⁹ But he said to me, ^(A)“My grace is sufficient for you, for ^(B)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that ^(C)the power of Christ may rest upon me. ^10 (D)For the sake of Christ, then, ^(E)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For ^(F)when I am weak, then I am strong.

God's Provision

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length ^(A)you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be ^(B)content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and ^(C)hunger, abundance and ^(D)need.

⁵ Keep your life ^(A)free from love of money, and ^(B)be content with what you have, for he has said, ^(C)“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we can confidently say,

⁶ But ^(A)godliness ^(B)with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for ^(C)we brought nothing into the world, and^[a] we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But ^(D)if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹ But ^(E)those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, ^(F)into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that ^(G)plunge people into ruin and destruction.