If there be
among you
a poor man
of one
of thy brethren
within any of thy
gates
in thy
land which the LORD
thy God
giveth thee,
thou shalt not harden
thine heart,
nor shut
thine hand
from thy poor brother:
But
thou shalt open
thine hand wide
unto him,
and shalt surely lend him
sufficient
for his need,
in that
which he wanteth.
Beware that
there be not
a thought
in thy wicked heart,
saying,
The seventh year,
the year
of release,
is at hand;
and thine
eye
be evil
against thy poor brother,
and
thou givest him
nought;
and he
cry
unto the LORD
against thee,
and it
be sin
unto thee.
Thou shalt surely give him,
and thine heart
shall not be grieved
when
thou
givest unto him:
because
that for this thing
the LORD thy God
shall bless thee
in all
thy works,
and in all
that thou
puttest thine hand unto.
For the poor
shall never cease
out of the land:
therefore I
command thee,
saying,
Thou
shalt open
thine hand wide
unto thy brother,
to thy poor,
and to thy needy,
in thy land.
And
if thy brother,
an Hebrew man,
or an Hebrew woman,
be sold
unto thee,
and serve
thee six years;
then
in the seventh year
thou shalt let him
go free
from thee.
And
when
thou sendest him
out free
from thee,
thou shalt not let him
go away empty:
Thou shalt furnish him liberally
out of thy flock,
and
out of thy floor,
and
out of thy winepress:
of that
wherewith
the LORD thy God
hath blessed thee
thou
shalt give unto him.
And
thou shalt remember that
thou wast a bondman
in the land
of Egypt,
and the LORD
thy God
redeemed thee:
therefore I
command thee
this thing
to day.
And,
behold,
there came
an old man
from his work
out of the field
at even,
which was also
of mount Ephraim;
and he
sojourned
in Gibeah:
but the men
of the place
were Benjamites.
And
when
he had lifted
up his eyes,
he saw a
wayfaring man
in the street
of the city:
and the old man said,
Whither goest thou?
and whence comest thou?
And
he said unto him,
We are passing
from Bethlehemjudah
toward the side
of mount Ephraim;
from thence am I:
and
I went to Bethlehemjudah,
but
I am now going
to the house
of the LORD;
and there is
no man
that receiveth me
to house.
Yet there is both straw
and provender
for our asses;
and there is bread
and wine
also for me,
and for thy handmaid,
and for the young man
which is with thy servants:
there is
no want
of any thing.
And the old man said,
Peace
be
with thee;
howsoever
let all
thy wants
lie upon me;
only lodge not
in the street.
So he
brought him
into his house,
and gave provender
unto the asses:
and
they washed
their feet,
and did eat
and drink.
And Naomi
had
a kinsman
of her husband's,
a mighty man
of wealth,
of the family
of Elimelech;
and his name
was Boaz.
And
I said unto them,
We after our ability
have redeemed
our brethren the Jews,
which were sold
unto the heathen;
and will
ye even sell
your brethren?
or shall
they
be sold unto us?
Then held
they their peace,
and found nothing
to answer.
Also I said,
It is not good
that
ye do:
ought
ye not
to walk
in the fear
of our God
because
of the reproach
of the heathen our enemies?
I likewise,
and my brethren,
and my servants,
might exact
of them money
and corn:
I pray you,
let us
leave off
this usury.
Restore,
I pray you,
to them,
even this day,
their lands,
their vineyards,
their oliveyards,
and their houses,
also the hundredth part
of the money,
and of the corn,
the wine,
and the oil,
that ye
exact of them.
Then said they,
We will restore them,
and will require nothing
of them;
so will
we do
as thou sayest.
Then
I called
the priests,
and took
an oath
of them,
that they
should do according to
this promise.
Then
he said unto them,
Go your way,
eat the fat,
and drink
the sweet,
and send portions
unto them for whom nothing
is prepared:
for this day
is holy
unto our LORD:
neither be
ye sorry;
for the joy
of the LORD
is your strength.
So the Levites
stilled all
the people,
saying,
Hold your peace,
for the day
is holy;
neither be
ye grieved.
When the ear
heard me,
then it
blessed me;
and
when the eye
saw me,
it gave
witness to me:
Because
I delivered
the poor
that cried,
and the fatherless,
and him
that had none
to help him.
The blessing
of him that
was ready
to perish came upon me:
and
I caused
the widow's heart
to sing
for joy.
