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Notes that are not verse specific
THEN I PRAYED TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN
Nehemiah was standing before the king of Persia, the most powerful man in the world. He was discussing with him the state of Jerusalem. Then the King asked, "What is it you want?" We read, "Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the King…"
That prayer took place in a matter of seconds between a question and a reply during a conversation between Nehemiah and the king. He had no time to phrase and speak a formal prayer and he did in chapter 1. The king could have gotten worried if he had suddenly dropped to his knees to pray, or raised his hands in the air, or stood with his eyes closed for five minutes. No, this was a spontaneous quick prayer between Nehemiah and God that took no time at all. We are not told what his prayer was about, but I would guess that it was a prayer of thanks, guidance, wisdom and for God to move in the heart of the king.
Nehemiah's prayer was an instant reaction to a tricky situation and God answered his prayer. Spontaneous prayer was an important part of Nehemiah's life. It is an important part of my life. Make it an important part of your life too.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2002 Reply to Robert
JUST DO IT
The city of Jerusalem lay in ruins. The wall and the gates had been broken down. At the time there were a large number of Jews living in Jerusalem. They must have noticed the state of the city but the motivation to get to work and repair it was not there - that is, until Nehemiah came along and opened their eyes once again to the trouble they were in. Nehemiah said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burnt with fire. Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." (v 17) With this motivation behind them, the people's reply was positive: "Let us start rebuilding." (v 18)
From before Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem until this moment, whether he was there or not, the problem remained the same: the city was in ruins. It took Nehemiah to point out the problem before they began to work. Do we do the same? Are we waiting for the motivation to preach the word, to tidy the church, to study the Bible, to reach out to fill a particular need? Let's not wait for Nehemiah. He might be a long time in coming. Instead let's do it. Let's become the Nehemiah we are waiting for, and get stuck in to fix the trouble and repair the ruins. With the right motivation - probably just leadership - others will join us. So let's not wait around putting up with trouble. Get stuck in. Just do it!
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Robert
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book. It is uncertain whether the author of the book(s) is Ezra or Nehemiah.
In any event, Nehemiah here makes his first visit to Jerusalem in 445 BC. His second visit was in 432 BC. Nehemiah was contemporary with Malachi the prophet and with Socrates the Greek philosopher.
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2005 Reply to Michael
1:1 Although not certain, Nehemiah was probably of the tribe of Judah. The Nehemiah of Ezra 2:2 is probably not the same as this Nehemiah.
Shushan, sometimes called Susa, was the capital of Elam.
1:2,3 The consternation of the Jewish returnees was that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down. Those who went before Nehemiah, namely Zerubbabel and Ezra, were concerned only with the restoration of the temple.
The broken walls constituted vulnerability in the defence of the city. Added to that, there must have been a concern about the houses in Jerusalem that were completely destroyed. Houses needed to be built if Jerusalem was to accommodate the returning captives.
1:4 etc. Nehemiah had been made aware of the poor state of infrastructure in Jerusalem. His concern led him to make a petition to Yahweh.
2:1 This is now about four months after Nehemiah had heard the complaints about Jerusalem, and made his petition to Yahweh. The wonder is, why didn't Nehemiah speak to the king about his concerns before now? We do not know, but perhaps it was protocol that the cupbearer could only react to the king and not petition him directly.
Recall Xerxes’ protocol that affected Esther (Est 4:11; 5:2). There the king decided which petitioner to accept or reject.
2:6 Here, the word queen comes from the Hebrew shegal which describes a woman (concubine or harlot) who is favoured by the king.
But, a queen, who is a reigning monarch, is termed malkah in Hebrew (e.g. the Queen of Sheba 1Kin 10:1). Also, a woman who marries a king to become a legitimate queen, like Esther, who became Xerxes' queen, is also termed malkah (Est 2:22).
2:10,19 Sanballat was a Moabite; Tobiah was an Ammonite; Geshem was an Arab. These were traditional enemies of the Jews. These men would prove to be challenging to Nehemiah and his re-building program.
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2009 Reply to Michael
1:6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant
Why does Nehemiah ask that God's eyes be open? Surely hearing prayers, using ears, is all that is needed. There are at least two possibilities for asking that God's eyes be open as well:
1. Nehemiah asks that God not only hears his words but sees the weeping, mourning and fasting (v4) accompanying the prayers as evidence of their genuineness.
