Chapter 1569 of 1569

Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin

John Calvin

24 For Christ has not entered into holy places made with hands, the exemplars of the true, but into heaven itself, that he may now appear before God for us; 25 Not indeed that he may often offer himself, as the high priest who enters into the holiest every year with another's blood, 26 (for then he must have often suffered since the creation of the world;) but now at the end of the ages hath he once appeared for the destruction of sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, and after this the judgment; 28 So Christ, having been once offered, that he might take away the sins of many, will appear the second time without sin unto salvation, to those who wait for him.

Chapter

1 For the law, having the shadow of good things to come, not the very living image of things, can never by the sacrifices which are offered continually every year, sanctify those who come; 2 Would they not have otherwise ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, once cleansed, would have no more conscience of sins

3 But in these there is a remembrance of sins every year; 4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 5 Therefore when coming into the world, he saith, ``Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared for me; 6 Burntofferings and sacrifices for sin thou hast not approved; 7 Then said I, Lo, I am coming (in the volume of the book it is written of me) that I may do, O God, thy will.''

8 After having said above, ``Sacrifice and offering, burntoffering and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, nor hast thou approved,'' which are offered according to the law; 9 Then he said, ``Lo, I am coming that I may do, O God, thy will,'' ---he takes away the first, that he may establish the second; 10 By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once made.

11 And every priest stands, indeed, daily to minister and to offer often the same sacrifices which can never take away sins; 12 But he, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sits down perpetually at the right hand of God, 13 Henceforth waiting until his enemies be made his footstool: 14 For by one offering he hath consecrated for ever those who are sanctified. 15. Now the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after having previously said, 16 ``This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days, saith

CALVIN'S TRANSLATION OF HEBREWS

the Lord; I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds will I write them,'' [he adds,]

17 ``And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.'' 18 Now, where there is remission of these, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having then, brethren, confidence to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, 21 And having a great priest over the house of God, 22 Let us draw near with a sincere heart, in a full assurance of faith, sprinkled in our hearts from an evil conscience, and washed in our body with pure water; 23 Let us hold the confession of our hope with out wavering, for faithful is he who has promised; 24 And let us consider one another for the purpose of emulation in love and in good works; 25 Nor let us neglect the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom with some is; but let us exhort one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.

26 For to those who willingly sin, after having received the knowledge of the truth, there is no more left a sacrifice for sins, 27 But a dreadful expectation of judgment, and a fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He who cast aside the law of Moses died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much heavier punishment, 29 Think ye, shall he be deemed worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and counted unholy the blood of the testament by which he has been sanctified, and has treated scornfully the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know who says, ``Mine is vengeance, I will repay,'' saith the Lord; and again, ``The Lord will judge his people.''

31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But remember the former days, in which, after being illuminated, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; partly when ye were exposed to public shame by reproaches and distresses, 33 And partly when ye became the companions of those who were thus treated: 34 For ye sympathized with me in my bonds, and took the plunder of your goods with joy, knowing that ye have a better and an enduring substance in heaven.

35 Cast not then away your confidence which has a great recompense of reward.

36 Ye have truly need of patience, so that having done the will of God, ye may obtain the promise: 37 For it will yet be a little while, when he who is coming will come, and will

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not delay.

38 But the just, by faith shall he live; and if he draws back, my soul shall have no delight in him.

39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the salvation of the soul.

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the demonstration of things not seen: 2 For by it the elders obtained a testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order by the Word of God, so that of things not visible they became visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was righteous, God bearing a testimony to his gifts; and by it, he being dead, yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated, so as not to see death; nor was he found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had received a testimony that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of those who seek him.

7 By faith Noah, having been warned by God of things which did not as yet appear, being moved with fear, prepared an ark for the preservation of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed, so that he went out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he sojourned in the promised land, as though it was a foreign country, dwelling in tents together with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs to the same promise; 10 For he expected a city having foundations, whose masterbuilder and maker is God.

11 By faith also Sarah herself received power to conceive seed; and beyond the time of age she brought forth, because she counted him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore there have been begotten even of one, and him indeed dead, those in multitude as the stars of heaven, and as the numberless sand which is on the seashore.

13 All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having afar off seen, and believed, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth: 14 Verily they who say such things shew that they seek a country.

CALVIN'S TRANSLATION OF HEBREWS

15 And if indeed they had remembered that from which they had come out, they had time to return: 16 But they now desire a better, even that which is heavenly: hence God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham offered up Isaac, when he was tried; and he offered up the onlybegotten after having received the promises, 18 Respecting whom it had been said, ``In Isaac shall thy seed be called;'' 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him even from the dead; whence also he received him in a type.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when dying, 21 Blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshipped on the head of his couch. 22 By faith Joseph, when dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave an order respecting his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and feared not the decree of the king.

