And Abram
was very rich in cattle,
in silver,
and in gold.
And the LORD
hath blessed
my master greatly;
and
he is become great:
and
he hath given him flocks,
and herds,
and silver,
and gold,
and menservants,
and maidservants,
and camels,
and asses.
And it
shall be,
when
the LORD thy God
shall have brought thee
into the land
which he
sware unto thy fathers,
to Abraham,
to Isaac,
and to Jacob,
to give thee great
and goodly cities,
which thou buildedst not,
And houses full of all
good things,
which thou filledst not,
and wells digged,
which thou
diggedst not,
vineyards
and olive trees,
which thou plantedst not;
when
thou shalt have eaten
and be full;
Then beware lest thou
forget the LORD,
which brought thee forth
out of the land
of Egypt,
from the house
of bondage.
When
thou hast eaten
and art full,
then
thou shalt bless
the LORD thy God
for the good land
which he
hath given thee.
Beware
that thou
forget not the LORD
thy God,
in not keeping
his commandments,
and his judgments,
and his statutes,
which I
command thee
this day:
Lest
when
thou hast eaten
and art full,
and hast built
goodly houses,
and dwelt
therein;
And
when thy
herds
and thy flocks multiply,
and thy silver
and thy gold
is multiplied,
and all
that thou
hast is multiplied;
Then thine heart
be lifted up,
and
thou forget
the LORD thy God,
which brought thee forth
out of the land
of Egypt,
from the house
of bondage;
Who led thee
through that
great
and terrible wilderness,
wherein were
fiery serpents,
and scorpions,
and drought,
where there was
no water;
who brought thee
forth water
out of the rock
of flint;
Who fed thee
in the wilderness
with manna,
which thy
fathers
knew not,
that he
might humble thee,
and
that he
might prove thee,
to do thee good
at thy latter end;
And
thou say
in thine heart,
My power
and the might
of mine hand
hath gotten me
this wealth.
But
thou shalt remember
the LORD thy God:
for it
is
he that
giveth thee power
to get wealth,
that he
may establish
his covenant which
he sware unto thy fathers,
as it is this day.
For when
I shall have brought them
into the land
which I
sware unto their fathers,
that floweth with milk
and honey;
and
they shall have eaten
and filled themselves,
and waxen fat;
then will
they turn
unto other gods,
and serve them,
and provoke me,
and break
my covenant.
But Jeshurun
waxed fat,
and kicked:
thou art waxen fat,
thou art
grown thick,
thou art
covered
with fatness;
then he
forsook
God which
made him,
and lightly esteemed
the Rock
of his salvation.
The LORD
maketh poor,
and maketh rich:
he bringeth low,
and
lifteth up.
So king Solomon
exceeded all
the kings
of the earth
for riches
and for wisdom.
At that time Berodachbaladan,
the son
of Baladan,
king of Babylon,
sent letters
and a present
unto Hezekiah:
for he
had heard
that Hezekiah
had been sick.
And Hezekiah
hearkened unto them,
and shewed them all
the house
of his precious things,
the silver,
and the gold,
and the spices,
and the precious ointment,
and all
the house
of his armour,
and all
that was found
in his treasures:
there was nothing
in his house,
nor
in all his dominion,
that Hezekiah
shewed them not.
Then came Isaiah
the prophet
unto king Hezekiah,
and
said unto him,
What
said
these men?
and
from whence came
they unto thee?
And Hezekiah said,
They
are come
from a far country,
even from Babylon.
And he said,
What
have
they seen
in thine house?
And Hezekiah answered,
All the things
that
are in mine
house
have
they seen:
there is
nothing
among my treasures
that
I have not shewed them.
And Isaiah
said
unto Hezekiah,
Hear the word
of the LORD.
Behold,
the days come,
that all that is
in thine house,
and
that which
thy fathers
have laid up
in store
unto this day,
shall be carried
into Babylon:
nothing shall be left,
saith the LORD.
