My own vineyard [is] before me. You, O Solomon, [may have] a thousand, And those who tend its fruit two hundred. THE BELOVED

Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat [of the things] of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of [the offerings of] the altar?

A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

Do you see a man [who] excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown [men.]

So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please, put your hand under my thigh,

"and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell;

The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all [that] he had he put under his authority.

So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

But Jehoshaphat said, "[Is there] no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?" So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat [is] here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."

And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife.

Then she said to her mistress, "If only my master [were] with the prophet who [is] in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy."

Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, "Where [did you go,] Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant did not go anywhere."

"Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." And he went out from his presence leprous, [as white] as snow.

"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

"Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed [that] your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes [look] to the LORD our God, Until He has mercy on us.

"See, I have told you beforehand.

"Blessed [is] that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

"His lord said to him, 'Well [done,] good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

"He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'

"Blessed [are] those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down [to eat,] and will come and serve them.

"Blessed [is] that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

"Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

"If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him [My] Father will honor.

Servants, [be] submissive to [your] masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: