And you followed the example set by us and by the Lord, for though our message brought you great trouble, you welcomed it with joy inspired by the holy Spirit,

For you, brothers, followed the example of God's churches in Judea that are in union with Christ Jesus, for you in your turn had to bear the same ill-treatment from your neighbors as they did from the Jews,

and encourage you not to be led astray, any of you, in all these troubles. You know yourselves that this is what we must expect,

The abundance

and sold their property and belongings, and divided the money with all the rest, according to their special needs.

Their deep

A poor widow came up and dropped in two little copper coins which make a cent.

And looking up, he saw the rich people dropping their gifts into the treasury.

Listen, my dear brothers. Has not God chosen the world's poor to be rich in faith, and to possess the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

I know of your distress and poverty??hough you are rich!?? know how you are slandered by those who claim to be Jews when they are not so, but only a synagogue of Satan!

The riches

pained, when I am always glad, poor, when I make many others rich, penniless, when really I own everything.

You will grow rich in every way, so that through me you can show perfect liberality that will make men thank God for it.

Liberality

For my boast is what my conscience tells me, that my relations to the world and still more to you have been marked by pure motives and godly sincerity, not by worldly shrewdness but by the favor of God.

the speaker, in his exhortation, the giver of charity, with generosity, the office-holder, with devotion, the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.