And the measures and matters of The Truth of the "time" we are in ...how "man" ..."thought to change time and times ... alien nation ...nation that is alien ... Dearly beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, how that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand year, and a thousand year as one day. The Lord is not slack to fulfil his promise, as some men count slackness: but is patient to us ward, and would have no man lost, but would receive all men to repentance. creteis@yahoo.com Behold in a nighmare of the dark season ...of the times and time ..of the season of man ...see son of man ...
and i was shown a nation ...and a place ...within that place ...as it is now ..it never was ...afore ...
and the nation and the place and the places within ...within ...were alien ...
and those that were alien occupied the place and the nation ...and lived without regard for those who ...whose nation it was ..afore ...and are now without ...
and again ...the peoples of the nation ...were replaced by aliens ...who had no regard for the peoples thereof ...or the nation ...
and the nation that was afore ...no longer existed ...like of the peoples ...before ...
and the peoples and the nation ...became as alien ..without regard for ...the peoples ...or of the nation ...
even without ...without ...regard of God and Christ ...
alien ...of the Word
The Second Book of Moses 18Jethro the priest of Madian Moses father in law heard of all that God had done unto Moses and to Israel his people, how that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. And he took Zippora Moses wife, after she was sent back, and her two sons, of which the one was called Gerson, for he said: I have been alien in a strange land. And the other was called Eliesar: for the God of my father was mine help and delivered me from the sword of Pharao.
The Fifth Book of Moses 14Ye shall eat of nothing that dieth alone. But thou mayest give it unto the stranger that is in thy city that he eat it, or mayst sell it unto an alien. For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mothers milk.
The Book of Ruth 2Then said Booz unto Ruth: hearest thou my daughter: go to no other field to gather, neither go from hence: but abide by my maidens. Thine eyes are on a field that shall be reaped: go after the maidens therefore, for I have charged the young men, that they touch thee not. Moreover when thou art a thirst, go unto the vessels and drink of that which the lads have drawn. Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground and said unto him: how is that I have found grace in thine eyes, to know me, seeing I am an alien?
And Booz answered and said unto her: all is told me that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband, how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land where thou wast born, and art come unto a nation which thou knewest not in time past. The Lord quit thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel unto whom thou art come, to trust under his wings. Then she said unto him, let me find favour in thy sight my Lord, for thou hast comforted me and hast spoken heartily unto thy maid, which yet cannot be like unto one of thy maids. And Booz when the time of *recession was come, said unto her: come hither and eat of the bread, and dip thy sop in the vinegar. And she sat down by the reapers, and he *raught her parched corn. And so she did eat and was sufficed and left part. And when she was risen up to gather, Booz said to the young men saying: let her gather the ears that remain and do her no despite. And thereto pull out of the sheaves for her and let it lie, that she may gather it up, and rebuke her not. And so she gathered until evening and then threshed that she had gathered, and it was upon an Epha of barley. And she took it up and went to the city, and showed her mother in law what she had gathered. And thereto she plucked out and gave to her that she had reserved when she had eaten enough. Then said her mother in law unto her, where gatheredst thou today? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that knew thee. And she showed her mother in law with whom she had wrought and said: the mans name with whom I wrought today is Booz. Then said Noemi unto her daughter in law: blessed be he for he ceaseth not to do the same goodness to the dead, that he did to the living. And Noemi said unto her: the man is nigh unto us, even of our next kin. And Ruth the Moabite said: he bade me also, that I should continue with his young men, until they had ended all that harvest he hath. Then said Noemi unto Ruth her daughter in law, it is best my daughter that thou go out with his maidens, and that no man meet thee in any other field. And so she kept her by the maidens of Booz, to gather unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest also: and dwelt with her mother in law.
*recession exactly as it appears yet another reads reflection. *raught (worked)
The Second Book of Samuel 1After the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and had been two days in Zikeleg: Behold, there came a man the third day out of the host from Saul with his clothes rent and earth upon his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the earth and did obeisance. To whom David said: whence comest thou? And the other answered him: Out of the host of Israel am I escaped. And David said to him again: How hath it chanced? tell me. And he said: the people fled from the battle: and many of the people are overthrown and dead: and Saul and Jonathas his son are dead thereto.