I put on
righteousness,
and it
clothed me:
my judgment
was as a robe
and a diadem.
I was
eyes
to the blind,
and feet
was I to the lame.
I was a father
to the poor:
and the cause
which I
knew not I searched out.
And
I brake
the jaws
of the wicked,
and plucked
the spoil
out of his teeth.
If I
have withheld the poor
from their desire,
or have caused
the eyes
of the widow
to fail;
Or have eaten
my morsel myself alone,
and the fatherless
hath not eaten
thereof;
(For
from my youth
he was brought up with me,
as with a father,
and
I have guided her
from my mother's womb;)
If I
have seen any
perish
for want
of clothing,
or any poor
without covering;
If his loins
have not blessed me,
and
if he
were not warmed
with the fleece
of my sheep;
If I
have lifted
up my hand
against the fatherless,
when
I saw
my help
in the gate:
Then let
mine
arm
fall
from my shoulder blade,
and mine
arm
be broken
from the bone.
For destruction
from God
was a terror to me,
and by reason
of his highness
I could not endure.
Blessed
is
he that
considereth the poor:
the LORD
will deliver him
in time
of trouble.
He hath dispersed,
he hath given
to the poor;
his righteousness
endureth for ever;
his horn
shall be exalted
with honour.
Withhold not good
from them to whom
it is due,
when it
is in the power
of thine hand
to do it.
Say not
unto thy neighbour,
Go,
and come again,
and to morrow
I will give;
when
thou hast it
by thee.
The liberal soul
shall be made fat:
and he
that watereth
shall be watered also
himself.
He that
hath
a bountiful eye
shall be blessed;
for he
giveth of his bread
to the poor.
If thine enemy
be hungry,
give him bread
to eat;
and
if he
be thirsty,
give him
water to drink:
He that
giveth unto the poor
shall not lack:
but
he that
hideth his eyes
shall have
many a curse.
The inhabitants
of the land
of Tema
brought
water
to him
that was thirsty,
they prevented
with their bread
him that fled.
Is it
not
to deal thy bread
to the hungry,
and
that thou
bring
the poor
that
are cast out
to thy house?
when
thou seest the naked,
that thou
cover him;
and
that thou
hide not thyself
from thine own flesh?
And
if thou
draw out thy soul
to the hungry,
and satisfy
the afflicted soul;
then shall
thy light
rise
in obscurity,
and thy darkness
be
as the noon day:
And hath not oppressed any,
but hath restored
to the debtor his pledge,
hath spoiled none
by violence,
hath given his bread
to the hungry,
and hath covered
the naked
with a garment;
Give
to him
that asketh thee,
and from him that
would borrow
of thee
turn not thou away.
Jesus
said unto him,
If thou
wilt be perfect,
go and sell that
thou hast,
and give
to the poor,
and
thou shalt have
treasure
in heaven:
and come
and follow me.
For I
was an hungred,
and
ye gave me meat:
I was thirsty,
and
ye gave me drink:
I was a stranger,
and
ye took me in:
Naked,
and
ye clothed me:
I was sick,
and
ye visited me:
I was in prison,
and
ye came unto me.
Then shall
the righteous
answer him,
saying,
Lord,
when saw
we thee
an hungred,
and fed thee?
or thirsty,
and gave thee drink?
When saw
we thee
a stranger,
and took thee in?
or naked,
and clothed thee?
Or when
saw
we thee sick,
or in prison,
and came
unto thee?
And the King
shall answer
and
say unto them,
Verily I
say unto you,
Inasmuch as
ye have done it
unto one
of the least
of these my brethren,
ye have done it
unto me.
Then shall
he say also
unto them
on the left hand,
Depart from me,
ye cursed,
into everlasting fire,
prepared
for the devil
and his angels:
For I
was an hungred,
and
ye gave me no meat:
I was thirsty,
and ye
gave me
no drink:
I was a stranger,
and
ye took me not in:
naked,
and
ye clothed me not:
sick,
and in prison,
and
ye visited me not.
Then shall
they also answer him,
saying,
Lord,
when saw
we thee
an hungred,
or athirst,
or a stranger,
or naked,
or sick,
or in prison,
and did not minister
unto thee?
Then shall
he answer them,
saying,
Verily I
say unto you,
Inasmuch as
ye did it
not to one
of the least
of these,
ye did it not to me.