24 By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 Choosing rather to suffer evils with the people of God than to have the temporary pleasures of sin; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked on the recompense of reward.

27 By faith he left Egypt, having not feared the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 By faith he appointed the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, that he who destroyed the firstborn should not touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through a dry land; which when the Egyptians attempted, they were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been surrounded seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelieving, after having received the explorers in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak, of Samson and Jephthae; of David, and of Samuel, and the Prophets; 33 Who by faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, closed the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, became strong in weakness, were made valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of aliens: 35 Women, by a resurrection, received their dead; and some were tortured, not having received deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 And others experienced mockings and scourgings, and further, bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword: they wandered in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, oppressed, illtreated,

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38 (of whom the world was not worthy;) wandering in deserts, and on mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, having received a testimony by faith, did not obtain the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they might not without us be made perfect.

1 Therefore, as we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, laying aside every weight, and the sin which besets us, let us also run with patience in the race set before us, 2 Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, having despised shame, and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God: 3 For consider who he was who endured from sinners such contradiction against himself, 4 That ye may not be wearied, being faint in your souls; ye have not as yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, ``My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor be faint when thou art reproved by him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.''

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons: for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, of which all [sons] are partakers, then ye are bastards, and not sons.

9 Since we had the fathers of our flesh as our chastisers, and we reverenced them, shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days chastised us according to their own will: but he for our benefit, that he may impart to us his holiness.

11 But no chastening seems indeed for the present to be joyful, but grievous; yet afterwards it renders the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are by it exercised.

12 Raise ye up, therefore, the remiss hands, and the relaxed knees, 13 And make straight paths for your feet, that halting may not lead you astray, but rather that it may be healed.

14 Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord; 15 Taking heed, lest any one should come short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness, growing up, should disturb you, and many be through it defiled;

CALVIN'S TRANSLATION OF HEBREWS

16 Lest there should be any fornicator or a profane person, like Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright: 17 For ye know that when afterwards he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears.

18 For we have not come to the mount that might be touched, and to the burning fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And to the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they having heard entreated that the word should not be proclaimed to them; 20 For they could not bear what was enjoined, ``If a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or pierced through with a dart;''

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, ``I fear and tremble.'' 22 But ye have come to Mount Sion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of innumerable angels, 23 And to the Church of the firstborn, who are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament, and the blood of sprinkling, which speaks better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye despise not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who despised him who spoke on earth, how much less we, if we turn away from him who speaks from heaven?

26 Whose voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, saying, ``Yet once I shake, not only the earth, but also heaven:''

27 And this, ``Set once,'' signifies the removal of the things shaken, that the things unshaken might remain.

28 Hence we, who receive a kingdom which is not shaken, have grace, by which we serve God acceptably with reverence and fear: 29 ``For our God is a consuming fire.''

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Be not unmindful of hospitality; for by this some have unawares received angels.

3 Remember those in bonds, as bound with them, and the afflicted, as ye yourselves are in the body.

4 Honorable is marriage in all, and the unpolluted bed; but fornicators and adulterers God will condemn.

5 Let your conduct be without avarice; be content with what ye have; for he has said, ``I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee;''

6 So that we may confidently say, ``The Lord is to me a helper, nor will I fear what man may do to me.''

7 Remember those who are set over you, who have spoken to you the Word

John Calvin of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct.

8 Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, is even the same for ever; 9 Be not carried about by various and foreign doctrines; for it is good that the heart should be strengthened by grace, not by meats, which have not profited those who have been conversant in them.

10 We have an altar, from which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle.

11 For the beasts, whose blood for sin is brought by the high priest into the holiest, their bodies are burnt without the camp.

12 Hence Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the camp.

13 Let us then go forth to him without the gate, bearing his reproach. 14 For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek one to come. 15 By him, then, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name: 16 But to do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey those who are set over you, and be submissive; for they watch for your souls, as those who are to render an account; so that they may do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable to you.

18 Pray for us; for we trust that we have a good conscience, desiring in all things to live honestly: 19 But I beseech you the more to do this, that I may the sooner be restored to you.

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great pastor of the sheep in the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 Even our Lord Jesus, confirm you in every good work, that ye may do his will, doing in you what is acceptable before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 But I beseech you, brethren, bear the word of exhortation; for a few words have I written to you.