2. Nehemiah asks that God sees the forlorn state of Jerusalem (v3) which is the subject of his prayers.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
2:5 to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.
We never hear again of Nehemiah honouring his fathers' graves, so why mention it now? It could be that Nehemiah is appealing to Medo-Persian culture where ancestors graves were honoured. Nehemiah presents his desire to go to Jerusalem as a family matter, when it had more to do with honouring God. He was very diplomatic.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
2:6 the queen sitting beside him
Why is this detail important? It could be that the record is showing that the occasion was not a business conference or gathering where large numbers of people were in attendance. Nehemiah is the cupbearer at a more private occasion whereby the king and his wife were enjoying time together. This allowed for the king to take notice of Nehemiah's disposition and to have a quiet, relaxed and undistracted conversation.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
2:9 the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen
The province titled Beyond the River was the wild west of the empire and the king knew that Nehemiah might need some support. Nehemiah had not asked for this provision but God through the king provided it. God often gives more than we desire or think we need. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20)
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
2:20 but you [Tobiah et al.] have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.
Yet Tobiah was later found living, not only in Jerusalem, but in the Temple itself, at the urging of Eliashib, the compromising high priest! (Nehemiah 13:4,5). Such was the later decline in Judah after Nehemiah was recalled to Susa the palace for a time.
Imagine if we allowed the local arrogant atheist to take up residence in our ecclesial hall, because he is a close relative of one of the leaders in the ecclesia!
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
1:11 Now I was cupbearer to the king
This was an important job and may have been more than a simple bartender. The cupbearer needed to protect the king from being poisoned, as well as provide drink for the king. For a Hebrew to be entrusted to be the king's cupbearer demonstrates that Nehemiah's trustworthiness, despite him being of a foreign race, was well known and valued.
The cupbearer may also have been involved in planning and carrying out catering event management, since assassination attempts would involve more than just drink spiking. The king presumably was impressed with Nehemiah's organisation skills at these events, so much so that he acceded to Nehemiah's requests (Nehemiah 2) and elevated him to the role of Governor of the Province of Judea. Those organisation skills were evident in Nehemiah's execution of the project to build the walls and gates of Jerusalem.
Also, Nehemiah was wealthy (Nehemiah 5:14-19; 7:70). This suggests that Nehemiah had been well paid as a cupbearer, hinting again that his duties were more than just bartending. The term Rabshakeh means chief cupbearer and "Rabshakeh" was a key servant who did more than cupbearing to Sennacherib in Hezekiah's day. This suggests again that cupbearing was not the only part of Nehemiah's role, and that he was accordingly well paid.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
2:10 Sanballat the Horonite
There are three possibilities for the location of Horon:
1. Sanballat came from one of the towns of Beth-horon, northwest of Jerusalem
2. Horon could refer to Horonaim in Moab (Isaiah 15:5)
3. Horon could refer to Hauran, an area to the east of the sea of Galilee (Ezekiel 47:16,18)
Maybe too Sanballat was a Horonite - a worshipper of the god Horon in Canaan.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
2:20 but you [Tobiah et al.] have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.
* portion: God-given inheritance
* right: God-given rulership
* claim: history of prior activity commendable to God
Thus Tobiah et al. had no God-given connection to Jerusalem
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
2:3 Let the king live forever
This statement by Nehemiah may sound a bit fawning and the legalistic side of us might recoil that it expresses a thought that is incorrect - only faithful followers of God will live forever after Christ grants them immortality. But, it probably was a cultural norm of respect to use such words to a dignitary (cp Daniel using similar words in Daniel 6:21). We often find these cultural terms of respect in today's society. For example, in parliament, we say "The Right Honorable member for [insert electorate]"; or to a judge in court: "Your honour". Luke writes to "most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3).