For whosoever
shall give
you a cup
of water
to drink
in my name,
because
ye belong
to Christ,
verily
I say unto you,
he shall not lose
his reward.
He answereth
and
saith unto them,
He that
hath two coats,
let him
impart to him
that hath none;
and he that
hath meat,
let him do likewise.
But a certain Samaritan,
as he journeyed,
came
where he was:
and
when he
saw him,
he had compassion
on him,
And went to him,
and bound
up his wounds,
pouring in oil
and wine,
and set him
on his own beast,
and brought him
to an inn,
and took care of him.
And on the morrow
when he departed,
he took out two pence,
and gave them
to the host,
and
said unto him,
Take care of him;
and whatsoever
thou spendest more,
when
I come again,
I will repay thee.
But
rather give alms
of such things
as ye have;
and,
behold,
all things
are clean
unto you.
And Zacchaeus stood,
and said
unto the Lord:
Behold, Lord,
the half
of my goods
I give
to the poor;
and
if I
have taken any thing
from any man
by false accusation,
I restore him
fourfold.
And
all
that believed
were together,
and had all
things common;
And sold
their possessions
and goods,
and parted them
to all men,
as every man
had need.
And they,
continuing daily
with one accord
in the temple,
and breaking bread
from house to house,
did eat their meat
with gladness
and singleness
of heart,
And the multitude
of them that
believed
were of one heart
and of one soul:
neither said any
of them that ought
of the things
which he
possessed
was his own;
but
they had all
things common.
And
with great power
gave the apostles witness
of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus:
and great grace
was upon them all.
Neither was there any
among them that lacked:
for as many
as were possessors
of lands
or houses
sold them,
and brought
the prices
of the things
that were sold,
And laid
them down
at the apostles' feet:
and distribution
was made
unto every man
according as he
had need.
And Joses,
who by the apostles
was surnamed Barnabas,
(which is,
being interpreted,
The son
of consolation,)
a Levite,
and
of the country
of Cyprus,
Having land,
sold it,
and brought
the money,
and laid it
at the apostles' feet.
And in those days,
when
the number
of the disciples
was multiplied,
there arose
a murmuring
of the Grecians
against the Hebrews,
because
their widows
were neglected
in the daily ministration.
A devout man,
and one
that feared God
with all his house,
which gave much alms
to the people,
and prayed
to God alway.
And
when
he looked on him,
he was afraid,
and said,
What is it,
Lord?
And
he said unto him,
Thy prayers
and thine alms
are come up
for a memorial
before God.
Then the disciples,
every man
according to his ability,
determined
to send
relief unto the brethren
which dwelt
in Judaea:
For it
hath pleased them
of Macedonia
and Achaia
to make
a certain contribution
for the poor saints
which are at Jerusalem.
It hath pleased them verily;
and their debtors
they are.
For if
the Gentiles
have been made partakers
of their spiritual things,
their duty
is also
to minister
unto them
in carnal things.
And
though I
bestow all
my goods
to feed
the poor,
and
though I
give my body
to be burned,
and have not
charity,
it profiteth me
nothing.
Now concerning
the collection
for the saints,
as I
have given
order
to the churches
of Galatia,
even so
do ye.
Upon the first day
of the week
let
every one
of you
lay
by him in store,
as God
hath prospered him,
that there be
no gatherings
when I come.
And when I come,
whomsoever
ye shall approve
by your letters,
them will
I send
to bring your liberality
unto Jerusalem.
Moreover,
brethren,
we do you
to wit
of the grace
of God
bestowed
on the churches
of Macedonia;
How that
in a great trial
of affliction the abundance
of their joy
and their deep poverty
abounded
unto the riches
of their liberality.
For to their power,
I bear record,
yea,
and
beyond their power
they were willing
of themselves;
Praying us
with much intreaty
that we
would receive
the gift,
and take
upon us the fellowship
of the ministering
to the saints.
And this
they did,
not as we hoped,
but first gave
their own selves
to the Lord,
and unto us
by the will
of God.
Insomuch
that we
desired Titus,
that as he
had begun,
so he
would also finish
in you
the same grace also.
Therefore,
as ye abound
in every thing,
in faith,
and utterance,
and knowledge,
and
in all diligence,
and
in your love to us,
see that
ye abound
in this grace also.
I speak not
by commandment,
but by occasion
of the forwardness
of others,
and
to prove the sincerity
of your love.
For ye
know the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that,
though he
was rich,
yet for your sakes
he became poor,
that ye
through his poverty
might be rich.
And herein
I give my advice:
for this
is expedient
for you,
who have begun before,
not only to do,
but also
to be
forward
a year ago.
Now therefore perform the doing
of it;
that as
there was a readiness
to will,
so there may be a performance
also out of that
which ye have.
For if
there be first a willing mind,
it is accepted according to
that a man hath,
and
not according to
that he
hath not.
For I
mean not
that other men
be eased,
and
ye burdened:
But by an equality,
that now at this time
your abundance
may be a supply
for their want,
that their abundance
also may be a supply
for your want:
that there may be
equality:
As it is written,
He that
had gathered
much had nothing over;
and he
that had gathered little
had no lack.
Wherefore shew
ye to them,
and
before the churches,
the proof
of your love,
and of our boasting
on your behalf.
For as touching
the ministering
to the saints,
it is superfluous
for me
to write
to you:
But this
I say,
He
which soweth
sparingly shall reap
also sparingly;
and he which
soweth
bountifully shall reap
also bountifully.
Every man
according as he
purposeth in his heart,
so let him give;
not grudgingly,
or of necessity:
for God
loveth a cheerful giver.
And God
is able
to make
all grace
abound toward you;
that ye,
always having all sufficiency
in all things,
may abound
to every good work:
(As it
is written,
He hath dispersed abroad;
he hath given
to the poor:
his righteousness
remaineth for ever.
Now he that
ministereth
seed
to the sower both minister bread
for your food,
and multiply
your seed sown,
and increase
the fruits
of your righteousness;)
Being enriched
in every thing
to all bountifulness,
which causeth through us thanksgiving
to God.
For the administration
of this service
not only supplieth
the want
of the saints,
but is abundant
also by many thanksgivings
unto God;
Whiles
by the experiment
of this ministration
they glorify God
for your professed subjection
unto the gospel
of Christ,
and
for your liberal distribution
unto them,
and
unto all men;
And
by their prayer
for you,
which long
after you
for the exceeding
grace of God in you.
Thanks
be unto God
for his unspeakable gift.
Only they
would
that we
should remember
the poor;
the same which
I also was
forward to do.
But I
rejoiced
in the Lord greatly,
that now at the last
your care
of me hath flourished again;
wherein ye
were also careful,
but
ye lacked
opportunity.
Not that
I speak
in respect
of want:
for I
have learned,
in whatsoever state
I am,
therewith to be content.
I know both
how to be abased,
and
I know how
to abound:
every
where and
in all things
I am instructed
both to be full
and
to be hungry,
both to
abound and
to suffer need.
I can do
all things
through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
Notwithstanding
ye have well done,
that ye
did communicate
with my affliction.
Now
ye Philippians
know also,
that in the beginning
of the gospel,
when I
departed
from Macedonia,
no church
communicated
with me as
concerning giving
and receiving,
but ye only.
For even in Thessalonica
ye sent once and
again unto my necessity.
Not
because
I desire a gift:
but
I desire fruit
that may abound
to your account.
But I
have all,
and abound:
I am full,
having received
of Epaphroditus
the things
which were sent
from you,
an odour
of a sweet smell,
a sacrifice acceptable,
wellpleasing
to God.
But
if any
provide not
for his own,
and specially for those
of his own house,
he hath denied
the faith,
and is worse
than an infidel.
If any man
or woman
that believeth
have widows,
let them
relieve them,
and let not
the church
be charged;
that it
may relieve them
that are widows indeed.
That they
do good,
that they
be
rich in good works,
ready
to distribute,
willing
to communicate;
The Lord
give mercy
unto the house
of Onesiphorus;
for he oft
refreshed me,
and was not ashamed
of my chain:
But,
when
he was in Rome,
he sought me
out very diligently,
and found me.
The Lord grant
unto him that
he may find mercy
of the Lord
in that day:
and
in how many things
he ministered
unto me
at Ephesus,
thou knowest
very well.
For God
is not unrighteous
to forget your work
and labour
of love,
which ye
have shewed toward
his name,
in that
ye have ministered
to the saints,
and do minister.
But
to do good and
to communicate
forget not:
for with such sacrifices God
is well pleased.
If a brother
or sister
be naked,
and destitute
of daily food,
But
whoso
hath
this world's good,
and seeth
his brother
have need,
and shutteth up his bowels
of compassion
from him,
how dwelleth the love
of God in him?