I. PETER.

and husbands. 24 Who his own self bare our knowledge, giving giving honour sins in his own body on the unto the wife, as unto the tree, that we, being dead to weaker vessel, and as being sins, should live unto right- heirs together of the grace of eousness: by whose stripes ye life; that your prayers be not were healed. hindered.

CHAPTER IV.

Exhortation to cease from sin. 17 For it is better, if the will | may suffice us to have wrought of God be so, that ye suffer for the will of the Gentiles, when well doing, than for evil do'ing.

we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quick-them to the same excess of ened by the Spirit: riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead,

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were dis- 6 For, for this cause was the obedient, when once the long-gospel preached also to them suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is 21 The like figure whereunto at hand: be ye therefore soeven baptism doth also now ber, and watch unto prayer, save us, (not the putting away 8 And above all things have of the filth of the flesh, but the fervent charity among your answer of a good conscience selves: for charity shall cover toward God,) by the resurrec- the multitude of sins. tion of Jesus Christ:

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

CHAPTER IV.

1 He exhorteth them to cease from sin by

to

an

9 Use hospitality one other without grudging. 10 As every man hath ceived the gift, even s0 ter the same one to another as good stewards of the mani fold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him the example of Christ, and the consid-speak as the oracles of God; eration of the general end that now if any man minister, let him approacheth: 12 and comforteth them do it as of the ability which against persecution. God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ: whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

FORA

ORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3 For the time past of our life

to

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's

Divers exhortations.

I. PETER. Duties of elders. sufferings; that, when his glo- sight thereof, not by con| ry shall be revealed, ye may straint, but willingly; not for be glad also with exceeding filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the dev18 And if the righteous scarce-il, as a roaring lion, walketh ly be saved, where shall the about, seeking whom he may ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

CHAPTER V. 1 He exhortesh the elders to feed their flocks, the younger to obey, 8 and all to be sober, watchful, and constant in the faith: 9 to resist the cruel adver sary the devil.

THE elders which are a

TH

mong you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

devour:

9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that 2 Feed the flock of God which this is the true grace of God is among you, taking the over-wherein ye stand.

An exhortation

II. PETER.

to holiness. 13 The church that is at Baby-] 14 Greet ye one another with lon, elected together with you, a kiss of charity. Peace be saluteth you; and so doth with you all that are in Christ Marcus my son. Jesus. Amen.

THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF

CHAPTER I.

PETER.

1 Confirming them in hope of the increase of God's graces, 5 he exhorteth them, by faith, and good works, to make their call ing sure: 12 whereof he is careful to remember them, knowing that his death is at hand: 16 and warneth them to be constant in the faith of Christ, who is the

tience; and to patience, godliness;

7 And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

true Son of God, by the eyewitness of the apostles beholding his majesty, and by the testimony of the Father, and the prophets. IMON Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained 9 But he that lacketh these like precious faith with us things is blind, and cannot see through the righteousness of afar off, and hath forgotten God and our Saviour Jesus that he was purged from his Christ:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by put ting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my taberna6 And to knowledge, temper-cle, even as our Lord Jesus ance; and to temperance, pa- Christ hath shewed me.

Peter foretelleth

II. PETER.

of false teachers. 15 Moreover I will endeavour | ble heresies, even denying the that ye may be able after my Lord that bought them, and decease to have these things bring upon themselves swift always in remembrance. destruction.

by

16 For we have not follow- 2 And many shall follow ed cunningly devised fables, their pernicious ways; when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice damnation slumbereth not. to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

CHAPTER II.

1 He foretelleth them of false teachers; shewing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers: 7 from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom: 10 and more fully describeth the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers,

whereby they may be the better known, and avoided.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds :) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

BUT UT there were false prophets also among the people, 10 But chiefly them that walk even as there shall be false after the flesh in the lust of teachers among you, who uncleanness, and despise govprivily shall bring in damna-ernment. Presumptuous are