And of thy sons
that shall issue
from thee,
which thou
shalt beget,
shall
they take away;
and
they shall be eunuchs
in the palace
of the king
of Babylon.
And there was
a great cry
of the people
and of their wives
against their brethren the Jews.
For there were
that said,
We,
our sons,
and our daughters,
are many:
therefore we
take up corn
for them,
that
we may eat,
and live.
Some
also there were
that said,
We have mortgaged
our lands,
vineyards,
and houses,
that we
might buy corn,
because
of the dearth.
There were also
that said,
We have borrowed money
for the king's tribute,
and
that upon our lands
and vineyards.
Yet now
our flesh
is as the flesh
of our brethren,
our children
as their children:
and,
lo,
we bring
into bondage
our sons
and our daughters
to be servants,
and some of
our daughters
are brought
unto bondage already:
neither is it
in our power
to redeem them;
for other men
have our lands
and vineyards.
And
I was very angry
when I
heard
their cry and these words.
Then I
consulted
with myself,
and
I rebuked
the nobles,
and the rulers,
and
said unto them,
Ye exact usury,
every one
of his brother.
And I set
a great
assembly against them.
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.
Also I
shook my lap,
and said,
So God
shake
out every man
from his house,
and
from his labour,
that performeth not
this promise,
even thus
be he shaken out,
and emptied.
And all
the congregation said,
Amen,
and praised
the LORD.
And the people
did according to
this promise.
His substance
also was seven thousand sheep,
and three thousand camels,
and five hundred yoke
of oxen,
and five hundred
she asses,
and a
very great household;
so that this man
was the greatest
of all the men
of the east.
Wherefore do
the wicked live,
become old,
yea,
are mighty
in power?
Their seed
is established
in their sight
with them,
and their offspring
before their eyes.
Their houses
are safe
from fear,
neither is the rod
of God
upon them.
Their bull gendereth,
and faileth not;
their cow calveth,
and casteth not
her calf.
They
send forth their little ones like
a flock,
and their children dance.
They take
the timbrel
and harp,
and rejoice
at the sound
of the organ.
They spend
their days
in wealth,
and
in a moment go down
to the grave.
Therefore they
say
unto God,
Depart from us;
for we
desire not the knowledge
of thy ways.
What is the Almighty,
that we
should serve him?
and
what profit
should
we have,
if we
pray unto him?
This is the portion
of a wicked man
with God,
and the heritage
of oppressors,
which they
shall receive
of the Almighty.
If his children
be multiplied,
it is for the sword:
and his offspring
shall not be satisfied
with bread.
Those that
remain
of him
shall be buried
in death:
and his widows
shall not weep.
Though he
heap
up silver
as the dust,
and prepare raiment
as the clay;
He may prepare it,
but the
just shall put it on,
and the innocent
shall divide
the silver.
He buildeth his house
as a moth,
and
as a booth
that the keeper maketh.
The rich man
shall lie down,
but
he shall not be gathered:
he openeth his eyes,
and he
is not.
Terrors
take
hold on him
as waters,
a tempest
stealeth him away
in the night.
The east wind
carrieth him away,
and he departeth:
and as a storm
hurleth him
out of his place.
For God
shall cast upon him,
and not spare:
he would fain
flee
out of his hand.
Men shall clap
their hands
at him,
and shall hiss him
out of his place.
If I
have made
gold my hope,
or have said
to the fine gold,
Thou art my confidence;
If I
rejoice
because
my wealth
was great,
and
because
mine hand
had gotten much;
This also were
an iniquity
to be punished
by the judge:
for I
should have denied
the God that is above.
A little
that a righteous man
hath
is
better
than the riches
of many wicked.
Be not
thou afraid
when one
is made rich,
when
the glory
of his house
is increased;
For when he dieth
he shall carry nothing away:
his glory
shall not descend
after him.
Though while
he lived
he blessed
his soul:
and men
will praise thee,
when thou
doest well
to thyself.
