From Gary... Testimony from a thumb...

Deography

I spent some time and on the net yesterday, looking for pictures and I came across the "Deography" website. The author takes a lot of pictures from Australia and the above pictures of his family are touching.  When my wife was pregnant, we had no idea what the babies were going to be.  We found out when they came out.  I wish we could have known with an ultrasound, as it would have made the whole thing much more enjoyable, but the technology was just not there at that time.  I noticed the ultrasound showed that the baby was sucking its thumb- something that I am sure it did after birth.  And the wonder of it all struck me- and with it, this verse...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 11

 5 As you don’t know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don’t know the work of God who does all.

Humm, if the child in the womb and the child outside the womb do the same thing, then aren't they the same creature.  To my mind, using labels to change reality is arrogance in the extreme.  A baby is a baby is a baby. You can't make it something else just by calling it by a different name.  Human beings don't know everything (even though some think they do) and some day those whose arrogance have caused the death of the unborn will have to answer for it!!!  I specifically like this passage from the book of Jeremiah:

Jeremiah, Chapter 1

 1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:  2 to whom Yahweh’s word came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.  3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.  4 Now Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,  5 “Before I formed you in the belly, I knew you. Before you came out of the womb, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”  6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.” 

  7  But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for to whoever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatever I shall command you, you shall speak.  8 Don’t be afraid because of them; for I am with you to deliver you,” says Yahweh.  9 Then Yahweh stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth; and Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.  10 Behold, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” 

Both passages show that God is at work in the process of the creation of human life and to interfere with what God has ordained (put in order) is to argue with God.  I don't feel brave enough to do that, do you???  If God had a plan for Jeremiah, isn't it possible that God has a plan for you as well?  And if that is true, then how about that one who appears both in the ultrasound and in its mother's arms?  It is a FACT that everyone who supports abortion was once allowed to come to term and live their lives.  Preventing others from having the same God-given blessing is MURDER!!!  BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE ITS TRUE!!!!

From Mark Copeland... The Issue Of The Head Covering (1 Corinthians 11:2-16)

                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                The Issue Of The Head Covering (11:2-16)

INTRODUCTION

1. Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians addresses many issues...
   a. Some related to conduct as Christians in Corinthian society
   b. Others pertained to conduct in the assemblies of the saints

2. One issue involved women praying and prophesying with their heads
   uncovered...
   a. Covered in depth in 1Co 11:2-16
   b. About which brethren have different views regarding its
      application today

3. Views concerning "The Head Covering" generally fall into two camps...
   a. It was a custom of the church - intended for universal and
      permanent application
   b. It was a custom of society - and Paul's instructions were limited
      and temporary in application

[I understand that Paul was addressing a custom of society, not a custom
commanded by God for the church.  Here are reasons why I believe
that...]

I. THE ISSUE PERTAINED TO SOCIETAL CUSTOM

   A. PAUL'S COMMENDATION...
      1. Note carefully Paul's commendation as he begins - cf. 1Co 11:2
      2. "Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things
         and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you."
      3. If the wearing of a veil while praying or prophesying is
         something required of Christian women because it is God's law
         and not a social custom, it seems strange that he would begin
         by praising them for keeping apostolic traditions when in fact
         they were not!
      -- What they failed to keep was not apostolic tradition, but
         something else

   B. PAUL'S COMMENTS...
      1. Note carefully his comments regarding shame - cf. 1Co 11:5-6
      2. "But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head
         uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as
         if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her
         also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or
         shaved, let her be covered."
      3. Paul argues on the basis of "if it is shameful..."
         a. If it was not shameful for a woman to have shorn hair (as is
            the case of some cultures), then Paul's argument here does
            not hold up
         b. He is evidently basing his argument on the cultural
            attitudes of their day, not on what is the revelation of
            God's will on the matter
      -- Paul's argument was contingent on what was considered shameful
         in their society

