Letters to the Churches

That hee might make it vnto him selfe a glorious Church, not hauing spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it shoulde bee holy and without blame.

So ought men to loue their wiues, as their owne bodies: he that loueth his wife, loueth him selfe.

For no man euer yet hated his owne flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, euen as the Lord doeth the Church.

For we are members of his bodie, of his flesh, and of his bones.

For this cause shall a man leaue father and mother, and shall cleaue to his wife, and they twaine shalbe one flesh.

This is a great secrete, but I speake concerning Christ, and concerning the Church.

Therefore euery one of you, doe ye so: let euery one loue his wife, euen as himselfe, and let the wife see that shee feare her husband.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Honour thy father and mother (which is the first commandement with promise)

That it may be well with thee, and that thou mayst liue long on earth.

And ye, fathers, prouoke not your children to wrath: but bring them vp in instruction and information of the Lord.

Seruants, be obedient vnto them that are your masters, according to the flesh, with feare and trembling in singlenesse of your hearts as vnto Christ,

Not with seruice to the eye, as men pleasers, but as the seruants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

With good will, seruing the Lord, and not men.

And knowe ye that whatsoeuer good thing any man doeth, that same shall he receiue of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

And ye masters, doe the same things vnto them, putting away threatning: and know that euen your master also is in heauen, neither is there respect of person with him.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the assaultes of the deuil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly gouernours, the princes of the darkenesse of this worlde, against spirituall wickednesses, which are in ye hie places.

For this cause take vnto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the euill day, and hauing finished all things, stand fast.

Stand therefore, and your loynes girded about with veritie, and hauing on the brest plate of righteousnesse,

And your feete shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.

Aboue all, take the shielde of faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fierie dartes of the wicked,

And take the helmet of saluation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the worde of God.

And pray alwayes with all maner prayer and supplication in the Spirit: and watch thereunto with all perseuerance and supplication for al Saints,