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FAITHFUL PEOPLE
Jehosheba is the first of a number of faithful people in this chapter. She rescued Joash from Athaliah's murderous intent and hid him in the temple when Joash was only a baby. She took her life in her hands to preserve God's kingly line.
Jehoiada the Priest was another faithful man whose influence for good was very strong on Joash all the time that Jehoiada lived. He appears to have been Joash's chief adviser.
The Commanders of the Guards were faithful to Jehoiada as they set Joash up as king. "They did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered."
The People under the leadership of Jehoiada and Joash changed and became faithful to the LORD, tearing down the temple of Baal.
Zibiah, Joash's mother, it seems, had a good influence on her son.
The Workmen And Supervisors were faithful with the money they were given to use to repair the temple. "They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty."
And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
We too can be faithful in many different ways. Show your faithfulness in some way today.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2002 Reply to Robert
DISCHARGING OUR DUTY
It is a sad reflection on the priests, and even on the spiritual state of Judah as a whole, that they could not be bothered to repair the temple of the LORD. Even during the most God centered years of Joash, it seems that the priests and the people had not really turned to God
Joash had given the priests a duty. They were to collect the money brought into the temple and then to use that money to make repairs to the damage found in the temple. But nothing happened. Presumably money did come into the temple. The priests were employed by God and so they had both the time and resources to fulfil their duty - even so, nothing happened. In the end Joash had to find a new way of repairing the temple.
We may not be called upon to fund or repair a temple or church, but God has given us duties as Christians, and along with those duties he has given us the time and resources to be able to perform them. How are we going to use our time and resources? Will we fritter them away and waste them like the priests did? Or will we use them productively in the service of our God? As Paul says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2 v 10) Let's work hard and do the good works he has prepared for us.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Robert
WHAT ONE MAN CAN DO
It was a bold move, but Jehoiada took the risk.
Jehoiada was the high priest. He was there, appointed by God as the spiritual leader of Israel. Yet under the influence of the evil queen Athaliah, Jehoiada would have had very little influence on the people. The temple was in disrepair and many of the people had, under the influence of Athaliah, turned to Baal worship. She was queen. She held the ultimate authority. Her influence and authority left Jehoiada with only the formalities of his position as high priest, rather than the full spiritual leader he should have been.
But despite the setbacks, the lack of support from authority, the potential execution from Athaliah if he stepped out of line, Jehoiada was determined to get God's people back on track. Together with the city and temple guards he set up the young boy Joash as the new king, and as support quickly grew, he deposed and executed Athaliah.
Because of the actions of this one man, God's people had peace once more and their hearts turned toward the Lord their God.
If we want to do good, we too can have the same sort of influence as Jehoiada. Stand up for what is right, get together with others who believe the same things, and make a move to the glory of God.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2015 Reply to Robert
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1. And when Athaliah <6271> the mother <517> of Ahaziah <274> saw <7200>(8804) that her son <1121> was dead <4191>(8804), she arose <6965>(8799) and destroyed <6>(8762) all the seed <2233> royal <4467>.
2. But Jehosheba <3089>, the daughter <1323> of king <4428> Joram <3141>, sister <269> of Ahaziah <274>, took <3947>(8799) Joash <3101> the son <1121> of Ahaziah <274>, and stole <1589>(8799) him from among <8432> the king's <4428> sons <1121> which were slain <4191>(8716); and they hid <5641>(8686) him, even him and his nurse <3243>(8688), in the bedchamber <2315> <4296> from <6440> Athaliah <6271>, so that he was not slain <4191>(8717).
3. And he was with her hid <2244>(8693) in the house <1004> of the LORD <3068> six <8337> years <8141>. And Athaliah <6271> did reign <4427>(8802) over the land <776>.
4. And the seventh <7637> year <8141> Jehoiada <3077> sent <7971>(8804) and fetched <3947>(8799) the rulers <8269> over hundreds <3967>, with the captains <3746> and the guard <7323>(8801), and brought <935>(8686) them to him into the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, and made <3772>(8799) a covenant <1285> with them, and took an oath <7650>(8686) of them in the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, and shewed <7200>(8686) them the king's <4428> son <1121>.
