For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. {corrupt: or, deal deceitfully with} {in Christ: or, of Christ}

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Who {is} a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Ye {are} witnesses, and God {also}, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men {and} brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. {for you: Gr. for your souls}

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

The like figure whereunto {even} baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. {dishonesty: Gr. shame}

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. {maintain: Heb. prove, or, argue}

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which {was bestowed} upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

But he knoweth the way that I take: {when} he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. {that...: Heb. that is with me}

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and {toward} men.

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done {that which is} good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. {sore: Heb. with great weeping}

When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. {know: or, I am not conscious of any fault}

All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; {approve: or, try} {are...: or, differ}

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened {bread} of sincerity and truth. {the feast: or, holyday}

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. {assure: Gr. persuade}

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and {of} a good conscience, and {of} faith unfeigned:

And my speech and my preaching {was} not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: {enticing: or, persuasible}

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine {shewing} uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

But I beseech {you}, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. {think: or, reckon}

ALEPH. Blessed {are} the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. {undefiled: or, perfect, or, sincere}

The just {man} walketh in his integrity: his children {are} blessed after him.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by {your} good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. {whereas: or, wherein}

God {is} a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship {him} in spirit and in truth.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, {from...: or, at home}

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. {corrupt: or, deal deceitfully with} {in Christ: or, of Christ}

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, {then} have we confidence toward God.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men {and} brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. {harmless: or, simple}

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine {shewing} uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and {their} thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) {their conscience...: or, the conscience witnessing with them} {the mean...: or, between themselves}

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden {part} thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but {is} earthly, sensual, devilish. {sensual: or, natural}

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and {of} a good conscience, and {of} faith unfeigned:

Ye {are} witnesses, and God {also}, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

The way of the just {is} uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and {toward} men.

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity {that is} in me.

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; {approve: or, try} {are...: or, differ}

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. {know: or, I am not conscious of any fault}

Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited {me} in the night; thou hast tried me, {and} shalt find nothing; I am purposed {that} my mouth shall not transgress.

The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done {that which is} good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. {sore: Heb. with great weeping}

Hast thou faith? have {it} to thyself before God. Happy {is} he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

For this {is} thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. {thankworthy: or, thank}

{And} we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when {thine eye} is evil, thy body also {is} full of darkness.

My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

And he said unto them, The LORD {is} witness against you, and his anointed {is} witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, {He is} witness.

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what {is} mine iniquity? and what {is} my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. {present: Heb. found}

{Is} not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

Behold now, I have ordered {my} cause; I know that I shall be justified.

[{A Psalm} of David.] Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; {therefore} I shall not slide.

Blessed {is} the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit {there is} no guile.

AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, {let him do it} with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. {giveth: or, imparteth} {with simplicity: or, liberally}

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened {bread} of sincerity and truth. {the feast: or, holyday}

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. {your: some read, our}

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. {dishonesty: Gr. shame}

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Servants, be obedient to them that are {your} masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: {so do}.

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid. {no grief: Heb. no staggering, or, stumbling}

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute {any} thing unto his servant, {nor} to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. {less...: Heb. little or great}

As for me, I have not hastened from {being} a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was {right} before thee. {to...: Heb. after thee}

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of {mine} house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten {them}:

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man {shall be satisfied} from himself.

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. {after...: or, according to God}

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. {liberality: Gr. simplicity}

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done {that which is} good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. {sore: Heb. with a great weeping}

I thank God, whom I serve from {my} forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Said he not unto me, She {is} my sister? and she, even she herself said, He {is} my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. {integrity: or, simplicity, or, sincerity}

Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. {fruit of thy seed: Heb. fulness of the seed}

And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and {that} they should come {and} keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, {concerning} this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. {greatness: or, multitude}

All the days of the afflicted {are} evil: but he that is of a merry heart {hath} a continual feast.

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and {there is} none that can deliver out of thine hand. {Thou...: Heb. It is upon thy knowledge}

{Seeing} then {that} all these things shall be dissolved, what manner {of persons} ought ye to be in {all} holy conversation and godliness,

God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

The like figure whereunto {even} baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: