Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁰ The Lord made me very happy to know that you were thinking about me again. Yes, I know you were thinking of me before, but you had no way to help me.

¹¹ I do not mean that I needed it. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I am happy with whatever happens to me.

¹² I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I am rich. No matter how things are, I have learned how to live: when I have plenty of food, or when I am hungry; when I have more things than I need, and when I do not have enough.

¹³ I can do all things because Christ gives me strength.

¹⁴ But you were kind to help me when I was in trouble.

¹⁵ When I first told the good news after I left the country of Macedonia, you were the only church people who helped me. You sent me money to pay my expenses.

¹⁶ Even when I was in the city of Thessalonica, you sent money to help me more than once.

¹⁷ It is not that I want the gift. But I want you to have more and more blessing because you give.

¹⁸ I have all I need and more. Yes, I have plenty because Epaphroditus gave me what you sent me. Your gift was like a sweet-smelling offering to God. It was a sacrifice which God took and it pleased him.

¹⁹ My God will give you everything you need. He has wonderful riches in heaven because of Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Praise God our Father for ever. Yes, he will do it.