I once heard a brother pray to God "We cannot wait for Your Kingdom". This wasn't an expression of rebellion, but an expression of excitement. We have to be careful that we don't make others offenders for a word, and become rigid and formulaic in our conversation and prayers.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
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1. The words <1697> of Nehemiah <5166> the son <1121> of Hachaliah <2446>. And it came to pass in the month <2320> Chisleu <3691>, in the twentieth <6242> year <8141>, as I was in Shushan <7800> the palace <1002>,
2. That Hanani <2607>, one <259> of my brethren <251>, came <935>(8799), he and certain men <582> of Judah <3063>; and I asked <7592>(8799) them concerning the Jews <3064> that had escaped <6413>, which were left <7604>(8738) of the captivity <7628>, and concerning Jerusalem <3389>.
3. And they said <559>(8799) unto me, The remnant <7604>(8737) that are left <7604>(8738) of the captivity <7628> there in the province <4082> are in great <1419> affliction <7451> and reproach <2781>: the wall <2346> of Jerusalem <3389> also is broken down <6555>(8794), and the gates <8179> thereof are burned <3341>(8738) with fire <784>.
4. And it came to pass, when I heard <8085>(8800) these words <1697>, that I sat down <3427>(8804) and wept <1058>(8799), and mourned <56>(8691) certain days <3117>, and fasted <6684>(8802), and prayed <6419>(8693) before <6440> the God <430> of heaven <8064>,
5. And said <559>(8799), I beseech <577> thee, O LORD <3068> God <430> of heaven <8064>, the great <1419> and terrible <3372>(8737) God <410>, that keepeth <8104>(8802) covenant <1285> and mercy <2617> for them that love <157>(8802) him and observe <8104>(8802) his commandments <4687>:
6. Let thine ear <241> now be attentive <7183>, and thine eyes <5869> open <6605>(8803), that thou mayest hear <8085>(8800) the prayer <8605> of thy servant <5650>, which I pray <6419>(8693) before <6440> thee now <3117>, day <3119> and night <3915>, for the children <1121> of Israel <3478> thy servants <5650>, and confess <3034>(8693) the sins <2403> of the children <1121> of Israel <3478>, which we have sinned <2398>(8804) against thee: both I and my father's <1> house <1004> have sinned <2398>(8804).
7. We have dealt very <2254>(8800) corruptly <2254>(8804) against thee, and have not kept <8104>(8804) the commandments <4687>, nor the statutes <2706>, nor the judgments <4941>, which thou commandedst <6680>(8765) thy servant <5650> Moses <4872>.
8. Remember <2142>(8798), I beseech thee, the word <1697> that thou commandedst <6680>(8765) thy servant <5650> Moses <4872>, saying <559>(8800), If ye transgress <4603>(8799), I will scatter you abroad <6327>(8686) among the nations <5971>:
9. But if ye turn <7725>(8804) unto me, and keep <8104>(8804) my commandments <4687>, and do <6213>(8804) them; though there were of you cast out <5080>(8737) unto the uttermost part <7097> of the heaven <8064>, yet will I gather <6908>(8762) them from thence, and will bring <935>(8689) them unto the place <4725> that I have chosen <977>(8804) to set <7931>(8763) my name <8034> there.
10. Now these are thy servants <5650> and thy people <5971>, whom thou hast redeemed <6299>(8804) by thy great <1419> power <3581>, and by thy strong <2389> hand <3027>.
11. O Lord <136>, I beseech <577> thee, let now thine ear <241> be attentive <7183> to the prayer <8605> of thy servant <5650>, and to the prayer <8605> of thy servants <5650>, who desire <2655> to fear <3372>(8800) thy name <8034>: and prosper <6743>(8685), I pray thee, thy servant <5650> this day <3117>, and grant <5414>(8798) him mercy <7356> in the sight <6440> of this man <376>. For I was the king's <4428> cupbearer <8248>(8688).
1. And it came to pass in the month <2320> Nisan <5212>, in the twentieth <6242> year <8141> of Artaxerxes <783> the king <4428>, that wine <3196> was before <6440> him: and I took up <5375>(8799) the wine <3196>, and gave <5414>(8799) it unto the king <4428>. Now I had not been beforetime sad <7451> in his presence <6440>.
2. Wherefore the king <4428> said <559>(8799) unto me, Why is thy countenance <6440> sad <7451>, seeing thou art not sick <2470>(8802)? this is nothing else but sorrow <7455> of heart <3820>. Then I was very <3966> sore <7235>(8687) afraid <3372>(8799),
3. And said <559>(8799) unto the king <4428>, Let the king <4428> live <2421>(8799) for ever <5769>: why should not my countenance <6440> be sad <3415>(8799), when the city <5892>, the place <1004> of my fathers <1>' sepulchres <6913>, lieth waste <2720>, and the gates <8179> thereof are consumed <398>(8795) with fire <784>?
