that in a greatordealof afflictiontheir abundanceof joyand their deeppovertyoverflowedin the wealthof their liberality.
Listen,my belovedbrethren:did not Godchoosethe poorof thisworld[to be] richin faithand heirsof the kingdomwhichHe promisedto thosewho loveHim?
The generousmanwill be prosperous,And he who waterswill himselfbe watered.
"However,there will be nopooramong you, sincethe LORDwill surelyblessyou in the landwhichthe LORDyour Godis givingyou as an inheritanceto possess,
I knowyour tribulationand your poverty(but you are rich),and the blasphemyby thosewho saythey are Jewsand are not, but are a synagogueof Satan.
as sorrowfulyetalwaysrejoicing,as pooryetmakingmanyrich,as havingnothingyetpossessingall things.
Becauseof the proofgiven by thisministry,they will glorifyGodfor [your] obedienceto your confessionof the gospelof Christand for the liberalityof your contributionto them and to all,
You alsobecameimitatorsof us and of the Lord,having receivedthe wordin muchtribulationwith the joyof the HolySpirit,
orhe who exhorts,in his exhortation;he who gives,with liberality;he who leads,with diligence;he who shows mercy,with cheerfulness.
For you, brethren,becameimitatorsof the churchesof Godin ChristJesusthat are in Judea,for you alsoenduredthe samesufferingsat the handsof your owncountrymen,evenas they [did] from the Jews,
you will be enrichedin everythingfor allliberality,whichthroughus is producingthanksgivingto God.
For our proud confidenceis this:the testimonyof our conscience,that in holinessand godlysincerity,not in fleshlywisdombut in the graceof God,we have conductedourselves in the world,and especiallytowardyou.
Is it not lawfulfor me to dowhatI wishwith whatis my own?Oris your eyeenviousbecauseI amgenerous?'
Ordo you think lightlyof the richesof His kindnessand toleranceand patience,not knowingthat the kindnessof Godleadsyou to repentance?
For to thisend alsoI wrote,sothat I might putyou to the test,whetheryou are obedientin all things.