23 Know ye that brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he comes shortly, I shall see you.

24 Salute all those who are set over you, and all the saints; they from Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen. WRITTEN TO THE HEBREWS FROM ITALY BY TIMOTHY

Calvin's Scripture Translations of the Catholic

Epistles

First Peter

A TRANSLATION OF

CALVIN'S VERSION OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners who are scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithyuia, 2 Elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his great mercy hath begotten us again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading, laid up in heaven for you; 5 Who by the power of God are kept through faith unto salvation, which is ready to be revealed at the last time: 6 On account of which ye exult, though now for a little while, if it be necessary, ye are made sorrowful through various temptations; 7 That the probation of your faith, much more precious than gold which perisheth, though even it be proved by fire, may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, when Jesus Christ shall be revealed: 8 Whom, though ye have not seen, ye love; on whom believing, though ye see him not, ye exult with joy unspeakable and glorious; 9 Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which, salvation the prophets inquired and searched, who prophesied of future grace to us; 11 Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ who was in them did signify, previously testifying of the sufferings of Christ, and of the glories which were to follow: 12 To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they ministered the things which have been now declared to you by those who have preached

John Calvin to you the gospel, through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; into which things the angels desire to look.

13 Therefore, girding up the loins of your mind, being sober, perfectly hope for the grace which is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not conformed to former lusts which prevailed during your ignorance: 15 But as he who has called you is holy, be ye also yourselves holy in your whole conduct; 16 Because it is written, ``Be ye holy, for I sin holy.'' 17 And since ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth the work of every one, puss in fear the time of your 18 Sojourning; knowing that not with corruptible things, silver or gold, you have been redeemed from your vain way of living, delivered down from the fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled: 20 Who had been, indeed, foreordained before the world was founded, but has been manifested in the last times for you, 21 Who through him believe in God, who has raised him from the dead, and has given him glory, that your faith and hope may be in God: 22 Purifying your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit, with an unfeigned brotherly love, love ye one another from a pure heart fervently; 23 Having been begotten again, not from a seed that is corruptible, but incorruptible, through the word of the living God, which abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all his glory as the flower of the grass: wither does the grass, and its flower fades; 25 but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and this is the word which has been declared to you.

1 Laying aside, therefore, all wickedness, and all guile, and dissimulations, and envyings, and all slanderings, 2 As infants lately born, desire the milk that is rational and guileless, that by it ye may grow; 3 If indeed ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 To whom coming as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 Ye also yourselves as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 Therefore also the Scripture contains this, ``Behold, I lay in Sion a cornerstone, chosen, precious; and he who believeth in him shall not be ashamed.''

7 To you, then, who believe, he is precious; but to the unbelieving, the stone

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

which the builders rejected, this has become the head of the corner; 8 And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to those who stumble at the word, being unbelieving; to which also they had been appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye may declare the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness

10 Into his marvelous light: who sometimes were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Beloved, I exhort you as sojourners and strangers, to abstain from carnal desires, which war against the soul; 12 Having your behavior good among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, considering your good works, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Be then subject to every human ordinance for the Lord's sake; 14 Whether to the king, as supreme; or to governors, as those who are sent by him, for the punishment indeed of evil-doers, but for the praise of those who do well: 15 For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put a stop to the ignorance of foolish men; 16 As free, and not having liberty as a cloak for wickedness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honor all, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 18 The servants, let them be subject with all fear to their lords, not only to the good and humane, but also to the perverse.

19 For this is acceptable, if for conscience towards God any one bears sorrows, suffering unjustly: 20 For what sort of glory is it, if ye bear it when having done evil ye be buffeted? but if, having done well and suffering, ye bear it, this is acceptable with God.

21 For to this end you have been called; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye may follow his footsteps; 22 Who did no sin, nor was guile found in his mouth; who, when reviled, reviled not again; 23 When suffering, threatened not; but committed his cause to him who judgeth righteously; 24 Who bare himself our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, may live to righteousness; by whose bruise have ye been healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but ye have been now turned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 In like manner the wives, let them be subject to their own husbands, that even if any believe not the word, they may without the word be gained by the

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behavior of their wives,

2 While observing your pure behavior and fear: 3 Whose adorning, let it not be the outward, in the plaiting of the hair and the encircling of gold, or the putting on of cloaks; 4 But the inner man of the heart, which is in the incorruption of a placid and quiet spirit, which before God is precious.

5 For so formerly also holy women who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands; 6 As Sara, who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye become, when ye do well, and are not terrified by any dread.

