me;For I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah;And thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;And let thine ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant;For I do not forget thy commandments.
To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that {Greek: brought good tidings. Compare Matthew 11:5.} preached the gospel unto you {Greek: in.}by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat were the faces of the cherubim.
And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;
who being the effulgence of his glory, and {Or, the impress of his substance}the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Seeing it is God, that said, {Genesis 1:3.}Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the {Greek: illumination.}light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But whensoever {Or, a man shall turn}it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
But we all, with unveiled face {Or, reflecting as a mirror}beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.
Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if {Or, it}he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.
who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do.
Behold, he putteth no trust in his holy ones;Yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight:
And I saw {Greek: on.}in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.
And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon:
and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.
And I saw {Or, between the throne with the four living creatures, and the elders}in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the {Some ancient authorities omit seven.}seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.
And he came, and he {Greek: hath taken.}taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.
And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sing a new song, saying,Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.
And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
saying with a great voice,Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying,Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, {Greek: unto the ages of the ages.}for ever and ever.
And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and {See marginal note on chapter 3:9}worshipped.
A Psalm of David.Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand,Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Jehovah will {Or, stretch}send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion:Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Thy people {Hebrew: are freewill-offering.}offer themselves willinglyIn the day of thy {Or, army}power, in {Or, in the beauty of holiness}holy array:Out of the womb of the morning {Or, Thy youth are to thee as the dew}Thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent:Thou art a priest for everAfter the {Or, manner}order of Melchizedek.
The Lord at thy right hand {Or, Hath stricken}Will strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
He will judge among the nations, {Or, The places are full of &c.}He {Or, hath filled}will fill the places with dead bodies;He {Or, Hath stricken}will strike through the head {Or, over a wide land}in many countries.
He will drink of the brook in the way:Therefore will he lift up the head.
O the depth {Or, of the riches and the wisdom & c.}of the riches {Or, both of wisdom & c.}both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory {Greek: unto the ages.}for ever. Amen.
Wherefore leaving {Greek: the word of the beginning of Christ.}the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto {Or, full growth}perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Let the word of {Some ancient authorities read the Lord: others, God.}Christ dwell in you {Or, richly in all wisdom; teaching &c.}richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing {Or, yourselves}one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.
{Or, Search the scriptures}Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart;
and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.
not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.
{According to another reading, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.}Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise;But the companion of fools shall {Hebrew: be broken.}smart for it.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;But the heart of the foolish {Or, is not stedfast (or, right)}doeth not so.
To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemiesShould serve him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before him all our days.