The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 Be sure to welcome our friend Phoebe in the way of the Master, with all the generous hospitality we Christians are famous for. I heartily endorse both her and her work. She's a key representative of the church at Cenchrea.
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I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 Help her out in whatever she asks. She deserves anything you can do for her. She's helped many a person, including me.
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That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked hand in hand with me in serving Jesus.
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Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 They once put their lives on the line for me. And I'm not the only one grateful to them. All the non-Jewish gatherings of believers also owe them plenty,
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Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 to say nothing of the church that meets in their house. Hello to my dear friend Epenetus. He was the very first Christian in the province of Asia.
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Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6 Hello to Mary. What a worker she has turned out to be!
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Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Hello to my cousins Andronicus and Junias. We once shared a jail cell. They were believers in Christ before I was. Both of them are outstanding leaders.
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Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Hello to Ampliatus, my good friend in the family of God.
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Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Hello to Urbanus, our companion in Christ's work, and my good friend Stachys.
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Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Hello to Apelles, a tried-and-true veteran in following Christ. Hello to the family of Aristobulus.
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Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11 Hello to my cousin Herodion. Hello to those Christians from the family of Narcissus.
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Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12 Hello to Tryphena and Tryphosa - such diligent women in serving the Master. Hello to Persis, a dear friend and hard worker in Christ.
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Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Hello to Rufus - a good choice by the Master! - and his mother. She has also been a dear mother to me.
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Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and also to all of their families.
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Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15 Hello to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas - and all the Christians who live with them.
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Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16 Holy embraces all around! All the churches of Christ send their warmest greetings!
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Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
17 One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth.
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Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They're only in this for what they can get out of it, and aren't above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.
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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.
19 And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in these matters - I couldn't be more proud of you! - I want you also to be smart, making sure every "good" thing is the real thing. Don't be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this,
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For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!
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And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21 And here are some more greetings from our end. Timothy, my partner in this work, Lucius, and my cousins Jason and Sosipater all said to tell you hello.
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Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter at Paul's dictation, send you my personal greetings.
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I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, who is host here to both me and the whole church, wants to be remembered to you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our good friend Quartus send their greetings.
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Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
25 All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long
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Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter.
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But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes!
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To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. [Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.]
The King James Version is in the public domain.