7 Let husbands in like manner dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife as the weaker vessel, and as joint-heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

8 Finally, be ye of one mind, compassionate, loving to the brethren, merciful, humble-minded; 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but on the contrary, bless ye, knowing that you have been called for this end, that ye may inherit a blessing.

10 For let him who would love life and see good days, keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do good; 11 Let him seek peace and pursue it: 12 Because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his cars to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them who do evil.

13 And who is he who can do you harm, if ye be followers of what is good? 14 But if ye also suffer for righteousness, happy are ye; and the fear of them fear not, nor be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord of hosts in your hearts, and be ready always for an answer to any one asking you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 Having a good conscience, that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may be ashamed who slander your good behavior in Christ.

17 For it is better to suffer, if so be the will of God, for doing good than for doing evil: 18 Because Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, having indeed been put to death in the flesh, but brought to life by file Spirit: 19 By whom having also gone, he preached to the spirits who were in prison, 20 When there were formerly unbelievers, when once the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was prepared; in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water; 21 Corresponding to which, baptism saves us also now (not the casting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; 22 Who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

dominions and powers being made subject to him.

1 Christ then having suffered for us in the flesh, be ye also armed with the same mind: because he who hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he may no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3 For it is enough for us, that we have wrought, in the past time of life, the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excesses in wine, revellings, banquetings, and wicked idolatries: 4 On account of which they think it strange, that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you; 5 Who shall give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For the gospel has for this end been also preached to the dead, that they may indeed be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

7 But the end of all things is near; be ye then sober, and watchful to pray; 8 And above all things having fervent love among yourselves; for love will cover a multitude of sins.

9 Be hospitable towards one another, without murmurings. 10 As every one has received a gift, minister the same one to another, as good dispensers of the manifold grace of God; 11 If any one speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any one minister, let him do so as by the power which God supplies; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange when ye are tried by fire for the purpose of proving you, as though some new thing had happened to you; 13 But inasmuch as ye are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice; that at the revelation also of his glory ye may exultingly rejoice.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: by them, indeed, he is slandered, but by you he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a coveter of another man's goods; but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; 16 Nay, let him in this case glorify God: for it is the time, when judgment begins at the house of God; 17 But if it be first on us, what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous be hardly saved, the ungodly and the sinner, where will they appear?

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19 Let therefore those who suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him, in doing good, as to a faithful possessor.

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed: 2 Feed as much as in you lieth the flock of God, discharging the office of bishops, not constrainedly, but willingly; not for the sake of filthy lucre, but liberally; 3 And not as exercising tyranny over God's heritages, but that ye may be patterns to the flock: 4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an unfading crown of glory.

5 In like manner the younger, be ye subject to the elder; yea, be ye all subject to one another: put ye on humility of mind; because God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

6 Be ye then humbled under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 All your care being cast on him, for he cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the Devil, as a roaring lion, goeth around, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist ye, being firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren in the world.

10 Now the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus, --- may he perfect you, while suffering for a short time, confirm, strengthen, and establish you: 11 To him be the glory and the dominion, for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Sylvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written in a few words, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which ye stand.

13 The church, elected together with you, which is in Babylon, saluteth you, and Marcus my son.

14 Salute ye one another with the kiss of love. Grace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

First John

A Translation OF

John Calvin's Version OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

1 What has been from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked on, what our hands have handled, concerning the word of life; 2 (And the life has been manifested, and we have seen, and do testify, and declare to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and has been manifested to us) ---

3 What we have seen and heard, declare we to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: 4 And we write these things to you, that your joy may be complete. 5 And this is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him there is not any darkness.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not tell the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: 9 If we confess our sins, faithful is he and just, so as to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 My little children, I write these things to you, that you may not sin; but if any one sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous one: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He who says, ``I know him,'' and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him: 5 But he who keeps his word, verily in him the love of God is perfected; 6 By this we know that we are in him. He who says that lie abides in him, ought also himself so to walk as he walked.

7 Brethren, no new commandment do I write to you, but an old commandment, which you have had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.

John Calvin

8 Again, a new commandment do I write to you; which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light now shines.

9 He who says that he is in the light, and hates his brother, is still in darkness. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and to him there is no stumbling: 11 But lie who hates his brother, walks in darkness; and he knows not where he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

13 I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because ye have known him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.

15 Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world: if any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For whatever is in the world, (even the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,) is not from the Father, but from the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust of it; but he who doeth the will of God, abides for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that Antichrist is to come, even now there are many Antichrist is: 19 Hence we know that it is the last hour. From us have they gone out, but of us they were not, for had they been of us, they would surely have remained with us; but they have gone out, that they might be made manifest that they were not of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written to you, because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that everything false is not from the truth.

