I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. | Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. |
But godliness with contentment is great gain. | But godliness with contentment is great gain. |
|
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. | 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. |
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” | 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. |
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. | 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. |
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. | 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. |
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. | A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. |
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. | He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. |
As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? | 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? |
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. | Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. |
Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. | 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. |
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom 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. |