And David said unto the young man that told him: how knowest thou that Saul and Jonathas his son be dead? and the young man that told him, said: I was by chance in mount Gelboe. And see, Saul leaned upon his spear, and the chariots and horsemen followed him at the heels. And Saul looked back and called me. And I answered: here am I. And he said unto me: what art thou? and I said unto him: I am an Amalekite. And he said unto me: come on me and slay me: For anguish is come upon me and my life is yet all in me. And I went on him and slew him: for I was sure that he could not live, after that he was fallen. And I took the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm and have brought them unto my Lord hither.
Then David took his clothes and *rent them, and so did all the men that were with him. And they mourned, wept and fasted until evening, for Saul and Jonathas his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel, because they were overthrown with the sword.
Then said David unto the young man that brought him tidings. Whence art thou? And he said: I am the son of an alien an Amalekite. And David said unto him: How is it that thou wast not afraid to lay thine hand on the Lords anointed, to destroy him? And David called one of his young men and said: Go and run upon him. And he smote him that he died. Then said David unto him: thy blood upon thine own head: for thine own mouth hath testified against thee saying: I have slain the Lords anointed.
And David sang this song of mourning over Saul and Jonathas his son, and bade to teach the children of Israel the *staves thereof. And behold it is written in the book of the righteous.
The glory of Israel is slain upon the high hills: Oh how were the mighty overthrown? Tell it not in Geth: nor publish it in the streets of Askalon: lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and that the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph thereof. Ye mountains of Gelboe, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor fields whence heave offerings come. For there the shields of the mighty were cast from them: the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. The bow of Jonathas and the sword of Saul turned never back again empty, from the blood of the wounded and from the fat of the mighty warriors.
Saul and Jonathas lovely and pleasant in their lives, were in their deaths not divided, men swifter than Eagles and stronger than Lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, which clothed you in purple and garments of pleasure, and bordered your raiment with ornaments of gold. How were the mighty slain in battle? Jonathas on the high hills was wounded to death: Woe is me for thee my brother Jonathas: delectable to me wast thou exceeding. Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How were the mighty overthrown, and how were the weapons of war forlorn.
*rent (ripped) *staves (set of verses)
The Second Book of Samuel 22And David spake the words of this song unto the Lord, what time the Lord had delivered him out of the hands of all his enemies, and out of the hands of Saul.
And he said: The Lord is my *rock, my castle and my deliverer. God is my strength, and in him will I trust: my shield and the horn that defendeth me: mine high hold and refuge: O' my Saviour, save me from wrong.
I will praise and call on the Lord, and so shall be saved from mine enemies. For the waves of death have closed me about, and the floods of Belial have feared me. The cords of hell have compassed me about, and the snares of death have overtaken me. In my tribulation I called to the Lord, and cried to my God. And he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry entered into his ears. And the earth trembled and quake, and the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was angry.
Smoke went up out of his nostrils, and consuming fire out of his mouth, that coals were kindled of him. And he bowed heaven and came down, and darkness underneath his feet. And he rode upon Cherub and flew: and appeared upon the wings of the wind. And he made darkness a tabernacle round about him, with water gathered together in thick clouds. Of the brightness, that was before him, coals were set on fire.
The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most high put out his voice. And he shot arrows and scattered them, and hurled lightning and turmoiled them. And the bottom of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were seen, by the reason of the rebuking of the Lord, and through the blasting of the breath of his nostrils. He sent from on high and fetched me, and plucked me out of mighty waters.
He delivered me from my mighty enemy, and from them that hated me and were too strong for me. When they had compassed me in the day of my tribulation, the Lord stayed me up. And he brought me out into roomth, and delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness, and according to the pureness of my hands he dealt with me. For I kept the ways of the Lord, and did no wickedness forsaking my God. But I had all his laws in my sight, and I turned my face from none of his ordinances. But was pure unto him ward, and kept myself from wickedness.