22 Who is a liar, but he who denies Jesus to be the Christ? He is an Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son: 23 Every one who denies the Son hath not the Father. 24 Let, then, what you have heard from the beginning remain in you: if what you have heard from the beginning remain in you, ye shall also remain in the Son, and in the Father; 25 And this is the promise which he hath promised to us. even eternal life. 26 These things have I written to you respecting them who seduce you: but the unction which ye have received from him remains in you, so that ye have no need that any one should teach you; 27 But as the unction teaches you all things, and is truth, and is not a lie, and as it has taught you? so remain in him.

28 And now, little children, continue in him, that when lie shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed at his presence.

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

29 Since ye know that he is righteous, know ye that every one who doeth righteousness has been born of him.

1 See what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God! the world for this reason knoweth us not, because it did not know him.

2 Beloved, we are now the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know, that when lie shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is: 3 And every one who hath this hope in him purifieth himself, inasmuch as he is pure.

4 Whosoever doeth sin, doeth also iniquity; and sin is iniquity. 5 But ye know that he appeared that he might take away our sins, and sin is not in him.

6 Whosoever abides in him doth not sin; whosoever sins, hath not seen him, nor known him.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you, --- he who doeth righteousness is righteous, inasmuch as he is righteous: 8 He who doeth sin, is of the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning. The Son of God was for this end manifested, that he might undo the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever has been born of God, doth not do sin, because his seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

10 By this are made manifest the sons of God, and the sons of the devil, --- every one who doeth not righteousness, is not of God, nor he who loves not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we love one another: 12 Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother; and why did he slay him? because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13 Wonder not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren; he who loves not his brother, remains in death.

15 Every one who hates his brother, is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his own life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But when any one has this world's goods, and seeth his brother in want, and closeth up his bowels from him, how abideth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth:

John Calvin

19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart accuse us, doubtless God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart do not accuse us, we have confidence towards God: 22 And if we ask anything, we receive it from him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things which are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he who keepeth his commandment, abideth in him, and he in him; and by this we know that he abideth in us, even by the Spirit whom he hath given us.

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

2 By this know ye the Spirit of God, --- Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is from God; 3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is not from God; and this is the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that he is to come, and he is now already in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

5 They are of the world; therefore of the world do they speak, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God; he who knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God, doth not hear us: by this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another; because love is from God; and every one who loveth has been born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He who loveth not, knoweth not God, because God is love. 9 In this has appeared the love of God to us, that God has sent his onlybegotten Son into the world, that we may live through him.

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that God has loved us and sent his Son a propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God has so loved us, we ought also to hive one another. 12 No one hath ever seen God: if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 He who shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him,

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

and he in God.

16 And we have known and have believed the love which God hath to us: God is love; and he who abideth in love, abideth in God, and God in him.

17 By this has love in us been perfected, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world.

18 Fear is not in love: but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment; and he who fears, has not been perfected in love.

19 We love him, because he has first loved us. 20 If any one say, ``I love God,'' and hate his neighbour, he is a liar; for he who loves not his brother whom he sees, how can he love God whom he sees not?

21 And this commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

1 Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God; and every one who loves Him who has begotten, loves him also who has been begotten by Him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments: 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For, whatever has been born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith.

5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is he who has come by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood; and the Spirit is 7 He who testifies, inasmuch as the Spirit is truth. For there are three who testify in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

8 And there are three who testify on earth, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; 9 And these three agree in one. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater.

10 Moreover, this is the testimony of God, which lie hath testified respecting his own Son (He who believes on the Son of God hath the testimony in himself; 11 He who believes not God, makes him a liar, because he hath not believed the testimony which God hath testified respecting his own Son,) even this is the testimony, that God hath given to us eternal life; 12 And this life is in his Son. He who hath the Son, hath life; he who hath not the Son of God, hath not life.

John Calvin

13 These things have I written to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence which we have towards Him, that when we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hears us when we ask any thing, we know that we have the petitions which we have desired of him.

16 If any one see his brother sinning a sin not to death, he shall ask, and he will give to him life for him who sins not to death: there is a sin to death, I do not say that any one shall pray for that.

17 Every unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin not to death. 18 We know that every one who has been born of God, sins not; but he who has been born of God, keeps himself, and the wicked one touches him not.

19 We know that we are of God; and the whole world lieth in the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given to us an understanding, that we may know him who is true; anti we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ: this is the true God and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

James

A TRANSLATION OF

CALVIN'S VERSION OF THE EPISTLE OF JAMES.

