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2 Corinthians 9

Amplified Bible, 2015 (AMP)

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¹ Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God];

² and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.

³ For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and[3] its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away.

⁴ Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor's] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

⁵ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God" [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one.

⁶ But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion).

⁷ Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.

⁸ Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters.

⁹ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow[4] cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

¹⁰ It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].

¹¹ Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];

¹² for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].

¹³ So get rid of all uncleanness and[5] all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.

¹⁴ But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God's precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

¹⁵ For if anyone only listens to the word[6] without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror;

#	AMP
1	Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God];
2	and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
3	For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and[3] its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away.
4	Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor's] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
5	Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God" [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
6	But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion).
7	Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.
8	Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters.
9	Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow[4] cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].
10	It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].
11	Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];
12	for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].
13	So get rid of all uncleanness and[5] all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.
14	But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God's precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].
15	For if anyone only listens to the word[6] without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror;

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