   C. PAUL'S APPEAL...
      1. Note carefully his appeal to propriety - cf. 1Co 11:13
      2. "Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to
         God with her head uncovered?"
      3. He asks "Is it proper...?"
         a. Again, he reasoned from a sense of cultural propriety, i.e.,
            what was considered proper or shameful in their culture
         b. When it was a matter of divine will, Paul exercised his
            apostolic authority to command, not ask people to "judge
            among yourselves" - cf. with 1Co 1:10
      -- Paul's appeal was based on their own judgment, not God's will

   D. PAUL'S CONCLUSION...
      1. Now consider his conclusion when all was said and done - cf.
         1Co 11:16
      2. "But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom,
         nor do the churches of God."
      3. Paul sought to reason with them on the basis of such things as
         what is proper according to their culture - 1Co 11:6,13
      4. He also reasoned on the basis of what is certainly in harmony
         with scriptural principles
         a. E.g., the headship of man - 1Co 11:3-5
         b. E.g., the subjection of angels - 1Co 11:10
      5. But in the final analysis, if anyone one wanted to be
         contentious...
         a. It was not an apostolic or church custom
         b. It was a cultural issue in which Paul sought to give his
            advice
      -- Neither the apostles or the church of God had a custom related
         to the issue at hand

[Thus I believe Paul dealt with a social custom important to the
brethren at Corinth, but limited and temporary in application.  This
understanding is further confirmed by answering this question:

   Were the women prophesying and praying with heads uncovered
   in the assembly of the saints, or in public places such as
   the marketplace?

Most assume that the issue involved conduct of women in church.  I
believe the evidence suggests...]

II. THE ISSUE PERTAINED TO CONDUCT IN PUBLIC

   A. PAUL'S QUESTION...
      1. Note carefully Paul's question later on in his discussion - cf.
         1Co 11:13
      2. "Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to
         God with her head uncovered?"
      3. This question implies a "no" answer; but if they were being
         asked concerning women in a religious assembly in Corinth, they
         would have answered "yes", for apparently Greek women
         worshipped in the temples with heads uncovered (Nicoll, The
         Expositors' Greek Testament)
      4. However, in Corinth it was a shame to take off the veil in
         public places
      -- The answer ("no") to his question makes sense only if he
         referred to conduct in public places like the market place, and
         not to conduct in a religious assembly

   B. PAUL'S REMARKS...
      1. Note carefully Paul's remarks after concluding his discussion
         - cf. 1Co 11:17-18
      2. "Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since
         you come together not for the better but for the worse. For
         first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that
         there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it."
      3. It is at verse 17 that he begins to discuss matters related to
         the assembly, such as their abuse of the Lord's Supper
         (11:17-34) and the exercise of spiritual gifts (chs. 12-14)
      4. Matters discussed beforehand, such as eating meats sacrificed
         to idols (chs. 8-10) and women prophesying with heads uncovered
         (11:2-16), were issues of conduct outside the assemblies of the
         saints
      -- Paul does not begin discussing matters related to the assembly
         until verse 17

   C. PAUL'S COMMANDMENTS...
      1. Note carefully his commandments concerning women in the
         assembly - cf. 1Co 14:34-37
      2. "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not
         permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law
         also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask
         their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to
         speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from
         you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks
         himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that
         the things which I write to you are the commandments of the
         Lord."
      3. Since it was shameful for women to speak in church, it is
         unlikely that Paul in chapter 11 was saying that women could
         prophesy in church as long as they wore the veil
      -- Women could not prophesy in the assembly, whether veiled or not

CONCLUSION

1. As I understand the circumstances that prompted Paul's discussion...
   a. Christian women were taking their veils off in public places to
      pray and prophesy
   b. Perhaps those with the gift of prophesy felt they were free to
      disregard societal norms
   c. While not considered shameful in Corinthian society to do so in a
      religious assembly, it was scandalous for a woman to remove the
      veil in public places like the market place

2. The circumstances in Corinth appear to have been similar to those in
   some Muslim countries...
   a. Where Muslim women will veil their faces when they walk in public
   b. But often remove the veils when they enter a private home, or a
      store that caters to women

3. If my understanding is correct, the issue was...
   a. Not:  "Should women put on the veil to prophesy and pray in
      church?"
   b. But:  "Should women take off the veil to prophesy and pray in
      public?"

