# bible

id: bc6fc9aa-3bae-4546-8c48-5c87612ee135
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.


id: d5df2d08-6683-485e-b0a7-4195920954b6
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.


id: 883d1f19-ffd2-4948-956b-37e96d289e27
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.


id: e178f067-e966-452b-9c8b-d5bac7e36fdd
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,


id: a1bd26bd-aba7-4216-8f90-afe0ba9fd83c
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,


id: 087a7f6e-bed5-4e3f-8088-d559505c74e9
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,


id: 13665aac-20be-4f69-a491-19cd50cf8680
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.


id: 706b8b61-90d7-4172-81a7-6334128fcb7c
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.


id: d2c124b3-7a6f-42bf-9816-6d49e44f3218
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.


id: cda9df6e-aff0-4f0f-8703-460a555f81f8
book: 1 Timothy
label: 1Tim
content:
  O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”


id: c0c7a6ea-4405-4fd5-ac07-fc6e91876fa9
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,


id: 7996460f-09a6-41a5-8b0a-752ed96a3725
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


id: 0a160825-3edc-4f08-8b64-a22fce1ca8d0
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.


id: 10c0e9a7-fac4-4f07-825c-aab392b9f084
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.


id: 0e0d2c13-ca2a-4c98-b7b8-90d65639acd6
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,


id: e990a899-3fc2-4123-991a-dad9e98f4c4b
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,


id: 5ef99df7-55f2-4da2-b657-c98f43df9c49
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,


id: 92f7c1d6-5964-474e-baa3-dbe25ceee3fc
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,


id: 9234e16d-1474-4df0-ad0f-1ad91f6c13fe
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.


id: e2455783-1e07-4cd9-b103-22e6d3e669d9
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


id: 52ee17f5-34af-40d3-99d8-aa913f13e6d7
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,


id: b8c273bf-f7a6-4329-9fc4-7bfec806cb22
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus. 


id: 716f91e8-56cd-497c-b51d-fdafe4ab8a43
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.


id: 71453603-0a20-4f66-a92c-52661d11178b
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.


id: 152c1d6c-9bca-4b38-9d77-5ff1431529c0
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.


id: 4989effa-0b6c-4638-8d25-b37f5fd64f13
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.


id: 42aa0e6a-260f-4923-84ca-1c292d1da04e
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.


id: 511d3275-24ee-45f9-958f-11811e179321
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.


id: 7e09d500-dafd-4572-b4f7-ea2ad73d4b3e
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”


id: 1733a824-fced-44f2-b51c-5d06cafcbaea
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.


id: 72c6800a-7ec6-409c-8518-b3c48c5b9af9
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.


id: 9d420ecd-ef16-4f9d-a5e1-4aae8dc2b254
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.


id: 46927ac0-eb91-43bd-873f-508254dd9b1d
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,


id: a16dd69f-b401-4c51-962f-a64c952b96ba
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,


id: c89e0731-0563-403f-b77b-709c2b86cc9f
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 


id: b9335c47-49d8-47d3-ac2b-81c1ab9da07c
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,


id: f7273a2c-98a3-44b2-88bf-112fce430969
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,


id: 2586ac38-5ba9-476f-8de4-b0035bee371d
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.


id: fbaa30f4-94c0-4f0b-9ff5-078232b6fcc1
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,


id: f5d0c3ac-4daa-41c8-b703-71251e481bc7
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.


id: b86399e8-ea34-4f18-96de-d2ba92606c0e
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it


id: ccde8403-c7fc-49ab-b22f-01130bd49b16
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.


id: 6105e043-2323-4663-a1bb-137e97018cb7
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,


id: 16215989-9bc9-485d-9089-dd6138e08eac
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:


id: d766b7a9-6d53-4620-b796-ddad5fedd855
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.


id: f0a6ed90-5ff7-48e6-8b00-fce3016def1c
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,


id: 74cbc2f4-4147-4d88-85c5-8c813bf7de24
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.


id: 6e494975-6349-4dc6-a026-dd46fa7cbb72
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.


id: 5e0f4915-af17-4811-a8a5-645ca0526d6e
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.


id: 8f3f18a8-6993-40c7-a60a-d00a8105a382
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.


id: 6905efe2-c419-4631-b105-9107789291e5
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!


id: 9642cb0c-18ab-42ea-95dd-823c524d64d8
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.


id: 7aea97f5-0023-4cc3-b33d-811d249e7671
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.


id: 2aae6591-fe46-4a0d-a4b4-de7bfff3d83e
book: 2 Timothy
label: 2Tim
content:
  Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.


id: fd6d5a2c-6a58-40e2-8416-14a434a3afe8
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,


id: 64b2bba6-50f1-4654-ba2a-8cdd7e4c04c2
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;


id: bc305799-c3a2-4285-aafa-57998266c389
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.


id: 95a59d77-c378-46b5-ab6c-0a91d36f7b90
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—


id: d223ab48-d2db-4aaa-921d-cdd99014cb06
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.


id: 137d4f3b-311b-4c8f-a884-ee07efa0485d
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,


id: 6a0e9e9d-d0e2-4a0d-b24f-2f17d309a309
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.


id: 3bfccde0-9570-4698-b636-2c2ccc027ed0
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.


id: b50b07bc-fdba-4c01-8b6c-b8966ee1e3bb
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.


id: 87ccc7c0-f908-4ecb-b76e-dfa8863adf3d
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”


id: 45ab5907-7f9c-4458-acff-e5bf6ac736b3
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.


id: cc3eb1ae-9a44-4b35-a50a-8316a9fdf002
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. 


id: 97eb2e49-21bf-47f8-a75c-c4040d1eaaf3
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.


id: 084dd686-35f1-47ee-865d-270b480badf9
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,


id: 73333fb3-9d32-402d-9f20-22b74d338d60
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.


id: bfde0148-f2f5-4729-8343-e78fbf5b019c
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,


id: bd04919e-9fb6-45a5-83f4-45cafb9e6296
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.


id: cbc7fe88-d01b-4db5-b695-972798db08f2
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,


id: 10a95550-36b5-4976-bf12-7919e0bc630c
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.


id: 3889c95c-47a4-402b-aea7-3091263ec4f8
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,


id: c68fc04d-1f62-40f8-8870-e7b0af5f3b5a
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.


id: dcad06ed-1d01-428f-bb03-05446a5335ff
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,


id: 968507d8-1973-49aa-8e33-3faff53dde2b
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.


id: abb4b151-8ecf-49a5-8cbf-c874849c190e
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.


id: 717e3aff-7e9f-42b3-9fe1-fc247d032552
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,


id: bff5e090-9850-48b1-9e14-fa40f13a4f20
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.


id: 70797598-b7ec-423a-965b-f1b9607ae33a
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.


id: 50c7fcff-99b6-4dec-b3e5-f3c9aebba3fd
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,


id: 0eac4b9b-7f23-4422-8fd9-a6fe9e865d39
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.


id: ee678e37-8859-40aa-9c21-4c1e2d9195ed
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.


id: cabbd494-bd57-4994-87df-4017829cc81d
book: Titus
label: Titus
content:
  All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. 


id: bbb142b5-3f49-472f-91aa-837e44a0c69f
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.


id: 2061f411-64c7-470a-bc86-54c59c98414d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,


id: c03fdfcc-b2cb-4444-b12c-a2ce662211d8
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.


id: 401c7b93-b0ec-464e-8e32-9f68d1513046
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?


id: d496c967-f346-4b45-93db-76f198c3f0b6
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”


id: e9b3158d-4465-4b87-ae43-c36e25294403
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.


id: 59c5efb5-c3e7-4d9b-9f78-8e21c2390259
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”


id: 6d8ab948-9838-4178-b669-2332e9faec16
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;


id: 0cf26234-0aa9-4402-8580-fefc3331e3cd
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”


id: cb6b3e88-5127-4259-b8f9-a92b11143771
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?


id: 20e37f2e-95cd-4b43-9b2a-1ac2c156b5d0
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? 


id: e5f8a64f-ca93-4c18-b100-3d185377b6cb
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,


id: 71104880-cad7-403f-8339-a4fe63930c9f
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,


id: 655467f8-ce41-4fae-a445-df75529297cd
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.


id: 7337c36c-0827-4f0f-8c37-042a83195e12
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?


id: 11ca0408-5d9f-4381-9027-d97ccbeaeb4d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.


id: 5dab0fc2-7a4f-45ef-a8bc-4fc46d5cec4a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.


id: 25a5e70a-f1cd-4b29-b7d2-6115f6621656
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.


id: f2d11c2f-9f78-474a-88bb-53d7ce2a9671
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,


id: 66d3702e-a8ea-4c17-9223-abd064fc5b3e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”


id: b2448ca9-99f9-424a-aad5-95db8945f9c8
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,


id: af2ac00b-d02c-4fa6-8269-1e2476a0c4b0
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.


id: 470f0e02-3527-4a3b-9c0a-ef6a80494e74
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,


id: 5322acdf-5dbf-4bf0-8cef-b3431d918ade
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.


id: 1d1d7f93-695d-4c0c-ad29-f1002a8dad55
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later,


id: 0a1574ff-541f-4272-be26-8e258642e429
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.


id: 2f81f9ec-4cb4-46f3-9ec4-377e6cee0e19
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’


id: d2361565-b203-4116-95c6-7f27d5c8f9b4
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.


id: 2a28b4ed-84ba-4a29-9313-9f90af190c3a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.


id: f4207900-c123-4e58-8a17-526dbe4dcbf7
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?


id: 56306876-e5c7-4fd3-bd0b-c7921ae6c56e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.


id: ccbf59e3-3d63-4095-a383-e1d9b2c41ffa
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.


id: 274c6729-a758-44c6-824d-ad0be7e98daa
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.


id: 2e7df4b7-cc35-41b0-8265-4afc0debd9a9
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”


id: 47e78bbd-b04b-430a-a057-b17880b0b66c
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,


id: 84e3a72e-6819-4780-9ecc-a76939fff291
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”


id: 996a2b75-85e5-4339-8450-fc31406639a8
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.


id: 40c29ecf-6847-4b24-ab6b-708f48008204
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


id: d1f620d6-2df9-454b-806f-c9f8183ed73b
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.


id: 03c8ea20-97a7-4241-96ea-4385ae9d9f2f
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.


id: c0f058c3-0374-402d-9b71-7d0390596c5a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.


id: 05860893-cb02-40b0-94ed-2bf573b1a99e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 


id: 555e537f-8faa-4178-9c4f-bdf0d66f6cde
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.


id: d7cb425d-ffdb-488b-874b-9ca58e91a17c
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.


id: 28a1cc67-4136-440d-ad26-384f1922ab00
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;


id: 1cb6bb1c-baab-44bb-af3a-d2aa31ea89c7
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.


id: 1526bf94-7b23-42ad-a128-26306d465860
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,


id: 3b6c895e-31f0-4fb3-b27e-e2f4242e85bf
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 


id: ff808d67-4308-4dcb-8c9d-e48f8bd86a3d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,


id: cf34819e-6ce7-4378-ad03-b8ec9e259c44
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.


id: ab8be2dc-b23e-4025-9730-a75ffba8564a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,


id: 8ddb6e67-5e4e-46ef-a5c5-7e73f944e61d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.


id: a97caf89-fd14-4760-802a-04a24fb47174
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.


id: 7fd10f8e-20e1-457c-83ce-64b758fd67a9
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.


id: 8693fb45-5605-47d5-bb27-1e3a3c295271
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.


id: 972dbc29-fab3-48d2-bc23-5ceb4ed5cedb
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.


id: c539c14c-454a-4fea-a3fd-15ece373b1d0
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,


id: 8ce13cae-4d28-41eb-933a-d1dc92323266
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.


id: dd3a547f-8b26-4f69-a2ac-01a5e239a5be
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,


id: a835a359-2d5d-48d5-89ac-cbc0a88928d3
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.


id: 6e0d013c-d20d-494c-bff7-2474acae4e8c
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,


id: 8aadcae1-1be0-4ffd-8391-ac63ed420d8a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.


id: 27c52125-44c6-4175-ac36-0e68db6bace1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,


id: f6f3586f-2c43-4038-9a0f-ec92efbb8082
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 


id: 36da0524-72da-42cf-a496-6e457ebe2d83
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,


id: cf8918d3-9a86-478e-b393-e15e29f3a4ac
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.


id: a874187f-924a-4507-a3bb-6d4effba639c
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.


id: 4768a25e-174c-4054-8b42-333a8545566c
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham.


id: 4c8364c6-74c4-42b1-b978-b5afb102b3b2
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.


id: 7f958adc-95c3-4692-975f-520b247141a0
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.


id: eed6ad5b-8400-4909-9206-cdc618296f7d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?


id: f3331f7f-5b0e-498f-a038-27b597802f40
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.


id: c0fd9de4-d6ae-43de-bb2b-3b59c9a2ded2
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.


id: 80de846e-5666-4f22-8fcc-a37dfe6c6822
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.


id: b8a5fcc9-d5e4-4f1f-81d5-05538bc608c1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.


id: abcbc9f4-c6b4-48fa-8966-10ffdf7c8e48
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,


id: 774e5025-df52-4b8d-976f-9624c20a8848
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’”


id: 4d8406b8-60cb-45f6-a1de-d32e769423c9
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,


id: 0bf722a4-9268-4572-a218-4f5ba07a8638
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.


id: adb3a579-edc0-4cb2-8741-2f06d665e2c5
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.


id: 10d9d251-1618-4579-a023-9158bf5cf619
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.


id: be9e81e7-8ddb-442f-9445-6bfc7f804290
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. 


id: 7b2f463c-09f0-4d6e-a837-57d2b533eff3
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,


id: 10761c6e-ac0b-425f-b862-88698d31c433
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.


id: a150e1f9-da48-466c-86d1-985a93c0f9c1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.


id: 04f15bc6-1267-4812-978f-6a092f006c2a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”


id: 0caedb96-6999-43bf-808b-f245b8ab7155
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.


id: 403ebc2b-cb23-45fa-ad6c-d484b4087e07
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.


id: e32fd3b7-334b-4d7e-b9a6-9d31c2d94092
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,


id: 207b5b45-6e45-4fbf-90de-d598e665900d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.


id: df37deaf-1b82-4cfe-9499-8662e32d3452
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.


id: 92f96ca4-d8a9-4967-8d2a-6d86020bf6ab
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.


id: 2179f31e-20e1-4f83-a1f8-12c63f3fba8e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. 


id: 3cf42429-3679-49d2-9be2-000d394240bb
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.


id: df28d135-3f32-4bcf-b6a9-86f3084e6d85
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.


id: d899376f-c3f5-48bf-b858-eff542e3be75
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.


id: 7cbcd3d5-cc1c-4df0-820e-1513a98b72d7
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties,


id: 3e795d42-14d3-4866-9697-8ac58a28aea1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.


id: 5250f0e1-a631-46b8-90e1-4283754d2182
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing


id: 0c009239-c27c-43bd-935d-4d813a9ad910
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,


id: 1da86158-30e8-4810-9355-b7d6ebbbf823
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.


id: d874a565-f801-470f-9e04-0fb5ae7816b1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)


id: 5cd0d599-da30-4abd-98a3-7179927e9956
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.


id: 388b95a6-d974-43c4-9fca-c36e6de3d05b
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,


id: 888898ab-b431-464c-92cf-48873a37255b
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.


id: 865b4c1a-b660-4b77-bfe0-61347e2c33e9
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.


id: 9dfc3d69-2040-40d3-882d-e51897f90181
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.


id: 21830b78-a71a-4551-aa56-7c131e90fbf3
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,


id: 76b69027-a976-4f54-aad9-80fb5b0ce328
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.


id: 5ccafa4f-5648-4ec8-9c90-81de3e783cda
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.


id: 041c17f5-a111-4151-8c87-a717bf2eb177
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.


id: 3ad76034-3618-4ae1-becd-dcf640c67cbc
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,


id: f561b8f1-3443-4579-a284-42ecc0a13582
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.


id: 7eb67a7b-e241-4211-bb4d-11955c3da13e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. 


id: bb1c029b-415b-40c3-ad17-5436de755c6d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.


id: f3cff070-6577-4867-bcf1-8bd191f23c91
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?


id: d7282ed2-fa8a-4234-abe7-2d30d26cf750
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;


id: f7cb6fc8-bd47-4468-a355-51f0734c21c3
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”


id: 8df6e3de-d233-45dc-a86e-9b08ed0035a6
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),


id: bb02b5a1-72ed-4ff4-bde6-92b2d5d4b62e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.


id: 0e1dddd7-999d-495e-bb8e-5a2b80f51e7c
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


id: 8238b9ca-73b6-4385-8f62-729423b8c4e4
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.


id: 1c80f85f-e7b7-41b0-ac51-2bd340dac53e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,


id: d79e72ce-3383-445e-8e11-6aee48929dcd
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”


id: e4a62a46-0a00-4065-bf1a-e29d4cc7ef85
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.


id: 9bec23d7-c38f-43f5-8e46-4f6339bda48c
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.


id: e0d9758e-134a-4e4f-8ec9-92344134b4ce
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,


id: d0cf082b-51e1-4f01-a0fb-e58ae0b2b782
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.


id: fdc142f1-c7f9-401f-981d-773e11335817
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?


id: c104eaad-1a51-4ca6-923d-86680a854ff2
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”


id: 51ea40c2-8eb4-449e-bc00-40604d750052
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,


id: b66aca6d-abd7-4aae-b384-0607729c9eeb
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.


id: f97508c9-6d9d-4087-a2c7-c62afbf09ef4
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.


id: ea92cd11-28f7-46b1-8047-f9989e057599
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.


id: ff2c4762-014a-4369-a927-d2cb62ca232a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. 


id: 4bff93e6-9191-4574-bbf3-f13e16464dcc
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.


id: aa353eb0-50bb-48d0-9d41-c5f2df4eb192
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.


id: 57d8d3bd-e81d-407a-ab36-dcb8567dce2b
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.


id: 5f45ae05-3b9c-4991-8a6a-651d32efe6c1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.


id: 57ffdac4-de02-40c5-8c1a-a0a7664f88fb
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.


id: 634b8f38-3096-495d-9047-71ce9de39d31
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.


id: 63dfa48f-f810-48a5-ac25-b88955667569
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.


id: 7f715918-2569-4a8a-a025-d27edade016e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.


id: d71c751d-3148-4847-bfbd-3da87dbb7438
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.


id: 2dfc6224-dc0d-45f2-922f-18de4db4e01b
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.


id: 1b081e80-7071-4ffc-8798-de3a96dfa1b3
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.


id: d3a87896-83f1-42f4-84e9-40c2055e5d3a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.


id: e5e21239-27fa-4cd1-8473-eb5193e3b07f
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,


id: 957348a0-f6ec-4f8b-80e7-35bfbb49170e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.


id: f2947c22-17bc-44f0-b851-9b63abb3dccd
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.


id: b1a5d375-0456-480f-bd9f-d2e1f69c12b7
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.


id: 350770ff-1460-4b8d-8e45-2f69dc012b9f
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.


id: 54badb82-b4c2-48fa-ba9f-77bf480b31e3
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.


id: d5aa7625-522c-4d3d-a545-1bec42a37b97
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.


id: b86dea57-216b-48f8-a712-2183e27d4da2
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.


id: 52e43c95-cb3e-462a-94aa-8aeb2c289097
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.


id: 52f5c277-6730-4965-b660-2b2364dad610
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.


id: e46b354f-1d68-4099-916e-ee8e9f6bdb16
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.


id: 4fa6c9e7-c3e2-40af-a7e0-fae8a964ace1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—


id: bf043ce5-dc9e-4b3e-b6a2-5db13dc813cf
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,


id: 73c030b8-1502-4e7f-b2f0-cad9f004addc
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.


id: fb07a88e-683e-4e7d-b4f6-9353a46100cd
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.


id: dcc79a8c-69ec-4046-a943-c66e3a6da580
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—


id: c7b1666c-2a52-4f9c-93fa-9cd86618c7af
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.


id: 6b604971-abb0-4b0d-a360-8469e427ea4e
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 


id: b4b24c36-4744-4963-9550-fa6ca4eb7251
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


id: 67055aec-c85b-437a-a115-b0feb8df35d5
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.


id: f4976b4c-76e1-43ea-978a-bc1f4a578034
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.


id: 1c2a23e8-aed3-4ff5-906e-fbafffb6d6c3
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.


id: dfcfa6cd-0fff-48c0-a6b8-30f8c1d96829
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?


id: 8ad051e8-30b8-45ac-9697-9b971f970261
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.


id: 4124ba2a-7603-4559-9d35-6a66579022b7
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?


id: 4f1a8b62-ec3c-438b-a5b1-de86db8bc15f
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.


id: e992c0d8-7e70-426a-ac76-bf3633082962
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.


id: 3e1eec08-9a80-4879-b810-41ddf5da4b95
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.


id: 8cd1e036-d0a8-47df-a009-a9b28f50ccfd
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;


id: 27fe9431-9c6f-4ddb-81a7-3d6facf1fbe0
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.


id: 861e75b8-a8f7-4d56-b580-68a3333d49b4
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.


id: 16a86321-8d1f-4297-9f3a-f5359ef54d9b
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”


id: 7670bb43-7822-4a1a-a831-d967625961f5
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,


id: 69db9872-06c9-4b9c-abe8-e44591e0fb53
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,


id: cb6ea229-e339-493f-98be-fdf0a9ffc357
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.


id: 2d2854c3-5fae-45b7-98e9-312e71a57f25
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.


id: 86b2fcef-0d5b-4ad4-af2c-de95a40ce239
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”


id: 68dc4a96-e490-4f36-ae49-63aeff111c72
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.


id: e575c57d-9b3f-4fcd-9224-441035eb0f06
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,


id: c7e0a324-80fe-435b-a82d-90672a7bf5a9
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.


id: 536c838d-d8f0-42e9-9cd8-da20431fc4e2
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.


id: 5a9c7112-bf6a-41eb-b0db-acc5dcac02b4
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”


id: 81c5f745-06bd-4d5c-85cd-e48487355608
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.


id: dff70d2d-ffc7-4471-9884-bd97b96e30e1
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.


id: eac192a7-a062-41df-8b98-d7b75df51bf7
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.


id: 3d783f22-1675-49fd-90c6-1206404d7555
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.


id: 5ac1e816-7390-4840-9fb0-c648af0be6d5
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.


id: 25113a82-36c8-4ab3-92ee-40f558361d6a
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.


id: 25b9f26a-be46-4fb3-9cde-d7770a274b66
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,


id: a25b14b0-43f9-4cb4-9fd4-514fa1b92730
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.


id: 500e0e4d-3bc8-43b0-875c-d62307d7c41d
book: Hebrews
label: Heb
content:
  You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.


id: da05a453-6b65-4130-88a6-6245c913ed39
book: James
label: James
content:
  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.


id: 1b7a70ee-b4a0-40a4-b23e-eb620f775f82
book: James
label: James
content:
  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


id: dfa55cd4-3b57-4bad-8437-0706f8d96a63
book: James
label: James
content:
  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.


id: ddd9a9ed-00d1-466f-aacd-4aa1cbc78954
book: James
label: James
content:
  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.


id: 84d27608-1644-4b4b-8b9b-49b612c32471
book: James
label: James
content:
  For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.


id: d6d14b83-6e74-4952-89ae-22746e8a82a2
book: James
label: James
content:
  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.


id: 494fbc19-9664-4c38-92e0-8b6a6771fcf9
book: James
label: James
content:
  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.


id: 4d572e12-052c-4fb9-af26-73524082daa6
book: James
label: James
content:
  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.


id: 754d04c2-6a83-4ca9-90a5-2f28a80ed1d7
book: James
label: James
content:
  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.


id: b5e92076-e8ca-45de-a982-35a71aea6762
book: James
label: James
content:
  Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.


id: 01bdaa9e-d554-41c3-b9cf-ec6963fc2c1d
book: James
label: James
content:
  Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.


id: db628263-2559-4eae-bba7-5e47e5946fab
book: James
label: James
content:
  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.


id: f718a86f-17c6-4b9a-a167-964edffb760a
book: James
label: James
content:
  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.


id: 651d9789-b9ab-4a2a-900e-35a8daf423b4
book: James
label: James
content:
  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.


