masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the 19) froward. For this is acceptable',

if for conscience toward God a man lendureth griefs', suffering wrongfully. 20 °For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with (21 God. For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for 'you', leaving you an example, that ye 22 should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his (23 mouth who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (24 who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose "stripes 25) ye were healed. For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and "Bishop of your souls.

3(1

In like manner", ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, leven if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behaviour of their wives; 2 beholding your chaste behaviouri (3 coupled with fear. "Whose adorning

let it not be 'the' outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; 4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in 5 the sight of God of great price. For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjec(6 tion to their own husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord whose children' ye now are, lif ye do well, and are not put in fear by any 'terror',

7

Ye husbands, 'in like manner', dwell with your wives' according to knowledge, giving honour 10unto the 'woman',

13

Let him refrain his tongue from evil,

And his lips that they speak no guile :

And let him 'turn away from1 evil, and do good;

Let him seek peace, and 'pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are Jupon the righteous,

And his ears unto their suppli

cation':

But the face of the Lord is 'upon!

them that do evil.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be 'zealous of that which is 14 good? But and if ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, 'blessed' are ye: and 'fear not their 'fear', neither (15) be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason 'concerning the hope that is in you, yet with 16 meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner 17 of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God 'should' so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for (18) evil-doing. Because Christ also 12suffered for sins once, the righteous! for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the 19 spirit; in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison. (20 which 'aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited

. ye

in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through 21) water which also after a

true

likeness' doth now save you', even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of (22) Jesus Christ; who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

4(1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm 'ye yourselves 'also' with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from 2 sin; that yel no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of (3 God. For the time past may suffice

to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, 'winebibbings', revellings, 'carousings', and abominable 4 idolatries: wherein they think it strange that 'yel run not with them

into the same 'excess of riot, speak5 ing evil of you who shall give account to him that is ready to judge 6 the quick and the dead. For unto this end was the gospel preached leven to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore 'of sound mind', and (8 be sober unto prayer: above all things being fervent in your love! among yourselves; for love covereth 9 a multitude of sins: using hospitality one to another without 'mur10 muring laccording as 'each hath received 'a' gift, 'ministering it among yourselves', as good stewards of the 11) manifold grace of God; if any man 'speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man 'ministereth, ministering as of the 'strength' which

God supplieth': that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and 'the' dominion 10for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you', which cometh upon you to provel you, as though 'a' strange thing hap13) pened unto you: °but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with ex(14) ceeding joy. If ye are reproached 11for the name of Christ, 'blessed' are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. (15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a 'meddler in other men's mat16 ters but if a man suffer as a

Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God 'in' this 'name'. 17) °For the time is come for judgement Ito begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel (18 of God? And if the righteous lis!

scarcely saved, where shall the un(19 godly and sinner appear? °Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

51

The elders therefore' among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder', and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, Iwho am also a partaker of the glory * (2 that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, 12 exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according unto God; nor yet for filthy lucre, 3 but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves en4 samples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested', ye shall receive the crown of glory 5) that fadeth not away. 14Likewise, ye younger, be subject! unto the elder.

his time

9 Gr. prayers.

12 Some ancient authorities omit exer

cising the oversight.

13 Some ancient authorities omit according unto God.

14 Or, Likewise... elder; yea, all of you one to another. Gird yourselves with humility

242

Yea, all of you 'gird yourselves' with humility, 'to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, 'but giveth 6 grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you 7 in due time; casting all your anxiety! upon him, 'because he careth for you. 8 °Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may 9 devour: whom withstand stedfast

in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the (10) world. And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal

1*(1) SIMON Peter, a 1oservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of 12our God 2) and Saviour Jesus Christ: "Grace 'to! you and peace be multiplied 'in' the knowledge of God and of Jesus our (3 Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us 4) 13 by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted' unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become! partakers of 14the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is Yeal, and 5 in the world by lust.

'for this 'very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue 6 knowledge; and in your knowledge 15temperance; and in your 15temperance patience; and 'in your patience

5 Many ancient authorities add settle.

Gr. unto the ages of the ages.