4. Paul sought to encourage them to act in harmony with the customs of
   their day...
   a. Customs that were in harmony with the scriptural principles of
      headship and subjection
   b. But he acknowledges that the head covering was not custom of the
      apostles or the church

Thus I take his words regarding women and the head covering per se to be
limited and temporary in application.  But the idea of honoring societal
customs that reflect scriptural principles certainly has universal and
permanent application for Christians who seek to glorify God in this
world.  As Paul wrote in the previous chapter...

   "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all
   to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to
   the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all
   men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of
   many, that they may be saved."
                                                   - 1Co 10:31-33

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... Lancing a boil again

Lancing a boil again

This piece is too long and rambling. I'm warning you before you start reading it so you can close it down if you're not up to something like that. Should you decide to go ahead and read it anyway, don't look for "answers"—there aren't any. At least none that are specific enough for a Western culture that has six year olds diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia and making television programmes about them. Six year olds for pity's sake! And don't look for balance either. I'm a bit too fed up for balance right now.

It's about the conflicting cultures (if I can use that word for established patterns) I think I can see when I look around me; all of them warped in one way or another and to some degree or another.

You go through periods, I think, when you look at the world (because you're tired of looking at yourself) and you feel like throwing up. You see the poverty and frustration and despair under injustice and oppression that drives people to the brink of insanity and then beyond. You know that anarchy or a bomb isn't the answer but you'll be damned if you know what the answer is.

I have no criticism for the tragically poor and oppressed at home or in foreign lands! I know they're sinners and I know that the plundered can and do plunder their own sometimes. You don't need to be a top-rank theologian or an especially sensitive observer of life to know that; but I'm going to leave it to God to talk to them about moral responsibility on that day when all wrongs will be righted. Being abused is no excuse for abusing others but savage and sustained abuse distorts the soul and it'll take more than a glib, full-bellied, happy Professor of Religion to convince me that that won't be taken into account when Jesus comes to right all wrongs! So I have nothing to say by way of criticism about these people whose world is all excruciating, ceaseless pain or dull deadening hopelessness. They're the centre of their world because they're in too much pain or too stunned by the world's great wrongs against them to get their eyes off themselves. Maybe God can criticize them but if he does he's the only one that knows enough about it to do it—the rest of us aren't fit for the job!

[And if you think I'm planning a ranting match against God, think again. Me, the paragon of virtue and the epitome of selfless devotion to humanity, I'm going to sit in judgment on the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? Yeah, right! I've been persuaded by the biblical witness to God, a witness that includes the cross and the promise of the resurrected and glorified Jesus—I've been persuaded by that that we haven't seen the end of this human saga. Glory and joy and righteousness are ahead for all who want them! Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm all virtue and submission, a good little Christian who says the right thing; but it's too easy to dismiss the Story with a sneer and, anyway, I'll take Jesus' view of things before I'll swallow the ceaseless river of bilge poured out for our consumption by the media that either give it to us as they get it or puts their own spin on it. I'll throw in my pathetic little ounces with Jesus Christ rather than go along with this gloomy bleating or the smug sniping of "the wise" non-believer. Puddleglum has the right answer for all that stuff. Jesus likes Puddleglum though he likes Paul's gospel better—Romans 8:18-39.]

Then there are millions of thorough-going hedonists—their single driving thought is partying, more partying and partying after the partying. Whatever it takes! Nothing's to get in the way of having a good time; eating the best or the bizarre, drinking whatever, popping or snorting or injecting the next thing handed to them, travelling to the exotic and the exciting, having sex with whoever whenever however. A few coins in the charity baskets, buying tickets for the latest humanitarian gig, loads of criticism for governments, police, war lords, regular protests against war and then as soon as possible back again to the booze and the swinging centres with the deafening music, occasional moments when serious thought's attempted and as soon as the camera is turned off or the survey's been completed—back to the party! There they are, the happy helpers of the world's parasitic drug barons, the dependable support of the reptilian booze industry all, head and pelvis and no chest! "Look, Ma, made it, centre of the world!"