id: a5f9f49c-91f0-4bc3-aa5d-02d5f3ced76c
book: James
label: James
content:
  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 


id: 05c0a3e5-786e-4d17-8895-2e288894d1d0
book: James
label: James
content:
  For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,


id: ae5d4d8e-82d6-467a-b722-9d5c4b78a929
book: James
label: James
content:
  and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”


id: 21a6817d-5b83-42a9-b32b-af56d4180dc0
book: James
label: James
content:
  Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?


id: 1725db1d-53c6-43ef-9cd9-bab88ae7f12d
book: James
label: James
content:
  But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?


id: c1e6a438-b778-41c9-b74c-d6b3b31f0cc6
book: James
label: James
content:
  If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.


id: 21daa7b3-9a13-4346-b9e5-cbf8dd22b509
book: James
label: James
content:
  For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.


id: af253358-82cb-4a92-80c3-cfc90e1ee555
book: James
label: James
content:
  What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?


id: 89a1b4c2-1a7c-491e-966d-fc30801f2ad1
book: James
label: James
content:
  and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?


id: 41044857-bbd3-4343-b4dc-52ee63b25233
book: James
label: James
content:
  But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.


id: e830c08c-e318-4c59-aa06-686ac74f2ae2
book: James
label: James
content:
  and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.


id: d4b0f5a6-6c7e-4f75-8c34-a503aebf7b7e
book: James
label: James
content:
  And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?


id: d59e281c-0004-46c3-8bcc-a36bc0328518
book: James
label: James
content:
  Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.


id: 3a013063-2407-46e5-b275-6d572b1e1a61
book: James
label: James
content:
  For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.


id: c60fffea-9475-4bdb-8b6d-c90ff002ac05
book: James
label: James
content:
  Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.


id: 92c284ad-d09b-47d6-95c1-bb9f21513a79
book: James
label: James
content:
  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!


id: 3f59cf96-0536-437d-8235-a2000ad760df
book: James
label: James
content:
  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.


id: 7904ab9e-c798-4ec1-925d-80fc56f83842
book: James
label: James
content:
  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,


id: 9b017a8f-5fac-4ae2-9f12-195d5850aef9
book: James
label: James
content:
  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.


id: 05f64b8f-a813-46a9-ba51-07f201e90940
book: James
label: James
content:
  Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.


id: 1d62c3d1-0226-46c4-a26a-5e5f211f00be
book: James
label: James
content:
  Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.


id: d64e08f9-8de5-43e8-a296-2c5065c9810d
book: James
label: James
content:
  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.


id: 31a633a0-2afd-474d-878a-7be26e17401e
book: James
label: James
content:
  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.


id: 22e840c1-dcf7-4229-b0e4-b4857b487bd1
book: James
label: James
content:
  What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?


id: 67efe8bd-2af3-4131-9fa6-e5a38c4eb69e
book: James
label: James
content:
  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.


id: 9ad256e4-4bc7-4881-8bfa-0a23a81e8ef2
book: James
label: James
content:
  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.


id: cea1dd25-05a8-4be3-99fe-a22a76d09913
book: James
label: James
content:
  Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?


id: 5244cada-4548-4fef-80ea-f0e6442ccf48
book: James
label: James
content:
  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.


id: 38a52356-d2e7-498e-acbf-52a1963964b4
book: James
label: James
content:
  Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.


id: 319d927f-8d5f-4b4c-a4ab-5cbe3e532ed7
book: James
label: James
content:
  There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?


id: cde22219-7821-42ba-8feb-6d8457002320
book: James
label: James
content:
  Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—


id: 88c5b7e7-bd11-404c-8f2f-5b484a2e3f31
book: James
label: James
content:
  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.


id: 5b554806-4bac-45b0-8018-cbcecc33382e
book: James
label: James
content:
  Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.


id: ab7a419a-1ca3-42a3-89ea-8bc787c7774c
book: James
label: James
content:
  Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.


id: 1ff92452-0bef-48b4-ad0d-1c1d90bca150
book: James
label: James
content:
  You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.


id: 5f3010f5-f77b-4bc3-844d-f372010c0e0b
book: James
label: James
content:
  Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.


id: 8157494d-9113-4ba6-9cd8-eee3cbaaaf8d
book: James
label: James
content:
  Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.


id: bd1bd630-1506-44ea-bed5-81588c8b7661
book: James
label: James
content:
  As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.


id: 04984f6a-d0f6-4d9f-8379-a543cee2c67c
book: James
label: James
content:
  Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.


id: 8110e111-ae97-44b2-9d64-86be8c19af31
book: James
label: James
content:
  But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.


id: 43b27819-e63b-4489-8c57-2ed0bbde832e
book: James
label: James
content:
  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.


id: 9e1f3c9c-b8f9-499e-b273-fde05b547f8a
book: James
label: James
content:
  And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.


id: 713e8a83-97bb-4fb4-8406-4d06028b713c
book: James
label: James
content:
  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.


id: b449142e-c783-404d-a5cd-a03a00127147
book: James
label: James
content:
  Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.


id: 064f9990-7be7-421e-9d3a-07b856260c29
book: James
label: James
content:
  let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 


id: 63d6a601-fb92-4515-87e3-ef092e6b0801
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,


id: 84c19b99-cb45-42e3-8361-279fcf90961d
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.


id: 7ff9ab28-c03e-42e6-9fd2-fe3bd29a183a
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


id: 55d4299d-842b-48c1-8d7f-2e8ac9d04094
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


id: ff2d400c-a02a-47ed-9ac9-dd134e9085ba
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,


id: 614a8f90-6e15-4560-8e0f-14b31a511558
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


id: 9ef427bc-9928-4fa6-af47-2267cfc1d9fb
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,


id: ed98c90d-1274-409e-9565-70a35f47e5d0
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,


id: b0e96951-a175-413b-8aaa-c7e69795dbd9
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.


id: 5eb1cab7-dede-4eed-aeb6-51aebb0d873c
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.


id: 8da4e52e-ca9f-4b0d-929c-0ff5aed50c48
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


id: b70f0542-e35d-46b6-a3b6-c4807c144a7c
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,


id: eaf2b1e3-9b20-402d-bbf0-1887671126b6
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,


id: 9c234ee2-6130-4ae1-9941-6015f8e993c0
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you


id: 71fd8ac8-a9f1-4da1-b3e5-5ed7148c0c93
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.


id: 2a0d4185-cbca-4d82-a779-42a0c1c15aa1
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,


id: 83b5d55b-7860-4adc-a72c-e43635cdfcbf
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;


id: 692b6c0a-967e-421b-8962-566be63d73eb
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,


id: 7c0a5c8c-c0dc-4706-895e-d5aadf1d9d02
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 


id: 27b81087-e029-453f-945f-55f11e96cfca
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


id: 55212364-d1b7-44b1-a497-5c7c12b5f23c
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”


id: c637d7e6-3a46-45c9-a4a7-6483390dee0e
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”


id: a17d4908-cde2-4208-9f2e-62699359c06f
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.


id: 1e682cf3-becd-469b-a610-d315bdbe012d
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.


id: 80fe2e11-ae0e-4022-abea-3f70062e5a9b
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


id: 22a13d61-46a3-4ee1-a888-673949427672
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.


id: 141ace45-7a03-4f37-986a-96f29701c662
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.


id: 0e0115a8-12b3-46f4-9923-7b53784e6eff
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.


id: 8e7f6300-8658-4682-a78e-4df8797898f3
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.


id: 4d89020b-9ce3-421a-8a31-31edc6986189
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.


id: 9ea3c102-1371-42c4-adf2-eb82ed1f3b32
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.


id: dd293b1e-6328-4b52-b888-d9cc4c91494c
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.


id: aa1280d9-dca6-464d-bd13-8e2e43f51fa1
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.


id: 8c83e5ca-8542-43fe-a51a-1490236afcc9
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.


id: 6ee19868-c1e4-4a4c-8a64-b2107c9b8b81
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 


id: 632cf9a2-bc4a-4b4c-aab5-32148fa18e42
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,


id: 09b7197e-669c-41d6-bcb6-529fbcf5bf92
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—


id: deb244b8-5971-4236-8547-6d3241da1c74
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.


id: bcf07c57-6f47-47b5-ac33-b9e79027bda1
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,


id: 98bd3d51-efaf-4dd8-a764-eed614d4f0b0
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.


id: 00efe48c-882f-4c13-a0d5-c8ab5cee90f1
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.


id: f4176855-2fe2-4877-8467-d6b700a665c8
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.


id: 374a1989-863c-43e5-b24d-739653bcfaf3
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.


id: 922556f7-9faf-4c4f-957b-2e484bd819ea
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;


id: 5ec819b1-d713-400d-8e33-d5209d2aa37b
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”


id: 07644fb0-76b1-4e8f-a613-cb30b084206e
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,


id: b9c4afa7-4d3f-4bd8-9cbb-c3b584929a5f
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,


id: 833d4279-4b5c-4209-85e4-afc5f2e9068f
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.


id: 2c0c4c01-8c73-4929-896e-61513b6de1e4
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,


id: a6f4888d-3ceb-4c2f-a10c-3ba7ae725919
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.


id: 983eb053-545e-4307-b58f-9f88ac291243
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


id: 9ae3667c-7011-4f40-ac34-e59877edd21e
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 


id: e783bec0-9fb4-4c05-822b-d226f3efdc2f
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,


id: caeeebc1-b2ce-47a0-867e-b9d993be02f7
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.


id: a07edd5c-bca6-4320-8f82-423219a3c8df
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.


id: 80f0aba6-0bae-4d56-9759-32e971261b7e
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;


id: ba327323-eaa0-4aa1-a981-83866c0a5c70
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.


id: 3f5a56fe-fc3c-4daa-b390-ccec3bc8d039
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.


id: d4755739-9d74-468c-a358-b0af2b029390
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.


id: 52dbe7af-a7ac-47c3-b3b4-9955f86c4c23
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.


id: fa47ddea-4ada-4d03-be5a-9486936f020c
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.


id: f553a752-2f20-4a37-b53b-bbd15c9d51f4
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.


id: 3fa73823-6e2f-4a52-b6b7-638d7c1c4a93
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?


id: 6e7294c6-9eae-4976-a643-2bd1bd24d320
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 


id: 683f10d1-01d3-463c-87ef-355c562e1c22
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:


id: 4c82f275-2198-4412-96af-6fa38762e65c
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;


id: ddc92bcf-25dc-45aa-93c2-f9604bac237f
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”


id: 1399e25d-0780-4e7d-b6e2-6d9eb38beea7
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,


id: a1b2115d-1af0-417d-bd8b-0755f53196be
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


id: 9514ee8b-1a7a-4c8b-87db-b437d83d44f9
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.


id: 4720162c-64be-4cf8-bb86-e163a14208c1
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.


id: a2fb225b-d71a-40f0-a400-7b5b4eda35e2
book: 1 Peter
label: 1Pet
content:
  By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.


id: 7417ae22-c49a-468a-ac9a-55c3ecdc6ddf
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:


id: e5f1034f-538b-4d08-8a0f-1066adaf63ff
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,


id: ab499f71-a5b1-491f-837f-97f8aa32054d
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.


id: 48fd67a5-78e0-438b-98b9-1a76c1af2bbd
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,


id: 8eaa9d8a-5227-4301-a59c-ce7b521d0a4b
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,


id: 3afedc1b-e243-4814-aee0-936ff8e4340b
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


id: bebe255b-f36e-4554-aef7-fb085df80e73
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.


id: 9e36e0b5-bf4c-4b7a-a389-6f09bc250392
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.


id: 7390aa90-4543-4ff8-96cf-d6a5f1eceb08
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


id: e057dadb-c8a6-49c2-bf5d-90fb1545da42
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.


id: e8e4cbf4-c312-418f-8a43-d8a33f93d290
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.


id: ef6a07ac-0c57-439a-a278-160835e31b36
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.


id: e8aa16a0-76df-4492-b704-3a75ae447891
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


id: 4f9c81d4-223a-4e24-93b8-795025cc6568
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”


id: 53cce4d0-37c0-4e13-a237-a0cc11281671
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,


id: c1a6d2c9-0d39-497d-bdf5-094c64768d4c
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 


id: eefbc67d-dffb-43b0-8a10-25e0be5e8f41
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.


id: 275f0e29-e567-4e9d-a26e-590fa4cabb0c
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.


id: 010f8f62-d567-40f4-ae1d-24cf7cd6c06a
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;


id: 401154bb-87ab-4bad-992b-0de2c5f90db3
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;


id: fc8b5d9d-5256-4913-b4d2-5e59ebc900c3
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;


id: 537b503e-ced1-4045-aa4b-f87a66866756
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);


id: f36afaa5-8d50-4d0c-bf56-472d3fe6b363
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,


id: 3ead8cde-2bec-4b13-87c7-4393e4c36905
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,


id: 8c0bb1d6-238c-4ab0-b91a-a5652fe2dc34
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.


id: 7ae064cf-b4ab-4f31-afb5-9fa08f740e48
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction,


id: 3864c42e-418d-40ab-b8f1-23fe560ee785
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.


id: 95af4807-f4fa-4f3d-9545-ef47894eeda9
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!


id: c6764441-60c2-4d2e-a173-73dca921448f
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,


id: be34e1a2-2c4d-42bd-8790-b6f1f6db2095
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.


id: 10d9073a-a7c0-4b4c-ae78-95e0c2ad4404
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.


id: e0a0ba49-a74b-4876-8eef-90e10616ebc0
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.


id: 000fd4ea-2716-42b0-a015-131a393b2e91
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.


id: dec0ee59-62fc-4922-9805-e87d3aff00fd
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.


id: 9422ae3c-67fe-4ea6-b83e-092e20a0ca1c
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.


id: aca70351-ccc7-4280-a234-939fe00c4c3c
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” 


id: 7f72bd4d-b42e-40c2-aa5d-52b4c60c3a41
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,


id: 7fb3277d-6404-4f17-a585-722981396701
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,


id: 7605b9de-1909-4dda-b5b7-00ab8af210cd
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.


id: 0cd4b412-3dcc-49e2-bd64-6d99b70bca5e
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”


id: c4925270-1e73-4c03-9282-b56dc09b21ed
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,


id: d2b1c1c2-3739-40fa-bcd4-34f0ee29c6fc
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.


id: 09d3be8a-db1f-436d-80b8-d4d7415e8516
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.


id: 042306c2-fbe4-46a6-8232-00be2ca0837a
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.


id: 0ce7aea2-9c11-45d2-9e1d-d4b174709f6f
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.


id: a8fab16e-e989-4b82-a2b1-461ca968c269
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,


id: 32c2992a-eb1d-4698-ba9c-ead0c7f95841
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!


id: 34d46442-57f5-4731-b1ab-ba24f65385c7
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.


id: f4839eeb-d732-428d-88ed-0c7c4b865b1a
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.


id: da8eed6f-2d85-4434-a416-6a3d9a610d3b
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,


id: e9a53b75-133b-4bb9-8480-4a4a80024005
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.


id: 2c969867-7778-4369-a2d9-1fbb6ef9422e
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.


id: afd47ef5-4071-4ae3-a915-339d5ae4aaf9
book: 2 Peter
label: 2Pet
content:
  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 


id: c0083d1f-f78c-47da-9bf2-2afe11d7d985
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—


id: a7e6e826-ff27-43ae-9745-3bfc1f99fa38
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.


id: 4c73dfd3-d6b0-4512-a91e-032b79a4e236
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.


id: 7f881f60-9b6d-4acf-bbf9-78c4194d24f8
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.


id: a675f017-7675-4ce3-a819-931cd14bc8e8
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.


id: 55f7893f-39b5-43cb-8317-2d21e8c83a3f
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


id: 14e27c3a-7add-4483-8022-8c96de25419b
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.


id: 75a6c378-1049-4ec9-b285-6d2e8c237444
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.


id: 05e99eca-0b1c-4d1a-ab0d-295093f3d24f
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,


id: f6f21d90-a626-4c96-9cab-0e9eac01292f
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:


id: 6d1aba3e-0226-40ae-b185-c3a49589c966
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.


id: 7e468f3a-9d2e-4aae-9fcb-33298224b76b
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.


id: 3e81d2dd-9c03-4ea1-b0e3-dea8c141614d
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.


id: c3868f99-3183-4c1a-bc32-a616b167a0a3
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.


id: 052d4bba-475f-42a4-9259-e007e2b2d13c
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.


id: 5ff6d166-63e9-49dd-80a8-9d3127f6581e
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


id: e8704625-7712-4abc-ad68-f217bd28b63c
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.


id: 561c5b28-90b7-418c-a8d6-ffae11dcd483
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.


id: 80104dbe-4f58-4c77-a6e6-d77edaf5cd48
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.


id: 40a94079-0650-46dc-8786-e55815eb90d6
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.


id: 6a896275-fe06-4a73-935b-57dd1d614a0f
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.


id: ac246cf1-9851-4d83-9469-bcc72fb91541
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.


id: d0728274-3505-4418-b59c-3f9c67890219
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.


id: b5d44c73-670e-4fb6-8851-66b04b97e910
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.


id: dd92db51-d30b-4d00-95b6-ac5aa516febf
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.


id: 7533ce49-fe6e-4a54-82a8-b2870b386021
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 


id: 111b2e03-c24b-4e9f-a281-67e900724abc
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.


id: 7fac80fe-9574-4e88-9f4d-8cd5c6c312d5
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.


id: 35c3390e-00b7-471d-b853-f8aa42e954e9
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.


id: 653fb701-1894-4fbd-9d54-d00fc0f37ad7
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.


id: b1e8117f-7675-4c45-9265-d945064382f1
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.


id: 6ec5fe31-672c-44e6-81ca-d7d38d85a19b
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.


id: 65d09281-4d23-40e1-935a-b42ed1d3f550
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.


id: 3297dfdd-956d-43dc-a018-ea10a8c4746e
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.


id: 6d1ec870-d178-4147-82a9-75114a97ca72
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.


id: 7c9d4ced-06f9-4f3f-94f3-88a2506384d7
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.


id: e73d067f-8bd8-4a1f-b868-3a9749cc77f4
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.


id: f1ac4180-f22d-46f1-90c8-2ea1fad11b0b
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?


id: bc9109a2-7e0e-4b23-8eb3-597f4c0fc139
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.


id: 5443f753-662a-4892-bcfc-283770e1a9a7
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. 


id: 95afbbcf-105e-4fc4-9d3b-95ec1cc9ecc7
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.


id: 194e1f45-3e19-4a88-911a-ccda302f4c1c
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,


id: 1819733d-d197-4641-81cf-ea4feb7845b6
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.


id: eb303469-c441-4f6a-aee4-013359852a80
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.


id: 09af4b1d-cd8f-47a7-88a8-6e05484722f9
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


id: 99e733be-3017-4962-aedd-305a124d6159
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.


id: c8aeae6c-561b-4825-b128-bc716db69f2f
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.


id: e1c06180-5676-497a-9efb-399496a0a901
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


id: d7fff967-b4fc-437c-8003-e51cc99fbf6a
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.


id: 83ad5a4d-3007-41bd-8804-51dc82358ba9
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.


id: ac919e74-9637-4108-9483-685c76734ddd
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.


id: d4d412bb-176b-4394-8187-c4879ad3fb1b
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.


id: e09f91ec-2d87-4e05-bb7d-da37a35793c6
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.


id: 8cc80675-77bc-4dd2-b3f2-fccf3895ac25
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.


id: 21c7d7f6-2e66-4657-8596-f14ad04e73f9
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.


id: cd1d4626-39d8-4be3-8046-b1b694a4913d
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.


id: ad8c2215-7b21-4377-95ef-9f085bf5ce36
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.


id: 1eb563f1-7538-486c-8ab2-1690dc369bb3
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.


id: 1db89a27-c969-4c0b-ac4b-198bda3afaa0
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.


id: 04225203-0ed3-4f11-bde0-1ae2ef364789
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.


id: 1e21af48-b990-4a54-bab7-046d20cfb2a4
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.


id: eb4b7b25-cce3-400e-9fe0-48444f03e94e
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.


id: 18aa0381-fb10-4803-8e37-205b5b00022b
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.


id: 004b5c53-0710-4769-88a4-3781d15045c9
book: 1 John
label: 1Jn
content:
  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.


id: f75c8404-5055-4a00-9831-c33726faeb13
book: 2 John
label: 2Jn
content:
  The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 


id: 2ed4e37f-1363-4f9f-885a-2ee0316bfb7d
book: Jude
label: Jude
content:
  Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 


id: 26c3ce0c-e26a-4e07-975e-b13e934ec363
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,


id: 81203879-da11-4b30-a57f-9a1575c44005
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.


id: b81a9f17-2249-4b55-a304-3681b998d745
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,


id: a82a54e5-ec26-4c21-a58f-63c1903e6986
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood


id: d95eb5e8-0944-4011-a3fc-323504d6d3c5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.


id: 69e2543e-75be-4767-be3b-a13c097a625f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.


id: 15c3464f-3d4c-443e-9ced-ebecf36c9199
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”


id: f00a3f7e-78ed-46ca-958a-e51eedc3b2c3
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.


id: 0ba4e293-c462-4f50-b2ad-fdc4c98950da
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”


id: 38a0b0ad-5d81-4401-bfcc-91ecd75f40f8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,


id: cf7658e6-2a12-44b5-8d61-cd688b9ee862
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.


id: 9007a02e-065f-4d07-86f7-65da88bcd8b8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.


id: 067eb4c5-5c4d-42cb-b5ca-f4edc34d9974
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.


id: d627d382-4190-4660-b59c-a53c5c1088b4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,


id: 286429c6-c1a8-4ef9-988e-08e6191e1362
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.


id: 3019abc8-6d1a-4d8a-97f6-2b8c9ad49ae5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.


id: e3388a49-0067-4e43-bc41-8a2a4e6579af
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 


id: 83e4f27c-5f23-41da-ab58-e9ba49110f82
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.


id: 20537cda-0dd7-4bff-8fad-24335ccb96a0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.


id: e2882ebe-dc6d-43a0-ba95-b417a356d9cb
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.


id: f60e1810-cef2-468a-965a-184991109dde
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’


id: d4bc58d4-a888-455c-a117-2cbd0d76e0e0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.


id: 505e0acf-a961-4959-96cc-651209b5cafb
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.


id: 35ecb296-2e1a-4db7-bdc8-ecdf785088a1
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.


id: 0ad3c913-7f2c-41fe-b9b6-cb02d7228f80
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’


id: 6271a958-57ef-4632-afd8-a8061bd0c890
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.


id: f30b2341-46cc-4f58-902f-66759242822a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.


id: 610f2c3f-5909-4ac0-8d91-cdccb770a2d9
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.


id: 8625d142-2050-4007-8549-440d2c46bc52
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’


id: 2b420458-59f4-4165-9d7d-2673e97bf6a5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.


id: 801fbc6b-1c2d-4f1e-b336-b82e957cf00f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.


id: 18d7bacf-a494-46c8-aacb-76f74d97c227
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.


id: 884bff28-c130-4f4e-83e8-eaafd45f638d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,


id: 5ad7f903-119c-4440-8fe9-1937f687f431
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.


id: 39144c44-20c6-4e21-8fb7-ad08f13544a3
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.


id: c180322c-c9b0-4bee-9aa3-84b2c569978d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,


id: c1f28bed-367d-4f4a-806e-7b0b5a2f9dae
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.


id: 2c378cc0-93ae-4cb8-bbad-b584609b931a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.


id: fff1eada-0e3e-4618-9784-c70aec0f15af
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.


id: 14b2ba2b-5428-46be-bfc2-1b419825f3f7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.


id: 0e77fcea-e499-4374-a71a-66fc2d0d6a51
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.


id: 9f6571bb-a623-41d4-bac7-38c09dc50247
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.


id: d06d446a-936a-4fff-8092-3132c492ce1f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.


id: b6b63223-3d86-4e3e-8f3c-12ae145fedaa
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.


id: a10f045c-c30d-4d53-83d5-9295ee1b65b5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.


id: b5fa8d1b-1f3d-4d2d-845a-b42d16679504
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.


id: cc5c7c73-bb5a-44ef-87d4-0144e89b2376
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.


id: c3b18073-e251-4823-a107-2f861a247f2a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.


