2 Corinthians 12:16

For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind,

I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.

For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,

If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we didn’t use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ.

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?

Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God;

It will happen, that fishermen will stand by it. From En Gedi even to En Eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be after their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”

If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

We also speak these things, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.

Moses was very angry, and said to Yahweh, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.”

“Now therefore fear Yahweh, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve Yahweh.

Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”

I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.

Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ and those who handle the law didn’t know me. The rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed things that do not profit.

As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him.

After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!”

He said to another, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”

Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”

In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?

For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles.

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?

that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ,

For it is a shame even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.

For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,

In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.

In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.

knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts

Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? Be it far from me! Don’t let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more.”

that this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. When Yahweh has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”

Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Yahweh without wavering.

Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.

Therefore let’s keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.

I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else.

so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,

For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.

For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

You are witnesses with God how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.

I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.

This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him,

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”