7 Gr. the.

*7 godliness; and 'in your godliness love of the brethren; and in your For if 8 love of the brethren love1. these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful 'unto the knowledge of our For he that 9 Lord Jesus Christ.

lacketh these things is blind, 16seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. 10) °Wherefore, brethren, give the 'more! diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, 11) ye shall never stumble': °for 'thus! shall be 'richly supplied' unto you 'the entrance into the leternal' kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12)

Wherefore I shall be 'ready' always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth 13 which is with you!. And I think it 'right', as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in

Symeon.

authorities read

14 remembrance; knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ 15 signified unto me. Yea, I will Igive diligence' that 'at every time ye! may be able after my 'decease to 'call 16 these things to remembrance. For we did not 'follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewit* 17 nesses of his majesty. For he 3received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I *18) am well pleased: and this voice we ourselves heard come out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy 19) mount. And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining' in a "dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star (20 arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is (21) of private interpretation. For 'no!

21)

prophecy lever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Ghost.

But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in 10 destructivel heresies, denying even the 'Master' that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift 2 destruction. And many shall follow

their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall 3 be evil spoken of. And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you whose 'sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumber(4 eth not. For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but "cast them down to 12hell, and committed! them to 18pits of darkness, to be re

5 served unto judgement; and spared not the ancient world, but 'preserved Noah with seven others', 14a preacher of righteousness, when he brought al flood upon the world of the ungodly; (6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, 'having madel them an example unto those that should 7 live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the 8 lascivious life of the wicked °(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, 15vexed his righteous soul from day to day 9 with their lawless' deeds): the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment' unto the 10 day of judgement; but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of 'defilement', and despise dominion'. 'Daring', selfwilled, they 'tremble' not 11) to 'rail at 16dignities: whereas angels,

Ithough greater in might and power, bring not a railing 'judgement' against 12 them before the Lord. But these, as creatures without reason, born 17mere animals! 18to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant', shall in their 191destroying surely be destroyed', (13 suffering wrong as the hire of

wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, 'revelling in their 201love-feasts while they feast with 14 you; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; lenticing unstedfast' souls; 'having a heart exercised in covetousness; 15 children of cursing; °forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of 22 Beor, who loved the hire' of 16 wrong-doing; but 'he' was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and

glory.

5 Gr. brought.

6 Gr. squalid.

7 Or, Ispecial

8 Gr. was brought.

13 Some ancient

chains.

14 Gr. a herald.

15 Gr. tormented.

16 Gr. glories.

authorities

stayed the madness of the prophet. (17 These are springs without water, land mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness 18 hath been reserved. For, 'uttering' great swelling words of vanity, they Tentice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness', those who are just escaping from them that live in 19) error; promising' them liberty, while they themselves are 'bondservants' of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also 20 brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the 'defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is 'become 21 worse with them than the 'first'. For it were' better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after 'knowing it, to turn 'back' from the holy commandment delivered unto (22 them. It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog 'turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that 'had washed to wallowing in the mire.

31) This is now, beloved, 'the' second

epistle that I write unto you; 'and' in both of them! I stir up your 'sincere mind' by putting you in remem(2) brance; that ye should remember! the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour 3) through your apostles: knowing this first, that in the last days 'mockers' shall come with mockery, walking 4 after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the crea(5) tion. For this they 'wilfully forget',

that there were heavens from of old, and 'an' earth 'compacted' out of water and amidst water, by the word 6 of God; by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with 7) water, perished: but the heavens 'that' now are, and the earth, by the same

word 'have been stored up for fire, 'being reserved against the day of judgement and 'destruction' of ungodly

men.

8) But 'forget' not this one thing. beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand (9 years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come (10 to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, 'and' the earth and the works that are there11) in shall be burned up. Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy 'living' and godli12 ness, looking for and learnestly desiring the coming of the day of God,

by reason of which' the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the "elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13) But', according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligencel that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight!. 15 °And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, 'wrote 16 unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and lunstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own (17) destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, 'knowing these things beforehand',

beware lest, being 'carried' away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from (18) your own stedfastness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be 'the glory both now and 10for ever. Amen.

8 The most ancient manuscripts read discovered. "Or, \hastening\

10 Gr. unto the day of eternity.