id: 1aa49bd9-8285-46e7-b098-26c27ac627aa
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.


id: 2a78e63d-3970-4d48-ae48-226b05162b5c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.


id: fbc9c03b-d979-47ec-8396-c4187467b30a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.


id: c43554f2-51e7-4087-bdf8-282d7ee9ef72
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.


id: 83cd753a-251a-4d63-918c-6d1f03e73d8a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”


id: 064e9ab5-6d11-4db5-bf0d-7dd229d551c5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.


id: f89efb7f-8acc-460c-b80b-83a771161354
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.


id: 19e6f93d-070a-424a-bdd3-20146a695af3
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,


id: d693783c-f207-4006-b2b2-63cab86dd4b5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:


id: 16454ed8-3e56-4d7d-86c3-3eb8d1505ec2
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.


id: 55a8e44a-6879-46a0-8bde-297cb00a7ca0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”


id: 69615259-2c87-4318-b3ec-54367f3cf54e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,


id: 567571d7-47c8-41f4-86e2-2ba37925344a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,


id: 5cb17a01-eca5-43b8-bc5e-e6f2f5ea2ea5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” 


id: 25aae037-6f53-4349-8ef5-410b80f99f9f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.


id: 80ab1680-982a-4e49-9cc8-d62637a337c5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”


id: 8ae3550d-a5aa-4e71-a60b-79990a5bc571
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”


id: a1debaf1-999f-46c0-bf33-698e51a74fe4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.


id: 8e037a77-ff0b-4be5-854d-0d2215e05038
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.


id: f9e13e10-74c2-475d-bf22-f398e405796a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,


id: e9bc638b-7464-4ad8-bce3-bd1f49fd5157
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,


id: 3a1036d7-2eec-435c-9e08-b554373a9599
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”


id: 43edb186-76d0-4b9d-bc68-6783c8e57306
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”


id: e7252eac-2939-45e2-ae65-41ca1995db70
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”


id: 64620f83-b546-4f93-b468-21fb6919cdad
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.


id: c99a9bde-eeec-4a89-bc13-e8bba0ab6b01
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.


id: e6d64d55-2ab4-404e-bd38-74feaeff7ce5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.


id: 607d5a61-eae0-4c26-93a7-a7a40a479312
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”


id: 156a506d-e176-4682-aeee-a1283d1b93f0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.


id: f0287f07-e656-465e-b5b3-46dab2d845bb
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.


id: 35ac9871-6251-4600-8994-96d500bdb066
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”


id: 8740ae0a-9b2e-4a1e-a191-c3597629e3cf
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.


id: 88dec31c-7efd-48f1-8a06-655c309d0017
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,


id: dc33297a-48a7-4006-b5fb-d2c6a0df7a4d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.


id: 9aa85986-95f5-4790-aaf0-ccbd67f3fd26
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.


id: 18649177-a914-494e-8bcb-1a7ab58f6b0f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,


id: 42a18b15-d5d5-4762-bbb8-8beca256d171
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,


id: 4f905936-5064-443f-a480-e36c714cc77c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.


id: 2812991e-126c-41d5-98d2-0ac54ba4f53c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,


id: 83f2db58-c58c-46ee-85cd-63647e656428
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”


id: aa2e328b-2389-4782-ba47-bc8741eb9c2b
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad,


id: a2855185-1b23-4fa6-acea-9e24e9bb54eb
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,


id: da1639f0-0db4-4cdd-a225-c416bf9bd819
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.


id: dd5a2372-3e66-45d1-ae2d-3bd56b42da8e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,


id: 4b70259b-7ed2-43d8-917d-784bbd91ad4e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”


id: 0d9e92c4-43c5-4d8d-a805-2a4f0eb177e7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,


id: acfaa8e6-f28e-4c37-b358-bb2e5452d0c0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”


id: 6b9c1836-fc23-453f-8b6c-226e28ceb791
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”


id: 55a17f10-0a50-4f9c-b8da-c8bd1ce7ae16
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


id: b971364a-7d83-4f67-98c8-24638b0f27f1
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.


id: 275b9b50-094e-4e9b-9cbe-593e784bbd38
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.


id: a443ca50-1a77-4f5a-88ce-8b4159ad0667
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 


id: b0be8fbf-f92f-4ba1-906f-dd1fac6b9ff4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,


id: 36b9cbf7-8860-41f1-aa24-03b2c56d46de
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.


id: 6eabc00a-ee9e-4cec-8e5d-2a7b1476eb3f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.


id: f83c2fc2-2312-4d92-a737-3676ea2b2f59
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.


id: 04fd5e49-51ee-4746-a665-9df6bb042245
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.


id: 5a90ae29-5f4f-4d9f-bfbb-36066bcf660e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.


id: 7f423d71-cbb3-4ef3-9d7c-f1d0b9bf556f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.


id: 1aabe13f-1e55-40ec-b126-c78f233c8e54
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.


id: 573f5acf-c331-4cf9-b901-86f058962be3
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” 


id: 89468611-3c58-4949-a54e-e05409486b69
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.


id: d74b9305-df15-4ad5-8ac1-ec588e7555c2
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft.


id: b5dcadf0-96ef-429c-972c-62ddafdb86f6
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.


id: 0089e956-91ae-4d6a-836a-6dde89d37479
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.


id: 1f7c9a95-9dfb-4727-b907-997a6f62bf4b
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.


id: 838c7a6c-aa3f-4800-bc00-625a0e57d754
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.


id: e551e0de-3c25-4d80-9517-1a0f6b5fbebf
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces,


id: b729accb-ec0f-41d1-82cd-46c1da6e7be7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle.


id: f2703555-41e2-4c2b-9b0e-156fd56d9515
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people for five months is in their tails.


id: 80f3cbb1-99c4-4474-8bad-10159164d3ce
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.


id: 1e62d405-ef8e-4799-97ca-1f56c607d01d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God,


id: 5fe0478f-0924-4fac-ab93-b5e5670b51e8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”


id: 3b200edf-42a7-42ae-be87-546cb505f3b7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind.


id: ab649dd6-c21c-4f50-a21f-6c3411be33ee
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions’ heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths.


id: ba8cc08d-e348-4ee0-8a17-0a10b923697b
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths.


id: cdf2a134-f484-4ba9-8e2a-c3c746f07399
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound.


id: ed236ffa-c9b3-4efc-8fcc-463ea2adfeff
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,


id: 67ad792c-9db9-4616-a7bc-f14058ecb4e2
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. 


id: 41cfe43c-7470-4c69-b29a-612ac742631f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire.


id: ae5dd751-2e45-4866-a02c-79cd967343df
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land,


id: 24c41d57-43e4-4a50-8aa3-4f8cc8803936
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.


id: 05c37b63-85c5-4f57-a301-da536fb888a2
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”


id: 1fb71505-fb51-49de-b5dd-9ff08139fb38
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay,


id: 237ccdc7-4d56-4ada-b863-ec5396058d14
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.


id: 7883001e-b235-42f6-84a6-888cf88ed159
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”


id: 5620f7af-8c25-4066-9414-1a359717bb95
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”


id: 1b794025-f7f0-485a-b68d-20b7b03c3fa2
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter.


id: a28cf927-992a-48cc-b23a-65542bfb9d7a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there,


id: 65ee0652-7b3f-48c7-83b5-6a6c5117b8ea
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.


id: f5b1d246-c9d7-43c4-8a2a-91fdc8147b79
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”


id: cd50f04f-4e71-44f4-8d7f-7f7e2ce7207e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed.


id: c28bd61d-1b11-445b-81a3-defc49c81c2d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.


id: 9febe224-afe8-42c1-bdb4-5397473b9bd5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them,


id: da8a1f01-08d2-46df-ab5d-2f1f02c74277
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified.


id: c8dcc99b-c8a9-4410-b9c3-8aeb322905cd
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb,


id: 53898a65-51ae-457b-9263-2034d940d337
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.


id: 7b4be958-d747-4894-925b-29eb4b4ee8f9
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.


id: 3279c0f2-d809-4edd-b0bf-b077034bf022
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.


id: c7804a9c-0fa0-4e5f-896c-83d50876eba8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.


id: 4944db96-a71d-43a8-b23a-9e812fff6082
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”


id: 7a6a80ec-2458-4cfe-8c62-d9614fc292e1
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,


id: 34032afc-5999-4e49-aee0-75adc152a40e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.


id: e2bd123f-32c5-4e74-b067-3a1436f42432
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”


id: 94fc39c8-261f-4000-98fe-e69542fa9e90
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. 


id: 17c87b6b-4c86-4df3-9c44-76b61b499672
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.


id: bb3933ac-a641-4519-a8ef-f4f42aee15cd
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.


id: 7c2834f6-7ff6-4368-b0a1-e17e0c2c1cff
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.


id: 37df4c57-cfc7-4a53-9765-2fd54e29eefb
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,


id: 91ec8dae-4896-4ef7-8e90-347dff99439b
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.


id: 7a1f7c2a-b743-41fc-867c-c29dca9ad555
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,


id: 71f97208-4356-49cd-aec9-9f4604f73d9c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.


id: 3f26f629-1115-4638-bdb3-11ef54b6ca01
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.


id: 6f1a2687-02bf-4ac2-975b-342c7da9c4bd
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.


id: e41e9948-e505-414c-8f40-25c363fdb8a0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”


id: 2cb0c9e9-b58a-4a70-9ec5-f4cb57db38be
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.


id: 32334118-f8ed-43c5-bb01-15ab31ac3b3a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.


id: 0f9608fa-4a20-4ef9-9a1c-7f74dd5ba804
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.


id: 5bf3ca2d-88a1-401d-b786-ed631fe62da4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.


id: 0f4b96fc-dbd7-4ef3-bc0d-d4f27d876f19
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. 


id: 6c8ff1e5-199c-40b0-be3e-7649f32bbc00
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.


id: 159e157e-6eb9-479c-a8f9-8a14b4290c7f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.


id: 50878555-3baf-4ea7-8287-68e447f4ebc6
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.


id: 4338c0a0-9ece-4aa9-913a-8593bbefecc7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”


id: 3bcb00cc-5ecf-4604-8803-761b1d417e11
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.


id: df18b3ca-6f80-4401-9b7f-1124e43e84cd
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.


id: 2db37a0e-f021-42ba-8e68-5b066c406143
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,


id: d84db07f-9dcb-499c-b5d0-866d14878903
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.


id: 7ed2040c-db7d-4c9c-a24d-1a20a640ac37
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.


id: bf335290-fef4-449d-b1be-cdd4220ff0a0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.


id: 839047a8-8578-43f9-899f-b0d176a4846d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.


id: 552b345c-0c23-4f90-bea6-1abebfe4bf53
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.


id: f831aaad-6692-448d-be95-8435928c0e3e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.


id: b4a1f8cb-3d98-467c-92ca-c41d79be3197
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,


id: 94add843-c467-4613-b604-92dd1b322fc4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.


id: 73682e33-fb11-4cdf-9206-7834e0c15e12
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. 


id: 5bd31c03-b3e4-4b0e-924c-776f669df2f0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.


id: 6204862d-2ebf-4c71-8949-3c102446d44c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,


id: 44f7478d-7ee0-4b35-867e-60b0f8e68f0a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.


id: c965f450-f3fa-410d-b750-eb855a715542
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,


id: 288447ab-c697-4cba-a434-f2f4594e1f6e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.


id: 25b8d291-b8de-408b-bba4-29f0425196ac
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”


id: 9de0f031-fdf0-4db2-a590-4552c6b5d207
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”


id: f579f641-c7b9-4161-a704-50ecc623ecb8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,


id: 77833e49-0247-4234-91d3-1965a340f3f6
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.


id: 567f1914-f47f-436f-a5a7-17785eaed2fb
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”


id: 6b890dac-87a0-4838-8887-50e09723931e
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.


id: 084d6e96-3d0e-4cd8-9767-440833f8dca9
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”


id: b86d9422-0090-4808-b321-62ab0121329d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.


id: 5bd5ef9c-28b8-4fc0-9217-7c997f698092
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.”


id: 50a54654-515e-462d-a7fd-eeae88f9754d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.”


id: bc29a972-6631-4c5c-9086-ff2fae1f438c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.


id: 5e35a5bf-febd-449e-8a0b-f16289067e56
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia. 


id: 2f12df21-1b12-4ef0-8759-266d931600b1
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.


id: 42d457e0-b18f-4cad-abf3-049133f62025
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.


id: 363e9593-1cb0-49a5-b674-471f00f96a2b
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!


id: fe725d0f-96d8-4f04-8698-c2aefd59e625
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”


id: d55ecf82-d811-4969-8de6-71c448a7a174
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests.


id: cc3e146e-4c3d-4a33-890b-7a9ae71c11f4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever,


id: 3243c4c8-6dab-46a1-8e64-942553cbcbc7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. 


id: b084a033-7254-4e72-bae9-097349f8c76f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”


id: e23095e5-c931-473a-b541-92b59750826a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.


id: 75bcec9c-f6c0-4569-b8bf-4962c622ecbc
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.


id: dccf20ce-327b-4c43-9653-6b0eb291e916
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood.


id: a0d13119-ac82-406a-a379-db3d6f6d9e30
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.


id: ba5e280a-3c59-410e-b25d-fc238b4672d4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!”


id: ba27ecaf-905e-4f00-8d6c-96408e9d6d56
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.


id: 1086548b-82d0-48a9-89e4-dd99374e5cf1
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish


id: 90ea94c3-4ccc-4c21-8660-5c20f263d0e2
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.


id: 1d4d1d3f-a8bc-4f66-9e5e-29afec41ec3a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.


id: d7ac3bff-50b5-49a2-8dd1-0836a701e60a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.


id: 9f2074f2-4313-4c29-8517-5c722ab2208c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)


id: 1dc07316-09d4-4095-ac4c-8f008e9d5d64
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”


id: 8cae71dc-ecf6-4f60-9ff6-4df64c4ec7b7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.


id: e691c58a-1ef9-490e-9d2c-dada150ab7f4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.


id: 50a9cdce-50b2-4817-b2e0-bc1e2102ebb3
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. 


id: 09e4c3b5-cb38-4d6d-9d0c-abc446cca387
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters,


id: 458124e5-3cf0-4754-a5a1-d797f914934a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”


id: 5d368aab-3f7f-4bab-87db-3c1703cf851d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.


id: 0a7b41a6-3441-46f4-975f-73e8460bd676
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.


id: 22cafbec-65de-43e1-a6ee-f7b5bbedccf8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”


id: 045a6d79-d14e-45cd-a939-26488e2ab14c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.


id: 50821ce6-8bed-4206-b3f5-ea69c897a0d4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.


id: 18748767-1ff4-41dd-aaab-18de9db959fc
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.


id: fc6e4603-6b25-4182-a303-c43755776750
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;


id: 565703c4-b983-4615-95f1-b40a5af51a77
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.


id: 5f545195-da06-4b8f-a13b-d2f49b8bdbc6
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.


id: b7a4bd6e-4a1d-4300-88ca-f32d30e8f8f1
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.


id: dcbcfaab-b61b-4218-a52a-804ed10b3f08
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”


id: c7b27207-c42e-46cf-b4f1-b63752d0129f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.


id: 1e0ac6e7-7619-4b37-a152-e1469b2e5afe
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire,


id: cf6798b6-f854-4e29-aee6-6949edad402d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.


id: 1d02d080-7a14-48cd-b982-bae91ae12d9f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.


id: b726cbf2-58fb-4970-b130-a4a9ecad983d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.


id: bb54b60f-085d-4949-9314-a51205c50519
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”


id: f639bd56-bdda-4e30-ae3c-d21f093eb3d7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;


id: d6a8492a-4230-45af-9602-1c1bf0caf332
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.


id: 943f2406-abf3-40f8-b80c-9ba6a9971d04
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’


id: d4ed2624-9e97-47c8-b42f-0bf39e724bb4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”


id: f866a66c-1b07-42bd-8a34-a5d456ad1291
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.


id: b83cd4e9-cd54-4fe3-b402-525c549025a6
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”


id: d3f4fd61-a062-4b0d-b04d-c978ba71da17
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,


id: f893255b-e4ef-43a7-b5f6-86e87258ebb7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.


id: de6aea9a-cc83-4380-b25a-df7d983ebf17
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!”


id: 24f30005-b5c4-4d9f-b7a7-065516fef8fd
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,


id: 2ed0bbbd-9162-4275-8782-d5534bbbb0fe
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!


id: 88fc71cf-b23e-44ca-82a3-ad0e776a774b
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off


id: ddf04513-96ed-4631-b2ad-2efa8fbe8ea0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.


id: a7c9994a-2ca7-4d3a-b05c-061a508a8568
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”


id: 94933249-5ce7-4965-b8c6-ec05348a03da
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;


id: 6105b623-516e-4bad-8f8a-e7061abc0e61
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,


id: cb09ba20-8427-462e-8fb0-012a81f268b7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.


id: c743cbf8-59ce-466f-9225-439de665277d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” 


id: c982f300-a06c-4a93-9e51-e1292e68fc81
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,


id: 0c431058-a334-48ba-ad71-51a121ff7b59
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”


id: 9e959f8e-74d6-425b-aeb2-dcbd234c37f5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”


id: e2d96be2-3524-4989-9869-fad93a9b9a82
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”


id: 5962cf18-3e91-4d8d-8d7a-bee05a454542
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.


id: 04ff559d-1405-4040-937b-f7c72f496c22
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;


id: 8e422da0-cc33-4e2f-9c74-11ea3e7ebc06
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.


id: b952dc15-addb-4b94-802a-c19153ed70fe
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”


id: 83b27fca-6605-406a-8516-040a23cdaecc
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.


id: 5cd4b1be-976f-4227-a053-9a87ba6ea51d
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.


id: db868bbb-ae16-4e41-a383-f04893e2f6c3
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.


id: 17979e87-7f2f-4faf-8076-8c7ad1e65dd1
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.


id: 28f2ceae-585c-4075-b89d-bc8ba7cde3b7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.


id: 1c2b5068-5598-480e-80bb-a155f6876aa5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God,


id: ca384d4f-f8cd-48bd-ad2f-32ab3db40182
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”


id: dcc8de08-4083-4e32-9cf2-f2b7cb5638c7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.


id: 3d49327c-c33e-4ec1-ae3b-2beec0c4de76
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.


id: c854266a-353f-4b1c-8e98-ea0dc0c2e0fd
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. 


id: 11bb4ce3-bea7-4f62-ba77-3e3f62eeafe6
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.


id: a5696b40-16aa-4169-b75c-dfab2cf30239
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,


id: bce166be-b002-4c78-91f0-5497b685edab
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.


id: bd8f72b5-e3f1-47ff-932c-6d65a82b9902
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.


id: e55d7d10-56a0-4b56-9c9d-bfe61236dea4
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.


id: 3ae8f1a9-b432-44ea-a5bd-f93be2554734
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.


id: aa71f979-8b67-4da1-98b7-55ab2e9e54af
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.


id: cd8007a8-9aec-426e-873c-47a65a17d0b8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,


id: 3a1f8c97-0fbf-43a1-8ef6-f87422b9a3f0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.


id: 31366298-8497-4713-a586-7f34a6c8aa96
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.


id: 168fb2b7-ad80-4a12-a177-f05b54c0587f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.


id: b8f38c67-cfaa-4f57-9de9-7964ca39efff
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.


id: c44a611e-64a7-4a7a-802a-b6aa686eb4d8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. 


id: 23fec345-cb98-4632-b8ad-776f8e1faf15
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.


id: bc3b9760-2f91-43f5-be5c-49ad074fdec9
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.


id: ef7acde5-f748-4304-b17a-29ce30f6128a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.


id: 0c62fe16-0a9f-4acd-97bd-81c1350e9115
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”


id: d9ce6f1c-ec55-4f16-9319-d25adf737da5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”


id: 45539735-55b4-4b37-8960-808a0ff34184
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.


id: d3557173-c718-4fd2-9243-88e49d3a9592
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”


id: 91e559c6-d1b6-4bb3-af1f-4be15d8a078c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”


id: 3686284f-555d-4159-a6ee-a6b2750b509c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,


id: 92c4aa62-650d-4b43-9869-c40248ba5431
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—


id: 46f96937-b611-4324-a0f9-e0ffec7ce2d0
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.


id: a4747004-5e8e-41fd-a5d4-c05959aa50ff
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.


id: b21ed58d-4009-45ec-9afd-bacabf558403
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls.


id: 134b1882-cd04-4c66-bc1e-224f145ab916
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.


id: d31b6106-3ded-471b-b4a8-8c1f06d32fe2
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,


id: 397103e9-b996-408a-b1cb-09070a5b6e04
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.


id: 1f607054-2162-4cec-8295-3c96204b57ab
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.


id: 2a397045-bab0-4e98-8799-0fc6344815a5
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.


id: ba215fc1-89f9-4842-9890-7bf01dcfcbbe
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 


id: cff93e1d-ebc9-4d3f-99c6-7ede6f48bb8a
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb


id: 34a518cc-7e7a-4282-8cab-993f8b14b0e7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.


id: e0fa1335-3ce3-483b-83d3-1e6cd6044eb7
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.


id: 9d7d0afb-2635-40e2-815f-9bbe293d869f
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.


id: d4971a0d-1b0d-4a21-b3b3-1d4a2695f13c
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”


id: 2f1aba23-3722-45e7-a768-77b9c3e12084
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”


id: d92d2ce3-dc1e-4f54-b3a4-4ca4129ecec8
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,


id: 29fd3171-5662-432a-ade9-387488335668
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”


id: 034b39c9-7913-4a7f-a573-f3a59fd42c4b
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”


id: 58042a39-94f4-4fd0-8ca4-411e2d27e6db
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.


id: 11c0f351-81b5-478b-aef9-85be0a6383c3
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.


id: 74afb4a9-3b63-4472-a757-7a6737ff9dc6
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”


id: ab4e21d0-1f77-464b-b536-eb9df4ff3704
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.


id: 89acb0b4-75aa-4cae-9ba4-98eef1834006
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,


id: cc7a7fab-7b1e-4707-9284-f0e968d6c620
book: Revelation
label: Rev
content:
  and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.


# reference

id:
  �r���q��Am٨
  r

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC1
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 1: The Only God

  We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God—eternal,incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.


id: �r���zݶ���᨟
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC2
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 2: The Means by Which We Know God

  We know him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God: his eternal power and his divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20. All these things are enough to convict men and to leave them without excuse. Second, he makes himself known to us more openly by his holy and divine Word, as much as we need in this life, for his glory and for the salvation of his own.


id: �r���zݶ���8Z=
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC3
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 3: The Written Word of God

  We confess that this Word of God was not sent nor delivered by the will of men, but that holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit, as Peter says.<sup>1</sup> Afterwards our God—because of the special care he has for us and our salvation—commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit this revealed Word to writing. He himself wrote with his own finger the two tables of the law. Therefore we call such writings holy and divine Scriptures.

  <sup>1</sup> 2 Pet. 1:21


id: �r���u��lԆh��
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC4
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 4: The Canonical Books

  We include in the Holy Scripture the two volumes of the Old and New Testaments. They are canonical books with which there can be no quarrel at all. In the church of God the list is as follows:

  **In the Old Testament,** the five books of Moses—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth; the two books of Samuel, the two books of Kings, the two books of Chronicles; the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther; the book of Job, the Psalms, the three books of Solomon—Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs; the five books of the four major prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel; the books of the twelve minor prophets—Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

  **In the New Testament,** the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; the Acts of the Apostles; the thirteen letters of Paul—to the Romans; the two letters to the Corinthians; to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians; the two letters to the Thessalonians; the two letters to Timothy; to Titus, Philemon; the letter to the Hebrews; the seven letters of the other apostles—one of James; two of Peter; three of John; one of Jude; and the Revelation of the apostle John.


id: �r���u��lԆ��
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC5
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 5: The Authority of Scripture

  We receive all these books and these only as holy and canonical, for the regulating, founding, and establishing of our faith. And we believe without a doubt all things contained in them—not so much because the church receives and approves them as such but above all because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that they are from God, and also because they prove themselves to be from God. For even the blind themselves are able to see that the things predicted in them do happen.


id: �r���x��J���֪�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC6
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 6: The Difference between Canonical and Apocryphal Books

  We distinguish between these holy books and the apocryphal ones, which are: the third and fourth books of Esdras; the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Jesus Sirach, Baruch; what was added to the Story of Esther; the Song of the Three Children in the Furnace; the Story of Susannah; the Story of Bel and the Dragon; the Prayer of Manasseh; and the two books of Maccabees. The church may certainly read these books and learn from them as far as they agree with the canonical books. But they do not have such power and virtue that one could confirm from their testimony any point of faith or of the Christian religion. Much less can they detract from the authority of the other holy books.


id: �r���x��J���b�}
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC7
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 7: The Sufficiency of Scripture

  We believe that this Holy Scripture contains the will of God completely and that everything one must believe to be saved is sufficiently taught in it. For since the entire manner of service which God requires of us is described in it at great length, no one—even an apostle or an angel from heaven, as Paul says<sup>2</sup>—ought to teach other than what the Holy Scriptures have already taught us. For since it is forbidden to add to or subtract from the Word of God,<sup>3</sup> this plainly demonstrates that the teaching is perfect and complete in all respects. Therefore we must not consider human writings—no matter how holy their authors may have been—equal to the divine writings; nor may we put custom, nor the majority, nor age, nor the passage of time or persons, nor councils, decrees, or official decisions above the truth of God, for truth is above everything else. For all human beings are liars by nature and more vain than vanity itself. Therefore we reject with all our hearts everything that does not agree with this infallible rule, as we are taught to do by the apostles when they say, “Test the spirits to see if they are of God,”<sup>4</sup> and also, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house.”<sup>5</sup>

  <sup>2</sup> Gal. 1:8
  <sup>3</sup> Deut. 12:32; Rev. 22:18–19
  <sup>4</sup> 1 John 4:1
  <sup>5</sup> 2 John 10


id: �r���x��J���i�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC8
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 8: The Trinity

  In keeping with this truth and Word of God we believe in one God, who is one single essence, in whom there are three persons, really, truly, and eternally distinct according to their incommunicable properties—namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is the cause, origin, and source of all things, visible as well as invisible. The Son is the Word, the Wisdom, and the image of the Father. The Holy Spirit is the eternal power and might, proceeding from the Father and the Son. Nevertheless, this distinction does not divide God into three, since Scripture teaches us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each has his own subsistence distinguished by characteristics—yet in such a way that these three persons are only one God. It is evident then that the Father is not the Son and that the Son is not the Father, and that likewise the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son.Nevertheless, these persons, thus distinct, are neither divided nor fused or mixed together. For the Father did not take on flesh, nor did the Spirit, but only the Son. The Father was never without his Son, nor without his Holy Spirit, since all these are equal from eternity, in one and the same essence. There is neither a first nor a last, for all three are one in truth and power, in goodness and mercy.


id: �r���qi����o��
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC9
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 9: The Scriptural Witness on the Trinity

  All these things we know from the testimonies of Holy Scripture as well as from the effects of the persons, especially from those we feel within ourselves. The testimonies of the Holy Scriptures, which teach us to believe in this Holy Trinity, are written in many places of the Old Testament, which need not be enumerated but only chosen with discretion. In the book of Genesis God says, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.” So “God created man in his own image”—indeed, “male and female he created them.”<sup>6</sup> “Behold, man has become like one of us.”<sup>7</sup> It appears from this that there is a plurality of persons within the Deity, when he says, “Let us make man in our image”—and afterwards he indicates the unity when he says, “God created.” It is true that he does not say here how many persons there are—but what is somewhat obscure to us in the Old Testament is very clear in the New. For when our Lord was baptized in the Jordan, the voice of the Father was heard saying, “This is my dear Son”;<sup>8</sup> the Son was seen in the water; and the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. So, in the baptism of all believers this form was prescribed by Christ: “Baptize all people in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”<sup>9</sup> In the Gospel according to Luke the angel Gabriel says to Mary, the mother of our Lord: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and therefore that holy one to be born of you shall be called the Son of God.”<sup>10</sup> And in another place it says: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.”<sup>11</sup> “There are three who bear witness in heaven—the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit—and these three are one.”<sup>12</sup> In all these passages we are fully taught that there are three persons in the one and only divine essence. And although this doctrine surpasses human understanding, we nevertheless believe it now, through the Word, waiting to know and enjoy it fully in heaven. Furthermore, we must note the particular works and activities of these three persons in relation to us. The Father is called our Creator, by reason of his power. The Son is our Savior and Redeemer, by his blood. The Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier, by his living in our hearts. This doctrine of the holy Trinity has always been maintained in the true church, from the time of the apostles until the present, against Jews, Muslims, and certain false Christians and heretics, such as Marcion, Mani, Praxeas, Sabellius, Paul of Samosata, Arius, and others like them, who were rightly condemned by the holy fathers. And so, in this matter we willingly accept the three ecumenical creeds—the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian—as well as what the ancient fathers decided in agreement with them.

  <sup>6</sup>Gen. 1:26–27
  <sup>7</sup>Gen. 3:22
  <sup>8</sup>Matt. 3:17
  <sup>9</sup>Matt. 28:19
  <sup>10</sup>Luke 1:35
  <sup>11</sup>2 Cor. 13:14
  <sup>12</sup>1 John 5:7 (kjv)


id: �r���qi����o4��
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC10
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 10: The Deity of Christ

  We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only Son of God—eternally begotten, not made nor created, for then he would be a creature. He is one in essence with the Father; coeternal; the exact image of the person of the Father and the “reflection of his glory,”<sup>13</sup> being in all things like him. He is the Son of God not only from the time he assumed our nature but from all eternity, as the following testimonies teach us when they are taken together. Moses says that God “created the world”;<sup>14</sup> and John says that “all things were created by the Word,”<sup>15</sup> which he calls God. The letter to the Hebrews says that “God made the world by his Son.”<sup>16</sup> Paul says that “God created all things by Jesus Christ.”<sup>17</sup> And so it must follow that he who is called God, the Word, the Son, and Jesus Christ already existed when all things were created by him. Therefore the prophet Micah says that his origin is “from ancient times, from eternity.”<sup>18</sup> And Hebrews says that he has “neither beginning of days nor end of life.”<sup>19</sup> So then, he is the true eternal God, the Almighty, whom we invoke, worship, and serve.

  <sup>13</sup>Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3
  <sup>14</sup>Gen. 1:1
  <sup>15</sup>John 1:3
  <sup>16</sup>Heb. 1:2
  <sup>17</sup>Col. 1:16
  <sup>18</sup>Mic. 5:2
  <sup>19</sup>Heb. 7:3


id: �r���u"�������
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC11
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 11: The Deity of the Holy Spirit

  We believe and confess also that the Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from the Father and the Son—neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but only proceeding from the two of them. In regard to order, he is the third person of the Trinity—of one and the same essence, and majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son. He is true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us.


id: �r���u"����Ҍ_�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC12
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 12: The Creation of All Things

  We believe that the Father created heaven and earth and all other creatures from nothing, when it seemed good to him, by his Word—that is to say, by his Son. He has given all creatures their being, form, and appearance, and their various functions for serving their Creator. Even now he also sustains and governs them all, according to his eternal providence, and by his infinite power, that they may serve man, in order that man may serve God. He has also created the angels good, that they might be his messengers and serve his elect. Some of them have fallen from the excellence in which God created them into eternal perdition; and the others have persisted and remained in their original state, by the grace of God. The devils and evil spirits are so corrupt that they are enemies of God and of everything good. They lie in wait for the church and every member of it like thieves, with all their power, to destroy and spoil everything by their deceptions. So then, by their own wickedness they are condemned to everlasting damnation, daily awaiting their torments. For that reason we detest the error of the Sadducees, who deny that there are spirits and angels, and also the error of the Manicheans, who say that the devils originated by themselves, being evil by nature, without having been corrupted.


id: �r���}z�����G�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC13
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 13: The Doctrine of God’s Providence

  We believe that this good God, after he created all things, did not abandon them to chance or fortune but leads and governs them according to his holy will, in such a way that nothing happens in this world without his orderly arrangement. Yet God is not the author of, nor can he be charged with, the sin that occurs. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible that he arranges and does his work very well and justly even when the devils and wicked men act unjustly. We do not wish to inquire with undue curiosity into what he does that surpasses human understanding and is beyond our ability to comprehend. But in all humility and reverence we adore the just judgments of God, which are hidden from us, being content to be Christ’s disciples, so as to learn only what he shows us in his Word, without going beyond those limits. This doctrine gives us unspeakable comfort since it teaches us that nothing can happen to us by chance but only by the arrangement of our gracious heavenly Father. He watches over us with fatherly care, keeping all creatures under his control, so that not one of the hairs on our heads (for they are all numbered) nor even a little bird can fall to the ground without the will of our Father.<sup>20</sup> In this thought we rest, knowing that he holds in check the devils and all our enemies, who cannot hurt us without his permission and will. For that reason we reject the damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God involves himself in nothing and leaves everything to chance.

  <sup>20</sup>Matt. 10:29–30


id: �r���}z������Y
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC14
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 14: The Creation and Fall of Man

  We believe that God created man from the dust of the earth and made and formed him in his image and likeness—good, just, and holy; able by his own will to conform in all things to the will of God. But when he was in honor he did not understand it<sup>21</sup> and did not recognize his excellence. But he subjected himself willingly to sin and consequently to death and the curse, lending his ear to the word of the devil. For he transgressed the commandment of life, which he had received, and by his sin he separated himself from God, who was his true life, having corrupted his entire nature. So he made himself guilty and subject to physical and spiritual death, having become wicked, perverse, and corrupt in all his ways. He lost all his excellent gifts which he had received from God, and he retained none of them except for small traces which are enough to make him inexcusable. Moreover, all the light in us is turned to darkness, as the Scripture teaches us: “The light shone in the darkness, and the darkness did not receive it.”<sup>22</sup> Here John calls men “darkness.” Therefore we reject everything taught to the contrary concerning man’s free will, since man is nothing but the slave of sin and cannot do a thing unless it is “given him from heaven.”<sup>23</sup> For who can boast of being able to do anything good by himself, since Christ says, “No one can come to me unless my Father who sent me draws him”?<sup>24</sup> Who can glory in his own will when he understands that “the mind of the flesh is enmity against God”?<sup>25</sup> Who can speak of his own knowledge in view of the fact that “the natural man does not understand the things of the Spirit of God”?<sup>26</sup> In short, who can produce a single thought, since he knows that we are “not able to think a thing” about ourselves, by ourselves, but that “our ability is from God”?<sup>27</sup> And therefore, what the apostle says ought rightly to stand fixed and firm: “God works within us both to will and to do according to his good pleasure.”<sup>28</sup> For there is no understanding nor will conforming to God’s understanding and will apart from Christ’s work, as he teaches us when he says, “Without me you can do nothing.”<sup>29</sup>

  <sup>21</sup>Ps. 49:20
  <sup>22</sup>John 1:5
  <sup>23</sup>John 3:27
  <sup>24</sup>John 6:44
  <sup>25</sup>Rom. 8:7
  <sup>26</sup>1 Cor. 2:14
  <sup>27</sup>2 Cor. 3:5
  <sup>28</sup>Phil. 2:13
  <sup>29</sup>John 15:5


id: �r���}z������
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC15
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 15: The Doctrine of Original Sin

  We believe that by the disobedience of Adam original sin has been spread through the whole human race.<sup>30</sup> It is a corruption of all nature—an inherited depravity which even infects small infants in their mother’s womb, and the root which produces in man every sort of sin. It is therefore so vile and enormous in God’s sight that it is enough to condemn the human race, and it is not abolished or wholly uprooted even by baptism, seeing that sin constantly boils forth as though from a contaminated spring. Nevertheless, it is not imputed to God’s children for their condemnation but is forgiven by his grace and mercy—not to put them to sleep but so that the awareness of this corruption might often make believers groan as they long to be set free from the “body of this death.”<sup>31</sup> Therefore we reject the error of the Pelagians who say that this sin is nothing else than a matter of imitation.

  <sup>30</sup>Rom 5:12–13
  <sup>31</sup>Rom. 7:24


id:
  �r���s��G
  f���

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC16
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 16: The Doctrine of Election

  We believe that—all Adam’s descendants having thus fallen into perdition and ruin by the sin of the first man—God showed himself to be as he is: merciful and just. He is merciful in withdrawing and saving from this perdition those whom he, in his eternal and unchangeable counsel, has elected and chosen in Jesus Christ our Lord by his pure goodness, without any consideration of their works. He is just in leaving the others in their ruin and fall into which they plunged themselves.


id:
  �r���s��G
  g\y

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC17
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 17: The Recovery of Fallen Man

  We believe that our good God, by his marvelous wisdom and goodness, seeing that man had plunged himself in this manner into both physical and spiritual death and made himself completely miserable, set out to find him, though man, trembling all over, was fleeing from him. And he comforted him, promising to give him his Son, “born of a woman,”<sup>32</sup> to crush the head of the serpent,<sup>33</sup> and to make him blessed.

  <sup>32</sup>Gal. 4:4
  <sup>33</sup>Gen. 3:15


id: �r���w���������
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC18
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 18: The Incarnation

  So then we confess that God fulfilled the promise which he had made to the early fathers by the mouth of his holy prophets when he sent his only and eternal Son into the world at the time set by him. The Son took the “form of a servant” and was made in the “likeness of man,”<sup>34</sup> truly assuming a real human nature, with all its weaknesses, except for sin; being conceived in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, without male participation. And he not only assumed human nature as far as the body is concerned but also a real human soul, in order that he might be a real human being. For since the soul had been lost as well as the body he had to assume them both to save them both together. Therefore we confess, against the heresy of the Anabaptists who deny that Christ assumed human flesh from his mother, that he “shared the very flesh and blood of children”;<sup>35</sup> that he is “fruit of the loins of David” according to the flesh;<sup>36</sup> “born of the seed of David” according to the flesh;<sup>37</sup> “fruit of the womb of the virgin Mary”;<sup>38</sup> “born of a woman”;<sup>39</sup> “the seed of David”;<sup>40</sup> “a shoot from the root of Jesse”;<sup>41</sup> “the offspring of Judah,”<sup>42</sup> having descended from the Jews according to the flesh; “from the seed of Abraham”—for he “assumed Abraham’s seed” and was “made like his brothers except for sin.”<sup>43</sup> In this way he is truly our Immanuel—that is: “God with us.”<sup>44</sup>

  <sup>34</sup>Phil. 2:7
  <sup>35</sup>Heb. 2:14
  <sup>36</sup>Acts 2:30
  <sup>37</sup>Rom. 1:3
  <sup>38</sup>Luke 1:42
  <sup>39</sup>Gal. 4:4
  <sup>40</sup>2 Tim. 2:8
  <sup>41</sup>Rom. 15:12
  <sup>42</sup>Heb. 7:14
  <sup>43</sup>Heb. 2:17; 4:15
  <sup>44</sup>Matt. 1:23


id: �r���w�����ʦ/;
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC19
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 19: The Two Natures of Christ

  We believe that by being thus conceived the person of the Son has been inseparably united and joined together with human nature, in such a way that there are not two Sons of God, nor two persons, but two natures united in a single person, with each nature retaining its own distinct properties. Thus his divine nature has always remained uncreated, “without beginning of days or end of life,”<sup>45</sup> filling heaven and earth. His human nature has not lost its properties but continues to have those of a creature—it has a beginning of days; it is of a finite nature and retains all that belongs to a real body. And even though he, by his resurrection, gave it immortality, that nonetheless did not change the reality of his human nature; for our salvation and resurrection depend also on the reality of his body. But these two natures are so united together in one  person that they are not even separated by his death. So then, what he committed to his Father when he died was a real human spirit which left his body. But meanwhile his divine nature remained united with his human nature even when he was lying in the grave; and his deity never ceased to be in him, just as it was in him when he was a little child, though for a while it did not show itself as such. These are the reasons why we confess him to be true God and true man—true God in order to conquer death by his power, and true man that he might die for us in the weakness of his flesh.

  <sup>45</sup>Heb. 7:3


id: �r���rK���iH�7�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC20
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 20: The Justice and Mercy of God in Christ

  We believe that God—who is perfectly merciful and also very just—sent his Son to assume the nature in which the disobedience had been committed, in order to bear in it the punishment of sin by his most bitter passion and death. So God made known his justice toward his Son, who was charged with our sin, and he poured out his goodness and mercy on us, who are guilty and worthy of damnation, giving to us his Son to die, by a most perfect love, and raising him to life for our justification, in order that by him we might have immortality and eternal life.


id: �r���rK���iH�ye
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC21
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 21: The Atonement

  We believe that Jesus Christ is a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek—made such by an oath—and that he presented himself in our name before his Father, to appease his wrath with full satisfaction by offering himself on the tree of the cross and pouring out his precious blood for the cleansing of our sins, as the prophets had predicted. For it is written that “the chastisement of our peace” was placed on the Son of God and that “we are healed by his wounds.” He was “led to death as a lamb”; he was “numbered among sinners”<sup>46</sup> and condemned as a criminal by Pontius Pilate, though Pilate had declared that he was innocent. So he paid back what he had not stolen,<sup>47</sup> and he suffered—the “just for the unjust,”<sup>48</sup> in both his body and his soul—in such a way that when he sensed the horrible punishment required by our sins his sweat became like “big drops of blood falling on the ground.”<sup>49</sup> He cried, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”<sup>50</sup> And he endured all this for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore we rightly say with Paul that we “know nothing but Jesus and him crucified”;<sup>51</sup> we consider all things as “dung for the excellence of the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”<sup>52</sup> We find all comforts in his wounds and have no need to seek or invent any other means to reconcile ourselves with God than this one and only sacrifice, once made, which renders believers perfect forever. This is also why the angel of God called him Jesus—that is, “Savior”—because he would save his people from their sins.<sup>53</sup>

  <sup>46</sup>Isa. 53:4–12
  <sup>47</sup>Ps. 69:4
  <sup>48</sup>1 Pet. 3:18
  <sup>49</sup>Luke 22:44
  <sup>50</sup>Matt. 27:46
  <sup>51</sup>1 Cor. 2:2
  <sup>52</sup>Phil. 3:8
  <sup>53</sup>Matt. 1:21


id: �r���r5��g�,�G
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC22
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 22: The Righteousness of Faith

  We believe that for us to acquire the true knowledge of this great mystery the Holy Spirit kindles in our hearts a true faith that embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, and makes him its own, and no longer looks for anything apart from him. For it must necessarily follow that either all that is required for our salvation is not in Christ or, if all is in him, then he who has Christ by faith has his salvation entirely.Therefore, to say that Christ is not enough but that something else is needed as well is a most enormous blasphemy against God—for it then would follow that Jesus Christ is only half a Savior. And therefore we justly say with Paul that we are justified “by faith alone” or by faith “apart from works.”<sup>54</sup> However, we do not mean, properly speaking, that it is faith itself that justifies us—for faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ, our righteousness. But Jesus Christ is our righteousness crediting to us all his merits and all the holy works he has done for us and in our place. And faith is the instrument that keeps us in communion with him and with all his benefits. When those benefits are made ours they are more than enough to absolve us of our sins.

  <sup>54</sup>Rom. 3:28


id: �r���r5��g�G�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC23
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 23: The Justification of Sinners

  We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ, and that in it our righteousness before God is contained, as David and Paul teach us when they declare that man blessed to whom God grants righteousness apart from works.<sup>55</sup> And the same apostle says that we are justified “freely” or “by grace” through redemption in Jesus Christ.<sup>56</sup> And therefore we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting only on the obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him. That is enough to cover all our sins and to make us confident, freeing the conscience from the fear, dread, and terror of God’s approach, without doing what our first father, Adam, did, who trembled as he tried to cover himself with fig leaves. In fact, if we had to appear before God relying—no matter how little—on ourselves or some other creature, then, alas, we would be swallowed up. Therefore everyone must say with David: “Lord, do not enter into judgment with your servants, for before you no living person shall be justified.”<sup>57</sup>

  <sup>55</sup>Ps. 32:1; Rom. 4:6
  <sup>56</sup>Rom. 3:24
  <sup>57</sup>Ps. 143:2


id: �r���r5��g��)
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC24
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 24: The Sanctification of Sinners

  We believe that this true faith, produced in man by the hearing of God’s Word and by the work of the Holy Spirit, regenerates him and makes him a “new man,”<sup>58</sup> causing him to live the “new life”<sup>59</sup> and freeing him from the slavery of sin. Therefore, far from making people cold toward living in a pious and holy way, this justifying faith, quite to the contrary, so works within them that apart from it they will never do a thing out of love for God but only out of love for themselves and fear of being condemned. So then, it is impossible for this holy faith to be unfruitful in a human being, seeing that we do not speak of an empty faith but of what Scripture calls “faith working through love,”<sup>60</sup> which leads a man to do of himself the works that God has commanded in his Word. These works, proceeding from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable to God, since they are all sanctified by his grace. Yet they do not count toward our justification—for by faith in Christ we are justified, even before we do good works. Otherwise they could not be good, any more than the fruit of a tree could be good if the tree is not good in the first place. So then, we do good works, but not for merit—for what would we merit? Rather, we are indebted to God for the good works we do, and not he to us, since it is he who “works in us both to will and do according to his good pleasure”<sup>61</sup>—thus keeping in mind what is written: “When you have done all that is commanded you, then you shall say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have done what it was our duty to do.’”<sup>62</sup> Yet we do not wish to deny that God rewards good works—but it is by his grace that he crowns his gifts. Moreover, although we do good works we do not base our salvation on them; for we cannot do any work that is not defiled by our flesh and also worthy of punishment. And even if we could point to one, memory of a single sin is enough for God to reject that work. So we would always be in doubt, tossed back and forth without any certainty, and our poor consciences would be tormented constantly if they did not rest on the merit of the suffering and death of our Savior.

  <sup>58</sup>2 Cor. 5:17
  <sup>59</sup>Rom. 6:4
  <sup>60</sup>Gal. 5:6
  <sup>61</sup>Phil. 2:13
  <sup>62</sup>Luke 17:10


id:
  �r���s��
  X#���

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC25
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 25: The Fulfillment of the Law

  We believe that the ceremonies and symbols of the law have ended with the coming of Christ, and that all foreshadowings have come to an end, so that the use of them ought to be abolished among Christians. Yet the truth and substance of these things remain for us in Jesus Christ, in whom they have been fulfilled. Nevertheless, we continue to use the witnesses drawn from the law and prophets to confirm us in the gospel and to regulate our lives with full integrity for the glory of God, according to his will.


id:
  �r���s��
  X$���

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC26
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 26: The Intercession of Christ

  We believe that we have no access to God except through the one and only Mediator and Intercessor: Jesus Christ the Righteous.<sup>63</sup> He therefore was made man, uniting together the divine and human natures, so that we human beings might have access to the divine Majesty. Otherwise we would have no access. But this Mediator, whom the Father has appointed between himself and us, ought not terrify us by his greatness, so that we have to look for another one, according to our fancy. For neither in heaven nor among the creatures on earth is there anyone who loves us more than Jesus Christ does. Although he was “in the form of God,” he nevertheless “emptied himself,” taking the form of “a man” and “a servant” for us;<sup>64</sup> and he made himself “completely like his brothers.”<sup>65</sup> Suppose we had to find another intercessor. Who would love us more than he who gave his life for us, even though “we were his enemies”?<sup>66</sup> And suppose we had to find one who has prestige and power. Who has as much of these as he who is seated “at the right hand of the Father,”<sup>67</sup> and who has all power “in heaven and on earth”?<sup>68</sup> And who will be heard more readily than God’s own dearly beloved Son? So then, sheer unbelief has led to the practice of dishonoring the saints, instead of honoring them. That was something the saints never did nor asked for, but which in keeping with their duty, as appears from their writings, they consistently refused. We should not plead here that we are unworthy—for it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own dignity but only on the basis of the excellence and dignity of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith. Since the apostle for good reason wants us to get rid of this foolish fear—or rather, this unbelief—he says to us that Jesus Christ was “made like his brothers in all things,” that he might be a high priest who is merciful and faithful to purify the sins of the people.<sup>69</sup> For since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted.<sup>70</sup> And further, to encourage us more to approach him he says, “Since we have a high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has entered into heaven, we maintain our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to have compassion for our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in all things, just as we are, except for sin. Let us go then with confidence to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace, in order to be helped.”<sup>71</sup> The same apostle says that we “have liberty to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus. Let us go, then, in the assurance of faith….”<sup>72</sup> Likewise, “Christ’s priesthood is forever. By this he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him who always lives to intercede for them.”<sup>73</sup> What more do we need? For Christ himself declares: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to my Father but by me.”<sup>74</sup> Why should we seek another intercessor? Since it has pleased God to give us his Son as our Intercessor, let us not leave him for another—or rather seek, without ever finding. For when God gave him to us he knew well that we were sinners. Therefore, in following the command of Christ we call on the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator, as we are taught by the Lord’s Prayer, being assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in his name.

