Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 Unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that can not fade, reserved in heaven for you,5 Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.6 Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations:7 That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8 Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now, though you see him not, you believe: and believing shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified;9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because ye have followed the example of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord; and because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days long gone by, endureth even until now, and bringeth forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] "whom God raised from the dead, having loosed the bands of the grave." "In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory;" into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that "by grace ye are saved, not of works," but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c
Ps 110:1-2
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just: and in the congregation.2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills.5 He hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant:6 He will shew forth to his people the power of his works.9 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.
It has also been a subject of discussion, how extremely frequent is the intercourse that heretics hold with magicians, with charlatans, with astrologers, with philosophers; and the reason is that they are people who devote themselves to curious questions. "Seek, and you shall find," is everywhere in their minds. Thus, from the very nature of their conduct may be estimated the quality of their faith. In their discipline we have an index of their doctrine. They say that God is not to be feared; therefore all things are in their view free and unchecked. Where, however, is God not feared, except where he is not, there truth also is not. Where there is no truth, then, naturally enough, there is also such a discipline as the heretics. But where God is, there exists "the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom." Where the fear of God is, there is seriousness, an honorable and yet thoughtful diligence, as well as an anxious carefulness and a well-considered admission [to the sacred ministry], a safely guarded communion, promotion after good service, a scrupulous submission [to authority], a devout attendance, a modest gait, a united church and God in all things.
And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man running up and kneeling before him, asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting?18 And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God.19 Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honour thy father and mother.20 But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth.21 And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.22 Who being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.23 And Jesus looking round about, saith to his disciples: How hardly shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God!24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus again answering, saith to them: Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God?25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.26 Who wondered the more, saying among themselves: Who then can be saved?27 And Jesus looking on them, saith: With men it is impossible; but not with God: for all things are possible with God.
(in Evan. tom. xv. 14) For in that He loved, or kissed himp, He appears to affirm the truth of his profession, in saying that he had fulfilled all those things; for on applying His mind to him, He saw that the man answered with a good conscience.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)