1 But if a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. DILIGENCE. 2 Let every man labour, working with his hands the thing which is good; that he may have to give to him that needeth. 3 Six days in the week shalt thou labour, and do all thy work. 5 Be not slothful in business. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that; or whether they both shall be alike good. • There are some which walk disorderly, working not at all, but are busy-bodies: now them that are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. If any man will not work, neither should he eat. 7 There are women also which learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and are not only idle, but also tattlers and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not. But a virtuous woman looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 8 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; which having no guide, over seer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 'The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way. 2 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns. 3 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. * He that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster. 5 In all labour there is profit; and the thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness. • Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 7 He Seest thou a man diligent in his business? shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men. 8 The hand of the diligent maketh rich; but the soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing. 9 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 10 How long wilt thou sleep, O Sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travaileth, and thy want as an armed man. CONTENTMent. 1 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where, and in all things, I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I have learnt in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 2 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called, being a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 3 Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; be careful for nothing; neither be ye of doubtful mind: but rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things, which your Father knoweth that ye have need of, shall be added unto you. 4 Ask not riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet long life; but ask wisdom and knowledge for thyself; and God shall supply all thy need, according to his riches in glory. 5 Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with the cares of this life. * I would have you without carefulness; that they which weep, may be as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it. For the fashion of this world passeth away. 1 Phil. iv. 12. 11. 2 1 Cor. vii. 20, 21. Phil. iv. 6. Luke xii. 29. 31. 30, 31. 4 2 Chron. i. 11. 3 Luke xii. 29. Phil. 1 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. 2 Let us not envy one another. The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy; but charity envieth not. 4 Let not thine heart envy sinners; but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall not be cut off. 5 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased. For though while he lived he blessed his soul; yet when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones. 7 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for God hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. 8 Take heed and beware of covetousness. For a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Thou shalt not covet any thing which is thy neighbour's. 10 Labour not to be rich; but having food and raiment, let us be therewith content: for they that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 The love of money is the root of all evil; which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things. 2 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 3 Rejoice not because thy wealth is great, and because thine hand hath gotten much. Will God esteem thy riches? No, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world; and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 5 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 6 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith. 7 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house. 8 He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. • An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 10 Woe to him that ladeth himself with thick clay. 11 Tim. vi. 10, 11. xxxi. 25. Job xxxvi. 19. xxxvii. 16. 2 Matt. vi. 19, 20, 21. 7 Prov. xv. 27. 3 Job 5 Psal. 8 Prov. 6 Prov. xv. 16. |