I, the Lord, affirm ¹  that I am opposed to those prophets who dream up lies and report them. They are misleading my people with their reckless lies. ²  I did not send them. I did not commission them. They are not helping these people at all. ³  I, the Lord, affirm it!” ⁴ 

For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, ¹  but we are speaking in Christ before ²  God as persons of sincerity, ³  as persons sent from God.

For “physical exercise ¹  has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”

For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in ¹  with those who heard it in faith. ² 

For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.

and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, ¹  what good is it?

That person sings ¹  to others, ²  saying: ‘I have sinned and falsified what is right, but I was not punished according to what I deserved. ³ 

When someone’s ¹  prosperity ²  increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner ³  gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes? ⁴ 

“‘See, I strike my hands together ¹  at the dishonest profit you have made, and at the bloodshed ²  they have done among you.

For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines ¹  of Artemis, ²  brought a great deal ³  of business ⁴  to the craftsmen.

Give a shepherd’s care to ¹  God’s flock among you, exercising oversight ²  not merely as a duty ³  but willingly under God’s direction, ⁴  not for shameful profit but eagerly.

Does he argue ¹  with useless ²  talk, with words that have no value in them?

They destroy ¹  my path; they succeed in destroying me ²  without anyone assisting ³  them.

So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; ¹  without knowledge he multiplies words.”

Will partners ¹  bargain ²  for it? Will they divide it up ³  among the merchants?

The reward ¹  which the righteous receive ²  is life; the recompense ³  which the wicked receive ⁴  is judgment. ⁵ 

The plans of the diligent ¹  lead ²  only to plenty, ³  but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. ⁴ 

They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.’ ¹ 

Then ¹  the second one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has made five minas.’

Most excellent Felix, ¹  we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way ²  with all gratitude. ³