Do Not Be Anxious

²² And he said to his disciples, ^(A)“Therefore I tell you, ^(B)do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ^24 (C)Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. ^(D)Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his ^(E)span of life?^{[a] 26} If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, ^(F)even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, ^(G)O you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor ^(H)be worried. ³⁰ For ^(I)all the nations of the world seek after these things, and ^(J)your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ Instead, ^(K)seek ^(L)his^[b] kingdom, ^(M)and these things will be added to you.

^32 (N)“Fear not, little ^(O)flock, for ^(P)it is your Father's good pleasure to give you ^(Q)the kingdom. ^33 (R)Sell your possessions, and ^(S)give to the needy. ^(T)Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with ^(U)a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ^34 (V)For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

^4 (A)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness^[a] be known to everyone. ^(B)The Lord is at hand; ^6 (C)do not be anxious about anything, ^(D)but in everything by prayer and supplication ^(E)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And ^(F)the peace of God, ^(G)which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[b] and ^(H)received and heard and seen ^(I)in me—practice these things, and ^(J)the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provision

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length ^(K)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 ^(L)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 ^(M)hunger, abundance and ^(N)need. ¹³ I can do all things ^(O)through him who strengthens me.

The Ransomed Shall Return