And the seed sown into the thornbushes is this: the one hearing the Word, and the anxiety of this age, and the deceit of riches, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Jesus said to him, If you desire to be perfect, go sell the things belonging to you and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.
And the lord praised the unrighteous steward, because he acted prudently. For the sons of this age are more prudent than the sons of light themselves are in their generation.
Which things we also speak, not in words taught in human wisdom, but in words taught of the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.
For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we had our conduct in the world in simplicity and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, and especially toward you.
For the rest, brothers, rejoice! Perfect yourselves; encourage yourselves, think the same thing, be at peace; and the God of love and of peace will be with you.
in whom the god of this age has blinded the thoughts of the faithless ones, so that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine on them.
in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience,
Epaphras greets you, he of you, a slave of Christ, always striving for you in prayers, that you may stand full-grown and being complete in all the will of God.
Therefore, having left the word of the beginning of Christ, let us be borne on to maturity, not laying down again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Now the God of all grace, the One having called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, you having suffered a little, Himself will perfect, confirm, strengthen, establish you.