Herefor thisthird timeI amreadyto cometo you, and I will not be a burdento you; for I do not seekwhat is yours,but you; for childrenare not responsibleto saveup for [their] parents,but parentsfor [their] children.
The fruitof the righteousis a treeof life,And he who is wisewinssouls.
A goodmanleavesan inheritanceto his children'schildren,And the wealthof the sinneris storedup for the righteous.
Houseand wealthare an inheritancefrom fathers,But a prudentwifeis from the LORD.
"Sonof man,prophesyagainstthe shepherdsof Israel.Prophesyand sayto those shepherds,'Thussaysthe LordGOD,"Woe,shepherdsof Israelwhohave beenfeedingthemselves! Should not the shepherdsfeedthe flock?
"I have covetedno one'ssilverorgoldorclothes.
Let no oneseekhis own[good], but that of his neighbor.
justas I alsopleaseallmen in all things,not seekingmy ownprofitbut the [profit] of the many,sothat they may be saved.
Ifanyoneis hungry,let him eatat home,sothat you will not come togetherfor judgment.The remainingmatters I will arrangewhenI come.
But I will cometo you afterI gothroughMacedonia,for I am going throughMacedonia;
But I will cometo you soon,ifthe Lordwills,and I shall findout, not the wordsof thosewho are arrogantbut their power.
Ifotherssharethe rightover you, do we not more?Nevertheless,we did not usethisright,but we endureall thingssothat we will causenohindranceto the gospelof Christ.
Whatthenis my reward?That, when I preach the gospel,I may offerthe gospelwithout charge,soas not to make full useof my rightin the gospel.
For though I amfreefrom all[men], I have mademyselfa slaveto all,sothat I may winmore.
In thisconfidenceI intendedat firstto cometo you, sothat you might twicereceivea blessing;
and when I was presentwith you and was in need,I was not a burdento anyone;for when the brethrencamefrom Macedoniathey fully suppliedmy need,and in everythingI keptmyselffrom being a burdento you, and will continueto do so.
For in whatrespect were you treated as inferiorto the restof the churches,exceptthat I myselfdid not become a burdento you? Forgiveme thiswrong!
My children,with whomI amagainin laboruntilChristis formedin you--
Therefore,my belovedbrethrenwhom I long[to see], my joyand crown,in this waystand firmin the Lord,my beloved.
Not that I seekthe giftitself, but I seekfor the profitwhich increasesto your account.
justas you knowhowwe [were] exhortingand encouragingand imploringeachoneof you as a father[would] his ownchildren,
Havingsofond an affectionfor you, we were well-pleasedto impartto you not onlythe gospelof Godbut alsoour ownlives,becauseyou had becomevery dearto us.
