Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. | I do not say this because I have been in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. |
But godliness with contentment is great gain. | Godliness produces great gain, but only to those who are content. |
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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 brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, let us be content with these. |
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. | Do not succumb to the love of money, but be content with what you have, for God has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” |
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. | The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. |
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. | An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. |
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. | For this reason, I rejoice when I endure weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and distress for the sake of Christ. For it is when I am weak that 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 is covetous will never be satisfied with money, nor will the lover of wealth be content with gain. This too is vanity. |
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 riches increase, so do those who are eager to accumulate them, and those who have accumulated them must remain content simply to feast their eyes on 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 live with little, and I know how to live with plenty. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in 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. | Moreover, the one to whom God grants wealth and possessions and the ability to enjoy them and to find contentment in his toil receives a gift from 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 works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you previously, that no one who does such things will inherit the kingdom of God. |