2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience… It is said of the Lacedoemonians, who were a poor and homely people, that they offered lean sacrifices to their gods; and that the Athenians, who were a wise and wealthy people, offered fat and costly sacrifices; and yet in their wars the former always had the mastery of the latter. Whereupon they went to the Oracle to know the reason why those should speed worst who gave most. The Oracle returned this answer to them: "That the Laccdcemonians were a people who gave their hearts to their gods, but that the Athenians only gave their gifts to their gods." Thus a heart without a gift is better than a gilt without a heart. (T. Seeker.) Parallel Verses KJV: I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; |
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