Psalm 142

A Cry of Distress

A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave.^(A) A prayer.

Advance of the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,^{(A) 13} so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word^[a](B) fearlessly. ¹⁵ To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,^(C) but others out of good will. ¹⁶ These preach out of love,^(D) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition,^(E) not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives^(F) or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice ¹⁹ because I know this will lead to my salvation^[b](G) through your prayers and help from the Spirit^(H) of Jesus Christ.^{(I) 20} My eager expectation and hope^(J) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life^(K) or by death.^(L)

Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts:^[a] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute^(A) idols.^{(B) 3} Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are different gifts,^(C) but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person^(D) for the common good: ⁸ to one^(E) is given a message of wisdom^(F) through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing^(G) by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles,^(H) to another, prophecy,^(I) to another, distinguishing between spirits,^(J) to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.