  <sup>63</sup>1 John 2:1
  <sup>64</sup>Phil. 2:6–8
  <sup>65</sup>Heb. 2:17
  <sup>66</sup>Rom. 5:10
  <sup>67</sup>Rom. 8:34; Heb. 1:3
  <sup>68</sup>Matt. 28:18
  <sup>69</sup>Heb. 2:17
  <sup>70</sup>Heb. 2:18
  <sup>71</sup>Heb. 4:14–16
  <sup>72</sup>Heb. 10:19, 22
  <sup>73</sup>Heb. 7:24–25
  <sup>74</sup>John 14:6


id: �r���|����&��y
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC27
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church

  We believe and confess One single catholic or universal church—a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men—as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord reserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal.<sup>75</sup> And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith.

  <sup>75</sup>1 Kings 19:18


id: �r���|����&���
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC28
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members

  We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God’s ordinance.


id:
  �r���r-���&�8
  w

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC29
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 29: The Marks of the True Church

  We believe that we ought to discern diligently and very carefully, by the Word of God, what is the true church—for all sects in the world today claim for themselves the name of “the church.” We are not speaking here of the company of hypocrites who are mixed among the good in the church and who nonetheless are not part of it, even though they are physically there. But we are speaking of distinguishing the body and fellowship of the true church from all sects that call themselves “the church.” The true church can be recognized if it has the following marks: The church engages in the pure preaching of the gospel; it makes use of the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them; it practices church discipline for correcting faults. In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God, rejecting all things contrary to it and holding Jesus Christ as the only Head. By these marks one can be assured of recognizing the true church—and no one ought to be separated from it. As for those who are of the church, we can recognize them by the distinguishing marks of Christians: namely by faith, and by their fleeing from sin and pursuing righteousness, once they have received the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. They love the true God and their neighbors, without turning to the right or left, and they crucify the flesh and its works. Though great weakness remains in them, they fight against it by the Spirit all the days of their lives, appealing constantly to the blood, suffering, death, and obedience of the Lord Jesus, in whom they have forgiveness of their sins, through faith in him. As for the false church, it assigns more authority to itself and its ordinances than to the Word of God; it does not want to subject itself to the yoke of Christ; it does not administer the sacraments as Christ commanded in his Word; it rather adds to them or subtracts from them as it pleases; it bases itself on men, more than on Jesus Christ; it persecutes those who live holy lives according to the Word of God and who rebuke it for its faults, greed, and idolatry. These two churches are easy to recognize and thus to distinguish from each other.


id: �r���r-���&��u�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC30
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 30: The Government of the Church

  We believe that this true church ought to be governed according to the spiritual order that our Lord has taught us in his Word. There should be ministers or pastors to preach the Word of God and administer the sacraments. There should also be elders and deacons, along with the pastors, to make up the council of the church. By this means true religion is preserved; true doctrine is able to take its course; and evil men are corrected spiritually and held in check, so that also the poor and all the afflicted may be helped and comforted according to their need. By this means everything will be done well and in good order in the church, when such men are elected who are faithful and are chosen according to the rule that Paul gave to Timothy.<sup>76</sup>

  <sup>76</sup>1 Tim. 3


id: �r���r-���&�ϭ
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC31
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 31: The Officers of the Church

  We believe that ministers of the Word of God, elders, and deacons ought to be chosen to their offices by a legitimate election of the church, with prayer in the name of the Lord, and in good order, as the Word of God teaches. So everyone must be careful not to push himself forward improperly, but he must wait for God’s call, so that he may be assured of his calling and be certain and sure that he is chosen by the Lord. As for the ministers of the Word, they all have the same power and authority, no matter where they may be, since they are all servants of Jesus Christ, the only universal bishop, and the only head of the church. Moreover, to keep God’s holy order from being violated or despised, we say that everyone ought, as much as possible, to hold the ministers of the Word and elders of the church in special esteem, because of the work they do, and be at peace with them, without grumbling, quarreling, or fighting.


id: �r���wT�"�G�I5;
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC32
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 32: The Order and Discipline of the Church

  We also believe that although it is useful and good for those who govern the churches to establish and set up a certain order among themselves for maintaining the body of the church, they ought always to guard against deviating from what Christ, our only Master, has ordained for us. Therefore we reject all human innovations and all laws imposed on us, in our worship of God, which bind and force our consciences in any way. So we accept only what is proper to maintain harmony and unity and to keep all in obedience to God. To that end excommunication, with all it involves, according to the Word of God, is required.


id: �r���wT�"�G���^
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC33
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 33: The Sacraments

  We believe that our good God, mindful of our crudeness and weakness, has ordained sacraments for us to seal his promises in us, to pledge his good will and grace toward us, and also to nourish and sustain our faith. He has added these to the Word of the gospel to represent better to our external senses both what he enables us to understand by his Word and what he does inwardly in our hearts, confirming in us  the salvation he imparts to us. For they are visible signs and seals of something internal and invisible, by means of which God works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. So they are not empty and hollow signs to fool and deceive us, for their truth is Jesus Christ, without whom they would be nothing. Moreover, we are satisfied with the number of sacraments that Christ our Master has ordained for us. There are only two: the sacrament of baptism and the Holy Supper of Jesus Christ.


id: �r���{��6H�,�d�
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC34
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 34: The Sacrament of Baptism

  We believe and confess that Jesus Christ, in whom the law is fulfilled, has by his shed blood put an end to every other shedding of blood, which anyone might do or wish to do in order to atone or satisfy for sins. Having abolished circumcision, which was done with blood, he established in its place the sacrament of baptism. By it we are received into God’s church and set apart from all other people and alien religions, that we may be dedicated entirely to him, bearing his mark and sign. It also witnesses to us that he will be our God forever, since he is our gracious Father. Therefore he has commanded that all those who belong to him be baptized with pure water “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”<sup>77</sup> In this way he signifies to us that just as water washes away the dirt of the body when it is poured on us and also is seen on the body of the baptized when it is sprinkled on him, so too the blood of Christ does the same thing internally, in the soul, by the Holy Spirit. It washes and cleanses it from its sins and transforms us from being the children of wrath into the children of God. This does not happen by the physical water but by the sprinkling of the precious blood of the Son of God, who is our Red Sea, through which we must pass to escape the tyranny of Pharaoh, who is the devil, and to enter the spiritual land of Canaan. So ministers, as far as their work is concerned, give us the sacrament and what is visible, but our Lord gives what the sacrament signifies—namely the invisible gifts and graces; washing, purifying, and cleansing our souls of all filth and unrighteousness; renewing our hearts and filling them with all comfort; giving us true assurance of his fatherly goodness; clothing us with the “new man” and stripping off the “old,” with all its works. <sup>78</sup> For this reason we believe that anyone who aspires to reach eternal life ought to be baptized only once without ever repeating it—for we cannot be born twice. Yet this baptism is profitable not only when the water is on us and when we receive it but throughout our entire lives. For that reason we detest the error of the Anabaptists who are not content with a single baptism once received and also condemn the baptism of the children of believers. We believe our children ought to be baptized and sealed with the sign of the covenant, as little children were circumcised in Israel on the basis of the same promises made to our children. And truly, Christ has shed his blood no less for washing the little children of believers than he did for adults. Therefore they ought to receive the sign and sacrament of what Christ has done for them, just as the Lord commanded in the law that by offering a lamb for them the sacrament of the suffering and death of Christ would be granted them shortly after their birth. This was the sacrament of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, baptism does for our children what circumcision did for the Jewish people. That is why Paul calls baptism the “circumcision of Christ.”<sup>79</sup>

  <sup>77</sup>Matt. 28:19
  <sup>78</sup>Col. 3:9–10
  <sup>79</sup>Col. 2:11


id: �r���{��6H�,��
type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC35
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 35: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

  We believe and confess that our Savior Jesus Christ has ordained and instituted the sacrament of the Holy Supper to nourish and sustain those who are already born again and ingrafted into his family: his church. Now those who are born again have two lives in them. The one is physical and temporal—they have it from the moment of their first birth, and it is common to all. The other is spiritual and heavenly, and is given them in their second birth; it comes through the Word of the gospel in the communion of the body of Christ; and this life is common to God’s elect only. Thus, to support the physical and earthly life God has prescribed for us an appropriate earthly and material bread, which is as common to all as life itself also is. But to maintain the spiritual and heavenly life that belongs to believers he has sent a living bread that came down from heaven: namely Jesus Christ, who nourishes and maintains the spiritual life of believers when eaten—that is, when appropriated and received spiritually by faith. To represent to us this spiritual and heavenly bread Christ has instituted an earthly and visible bread as the sacrament of his body and wine as the sacrament of his blood. He did this to testify to us that just as truly as we take and hold the sacraments in our hands and eat and drink it in our mouths, by which our life is then sustained, so truly we receive into our souls, for our spiritual life, the true body and true blood of Christ, our only Savior. We receive these by faith, which is the hand and mouth of our souls. Now it is certain that Jesus Christ did not prescribe his sacraments for us in vain, since he works in us all he represents by these holy signs, although the manner in which he does it goes beyond our understanding and is incomprehensible to us, just as the operation of God’s Spirit is hidden and incomprehensible. Yet we do not go wrong when we say that what is eaten is Christ’s own natural body and what is drunk is his own blood—but the manner in which we eat it is not by the mouth but by the Spirit, through faith. In that way Jesus Christ remains always seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven—but he never refrains on that account to communicate himself to us through faith. This banquet is a spiritual table at which Christ communicates himself to us with all his benefits. At that table he makes us enjoy himself as much as the merits of his suffering and death, as he nourishes, strengthens, and comforts our poor, desolate souls by the eating of his flesh, and relieves and renews them by the drinking of his blood. Moreover, though the sacraments and the thing signified are joined together, not all receive both of them. The wicked person certainly takes the sacrament, to his condemnation, but does not receive the truth of the sacrament, just as Judas and Simon the Sorcerer both indeed received the sacrament, but not Christ, who was signified by it. He is communicated only to believers. Finally, with humility and reverence we receive the holy sacrament in the gathering of God’s people, as we engage together, with thanksgiving, in a holy remembrance of the death of Christ our Savior, and as we thus confess our faith and Christian religion. Therefore no one should come to this table without examining himself carefully, lest “by eating this bread and drinking this cup he eat and drink to his own judgment.”<sup>80</sup> In short, by the use of this holy sacrament we are moved to a fervent love of God and our neighbors. Therefore we reject as desecrations of the sacraments all the muddled ideas and damnable inventions that men have added and mixed in with them. And we say that we should be content with the procedure that Christ and the apostles have taught us and speak of these things as they have spoken of them.

  <sup>80</sup>1 Cor. 11:27


id:
  �r���qP�
  :�5M�

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC36
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 36: The Civil Government

  We believe that because of the depravity of the human race our good God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers. He wants the world to be governed by laws and policies so that human lawlessness may be restrained and that everything may be conducted in good order among human beings. For that purpose he has placed the sword in the hands of the government, to punish evil people and protect the good. And being called in this manner to contribute to the advancement of a society that is pleasing to God, the civil rulers have the task, subject to God’s law, of removing every obstacle to the preaching of the gospel and to every aspect of divine worship. They should do this while completely refraining from every tendency toward exercising absolute authority, and while functioning in the sphere entrusted to them, with the means belonging to them. They should do it in order that the Word of God may have free course; the kingdom of Jesus Christ may make progress; and every anti-Christian power may be resisted.

  * Moreover everyone, regardless of status, condition, or rank, must be subject to the government, and pay taxes, and hold its representatives in honor and respect, and obey them in all things that are not in conflict with God’s Word, praying for them that the Lord may be willing to lead them in all their ways and that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all piety and decency. And on this matter we denounce the Anabaptists, other anarchists, and in general all those who want to reject the authorities and civil officers and to subvert justice by introducing common ownership of goods and corrupting the moral order that God has established among human beings.

  * The preceding three paragraphs are a substitution for the original paragraph below, which various Reformed Synods have judged to be unbiblical:

  “And the government’s task is not limited to caring for and watching over the public domain but extends also to upholding the sacred ministry, with a view to removing and destroying all idolatry and false worship of the Antichrist; to promoting the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and to furthering the preaching of the gospel everywhere; to the end that God may be honored and served by everyone, as he requires in his Word.”


id:
  �r���qP�
  :�5S �

type: belgic
name: Belgic
label: BC37
content:
  # Belgic Confession
  ## Article 37: The Last Judgment

  Finally, we believe, according to God’s Word, that when the time appointed by the Lord is come (which is unknown to all creatures) and the number of the elect is complete, our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, bodily and visibly, as he ascended, with great glory and majesty, to declare himself the judge of the living and the dead. He will burn this old world, in fire and flame, in order to cleanse it. Then all human creatures will appear in person before that great judge—men, women, and children, who have lived from the beginning until the end of the world. They will be summoned there by the voice of the archangel and by the sound of the divine trumpet.<sup>81</sup> For all those who died before that time will be raised from the earth, their spirits being joined and united with their own bodies in which they lived. And as for those who are still alive, they will not die like the others but will be changed “in the twinkling of an eye” from “corruptible to incorruptible.”<sup>82</sup> Then “the books” (that is, the consciences) will be opened, and the dead will be judged according to the things they did in the world,<sup>83</sup> whether good or evil. Indeed, all people will give account of all the idle words they have spoken,<sup>84</sup> which the world regards as only playing games. And then the secrets and hypocrisies of men will be publicly uncovered in the sight of all. Therefore, with good reason the thought of this judgment is horrible and dreadful to wicked and evil people. But it is very pleasant and a great comfort to the righteous and elect, since their total redemption will then be accomplished. They will then receive the fruits of their labor and of the trouble they have suffered; their innocence will be openly recognized by all; and they will see the terrible vengeance that God will bring on the evil ones who tyrannized, oppressed, and tormented them in this world. The evil ones will be convicted by the witness of their own consciences, and shall be made immortal—but only to be tormented in the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.<sup>85</sup> In contrast, the faithful and elect will be crowned with glory and honor. The Son of God will “confess their names”<sup>86</sup> before God his Father and the holy and elect angels; all tears will be “wiped from their eyes”;<sup>87</sup> and their cause—at present condemned as heretical and evil by many judges and civil officers—will be acknowledged as the “cause of the Son of God.” And as a gracious reward the Lord will make them possess a glory such as the heart of man could never imagine. So we look forward to that great day with longing in order to enjoy fully the promises of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

  <sup>81</sup>1 Thess. 4:16
  <sup>82</sup>1 Cor. 15:51–53
  <sup>83</sup>Rev. 20:12
  <sup>84</sup>Matt. 12:36
  <sup>85</sup>Matt. 25:14
  <sup>86</sup>Matt. 10:32
  <sup>87</sup>Rev. 7:17


id: �r�,0v�A6��e
type: creed
name: Apostle's Creed
label: apc
content:
  # The Apostle's Creed

  ## Introduction

  The Apostle's Creed is so called, not because it was produced by the apostles themselves, but because it contains a concise summary of their teachings. Its chief tenets can be traced to specific New Testament texts, such as Matthew 1:18; 16:16; 28:19; Luke 1:35; 23:43; 1 Corinthians 15:3–5; 15:20. As has been well said, it sets forth biblical doctrine “in sublime simplicity, in unsurpassable brevity, in the most beautiful order, and with liturgical solemnity.”<sup>1</sup> This creed originated as a baptismal confession, probably in the second century, and developed into its present form by the sixth or seventh century, being the culmination of several centuries of reflection. The creed is Trinitarian in structure and accents God’s operations for our salvation. More than any other creed of Christendom, it may justly be called an ecumenical symbol of faith.

  <sup>1</sup> Philip Schaff, History of the Apostolic Church, trans. Edward D. Yeomans (New York: Charles Scribner, 1854), 568.

  ## The Apostles’ Creed

  I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

  I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell;<sup>1</sup> the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

  I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic<sup>2</sup> church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

  <sup>1</sup> See Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 44; Canons of Dort, 2.4
  <sup>2</sup> "Catholic" means universal; that is, there is one church across all times, places, and peoples
  (Belgic Confession, Art. 27; Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 54).


id: �r�,5q���#r��Җ
type: creed
name: Athanasian Creed
label: atc
content:
  # The Athanasian Creed

  ## Introduction

  The Athanasian Creed is named after Athanasius (293–373), the champion of orthodoxy against Arian attacks on the doctrine of the Trinity. Although Athanasius did not write this creed, the name persists because it was commonly ascribed to him until the seventeenth century. It is also called the Quicunque vult, derived from the opening words in the Latin original.

  The general consensus among scholars is that this creed was produced during the fifth or sixth century. Originally it seems to have been used, not as a creed or confession, but as a tool of instruction and test of orthodoxy for clergy. It is first quoted in the canons of the Fourth Synod of Toledo (633), and apparently gained creedal status at the Synod of Autun (ca. 670). By the thirteenth century, it was regarded in the West as one of the three principal creeds of the church, along with the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.

  The Athanasian Creed’s liturgical function is limited because of its length, but it continues to define a markedly Western understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity and presents positively the Christology of Chalcedon. It was formulated in response to the post-Nicene controversies regarding the person of Jesus Christ, specifically concerning the incarnation and the relationship between Christ’s divine and human natures. It addresses Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, and perhaps also Eutychianism, which were condemned at the councils of Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), and Chalcedon (451), respectively. Apart from the opening and closing sentences, this creed consists of two parts, each consisting of a series of declarations. The first part sets forth the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity (3–28), and the second treats chiefly the doctrines of the incarnation and the two natures of Christ (29–41). As for the doctrine of the Trinity, this creed accents the Augustinian teaching on the Trinity, with the procession of the Spirit from the Father and the Son (filioque) and an accent on the divine unity. The Godhead is altogether one—one divine substance or essence—yet each person in it has a particular property by virtue of which he differs and is distinct from the other two. Those properties are that the Father is not generated (or begotten), that the Son is generated (or begotten), and that the Holy Spirit proceeds (or is sent). As for the doctrine of Christ, this creed teaches the full deity and the full humanity of Christ; the unity and oneness of his person is also affirmed, contrary to Nestorianism. His humanity is constituted with a rational soul and a human body. Seemingly addressing Eutychianism as well as Apollinarianism, this creed denies any confusion of natures in Jesus Christ and affirms that the Son of God assumed a full human nature. Next follow statements about Christ’s death and resurrection and the general resurrection and last judgment. The creed’s introduction and conclusion assert that the corruption or denial of the teaching of this creed is inconsistent with salvation.

  ## The Athanasian Creed

  *[1]* Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic<sup>1</sup> faith. *[2]* Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally.

  *[3]* Now this is the catholic faith: that we worship one God in Trinity and the Trinity in unity, *[4]* neither confounding their persons nor dividing the essence. *[5]* For the person of the Father is a distinct person, the person of the Son is another, and that of the Holy Spirit still another. *[6]* But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. *[7]* Such as the Father is, such is the Son and such is the Holy Spirit. *[8]* The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, the Holy Spirit is uncreated. *[9]* The Father is immeasurable, the Son is immeasurable, the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.
  *[10]* The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, the Holy Spirit is eternal. *[11]* And yet there are not three eternal beings; there is but one eternal being. *[12]* So too there are not three uncreated or immeasurable beings; there is but one uncreated and immeasurable being. *[13]* Similarly, the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, the Holy Spirit is almighty. *[14]* Yet there are not three almighty beings; there is but one almighty being. *[15]* Thus, the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. *[16]* Yet there are not three gods; there is but one God. *[17]* Thus, the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord. *[18]* Yet there are not three lords; there is but one Lord. *[19]* Just as Christian truth compels us to confess each person individually as both God and Lord, *[20]* so catholic religion forbids us to say that there are three gods or lords. *[21]* The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten from anyone. *[22]* The Son was neither made nor created; he was begotten from the Father alone. *[23]* The Holy Spirit was neither made nor created nor begotten; he proceeds from the Father and the Son. *[24]* Accordingly, there is one Father, not three fathers; there is one Son, not three sons; there is one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits. *[25]* None in this Trinity is before or after, none is greater or smaller; *[26]* in their entirety the three persons are coeternal and coequal with each other. *[27]* So in everything, as was said earlier, the unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in unity, is to be worshipped. *[28]* Anyone then who desires to be saved should think thus about the Trinity.

  *[29]* But it is necessary for eternal salvation that one also believe in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ faithfully. *[30]* Now this is the true faith: that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is both God and man, equally. *[31]* He is God from the essence of the Father, begotten before time; and he is man from the essence of his mother, born in time; *[32]* completely God, completely man, with a rational soul and human flesh; *[33]* equal to the Father as regards divinity, less than the Father as regards humanity. *[34]* Although he is God and man, yet Christ is not two, but one. *[35]* He is one, however, not by his divinity being turned into flesh, but by God’s taking humanity to himself. *[36]* He is one, certainly not by the blending of his essence, but by the unity of his person. *[37]* For just as one man is both rational soul and flesh, so too the one Christ is both God and man. *[38]* He suffered for our salvation; he descended to hell;<sup>2</sup> he arose from the dead on the third day; *[39]* he ascended to heaven; he is seated at the Father’s right hand; *[40]* from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. *[41]* At his coming all people will arise bodily *[42]* and give an accounting of their own deeds. *[43]* Those who have done good will enter eternal life, and those who have done evil will enter eternal fire.

  *[44]* This is the catholic faith: that one cannot be saved without believing it firmly and faithfully.

  <sup>1</sup> "Catholic" means universal; that is, there is one church across all times, places, and peoples
  (Belgic Confession, art. 27; Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 54).

  <sup>2</sup> See Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 44; Canons of Dort, 2.4.


id: �r�,5q���#r���8
type: creed
name: Definition of Chalcedon
label: dc
content:
  # Definition Of Chalcedon

  We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Deity and also perfect in humanity; truly God and truly man, of a rational soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Deity, and consubstantial with us according to the Humanity; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Deity, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the theotokos (θεοτοκος), according to the humanity; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, immutably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning him, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.


id: �r�,6|��2D��8
type: creed
name: French Confession
label: fc
content:
  # French Confession

  THE FRENCH SUBJECTS WHO WISH TO LIVE IN THE PURITY OF THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

  To the King.

  Sire, we thank God that hitherto having had no access to your Majesty to make known the rigor of the persecutions that we have suffered, and suffer daily, for wishing to live in the purity of the Gospel and in peace with our own consciences, he now permits us to see that you wish to know the worthiness of our cause, as is shown by the last Edict given at Amboise in the month of March of this present year, 1559, which it has pleased your Majesty to cause to be published. This emboldens us to speak, which we have been prevented from doing hitherto through the injustice and violence of some of your officers, incited rather by hatred of us than by love of your service. And to the end, Sire, that we may fully inform your Majesty of what concerns this cause, we humbly beseech that you will see and hear our Confession of Faith, which we present to you, hoping that it will prove a sufficient answer to the blame and opprobrium unjustly laid upon us by those who have always made a point of condemning us without having any knowledge of our cause. In the which, Sire, we can affirm that there is nothing contrary to the Word of God, or to the homage which we owe to you.

  For the articles of our faith, which are all declared at some length in our Confession, all come to this: that since God has sufficiently declared his will to us through his Prophets and Apostles, and even by the mouth of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, we owe such respect and reverence to the Word of God as shall prevent us from adding to it any thing of our own, but shall make us conform entirely to the rules it prescribes. And inasmuch as the Roman Church, forsaking the use and customs of the primitive Church, has introduced new commandments and a new form of worship of God, we esteem it but reasonable to prefer the commandments of God, who is himself truth, to the commandments of men, who by their nature are inclined to deceit and vanity. And whatever our enemies may say against us, we can declare this before God and men, that we suffer for no other reason than for maintaining our Lord Jesus Christ to be our only Saviour and Redeemer, and his doctrine to be the only doctrine of life and salvation.

