For our object is not to give relief to others and bring distress on you, but, by equalizing matters, to secure that,

God has power to shower all kinds of blessings upon you, so that, having, under all circumstances and on all occasions, all that you can need, you may be able to shower all kinds of benefits upon others.

Through the evidence afforded by the service thus rendered, you cause men to praise God for your fidelity to your profession of faith in the Good News of the Christ, as well as for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others.

Our boasting, therefore, is not unlimited, nor does it extend to the labors of others; but our hope is that, as your faith grows, our influence among you may be very greatly increased-- though still confined to our sphere--

So that we shall be able to tell the Good News in the districts beyond you, without trespassing on the sphere assigned to others, or boasting of what has been already done.

For, if some new-comer is proclaiming a Jesus other than him whom we proclaimed, or if you are receiving a Spirit different from the Spirit which you received, or a Good News different from that which you welcomed, then you are marvelously tolerant!

I robbed other churches by taking pay from them, so that I might serve you!

I admit, to my shame, that we have been weak. But whatever the subject on which others are not afraid to boast--though it is foolish to say so--I am not afraid either!

And, not to speak of other things, there is my daily burden of anxiety about all the Churches.

In what respect, I ask, were you treated worse than the other Churches, unless it was that, for my part, I refused to become a burden to you? Forgive me the wrong I thus did you!

For I am afraid that perhaps, when I come, I may find that you are not what I want you to be, and, on the other hand, that you may find that I am what you do not want me to be. I am afraid that I may find quarreling, jealousy, ill-feeling, rivalry, slandering, back-biting, self-assertion, and disorder.

I have said it, and I say it again before I come, just as if I were with you on my second visit, though for the moment absent, I say to those who have been long sinning, as well as to all others--that if I come again, I shall spare no one.

Yet even if we--or if an angel from Heaven were to tell you any other 'Good News' than that which we told you, may he be accursed!

We have said it before, and I repeat it now--If any one tells you a 'Good News' other than that which you received, may he be accursed!

I did not, however, see any other Apostle, except James, the Master's brother.

Scripture says that Abraham had two sons, one the child of the slave-woman and the other the child of the free woman.

To enable you, as well as others, to know all that concerns me and what I am doing, Tychicus, our dear Brother and faithful helper in the Master's Cause, will tell you everything.

It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good- will.

But what of that? Only that in some way or other, either with assumed or with real earnestness, Christ is being made known; and at that I rejoice.

Nothing should be done in a factious spirit or from vanity, but each of you should with all humility regard others as of more account than himself,

And one and all should consider, not only their own interests, but also the interests of others.

And that is why God raised him to the very highest place, and gave him the Name which stands above all other names,

Yes, and I ask you, my true comrade, to help them, remembering that they toiled by my side in spreading the Good News; and so, too, did Clement and my other fellow-workers, whose names are 'in the Book of Life.'

And to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them.

Nor did we seek to win honour from men, whether from you or from others, although, as Apostles of Christ, we might have burdened you with our support.

We do not wish you to remain in ignorance, Brothers, with regard to those who have passed to their rest, that your grief may not be like that of others, who have no hope.

Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.

Yet mercy was shown me for the express purpose that Christ Jesus might exhibit in my case, beyond all others, his exhaustless patience, as an example for those who were afterwards to believe on him and attain Immortal Life.

but rebuke offenders publicly, so that others may take warning.

Never ordain any one hastily, and take no part in the wrong-doing of others. Keep your life pure.

There are some men whose sins are conspicuous and lead on to judgment, while there are others whose sins dog their steps.

and what you learnt from me, in the presence of many listeners, entrust to reliable men, who will be able in their turn to teach others.

Now in a large house there are not only things of gold and silver, but also others of wood and earthenware, some for better and some for common use.

but wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and deceived themselves.

Everything that is written under divine inspiration is helpful for teaching, for refuting error, for giving guidance, and for training others in righteousness;

who holds doctrine that can be relied on as being in accordance with the accepted Teaching; so that he may be able to encourage others by sound teaching, as well as to refute our opponents.

to be forbearing, and under all circumstances to show a gentle spirit in dealing with others, whoever they may be.

On the other hand, we read in that passage-- ' They shall never enter upon my Rest.'

For whereas, considering the time that has elapsed, you ought to be teaching others, you still need some one to teach you the very alphabet of the Divine Revelation, and need again to be fed with 'milk' instead of with 'solid food.'

In the one case the tithes are received by mortal men; in the other case by one about whom there is the statement that his life still continues.

(for the Law never brought anything to perfection); and, on the other hand, we have the introduction of a better hope, which enables us to draw near to God.

Every other priest stands day after day at his ministrations, and offers the same sacrifices over and over again--sacrifices that can never take sins away.

Others had to face taunts and blows, and even chains and imprisonment.

Never forget to do kindly acts and to share what you have with others, for such sacrifices are acceptable to God.

I do not want many of you, my Brothers, to become teachers, knowing, as you do, that we who teach shall be judged by a more severe standard than others.

What credit can you claim when, after doing wrong, you take your punishment for it patiently? But, on the other hand, if, after doing right, you take your sufferings patiently, that does win the approval of God.

And, because you do not run to the same extremes of profligacy as others, they are astonished, and malign you.

Whatever the gift that each has received, use it in the service of others, as good stewards of the varied bounty of God.

When any one speaks, let him speak as one who is delivering the oracles of God. When any one is endeavoring to serve others, let him do so in reliance on the strength which God supplies; so that in everything God may be honour ed through Jesus Christ--to whom be ascribed all honour and might for ever and ever. Amen.

Nor did he spare the world of old; though he preserved Noah, the Preacher of Righteousness, and seven others, when he brought a flood upon the godless world.

It is the same in all his letters, when he speaks in them about these subjects. There are some things in them difficult to understand, which untaught and weak people distort, just as they do all other writings, to their own Ruin.

To these men, as to others, Enoch, the seventh in descent from Adam, declared-- 'See! the Lord has come with his hosts of holy ones around him,

To others show pity, but with caution, hating the very clothing polluted by their touch.

And round the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these I saw twenty-four Councillors sitting clothed in white robes; and on their heads they had crowns of gold.

And, in my vision, I heard an eagle flying in mid-heaven and crying in a loud voice--'Woe, woe, woe for all who live on the earth, at the other trumpet-blasts of the three angels who have yet to blow.'