but the worriesof the world,and the deceitfulnessof riches,and the desiresfor other thingsenterin and chokethe word,and it becomesunfruitful.
Instructthosewho are richin thispresentworldnot to be conceitedorto fix their hopeon the uncertaintyof riches,but on God,who richlysuppliesus with all thingsto enjoy.
Be anxiousfor nothing,but in everythingby prayerand supplicationwith thanksgivinglet your requestsbe made knownto God.
And Jesussaidto His disciples,"TrulyI sayto you, it is hardfor a rich manto enterthe kingdomof heaven.
"Everybranchin Me that does not bearfruit,He takes away;and every[branch] that bearsfruit,He prunesit sothat it may bearmorefruit.
"Be on guard,sothat your heartswill not be weighted downwith dissipationand drunkennessand the worriesof life,and that daywill not comeon you suddenlylikea trap;
But the Lordansweredand saidto her, "Martha,Martha,you are worriedand botheredaboutso many things;
"Whatmorewas there to dofor My vineyardthat I have not donein it? Why,when I expected[it] to produce[good] grapesdid it produceworthlessones?
He dugit all around,removedits stones,And plantedit with the choicestvine.And He builta towerin the middleof it And alsohewedout a winevatin it; Then He expected[it] to produce[good] grapes,But it produced[only] worthlessones.
For if these[qualities] are yoursand are increasing,they renderyou neitheruselessnorunfruitfulin the true knowledgeof our LordJesusChrist.
for Demas,having lovedthispresentworld,has desertedme and goneto Thessalonica;Crescens[has gone] to Galatia,Titusto Dalmatia.
Therewas a certainmanwithouta dependent,havingneithera sonnora brother,yet therewas noendto allhis labor.Indeed,his eyeswere not satisfiedwith riches[and he never asked], "And for whomam I laboringand deprivingmyselfof pleasure?"Thistoois vanityand it is a grievoustask.
These are the menwho are hidden reefsin your love feastswhen they feastwith you without fear,caringfor themselves;cloudswithout water,carried alongby winds;autumntreeswithout fruit,doublydead,uprooted;
"The axeis alreadylaidat the rootof the trees;thereforeeverytreethat does not beargoodfruitis cut downand throwninto the fire.
When you setyour eyeson it, it is gone.For [wealth] certainlymakesitself wingsLike an eaglethat flies[toward] the heavens.
Do not wearyyourself to gainwealth,Ceasefrom your consideration[of it].
"And the one on whom seed was sownamongthe thorns,thisis the man who hearsthe word,and the worryof the worldand the deceitfulnessof wealthchokethe word,and it becomesunfruitful.
"And othersare the ones on whom seed was sownamongthe thorns;theseare the ones who have heardthe word,
And do not be conformedto thisworld,but be transformedby the renewingof your mind,sothat you may provewhatthe willof Godis, that which is goodand acceptableand perfect.
in whichyou formerlywalkedaccordingto the courseof thisworld,accordingto the princeof the powerof the air,of the spiritthat is nowworkingin the sonsof disobedience.
For our struggleis not againstfleshand blood,but againstthe rulers,againstthe powers,againstthe world forcesof thisdarkness,againstthe spiritual[forces] of wickednessin the heavenly[places].