Why boastest
thou thyself
in mischief,
O mighty man?
the goodness
of God
endureth continually.
The tongue
deviseth mischiefs;
like a sharp razor,
working deceitfully.
Thou lovest
evil more than good;
and lying rather than
to speak righteousness.
Selah.
Thou lovest all devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue.
God shall
likewise destroy thee
for ever,
he shall take thee away,
and pluck thee
out of thy dwelling place,
and root thee
out of the land
of the living.
Selah.
The righteous
also shall see,
and fear,
and
shall laugh at him:
Lo,
this is
the man
that made not God
his strength;
but trusted
in the abundance
of his riches,
and strengthened himself
in his wickedness.
For I
was envious
at the foolish,
when
I saw
the prosperity
of the wicked.
For there are
no bands
in their death:
but their strength
is firm.
They are not
in trouble
as other men;
neither are
they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride
compasseth
them about
as a chain;
violence
covereth them
as a garment.
Their eyes
stand out
with fatness:
they
have more than
heart could wish.
They are corrupt,
and speak wickedly concerning
oppression:
they speak loftily.
They set their mouth
against the heavens,
and their tongue
walketh through the earth.
Therefore
his people return hither:
and waters
of a full cup
are wrung out
to them.
And they say,
How doth
God know?
and is there knowledge
in the most High?
Behold,
these are the ungodly,
who prosper
in the world;
they increase
in riches.
Verily
I have cleansed
my heart
in vain,
and washed my
hands in innocency.
For all the day long
have
I been plagued,
and chastened every morning.
If I say,
I will speak thus;
behold,
I should offend
against the generation
of thy children.
When I
thought
to know this,
it was too painful
for me;
Until I
went into the sanctuary
of God;
then understood
I their end.
Surely thou
didst set them
in slippery places:
thou castedst
them down
into destruction.
How are
they brought
into desolation,
as in a moment!
they are utterly consumed
with terrors.
As a dream
when one awaketh;
so,
O Lord,
when
thou awakest,
thou shalt despise
their image.
Thus my heart
was grieved,
and
I was pricked
in my reins.
So foolish
was I,
and ignorant:
I was as a beast
before thee.
Treasures
of wickedness
profit nothing:
but righteousness
delivereth from death.
The blessing
of the LORD,
it maketh rich,
and he
addeth
no sorrow
with it.
Riches
profit not
in the day
of wrath:
but righteousness
delivereth from death.
He that
trusteth in his riches
shall fall;
but the righteous
shall flourish
as a branch.
There is
that maketh himself rich,
yet hath nothing:
there is
that maketh himself poor,
yet hath great riches.
The ransom
of a man's life
are his riches:
but the poor heareth
not rebuke.
The poor
is hated even
of his own neighbour:
but the rich
hath many friends.
The crown
of the wise
is their riches:
but the foolishness
of fools is folly.
In the house
of the righteous
is
much treasure:
but in the revenues
of the wicked
is trouble.
Better is little
with the fear
of the LORD
than great treasure
and trouble
therewith.
Better is a dinner
of herbs
where love is,
than a stalled ox
and hatred
therewith.
Better is a little
with righteousness
than great revenues
without right.
The rich man's wealth
is his strong city,
and as an high wall
in his own conceit.
The poor
useth intreaties;
but the rich
answereth roughly.
Wealth maketh many friends;
but the poor
is separated
from his neighbour.
The getting
of treasures
by a lying tongue
is a vanity
tossed
to and fro
of them that seek death.
Labour not
to be rich:
cease
from thine own wisdom.
Wilt thou set
thine eyes
upon that which
is not?
for riches
certainly make
themselves wings;
they fly away
as an eagle
toward heaven.
Be thou diligent
to know the state
of thy flocks,
and look well
to thy herds.
For riches
are not for ever:
and doth
the crown
endure
to every generation?
He that
by usury
and unjust gain
increaseth his substance,
he shall gather
it for him that
will pity
the poor.
The rich man
is wise
in his own conceit;
but the poor that
hath
understanding searcheth him out.
A faithful man
shall abound
with blessings:
but he
that maketh
haste to be rich
shall not be innocent.
He that
hasteth
to be rich
hath an evil eye,
and considereth not
that poverty
shall come upon him.
Remove far
from me vanity
and lies:
give me neither poverty
nor riches;
feed me
with food convenient
for me:
Lest
I be full,
and deny thee,
and say,
Who is the LORD?
or lest
I be poor,
and steal,
and take
the name
of my God
in vain.
Moreover the profit
of the earth
is for all:
the king himself
is served
by the field.
He that
loveth silver
shall not be satisfied
with silver;
nor he
that loveth abundance
with increase:
this is also
vanity.
When goods increase,
they
are increased
that eat them:
and
what good
is there
to the owners
thereof,
saving the beholding
of them
with their eyes?
The sleep of a
labouring man
is sweet,
whether he
eat little
or much:
but
the abundance
of the rich
will not suffer him
to sleep.
There is
a sore evil which
I have seen
under the sun,
namely,
riches kept
for the owners
thereof to their hurt.
But those riches
perish
by evil travail:
and
he begetteth a son,
and there is nothing
in his hand.
As he came forth
of his mother's womb,
naked
shall
he return
to go
as he came,
and shall take nothing
of his labour,
which he
may carry away
in his hand.
And this
also is
a sore evil,
that in all points as he
came,
so shall
he go:
and
what profit
hath he that
hath laboured
for the wind?
All his days
also he
eateth in darkness,
and
he hath much sorrow
and wrath
with his sickness.
Behold that
which I
have seen:
it is good
and
comely for one
to eat
and to drink,
and
to enjoy the good
of all his labour that
he taketh under the sun
all the days
of his life,
which God
giveth him:
for it
is his portion.
Every man also
to whom God
hath given riches
and wealth,
and hath given him
power to eat
thereof,
and to take
his portion,
and
to rejoice
in his labour;
this is the gift
of God.
For he
shall not
much
remember the days
of his life;
because God
answereth him
in the joy
of his heart.
There is an evil
which I
have seen
under the sun,
and it
is common
among men:
A man
to whom God
hath given riches,
wealth,
and honour,
so that
he wanteth
nothing
for his soul
of all
that
he desireth,
yet God
giveth him
not power to eat
thereof,
but a stranger
eateth it:
this is vanity,
and it
is an evil disease.
Wisdom is good
with an inheritance:
and by it
there is
profit to them
that see
the sun.
For wisdom
is a defence,
and money
is a defence:
but
the excellency
of knowledge is,
that wisdom
giveth life
to them
that have it.
A feast
is made
for laughter,
and wine
maketh merry:
but money
answereth all things.
Woe unto them that
join house to house,
that lay
field to field,
till there be
no place,
that they
may be placed alone
in the midst
of the earth!
How shall
I pardon thee
for this?
thy children
have forsaken me,
and sworn
by them that
are
no gods:
when
I had fed them
to the full,
they
then committed
adultery,
and assembled themselves
by troops
in the harlots' houses.
They were as fed horses
in the morning:
every one
neighed
after his neighbour's wife.
Shall
I not visit
for these things?
saith the LORD:
and shall not
my soul
be avenged
on such
a nation
as this?
As a cage
is full of birds,
so are their houses
full of deceit:
therefore they
are become great,
and waxen rich.
They are waxen fat,
they shine:
yea,
they overpass
the deeds
of the wicked:
they judge not
the cause,
the cause
of the fatherless,
yet they prosper;
and the right
of the needy
do
they not judge.
Shall
I not visit
for these things?
saith the LORD:
shall not
my soul
be avenged
on such
a nation
as this?
Thus saith the LORD,
Let
not the wise man
glory
in his wisdom,
neither let
the mighty man
glory in his might,
let not
the rich man
glory
in his riches:
As the partridge
sitteth on eggs,
and hatcheth them not;
so he
that getteth riches,
and not by right,
shall leave them
in the midst
of his days,
and at his end
shall be
a fool.
Woe unto him that
buildeth
his house
by unrighteousness,
and his chambers
by wrong;
that useth
his neighbour's service
without wages,
and giveth him not
for his work;
That saith,
I will build me
a wide house
and large chambers,
and cutteth him
out windows;
and it
is cieled
with cedar,
and painted
with vermilion.
Shalt thou reign,
because
thou closest thyself
in cedar?
did not
thy father
eat and drink,
and do judgment
and justice,
and
then it
was well with him?
He judged the cause
of the poor
and needy;
then it
was well with him:
was not
this to know me?
saith the LORD.
But thine
eyes
and thine heart
are not
but for thy covetousness,
and for to shed innocent blood,
and
for oppression,
and for violence,
to do it.
Therefore thus
saith the LORD
concerning Jehoiakim the son
of Josiah king
of Judah;
They
shall not lament for him,
saying,
Ah my brother!
or,
Ah sister!
they shall not lament for him,
saying,
Ah lord!
or,
Ah his glory!
He shall be buried
with the burial
of an ass,
drawn
and cast forth
beyond the gates
of Jerusalem.
Therefore mine heart
shall sound
for Moab like pipes,
and mine heart
shall sound like
pipes for the men
of Kirheres:
because
the riches that
he hath gotten
are perished.
They shall cast their silver
in the streets,
and their gold
shall be removed:
their silver
and their gold
shall not be able
to deliver them
in the day
of the wrath
of the LORD:
they shall not satisfy
their souls,
neither fill
their bowels:
because
it is the stumblingblock
of their iniquity.
By thy great wisdom
and
by thy traffick
hast
thou increased
thy riches,
and thine heart
is lifted up
because of thy riches:
And Ephraim said,
Yet I
am become rich,
I have found me
out substance:
in all my
labours
they
shall find
none iniquity
in me that were sin.
Woe to them
that are
at ease in Zion,
and trust
in the mountain
of Samaria,
which are named chief
of the nations,
to whom
the house
of Israel came!
Pass
ye unto Calneh,
and see;
and
from thence go
ye to Hamath
the great:
then go down
to Gath
of the Philistines:
be they
better
than these kingdoms?
or their border
greater than your border?
Ye that put far
away the evil day,
and cause
the seat
of violence
to come near;
That lie
upon beds
of ivory,
and stretch themselves
upon their couches,
and eat
the lambs
out of the flock,
and the calves
out of the midst
of the stall;
That chant
to the sound
of the viol,
and invent
to themselves instruments
of musick,
like David;
That drink wine
in bowls,
and anoint themselves
with the chief ointments:
but
they are not grieved
for the affliction
of Joseph.
For the rich men
thereof are
full of violence,
and the inhabitants
thereof have spoken lies,
and their tongue
is deceitful
in their mouth.
Neither their silver nor
their gold
shall be able
to deliver them
in the day
of the LORD's wrath;
but the whole land
shall be devoured by the fire
of his jealousy:
for he
shall make even
a speedy riddance
of all
them that
dwell
in the land.
Lay not up
for yourselves
treasures
upon earth,
where moth
and rust
doth corrupt,
and where
thieves
break
through and steal:
But lay up
for yourselves treasures
in heaven,
where neither moth nor
rust
doth corrupt,
and
where thieves
do not break
through nor steal:
For where
your treasure is,
there will
your heart be also.
He also
that received
seed
among the thorns
is
he that heareth
the word;
and the care
of this world,
and the deceitfulness
of riches,
choke the word,
and
he becometh unfruitful.
And,
behold,
one came
and
said unto him,
Good Master,
what good thing
shall
I do,
that I
may have
eternal life?
And
he said unto him,
Why callest
thou me good?
there is none good
but one,
that is,
God:
but
if thou
wilt enter
into life,
keep the commandments.