And the Lord did to me again, according to my righteousness, and after my pureness that I had in his sight. With the holy thou shalt be holy, and with the man that is uncorrupt, thou shalt be uncorrupt. With the pure thou shalt be pure, and with the froward thou shalt be froward also. And the people that are in adversity, thou shalt help. And on the proud shalt thou cast thine eyes. Thou art my light, O' Lord, and the Lord shall light my darkness.
With thy help I will run through an Host of men, and by the aid of my God will spring over a wall. The way of God is undefiled, and the word of the Lord fined as gold, and he a shield to all that trust in him.
Who is a God save the Lord, and who mighty save our God? God is my strength in war, and riddeth the way clear before me. And maketh my feet as swift as an hinds, and setteth me fast upon my high hold.
And teacheth my hands to fight, that a bow of brass is too weak for mine arms.
And thou hast saved me with thy shield, and keptest me ever in meekness. And thou madest me space to walk in, that my feet should not stumble. I followed mine enemies and destroyed them, and turned not again until I had consumed them.
I wasted them and so clouted them, that they could not arise: but fell under my feet.
And thou compassed me about with might to battle, and madest them that rose against me to stoop under me.
And thou madest mine enemies to turn their backs to me, and them that hated me, and I destroyed them. They looked for help: But none came to save them: unto the Lord they cried, but he heard them not.
And I will beat them as small as the dust of the earth, and will stamp them as the dirt of the street, and will spread them abroad.
And thou delivered me from the dissension of my people, and keepest me to be an head over nations, for the people which I knew not became my servants.
And the aliens crouched unto me, and obeyed me at a word.
And the aliens that shrink away shall tremble for fear in their defended places.
The Lord live, and blessed be he that is my strength: and exalted be God the strength that saveth me. It is God that avengeth me, and bringeth down the people under me. And delivereth me from mine enemies: thou liftest me up on high from them that rise against me, and deliverest me from the wicked men.
And therefore I will praise thee O' Lord among the heathen, and will sing unto thy name. For thy great and manifold saving of thy king, and showing mercy unto thine anointed, even to David, and his seed for ever.
*this word rock appears to be in very bold face in the original.
The Psalmes of David 69Help me, O' God, for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I sink fast in the deep mire, where no ground is, I am come into deep waters, and the floods will drowned me. I am weary of crying, my throat is dry, my sight faileth me, for waiting so long upon my God.
They that hate me without a cause, are more than the hairs of my head, they that are mine enemies would destroy me guiltless and mightily: I am *fain to pay the things that I never took.
God thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
Let not them that trust in thee, O' Lord God of Hosts, be ashamed for my cause: let not those that seek thee, be confounded through me, O' God of Israel. And why? for thy sake do I suffer reproof, shame covereth my face.
I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mothers children.
For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me, and the rebukes of them that rebuke thee, are fallen upon me. I wept and chastened myself with fasting, and that was turned to my reproof. I put on a sackcloth, and therefore they jested upon me. They that sit in the gate, speak against me, and the drunkards made songs upon me.
But Lord I made my prayer unto thee in an acceptable time. Hear me, O' God, with thy great mercy and sure help.
Take me out of the mire, that I sink not: Oh let me be deliver from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
Lest the waterflood drowned me, that the deep swallow me not up, and that the pit shut not her mouth upon me.
Hear me, O' Lord, for thy lovingkindness is comfortable: turn thee unto me according to thy great mercy.
Hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble: O' hast thee to help me. Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it: Oh deliver me because of mine enemies.
Thou knowest my reproof, and my shame and my dishonor: mine adversaries are all in thy sight. The rebuke breaketh my heart, and maketh me heavy: I look for some to have pity upon me, but there is no man: and for some to comfort me, but I find none.
They gave me gall to eat, and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let their *table be made a snare to take themselves withal, an occasion to fall and a reward unto them. Let their table be made a snare. Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not: and ever bow down their backs. Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them. Let their habitation be void, and no man to dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten, and beside thy wounds they have given him more.
