But the Lord said to my father David, ‘I know that you want very much to build a temple to honor me. And this is good that you want to build my temple.
Philippians 4:14 - Easy To Read Version But it was good that you helped me when I needed help. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition But it was right and commendable and noble of you to contribute for my needs and to share my difficulties with me. American Standard Version (1901) Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction. Common English Bible Still, you have done well to share my distress. Catholic Public Domain Version Yet truly, you have done well by sharing in my tribulation. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Nevertheless you have done well in communicating to my tribulation. |
But the Lord said to my father David, ‘I know that you want very much to build a temple to honor me. And this is good that you want to build my temple.
But the Lord said to my father, ‘David, when you wanted to build a temple for my name, you did well.
“The master answered, ‘You did right. You are a good servant that can be trusted. You did well with that small amount of money. So I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my happiness with me.’
\{The believers in\} Macedonia and Achaia were happy to do this. And really they should help those believers in Jerusalem. They should help because they are non-Jews and have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings. So they should use the things they have to help the Jews. They owe this to the Jews.
The person who is learning the teaching of God should share all the good things he has with the person who is teaching him.
And I know that I am right to think like this about all of you. I am sure because I have you in my heart—I feel very close to you. I feel close to you because all of you share in God’s grace (kindness) with me. You share in God’s grace with me while I am in prison, while I am defending the Good News, {\cf2\super [5]} and while I am proving the truth of the Good News.
I have all the things I need. I have even more than I need. I have all I need because Epaphroditus brought your gift to me. Your gift is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice {\cf2\super [24]} offered to God. God accepts that sacrifice and it pleases him.
Tell the rich people to do good. Tell them to be rich in doing good things. And tell them to be happy to give and ready to share.
Sometimes people said hateful things to you and persecuted {\cf2\super [141]} you before many people. And sometimes you helped other people who were being treated that same way.
Yes, you helped those people in prison and shared in their suffering. And you were still happy when all the things you owned were taken away from you. You continued to be happy, because you knew that you had something much better—something that would continue forever.
And don’t forget to do good for other people. And share with other people. These are the sacrifices that please God.
I am John, and I am your brother \{in Christ\}. We are together in Jesus, and we share these things: suffering, the kingdom, and patient endurance. I was on the island of Patmos {\cf2\super [7]} because I was faithful to God’s message {\cf2\super [8]} and to the truth of Jesus.