Then again, we have the millions of religious people who simply drift along thinking they've done God a favour by professing faith in him. They wish him well in his work with the world; they hope he'll be able to make the world a little better and a little safer for them and the ones they care about—well, all right, safer for everybody. They hate to hear the news about the awful things that are happening, they attend church frequently but there's no sense of destiny, no sense of mission in life, no conviction that they've been called by God to bless the world. It's all about them getting forgivness and going to heaven when they die. Faith in God must be taken seriously but it's easy, they tell us, to carry things too far and faith becomes toxic, a destroyer of inner peace and "joy" and everyone knows, surely, that God doesn't want us to be unhappy. No, don't let faith in Jesus Christ get in the way of being content and smiling—if it does, it's been distorted, it isn't true faith. "It must be true beyond debate that God wants us healthy and wealthy and wise. See? And I have a handful of verses that prove it."

Don't ask them to engage in their preferred form of outreach (that's bordering on toxicity) but let the government or some influential group try to take away their rights and they'll work harder than Paul did on his missionary journeys. "If you really believe in our Lord Jesus Christ you'll pass this email on to all your friends…"  "You'll write your MP or Senator…" "You'll boycott this or that…" The wrongs of others galvanise them into sustained effort to shore up any government or form of government that's favourable to their understanding of the Christian faith. But it isn't the Christian faith they're defending at the ballot box—they're defending a government that will take up weapons if need be to see to it that they get their rights and that's what Christianity is all about, don't you know. The "rights seekers" with a form of Christianity—the centre of their world!

Then we have that other group of Christian people who, whatever else they do, gaze long in the mirror, always looking for moral improvement, deeper spirituality; always searching for dialogue partners in that kind of endeavour. Some among them have turned the pursuit of holiness into a personal project, as if they lived in complete isolation from the world God has put them in. Inner transformation rather than outgoing righteousness is the order of the day. Often the seekers are disappointed that others aren't as interested as they are in such a quest; and they know they aren't as interested because they're not as religiously involved as they should be; as the seekers are.

But, sometimes, we get the impression that it isn't God they're looking at because they're always talking about and looking at themselves, can't get their eyes off themselves. For a while we admire them for their earnestness but finally it's pretty much a bore. They not only bore others, I'm guessing that subconsciously they bore themselves witless and only compound the initial problem. Now and then—hopefully not too often—we feel like saying, "For heaven's sake shut up about yourself and tell us something about the profound riches of God and his purposes for us all and just leave it at that!" Centre of the world all in the name of a deeper spirituality! [There are those who see their image in terms of a local church and spend their hours, waking and sleeping, trying to build a great church in their own image and dismissing as insignificant the multitude of tiny churches. Oh well.]

Finally, there are some poor souls that are too high-strung and they're sick, made sick by some sustained abuse and made worse by some brand of toxic religion. Much of what they say is understandable even if we shouldn't approve it or agree with it. In cases like these we can't know where sickness and self-centeredness begin and end, if they do at all. I suspect that some of what they say is what they've got into the habit of saying and if they can work to break the habit, so much the better. But having been so badly abused in one way or another and being subjected to a brand of religion that Jesus hates they're forever looking skyward, waiting for a demanding and irritable God to smash them to pieces.

That they feel ill, fed up, down at the mouth, wishing they were dead—all that I can understand, it isn't hard, and God understands it better than we ever can. Is there a cure for these people, in this life? I for one don't know but if there is, it would surely involve getting their eyes on the God who has shown himself in and as Jesus Christ. If reflecting on the meaning of Jesus Christ doesn't persuade them that they're safe with God and if that can't see them through what chance do the words of anyone else have? Why should they believe the words of the experts if they can't believe God's cross? It won't hurt—will it?—if we give them ladles of rich truth about a God who loves them more than the psychologists or this crazy world in general. It won't hurt—will it?—if we make him the centre of their pain-filled world.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Gary... Bible Reading and Study, August 15

Bible Reading and Study

August 15

The World English Bible

Aug. 15

Esther 7-10

Est 7:1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

Est 7:2 The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, "What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed."

