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Translation:Epistle to the Laodiceans

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An Epistle to the Laodiceans, purportedly written by Paul of Tarsus to the Laodicean Church, is mentioned in the canonical Epistle to the Colossians. A letter entitled "Epistle to the Laodiceans", consisting of 20 short lines, is found in some editions of the Vulgate, known only in Latin. It is almost unanimously believed to be pseudepigraphical, being a pastiche of phrases taken from the genuine Pauline epistles. It contains almost no doctrine, teachings, or narrative not found elsewhere, and its exclusion from the Biblical canon has little effect.

145425Epistle to the Laodiceans — Free Bible

Wycliffite Note edit

Laodiceans are also Collosians, as two towns and one people in manners.[1] These are of Asia [minor],[2] and among them had been false apostles that deceived many.[3] Therefore the apostle brings them to mind of his conversion[4] and true preaching of the gospel, and excites them to be steadfast in the true wisdom[5] and love of Christ, and to be of one will. But this epistle is not in common Latin books, and therefore it was but late translated into the English tongue.[6]

The Epistle edit

1Paul apostle, not by men, nor because of man, but because of Jesus Christ,
to my brothers at Laodicea. 2Grace and the peace of God the father and the Lord, Jesus Christ be with you all. 3I thank Christ by all my prayer
that you are complete in Him, persist in carrying out His works, and abide in the promise and expectation of reward on Judgement Day. 4Neither have you let the false words of unwise men creep in on you,[7]
those that would have turned you away from the truth of the gospel that I preached. 5God will help me to progress in the spreading of the gospel,
and to do good works for salvation and eternal life.

6And now I am released from the chains that I joyfully endured in Christ. 7This was done by your prayers and the ministry of the Holy Spirit for eternal salvation 8by life or by death, for, truly, to me, life is Christ and death is joy. 9And his mercy will work in you, so that you may learn to be in harmony.

10Therefore, beloved, do as you heard in my presence and respect God with your thoughts and actions and you will have everlasting life. 11It is God that works in you, 12and do everything without hesitation. 13Beloved, have joy in Christ.

And be careful of men rotten with greed. 14Let all your petitions be public before God, and be steadfast in the wisdom of Christ. 15And do whatever is sound and true, and honorable, and just and able to be loved, 17and you will have peace. [Give my greetings to all the brothers with a holy kiss.][8]

18All the saints salute you. 19The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 20And let this be read to the Colossians.[9]

Footnotes edit

  1. ↑ Laodicea and Colossae were only ten miles apart
  2. ↑ Asia minor is where they were, but the original just said Asia.
  3. ↑ "that deceived many"; literally "and deceived many"
  4. ↑ The Middle English word could also mean "way of living" or "conversation"
  5. ↑ "wisdom"; literally "wit"
  6. ↑ The epistle to the Laodiceans wasn't in the early version of the Wycliffe translation(ca. 1384), but was translated in the later version(a revision ca. 1392).
  7. ↑ "creep in on you" is used because the Latin word used for what the words do can also mean creep and that imagery works well in English.
  8. ↑ The part in brackets was not in the oldest extant manuscript(which was used for this translation) and other sources, but is in some sources, including the one used for the previous version here
  9. ↑ sometimes verse 17 is just the part in brackets, sometimes there is no verse 17, and sometimes 18-20 are numbered 17-19
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