"In everythingI showedyou that by working hardin this manneryou musthelpthe weakand rememberthe wordsof the LordJesus,that He Himselfsaid,'It is moreblessedto givethanto receive.'"
One who is graciousto a poormanlendsto the LORD,And He will repayhim for his gooddeed.
But the noblemandevisesnobleplans;And by nobleplanshe stands.
Encouragethe exhausted,and strengthenthe feeble.
"Heal[the] sick,raise[the] dead,cleanse[the] lepers,castout demons.Freelyyou received,freelygive.
howI did not shrinkfrom declaringto you anythingthat was profitable,and teachingyou publiclyand from house to house,
"For I did not shrinkfrom declaringto you the wholepurposeof God.
"You yourselvesknowthat thesehandsministeredto my [own] needsand to the men who were with me.
When he had saidthese things,he kneltdownand prayedwith them all.
Nowwe who are strongoughtto bearthe weaknessesof thosewithout strengthand not [just] pleaseourselves.
Ifotherssharethe rightover you, do we not more?Nevertheless,we did not usethisright,but we endureall thingssothat we will causenohindranceto the gospelof Christ.
But whatI am doingI will continueto do,sothat I may cut offopportunityfrom thosewho desirean opportunityto be regardedjustas we are in the matter about whichthey are boasting.
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!
For you knowthe graceof our LordJesusChrist,that though He was rich,yet for your sakeHe becamepoor,sothat you through His povertymight become rich.
He who stealsmust stealno longer;but ratherhe must labor,performingwith his ownhandswhat is good,sothat he will have[something] to sharewith onewho hasneed.
and to make it your ambitionto lead a quiet lifeand attendto your ownbusiness and workwith your hands,justas we commandedyou,
We urgeyou, brethren,admonishthe unruly,encouragethe fainthearted,helpthe weak,be patientwith everyone.
And do not neglectdoing goodand sharing,for with suchsacrificesGodis pleased.
Rememberthe prisoners,as thoughin prisonwith them, [and] thosewho are ill-treated,sinceyou yourselvesalsoare in the body.
For they wentout for the sakeof the Name,acceptingnothingfrom the Gentiles.