He saith unto him,
Which?
Jesus said,
Thou
shalt do
no murder,
Thou
shalt not commit
adultery,
Thou shalt not steal,
Thou
shalt not bear
false witness,
Honour
thy father
and thy mother:
and,
Thou
shalt love
thy neighbour
as thyself.
The young man
saith unto him,
All these things
have
I kept
from my youth up:
what lack
I yet?
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.
But
when the young man
heard
that saying,
he went away sorrowful:
for he
had great possessions.
Then said Jesus
unto his disciples,
Verily I
say unto you,
That a rich man
shall hardly enter
into the kingdom
of heaven.
And again
I say unto you,
It is easier
for a camel
to go through the eye
of a needle,
than for a
rich man
to enter
into the kingdom
of God.
When his disciples
heard it,
they were exceedingly amazed,
saying,
Who
then can be saved?
But Jesus
beheld them,
and
said unto them,
With men
this is impossible;
but with God all things
are possible.
Then answered Peter
and
said unto him,
Behold,
we have forsaken all,
and followed thee;
what shall
we have therefore?
And Jesus
said unto them,
Verily I
say unto you,
That ye
which have followed me,
in the regeneration
when the Son
of man
shall sit
in the throne
of his glory,
ye also shall sit
upon twelve thrones,
judging
the twelve tribes
of Israel.
And every one that
hath forsaken houses,
or brethren,
or sisters,
or father,
or mother,
or wife,
or children,
or lands,
for my name's sake,
shall receive
an hundredfold,
and shall inherit
everlasting life.
When the even was come,
there came
a rich man
of Arimathaea,
named Joseph,
who
also himself
was Jesus' disciple:
And the cares
of this world,
and the deceitfulness
of riches,
and the lusts
of other things
entering in,
choke the word,
and it
becometh unfruitful.
And
when
he was gone forth
into the way,
there came
one running,
and kneeled
to him,
and asked him,
Good Master,
what shall
I do
that I
may inherit
eternal life?
And Jesus
said unto him,
Why callest
thou me good?
there is none good
but one,
that is,
God.
Thou knowest
the commandments,
Do not commit adultery,
Do not kill,
Do not steal,
Do not bear
false witness,
Defraud not,
Honour thy
father
and mother.
And he
answered
and
said unto him,
Master,
all these
have
I observed
from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him
loved him,
and
said unto him,
One thing
thou lackest:
go thy way,
sell whatsoever
thou hast,
and give
to the poor,
and
thou shalt have
treasure
in heaven:
and come,
take up the cross,
and follow me.
And he
was sad
at that saying,
and went away grieved:
for he
had great possessions.
And Jesus
looked round about,
and saith unto his disciples,
How hardly shall
they that
have riches
enter
into the kingdom
of God!
And the disciples
were astonished
at his words.
But Jesus
answereth again,
and
saith unto them,
Children,
how hard
is it
for them that trust
in riches
to enter
into the kingdom
of God!
It is easier
for a camel
to go through the eye
of a needle,
than for a
rich man
to enter
into the kingdom
of God.
And
they
were astonished out of measure,
saying
among themselves,
Who
then can be saved?
And Jesus
looking
upon them saith,
With men
it is impossible,
but not with God:
for with God all things
are possible.
But woe unto you
that are rich!
for ye
have received
your consolation.
And
he said unto them,
Take heed,
and beware
of covetousness:
for a man's life
consisteth not
in the abundance
of the things
which he possesseth.
And
he spake a parable
unto them,
saying,
The ground of a
certain rich man
brought forth plentifully:
And he
thought
within himself,
saying,
What
shall
I do,
because
I have no room
where to bestow
my fruits?
And he said,
This
will
I do:
I will pull down
my barns,
and build
greater;
and there will
I bestow all
my fruits
and my goods.
And
I will say
to my soul,
Soul,
thou hast
much goods
laid up
for many years;
take
thine ease,
eat,
drink,
and be merry.