5. And he commanded <6680>(8762) them, saying <559>(8800), This is the thing <1697> that ye shall do <6213>(8799); A third part <7992> of you that enter in <935>(8802) on the sabbath <7676> shall even be keepers <8104>(8802) of the watch <4931> of the king's <4428> house <1004>;
6. And a third part <7992> shall be at the gate <8179> of Sur <5495>; and a third part <7992> at the gate <8179> behind <310> the guard <7323>(8801): so shall ye keep <8104>(8804) the watch <4931> of the house <1004>, that it be not broken down <4535>.
7. And two <8147> parts <3027> of all you that go forth <3318>(8802) on the sabbath <7676>, even they shall keep <8104>(8804) the watch <4931> of the house <1004> of the LORD <3068> about <413> the king <4428>.
8. And ye shall compass <5362>(8689) the king <4428> round about <5439>, every man <376> with his weapons <3627> in his hand <3027>: and he that cometh <935>(8802) within the ranges <7713>, let him be slain <4191>(8714): and be ye with the king <4428> as he goeth out <3318>(8800) and as he cometh in <935>(8800).
9. And the captains <8269> over the hundreds <3967> did <6213>(8799) according to all things that Jehoiada <3077> the priest <3548> commanded <6680>(8765): and they took <3947>(8799) every man <376> his men <582> that were to come in <935>(8802) on the sabbath <7676>, with them that should go out <3318>(8802) on the sabbath <7676>, and came <935>(8799) to Jehoiada <3077> the priest <3548>.
10. And to the captains <8269> over hundreds <3967> did the priest <3548> give <5414>(8799) king <4428> David's <1732> spears <2595> and shields <7982>, that were in the temple <1004> of the LORD <3068>.
11. And the guard <7323>(8801) stood <5975>(8799), every man <376> with his weapons <3627> in his hand <3027>, round about <5439> the king <4428>, from the right <3233> corner <3802> of the temple <1004> to the left <8042> corner <3802> of the temple <1004>, along by the altar <4196> and the temple <1004>.
12. And he brought forth <3318>(8686) the king's <4428> son <1121>, and put <5414>(8799) the crown <5145> upon him, and gave him the testimony <5715>; and they made him king <4427>(8686), and anointed <4886>(8799) him; and they clapped <5221>(8686) their hands <3709>, and said <559>(8799), God save <2421>(8799) the king <4428>.
13. And when Athaliah <6271> heard <8085>(8799) the noise <6963> of the guard <7323>(8801) and of the people <5971>, she came <935>(8799) to the people <5971> into the temple <1004> of the LORD <3068>.
14. And when she looked <7200>(8799), behold, the king <4428> stood <5975>(8802) by a pillar <5982>, as the manner <4941> was, and the princes <8269> and the trumpeters <2689> by the king <4428>, and all the people <5971> of the land <776> rejoiced <8056>, and blew <8628>(8802) with trumpets <2689>: and Athaliah <6271> rent <7167>(8799) her clothes <899>, and cried <7121>(8799), Treason <7195>, Treason <7195>.
15. But Jehoiada <3077> the priest <3548> commanded <6680>(8762) the captains <8269> of the hundreds <3967>, the officers <6485>(8803) of the host <2428>, and said <559>(8799) unto them, Have her forth <3318>(8685) without <1004> the ranges <7713>: and him that followeth <935>(8802) <310> her kill <4191>(8687) with the sword <2719>. For the priest <3548> had said <559>(8804), Let her not be slain <4191>(8714) in the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>.
16. And they laid <7760>(8799) hands <3027> on her; and she went <935>(8799) by the way <1870> by the which the horses <5483> came <3996> into the king's <4428> house <1004>: and there was she slain <4191>(8714).
17. And Jehoiada <3077> made <3772>(8799) a covenant <1285> between the LORD <3068> and the king <4428> and the people <5971>, that they should be the LORD'S <3068> people <5971>; between the king <4428> also and the people <5971>.
18. And all the people <5971> of the land <776> went <935>(8799) into the house <1004> of Baal <1168>, and brake it down <5422>(8799); his altars <4196> and his images <6754> brake they in pieces <7665>(8765) thoroughly <3190>(8687), and slew <2026>(8804) Mattan <4977> the priest <3548> of Baal <1168> before <6440> the altars <4196>. And the priest <3548> appointed <7760>(8799) officers <6485>(8803)(8676) <6486> over the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>.
