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4.
1
I AM greatly afflicted for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you; that he should so little understand the place that was given to him in the church. Wherefore I admonish you that ye abstain from [*195:12] covetousness; and that ye be chaste, and true of speech.
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2
[*195:13] Keep yourselves from all evil. For he that in these things cannot govern himself how shall he be able to prescribe them to another?
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3
If a man does not keep himself from [*195:14] covetousness, he shall be polluted with idolatry and be judged as if he were a Gentile.
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4
But who of you are ignorant of the judgment of God? [*196:1] Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world, as Paul teaches?
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5
But I have neither perceived nor heard any thing of this kind in you, among whom the blessed [*196:2] Paul laboured; and who are named in the beginning of his Epistle.
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6
For he glories of you in all the churches who then only knew God; for we did not then know him. Wherefore, my brethren,I am exceedingly sorry both for him, and for his wife; to whom God grant a true repentance.
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4.
7
And be ye also moderate upon this occasion; and look not upon such as enemies, but call them back as suffering, and erring members, that ye may save your whole body: for by so doing, ye shall edify your own selves.
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4.
8
For I trust that ye are well exercised in the Holy Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but at present it is not granted unto me to practice that which is [*196:3] written, Be angry and sin not; and again, Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
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4.
9
Blessed be he that believeth and remembereth these things; which also I trust you do.
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4.
10
Now the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; and he himself who is our everlasting high-priest, the Son of God, even Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and in truth and in all meekness and lenity; in patience and long-suffering, in forbearance and chastity.
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4.
11
And grant unto you a lot and portion among his saints; and us with you, and to all that are under the heavens, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in his Father [*196:4] who raised him from the dead.
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4.
12
Pray for all the saints: pray also for kings, and [*196:5] all that are in authority; and for those who persecute you, and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross; that your fruit may be manifest in all; and that ye may be perfect in [*196:6] Christ.
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4.
13
[*196:7] Ye wrote to me, both ye, and also Ignatius, that if any one went from hence into Syria, he should bring your letters with him; which also I will take care of, as soon as I shall have a convenient opportunity; either by myself, or him whom I shall send upon your account.
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4.
14
The Epistles of Ignatius which he wrote [*196:8] unto us, together with what others of his have come to our hands, we have sent to you, according to your order; which are subjoined to this epistle.
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4.
15
By which we may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and of all things that pertain to edification in [*196:9] the Lord Jesus.
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4.
161
What you know certainly of Ignatius, and those that are with him signify to us.
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4.
17
If These things have I written unto you by Crescens, whom by this present epistle I have recommended to you, and do now again commend.
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4.
18
For he has had his conversation without blame among us; and I suppose also with you.
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4.
19
Ye will also have regard unto his sister when she shall come unto you.
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4.
20
Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ; [*196:10] and in favour with all yours. Amen.
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4.
Footnotes ^195:12 Concupiscence; or, immoderate and filthy lusts. So Dr. Hammond on Rom. i. 29.
^195:13 1 Thes. v. 22. Eph. v. 5; Coloss. ii. 5.
^195:14 As before, Dr. Hammond on 1 Cor. v. 10.
^196:1 Cor. vi. 2.
^196:2 Phil. 1.
^196:3 Said in these Scriptures. Psalm iv. 5. Eph. iv. 26.
^196:4 Gal. 1, 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2.
^196:5 Powers and princes.
^196:6 Him.
^196:7 See Annot. Usser. in loc.
^196:8 i.e. To himself, and to the church of Smyrna.
^196:9 Our Lord.
^196:10 His grace be with you all. Amen.
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