Est 7:3 Then Esther the queen answered, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.

Est 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondservants and bondmaids, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's loss."

Est 7:5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, "Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?"

Est 7:6 Esther said, "An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman!" Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

Est 7:7 The king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

Est 7:8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, "Will he even assault the queen in front of me in the house?" As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

Est 7:9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king said, "Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, is standing at Haman's house." The king said, "Hang him on it!"

Est 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

Est 8:1 On that day, King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, to Esther the queen. Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her.

Est 8:2 The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

Est 8:3 Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

Est 8:4 Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose, and stood before the king.

Est 8:5 She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right to the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king's provinces.

Est 8:6 For how can I endure to see the evil that would come to my people? How can I endure to see the destruction of my relatives?"

Est 8:7 Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, "See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged on the gallows, because he laid his hand on the Jews.

Est 8:8 Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may not be reversed by any man."

Est 8:9 Then the king's scribes were called at that time, in the third month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language.

Est 8:10 He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal horses that were bread from swift steeds.

Est 8:11 In those letters, the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together, and to defend their life, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to plunder their possessions,

Est 8:12 on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

Est 8:13 A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that the Jews should be ready for that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

Est 8:14 So the couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. The decree was given out in the citadel of Susa.

Est 8:15 Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad.

Est 8:16 The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.

Est 8:17 In every province, and in every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them.

Est 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the month, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to conquer them, (but it was turned out the opposite happened, that the Jews conquered those who hated them),

Est 9:2 the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus, to lay hands on those who wanted to harm them. No one could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen on all the people.

Est 9:3 All the princes of the provinces, the  satraps, the governors, and those who did the king's business helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them.

Est 9:4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.

Est 9:5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they wanted to those who hated them.

Est 9:6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

Est 9:7 They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

Est 9:8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

Est 9:9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,

Est 9:10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jew's enemy, but they didn't lay their hand on the plunder.

Est 9:11 On that day, the number of those who were slain in the citadel of Susa was brought before the king.

Est 9:12 The king said to Esther the queen, "The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in the citadel of Susa, including the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your further request? It shall be done."

Est 9:13 Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according to this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows."

Est 9:14 The king commanded this to be done. A decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

Est 9:15 The Jews who were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and killed three hundred men in Shushan; but they didn't lay their hand on the spoil.

Est 9:16 The other Jews who were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, defended their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them; but they didn't lay their hand on the plunder.

Est 9:17 This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Est 9:18 But the Jews who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth days of the month; and on the fifteenth day of that month, they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Est 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a good day, and a day of sending presents of food to one another.

Est 9:20 Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far,

Est 9:21 to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar yearly,

Est 9:22 as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.

Est 9:23 The Jews accepted the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them;

Est 9:24 because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast "Pur," that is the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;

Est 9:25 but when this became known to the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

Est 9:26 Therefore they called these days "Purim," from the word "Pur." Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them,

Est 9:27 the Jews established, and imposed on themselves, and on their descendants, and on all those who joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to what was written, and according to its appointed time, every year;

Est 9:28 and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memory of them perish from their seed.

Est 9:29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.

Est 9:30 He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

Est 9:31 to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry.

Est 9:32 The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book. 

Est 10:1 King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and on the islands of the sea.

Est 10:2 All the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

Est 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his descendants. 

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Esther

Esther 7 1

So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

And the king and Haman came to drink with Esther the queen.

And the king cometh in, and Haman, to drink with Esther the queen,

Esther 7 2

The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is your petition,

queen Esther? and it shall be granted you: and what is your request? even to the half of the

kingdom it shall be performed.