19. And he took <3947>(8799) the rulers <8269> over hundreds <3967>, and the captains <3746>, and the guard <7323>(8801), and all the people <5971> of the land <776>; and they brought down <3381>(8686) the king <4428> from the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, and came <935>(8799) by the way <1870> of the gate <8179> of the guard <7323>(8801) to the king's <4428> house <1004>. And he sat <3427>(8799) on the throne <3678> of the kings <4428>.
20. And all the people <5971> of the land <776> rejoiced <8055>(8799), and the city <5892> was in quiet <8252>(8804): and they slew <4191>(8689) Athaliah <6271> with the sword <2719> beside the king's <4428> house <1004>.
21. Seven <7651> years <8141> old <1121> was Jehoash <3060> when he began to reign <4427>(8800).
1. In the seventh <7651> year <8141> of Jehu <3058> Jehoash <3060> began to reign <4427>(8804); and forty <705> years <8141> reigned <4427>(8804) he in Jerusalem <3389>. And his mother's <517> name <8034> was Zibiah <6645> of Beersheba <884>.
2. And Jehoash <3060> did <6213>(8799) that which was right <3477> in the sight <5869> of the LORD <3068> all his days <3117> wherein Jehoiada <3077> the priest <3548> instructed <3384>(8689) him.
3. But the high places <1116> were not taken away <5493>(8804): the people <5971> still sacrificed <2076>(8764) and burnt incense <6999>(8764) in the high places <1116>.
4. And Jehoash <3060> said <559>(8799) to the priests <3548>, All the money <3701> of the dedicated things <6944> that is brought <935>(8714) into the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, even the money <3701> of every one <376> that passeth <5674>(8802) the account, the money <3701> that every man <5315> is set at <6187>, and all the money <3701> that cometh <5927>(8799) into any man's <376> heart <3820> to bring <935>(8687) into the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>,
5. Let the priests <3548> take <3947>(8799) it to them, every man <376> of his acquaintance <4378>: and let them repair <2388>(8762) the breaches <919> of the house <1004>, wheresoever any breach <919> shall be found <4672>(8735).
6. But it was so, that in the three <7969> <8141> and twentieth <6242> year <8141> of king <4428> Jehoash <3060> the priests <3548> had not repaired <2388>(8765) the breaches <919> of the house <1004>.
7. Then king <4428> Jehoash <3060> called <7121>(8799) for Jehoiada <3077> the priest <3548>, and the other priests <3548>, and said <559>(8799) unto them, Why repair <2388>(8764) ye not the breaches <919> of the house <1004>? now therefore receive <3947>(8799) no more money <3701> of your acquaintance <4378>, but deliver <5414>(8799) it for the breaches <919> of the house <1004>.
8. And the priests <3548> consented <225>(8735) to receive <3947>(8800) no <1115> more money <3701> of the people <5971>, neither <1115> to repair <2388>(8763) the breaches <919> of the house <1004>.
9. But Jehoiada <3077> the priest <3548> took <3947>(8799) a <259> chest <727>, and bored <5344>(8799) a hole <2356> in the lid <1817> of it, and set <5414>(8799) it beside <681> the altar <4196>, on the right side <3225> as one <376> cometh <935>(8800) into the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>: and the priests <3548> that kept <8104>(8802) the door <5592> put <5414>(8804) therein all the money <3701> that was brought <935>(8716) into the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>.
10. And it was so, when they saw <7200>(8800) that there was much <7227> money <3701> in the chest <727>, that the king's <4428> scribe <5608>(8802) and the high <1419> priest <3548> came up <5927>(8799), and they put up in bags <6696>(8799), and told <4487>(8799) the money <3701> that was found <4672>(8737) in the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>.
11. And they gave <5414>(8804) the money <3701>, being told <8505>(8794), into the hands <3027> of them that did <6213>(8802) the work <4399>, that had the oversight <6485>(8716)(8675) <6485>(8803) of the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>: and they laid it out <3318>(8686) to the carpenters <2796> <6086> and builders <1129>(8802), that wrought <6213>(8802) upon the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>,
12. And to masons <1443>(8802), and hewers <2672>(8802) of stone <68>, and to buy <7069>(8800) timber <6086> and hewed <4274> stone <68> to repair <2388>(8763) the breaches <919> of the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, and for all that was laid out <3318>(8799) for the house <1004> to repair <2394> it.
