To appoint for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing on it, but leaves only, and said to it, Let no fruit grow on you from now on for ever. And soon after the fig tree withered away.
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
I have shown you all things, how so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that is needy.
For you remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be an expense to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I desire that you affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.