Let them fall from one wickedness to another, and not come into thy righteousness.
*Let them be wiped out of the book of the living, and not be written among the righteous.
As for me, I am poor and in heaviness, let thy help defend me, O' God.
That I may praise the name of God with a song, and magnify it with thanksgiving.
This shall please the Lord better than an a bullock, that hath horns and hoofs.
O' consider this and be glad ( ye that be in adversity ) seek after God and your soul shall live.
For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
Let heaven and earth praise him, the sea, and all that moveth therein.
For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah, that men may dwell there, and have them in possession.
The seed of his servants shall inherit it, and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
*Sosanim from the Hebrew ; lily; a longing desire of. *fain = obliged/ willing. RN *table: That is, let their opinion and doctrine be the cause of their stiffness and destruction: as was come to the Jews. MN *Note the names are already written in the book, he that overcometh shall not have his name to be put out of the book of life. Revelation 3, 1st paragraph. RN
the Prophet Esai 61The spirit of the Lord God is with me, for the Lord hath anointed me, and sent me to preach good tidings unto the poor, that I might bind up the wounded hearts, that I might preach deliverance to the captive, and the open the prison to them that are bound: That I might declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God: that I might comfort all them that are in heaviness. that I might give unto them that mourn in Sion, beauty in the stead of ashes, joyful ointment for sighing, pleasant raiment for a heavy mind: That they might be called excellent in righteousness, a planting of the Lord for him to rejoice in.
They shall build the long rough wildernesses, and set up the old desert. They shall repair the waste places, and such as have been void throughout many generations, Strangers shall stand and feed your cattle, and the aliens shall be your plowmen and reapers. But ye shall be named the priests of the Lord, and men shall call you the servants of our God. Ye shall enjoy the goods of the Gentiles and triumph in their substance. For your great reproof and shame, shall they have joy that ye may have part with them. For they shall have double possession in their land and everlasting joy shall be with them. For I the Lord, which love right and hate robbery ( though it were offered to me) shall make their works full of faithfulness, and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their seed also and their generation shall be known among the Gentiles, and among the people. All that see them, shall know that they are the blessed seed of the Lord. And therefore I am joyful in the Lord, and my soul rejoiceth in my God. For he shall put upon me the garment of health, and cover me with the mantle of righteousness. He shall deck me like a bridegroom, and as a bride that hath her apparel upon her. For like as the ground bringeth forth fruit, and as the garden shooteth forth seed: So shall the Lord God cause righteousness, and the fear of God to flourish forth before all Heathen.
Behold, the deceitful pen of the scribes, setteth forth lies: therefore shall the wise be confounded, they shall be afraid and taken: for lo, they have cast out the word of the Lord: what wisdom can then be among them? Wherefore, I will give their wives unto aliens, and their fields to destroyers.
From the lowest to the highest, they follow all filthy lucre: and from the Prophet unto the priest, they deal with all lies. Nevertheless, they heal the hurt of my people with sweet words, saying peace, peace where there is no peace at all.
*Fie for shame, how abominable things do they? and yet they be not ashamed, yee they know no shame.
Wherefore in the time of their visitation, they shall fall among dead bodies, sayeth the Lord.
Moreover I will gather them in ( sayeth the Lord ) so that there shall not be one grape upon the vine, neither one fig upon the fig tree, and the leaves shall be plucked off.
Then will I cause them to depart, and say: why prolong we the time? Let us gather ourselves together, and go into the strong city, there shall we be in rest: for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water mixed with gall, to drink: because we have sinned against him.
We looked for peace, and we fair not the better, we waited for the time of health, and lo, there is nothing but trouble.
Then shall the noise of his horses be heard from Dan, the whole land shall be afraid at the neighing of his strong horses: for they shall go in, and devour the land, with all that is in it: the cities, and those that dwell therin. Moreover , I will send Cockatrices and serpents among you ( which will not be charmed ) and they shall bite you sayeth the Lord.
Sorrow is come upon me, and heaviness vexeth my heart: for lo, the voice of the crying of my people is heard from a far country: Is not the Lord in Sion? Is not the king in her? Wherefore then have they grieved me ( shall the Lord say ) with their images and foolish strange fashions? The harvest is gone, the Summer hath an end, and we are not helped. I am sore vexed, because of the hurt of my people: I am heavy and abashed, for there is no more *Tryacle at Gilaad, and there is no Physician, that can heal the hurt of my people.
Fie = used to express distaste or disapproval. Tryacle = speech of sentiment, or medicine, antidote against poison. molasses.
Like as Babylon hath beaten down and the slain many out of Israel, so shall there fall many, and be slain in all her kingdom. Ye that have escaped the sword, haste you, stand not still, remember the Lord afar off: and think upon Jerusalem, for we were ashamed to hear the blasphemes: our faces were covered with shame, because the strange aliens came into the Sanctuary of the Lord. Wherefore, behold, ( sayeth the Lord ) the time cometh, that I will visit the images of Babylon, and through the whole land they shall mourn and fall. Though Babylon climbeth up into heaven, and keep her power an high: yet shall I send her destroyers, saith the Lord.
Call to remembrance, ( O' Lord ) what we have suffered, consider and see our confusion. Our inheritance is turned to the strangers, and our houses to the aliens. We are become careful and fatherless, and our mothers are as the widows. We have *faine to drink our own water for money, and our own wood must we buy with money. Our necks are under persecution, we are weary, and have no rest.
Afore time we yielded to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, only that we might have enough bread. Our fathers ( which are now gone ) have sinned, and we must bear their wickedness. Servants have rule over us, and no man delivereth us out of their hands. We must get our living with the peril of our lives because of the *drouth of the wilderness.
So the children of Israel which were then present held an honorable Passover, and the feast of sweet bread seven days long. Yee such a Passover was not kept in Israel from the time of the Prophet Samuel. And all the kings of Israel held not such an Easter, as this which king Josias held, and the priests and the Levites, the Jews and all Israel, of aliens that were at Jerusalem. And in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias was this passover kept. And with a perfect heart did king Josias order all his works, before the Lord, and the things that were written of him in times past, concerning those that sinned and were ungodly against the Lord before all people, and that sought not the word of the Lord upon Israel. After all these acts of king Josias, Pharao the king of Egypt went up and came toward Carcamis by Euphrates, and Josias went to meet him. Then sent the king of Egypt unto Josias saying: What have I to do with thee, O king of Juda? I am not sent of the Lord to fight against thee, for my war is upon Euphrates, go thou thy way home again in all hast. And Josias would not turn again upon his chariot, but undertook to fight against him, and hearkened not unto the word of the prophet, which he told him out of the mouth of God, But pitched a battle against him in the field of Mageddo. And the princes pressed to king Josias. Then said the king unto his servants: Carry me away out of the battle, for I am sore wounded. And immediately his servants took him away out of the front of the battle. Then sat he up upon the second chariot, came to Jerusalem, died, and was buried in his fathers sepulchre. And in all Jewry they mourned for Josias, yea the rulers also with their wives made lamentation for him unto this day: And this was done ever still in Israel.
For so much then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest all things righteously and punishest even him that hath not deserved to be punished, and takest him for a stranger and an alien in the land of thy power. For thy power is the beginning of righteousness: and because thou art Lord of all things therefore art thou gracious unto all. When men think thee not to be of a full strength, thou declarest thy power: and boldly deliverest thou them over that know thee not. But thou Lord of power judgest quietly, and orderest us with great worship, for thou mayest do as thou wilt.
As for Jerusalem, it lay void, and was as it had been a wilderness. There went no man in or out at it, and the Sanctuary was trodden down. The aliens kept the castle, there was the habitation of the Heathen. The mirth of Jacob was taken away, the pipe and the harp was gone from among them.
Maccabeus now and his company ( through the help of the Lord ) won the temple and the city again, destroyed the altars and chapels that the Heathen had builded through the streets: cleansed the temple, made another altar of brick stone, and after two years they offered sacrifices, set forth the incense, the lights and show bread. When that was done, they fell down flat upon the ground, and besought the Lord, that they might come no more into such trouble: but if they sinned any more against him, he himself to chasten them with mercy, and not to come in the hands of those aliens and blasphemous men.