13. Howbeit there were not made <6213>(8735) for the house <1004> of the LORD <3068> bowls <5592> of silver <3701>, snuffers <4212>, basons <4219>, trumpets <2689>, any vessels <3627> of gold <2091>, or vessels <3627> of silver <3701>, of the money <3701> that was brought <935>(8716) into the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>:
14. But they gave <5414>(8799) that to the workmen <4399> <6213>(8802), and repaired <2388>(8765) therewith the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>.
15. Moreover they reckoned <2803>(8762) not with the men <582>, into whose hand <3027> they delivered <5414>(8799) the money <3701> to be bestowed <5414>(8800) on workmen <4399>: for they dealt <6213>(8802) faithfully <530>.
16. The trespass <817> money <3701> and sin <2403> money <3701> was not brought <935>(8714) into the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>: it was the priests <3548>'.
17. Then Hazael <2371> king <4428> of Syria <758> went up <5927>(8799), and fought <3898>(8735) against Gath <1661>, and took <3920>(8799) it: and Hazael <2371> set <7760>(8799) his face <6440> to go up <5927>(8800) to Jerusalem <3389>.
18. And Jehoash <3060> king <4428> of Judah <3063> took <3947>(8799) all the hallowed things <6944> that Jehoshaphat <3092>, and Jehoram <3088>, and Ahaziah <274>, his fathers <1>, kings <4428> of Judah <3063>, had dedicated <6942>(8689), and his own hallowed things <6944>, and all the gold <2091> that was found <4672>(8737) in the treasures <214> of the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, and in the king's <4428> house <1004>, and sent <7971>(8799) it to Hazael <2371> king <4428> of Syria <758>: and he went away <5927>(8799) from Jerusalem <3389>.
19. And the rest <3499> of the acts <1697> of Joash <3101>, and all that he did <6213>(8804), are they not written <3789>(8803) in the book <5612> of the chronicles <1697> <3117> of the kings <4428> of Judah <3063>?
20. And his servants <5650> arose <6965>(8799), and made <7194>(8799) a conspiracy <7195>, and slew <5221>(8686) Joash <3101> in the house <1004> of Millo <4407>(8677) <1037>, which goeth down <3381>(8802) to Silla <5538>.
21. For Jozachar <3108> the son <1121> of Shimeath <8100>, and Jehozabad <3075> the son <1121> of Shomer <7763>, his servants <5650>, smote <5221>(8689) him, and he died <4191>(8799); and they buried <6912>(8799) him with his fathers <1> in the city <5892> of David <1732>: and Amaziah <558> his son <1121> reigned <4427>(8799) in his stead.
Notes that are not verse specific
Ezekiel was told that he must not be afraid of what the rebellious Jews said to him, he must preach to them. There’s a good lesson for us there, too.
David Simpson [Worcester (UK)] Comment added in 2005 Reply to David
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1. And he said <559>(8799) unto me, Son <1121> of man <120>, stand <5975>(8798) upon thy feet <7272>, and I will speak <1696>(8762) unto thee.
2. And the spirit <7307> entered <935>(8799) into me when he spake <1696>(8765) unto me, and set <5975>(8686) me upon my feet <7272>, that I heard <8085>(8799) him that spake <1696>(8693) unto me.
3. And he said <559>(8799) unto me, Son <1121> of man <120>, I send <7971>(8802) thee to the children <1121> of Israel <3478>, to a rebellious <4775>(8802) nation <1471> that hath rebelled <4775>(8804) against me: they and their fathers <1> have transgressed <6586>(8804) against me, even unto this very <6106> day <3117>.
4. For they are impudent <7186> <6440> children <1121> and stiffhearted <2389> <3820>. I do send <7971>(8802) thee unto them; and thou shalt say <559>(8804) unto them, Thus saith <559>(8804) the Lord <136> GOD <3069>.
