and everyone who wished to do so brought an offering to the LORD for making the Tent of the LORD's presence. They brought everything needed for use in worship and for making the priestly garments.

All who wanted to, both men and women, brought decorative pins, earrings, rings, necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry and dedicated them to the LORD.

All the people of Israel who wanted to brought their offering to the LORD for the work which he had commanded Moses to do.

Over and above all this that I have provided, I have given silver and gold from my personal property because of my love for God's Temple.

and for all the objects which the skilled workers are to make. Now who else is willing to give a generous offering to the LORD?"

The people had given willingly to the LORD, and they were happy that so much had been given. King David also was extremely happy.

I know that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you, and I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you.

Food, however, will not improve our relation with God; we shall not lose anything if we do not eat, nor shall we gain anything if we do eat.

Don't I have the right to follow the example of the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter, by taking a Christian wife with me on my trips?

What soldiers ever have to pay their own expenses in the army? What farmers do not eat the grapes from their own vineyard? What shepherds do not use the milk from their own sheep?

We read in the Law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain." Now, is God concerned about oxen?

We have sown spiritual seed among you. Is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?

Surely you know that the men who work in the Temple get their food from the Temple and that those who offer the sacrifices on the altar get a share of the sacrifices.

But I haven't made use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this now in order to claim such rights for myself. I would rather die first! Nobody is going to turn my rightful boast into empty words!

If I did my work as a matter of free choice, then I could expect to be paid; but I do it as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted me with this task.

However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like for you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree.

You have no part or share in our work, because your heart is not right in God's sight.

Repent, then, of this evil plan of yours, and pray to the Lord that he will forgive you for thinking such a thing as this.

And Joshua said, "Why have you brought such trouble on us? The LORD will now bring trouble on you!" All the people then stoned Achan to death; they also stoned and burned his family and possessions.

They put a huge pile of stones over him, which is there to this day. That is why that place is still called Trouble Valley. Then the LORD was no longer furious.

These are the ones who plan trouble and do evil; their hearts are always full of deceit.

See how wicked people think up evil; they plan trouble and practice deception.

You go to court, but you do not have justice on your side. You depend on lies to win your case. You carry out your plans to hurt others.

This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Gog: "When that time comes, you will start thinking up an evil plan.

Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Peter said to him, "Ananias, why did you let Satan take control of you and make you lie to the Holy Spirit by keeping part of the money you received for the property?

Then Moses said, "It is the LORD who will give you meat to eat in the evening and as much bread as you want in the morning, because he has heard how much you have complained against him. When you complain against us, you are really complaining against the LORD."

When you complain against Aaron, it is really against the LORD that you and your followers are rebelling."

and the LORD said, "Listen to everything the people say to you. You are not the one they have rejected; I am the one they have rejected as their king.

He went back into the house, and Elisha asked him, "Where have you been?" "Oh, nowhere, sir," he answered.

And now Naaman's disease will come upon you, and you and your descendants will have it forever!" When Gehazi left, he had the disease---his skin was as white as snow.

Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.

Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

So then, whoever rejects this teaching is not rejecting a human being, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.