I do not say this because I have been in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. | Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. |
Godliness produces great gain, but only to those who are content. | But godliness with contentment is great gain. |
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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. | For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. |
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.” | Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” |
One who is covetous will never be satisfied with money, nor will the lover of wealth be content with gain. This too is vanity. | He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. |
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. | When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? |
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. | For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. |
The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. | A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. |
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. | Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. |
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. | I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. |
An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. | By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. |
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. | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. |