5. And they, whether they will hear <8085>(8799), or whether they will forbear <2308>(8799), (for they are a rebellious <4805> house <1004>,) yet shall know <3045>(8804) that there hath been a prophet <5030> among <8432> them.
6. And thou, son <1121> of man <120>, be not afraid <3372>(8799) of them, neither be afraid <3372>(8799) of their words <1697>, though briers <5621> and thorns <5544> be with thee, and thou dost dwell <3427>(8802) among scorpions <6137>: be not afraid <3372>(8799) of their words <1697>, nor be dismayed <2865>(8735) at their looks <6440>, though they be a rebellious <4805> house <1004>.
7. And thou shalt speak <1696>(8765) my words <1697> unto them, whether they will hear <8085>(8799), or whether they will forbear <2308>(8799): for they are most rebellious <4805>.
8. But thou, son <1121> of man <120>, hear <8085>(8798) what I say <1696>(8764) unto thee; Be not <1961>(8799) thou rebellious <4805> like that rebellious <4805> house <1004>: open <6475>(8798) thy mouth <6310>, and eat <398>(8798) that I give <5414>(8802) thee.
9. And when I looked <7200>(8799), behold, an hand <3027> was sent <7971>(8803) unto me; and, lo, a roll <4039> of a book <5612> was therein;
10. And he spread <6566>(8799) it before <6440> me; and it was written <3789>(8803) within <6440> and without <268>: and there was written <3789>(8803) therein lamentations <7015>, and mourning <1899>, and woe <1958>.
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1. Moreover <1161>, brethren <80>, we do <1107> <0> you <5213> to wit <1107>(5719) of the grace <5485> of God <2316> bestowed <1325>(5772) on <1722> the churches <1577> of Macedonia <3109>;
2. How that <3754> in <1722> a great <4183> trial <1382> of affliction <2347> the abundance <4050> of their <846> joy <5479> and <2532> their <846> deep <899> poverty <2596> <4432> abounded <4052>(5656) unto <1519> the riches <4149> of their <846> liberality <572>.
3. For <3754> to <2596> their power <1411>, I bear record <3140>(5719), yea, and <2532> beyond <5228> their power <1411> they were willing of themselves <830>;
4. Praying <1189>(5740) us <2257> with <3326> much <4183> intreaty <3874> that we <2248> would receive <1209>(5664) the gift <5485>, and <2532> take upon us the fellowship <2842> of the ministering <1248> to <1519> the saints <40>.
5. And <2532> this they did, not <3756> as <2531> we hoped <1679>(5656), but <235> first <4412> gave <1325>(5656) their own selves <1438> to the Lord <2962>, and <2532> unto us <2254> by <1223> the will <2307> of God <2316>.
6. Insomuch <1519> that we <2248> desired <3870>(5658) Titus <5103>, that <2443> as <2531> he had begun <4278>(5662), so <3779> he would <2005> <0> also <2532> finish <2005>(5661) in <1519> you <5209> the same <5026> grace <5485> also <2532>.
7. Therefore <235>, as <5618> ye abound <4052>(5719) in <1722> every <3956> thing, in faith <4102>, and <2532> utterance <3056>, and <2532> knowledge <1108>, and <2532> in all <3956> diligence <4710>, and <2532> in your <5216> love <26> <1537> to <1722> us <2254>, see that <2443> ye abound <4052>(5725) in <1722> this <5026> grace <5485> also <2532>.
8. I speak <3004>(5719) not <3756> by <2596> commandment <2003>, but <235> by occasion <1223> of the forwardness <4710> of others <2087>, and <2532> to prove <1381>(5723) the sincerity <1103> of your <5212> love <26>.
9. For <1063> ye know <1097>(5719)(5720) the grace <5485> of our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, that <3754>, though he was <5607>(5752) rich <4145>, yet for <1223> <0> your <5209> sakes <1223> he became poor <4433>(5656), that <2443> ye <5210> through his <1565> poverty <4432> might be rich <4147>(5661).
10. And <2532> herein <1722> <5129> I give <1325>(5719) my advice <1106>: for <1063> this <5124> is expedient <4851>(5719) for you <5213>, who <3748> have begun before <4278>(5662), not <3756> only <3440> to do <4160>(5658), but <235> also <2532> to be forward <2309>(5721) a year <4070> ago <575>.
