but the worriesof the world,and the deceitfulnessof riches,and the desiresfor other thingsenterin and chokethe word,and it becomesunfruitful.
Do not wearyyourself to gainwealth,Ceasefrom your consideration[of it].
When you setyour eyeson it, it is gone.For [wealth] certainlymakesitself wingsLike an eaglethat flies[toward] the heavens.
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.
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.
"Whatmorewas there to dofor My vineyardthat I have not donein it? Why,when I expected[it] to produce[good] grapesdid it produceworthlessones?
"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 Jesussaidto His disciples,"TrulyI sayto you, it is hardfor a rich manto enterthe kingdomof heaven.
"The axeis alreadylaidat the rootof the trees;thereforeeverytreethat does not beargoodfruitis cut downand throwninto the fire.
"And othersare the ones on whom seed was sownamongthe thorns;theseare the ones who have heardthe word,
But the Lordansweredand saidto her, "Martha,Martha,you are worriedand botheredaboutso many things;
"Be on guard,sothat your heartswill not be weighted downwith dissipationand drunkennessand the worriesof life,and that daywill not comeon you suddenlylikea trap;
"Everybranchin Me that does not bearfruit,He takes away;and every[branch] that bearsfruit,He prunesit sothat it may bearmorefruit.
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].
Be anxiousfor nothing,but in everythingby prayerand supplicationwith thanksgivinglet your requestsbe made knownto God.
Instructthosewho are richin thispresentworldnot to be conceitedorto fix their hopeon the uncertaintyof riches,but on God,who richlysuppliesus with all thingsto enjoy.
for Demas,having lovedthispresentworld,has desertedme and goneto Thessalonica;Crescens[has gone] to Galatia,Titusto Dalmatia.
For if these[qualities] are yoursand are increasing,they renderyou neitheruselessnorunfruitfulin the true knowledgeof our LordJesusChrist.
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;