4. Then the king <4428> said <559>(8799) unto me, For what dost thou make request <1245>(8764)? So I prayed <6419>(8691) to the God <430> of heaven <8064>.
5. And I said <559>(8799) unto the king <4428>, If it please <2895>(8804) the king <4428>, and if thy servant <5650> have found favour <3190>(8799) in thy sight <6440>, that thou wouldest send <7971>(8799) me unto Judah <3063>, unto the city <5892> of my fathers <1>' sepulchres <6913>, that I may build <1129>(8799) it.
6. And the king <4428> said <559>(8799) unto me, (the queen <7694> also sitting <3427>(8802) by him <681>,) For how long shall thy journey <4109> be? and when wilt thou return <7725>(8799)? So it pleased <3190>(8799) <6440> the king <4428> to send <7971>(8799) me; and I set <5414>(8799) him a time <2165>.
7. Moreover I said <559>(8799) unto the king <4428>, If it please <2895>(8804) the king <4428>, let letters <107> be given <5414>(8799) me to the governors <6346> beyond <5676> the river <5104>, that they may convey me over <5674>(8686) till I come <935>(8799) into Judah <3063>;
8. And a letter <107> unto Asaph <623> the keeper <8104>(8802) of the king's <4428> forest <6508>, that he may give <5414>(8799) me timber <6086> to make beams <7136>(8763) for the gates <8179> of the palace <1002> which appertained to the house <1004>, and for the wall <2346> of the city <5892>, and for the house <1004> that I shall enter into <935>(8799). And the king <4428> granted <5414>(8799) me, according to the good <2896> hand <3027> of my God <430> upon me.
9. Then I came <935>(8799) to the governors <6346> beyond <5676> the river <5104>, and gave <5414>(8799) them the king's <4428> letters <107>. Now the king <4428> had sent <7971>(8799) captains <8269> of the army <2428> and horsemen <6571> with me.
10. When Sanballat <5571> the Horonite <2772>, and Tobiah <2900> the servant <5650>, the Ammonite <5984>, heard <8085>(8799) of it, it grieved <3415>(8799) them exceedingly <7451> <1419> that there was come <935>(8804) a man <120> to seek <1245>(8763) the welfare <2896> of the children <1121> of Israel <3478>.
11. So I came <935>(8799) to Jerusalem <3389>, and was there three <7969> days <3117>.
12. And I arose <6965>(8799) in the night <3915>, I and some <4592> few <4592> men <582> with me; neither told <5046>(8689) I any man <120> what my God <430> had put <5414>(8802) in my heart <3820> to do <6213>(8800) at Jerusalem <3389>: neither was there any beast <929> with me, save the beast <929> that I rode upon <7392>(8802).
13. And I went out <3318>(8799) by night <3915> by the gate <8179> of the valley <1516>, even before <6440> the dragon <8577> well <5869>(8677) <5886>, and to the dung <830> port <8179>, and viewed <7663>(8802)(8675) <7665>(8799) the walls <2346> of Jerusalem <3389>, which were broken down <6555>(8803), and the gates <8179> thereof were consumed <398>(8795) with fire <784>.
14. Then I went on <5674>(8799) to the gate <8179> of the fountain <5869>, and to the king's <4428> pool <1295>: but there was no place <4725> for the beast <929> that was under me to pass <5674>(8800).
15. Then went I up <5927>(8802) in the night <3915> by the brook <5158>, and viewed <7663>(8802)(8675) <7665>(8799) the wall <2346>, and turned back <7725>(8799), and entered <935>(8799) by the gate <8179> of the valley <1516>, and so returned <7725>(8799).
16. And the rulers <5461> knew <3045>(8804) not whither I went <1980>(8804), or what I did <6213>(8802); neither had I as yet <3651> told <5046>(8689) it to the Jews <3064>, nor to the priests <3548>, nor to the nobles <2715>, nor to the rulers <5461>, nor to the rest <3499> that did <6213>(8802) the work <4399>.