Now upon the same day that the strangers *polluted the temple, it happened that on the very same day it was cleansed again: namely, the *twenty second day of the month called Casleu. They kept the eight days in gladness, like as in the feast of the tabernacles: remembering that not long afore, they held the feast of the tabernacles upon the mountains and in dens like beasts. And to the same token they bare green bows, branches and palms before him that had given them good fortune to clean his place. They agreed also together, and made a statute, that every year those days should be solemnly kept of all the people of the Jews.
And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the third day entered they into Cesaria. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen, and special friends. And as it chanced Peter to come in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up saying: stand up: for even I my self am a man. And as he talked with him he came in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them: Ye do know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew, to company or come unto an alien: But God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean: therefore came I unto you without saying nay, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore, for what intent have ye sent for me?
And Cornelius said: This day now four days I fasted and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house: and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said: Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thine alms deeds are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon which is also called Peter. He is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side, the which as soon as he is come, shall speak unto thee. Then sent I for thee immediately: and thou hast well done for to come. Now are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded unto thee of God.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: Of a truth I perceive, that God is not partial, but in all people he that fear him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Ye know the preaching that God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, which is Lord over all things. Which preaching was published throughout all Jewry, and began in Galile, after the baptism which John preached, how God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy ghost, and with power. Which Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devils, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did in the land of the Jewes and at Jerusalem: whom they slew, and hung on tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly, not to all the people, but unto us witnesses chosen before of God, which ate and drank with him, after he arose from death. And he commanded unto us to preach unto the people and testify, that it is he that is ordained of God a judge of quick and dead. To him give all the Prophets witness, that through his name, all that believe in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the holy ghost fell on all them which heard the preaching. And they of the circumcision which believed, were astonied, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was shed out the gift of the holy ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter: can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptised, which have received the holy ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him, to tarry a few days.
Moreover when things without life, give sound: whether it be a pipe or an harp: except they make a distinction in the sounds: how shall it be known what is piped or harped? And also if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself to fight? Even so likewise when ye speak with tongues, except ye speak words that have signification, how shall it be understood what is spoken? For ye shall but speak in the air.
Many kinds of voices are in the world, and none of them are without signification. If I know not what the voice meaneth, I shall be unto him that speaketh, an alien: and he that speaketh shall be an alien unto me. Even so ye (for as much as ye covet spiritual gifts) seek that ye may have plenty unto the edifying of the congregation.
Wherefore remember that ye being in time past gentiles in the flesh, and were called uncircumcision to them which are called circumcision in the flesh, which circumcision is made by hands: Remember I say, that ye were at that time without Christ, and were reputed aliens from the common wealth of Israel, and were strangers from the testaments of promise, and had no hope, and were without God in this world. But now in Christ Jesu, ye which a while ago were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, which hath made of both one, and hath broken down the wall that was a stop between us, and hath also put away through his flesh, the cause of hatred, that is to say, the law of commandments contained in the law written, for to make of *twain one new man in himself, so making peace: and to reconcile both unto God in one body through his cross, and slew hatred thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have an open way in, in one spirit unto the father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners: but citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the head corner stone, in whom every building coupled together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord, in whom ye also are built together, and made an habitation for God in the spirit.
And what shall I more say, the time would be too short for me to tell of Gideon, of Barach, and of Samson, and of Jephthae: also of David and Samuel, and of the Prophets: Which through faith subdued kingdoms wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, of weak were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. And the women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were racked, and would not be delivered, that they might receive a better resurrection. Others tasted of mockings and scourgings, moreover of bonds and prisonment: were stoned, were hewn asunder, were tempted, were slain with swords, walked up and down in sheepskins, in goatskins, in need tribulation and vexation which the world was not worthy of: they wandered in wilderness, in mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
And these all through faith obtained good report and received not the promise, God providing a better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
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