of which they have no right to eat who serve the taberna11 cle. For the bodies of those beasts the blood of which shed

for sin is brought into the sanctuary by the high-priest', are 12 burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he

might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered with13 out the gate. (Let us therefore go out unto him without 14 the camp, bearing his reproach: for here have we no con15 tinuing city, but we seek one to come.) By him therefore let us offer up the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips which render thanks to his name3. 16 But to do good, and to distribute, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17

Obey those who preside over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your benefit 4, as those who must give account: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for 18 this would be unprofitable to you. Pray for us: for we trust that we have a good conscience, desiring to behave ourselves 19 well in all things. But I more especially beseech you to do this, that I may be shortly restored to you.

20

5

Now the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, who is the great shepherd of the sheep by 21 the blood* of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work', that ye may do his will; working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ to whom + be glory for ever [and ever3.] Amen. Now I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhor

22

:

name. Wakefield.

1 whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high-priest for sin, N. 2 bearing the cross, his reproach: N. 3 the fruit of lips which confess his 4 Gr. "in behalf of your souls," which is equivalent to "in your behalf." Newcome. 5 Or, who raised. S. 41. N.m. 6 who brought from the dead that shepherd of the sheep, become great by the blood of an everlasting covenant, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Wakefield. perfectly unite you in every good work, Sn. 9 Gr. ages [of ages].

7 Or,

"by shedding his blood to ratify that covenant which will never be annulled. Ch. viii. 13." Newcome.

tie. to the God of peace.

tation: for I have written a letter to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with 24 whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all those who preside over you, and all the saints. They of Italy 25 salute you. The favour of God be with you all. Amen.*

*The epistle to the Hebrews is the first of those books which are distinguished by Eusebius as having been disputed in the primitive ages of Christianity, and which, therefore, are not to be received as of equal authority with the rest. This epistle, however, which contains many important observations and many wholesome truths, mingled, indeed, with some far fetched analogies and inaccurate reasonings, was probably written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, for it contains no allusion to those calamitous events. But by whom it was written is uncertain. Origen says that no one can tell who was the author of it. It has been ascribed to Paul, to Barnabas, to Luke, and to Timothy but if Origen, the most learned and inquisitive writer in the third century, could not discover the author, it is in vain for us to attempt it, and we must be content to remain in ignorance.

THE EPISTLE GENERAL

OF JAMES.

1

JAMES,

2

CHAPTER I.

1

a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into various 3 trials; knowing that the proof of your faith worketh pa4 tience. And let patience have its perfect work: that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

5

Now if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall 6 be given him. But let him ask in3 faith, nothing doubting. For he that doubteth is like a wave of the sea, moved by 7 the wind and tossed about. And let not that man think that 8 he will receive any thing from the Lord: he is a man of a divided mind, unsteady in all his ways.

9

Now let the brother of low degree glory in that he is ex10 alted; but the rich, in that he is made low: for as the flower 11 of the herb he will pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen

12

with a burning heat, but it withereth the herb, and its flower falleth, and the beauty of its appearance perisheth: so the rich man also will fade in his ways.

Happy is the man that endureth trial: for, when he hath been proved, he will receive the crown of life, which the 13 Lord hath promised to those who love him. Let no man say, when he is tempted, "I am tempted of God:" for God

'Or, great joy, N. m. 2 temptations, N. So ver. 12. 3 Or, with, N. m.

cannot be tempted by evils, nor doth he tempt any man. 14 But every man is tempted, when he is ensnared and allured 15 by his own evil desire. Then when desire hath conceived,

it beareth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth 16 death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift, 17 and every perfect benefit, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, 18 nor shadow of turning. Of his own will he regenerated' us by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift 20 to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh not the righteousness of God?.

21

Wherefore lay aside all defilement, and abundance of wickedness, and receive with meekness the word implanted 22 in you, which is able to save you3. But be ye doers of the

word; and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be an hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is 24 like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he

beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and immediately for25 getteth what manner of man he was. But whoever looketh into the perfect law of freedom, and continueth in it, this man, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer 5 of the work commanded, will be happy in his deed.

26

6

If any man seem to be religious, and bridle not his tongue, but deceive his own heart, this man's religion is 27 vain. The religion which is pure and undefiled before our God and Father is this; to take care of orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep one's-self unspotted from the world.

CH. 11. My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus

1

' begat, N. 2 Or, the righteousness which God requireth, N. m. Or, great righteousness; i. e. it produces much iniquity. Sn. 3 your souls, Gr. and N. 6 5 Or, an active doer, Wakefield.

4 Gr. hearer of forgetfulness.

man among you, R. T. and N.

any

2

2 Christ, the Lord of glory', with respect of persons. For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring in gorgeous apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile 3 apparel; and ye regard him who weareth the gorgeous ap parel, and say3, "Sit thou here in a good place;" and say to the poor man, "Stand thou there," or, "Sit [here] 4 under my footstool;" have ye not [then] been partial among yourselves, and have ye not become judges whose thoughts 5 are evil? Hearken, my beloved brethren: hath not God chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to those who love 6 him? But ye have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the

4

rich oppress you, and draw you before the judgement-seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that honourable name by which ye 8 are called? Now if ye fulfil the royal law according to the

scripture, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," ye 9 do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, 10 and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, 11 he is guilty of showing disrespect to all *. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," said also, "Do not commit murther." Now if thou commit no adultery, and yet com12 mit murther, thou becomest a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so act, as those who will be judged by the law 13 of freedom. For he shall have pitiless judgement, that hath shown no pity: but pity glorieth over judgement.

14

WHAT doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say that he 15 hath faith, and have not works; can faith save him? [Now] if a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food;

Or, hold not your glorious belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, Wakefield. 2 Gr. synagogue. 3 say to him, R. T. and N. 4 of this world, R.T.

5 Gr. which is called upon you? N. m. 6 and, R. T.

* See Bell on the Lord's Supper, p. 101, 102. This indeed is all the writer could mean. Comp. 1 Cor. xi. 27. "He is liable to the punishment of offending in all." N.