17. Then said <559>(8799) I unto them, Ye see <7200>(8802) the distress <7451> that we are in, how Jerusalem <3389> lieth waste <2720>, and the gates <8179> thereof are burned <3341>(8738) with fire <784>: come <3212>(8798), and let us build up <1129>(8799) the wall <2346> of Jerusalem <3389>, that we be no more a reproach <2781>.
18. Then I told <5046>(8686) them of the hand <3027> of my God <430> which was good <2896> upon me; as also the king's <4428> words <1697> that he had spoken <559>(8804) unto me. And they said <559>(8799), Let us rise up <6965>(8799) and build <1129>(8804). So they strengthened <2388>(8762) their hands <3027> for this good <2896> work.
19. But when Sanballat <5571> the Horonite <2772>, and Tobiah <2900> the servant <5650>, the Ammonite <5984>, and Geshem <1654> the Arabian <6163>, heard <8085>(8799) it, they laughed us to scorn <3932>(8686), and despised <959>(8799) us, and said <559>(8799), What is this thing <1697> that ye do <6213>(8802)? will ye rebel <4775>(8802) against the king <4428>?
20. Then answered <7725>(8686) <1697> I them, and said <559>(8799) unto them, The God <430> of heaven <8064>, he will prosper <6743>(8686) us; therefore we his servants <5650> will arise <6965>(8799) and build <1129>(8804): but ye have no portion <2506>, nor right <6666>, nor memorial <2146>, in Jerusalem <3389>.
Notes that are not verse specific
12:3,4 In citing two incidents from the life of Jacob - his birth and his battle with the angel God is highlighting the strength of Jacob with God which is now contrasted with their waywardness (see 12:6). That 'He spake with us' marks the point that these incidents in Jacob's life were not just for his own benefit. Their being recorded indicated that all Israel should benefit from thinking about them.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
11:10 “Similitudes” is likenesses. This is the basis of so many of Jesus’ parables where he says … is like unto …
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Peter
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1. Ephraim <669> feedeth <7462>(8802) on wind <7307>, and followeth <7291>(8802) after the east wind <6921>: he daily <3117> increaseth <7235>(8686) lies <3577> and desolation <7701>; and they do make <3772>(8799) a covenant <1285> with the Assyrians <804>, and oil <8081> is carried <2986>(8714) into Egypt <4714>.
2. The LORD <3068> hath also a controversy <7379> with Judah <3063>, and will punish <6485>(8800) Jacob <3290> according to his ways <1870>; according to his doings <4611> will he recompense <7725>(8686) him.
3. He took his brother <251> by the heel <6117>(8804) in the womb <990>, and by his strength <202> he had power <8280>(8804) with God <430>:
4. Yea, he had power <7786>(8799) over the angel <4397>, and prevailed <3201>(8799): he wept <1058>(8804), and made supplication <2603>(8691) unto him: he found <4672>(8799) him in Bethel <1008>, and there he spake <1696>(8762) with us;
5. Even the LORD <3068> God <430> of hosts <6635>; the LORD <3068> is his memorial <2143>.
6. Therefore turn <7725>(8799) thou to thy God <430>: keep <8104>(8798) mercy <2617> and judgment <4941>, and wait <6960>(8761) on thy God <430> continually <8548>.
7. He is a merchant <3667>, the balances <3976> of deceit <4820> are in his hand <3027>: he loveth <157>(8804) to oppress <6231>(8800).
8. And Ephraim <669> said <559>(8799), Yet I am become rich <6238>(8804), I have found me out <4672>(8804) substance <202>: in all my labours <3018> they shall find <4672>(8799) none iniquity <5771> in me that were sin <2399>.
9. And I that am the LORD <3068> thy God <430> from the land <776> of Egypt <4714> will yet make thee to dwell <3427>(8686) in tabernacles <168>, as in the days <3117> of the solemn feast <4150>.
10. I have also spoken <1696>(8765) by the prophets <5030>, and I have multiplied <7235>(8689) visions <2377>, and used similitudes <1819>(8762), by the ministry <3027> of the prophets <5030>.