  And this is the only reason, Sire, why the executioners’ hands have been stained so often with the blood of your poor subjects, who, sparing not their lives to maintain this same Confession of Faith, have shown to all that they were moved by some other spirit than that of men, who naturally care more for their own peace and comfort than for the honor and glory of God.

  And therefore, Sire, in accordance with your promises of goodness and mercy toward your poor subjects, we humbly beseech your Majesty graciously to examine the cause for which, being threatened at all times with death or exile, we thus lose the power of rendering the humble service that we owe you. May it please your Majesty, then instead of the fire and sword which have been used hitherto, so have our confession of Faith decided by the Word of God: giving permission and security for this. And we hope that your yourself will be the judge of our innocence, knowing that there is in us no rebellion or heresy whatsoever, but that our only endeavor is to live in peace of conscience, serving God according to his commandments, and honoring your Majesty by all obedience and submission.

  And because we have great need, by the preaching of the Word of God, to be kept in our duty to him, as well as to yourself, we humbly beg, sine, that we may sometimes be permitted to gather together, to be exhorted to the fear o God by his Word, as well as to be confirmed by the administration of the Sacraments which the Lord Jesus Christ instituted in his Church. And if it should please your Majesty to give us a place where any one may see what passes in our assemblies, we shall thereby be absolved from the charge of the enormous crimes with which these same assemblies have been defamed. For nothing will be seen but what is decent and well-ordered, and nothing will be heard but the praise of God, exhortations to his service, and prayers for the preservation of your Majesty and of your kingdom. And if it do not please you to great us this favor, at least let it be permitted us to follow the established order in private among ourselves.

  We beseech yon most humbly, Sire, to believe that in listening to this application which is now presented to yon, listen to the cries and groans of an infinite number of year poor subjects, who implore of your mercy that you extinguish the fires which the cruelty of your judges has lighted in your kingdom. And that we may thus be permitted, in serving your Majesty, to serve him who has raised you to your power and dignity.

  And if it should not please you, Sire, to listen to our voice, may it please you to listen to that of the Son of God, who, having given you power over our property, our bodies, and even our lives, demands that the control and dominion of our souls and consciences, which he purchased with his own blood, be reserved to him.

  We beseech him, Sire, that he may lead yon always by his Spirit, increasing with your age, your greatness and power, giving you victory over all your enemies, and establishing for ever, in all equity and justice, the throne of your Majesty: before whom, may it please him that we find grace, and some fruit of this our present supplication, so that having exchanged our pains and afflictions for some peace and liberty, we may also change our tears and lamentations into a perpetual thanksgiving to God, and to your Majesty for having done that which is most agreeable to him, most worthy, of your goodness and mercy, and most necessary for the preservation of your most humble and obedient subjects and servants.

  ## CONFESSION OF FAITH

  Made in one accord by the French people, who desire to live according to the purity of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. A.D. 1559.

  1. We believe and confess that there is but one God, who is one sole and simple essence, spiritual, eternal, invisible, immutable, infinite, incomprehensible, ineffable, omnipotent; who is all-wise, all-good, all-just, and all-merciful.

  2. As such this God reveals himself to men; firstly, in his works, in their creation, as well as in their preservation and control. Secondly, and more clearly, in his Word, which was in the beginning revealed through oracles, and which was afterward committed to writing in the books which we call the Holy Scriptures.

  3. These Holy Scriptures are comprised in the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, as follows: the five books of Moses, namely: GENESIS, EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY; then JOSHUA, JUDGES, RUTH, the first and second books of SAMUEL, the first and second books of the KINGS, the first and second books of the CHRONICLES, otherwise called Paralipomenon, the first book of EZRA; then NEHEMIAH, the book of ESTHER, JOB, the PSALMS of David, the PROVERBS or Maxims of Solomon; the book of ECCLESIASTES, called the Preacher, the SONG OF SOLOMON; then the book of ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, LAMENTATIONS of Jeremiah, EZEKIEL, DANIEL, HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS, OBADIAH, JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI; then the Holy Gospel according to St. MATTHEW, according to St. MARK, according to St. LUKE, and according to St. JOHN; then the second book of St. LUKE, otherwise called the ACTS of the Apostles; then the Epistles of St. PAUL: one to the ROMANS, two to the CORINTHIANS, one to the GALATIANS, one to the EPHESIANS, one to the PHILIPPIANS, one to the COLOSSIANS, two to the THESSALONIANS, two to TIMOTHY, one to TITUS, one to PHILEMON; then the Epistle to the HEBREWS, the Epistle of St. JAMES, the first and second Epistles of St. PETER, the first, second, and third Epistles of St. JOHN, the Epistle of St. JUDE; and then the APOCALYPSE, or Revelation of St. John.

  4. We know these books to be canonical, and the sure rule of our faith, not so much by the common accord and consent of the Church, as by the testimony and inward illumination of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to distinguish them from other ecclesiastical books upon which, however useful, we can not found any articles of faith.

  5. We believe that the Word contained in these books has proceeded from God, and receives its authority from him alone, and not from men. And inasmuch as it is the rule of all truth, containing all that is necessary for the service of God and for our salvation, it is not lawful for men, nor even for angels, to add to it, to take away from it, or to change it. Whence it follows that no authority, whether of antiquity, or custom, or numbers, or human wisdom, or judgments, or proclamations, or edicts, or decrees, or councils, or visions, or miracles, should be opposed to these Holy Scriptures, but, on the contrary, all things should be examined, regulated, and reformed according to them. And therefore we confess the three creeds, to wit: the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian, because they are in accordance with the Word of God.

  6. These Holy Scriptures teach us that in this one sole and simple divine essence, whom we have confessed, there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father, first cause, principle, and origin of all things. The Son, his Word and eternal wisdom. The Holy Spirit, his virtue, power, and efficacy. The Son begotten from eternity by the Father. The Holy Spirit proceeding eternally from them both; the three persons not confused, but distinct, and yet not separate, but of the same essence, equal in eternity and power. And in this we confess that which hath been established by the ancient councils, and we detest all sects and heresies which were rejected by the holy doctors, such as St. Hilary, St. Athanasius, St. Ambrose, and St. Cyril.

  7. We believe that God, in three co-working persons, by his power, wisdom, and incomprehensible goodness, created all things, not only the heavens and the earth and all that in them is, but also invisible spirits, some of whom have fallen away and gone into perdition, while others have continued in obedience. That the first, being corrupted by evil, are enemies of all good, consequently of the whole Church. The second, having been preserved by the grace of God, are ministers to glorify God’s name, and to promote the salvation of his elect.

  8. We believe that he not only created all things, but that he governs and directs them, disposing and ordaining by his sovereign will all that happens in the world; not that he is the author of evil, or that the guilt of it can be imputed to him, as his will is the sovereign and infallible rule of all right and justice; but he hath wonderful means of so making use of devils and sinners that he can turn to good the evil which they do, and of which they are guilty. And thus, confessing that the providence of God orders all things, we humbly bow before the secrets which are hidden to us, without questioning what is above our understanding; but rather making use of what is revealed to us in Holy Scripture for our peace and safety, inasmuch as God, who has all things in subjection to him, watches over us with a Father’s care, so that not a hair of our heads shall fall without his will. And yet he restrains the devils and all our enemies, so that they can not harm us without his leave.

  9. We believe that man was created pure and perfect in the image of God, and that by his own guilt he fell from the grace which he received, and is thus alienated from God, the fountain of justice and of all good, so that his nature is totally corrupt. And being blinded in mind, and depraved in heart, he has lost all integrity, and there is no good in him. And although he can still discern good and evil, we say, notwithstanding, that the light he has becomes darkness when he seeks for God, so that he can in nowise approach him by his intelligence and reason. And although he has a will that incites him to do this or that, yet it is altogether captive to sin, so that he has no other liberty to do right than that which God gives him.

  10. We believe that all the posterity of Adam is in bondage to original sin, which is an hereditary evil, and not an imitation merely, as was declared by the Pelagians, whom we detest in their errors. And we consider that it is not necessary to inquire how sin was conveyed from one man to another, for what God had given Adam was not for him alone, but for all his posterity; and thus in his person we have been deprived of all good things, and have fallen with him into a state of sin and misery.

  11. We believe, also, that this evil is truly sin, sufficient for the condemnation of the whole human race, even of little children in the mother’s womb, and that God considers it as such; even after baptism it is still of the nature of sin, but the condemnation of it is abolished for the children of God, out of his mere free grace and love. And further, that it is a perversity always producing fruits of malice and of rebellion, so that the most holy men, although they resist it, are still stained with many weaknesses and imperfections while they are in this life.

  12. We believe that from this corruption and general condemnation in which all men are plunged, God, according to his eternal and immutable counsel, calleth those whom he hath chosen by his goodness and mercy alone in our Lord Jesus Christ, without consideration of their works, to display in them the riches of his mercy; leaving the rest in this same corruption and condemnation to show in them his justice. For the ones are no better than the others, until God discerns them according to his immutable purpose which he has determined in Jesus Christ before the creation of the world. Neither can any man gain such a reward by his own virtue, as by nature we can not have a single good feeling, affection, or thought, except God has first put it into our hearts.

  13. We believe that all that is necessary for our salvation was offered and communicated to us in Jesus Christ. He is given to us for our salvation, and ‘is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:’ so that if we refuse him, we renounce the mercy of the Father, in which alone we can find a refuge.

  14. We believe that Jesus Christ, being the wisdom of God and his eternal Son, has put on our flesh, so as to be God and man in one person; man, like unto us, capable of suffering in body and soul, yet free from all stain of sin. And as to his humanity, he was the true seed of Abraham and of David, although he was conceived by the secret power of the Holy Spirit. In this we detest all the heresies that have of old troubled the Church, and especially the diabolical conceits of Servetus, which attribute a fantastical divinity to the Lord Jesus, calling him the idea and pattern of all things, and the personal or figurative Son of God, and, finally, attribute to him a body of three uncreated elements, thus confusing and destroying the two natures.

  15. We believe that in one person, that is, Jesus Christ, the two natures are actually and inseparably joined and united, and yet each remains in its proper character: so that in this union the divine nature, retaining its attributes, remained uncreated, infinite, and all-pervading; and the human nature remained finite, having its form, measure, and attributes; and although Jesus Christ, in rising from the dead, bestowed immortality upon his body, yet he did not take from it the truth of its nature, and we so consider him in his divinity that we do not despoil him of his humanity.

  16. We believe that God, in sending his Son, intended to show his love and inestimable goodness towards us, giving him up to die to accomplish all righteousness, and raising him from the dead to secure for us the heavenly life.

  17. We believe that by the perfect sacrifice that the Lord Jesus offered on the cross, we are reconciled to God, and justified before him; for we can not be acceptable to him, nor become partakers of the grace of adoption, except as he pardons [all] our sins, and blots them out. Thus we declare that through Jesus Christ we are cleansed and made perfect; by his death we are fully justified, and through him only can we be delivered from our iniquities and transgressions.

  18. We believe that all our justification rests upon the remission of our sins, in which also is our only blessedness, as saith the Psalmist (Psa. 32:2). We therefore reject all other means of justification before God, and without claiming any virtue or merit, we rest simply in the obedience of Jesus Christ, which is imputed to us as much to blot out all our sins as to make us find grace and favor in the sight of God. And, in fact, we believe that in falling away from this foundation, however slightly, we could not find rest elsewhere, but should always be troubled. Forasmuch as we are never at peace with God till we resolve to be loved in Jesus Christ, for of ourselves we are worthy of hatred.

  19. We believe that by this means we have the liberty and privilege of calling upon God, in full confidence that he will show himself a Father to us. For we should have no access to the Father except through this Mediator. And to be heard in his name, we must hold our life from him as from our chief.

  20. We believe that we are made partakers of this justification by faith alone, as it is written: ‘He suffered for our salvation, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish.’ And this is done inasmuch as we appropriate to our use the promises of life which are given to us through him, and feel their effect when we accept them, being assured that we are established by the Word of God and shall not be deceived. Thus our justification through faith depends upon the free promises by which God declares and testifies his love to us.

  21. We believe that we are enlightened in faith by the secret power of the Holy Spirit, that it is a gratuitous and special gift which God grants to whom he will, so that the elect have no cause to glory, but are bound to be doubly thankful that they have been preferred to others. We believe also that faith is not given to the elect only to introduce them into the right way, but also to make them continue in it to the end. For as it is God who hath begun the work, he will also perfect it.

  22. We believe that by this faith we are regenerated in newness of life, being by nature subject to sin, Now we receive by faith grace to live holily and in the fear of God, in accepting the promise which is given to us by the Gospel, namely: that God will give us his Holy Spirit. This faith not only doth not hinder us from holy living, or turn us from the love of righteousness, but of necessity begetteth in us all good works. Moreover, although God worketh in us for our salvation, and reneweth our hearts, determining us to that which is good, yet we confess that the good works which we do proceed from his Spirit, and can not be accounted to us for justification, neither do they entitle us to the adoption of sons, for we should always be doubting and restless in our hearts, if we did not rest upon the atonement by which Jesus Christ hath acquitted us.

  23. We believe that the ordinances of the law came to an end at the advent of Jesus Christ; but, although the ceremonies are no more in use, yet their substance and truth remain in the person of him in whom they are fulfilled. And, moreover, we must seek aid from the law and the prophets for the ruling of our lives, as well as for our confirmation in the promises of the gospel.

  24. We believe, as Jesus Christ is our only advocate, and as he commands us to ask of the Father in his name, and as it is not lawful for us to pray except in accordance with the model God hath taught us by his Word, that all imaginations of men concerning the intercession of dead saints are an abuse and a device of Satan to lead men from the right way of worship. We reject, also, all other means by which men hope to redeem themselves before God, as derogating from the sacrifice and passion of Jesus Christ.

      Finally, we consider purgatory as an illusion proceeding from the same source, from which have also sprung monastic vows, pilgrimages, the prohibition of marriage, and of eating meat, the ceremonial observance of days, auricular confession, indulgences, and all such things by which they hope to merit forgiveness and salvation. These things we reject, not only for the false idea of merit which is attached to them, but also because they are human inventions imposing a yoke upon the conscience.

  25. Now as we enjoy Christ only through the gospel, we believe that the order of the Church, established by his authority, ought to be sacred and inviolable, and that, therefore, the Church can not exist without pastors for instruction, whom we should respect and reverently listen to, when they are properly called and exercise their office faithfully. Not that God doth require such aid and subordinate means, but because it pleaseth him to govern us by such restraints. In this we detest all visionaries who would like, so far as lies in their power, to destroy the ministry and preaching of the Word and sacraments.

  26. We believe that no one ought to seclude himself and be contented to be alone; but that all jointly should keep and maintain the union of the Church, and submit to the public teaching, and to the yoke of Jesus Christ, wherever God shall have established a true order of the Church, even if the magistrates and their edicts are contrary to it. For if they do not take part in it, or if they separate themselves from it, they do contrary to the Word of God.

  27. Nevertheless we believe that it is important to discern with care and prudence which is the true Church, for this title has been much abused. We say, then, according to the Word of God, that it is the company of the faithful who agree to follow his Word, and the pure religion which it teaches; who grow in grace all their lives, believing and becoming more confirmed in the fear of God according as they feel the want of growing and pressing onward. Even although they strive continually, they can have no hope save in the remission of their sins. Nevertheless we do not deny that among the faithful there may be hypocrites and reprobates, but their wickedness can not destroy the title of the Church.

  28. In this belief we declare that, properly speaking, there can be no Church where the Word of God is not received, nor profession made of subjection to it, nor use of the sacraments. Therefore we condemn the papal assemblies, as the pure Word of God is banished from them, their sacraments are corrupted, or falsified, or destroyed, and all superstitions and idolatries are in them. We hold, then, that all who take part in these acts, and commune in that Church, separate and cut themselves off from the body of Christ Nevertheless, as some trace of the Church is left in the papacy, and the virtue and substance of baptism remain, and as the efficacy of baptism does not depend upon the person who administers it, we confess that those baptized in it do not need a second baptism. But, on account of its corruptions, we can not present children to be baptized in it without incurring pollution.

  29. As to the true Church, we believe that it should be governed, according to the order established by our Lord Jesus Christ That there should be pastors, overseers, and deacons, so that true doctrine may have its course, that errors may be corrected and suppressed, and the poor and all who are in affliction may be helped in their necessities; and that assemblies may be held in the name of God, so that great and small may be edified.

  30. We believe that all true pastors, wherever they may be, have the same authority and equal power under one head, one only sovereign and universal bishop, Jesus Christ; and that consequently no Church shall claim any authority or dominion over any other.

  31. We believe that no person should undertake to govern the Church upon his own authority, but that this should be derived from election, as far as it is possible, and as God will permit. And we make this exception especially, because sometimes, and even in our own days, when the state of the Church has been interrupted, it has been necessary for God to raise men in an extraordinary manner to restore the Church which was in ruin and desolation. But, notwithstanding, we believe that this rule must always be binding: that all pastors, overseers, and deacons should have evidence of being called to then office.

  32. We believe, also, that it is desirable and useful that those elected to be superintendents devise among themselves what means should be adopted for the government of the whole body, and yet that they should never depart from that which was ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ. Which does not prevent there being some special ordinances in each place, as convenience may require.

  33. However, we reject all human inventions, and all laws which men may introduce under the pretense of serving God, by which they wish to bind consciences; and we receive only that which conduces to concord and holds all in obedience, from the greatest to the least In this we must follow that which the Lord Jesus Christ declared as to excommunication, which we approve and confess to be necessary with all its antecedents and consequences.

  34. We believe that the sacraments are added to the Word for more ample confirmation, that they may be to us pledges and seals of the grace of God, and by this means aid and comfort our faith, because of the infirmity which is in us, and that they are outward signs through which God operates by his Spirit, so that he may not signify any thing to us in vain. Yet we hold that their substance and truth is in Jesus Christ, and that of themselves they are only smoke and shadow.

  35. We confess only two sacraments common to the whole Church, of which the first, baptism, is given as a pledge of our adoption; for by it we are grafted into the body of Christ, so as to be washed and cleansed by his blood, and then renewed in purity of life by his Holy Spirit We hold, also, that although we are baptized only once, yet the gain that it symbolizes to us reaches over our whole lives and to our death, so that we have a lasting witness that Jesus Christ will always be our justification and sanctification. Nevertheless, although it is a sacrament of faith and penitence, yet as God receives little children into the Church with their fathers, we say, upon the authority of Jesus Christ, that the children of believing parents should be baptized.

  36. We confess that the Lord’s Supper, which is the second sacrament, is a witness of the union which we have with Christ, inasmuch as he not only died and rose again for ns once, but also feeds and nourishes us truly with his flesh and blood, so that we may be one in him, and that our life may be in common. Although he be in heaven until he come to judge all the earth, still we believe that by the secret and incomprehensible power of his Spirit he feeds and strengthens us with the substance of his body and of his blood. We hold that this is done spiritually, not because we put imagination and fancy in the place of fact and truth, but because the greatness of this mystery exceeds the measure of our senses and the laws of nature. In short, because it is heavenly, it can only be apprehended by faith.

  37. We believe, as has been said, that in the Lord’s Supper, as well as in baptism, God gives Us really and in fact that which he there sets forth to us; and that consequently with these signs is given the true possession and enjoyment of that which they present to us. And thus all who bring a pure faith, like a vessel, to the sacred table of Christ, receive truly that of which it is a sign; for the body and the blood of Jesus Christ give food and drink to the soul, no less than bread and wine nourish the body.

  38. Thus we hold that water, being a feeble element, still testifies to us in truth the inward cleansing of our souls in the blood of Jesus Christ by the efficacy of his Spirit, and that the bread and wine given to us in the sacrament serve to our spiritual nourishment, inasmuch as they show, as to our sight, that the body of Christ is our meat, and his blood our drink. And we reject the Enthusiasts and Sacramentarians who will not receive such signs and marks, although our Saviour said: ‘This is my body, and this cup is my blood.’

  39. We believe that God wishes to have the world governed by laws and magistrates, so that some restraint may be put upon its disordered appetites. And as he has established kingdoms, republics, and all sorts of principalities, either hereditary or otherwise, and all that belongs to a just government, and wishes to be considered as their Author, so he has put the sword into the hands of magistrates to suppress crimes against the first as well as against the second table of the Commandments of God. We must therefore, on his account, not only submit to them as superiors, but honor add hold them in all reverence as his lieutenants and officers, whom he has commissioned to exercise a legitimate and holy authority.

  40. We hold, then, that we must obey their laws and statutes, pay customs, taxes, and other dues, and bear the yoke of subjection with a good and free will, even if they are unbelievers, provided that the sovereign empire of God remain intact. Therefore we detest all those who would like to reject authority, to establish community and confusion of property, and overthrow the order of justice.


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type: creed
name: Nicene Creed
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content:
  # The Nicene Creed

  ## Introduction
  The Nicene Creed, more precisely called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is a statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian church in opposition to certain heresies, especially Arianism. These heresies, which disturbed the church during the fourth century, concerned the doctrine of the Trinity and the person of Christ. Both the Greek (Eastern) and the Latin (Western) church held this creed in honor, though with one important difference. The Western church insisted on the inclusion of the phrase “and the Son” (known as the filioque clause) in the article on the procession of the Holy Spirit, though this phrase has always been repudiated by the Eastern church. In its present form, this creed goes back originally to the Council of Nicaea (325), with additions by the Council of Constantinople (381). It was accepted in its present form at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, but the filioque clause was not added until 589. Nonetheless, the creed is in substance an accurate and majestic formulation of the Nicene faith. It consists of three sections—one for each person of the Trinity—and concludes with four statements affirming the universal tenets of the Christian gospel. In combatting the Arian error, the creed makes it clear that the Son is equal in status with the Father, since the Son is of the same substance as the Father. Indeed, the Nicene Creed remains a standard of Trinitarian orthodoxy.

  ## The Nicene Creed

  I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

  And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic<sup>1</sup> and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

  <sup>1</sup> “Catholic” means universal; that is, there is one church across all times, places, and peoples
  (Belgic Confession, art. 27; Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 54).


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content:
  # The First Main Point of Doctrine
  ## Divine Election and Reprobation

  The Judgment concerning Divine Predestination Which the Synod Declares to Be in Agreement with the Word of God and Accepted till Now in the Reformed Churches, Set Forth in Several Articles

  ### Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People

  Since all people have sinned in Adam and have come under the sentence of the curse and eternal death, God would have done no one an injustice if it had been his will to leave the entire human race in sin and under the curse, and to condemn them on account of their sin. As the apostle says: “The whole world is liable to the condemnation of God” (Rom. 3:19), “All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), and “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).

  ### Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love

  But this is how God showed his love: he sent his only begotten Son into the world, so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (1 John 4:9; John 3:16).

  ### Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel

  In order that people may be brought to faith, God mercifully sends proclaimers of this very joyful message to the people he wishes and at the time he wishes. By this ministry people are called to repentance and faith in Christ crucified. For “how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without someone preaching? And how shall they preach unless they have been sent?” (Rom. 10:14–15).

  ### Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel

  God’s anger remains on those who do not believe this gospel. But those who do receive it and embrace Jesus the Savior with a true and living faith are delivered through him from God’s anger and from destruction, and receive the gift of eternal life.

  ### Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith

  The cause or blame for this unbelief, as well as for all other sins, is not at all in God, but in man. Faith in Jesus Christ, however, and salvation through him is a free gift of God. As Scripture says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is a gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Likewise: “It has been freely given to you to believe in Christ” (Phil. 1:29).

  ### Article 6: God’s Eternal Decision

  The fact that some receive from God the gift of faith within time, and that others do not, stems from his eternal decision. For “all his works are known to God from eternity” (Acts 15:18; Eph. 1:11). In accordance with this decision he graciously softens the hearts, however hard, of his chosen ones and inclines them to believe, but by his just judgment he leaves in their wickedness and hardness of heart those who have not been chosen. And in this especially is disclosed to us his act—unfathomable, and as merciful as it is just—of distinguishing between people equally lost. This is the well-known decision of election and reprobation revealed in God’s Word. This decision the wicked, impure, and unstable distort to their own ruin, but it provides holy and godly souls with comfort beyond words.

