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 speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. |
Godliness produces great gain, but only to those who are content. | Now 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 this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall 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.” | Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself 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 silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. 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; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their 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. | Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. 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 enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. |
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. | As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—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 abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. |
An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. | By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised 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, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. |