Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. | Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. |
But godliness with contentment is great gain. | But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. |
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For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. | For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. |
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. | Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” |
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. | A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth invites beatings. |
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. | Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. |
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. | Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. |
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. | One who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor one who loves abundance with its income. This too is futility. |
When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? | When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look at them? |
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. | I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. |
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. | Furthermore, as for every person to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also given him the opportunity to enjoy them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. |
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. | Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. |