And the king said again to Esther on the second day, at the banquet of wine, What is thy

petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee; and what is thy request? even to the

half of the kingdom it shall be done.

and the king saith to Esther also on the second day, during the banquet of wine,

`What [is] thy petition, Esther, O queen? and it is given to thee; and what thy

request? unto the half of the kingdom -- and it is done.`

Esther 7 3

Then Esther the queen answered, If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the

king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

And Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found grace in thy sight, O king, and if

it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request;

And Esther the queen answereth and saith, `If I have found grace in thine eyes, O

king, and if to the king [it be] good, let my life be given to me at my petition, and

my people at my request;

Esther 7 4

for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been

sold for bondservants and bondmaids, I had held my peace, although the adversary could not

have compensated for the king`s damage.

for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had

been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the adversary

could not compensate the king`s damage.

for we have been sold, I and my people, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy; and if for

men-servants and for maid-servants we had been sold I had kept silent -- but the

adversity is not equal to the loss of the king.`

Esther 7 5

Then spoke the king Ahasuerus and said to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that

dared presume in his heart to do so?

And king Ahasuerus spoke and said to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he that

has filled his heart to do so?

And the king Ahasuerus saith, yea, he saith to Esther the queen, `Who [is] he --

this one? and where [is] this one? -- he whose heart hath filled him to do so?`

Esther 7 6

Esther said, An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before

the king and the queen.

And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was

terrified before the king and the queen.

And Esther saith, `The man -- adversary and enemy -- [is] this wicked Haman;` and

Haman hath been afraid at the presence of the king and of the queen.

Esther 7 7

The king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine [and went] into the palace garden: and

Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil

determined against him by the king.

And the king in his wrath rose up from the banquet of wine, [and went] into the palace

garden; but Haman stayed to make request for his life to Esther the queen, for he saw that

there was evil determined against him by the king.

And the king hath risen, in his fury, from the banquet of wine, unto the garden of

the house, and Haman hath remained to seek for his life from Esther the queen, for

he hath seen that evil hath been determined against him by the king.

Esther 7 8

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and

Haman was fallen on the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the

queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king`s mouth, they covered Haman`s

face.

And the king returned out of the palace garden into the house of the banquet of wine,

and Haman was fallen upon the couch on which Esther was. And the king said, Will he

even force the queen before me in the house? The word went forth out of the king`s

mouth, and they covered Haman`s face.

And the king hath turned back out of the garden of the house unto the house of

the banquet of wine, and Haman is falling on the couch on which Esther [is], and

the king saith, `Also to subdue the queen with me in the house?` the word hath

gone out from the mouth of the king, and the face of Haman they have covered.

Esther 7 9

Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains who were before the king, Behold also, the gallows

fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, stands in

the house of Haman. The king said, Hang him thereon.

And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold, also, the gallows

fifty cubits high, that Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, stands in

the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him on it!

And Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, saith before the king, `Also lo, the tree that

Haman made for Mordecai, who spake good for the king, is standing in the house

of Haman, in height fifty cubits;` and the king saith, `Hang him upon it.`

Esther 7 10

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king`s

wrath pacified.

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. And the king`s

wrath was appeased.

And they hang Haman upon the tree that he had prepared for Mordecai, and the

fury of the king hath lain down.

Esther 8 1

On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews` enemy to Esther the

queen. Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her.

On that day did king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews` oppressor to Esther

the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her.

On that day hath the king Ahasuerus given to Esther the queen the house of

Haman, adversary of the Jews, and Mordecai hath come in before the king, for

Esther hath declared what he [is] to her,

Esther 8 2

The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set

Mordecai over the house of Haman.

And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai.

And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

and the king turneth aside his signet, that he hath caused to pass away from

Haman, and giveth it to Mordecai, and Esther setteth Mordecai over the house of

Haman.

Esther 8 3

Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with tears to

put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the

And Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him

with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device which he had

devised against the Jews.

And Esther addeth, and speaketh before the king, and falleth before his feet, and

weepeth, and maketh supplication to him, to cause the evil of Haman the Agagite

to pass away, and his device that he had devised against the Jews;

Esther 8 4

Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose, and stood before the king.

