Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Iron 16
16
LOVE AND GREETINGS TO ALL
1I am sending to you Morning Light (Phoebe). She is of the sacred family that gathers at Small Seed Village (Cenchreae). She is a sacred servant#16:1 Lit. a deaconess, meaning servant and a woman of honor. 2Welcome her, as one who trusts in our Honored Chief, in a manner that brings honor to our sacred family. Help her with anything she needs, for she has helped not only me but many others as well.
3Give my greeting to Lives Long (Priscilla)#16:3 Lit. Prisca, which was probably a nickname for Priscilla. See Acts 18:1-3. and her husband Strong Eagle (Aquila), who have worked side by side with me as sacred servants of the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus). 4They have risked their own lives for my sake, for which they have not only my thanks, but also the thanks of the sacred family members of the Outside Nations. 5Also greet the sacred family members who gather for ceremony at their house.
I also send greetings to Worthy of Praise (Epaenetus), our much-loved one, who was the firstfruits of Land of the Rising Sun (Asia), the first to walk the road with the Chosen One in that territory.
6Give my greeting to Tears of Sorrow (Mariam), who has worked tirelessly for you.
7I send greetings also to Victory Man (Andronicus) and Younger One (Junia), my fellow Tribal Members and fellow prisoners, who have a good reputation as message bearers. They walked with the Chosen One before I did.
8Greet Large Man (Ampliatus), who is a much-loved one in our Honored Chief.
9Greet Village Dweller (Urbanus), who has worked side by side with us for the Chosen One, and Ear of Corn (Stachys), who is also a much-loved one.
10Greet Stands Alone (Apelles), who by walking a rough road has proven himself to be a faithful follower of the Chosen One. Also greet Gives Wise Guidance (Aristobulus) and his family.
11Greet Walks Brave (Herodion), a member of my Tribal Family. Greet the family of Sleepy Head (Narcissus) who are also in our Honored Chief.
12Greet Soft Garden (Tryphaena) and Sweet Garden (Tryphosa), who work hard for our Honored Chief. Also greet my much-loved friend Woman Rides Horses (Persis), another who has worked hard for our Honored Chief.
13Greet Red Man (Rufus), one who stands tall for our Honored Chief, and his mother, who has also been a mother to me.
14Greet No One Like Him (Asyncritus), Fire Starter (Phlegon), High Messenger (Hermes), Follows His Father (Patrobas), Keeps Things Steady (Hermas), and the sacred family members who are with them.
15Give my greeting to Likes to Talk (Philologus), Soft Haired Woman (Julia), Shining River (Nereus) and his sister, Bright Mountain (Olympas), and all the sacred family members who gather with them.
16When you greet each other, do so with a holy kiss. All the Chosen One’s sacred family gatherings under my care also send their greetings to you.
A WISE WARNING
17And now, my sacred family members, I warn you to be on the lookout and stay away from the ones who cause trouble and place stumbling stones in your path by teaching things that are against what you have learned. 18For the ones who do this are not walking in the ways of our Honored Chief and Chosen One. Instead, they are feeding their own selfish desires, and like tricksters they use smooth words and big talk to fool the hearts of the ones who lack wisdom.
19Even though you have a good reputation for following Creator’s ways, which makes my heart glad, I still felt the need to give you this counsel. But I want you to walk in wisdom toward what is good and to keep your path free from evil ways. 20For it will not be long before the Great Spirit of Peace flattens the head of Accuser (Satan), that evil snake, under your feet.#16:20 Genesis 3:15 May the great kindness of our Honored Chief Creator Sets Free (Jesus) be your guide on the road of life.
21He Gives Honor (Timothy), who works side by side with me, greets you, along with Bright Light (Lucius), Healer (Jason), and Sets His Father Free (Sosipater), my tribal relatives.
22I, Third Born (Tertius), the one who is writing this message from Small Man (Paul), send my greetings to you as one who also trusts in our Honored Chief.
23Glad Heart (Gaius), who has opened his home not only to me but to all the sacred family, greets you. Much Desired (Erastus), who keeps track of the money pouch for the village, and Fourth Born (Quartus), a member of the sacred family, also greet you.
24May the great kindness of our Honored Chief Creator Sets Free (Jesus) rest on all of you.#16:24 Some manuscripts do not have verse 24.
25 I pray that the Great Spirit will make you stand strong and firm by my telling of the good story about Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One. From the time before all days this message has been kept secret, 26but it has now been made clear. The Great Eternal One told his prophets to write this down in our Sacred Teachings, so that all nations would hear, put their trust in his good story, and follow all his ways.
27May the Great Mystery, from whom all wisdom comes, be honored through Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One, to the time beyond the end of all days.
Aho! May it be so!
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Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Iron 16: FNVNT
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