Nevertheless,you have donewellto share[with me] in my affliction.
"But the LORDsaidto my fatherDavid,'Becauseit was in your heartto builda housefor My name,you didwellthat it was in your heart.
"His mastersaidto him, 'Well done,goodand faithfulslave.You were faithfulwith a few things,I will put you in chargeof many things;enterinto the joyof your master.'
Yes,they were pleased[to do so], and they are indebtedto them. For ifthe Gentileshave sharedin their spiritual things,they are indebtedto ministerto them alsoin material things.
The one who is taughtthe wordis to shareallgood thingswith the one who teaches[him].
For it is onlyrightfor me to feelthis wayaboutyou all,becauseI haveyou in my heart,since bothin my imprisonmentand in the defenseand confirmationof the gospel,you allare partakersof gracewith me.
But I have receivedeverythingin fulland have an abundance;I am amply supplied,having receivedfrom Epaphrodituswhat you have sent,a fragrantaroma,an acceptablesacrifice,well-pleasingto God.
[Instruct them] to do good,to be richin goodworks,to be generousand ready to share,
partlyby being made a public spectaclethrough reproachesand tribulations,and partlyby becomingsharerswith thosewho were sotreated.
For you showed sympathyto the prisonersand acceptedjoyfullythe seizureof your property,knowingthat you havefor yourselvesa betterpossessionand a lastingone.
And do not neglectdoing goodand sharing,for with suchsacrificesGodis pleased.
I, John,your brotherand fellow partakerin the tribulationand kingdomand perseverance[which are] in Jesus,was on the islandcalledPatmosbecauseof the wordof Godand the testimonyof Jesus.