11. Now <3570> <1161> therefore <2532> perform <2005>(5657) the doing <4160>(5658) of it; that <3704> as <2509> there was a readiness <4288> to will <2309>(5721), so <3779> there may be a performance <2005>(5658) also <2532> out of <1537> that which ye have <2192>(5721).
12. For <1063> if there <1487> be first <4295>(5736) a willing mind <4288>, it is accepted <2144> according to <2526> that <1437> a man <5100> hath <2192>(5725), and not <3756> according to that <2526> he hath <2192>(5719) not <3756>.
13. For <1063> I mean not <3756> that <2443> other men <243> be eased <425>, and <1161> ye <5213> burdened <2347>:
14. But <235> by <1537> an equality <2471>, that now <3568> at <1722> this time <2540> your <5216> abundance <4051> may be a supply for <1519> their <1565> want <5303>, that <2443> their <1565> abundance <4051> also <2532> may be <1096>(5638) a supply for <1519> your <5216> want <5303>: that <3704> there may be <1096>(5638) equality <2471>:
15. As <2531> it is written <1125>(5769), He that had gathered <3588> much <4183> had <4121> <0> nothing <3756> over <4121>(5656); and <2532> he that had gathered <3588> little <3641> had <1641> <0> no <3756> lack <1641>(5656).
16. But <1161> thanks <5485> be to God <2316>, which <3588> put <1325>(5723) the same <846> earnest care <4710> into <1722> the heart <2588> of Titus <5103> for <5228> you <5216>.
17. For <3754> indeed <3303> he accepted <1209>(5662) the exhortation <3874>; but <1161> being <5225>(5723) more forward <4707>, of his own accord <830> he went <1831>(5627) unto <4314> you <5209>.
18. And <1161> we have sent <4842>(5656) with <3326> him <846> the brother <80>, whose <3739> praise <1868> is in <1722> the gospel <2098> throughout <1223> all <3956> the churches <1577>;
19. And <1161> not <3756> that only <3440>, but <235> who was <5500> <0> also <2532> chosen <5500>(5685) of <5259> the churches <1577> to travel <4898> with us <2257> with <4862> this <5026> grace <5485>, which <3588> is administered <1247>(5746) by <5259> us <2257> to <4314> the glory <1391> of the same Lord <2962>, and <2532> declaration of your <5216> ready mind <4288>:
20. Avoiding <4724>(5734) this <5124>, that no <3361> man <5100> should blame <3469>(5667) us <2248> in <1722> this <5026> abundance <100> which <3588> is administered <1247>(5746) by <5259> us <2257>:
21. Providing <4306>(5734) for honest things <2570>, not <3756> only <3440> in the sight <1799> of the Lord <2962>, but <235> also <2532> in the sight <1799> of men <444>.
22. And <1161> we have sent <4842>(5656) with them <846> our <2257> brother <80>, whom <3739> we have <1381> <0> oftentimes <4178> proved <1381>(5656) <5607>(5752) diligent <4705> in <1722> many things <4183>, but <1161> now <3570> much <4183> more diligent <4707>, upon the great <4183> confidence <4006> which <3588> I have in <1519> you <5209>.
23. Whether <1535> any do enquire of <5228> Titus <5103>, he is my <1699> partner <2844> and <2532> fellowhelper <4904> concerning <1519> you <5209>: or <1535> our <2257> brethren <80> be enquired of, they are the messengers <652> of the churches <1577>, and the glory <1391> of Christ <5547>.
24. Wherefore <3767> shew ye <1731>(5669) to <1519> them <846>, and <2532> before <1519> <4383> the churches <1577>, the proof <1732> of your <5216> love <26>, and <2532> of our <2257> boasting <2746> on <5228> <0> your <5216> behalf <5228>.
1. For <1063> as <3303> touching <4012> the ministering <1248> to <1519> the saints <40>, it is <2076>(5748) superfluous <4053> for me <3427> to write <1125>(5721) to you <5213>:
2. For <1063> I know <1492>(5758) the forwardness of <4288> <0> your <5216> mind <4288>, for which <3739> I boast <2744>(5736) of <5228> you <5216> to them of Macedonia <3110>, that <3754> Achaia <882> was ready <3903>(5769) a year <4070> ago <575>; and <2532> your <5216> zeal <2205> <1537> hath provoked <2042>(5656) very many <4119>.