  ### Article 7: Election

  Election [or choosing] is God’s unchangeable purpose by which he did the following:

  Before the foundation of the world, by sheer grace, according to the free good pleasure of his will, he chose in Christ to salvation a definite number of particular people out of the entire human race, which had fallen by its own fault from its original innocence into sin and ruin. Those chosen were neither better nor more deserving than the others, but lay with them in the common misery. He did this in Christ, whom he also appointed from eternity to be the mediator, the head of all those chosen, and the foundation of their salvation.

  And so he decided to give the chosen ones to Christ to be saved, and to call and draw them effectively into Christ’s fellowship through his Word and Spirit. In other words, he decided to grant them true faith in Christ, to justify them, to sanctify them, and finally, after powerfully preserving them in the fellowship of his Son, to glorify them.

  God did all this in order to demonstrate his mercy, to the praise of the riches of his glorious grace.

  As Scripture says, “God chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, so that we should be holy and blameless before him with love; he predestined us whom he adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, in himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, by which he freely made us pleasing to himself in his beloved” (Eph. 1:4–6). And elsewhere, “Those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified” (Rom. 8:30).

  ### Article 8: A Single Decision of Election

  This election is not of many kinds; it is one and the same election for all who were to be saved in the Old and the New Testament. For Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God’s will, by which he chose us from eternity both to grace and to glory, both to salvation and to the way of salvation, which he prepared in advance for us to walk in.

  ### Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith

  This same election took place, not on the basis of foreseen faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition, as though it were based on a prerequisite cause or condition in the person to be chosen, but rather for the purpose of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, and so on. Accordingly, election is the source of each of the benefits of salvation. Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. As the apostle says, “He chose us” (not because we were, but) “so that we should be holy and blameless before him in love” (Eph. 1:4).

  ### Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure

  But the cause of this undeserved election is exclusively the good pleasure of God. This does not involve his choosing certain human qualities or actions from among all those possible as a condition of salvation, but rather involves his adopting certain particular persons from among the common mass of sinners as his own possession. As Scripture says, “When the children were not yet born, and had done nothing either good or bad …, she [Rebecca] was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated’ ” (Rom. 9:11–13). Also, “All who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

  ### Article 11: Election Unchangeable

  Just as God himself is most wise, unchangeable, all-knowing, and almighty, so the election made by him can neither be suspended nor altered, revoked, or annulled; neither can his chosen ones be cast off, nor their number reduced.

  ### Article 12: The Assurance of Election

  Assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election to salvation is given to the chosen in due time, though by various stages and in differing measure. Such assurance comes not by inquisitive searching into the hidden and deep things of God, but by noticing within themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight, the unmistakable fruits of election pointed out in God’s Word—such as a true faith in Christ, a childlike fear of God, a godly sorrow for their sins, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and so on.

  ### Article 13: The Fruit of This Assurance

  In their awareness and assurance of this election God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God, to adore the fathomless depth of his mercies, to cleanse themselves, and to give fervent love in return to him who first so greatly loved them. This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it, make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured. By God’s just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen.

  ### Article 14: Teaching Election Properly

  Just as, by God’s wise plan, this teaching concerning divine election has been proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times, and has subsequently been committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures, so also today in God’s church, for which it was specifically intended, this teaching must be set forth—with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High. This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of his people.

  ### Article 15: Reprobation

  Moreover, Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us, in that it further bears witness that not all people have been chosen but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election—those, that is, concerning whom God, on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decision: to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves; not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion; but finally to condemn and eternally punish them (having been left in their own ways and under his just judgment), not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decision of reprobation, which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!) but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger.

  ### Article 16: Responses to the Teaching of Reprobation

  Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ, but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us—such people ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate; rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility. On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God, to be pleasing to him alone, and to be delivered from the body of death, but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like—such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised that he will not snuff out a smoldering wick and that he will not break a bruised reed. However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh—such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching, as long as they do not seriously turn to God.

  ### Article 17: The Salvation of Deceased Infants of Believers

  Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy.

  ### Article 18: The Proper Attitude toward Election and Reprobation

  To those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15). We, however, with reverent adoration of these secret things, cry out with the apostle: “Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways beyond tracing out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom. 11:33–36).

  ## Rejection of the Errors

  Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those
  1. Who teach that the will of God to save those who would believe and persevere in faith and in the obedience of faith is the whole and entire decision of election to salvation, and that nothing else concerning this decision has been revealed in God’s Word.

  For they deceive the simple and plainly contradict Holy Scripture in its testimony that God does not only wish to save those who would believe, but that he has also from eternity chosen certain particular people to whom, rather than to others, he would within time grant faith in Christ and perseverance. As Scripture says, “I have revealed your name to those whom you gave me” (John 17:6). Likewise, “All who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48), and “He chose us before the foundation of the world so that we should be holy…” (Eph. 1:4).

  2. Who teach that God’s election to eternal life is of many kinds: one general and indefinite, the other particular and definite; and the latter in turn either incomplete, revocable, nonperemptory (or conditional), or else complete, irrevocable, and peremptory (or absolute). Likewise, who teach that there is one election to faith and another to salvation, so that there can be an election to justifying faith apart from a peremptory election to salvation.

  For this is an invention of the human brain, devised apart from the Scriptures, which distorts the teaching concerning election and breaks up this golden chain of salvation: “Those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified” (Rom. 8:30).

  3. Who teach that God’s good pleasure and purpose, which Scripture mentions in its teaching of election, does not involve God’s choosing certain particular people rather than others, but involves God’s choosing, out of all possible conditions (including the works of the law) or out of the whole order of things, the intrinsically unworthy act of faith, as well as the imperfect obedience of faith, to be a condition of salvation; and it involves his graciously wishing to count this as perfect obedience and to look upon it as worthy of the reward of eternal life.

  For by this pernicious error the good pleasure of God and the merit of Christ are robbed of their effectiveness and people are drawn away, by unprofitable inquiries, from the truth of undeserved justification and from the simplicity of the Scriptures. It also gives the lie to these words of the apostle: “God called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of works, but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Tim. 1:9).

  4. Who teach that in election to faith a prerequisite condition is that man should rightly use the light of nature, be upright, unassuming, humble, and disposed to eternal life, as though election depended to some extent on these factors.

  For this smacks of Pelagius, and it clearly calls into question the words of the apostle: “We lived at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive with Christ, by whose grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with him and seated us with him in heaven in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages we might show the surpassing riches of his grace, according to his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God) not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:3–9).

  5. Who teach that the incomplete and nonperemptory election of particular persons to salvation occurred on the basis of a foreseen faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness, which has just begun or continued for some time; but that complete and peremptory election occurred on the basis of a foreseen perseverance to the end in faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness. And that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, on account of which the one who is chosen is more worthy than the one who is not chosen. And therefore that faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness, and perseverance are not fruits or effects of an unchangeable election to glory, but indispensable conditions and causes, which are prerequisite in those who are to be chosen in the complete election, and which are foreseen as achieved in them.

  This runs counter to the entire Scripture, which throughout impresses upon our ears and hearts these sayings among others: “Election is not by works, but by him who calls” (Rom. 9:11–12); “All who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48); “He chose us in himself so that we should be holy” (Eph. 1:4); “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16); “If by grace, not by works” (Rom. 11:6); “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son” (1 John 4:10).

  6. Who teach that not every election to salvation is unchangeable, but that some of the chosen can perish and do in fact perish eternally, with no decision of God to prevent it.

  By this gross error they make God changeable, destroy the comfort of the godly concerning the steadfastness of their election, and contradict the Holy Scriptures, which teach that “the elect cannot be led astray” (Matt. 24:24), that “Christ does not lose those given to him by the Father” (John 6:39), and that “those whom God predestined, called, and justified, he also glorifies” (Rom. 8:30).

  7. Who teach that in this life there is no fruit, no awareness, and no assurance of one’s unchangeable election to glory, except as conditional upon something changeable and contingent.

  For not only is it absurd to speak of an uncertain assurance, but these things also militate against the experience of the saints, who with the apostle rejoice from an awareness of their election and sing the praises of this gift of God; who, as Christ urged, “rejoice” with his disciples “that their names have been written in heaven” (Luke 10:20); and finally who hold up against the flaming arrows of the devil’s temptations the awareness of their election, with the question “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” (Rom. 8:33).

  8. Who teach that it was not on the basis of his just will alone that God decided to leave anyone in the fall of Adam and in the common state of sin and condemnation or to pass anyone by in the imparting of grace necessary for faith and conversion.

  For these words stand fast: “He has mercy on whom he wishes, and he hardens whom he wishes” (Rom. 9:18). And also: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt. 13:11). Likewise: “I give glory to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to little children; yes, Father, because that was your pleasure” (Matt. 11:25–26).

  9. Who teach that the cause for God’s sending the gospel to one people rather than to another is not merely and solely God’s good pleasure, but rather that one people is better and worthier than the other to whom the gospel is not communicated.

  For Moses contradicts this when he addresses the people of Israel as follows: “Behold, to Jehovah your God belong the heavens and the highest heavens, the earth and whatever is in it. But Jehovah was inclined in his affection to love your ancestors alone, and chose out their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as at this day” (Deut. 10:14–15). And also Christ: “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! for if those mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matt. 11:21).


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  # The Second Main Point of Doctrine
  ## Christ’s Death and Human Redemption through It

  ### Article 1: The Punishment Which God’s Justice Requires

  God is not only supremely merciful, but also supremely just. His justice requires (as he has revealed himself in the Word) that the sins we have committed against his infinite majesty be punished with both temporal and eternal punishments, of soul as well as body. We cannot escape these punishments unless satisfaction is given to God’s justice.

  ### Article 2: The Satisfaction Made by Christ

  Since, however, we ourselves cannot give this satisfaction or deliver ourselves from God’s anger, God in his boundless mercy has given us as a guarantee his only begotten Son, who was made to be sin and a curse for us, in our place, on the cross, in order that he might give satisfaction for us.

  ### Article 3: The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death

  This death of God’s Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins; it is of infinite value and worth, more than sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world.

  ### Article 4: Reasons for This Infinite Value

  This death is of such great value and worth for the reason that the person who suffered it is—as was necessary to be our Savior—not only a true and perfectly holy man, but also the only begotten Son of God, of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Another reason is that this death was accompanied by the experience of God’s anger and curse, which we by our sins had fully deserved.

  ### Article 5: The Mandate to Proclaim the Gospel to All

  Moreover, it is the promise of the gospel that whoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish but have eternal life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be announced and declared without differentiation or discrimination to all nations and people, to whom God in his good pleasure sends the gospel.

  ### Article 6: Unbelief Man’s Responsibility

  However, that many who have been called through the gospel do not repent or believe in Christ but perish in unbelief is not because the sacrifice of Christ offered on the cross is deficient or insufficient, but because they themselves are at fault.

  ### Article 7: Faith God’s Gift

  But all who genuinely believe and are delivered and saved by Christ’s death from their sins and from destruction receive this favor solely from God’s grace—which he owes to no one—given to them in Christ from eternity.

  ### Article 8: The Saving Effectiveness of Christ’s Death

  For it was the entirely free plan and very gracious will and intention of God the Father that the enlivening and saving effectiveness of his Son’s costly death should work itself out in all his chosen ones, in order that he might grant justifying faith to them only and thereby lead them without fail to salvation. In other words, it was God’s will that Christ through the blood of the cross (by which he confirmed the new covenant) should effectively redeem from every people, tribe, nation, and language all those and only those who were chosen from eternity to salvation and given to him by the Father; that he should grant them faith (which, like the Holy Spirit’s other saving gifts, he acquired for them by his death); that he should cleanse them by his blood from all their sins, both original and actual, whether committed before or after their coming to faith; that he should faithfully preserve them to the very end; and that he should finally present them to himself, a glorious people, without spot or wrinkle.

  ### Article 9: The Fulfillment of God’s Plan

  This plan, arising out of God’s eternal love for his chosen ones, from the beginning of the world to the present time has been powerfully carried out and will also be carried out in the future, the gates of hell seeking vainly to prevail against it. As a result the chosen are gathered into one, all in their own time, and there is always a church of believers founded on Christ’s blood, a church which steadfastly loves, persistently worships, and—here and in all eternity—praises him as her Savior who laid down his life for her on the cross, as a bridegroom for his bride.

  # Rejection of the Errors
  ## Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those

  1. Who teach that God the Father appointed his Son to death on the cross without a fixed and definite plan to save anyone by name, so that the necessity, usefulness, and worth of what Christ’s death obtained could have stood intact and altogether perfect, complete and whole, even if the redemption that was obtained had never in actual fact been applied to any individual.

  For this assertion is an insult to the wisdom of God the Father and to the merit of Jesus Christ, and it is contrary to Scripture. For the Savior speaks as follows: “I lay down my life for the sheep, and I know them” (John 10:15, 27). And Isaiah the prophet says concerning the Savior: “When he shall make himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the will of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand” (Isa. 53:10). Finally, this undermines the article of the creed in which we confess what we believe concerning the church.

  2. Who teach that the purpose of Christ’s death was not to establish in actual fact a new covenant of grace by his blood, but only to acquire for the Father the mere right to enter once more into a covenant with men, whether of grace or of works.

  For this conflicts with Scripture, which teaches that Christ “has become the guarantee and mediator” of a better—that is, “a new”—“covenant” (Heb. 7:22; 9:15), and that “a will is in force only when someone has died” (Heb. 9:17).

  3. Who teach that Christ, by the satisfaction which he gave, did not certainly merit for anyone salvation itself and the faith by which this satisfaction of Christ is effectively applied to salvation, but only acquired for the Father the authority or plenary will to relate in a new way with men and to impose such new conditions as he chose, and that the satisfying of these conditions depends on the free choice of man; consequently, that it was possible that either all or none would fulfill them.

  For they have too low an opinion of the death of Christ, do not at all acknowledge the foremost fruit or benefit which it brings forth, and summon back from hell the Pelagian error.

  4. Who teach that what is involved in the new covenant of grace which God the Father made with men through the intervening of Christ’s death is not that we are justified before God and saved through faith, insofar as it accepts Christ’s merit, but rather that God, having withdrawn his demand for perfect obedience to the law, counts faith itself, and the imperfect obedience of faith, as perfect obedience to the law, and graciously looks upon this as worthy of the reward of eternal life.

  For they contradict Scripture: “They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ, whom God presented as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood” (Rom. 3:24–25). And along with the ungodly Socinus, they introduce a new and foreign justification of man before God, against the consensus of the whole church.

  5. Who teach that all people have been received into the state of reconciliation and into the grace of the covenant, so that no one on account of original sin is liable to condemnation, or is to be condemned, but that all are free from the guilt of this sin.

  For this opinion conflicts with Scripture which asserts that we are by nature children of wrath.

  Who make use of the distinction between obtaining and applying in order to instill in the unwary and inexperienced the opinion that God, as far as he is concerned, wished to bestow equally upon all people the benefits which are gained by Christ’s death; but that the distinction by which some rather than others come to share in the forgiveness of sins and eternal life depends on their own free choice (which applies itself to the grace offered indiscriminately) but does not depend on the unique gift of mercy which effectively works in them, so that they, rather than others, apply that grace to themselves.

  For, while pretending to set forth this distinction in an acceptable sense, they attempt to give the people the deadly poison of Pelagianism.

  6. Who teach that Christ neither could die, nor had to die, nor did die for those whom God so dearly loved and chose to eternal life, since such people do not need the death of Christ.

  For they contradict the apostle, who says: “Christ loved me and gave himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20), and likewise: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died,” that is, for them (Rom. 8:33–34). They also contradict the Savior, who asserts: “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15), and “My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12–13).


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  # The Third and Fourth Main Points of Doctrine
  ## Human Corruption, Conversion to God, and the Way It Occurs
  ### Article 1: The Effect of the Fall on Human Nature

  Man was originally created in the image of God and was furnished in his mind with a true and salutary knowledge of his Creator and things spiritual, in his will and heart with righteousness, and in all his emotions with purity; indeed, the whole man was holy. However, rebelling against God at the devil’s instigation and by his own free will, he deprived himself of these outstanding gifts. Rather, in their place he brought upon himself blindness, terrible darkness, futility, and distortion of judgment in his mind; perversity, defiance, and hardness in his heart and will; and finally impurity in all his emotions.

  ### Article 2: The Spread of Corruption

  Man brought forth children of the same nature as himself after the fall. That is to say, being corrupt he brought forth corrupt children. The corruption spread, by God’s just judgment, from Adam to all his descendants—except for Christ alone—not by way of imitation (as in former times the Pelagians would have it) but by way of the propagation of his perverted nature.

  ### Article 3: Total Inability

  Therefore, all people are conceived in sin and are born children of wrath, unfit for any saving good, inclined to evil, dead in their sins, and slaves to sin; without the grace of the regenerating Holy Spirit they are neither willing nor able to return to God, to reform their distorted nature, or even to dispose themselves to such reform.

  ### Article 4: The Inadequacy of the Light of Nature

  There is, to be sure, a certain light of nature remaining in man after the fall, by virtue of which he retains some notions about God, natural things, and the difference between what is moral and immoral, and demonstrates a certain eagerness for virtue and for good outward behavior. But this light of nature is far from enabling man to come to a saving knowledge of God and conversion to him—so far, in fact, that man does not use it rightly even in matters of nature and society. Instead, in various ways he completely distorts this light, whatever its precise character, and suppresses it in unrighteousness. In doing so he renders himself without excuse before God.

  ### Article 5: The Inadequacy of the Law

  In this respect, what is true of the light of nature is true also of the Ten Commandments given by God through Moses specifically to the Jews. For man cannot obtain saving grace through the Decalogue, because, although it does expose the magnitude of his sin and increasingly convict him of his guilt, yet it does not offer a remedy or enable him to escape from his misery, and, indeed, weakened as it is by the flesh, leaves the offender under the curse.

  ### Article 6: The Saving Power of the Gospel

  What, therefore, neither the light of nature nor the law can do, God accomplishes by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the Word or the ministry of reconciliation. This is the gospel about the Messiah, through which it has pleased God to save believers, in both the Old and the New Testament.

  ### Article 7: God’s Freedom in Revealing the Gospel

  In the Old Testament, God revealed this secret of his will to a small number; in the New Testament (now without any distinction between peoples) he discloses it to a large number. The reason for this difference must not be ascribed to the greater worth of one nation over another, or to a better use of the light of nature, but to the free good pleasure and undeserved love of God. Therefore, those who receive so much grace, beyond and in spite of all they deserve, ought to acknowledge it with humble and thankful hearts; on the other hand, with the apostle they ought to adore (but certainly not inquisitively search into) the severity and justice of God’s judgments on the others, who do not receive this grace.

  ### Article 8: The Serious Call of the Gospel

  Nevertheless, all who are called through the gospel are called seriously. For seriously and most genuinely God makes known in his Word what is pleasing to him: that those who are called should come to him. Seriously he also promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who come to him and believe.

  ### Article 9: Human Responsibility for Rejecting the Gospel

  The fact that many who are called through the ministry of the gospel do not come and are not brought to conversion must not be blamed on the gospel, nor on Christ, who is offered through the gospel, nor on God, who calls them through the gospel and even bestows various gifts on them, but on the people themselves who are called. Some in self-assurance do not even entertain the Word of life; others do entertain it but do not take it to heart, and for that reason, after the fleeting joy of a temporary faith, they relapse; others choke the seed of the Word with the thorns of life’s cares and with the pleasures of the world and bring forth no fruits. This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13).

  ### Article 10: Conversion as the Work of God

  The fact that others who are called through the ministry of the gospel do come and are brought to conversion must not be credited to man, as though one distinguishes himself by free choice from others who are furnished with equal or sufficient grace for faith and conversion (as the proud heresy of Pelagius maintains). No, it must be credited to God: just as from eternity he chose his own in Christ, so within time he effectively calls them, grants them faith and repentance, and, having rescued them from the dominion of darkness, brings them into the kingdom of his Son, in order that they may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called them out of darkness into this marvelous light, and may boast not in themselves, but in the Lord, as apostolic words frequently testify in Scripture.

  ### Article 11: The Holy Spirit’s Work in Conversion

  Moreover, when God carries out this good pleasure in his chosen ones, or works true conversion in them, he not only sees to it that the gospel is proclaimed to them outwardly, and enlightens their minds powerfully by the Holy Spirit so that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God, but, by the effective operation of the same regenerating Spirit, he also penetrates into the inmost being of man, opens the closed heart, softens the hard heart, and circumcises the heart that is uncircumcised. He infuses new qualities into the will, making the dead will alive, the evil one good, the unwilling one willing, and the stubborn one compliant; he activates and strengthens the will so that, like a good tree, it may be enabled to produce the fruits of good deeds.

  ### Article 12: Regeneration a Supernatural Work

  And this is the regeneration, the new creation, the raising from the dead, and the making alive so clearly proclaimed in the Scriptures, which God works in us without our help. But this certainly does not happen only by outward teaching, by moral persuasion, or by such a way of working that, after God has done his work, it remains in man’s power whether or not to be reborn or converted. Rather, it is an entirely supernatural work, one that is at the same time most powerful and most pleasing, a marvelous, hidden, and inexpressible work, which is not lesser than or inferior in power to that of creation or of raising the dead, as Scripture (inspired by the author of this work) teaches. As a result, all those in whose hearts God works in this marvelous way are certainly, unfailingly, and effectively reborn and do actually believe. And then the will, now renewed, is not only activated and motivated by God but in being activated by God is also itself active. For this reason, man himself, by that grace which he has received, is also rightly said to believe and to repent.

  ### Article 13: The Incomprehensible Way of Regeneration

  In this life believers cannot fully understand the way this work occurs; meanwhile, they rest content with knowing and experiencing that by this grace of God they do believe with the heart and love their Savior.

  ### Article 14: The Way God Gives Faith

  In this way, therefore, faith is a gift of God, not in the sense that it is offered by God for man to choose, but that it is in actual fact bestowed on man, breathed and infused into him. Nor is it a gift in the sense that God bestows only the potential to believe, but then awaits assent—the act of believing—from man’s choice; rather, it is a gift in the sense that he who works both willing and acting and, indeed, works all things in all people produces in man both the will to believe and the belief itself.

  ### Article 15: Responses to God’s Grace

  God does not owe this grace to anyone. For what could God owe to one who has nothing to give that can be paid back? Indeed, what could God owe to one who has nothing of his own to give but sin and falsehood? Therefore the person who receives this grace owes and gives eternal thanks to God alone; the person who does not receive it either does not care at all about these spiritual things and is satisfied with himself in his condition, or else in self-assurance foolishly boasts about having something which he lacks. Furthermore, following the example of the apostles, we are to think and to speak in the most favorable way about those who outwardly profess their faith and better their lives, for the inner chambers of the heart are unknown to us. But for others who have not yet been called, we are to pray to the God who calls things that do not exist as though they did. In no way, however, are we to pride ourselves as better than they, as though we had distinguished ourselves from them.

  ### Article 16: Regeneration’s Effect

  However, just as by the fall man did not cease to be man, endowed with intellect and will, and just as sin, which has spread through the whole human race, did not abolish the nature of the human race but distorted and spiritually killed it, so also this divine grace of regeneration does not act in people as if they were blocks and stones; nor does it abolish the will and its properties or coerce a reluctant will by force, but spiritually revives, heals, reforms, and—in a manner at once pleasing and powerful—bends it back. As a result, a ready and sincere obedience of the Spirit now begins to prevail where before the rebellion and resistance of the flesh were completely dominant. It is in this that the true and spiritual restoration and freedom of our will consists. Thus, if the marvelous Maker of every good thing were not dealing with us, man would have no hope of getting up from his fall by his free choice, by which he plunged himself into ruin when still standing upright.

