2 Corinthians 12:17

So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.

He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek.

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,

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.

But you know the proof of him, that as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.

to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’

Please take the gift that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” He urged him, and he took it.

Elisha said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you.

But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”

He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?

for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.

I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,

to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now this present which your servant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord.

Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”

Then Daniel answered before the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.

Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies.

Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.

For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.

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

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

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

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

Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men.

If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is witness between me and you.”

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.”

She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

She said to him, “Give me a blessing; because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” Then Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless 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.”

When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, “Behold, a present for you from the plunder of Yahweh’s enemies.”

Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.

He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.”

But he said, “As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused.

Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.

He who denounces his friends for plunder, Even the eyes of his children will fail.

For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” and the prophets, “Don’t prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits.

Don’t listen to Hezekiah, for the king of Assyria says, ‘Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and each of you eat from his vine, and each one from his fig tree, and each one of you drink the waters of his own cistern;

“For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness. From the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.

For there will be no more any false vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

Yahweh says concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; for those who feed their teeth, they proclaim, “Peace!” and whoever doesn’t provide for their mouths, they prepare war against him:

“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says Yahweh of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”

I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit

Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.

Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

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.

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

Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.

I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.

I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

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

not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;

But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

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

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;