Thereis one who scatters,and [yet] increasesallthe more,And there is one who withholdswhatis justlydue,[and yet it results] onlyin want.
Azariahthe chiefpriestof the houseof Zadoksaidto him, "Sincethe contributionsbeganto be broughtinto the houseof the LORD,we have had enoughto eatwith plentyleftover,for the LORDhas blessedHis people,and thisgreatquantityis leftover."
He has givenfreelyto the poor,His righteousnessenduresforever;His hornwill be exaltedin honor.
The wickedearnsdeceptivewages,But he who sowsrighteousness[gets] a true reward.
The desireof the righteousis onlygood,[But] the expectationof the wickedis wrath.
The generousmanwill be prosperous,And he who waterswill himselfbe watered.
Thereis one who pretendsto be rich,but hasnothing;[Another] pretendsto be poor,but has greatwealth.
One who is graciousto a poormanlendsto the LORD,And He will repayhim for his gooddeed.
He who givesto the poorwill neverwant,But he who shutshis eyeswill have manycurses.
He who increaseshis wealthby interestand usuryGathersit for him who is graciousto the poor.
Sowyour seedin the morningand do not be idlein the evening,for you do not knowwhethermorningorevening sowing will succeed,or whetherbothof them alikewill be good.
"You have sownmuch,but harvestlittle;[you] eat,but [there is] not [enough] to be satisfied;[you] drink,but [there is] not [enough] to becomedrunk;[you] puton clothing,but nooneis warm[enough]; and he who earns,earnswages[to put] into a pursewith holes."
"Will a manrobGod?Yetyou are robbingMe! But you say,'Howhave we robbedYou?' In tithesand offerings.
"Give,and it will be givento you. They will pourinto your lapa goodmeasure--pressed down,shaken together,[and] running over.For by your standardof measureit will be measured to you in return."
"You shall generouslygiveto him, and your heartshall not be grievedwhen you giveto him, becausefor thisthingthe LORDyour Godwill blessyou in allyour workand in allyour undertakings.