  ### Article 17: God’s Use of Means in Regeneration

  Just as the almighty work of God by which he brings forth and sustains our natural life does not rule out but requires the use of means, by which God, according to his infinite wisdom and goodness, has wished to exercise his power, so also the aforementioned supernatural work of God by which he regenerates us in no way rules out or cancels the use of the gospel, which God in his great wisdom has appointed to be the seed of regeneration and the food of the soul. For this reason, the apostles and the teachers who followed them taught the people in a godly manner about this grace of God, to give him the glory and to humble all pride, and yet did not neglect meanwhile to keep the people, by means of the holy admonitions of the gospel, under the administration of the Word, the sacraments, and discipline. So even today it is out of the question that the teachers or those taught in the church should presume to test God by separating what he in his good pleasure has wished to be closely joined together. For grace is bestowed through admonitions, and the more readily we perform our duty, the more lustrous the benefit of God working in us usually is and the better his work advances. To him alone, both for the means and for their saving fruit and effectiveness, all glory is owed forever. Amen.

  ## Rejection of the Errors
  ### Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those

  1. Who teach that, properly speaking, it cannot be said that original sin in itself is enough to condemn the whole human race or to warrant temporal and eternal punishments.

  For they contradict the apostle when he says: “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death passed on to all men because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12); also: “The guilt followed one sin and brought condemnation” (Rom. 5:16); likewise: “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).

  2. Who teach that the spiritual gifts or the good dispositions and virtues such as goodness, holiness, and righteousness could not have resided in man’s will when he was first created, and therefore could not have been separated from the will at the fall.

  For this conflicts with the apostle’s description of the image of God in Ephesians 4:24, where he portrays the image in terms of righteousness and holiness, which definitely reside in the will.

  3. Who teach that in spiritual death the spiritual gifts have not been separated from man’s will, since the will in itself has never been corrupted but only hindered by the darkness of the mind and the unruliness of the emotions, and since the will is able to exercise its innate free capacity once these hindrances are removed, which is to say, it is able of itself to will or choose whatever good is set before it—or else not to will or choose it.

  This is a novel idea and an error and has the effect of elevating the power of free choice, contrary to the words of Jeremiah the prophet: “The heart itself is deceitful above all things and wicked” (Jer. 17:9); and of the words of the apostle: “All of us also lived among them [the sons of disobedience] at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts” (Eph. 2:3).

  4. Who teach that unregenerate man is not strictly or totally dead in his sins or deprived of all capacity for spiritual good but is able to hunger and thirst for righteousness or life and to offer the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit which is pleasing to God.

  For these views are opposed to the plain testimonies of Scripture: “You were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Eph. 2:1, 5); “The imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart is only evil all the time” (Gen. 6:5; 8:21). Besides, to hunger and thirst for deliverance from misery and for life, and to offer God the sacrifice of a broken spirit is characteristic only of the regenerate and of those called blessed (Ps. 51:17; Matt. 5:6).

  5. Who teach that corrupt and natural man can make such good use of common grace (by which they mean the light of nature) or of the gifts remaining after the fall that he is able thereby gradually to obtain a greater grace—evangelical or saving grace—as well as salvation itself; and that in this way God, for his part, shows himself ready to reveal Christ to all people, since he provides to all, to a sufficient extent and in an effective manner, the means necessary for the revealing of Christ, for faith, and for repentance.

  For Scripture, not to mention the experience of all ages, testifies that this is false: “He makes known his words to Jacob, his statutes and his laws to Israel; he has done this for no other nation, and they do not know his laws” (Ps. 147:19–20); “In the past God let all nations go their own way” (Acts 14:16); “They [Paul and his companions] were kept by the Holy Spirit from speaking God’s word in Asia”; and “When they had come to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit would not allow them to” (Acts 16:6–7).

  6. Who teach that in the true conversion of man new qualities, dispositions, or gifts cannot be infused or poured into his will by God, and indeed that the faith [or believing] by which we first come to conversion and from which we receive the name “believers” is not a quality or gift infused by God, but only an act of man, and that it cannot be called a gift except in respect to the power of attaining faith.

  For these views contradict the Holy Scriptures, which testify that God does infuse or pour into our hearts the new qualities of faith, obedience, and the experiencing of his love: “I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts” (Jer. 31:33); “I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring” (Isa. 44:3); “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:5). They also conflict with the continuous practice of the church, which prays with the prophet: “Convert me, Lord, and I shall be converted” (Jer. 31:18).

  7. Who teach that the grace by which we are converted to God is nothing but a gentle persuasion, or (as others explain it) that the way of God’s acting in man’s conversion that is most noble and suited to human nature is that which happens by persuasion, and that nothing prevents this grace of moral suasion even by itself from making natural men spiritual; indeed, that God does not produce the assent of the will except in this manner of moral suasion, and that the effectiveness of God’s work by which it surpasses the work of Satan consists in the fact that God promises eternal benefits while Satan promises temporal ones.

  For this teaching is entirely Pelagian and contrary to the whole of Scripture, which recognizes besides this persuasion also another, far more effective and divine way in which the Holy Spirit acts in man’s conversion. As Ezekiel 36:26 puts it: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; and I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.…”

  8. Who teach that God in regenerating man does not bring to bear that power of his omnipotence whereby he may powerfully and unfailingly bend man’s will to faith and conversion, but that even when God has accomplished all the works of grace which he uses for man’s conversion, man nevertheless can, and in actual fact often does, so resist God and the Spirit in their intent and will to regenerate him, that man completely thwarts his own rebirth; and, indeed, that it remains in his own power whether or not to be reborn.

  For this does away with all effective functioning of God’s grace in our conversion and subjects the activity of Almighty God to the will of man; it is contrary to the apostles, who teach that “we believe by virtue of the effective working of God’s mighty strength” (Eph. 1:19), and that “God fulfills the undeserved good will of his kindness and the work of faith in us with power” (2 Thess. 1:11), and likewise that “his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3).

  9. Who teach that grace and free choice are concurrent partial causes which cooperate to initiate conversion, and that grace does not precede—in the order of causality—the effective influence of the will; that is to say, that God does not effectively help man’s will to come to conversion before man’s will itself motivates and determines itself.

  For the early church already condemned this doctrine long ago in the Pelagians, on the basis of the words of the apostle: “It does not depend on man’s willing or running but on God’s mercy” (Rom. 9:16); also: “Who makes you different from anyone else?” and “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7); likewise: “It is God who works in you to will and act according to his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).


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  # The Fifth Main Point of Doctrine
  ## The Perseverance of the Saints
  ### Article 1: The Regenerate Not Entirely Free from Sin

  Those people whom God according to his purpose calls into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, he also sets free from the reign and slavery of sin, though in this life not entirely from the flesh and from the body of sin.

  ### Article 2: The Believer’s Reaction to Sins of Weakness

  Hence daily sins of weakness arise, and blemishes cling to even the best works of God’s people, giving them continual cause to humble themselves before God, to flee for refuge to Christ crucified, to put the flesh to death more and more by the Spirit of supplication and by holy exercises of godliness, and to strain toward the goal of perfection, until they are freed from this body of death and reign with the Lamb of God in heaven.

  ### Article 3: God’s Preservation of the Converted

  Because of these remnants of sin dwelling in them and also because of the temptations of the world and Satan, those who have been converted could not remain standing in this grace if left to their own resources. But God is faithful, mercifully strengthening them in the grace once conferred on them and powerfully preserving them in it to the end.

  ### Article 4: The Danger of True Believers’ Falling into Serious Sins

  Although that power of God strengthening and preserving true believers in grace is more than a match for the flesh, yet those converted are not always so activated and motivated by God that in certain specific actions they cannot by their own fault depart from the leading of grace, be led astray by the desires of the flesh, and give in to them. For this reason they must constantly watch and pray that they may not be led into temptations. When they fail to do this, not only can they be carried away by the flesh, the world, and Satan into sins, even serious and outrageous ones, but also by God’s just permission they sometimes are so carried away—witness the sad cases, described in Scripture, of David, Peter, and other saints falling into sins.

  ### Article 5: The Effects of Such Serious Sins

  By such monstrous sins, however, they greatly offend God, deserve the sentence of death, grieve the Holy Spirit, suspend the exercise of faith, severely wound the conscience, and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time—until, after they have returned to the way by genuine repentance, God’s fatherly face again shines upon them.

  ### Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention

  For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin.

  ### Article 7: Renewal to Repentance

  For, in the first place, God preserves in those saints when they fall his imperishable seed from which they have been born again, lest it perish or be dislodged. Secondly, by his Word and Spirit he certainly and effectively renews them to repentance so that they have a heartfelt and godly sorrow for the sins they have committed; seek and obtain, through faith and with a contrite heart, forgiveness in the blood of the Mediator; experience again the grace of a reconciled God; through faith adore his mercies; and from then on more eagerly work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

  ### Article 8: The Certainty of This Preservation

  So it is not by their own merits or strength but by God’s undeserved mercy that they neither forfeit faith and grace totally nor remain in their downfalls to the end and are lost. With respect to themselves this not only easily could happen, but also undoubtedly would happen; but with respect to God it cannot possibly happen, since his plan cannot be changed, his promise cannot fail, the calling according to his purpose cannot be revoked, the merit of Christ as well as his interceding and preserving cannot be nullified, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit can neither be invalidated nor wiped out.

  ### Article 9: The Assurance of This Preservation

  Concerning this preservation of those chosen to salvation and concerning the perseverance of true believers in faith, believers themselves can and do become assured in accordance with the measure of their faith, by which they firmly believe that they are and always will remain true and living members of the church, and that they have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

  ### Article 10: The Ground of This Assurance

  Accordingly, this assurance does not derive from some private revelation beyond or outside the Word, but from faith in the promises of God which he has very plentifully revealed in his Word for our comfort, from the testimony “of the Holy Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are God’s children and heirs” (Rom. 8:16–17), and finally from a serious and holy pursuit of a clear conscience and of good works. And if God’s chosen ones in this world did not have this well-founded comfort that the victory will be theirs and this reliable guarantee of eternal glory, they would be of all people most miserable.

  ### Article 11: Doubts concerning This Assurance

  Meanwhile, Scripture testifies that believers have to contend in this life with various doubts of the flesh and that under severe temptation they do not always experience this full assurance of faith and certainty of perseverance. But God, the Father of all comfort, “does not let them be tempted beyond what they can bear, but with the temptation he also provides a way out” (1 Cor. 10:13), and by the Holy Spirit revives in them the assurance of their perseverance.

  ### Article 12: This Assurance as an Incentive to Godliness

  This assurance of perseverance, however, so far from making true believers proud and carnally self-assured, is rather the true root of humility, of childlike respect, of genuine godliness, of endurance in every conflict, of fervent prayers, of steadfastness in crossbearing and in confessing the truth, and of well-founded joy in God. Reflecting on this benefit provides an incentive to a serious and continual practice of thanksgiving and good works, as is evident from the testimonies of Scripture and the examples of the saints.

  ### Article 13: Assurance No Inducement to Carelessness

  Neither does the renewed confidence of perseverance produce immorality or lack of concern for godliness in those put back on their feet after a fall, but it produces a much greater concern to observe carefully the ways of the Lord which he prepared in advance. They observe these ways in order that by walking in them they may maintain the assurance of their perseverance, lest, by their abuse of his fatherly goodness, the face of the gracious God (for the godly, looking upon his face is sweeter than life, but its withdrawal is more bitter than death) turn away from them again, with the result that they fall into greater anguish of spirit.

  ### Article 14: God’s Use of Means in Perseverance

  And, just as it has pleased God to begin this work of grace in us by the proclamation of the gospel, so he preserves, continues, and completes his work by the hearing and reading of the gospel, by meditation on it, by its exhortations, threats, and promises, and also by the use of the sacraments.

  ### Article 15: Contrasting Reactions to the Teaching of Perseverance

  This teaching about the perseverance of true believers and saints, and about their assurance of it—a teaching which God has very richly revealed in his Word for the glory of his name and for the comfort of the godly and which he impresses on the hearts of believers—is something which the flesh does not understand, Satan hates, the world ridicules, the ignorant and the hypocrites abuse, and the spirits of error attack. The bride of Christ, on the other hand, has always loved this teaching very tenderly and defended it steadfastly as a priceless treasure; and God, against whom no plan can avail and no strength can prevail, will ensure that she will continue to do this. To this God alone, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

  ## Rejection of the Errors

  Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those

  1. Who teach that the perseverance of true believers is not an effect of election or a gift of God produced by Christ’s death, but a condition of the new covenant which man, before what they call his “peremptory” election and justification, must fulfill by his free will.

  For Holy Scripture testifies that perseverance follows from election and is granted to the chosen by virtue of Christ’s death, resurrection, and intercession: “The chosen obtained it; the others were hardened” (Rom. 11:7); likewise, “He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not, along with him, grant us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised—who also sits at the right hand of God, and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:32–35).

  2. Who teach that God does provide the believer with sufficient strength to persevere and is ready to preserve this strength in him if he performs his duty, but that even with all those things in place which are necessary to persevere in faith and which God is pleased to use to preserve faith, it still always depends on the choice of man’s will whether or not he perseveres.

  For this view is obviously Pelagian; and though it intends to make men free it makes them sacrilegious. It is against the enduring consensus of evangelical teaching which takes from man all cause for boasting and ascribes the praise for this benefit only to God’s grace. It is also against the testimony of the apostle: “It is God who keeps us strong to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:8).

  3. Who teach that those who truly believe and have been born again not only can forfeit justifying faith as well as grace and salvation totally and to the end, but also in actual fact do often forfeit them and are lost forever.

  For this opinion nullifies the very grace of justification and regeneration as well as the continual preservation by Christ, contrary to the plain words of the apostle Paul: “If Christ died for us while we were still sinners, we will therefore much more be saved from God’s wrath through him, since we have now been justified by his blood” (Rom. 5:8–9); and contrary to the apostle John: “No one who is born of God is intent on sin, because God’s seed remains in him, nor can he sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9); also contrary to the words of Jesus Christ: “I give eternal life to my sheep, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28–29).

  4. Who teach that those who truly believe and have been born again can commit the sin that leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit).

  For the same apostle John, after making mention of those who commit the sin that leads to death and forbidding prayer for them (1 John 5:16–17), immediately adds: “We know that anyone born of God does not commit sin” [that is, that kind of sin], “but the one who was born of God keeps himself safe, and the evil one does not touch him” (v. 18).

  5. Who teach that apart from a special revelation no one can have the assurance of future perseverance in this life.

  For by this teaching the well-founded consolation of true believers in this life is taken away and the doubting of the Romanists is reintroduced into the church. Holy Scripture, however, in many places derives the assurance not from a special and extraordinary revelation but from the marks peculiar to God’s children and from God’s completely reliable promises. So especially the apostle Paul: “Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39); and John: “They who obey his commands remain in him and he in them. And this is how we know that he remains in us: by the Spirit he gave us” (1 John 3:24).

  6. Who teach that the teaching of the assurance of perseverance and of salvation is by its very nature and character an opiate of the flesh and is harmful to godliness, good morals, prayer, and other holy exercises, but that, on the contrary, to have doubt about this is praiseworthy.

  For these people show that they do not know the effective operation of God’s grace and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and they contradict the apostle John, who asserts the opposite in plain words: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, but what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he is made known, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:2–3). Moreover, they are refuted by the examples of the saints in both the Old and the New Testament, who though assured of their perseverance and salvation yet were constant in prayer and other exercises of godliness.

  7. Who teach that the faith of those who believe only temporarily does not differ from justifying and saving faith except in duration alone.

  For Christ himself in Matthew 13:20ff. and Luke 8:13ff. clearly defines these further differences between temporary and true believers: he says that the former receive the seed on rocky ground, and the latter receive it in good ground, or a good heart; the former have no root, and the latter are firmly rooted; the former have no fruit, and the latter produce fruit in varying measure, with steadfastness, or perseverance.

  8. Who teach that it is not absurd that a person, after losing his former regeneration, should once again, indeed quite often, be reborn.

  For by this teaching they deny the imperishable nature of God’s seed by which we are born again, contrary to the testimony of the apostle Peter: “Born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable” (1 Pet. 1:23).

  9. Who teach that Christ nowhere prayed for an unfailing perseverance of believers in faith.

  For they contradict Christ himself when he says: “I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32); and John the gospel writer when he testifies in John 17 that it was not only for the apostles, but also for all those who were to believe by their message that Christ prayed: “Holy Father, preserve them in your name” (v. 11); and “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you preserve them from the evil one” (v. 15).


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content:
  # Conclusion
  ## Rejection of False Accusations

  And so this is the clear, simple, and straightforward explanation of the orthodox teaching on the five articles in dispute in the Netherlands, as well as the rejection of the errors by which the Dutch churches have for some time been disturbed. This explanation and rejection the Synod declares to be derived from God’s Word and in agreement with the confessions of the Reformed churches. Hence it clearly appears that those of whom one could hardly expect it have shown no truth, equity, and charity at all in wishing to make the public believe:

  that the teaching of the Reformed churches on predestination and on the points associated with it by its very nature and tendency draws the minds of people away from all godliness and religion, is an opiate of the flesh and the devil, and is a stronghold of Satan where he lies in wait for all people, wounds most of them, and fatally pierces many of them with the arrows of both despair and self-assurance;
  that this teaching makes God the author of sin, unjust, a tyrant, and a hypocrite; and is nothing but a refurbished Stoicism, Manicheism, Libertinism, and Mohammedanism;
  that this teaching makes people carnally self-assured, since it persuades them that nothing endangers the salvation of the chosen, no matter how they live, so that they may commit the most outrageous crimes with self-assurance; and that on the other hand nothing is of use to the reprobate for salvation even if they have truly performed all the works of the saints;
  that this teaching means that God predestined and created, by the bare and unqualified choice of his will, without the least regard or consideration of any sin, the greatest part of the world to eternal condemnation; that in the same manner in which election is the source and cause of faith and good works, reprobation is the cause of unbelief and ungodliness; that many infant children of believers are snatched in their innocence from their mothers’ breasts and cruelly cast into hell so that neither the blood of Christ nor their baptism nor the prayers of the church at their baptism can be of any use to them;
  and very many other slanderous accusations of this kind which the Reformed churches not only disavow but even denounce with their whole heart.

  Therefore this Synod of Dort in the name of the Lord pleads with all who devoutly call on the name of our Savior Jesus Christ to form their judgment about the faith of the Reformed churches, not on the basis of false accusations gathered from here or there, or even on the basis of the personal statements of a number of ancient and modern authorities—statements which are also often either quoted out of context or misquoted and twisted to convey a different meaning—but on the basis of the churches’ own official confessions and of the present explanation of the orthodox teaching which has been endorsed by the unanimous consent of the members of the whole Synod, one and all.

  Moreover, the Synod earnestly warns the false accusers themselves to consider how heavy a judgment of God awaits those who give false testimony against so many churches and their confessions, trouble the consciences of the weak, and seek to prejudice the minds of many against the fellowship of true believers.

  Finally, this Synod urges all fellow ministers in the gospel of Christ to deal with this teaching in a godly and reverent manner, in the academic institutions as well as in the churches; to do so, both in their speaking and writing, with a view to the glory of God’s name, holiness of life, and the comfort of anxious souls; to think and also speak with Scripture according to the analogy of faith; and, finally, to refrain from all those ways of speaking which go beyond the bounds set for us by the genuine sense of the Holy Scriptures and which could give impertinent sophists a just occasion to scoff at the teaching of the Reformed churches or even to bring false accusations against it.

  May God’s Son Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God and gives gifts to men, sanctify us in the truth, lead to the truth those who err, silence the mouths of those who lay false accusations against sound teaching, and equip faithful ministers of his Word with a spirit of wisdom and discretion, that all they say may be to the glory of God and the building up of their hearers. Amen.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF1
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  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 1
  ### Of the Holy Scripture
  1. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.

  2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

  Of the Old Testament:
  ```
  Genesis         II Chronicles       Daniel
  Exodus          Ezra                Hosea
  Leviticus       Nehemiah            Joel
  Numbers         Esther              Amos
  Deuteronomy     Job                 Obadiah
  Joshua          Psalms              Jonah
  Judges          Proverbs            Micah
  Ruth            Ecclesiastes        Nahum
  I Samuel        The Song of Songs   Habakkuk
  II Samuel       Isaiah              Zephaniah
  I Kings         Jeremiah            Haggai
  II Kings        Lamentations        Zechariah
  I Chronicles	Ezekiel         	Malachi
  ```

  Of the New Testament:
  ```
  Matthew         Ephesians           Hebrews
  Mark            Philippians         James
  Luke   	        Colossians          I Peter
  John   	        I Thessalonians     II Peter
  Acts   	        II Thessalonians    I John
  Romans   	    I Timothy           II John
  I Corinthians	II Timothy          III John
  II Corinthians  Titus               Jude
  Galatians       Philemon            Revelation
  ```

  All which are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life.

  3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.

  4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

  5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.

  6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word: and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.

  7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.

  8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by his singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as, in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal unto them. But, because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.

  9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.

  10. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF10
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 10
  ### Of Effectual Calling
  1. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.

  2. This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.

  3. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth: so also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.

  4. Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess. And, to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF11
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 11
  ### Of Justification
  1. Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth: not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness, by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.

  2. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.

  3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his Father’s justice in their behalf. Yet, inasmuch as he was given by the Father for them; and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead; and both, freely, not for anything in them; their justification is only of free grace; that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.

  4. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.

  5. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and, although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.

  6. The justification of believers under the old testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the new testament.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF12
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 12
  ### Of Adoption
  1. All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have his name put upon them, receive the Spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him, as by a father: yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption; and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF13
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 13
  ### Of Sanctification
  1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

  2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

  3. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF14
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 14
  ### Of Saving Faith
  1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

  2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

  3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory: growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF15
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 15
  ### Of Repentance unto Life
  1. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.

  2. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.

  3. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.

  4. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation; so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.

  5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.

  6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so, he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.


id:
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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF16
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 16
  ### Of Good Works
  1. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention.

  2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.

  3. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, beside the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.

  4. They who, in their obedience, attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.

  5. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants: and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.

  6. Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in God’s sight; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.

  7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF17
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 17
  ### Of the Perseverance of the Saints
  1. They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

  2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

  3. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and, for a time, continue therein: whereby they incur God’s displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF18
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 18
  ### Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
  1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.

  2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God, which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.

  3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it: yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto. And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.

  4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God’s withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light: yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived; and by the which, in the meantime, they are supported from utter despair.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF19
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 19
  ### Of the Law of God
  1. God gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience, promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it.

  2. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables: the first four commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man.

  3. Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly, holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the new testament.

  4. To them also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the State of that people; not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require.

  5. The moral law doth forever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof; and that, not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it. Neither doth Christ, in the gospel, any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.

  6. Although true believers be not under the law, as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified, or condemned; yet is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives; so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin, together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience. It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin: and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve; and what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law. The promises of it, in like manner, show them God’s approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof: although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works. So as, a man’s doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law; and, not under grace.

  7. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it; the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely, and cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be done.


id:
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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF2
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith
  ## CHAPTER 2
  ### Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
  1. There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal, most just, and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.

  2. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them.

  3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost: the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF20
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 20
  ### Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience
  1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a childlike love and willing mind. All which were common also to believers under the law. But, under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was subjected; and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.

  2. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in anything, contrary to his Word; or beside it, if matters of faith, or worship. So that, to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands, out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience: and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.

  3. They who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, do practice any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

  4. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another, they who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God. And, for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity (whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation), or to the power of godliness; or, such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the church, they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against, by the censures of the church.


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type: wcf
name: Westminster Confession
label: WCF21
content:
  # Westminster Confession of Faith

  ## CHAPTER 21
  ### Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
  1. The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.

  2. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creature: and, since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone.

  3. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship, is by God required of all men: and, that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of his Spirit, according to his will, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, if vocal, in a known tongue.

  4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter: but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.

  5. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear, the sound preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and reverence, singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: beside religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasions, which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner.

  6. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed: but God is to be worshiped everywhere, in spirit and truth; as, in private families daily, and in secret, each one by himself; so, more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or willfully to be neglected, or forsaken, when God, by his Word or providence, calleth thereunto.

  7. As it is the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven, for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him: which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which, in Scripture, is called the Lord’s day, and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath.

  8. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest, all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations, but also are taken up, the whole time, in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.