11. Is there iniquity <205> in Gilead <1568>? surely they are vanity <7723>: they sacrifice <2076>(8765) bullocks <7794> in Gilgal <1537>; yea, their altars <4196> are as heaps <1530> in the furrows <8525> of the fields <7704>.
12. And Jacob <3290> fled <1272>(8799) into the country <7704> of Syria <758>, and Israel <3478> served <5647>(8799) for a wife <802>, and for a wife <802> he kept <8104>(8804) sheep.
13. And by a prophet <5030> the LORD <3068> brought <5927>(8689) Israel <3478> out of Egypt <4714>, and by a prophet <5030> was he preserved <8104>(8738).
14. Ephraim <669> provoked him to anger <3707>(8689) most bitterly <8563>: therefore shall he leave <5203>(8799) his blood <1818> upon him, and his reproach <2781> shall his Lord <113> return <7725>(8686) unto him.
Notes that are not verse specific
3:23 The focus of all our activities is that we should seek to please our Father. The danger always is that we might simply be doing things to seek the praise of men.
4:7-8 The details of Tychicus confirm that he took the letter from Paul to the ecclesia in Colosse.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
Always just the afterthought, in 3v15 Paul says "and be thankful". How important this advice is to us, who are naturally "unthankful, unholy" (2 Tim 3v2). How un-thoughtful it would be if we were to leave our thanks as an afterthought, or even forget it completely. In this chapter Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the works of the spirit, which, if we cling to them, will let the peace of God rule in our hearts (v15). What a contrast to the turmoil, stress, and self destruction that the other things bring. When we see the contrast in our own lives now, compared to our lives before, aught we not to give thanks for the transformation?
Rob de Jongh [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Rob
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1. If <1487> ye <4891> <0> then <3767> be risen <4891>(5681) with Christ <5547>, seek <2212>(5720) those things which are above <507>, where <3757> Christ <5547> sitteth <2076>(5748) <2521>(5740) on <1722> the right hand <1188> of God <2316>.
2. Set your affection <5426>(5720) on things above <507>, not <3361> on things on <1909> the earth <1093>.
3. For <1063> ye are dead <599>(5627), and <2532> your <5216> life <2222> is hid <2928>(5769) with <4862> Christ <5547> in <1722> God <2316>.
4. When <3752> Christ <5547>, who is our <2257> life <2222>, shall appear <5319>(5686), then <5119> shall <5319> <0> ye <5210> also <2532> appear <5319>(5701) with <4862> him <846> in <1722> glory <1391>.
5. Mortify <3499>(5657) therefore <3767> your <5216> members <3196> which <3588> are upon <1909> the earth <1093>; fornication <4202>, uncleanness <167>, inordinate affection <3806>, evil <2556> concupiscence <1939>, and <2532> covetousness <4124>, which <3748> is <2076>(5748) idolatry <1495>:
6. For <1223> which things' sake <3739> the wrath <3709> of God <2316> cometh <2064>(5736) on <1909> the children <5207> of disobedience <543>:
7. In <1722> the which <3739> ye <5210> also <2532> walked <4043>(5656) some time <4218>, when <3753> ye lived <2198>(5707) in <1722> them <846>.
8. But <1161> now <3570> ye <5210> also <2532> put off <659>(5640) all these <3956>; anger <3709>, wrath <2372>, malice <2549>, blasphemy <988>, filthy communication <148> out of <1537> your <5216> mouth <4750>.
9. Lie <5574>(5732) not <3361> one to another <1519> <240>, seeing that ye have put off <554>(5666) the old <3820> man <444> with <4862> his <846> deeds <4234>;
10. And <2532> have put on <1746>(5671) the new <3501> man, which <3588> is renewed <341>(5746) in <1519> knowledge <1922> after <2596> the image of him <1504> that created <2936>(5660) him <846>:
11. Where <3699> there is <1762>(5748) neither <3756> Greek <1672> nor <2532> Jew <2453>, circumcision <4061> nor <2532> uncircumcision <203>, Barbarian <915>, Scythian <4658>, bond <1401> nor free <1658>: but <235> Christ <5547> is all <3956>, and <2532> in <1722> all <3956>.
12. Put on <1746>(5669) therefore <3767>, as <5613> the elect <1588> of God <2316>, holy <40> and <2532> beloved <25>(5772), bowels <4698> of mercies <3628>, kindness <5544>, humbleness of mind <5012>, meekness <4236>, longsuffering <3115>;
13. Forbearing <430>(5740) one another <240>, and <2532> forgiving <5483>(5740)(5746) one another <1438>, if <1437> any man <5100> have <2192>(5725) a quarrel <3437> against <4314> any <5100>: even as <2531> <2532> Christ <5547> forgave <5483>(5662) you <5213>, so <3779> also <2532> do ye <5210>.
14. And <1161> above <1909> all <3956> these things <5125> put on charity <26>, which <3748> is <2076>(5748) the bond <4886> of perfectness <5047>.
15. And <2532> let <1018> <0> the peace <1515> of God <2316> rule <1018>(5720) in <1722> your <5216> hearts <2588>, to <1519> the which <3739> also <2532> ye are called <2564>(5681) in <1722> one <1520> body <4983>; and <2532> be ye <1096>(5737) thankful <2170>.
16. Let <1774> <0> the word <3056> of Christ <5547> dwell <1774>(5720) in <1722> you <5213> richly <4146> in <1722> all <3956> wisdom <4678>; teaching <1321>(5723) and <2532> admonishing <3560>(5723) one another <1438> in <1722> psalms <5568> and <2532> hymns <5215> and <2532> spiritual <4152> songs <5603>, singing <103>(5723) with <1722> grace <5485> in <1722> your <5216> hearts <2588> to the Lord <2962>.
17. And <2532> whatsoever <3748> <3956> ye do <302> <4160>(5725) in <1722> word <3056> or <2228> deed <2041>, do all <3956> in <1722> the name <3686> of the Lord <2962> Jesus <2424>, giving thanks <2168>(5723) to God <2316> and <2532> the Father <3962> by <1223> him <846>.
18. Wives <1135>, submit yourselves <5293>(5732) unto your own <2398> husbands <435>, as <5613> it is fit <433>(5707) in <1722> the Lord <2962>.
19. Husbands <435>, love <25>(5720) your wives <1135>, and <2532> be <4087> <0> not <3361> bitter <4087>(5744) against <4314> them <846>.
20. Children <5043>, obey <5219>(5720) your parents <1118> in <2596> all things <3956>: for <1063> this <5124> is <2076>(5748) well pleasing <2101> unto the Lord <2962>.
21. Fathers <3962>, provoke <2042>(5720) not <3361> your <5216> children <5043> to anger, lest <3363> they be discouraged <120>(5725).
22. Servants <1401>, obey <5219>(5720) in <2596> all things <3956> your masters <2962> according <2596> to the flesh <4561>; not <3361> with <1722> eyeservice <3787>, as <5613> menpleasers <441>; but <235> in <1722> singleness <572> of heart <2588>, fearing <5399>(5740) God <2316>:
23. And <2532> whatsoever <3956> <3748> <1437> ye do <4160>(5725), do <2038>(5737) it heartily <1537> <5590>, as <5613> to the Lord <2962>, and <2532> not <3756> unto men <444>;
24. Knowing <1492>(5761) that <3754> of <575> the Lord <2962> ye shall receive <618>(5695) the reward <469> of the inheritance <2817>: for <1063> ye serve <1398>(5719) the Lord <2962> Christ <5547>.
25. But <1161> he that doeth wrong <91>(5723) shall receive <2865>(5695) for the wrong <91> <0> which <3739> he hath done <91>(5656): and <2532> there is <2076>(5748) no <3756> respect of persons <4382>.
1. Masters <2962>, give <3930>(5732) unto your servants <1401> that which is just <1342> and <2532> equal <2471>; knowing <1492>(5761) that <3754> ye <5210> also <2532> have <2192>(5719) a Master <2962> in <1722> heaven <3772>.
2. Continue <4342>(5720) in prayer <4335>, and watch <1127>(5723) in <1722> the same <846> with <1722> thanksgiving <2169>;
3. Withal <260> praying <4336>(5740) also <2532> for <4012> us <2257>, that <2443> God <2316> would open <455>(5661) unto us <2254> a door <2374> of utterance <3056>, to speak <2980>(5658) the mystery <3466> of Christ <5547>, for <1223> which <3739> I am <1210> <0> also <2532> in bonds <1210>(5769):
4. That <2443> I may make <5319> <0> it <846> manifest <5319>(5661), as <5613> I <3165> ought <1163>(5748) to speak <2980>(5658).