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the dispersion, health:

2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various temptations; 3 Knowing that the trying of your faith works patience: 4 But let patience have its perfect work, so that ye may be perfect and entire, in nothing deficient.

5 But if any of you be deficient in wisdom, let him ask it from God, who giveth to all freely, and does not upbraid: and it shall be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, by no means doubting; for he who doubts, is like a wave of the sea, which by the wind is driven and tossed to and fro.

7 Let not, then, that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord. 8 A man of a double mind is unstable in all his ways. 9 Now, let a brother who is low, rejoice in his exaltation; and the rich in his lowness: 10 Because as a flower of grass shall he pass away: 11 For the sun rises with heat and withers the grass, and the flower falls,

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

and the beauty of its appearance perishes; so also shall the rich fade away in his riches.

12 Blessed is the man, who endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life: which the Lord hath promised to them who love him.

13 Let no one, when he is tempted, say, ``By God I am tempted:'' for God cannot be tempted by evils, nor does he tempt any one.

14 But every one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lusts, and is ensnared.

15 Then lust, having conceived, brings forth sin; and sin, being perfected, begets death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren: 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, descending from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will has he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Let every man, therefore, my beloved brethren, be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Laying aside then all filthiness and redundancy of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 And be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if any one be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks on his natural face in a glass; 24 For he hath looked on himself and departed, and hath immediately forgotten what manner of man he was.

25 But he who attentively looks on the perfect law of liberty and continues to do so,--this man, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, shall be blessed in his work.

26 If any one seems to be religious among you and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, his religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God even the Father, is this,--To visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, to keep himself unspotted from the world.

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons on account of reputation.

2 For if there enter into your assembly a man wearing gold rings, having on a splendid dress, and there enter in also a poor man in sordid clothing; 3 And ye have respect to him who wears a splendid dress, and say to him, ``Sit thou here honorably,'' and ye say to the poor, ``Stand thou there,'' or, ``Sit here under my footstool;''

John Calvin

4 Are ye not condemned in yourselves, and become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hear, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them who love Him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not the rich domineer over you, and draw you before judgment-seats?

7 Do they not blaspheme the good name which is called on you? 8 If indeed ye fulfill the royal law, according to Scripture, 9 ``Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,'' ye do well: but if ye respect persons, ye commit sin, and are reproved by the law as transgressors.

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one thing, becomes guilty of all: 11 For he who hath said, ``Thou shalt not commit adultery,'' hath said also, ``Thou shalt not kill.'' Now if thou committest no adultery, yet if thou killest, thou becomest a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye and so do, as those who shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to him who hath not shewed mercy; and mercy glorieth against judgment.

14 What does it avail, my brethren, if any one say that he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?

15 Now, if a brother or a sister be naked and in want of daily bread, and one of you say to them, ``Go away in peace, be warmed and be filled;''

16 Though ye give them not those things which are necessary for the body, what does it avail?

17 Even so faith, if it hath no works, being by itself, is dead. 18 Nay, rather, one may say, *``Thou* hast faith and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will by my works shew thee my faith.''

19 Then believest that there is one God; thou doest right: the devils also believe and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Abraham our father, was he not justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22 Seest thou that faith co-operated with his works, and faith was by works made perfect?

23 And fulfilled was the Scripture which saith, ``Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness:'' and he was called the Friend of God

24 Ye then see, that by works is man justified, and not by faith only 25 In like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, when she received the messengers, and sent them forth another way?

26 For as the body without the soul is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

1 Be not many masters, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment: 2 For in many things we all offend. If any one offend not in word, he is a perfect man, as one who can bridle also the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bridles in horses' months, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, however large they may be and driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about by a very small helm wherever the will of the pilot wishes.

5 So also the tongue is a very small member and boasts great things. 6 Behold, a little fire, what quantity of wood it burns! And the tongue is a fire, and a world of iniquity. So is the tongue among our members; it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the whole course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind: 8 But the tongue no man can tame, an unrestrainable evil, full of deadly poison.

9 By it we bless God, even the Father; and by it we curse men made after his likeness!

10 From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing! These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.

11 Does a fountain from the same opening send forth the sweet and the bitter?

12 Can a fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries; or a vine, figs? so no fountain can bring forth briny and sweet water.

13 Who is wise and intelligent among you? Let him shew by a good conduct his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter emulation and contention in your heart, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This is not the wisdom which comes from above, but earthly, animal, demoniacal: 16 For where emulation and contention are, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom which is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, humane, tractable, full of mercy and of good works, not officiously prying, not dissembling: 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

John Calvin

1 Whence wars and fightings among you? are they not hence,--from your lusts which war in your members?

2 Ye covet and have not; ye envy and emulate, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye do not ask; 3 Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it on your lusts.

