Romans 12:8 - Easy To Read Version If a person has the gift of comforting other people, then that person should comfort. If a person has the gift of giving to help other people, then that person should give freely. If a person has the gift of being a leader, then that person should work hard when he leads. If a person has the gift of showing kindness to other people, then that person should be glad to do that. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. American Standard Version (1901) or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Common English Bible If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful. Catholic Public Domain Version he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version He that exhorteth, in exhorting; he that giveth, with simplicity; he that ruleth, with carefulness; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. |
I have made a special agreement with Abraham. I did this so he would command his children and his descendants [105] to live the way the Lord wants them to. I did this so they would live right and be fair. Then I, the Lord, can give him the things I promised.”
That person freely gives things\par to poor people.\par And his goodness will continue forever.\par
An evil man quickly borrows money\par and never pays it back.\par But a good man gives freely to other people.\par
A person who gives freely will be blessed. He will be blessed because he shares his food with poor people.
So begin planting early in the morning, and don’t stop working until evening. Why? Because you don’t know which things will make you rich. Maybe everything you do will be successful.
Every time you find work to do, do it the best you can. In the grave there is no work. There is no thinking, no knowledge, and there is no wisdom. And we are all going to that \{place of death\}.
Foolish people would not be called great men. People would not respect men that make secret plans.
But a good leader plans good things to do. And those good things make him a good leader.
You are with people that enjoy doing good.\par Those people remember you by living the way you want them to.\par But in the past we sinned against you.\par So you became angry at us.\par Now, how will we be saved?\par
“Then the king will answer, ‘I tell you the truth. Anything you did for any of my people here, {\cf2\super [389]} you also did for me.’
When the governor (Sergius Paulus) saw this, he believed. He was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
The law of Moses and the writings of the prophets {\cf2\super [257]} were read. Then the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to Paul and Barnabas: “Brothers, if you have something to say that will help the people here, please speak!”
Judas and Silas were also prophets. {\cf2\super [321]} They said many things to help the brothers (believers) and make them stronger.
He said many things to strengthen the followers \{of Jesus\} in the different places on his way through Macedonia. Then Paul went to Greece (Achaia).
Be careful for yourselves and for all the people that God has given you. The Holy Spirit {\cf2\super [406]} gave you the work of caring for this flock. {\cf2\super [407]} You must be like shepherds to the church (people) of God. {\cf2\super [408]} This is the church that God bought with his own blood. {\cf2\super [409]}
One of the believers was named Joseph. The apostles {\cf2\super [82]} called him Barnabas. (This name means “A person that helps others.”) He was a Levite {\cf2\super [83]} born in Cyprus.
Share with God’s people that need help. Look for people that need help, and welcome those people into your homes.
And this is why you pay taxes too. Those rulers are working for God and give all their time to the work of ruling.
And in the church God has given a place first to apostles, {\cf2\super [89]} second to prophets, {\cf2\super [90]} and third to teachers. Then God has given a place to those people that do miracles, {\cf2\super [91]} those people that have gifts of healing, those people that can help others, those people that are able to lead, and those people that can speak in different kinds of languages.
But a person that prophesies is speaking to people. He gives people strength, encouragement, and comfort.
This is what we are proud of, and I can say with all my heart that it is true: In all the things we have done in the world, we have done everything with an honest and pure heart from God. And this is even more true in the things we have done with you. We did this by God’s grace (kindness), not by the kind of wisdom the world has.
But I am afraid that your minds will be led away from your true and pure following of Christ. This might happen the same as Eve was tricked (fooled) by the snake (the devil) with his evil ways.
If you want to give, then your gift will be accepted. Your gift will be judged by what you have, not by what you don’t have.
God will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will make people give thanks to God.
This service you do is a proof \{of your faith\}. People will praise God because of this. They will praise God because you follow the gospel {\cf2\super [27]} of Christ—the gospel you say you believe. People will praise God because you freely share with them and with all people.
Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give. A person should not give if it makes him sad. And a person should not give if he thinks he is forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.
Slaves, obey your masters here on earth. Obey with fear and respect. And do that with a heart that is true, the same as you obey Christ.
You must give that person some of your animals, grain, and wine. The Lord your God blessed you and gave you plenty of good things. In the same way, you must give plenty of good things to your slave.
Go to the place the Lord will choose to be his special house. You and your people should enjoy yourselves together there with the Lord your God. Take all your people with you—your sons, your daughters, and all your servants. Also, take the Levites, [101] foreigners, orphans, [102] and widows [103] living in your towns.
We encourage (teach) people. No person has fooled us. We are not evil. We are not trying to trick people. Those are not our reasons for doing what we do.
We loved you very much. So we were happy to share God’s Good News {\cf2\super [7]} with you; but not only that—we were also happy to share even our own lives with you.
Continue to read the Scriptures {\cf2\super [18]} to the people, strengthen them, and teach them. Do those things until I come.
The elders {\cf2\super [27]} who lead the church in a good way should receive double honor. This is especially true for those elders who do the work of counseling and teaching.
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.
We should not quit meeting together. That’s what some people are doing. But we should \{meet together and\} encourage each other. You should do this more and more as you see the Day {\cf2\super [135]} coming.
Obey your leaders and be under their authority. Those men are responsible for you. So they are always watching to protect your souls. Obey those men so that they can be happy in this work. It won’t help you to make it hard for them.
My brothers and sisters, I beg you to listen patiently to these things I have said. I said these things to strengthen you. And this letter is not very long.
Say hello to all your leaders and to all God’s people. All \{God’s people\} in Italy say hello to you.
Remember your leaders. They taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith.