and everyone who wished to do so brought an offering to the LORD for making the Tent of the LORD's presence. They brought everything needed for use in worship and for making the priestly garments.

All who wanted to, both men and women, brought decorative pins, earrings, rings, necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry and dedicated them to the LORD.

Over and above all this that I have provided, I have given silver and gold from my personal property because of my love for God's Temple.

Then the heads of the clans, the officials of the tribes, the commanders of the army, and the administrators of the royal property volunteered to give

The people had given willingly to the LORD, and they were happy that so much had been given. King David also was extremely happy.

There in front of the whole assembly King David praised the LORD. He said, "LORD God of our ancestor Jacob, may you be praised forever and ever!

"Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything, because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already.

I know that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you, and I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you.

Praise the LORD! The Israelites were determined to fight; the people gladly volunteered.

My heart is with the commanders of Israel, with the people who gladly volunteered. Praise the LORD!

If I did my work as a matter of free choice, then I could expect to be paid; but I do it as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted me with this task.

You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.

Moses said to all the people of Israel, "This is what the LORD has commanded:

Do not add anything to what I command you, and do not take anything away. Obey the commands of the LORD your God that I have given you.

be sure to obey all the laws that I am giving you today.

"Do everything that I have commanded you; do not add anything to it or take anything from it.

You are to answer them, "Listen to what the LORD is teaching you! Don't listen to mediums---what they tell you cannot keep trouble away."

and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do:

As for those who follow this rule in their lives, may peace and mercy be with them---with them and with all of God's people!

So we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts.

and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.