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! know ye not, that the friendship of the world is enmity to God? Whosoever then will be a friend of the world, becomes the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the Scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit who dwells in us, lust to envy?

6 Nay, he giveth more grace: hence He saith, God resists the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

7 Be ye then subject to God; resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you: cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

9 Be afflicted and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to sorrow.

10 Be humbled before God, and he will exalt you. 11 Defame not one another, brethren; he who defames a brother and judges his brother, defames the law and judges the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 One is the lawgiver, who can save and destroy; who art thou who judgest another?

13 Come now ye who say, ``To-day, or, to-morrow, we shall go into the city and pass there a year, and trade and make gain:'' who know not what is to be to-morrow; for what is your life?

14 It is indeed a vapor, which for a short time appears, and then vanishes away.

15 On the contrary ye ought to say, ``If the Lord will, and we live, we shall do this or that.'' But now ye glory in your presumptions: all such glorying is evil. He then who knows to do good and doeth it not, is guilty of sin.

1 Come now ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries, which shall come upon you.

2 Your riches are become rotten, and your garments are eaten by moths; 3 Your gold and silver are rusted, and their rust will be a witness against you, and shall eat all your flesh as fire: ye have heaped together a treasure for

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

the last days.

4 Behold the wages of the workmen, who have reaped your fields, fraudulently kept back by you, loudly cry; and the cries of those who have been reaping have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

5 In pleasures have ye lived on the earth, and have been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he does not resist you. 7 Be patient then, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, having long patience for it, until he receives the early and the latter rain.

8 Be ye then also patient; strengthen your hearts; because the coming of the Lord is nigh.

9 Groan not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned; behold, the Judge stands before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them blessed who endure: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that he is very merciful and compassionate.

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let yours be, yea, yea; no, no; lest ye fall into condemnation.

13 Is any one afflicted among you? let him pray: is any cheerful? let him sing psalms: 14 Is any sick among you? 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; 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess mutually your sins, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed: the efficacious prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to passions in the like manner as we; and he earnestly prayed that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months: 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.

19 My brethren, if any one among you err from the truth, and some one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he who converts a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Second Peter

A Translation Of

Calvin's Version OF

John Calvin

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER.

1 Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us, through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ; 2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord; 3 As his divine power has given us all things which pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who hath called us by his own glory and power; 4 By which also very great and precious promises have been freely given us, that through these ye might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And for this purpose using all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; 7 And to godliness, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection, love: 8 For if these be in you, and be abounding, they make you to be neither idle nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; 9 But he in whom these things are wanting is blind, and cannot see afar off, having forgotten the cleansing of his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, strive the more to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For thus shall abundantly be supplied to you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 I will not, therefore, neglect always to remind you of these things, though ye know them, and have been confirmed in the present truth.

13 Yea, I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by reminding you; 14 Since I know that I am shortly to put away this tabernacle, as also our Lord Jesus Christ hath made manifest to me.

15 I will, however, endeavor, that ye may also be able to have these things always in remembrance after my departure.

16 For it was not cunningly-devised fables that we followed, when we made known to you the power and the corning of our Lord Jesus Christ; but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty: 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when such a voice as this came to him from the magnificent glory, ``This is my beloved Son, in whom I have been well pleased.''

18 And this voice we heard, when we were with him on the holy mount.

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

19 And we have the more sure word of prophecy, to which ye do well in attending, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts; 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of a private suggestion: 21 For prophecy came not formerly by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

1 There were, however, false prophets also among the people; as there will also be false teachers among you, who will stealthily bring in opinions of perdition, denying even the Lord who has redeemed them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their ruinous courses, through whom the way of truth shall be blasphemed.

3 And through avarice they shall make a trade of you by feigned words; whose judgment a long ago ceases not, and whose perdition does not slumber.

4 For if God spared not the angels who had sinned, but having cast them into hell in chains of darkness, delivered them to be kept for judgment; 5 And if he spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, having brought in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 And if having turned into ashes the cities of the Sodomites and of Gomorrah, he condemned them with an overthrew, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly, 7 And delivered the righteous Lot, who was vexed by the wicked through their lascivious conduct; 8 For that righteous man, while dwelling among them, had by seeing and hearing his righteous soul daily tormented by their iniquitous deeds; 9 The Lord. knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust for the day of judgment to be punished; 10 And especially those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government: audacious and refractory, they fear not to blaspheme dignities, 11 When angels, who are greater in strength and power, bring no railing judgment against them before the Lord.

