22 And (A)He put all things under His feet, and gave Him (B)to be head over all things to the church, 23 (C)which is His body, (D)the fullness of Him (E)who fills all in all.

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Christ Our Cornerstone

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been (A)built (B)on the foundation of the (C)apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being (D)the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into (E)a holy temple in the Lord, 22 (F)in whom you also are being built together for a (G)dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

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Purpose of the Mystery

To me, (A)who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles (B)the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the [a]fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who (C)created all things [b]through Jesus Christ; 10 (D)to the intent that now (E)the [c]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church (F)to the [d]principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 (G)according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:9 NU, M stewardship (dispensation)
  2. Ephesians 3:9 NU omits through Jesus Christ
  3. Ephesians 3:10 variegated or many-sided
  4. Ephesians 3:10 rulers

21 (A)to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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Marriage—Christ and the Church(A)

22 Wives, (B)submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For (C)the husband is head of the wife, as also (D)Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands (E)in everything.

25 (F)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (G)gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [a]sanctify and cleanse her (H)with the washing of water (I)by the word, 27 (J)that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, (K)not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For (L)we are members of His body, [b]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 (M)“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the (N)two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:26 set it apart
  2. Ephesians 5:30 NU omits the rest of v. 30.

Greeting

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the [a]bishops and (A)deacons:

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:1 Lit. overseers

18 And (A)He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, (B)the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

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in like manner also, that the (A)women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and [a]moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 (B)but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And (C)I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 2:9 discretion

Qualifications of Overseers

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [a]bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not [b]given to wine, not violent, [c]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not [d]covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a [e]novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the (A)snare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, (B)not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the [f]mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not [g]slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons (C)obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The Great Mystery

14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and [h]ground of the truth.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:1 Lit. overseer
  2. 1 Timothy 3:3 addicted
  3. 1 Timothy 3:3 NU omits not greedy for money
  4. 1 Timothy 3:3 loving money
  5. 1 Timothy 3:6 new convert
  6. 1 Timothy 3:9 hidden truth
  7. 1 Timothy 3:11 malicious gossips
  8. 1 Timothy 3:15 foundation, mainstay

14 (A)Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy (B)with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

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39 And all these, (A)having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be (B)made perfect apart from us.

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Shepherd the Flock

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a (A)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the (B)glory that will be revealed: (C)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, (D)not by compulsion but [a]willingly, (E)not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as (F)being [b]lords over (G)those entrusted to you, but (H)being examples to the flock; and when (I)the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive (J)the crown of glory that does not fade away.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 NU adds according to God
  2. 1 Peter 5:3 masters

The Loveless Church

“To the [a]angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says (A)He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, (B)who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: (C)“I know your works, your labor, your [b]patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And (D)you have tested those (E)who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have (F)not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, (G)or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

(H)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give (I)to eat from (J)the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

The Persecuted Church

“And to the [d]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says (K)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are (L)rich); and I know the blasphemy of (M)those who say they are Jews and are not, (N)but are a [e]synagogue of Satan. 10 (O)Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. (P)Be faithful until death, and I will give you (Q)the crown of life.

11 (R)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by (S)the second death.” ’

The Compromising Church

12 “And to the [f]angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says (T)He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of (U)Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, (V)to eat things sacrificed to idols, (W)and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, [g]which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and (X)will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden (Y)manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone (Z)a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The Corrupt Church

18 “And to the [h]angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, (AA)who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 (AB)“I know your works, love, [i]service, faith, and your [j]patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have [k]a few things against you, because you allow [l]that woman (AC)Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, [m]to teach and seduce My servants (AD)to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time (AE)to [n]repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of [o]their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who (AF)searches[p] the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24 “Now to you I say, [q]and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the (AG)depths of Satan, as they say, (AH)I [r]will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast (AI)what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps (AJ)My works until the end, (AK)to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He(AL) shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—

as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him (AM)the morning star.

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Dead Church

“And to the [s]angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who (AN)has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before [t]God. (AO)Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and (AP)repent. (AQ)Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you (AR)as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. [u]You have (AS)a few names [v]even in Sardis who have not (AT)defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me (AU)in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes (AV)shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not (AW)blot out his name from the (AX)Book of Life; but (AY)I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

(AZ)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Faithful Church

“And to the [w]angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says (BA)He who is holy, (BB)He who is true, (BC)“He who has the key of David, (BD)He who opens and no one shuts, and (BE)shuts and no one opens”: (BF)“I know your works. See, I have set before you (BG)an open door, [x]and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make (BH)those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed (BI)I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept [y]My command to persevere, (BJ)I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon (BK)the whole world, to test those who dwell (BL)on the earth. 11 [z]Behold, (BM)I am coming quickly! (BN)Hold fast what you have, that no one may take (BO)your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him (BP)a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall (BQ)go out no more. (BR)I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the (BS)New Jerusalem, which (BT)comes down out of heaven from My God. (BU)And I will write on him My new name.

13 (BV)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Lukewarm Church

14 “And to the [aa]angel of the church [ab]of the Laodiceans write,

(BW)‘These things says the Amen, (BX)the Faithful and True Witness, (BY)the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 (BZ)“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither [ac]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, (CA)‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you (CB)to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and (CC)white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 (CD)As many as I love, I rebuke and (CE)chasten.[ad] Therefore be [ae]zealous and repent. 20 Behold, (CF)I stand at the door and knock. (CG)If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, (CH)I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes (CI)I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 (CJ)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:1 Or messenger
  2. Revelation 2:2 perseverance
  3. Revelation 2:2 endure
  4. Revelation 2:8 Or messenger
  5. Revelation 2:9 congregation
  6. Revelation 2:12 Or messenger
  7. Revelation 2:15 NU, M likewise.
  8. Revelation 2:18 Or messenger
  9. Revelation 2:19 NU, M faith, service
  10. Revelation 2:19 perseverance
  11. Revelation 2:20 NU, M against you that you tolerate
  12. Revelation 2:20 M your wife Jezebel
  13. Revelation 2:20 NU, M and teaches and seduces
  14. Revelation 2:21 NU, M repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.
  15. Revelation 2:22 NU, M her
  16. Revelation 2:23 examines
  17. Revelation 2:24 NU, M omit and
  18. Revelation 2:24 NU, M omit will
  19. Revelation 3:1 Or messenger
  20. Revelation 3:2 NU, M My God
  21. Revelation 3:4 NU, M Nevertheless you
  22. Revelation 3:4 NU, M omit even
  23. Revelation 3:7 Or messenger
  24. Revelation 3:8 NU, M which no one can shut
  25. Revelation 3:10 Lit. the word of My patience
  26. Revelation 3:11 NU, M omit Behold
  27. Revelation 3:14 Or messenger
  28. Revelation 3:14 NU, M in Laodicea
  29. Revelation 3:16 NU, M hot nor cold
  30. Revelation 3:19 discipline
  31. Revelation 3:19 eager

Then I, [a]John, saw (A)the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared (B)as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, (C)the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 21:2 NU, M omit John

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