And the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. And Esther arose and stood

before the king,

and the king holdeth out to Esther the golden sceptre, and Esther riseth, and

standeth before the king,

Esther 8 5

She said, If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right

before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by

Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all

the king`s provinces:

and said, If it please the king and if I have found grace before him, and the thing seem

right to the king, and I be pleasing in his sight, let it be written to reverse the letters

devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the

Jews that are in all the king`s provinces.

and saith, `If to the king [it be] good, and if I have found grace before him, and the

thing hath been right before the king, and I [be] good in his eyes, let it be

written to bring back the letters -- a device of Haman son of Hammedatha the

Agagite -- that he wrote to destroy the Jews who [are] in all provinces of the king,

Esther 8 6

for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come to my people? or how can I endure to see the

destruction of my relatives?

For how shall I endure to see the evil that shall befall my people? and how shall I endure

to see the destruction of my kindred?

for how do I endure when I have looked on the evil that doth find my people? and

how do I endure when I have looked on the destruction of my kindred?`

Esther 8 7

Then the king Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, See, I have given

Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged on the gallows, because he laid his hand on

the Jews.

And king Ahasuerus said to queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given

Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he

stretched forth his hand against the Jews.

And the king Ahasuerus saith to Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew, `Lo,

the house of Haman I have given to Esther, and him they have hanged on the tree,

because that he put forth his hand on the Jews,

Esther 8 8

Write you also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king`s name, and seal it with the king`s ring;

for the writing which is written in the king`s name, and sealed with the king`s ring, may no

man reverse.

Write ye then for the Jews as seems good to you, in the king`s name, and seal [it] with the

king`s ring. For a writing that is written in the king`s name, and sealed with the king`s

ring, cannot be reversed.

and ye, write ye for the Jews, as [it is] good in your eyes, in the name of the king,

and seal with the signet of the king -- for the writing that is written in the name

of the king, and sealed with the signet of the king, there is none to turn back.`

Esther 8 9

Then were the king`s scribes called at that time, in the third month Sivan, on the three and

twentieth [day] of it; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews,

and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to

Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to the writing of it,

and to every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and

according to their language.

Then were the king`s scribes called at that time, in the third month, that is, the month

Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that

Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors, and the princes

of the provinces which are from India even to Ethiopia, a hundred and twenty-seven

provinces, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people

according to their language, and to the Jews according to their writing and according

to their language.

And the scribes of the king are called, at that time, in the third month -- it [is]

the month of Sivan -- in the three and twentieth of it, and it is written, according

to all that Mordecai hath commanded, unto the Jews, and unto the lieutenants,

and the governors, and the heads of the provinces, that [are] from Hodu even unto

Cush, seven and twenty and a hundred provinces -- province and province

according to its writing, and people and people according to its tongue, and unto

the Jews according to their writing, and according to their tongue.

Esther 8 10

He wrote the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king`s ring, and sent letters by

post on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king`s service, bred of the stud:

And he wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed [it] with the king`s ring, and

sent letters by couriers on horseback riding on coursers, horses of blood reared in the

breeding studs:

And he writeth in the name of the king Ahasuerus, and sealeth with the signet of

the king, and sendeth letters by the hand of the runners with horses, riders of the

dromedary, the mules, the young mares,

Esther 8 11

in which the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together, and

to stand for their life, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and

province that would assault them, [their] little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them

for a prey,

[stating] that the king granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves

together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the

power of the people and province that might assault them, [their] little ones and women,

and to [take] the spoil of them for a prey,

that the king hath given to the Jews who [are] in every city and city, to be

assembled, and to stand for their life, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy the whole

force of the people and province who are distressing them, infants and women,

and their spoil to seize.

Esther 8 12

on one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, [namely], on the thirteenth [day] of the

twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, upon the thirteenth of the twelfth

month, that is, the month Adar.

In one day, in all the provinces of the king 26:32Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth of the

twelfth month -- it [is] the month of Adar --

Esther 8 13

A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to

all the peoples, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their

enemies.

That the decree might be given in every province, a copy of the writing was published to

all the peoples, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves

on their enemies.

a copy of the writing to be made law in every province and province is revealed to

all the peoples, and for the Jews being ready at this day to be avenged of their

enemies.

Esther 8 14

So the posts who rode on swift steeds that were used in the king`s service went out, being

hurried and pressed on by the king`s commandment; and the decree was given out in Shushan

the palace.

