But I have as much sense as you have; I am in no way inferior to you; everyone knows all that you have said.

At last the city clerk was able to calm the crowd. "Fellow Ephesians!" he said. "Everyone knows that the city of Ephesus is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of the sacred stone that fell down from heaven.

And yet it was God who made them prosperous--- I can't understand the thoughts of the wicked.

So then, you must never think that you have made yourselves wealthy by your own power and strength.

Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to become rich. He does this because he is still faithful today to the covenant that he made with your ancestors.

He makes some people poor and others rich; he humbles some and makes others great.

"By my great power and strength I created the world, human beings, and all the animals that live on the earth; and I give it to anyone I choose.

I am the one who has placed all these nations under the power of my servant, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, and I have made even the wild animals serve him.

O God, hear my prayer and pleading. Restore your Temple, which has been destroyed; restore it so that everyone will know that you are God.

"The Supreme God made your father Nebuchadnezzar a great king and gave him dignity and majesty.

For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.

They are the ones who speak evil of that good name which has been given to you.