not lagging behindin diligence,ferventin spirit,servingthe Lord;
But he said,"You are lazy,[very] lazy;thereforeyou say,'Let us go[and] sacrificeto the LORD.'
Like vinegarto the teethand smoketo the eyes,Sois the lazyoneto those who sendhim.
The soulof the sluggardcravesand [gets] nothing,But the soulof the diligentis madefat.
He alsowho is slackin his workIs brotherto him who destroys.
Do you seea manskilledin his work?He will standbeforekings;He will not standbeforeobscuremen.
She risesalso while it is stillnightAnd givesfoodto her householdAnd portionsto her maidens.
Whateveryour handfindsto do,do[it] with [all] your might;for thereis noactivityor planningor knowledgeor wisdomin Sheolwhereyou are going.
His watchmenare blind,Allof them knownothing.Allof them are mutedogsunableto bark,Dreamerslyingdown,who loveto slumber;
"Becauselawlessnessis increased,most people'slovewill grow cold.
"But his masteransweredand saidto him, 'You wicked,lazyslave,you knewthat I reapwhereI did not sowand gatherwhereI scatteredno[seed].
This manhad beeninstructedin the wayof the Lord;and being ferventin spirit,he was speakingand teachingaccuratelythe things concerningJesus,being acquaintedonlywith the baptismof John;
servingthe Lordwith allhumilityand with tearsand with trialswhich cameupon me throughthe plotsof the Jews;
For he who was calledin the Lordwhile a slave,is the Lord'sfreedman;likewisehe who was calledwhile free,is Christ'sslave.
He who stealsmust stealno longer;but ratherhe must labor,performingwith his ownhandswhat is good,sothat he will have[something] to sharewith onewho hasneed.
Masters,grantto your slavesjusticeand fairness,knowingthat you toohavea Masterin heaven.
At the same timethey alsolearn[to be] idle,as they go aroundfrom house to house;and not merelyidle,but alsogossipsand busybodies,talkingabout things not proper[to mention].
Therefore,since we receivea kingdomwhich cannot be shaken,let us showgratitude,by whichwe may offerto Godan acceptableservicewith reverenceand awe;
Therefore,confessyour sinsto oneanother,and prayfor one anothersothat you may be healed.The effectiveprayerof a righteous mancanaccomplishmuch.
Since you have in obedienceto the truthpurifiedyour soulsfor a sincerelove of the brethren,ferventlyloveone anotherfrom the heart,
Aboveall,keepferventin your lovefor one another,becauselovecoversa multitudeof sins.
But I have[this] againstyou, that you have leftyour firstlove.
