¹⁵ Then those who were mentioned by name got up and took the captives, and with the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them; they clothed them, gave them sandals, provided them with food and drink, and anointed them; and carrying all the feeble among them on donkeys, they brought them to their kindred at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.^(A)

²² He answered, “No! Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink, and let them go to their master.”^(A)

³ the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar.

¹⁶ The descendants of Hobab^[a] the Kenite, Moses’s father-in-law, went up with the people of Judah from the city of palms into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the Negeb near Arad. Then they went and settled with the Amalekites.^[b](A)

¹⁷ How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?^(A)

¹⁸ Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.^(B)

¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food^{(A) 16} and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?

¹⁰ she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.^(A)

Please Others, Not Yourselves

15 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.^(A)