Not that I am speaking with respect to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.

Because even among you the doors shall be shut, and one will not kindle [the fire of] My altar for nothing, I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord Almighty, and I will not accept a sacrifice at your hands.

I have desired the silver or gold or clothes of no one.

You yourselves know that these hands rendered service to my needs, and those who were with me.

If others partake of this right over you, do not we even more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but bear all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

Thus also the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to live from the gospel.

Again I say, let no one think me a fool. Otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.

For neither were we using flattering speech, as you know, nor covering up greed, God is [our] witness.

not given to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not loving money;

For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some [by] aspiring have strayed away from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

For a bishop must be unimpeachable, as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not by compulsion, but rather willingly, not in fondness for dishonest gain, but rather eagerly;

And by covetousness they will exploit you with fabricated words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction will not sleep.

They have left behind the straight way and gone astray, having followed after the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and in the error of Balaam they have rushed for profit, and have perished in the rebellion of Korah.

having been filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Alas for me! For I have become as one gathering straw in harvest, and as [one gathering] grape-gleanings in the vintage, when there is no cluster for me to eat the first-ripe fruit: alas my soul!

By this My Father is glorified, that you may bear much fruit; and you will become My disciples.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you may ask the Father in My name He may give to you.

Therefore, having finished and having sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.

just as it is written: "He has dispersed, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

in everything being made rich to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving through us to God.

while through the approved character of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and [for the] generosity of your sharing toward them and toward all,

And let our [people] also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, lest they be unfruitful.

He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will recompense to him according to his gift.

"He that receives you receives Me, and he that receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

And whoever gives one of these little [ones] only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.'

Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.

and you will be blessed, because they do not have [anything] to repay you; for it will be repaid to you in the resurrection of the just."

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.