12 But these, as brute animals, naturally made to be taken and destroyed, blaspheming those things which they understand not, shall perish in their own corruption, receiving the reward of unrighteousness; 13 Deeming riot in the day-time a pleasure, they are blots and stains, rioting in their own errors, while feasting with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, which cease not from sin, ensnaring unstable

John Calvin souls, having a heart exercised in lusts, accursed children; 15 Who having left the right way, have gone astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the reward of unrighteousness; 16 But was reproved for his iniquity; a mute beast of burden, speaking with the human voice, restrained the madness of the prophet.

17 These are fountains without, water, clouds driven by a tempest, for whom has been prepared thick darkness for ever.

18 For when they speak most haughty words of vanity, they ensnare through the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who had really escaped from such as live in error; 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the slaves of corruption; for by whom any one is overcome, to him is he brought into bondage.

20 For if they who had escaped from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, become again entangled with these, and are overcome, the last pollutions become worse to them than the former: 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it, and to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them.

22 But what is said in the true proverb has happened to them, ``The dog has returned to his own vomit, and the washen sow to her wallowing in the mire.''

1 This second Epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure mind by admonition, 2 That ye may remember the words which have been foretold by the holy Prophets and the commandment of us who are the apostles of the Lord and Savior; 3 Knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 And saying, ``Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers have slept, all things remain as from the beginning of the creation.''

5 For of this they are wilfully ignorant, that by the word of God the heavens were formerly, and the earth, subsisting by water and through water; 6 Through which the world, which then was, perished, being overflowed with water.

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, are reserved by the word of the same, and are kept for fire against the day of judgment and of the perdition of the ungodly.

8 But of this one thing, beloved, be ye not ignorant, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord does not delay as to his promise, as some count delay, but is

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

patient towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens with a tempest shall pass away, and the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth and all its works shall be burnt up.

11 Since then all these things shall be dissolved, what ought we to be in all holy conduct and all godliness; 12 Waiting in haste for the coming of the day of God; on account of which the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall be consumed with heat.

13 But according to his promise we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, since ye look for these things, labor to be found by him in peace, unpolluted and blameless; 15 And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, as also our beloved brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him; as also in all his Epistles, speaking of these things; in which there are some things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and the unstable pervert, 16 As also other scriptures, to their own ruin. 17 Do ye then, beloved, being forewarned, take heed, lest ye, being led away by the error of the wicked, should fall from your own steadfastness.

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: to him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Jude

A translation of

John Calvin's Version The Epistle of Jude.

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and the brother of James, to the called, who are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved by Jesus Christ; 2 Mercy to you and peace and love be increased. 3 Beloved, when I was applying all care to write to you of the common salvation, I deemed it necessary to write to you in order to exhort you, that ye should by contending help the faith once delivered to the saints.

4 For crept in stealthily have certain men, ordained of old to this judgment, ungodly, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying God, the only sovereign, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 Now I wish to remind you, though ye once knew this, that the Lord, after having saved the people from the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed the unbelieving;

John Calvin

6 And the angels, who had not kept their own pre-eminence, but left their own abode, he has reserved under darkness in eternal chains for the judgment of the great day.

7 As Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities around them, having in like manner committed fornication and gone after strange flesh, have been set forth for an example, undergoing the judgment of eternal fire: 8 In like manner also do these, deluded with dreams, pollute the flesh, reject government, and heap curses on dignities: 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when, contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not to bring against him a reviling judgment, but said, 10 ``The Lord rebuke thee.'' But these revile those things which they know not, but what things they know naturally, as brute beasts; in these they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and abandoned themselves to the error of Balaam's reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

12 These are stains in your brotherly feasts, feasting with you, heedlessly feeding themselves; clouds without water, driven about by winds; withering trees of autumn, fruitless, twice dead, rooted up; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever: 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, formerly prophesied of these, saying, ``Behold, the Lord cometh with thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of the ungodly deeds of ungodliness which they have in an ungodly manner done, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against God.''

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks swelling words, admiring persons for the sake of gain.

17 But ye, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 For they have told you, that in the last time scoffers would come, walking after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These are they who separate themselves, being sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And on some have mercy, making a difference; 23 But others save by fear, snatching them from the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

24 Now to him who can keep you free from sin and set you faultless before the presence of his glory with exultation

CALVIN'S SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and to all ages. Amen.

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Index of Scripture References