3. Yet <1161> have I sent <3992>(5656) the brethren <80>, lest <3363> our <2257> boasting <2745> of <5228> you <5216> should be in vain <2758>(5686) in <1722> this <5129> behalf <3313>; that <2443>, as <2531> I said <3004>(5707), ye may be <5600>(5753) ready <3903>(5772):
4. Lest <3381> haply <4458> if <1437> they of Macedonia <3110> come <2064>(5632) with <4862> me <1698>, and <2532> find <2147>(5627) you <5209> unprepared <532>, we <2249> (that <2443> <3363> <0> we say <3004>(5725) not <3363>, ye <5210>) should be ashamed <2617>(5686) in <1722> this same <5026> confident <5287> boasting <2746>.
5. Therefore <3767> I thought <2233>(5662) it necessary <316> to exhort <3870>(5658) the brethren <80>, that <2443> they would go before <4281>(5632) unto <1519> you <5209>, and <2532> make up beforehand <4294>(5661) your <5216> bounty <2129>, whereof ye had notice before <4293>(5772), that the same <5026> might be <1511>(5750) ready <2092>, <3779> as <5613> a matter of bounty <2129>, and <2532> not <3361> as <5618> of covetousness <4124>.
6. But <1161> this <5124> I say, He which soweth <4687>(5723) sparingly <5340> shall reap <2325>(5692) also <2532> sparingly <5340>; and <2532> he which soweth <4687>(5723) bountifully <1909> <2129> shall reap <2325>(5692) also <2532> bountifully <1909> <2129>.
7. Every man <1538> according as <2531> he purposeth <4255>(5736) in his heart <2588>, so let him give; not <3361> grudgingly <1537> <3077>, or <2228> of <1537> necessity <318>: for <1063> God <2316> loveth <25>(5719) a cheerful <2431> giver <1395>.
8. And <1161> God <2316> is able <1415> to make <4052> <0> all <3956> grace <5485> abound <4052>(5658) toward <1519> you <5209>; that <2443> ye, always <3842> having <2192>(5723) all <3956> sufficiency <841> in <1722> all <3956> things, may abound <4052>(5725) to <1519> every <3956> good <18> work <2041>:
9. (As <2531> it is written <1125>(5769), He hath dispersed abroad <4650>(5656); he hath given <1325>(5656) to the poor <3993>: his <846> righteousness <1343> remaineth <3306>(5719) for <1519> ever <165>.
10. Now <1161> he that ministereth <2023>(5723) seed <4690> to the sower <4687>(5723) both <2532> minister <5524>(5659) bread <740> for <1519> your food <1035>, and <2532> multiply <4129>(5659) your <5216> seed sown <4703>, and <2532> increase <837>(5659) the fruits <1081> of your <5216> righteousness <1343>;)
11. Being enriched <4148>(5746) in <1722> every thing <3956> to <1519> all <3956> bountifulness <572>, which <3748> causeth <2716>(5736) through <1223> us <2257> thanksgiving <2169> to God <2316>.
12. For <3754> the administration <1248> of this <5026> service <3009> not <3756> only <3440> supplieth <2076>(5748) <4322>(5723) the want <5303> of the saints <40>, but <235> is abundant <4052>(5723) also <2532> by <1223> many <4183> thanksgivings <2169> unto God <2316>;
13. Whiles by <1223> the experiment <1382> of this <5026> ministration <1248> they glorify <1392>(5723) God <2316> for <1909> your <5216> professed <3671> subjection <5292> unto <1519> the gospel <2098> of Christ <5547>, and <2532> for your liberal <572> distribution <2842> unto <1519> them <846>, and <2532> unto <1519> all <3956> men;
14. And <2532> by their <846> prayer <1162> for <5228> you <5216>, which long after <1971>(5723) you <5209> for <1223> the exceeding <5235>(5723) grace <5485> of God <2316> in <1909> you <5213>.
15. <1161> Thanks <5485> be unto God <2316> for <1909> his <846> unspeakable <411> gift <1431>.