But God
said unto him,
Thou fool,
this night
thy soul
shall be required
of thee:
then
whose shall those things be,
which thou
hast provided?
So is
he that
layeth
up treasure
for himself,
and is not rich
toward God.
No servant
can serve
two masters:
for either
he will hate
the one,
and love
the other;
or else
he will hold
to the one,
and despise
the other.
Ye cannot serve God
and mammon.
And the Pharisees also,
who were covetous,
heard all
these things:
and
they derided him.
And there was
a certain beggar
named Lazarus,
which was laid
at his gate,
full of sores,
And desiring
to be fed
with the crumbs
which fell
from the rich man's table:
moreover the dogs
came
and licked
his sores.
And it
came
to pass,
that the beggar died,
and was carried
by the angels
into Abraham's bosom:
the rich man
also died,
and was buried;
And in hell
he lift
up his eyes,
being
in torments,
and seeth Abraham
afar off,
and Lazarus
in his bosom.
And he
cried
and said,
Father Abraham,
have mercy on me,
and send Lazarus,
that he
may dip
the tip
of his finger
in water,
and cool
my tongue;
for I
am tormented
in this flame.
But Abraham said,
Son,
remember that
thou in thy lifetime receivedst
thy good things,
and likewise
Lazarus evil things:
but now
he is comforted,
and
thou art tormented.
And
beside all this,
between us
and you
there is
a great gulf fixed:
so that
they which
would pass from
hence to you cannot;
neither can
they pass to us,
that would come
from thence.
And,
behold,
there was a man
named Zacchaeus,
which was the chief
among the publicans,
and
he was rich.
He is proud,
knowing nothing,
but doting
about questions
and strifes
of words,
whereof cometh envy,
strife,
railings,
evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings
of men
of corrupt minds,
and destitute
of the truth,
supposing
that gain
is godliness:
from such
withdraw thyself.
But godliness
with contentment
is great gain.
For we
brought nothing
into this world,
and it
is certain
we can carry nothing out.
And having food
and raiment let us
be therewith content.
But they
that will be rich fall
into temptation
and a snare,
and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts,
which drown men
in destruction
and perdition.
For the love
of money
is the root
of all evil:
which while some coveted after,
they have erred
from the faith,
and pierced themselves
through
with many sorrows.
But thou,
O man of God,
flee these things;
and follow
after righteousness,
godliness,
faith,
love,
patience,
meekness.
Charge them that
are rich in
this world,
that they
be not highminded,
nor trust
in uncertain riches,
but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all
things
to enjoy;
That they
do good,
that they
be
rich in good works,
ready
to distribute,
willing
to communicate;
Laying up
in store
for themselves
a good foundation
against the time
to come,
that they
may lay
hold on
eternal life.
Let the brother
of low degree
rejoice in that
he is exalted:
But the rich,
in that
he is made low:
because
as the flower
of the grass
he shall pass away.
For the sun
is no sooner
risen
with a burning heat,
but it
withereth
the grass,
and the flower
thereof falleth,
and the grace
of the fashion
of it perisheth:
so also shall
the rich man
fade away
in his ways.
But
ye have despised
the poor.
Do not
rich men
oppress you,
and draw you
before the judgment seats?
Do not
they blaspheme
that worthy name
by the which
ye are called?
Go to now,
ye rich men,
weep
and howl
for your miseries
that shall come upon you.
Your riches
are corrupted,
and your garments
are motheaten.
Your gold
and silver
is cankered;
and the rust
of them shall be
a witness
against you,
and shall eat
your flesh as it
were fire.
Ye have heaped
treasure together
for the last days.
Behold,
the hire
of the labourers
who have reaped
down your fields,
which is of you
kept
back by fraud,
crieth:
and the cries
of them
which have reaped
are entered
into the ears
of the Lord
of sabaoth.
Ye have lived
in pleasure
on the earth,
and been wanton;
ye have nourished
your hearts,
as in a day of slaughter.
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?