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 referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. |
Godliness produces great gain, but only to those who are content. | Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment. |
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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, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. |
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 lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or 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. | The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. 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, those who eat them increase; and what gain 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. | Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. |
The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. | A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging. |
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. | Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their 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 what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have 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. |
An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. | By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. |
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 obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. |