5. Walk <4043>(5720) in <1722> wisdom <4678> toward <4314> them that are without <1854>, redeeming <1805>(5734) the time <2540>.
6. Let your <5216> speech <3056> be alway <3842> with <1722> grace <5485>, seasoned <741>(5772) with salt <217>, that ye may know <1492>(5760) how <4459> ye <5209> ought <1163>(5748) to answer <611>(5738) every <1538> man <1520>.
7. All <3956> my <1691> state <2596> shall <1107> <0> Tychicus <5190> declare <1107>(5692) unto you <5213>, who is a beloved <27> brother <80>, and <2532> a faithful <4103> minister <1249> and <2532> fellowservant <4889> in <1722> the Lord <2962>:
8. Whom <3739> I have sent <3992>(5656) unto <4314> you <5209> for <1519> the same <846> purpose <5124>, that <2443> he might know <1097>(5632) your <5216> estate <4012>, and <2532> comfort <3870>(5661) your <5216> hearts <2588>;
9. With <4862> Onesimus <3682>, a faithful <4103> and <2532> beloved <27> brother <80>, who <3739> is <2076>(5748) one of <1537> you <5216>. They shall make known <1107>(5692) unto you <5213> all things <3956> which <3588> are done here <5602>.
10. Aristarchus <708> my <3450> fellowprisoner <4869> saluteth <782>(5736) you <5209>, and <2532> Marcus <3138>, sister's son <431> to Barnabas <921>, (touching <4012> whom <3739> ye received <2983>(5627) commandments <1785>: if <1437> he come <2064>(5632) unto <4314> you <5209>, receive <1209>(5663) him <846>;)
11. And <2532> Jesus <2424>, which <3588> is called <3004>(5746) Justus <2459>, who <3588> are <5607>(5752) of <1537> the circumcision <4061>. These <3778> only <3441> are my fellowworkers <4904> unto <1519> the kingdom <932> of God <2316>, which <3748> have been <1096>(5675) a comfort <3931> unto me <3427>.
12. Epaphras <1889>, who is one of <1537> you <5216>, a servant <1401> of Christ <5547>, saluteth <782>(5736) you <5209>, always <3842> labouring fervently <75>(5740) for <5228> you <5216> in <1722> prayers <4335>, that <2443> ye may stand <2476>(5632) perfect <5046> and <2532> complete <4137>(5772) in <1722> all <3956> the will <2307> of God <2316>.
13. For <1063> I bear <3140> <0> him <846> record <3140>(5719), that <3754> he hath <2192>(5719) a great <4183> zeal <2205> for <5228> you <5216>, and <2532> them that are in <1722> Laodicea <2993>, and <2532> them in <1722> Hierapolis <2404>.
14. Luke <3065>, the beloved <27> physician <2395>, and <2532> Demas <1214>, greet <782>(5736) you <5209>.
15. Salute <782>(5663) the brethren <80> which are in <1722> Laodicea <2993>, and <2532> Nymphas <3564>, and <2532> the church <1577> which is in <2596> his <846> house <3624>.
16. And <2532> when <3752> this epistle <1992> is read <314>(5686) among <3844> you <5213>, cause <4160>(5657) that <2443> it be read <314>(5686) also <2532> in <1722> the church <1577> of the Laodiceans <2994>; and <2532> that <2443> ye <5210> <314> <0> likewise <2532> read <314>(5632) the epistle from <1537> Laodicea <2993>.
17. And <2532> say <2036>(5628) to Archippus <751>, Take heed <991>(5720) to the ministry <1248> which <3739> thou hast received <3880>(5627) in <1722> the Lord <2962>, that <2443> thou fulfil <4137>(5725) it <846>.
18. The salutation <783> by the hand <5495> of me <1699> Paul <3972>. Remember <3421>(5720) my <3450> bonds <1199>. Grace <5485> be with <3326> you <5216>. Amen <281>. Written <1125>(5648) from <575> Rome <4516> to <4314> Colossians <2858> by <1223> Tychicus <5190> and <2532> Onesimus <3682>.