The couriers mounted on coursers [and] horses of blood went out, being hastened and

pressed on by the king`s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the

fortress.

T26:32he runners, riding on the dromedary, [and] the mules, have gone out, hastened

and pressed by the word of the king, and the law hath been given in Shushan the

palace.

Esther 8 15

Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with

a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted

and was glad.

And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white,

and with a great crown of gold, and with a mantle of byssus and purple; and the city of

Shushan shouted and was glad.

And Mordecai went out from before the king, in royal clothing of blue and white,

and a great crown of gold, and a garment of fine linen and purple, and the city of

Shushan hath rejoiced and been glad;

Esther 8 16

The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor.

The Jews had light, and joy, and gladness, and honour.

to the Jews hath been light, and gladness, and joy, and honour,

Esther 8 17

In every province, and in every city, wherever the king`s commandment and his decree came,

the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. Many from among the peoples of the land

became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen on 26:32them.

And in every province, and in every city, wherever the king`s commandment and his

decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many among the

peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.

and in every province and province, and in every city and city, the place where

the word of the king, even his law, is coming, gladness and joy [are] to the Jews, a

banquet, and a good day; and many of the peoples of the land are becoming Jews,

for a fear of the Jews hath fallen upon them.

 26:32Esther 9 1

Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the

king`s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the

enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them, (whereas it was turned to the contrary, that

the Jews had rule over those who hated them,)

And in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day thereof, when

the king`s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day

that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them (but it was turned to the

contrary, that the Jews had power over them that hated them),

And in the twelfth month -- it [is] the month of Adar -- on the thirteenth day of it,

in which the word of the king, even his law, hath come to be done, in the day that

the enemies of the Jews had hoped to rule over them, and it is turned that the

Jews rule over those hating them --

Esther 9 2

the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king

Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the

fear of them was fallen on all the peoples.

the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout the provinces of king

Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt. And no man could withstand them;

for the fear of them had fallen upon all the peoples.

the Jews have been assembled in their cities, in all provinces of the king

Ahasuerus, to put forth a hand on those seeking their evil, and no man hath stood

in their presence, for their fear hath fallen on all the peoples.

Esther 9 3

All the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and those who did the

king`s business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai was fallen on them.

And all the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors and officers of

the king, helped the Jews; for the fear of Mordecai had fallen upon them.

And all heads of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the governors, and those

doing the work that the king hath, are lifting up the Jews, for a fear of Mordecai

hath fallen upon them;

Esther 9 4

For Mordecai was great in the king`s house, and his fame went forth throughout all the

provinces; for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.

For Mordecai was great in the king`s house, and his fame went forth throughout the

provinces; for the man Mordecai became continually greater.

for great [is] Mordecai in the house of the king, and his fame is going into all the

provinces, for the man Mordecai is going on and becoming great.

Esther 9 5

The Jews struck all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and

destruction, and did what they would to those who hated them.

And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword and slaughter and

destruction, and did what they would to those that hated them.

And the Jews smite among all their enemies -- a smiting of the sword, and

slaughter, and destruction -- and do with those hating them according to their

pleasure,

Esther 9 6

In Shushan the palace the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

And in Shushan the fortress the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

and in Shushan the palace have the Jews slain and destroyed five hundred men;

Esther 9 7

Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

and Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

Esther 9 8

and Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

and Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

and Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

Esther 9 9

and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizatha,

and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,

and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,

Esther 9 10

the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jew`s enemy, killed they; but they didn`t lay

their hand on the spoil.

the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the oppressor of the Jews, they slew; but

they laid not their hands on the prey.

ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, adversary of the Jews, they have slain, and

on the prey they have not put forth their hand.

Esther 9 11

On that day the number of those who were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the

king.

On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the fortress was brought

before the king.

On that day hath come the number of the slain in Shushan the palace before the

king,

Esther 9 12

The king said to Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in

Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king`s

provinces! Now what is your petition? and it shall be granted you: or what is your request

further? and it shall be done.

And the king said to Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred

men in Shushan the fortress, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest

of the king`s provinces? And what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee; and what

is thy request further? and it shall be done.

and the king saith to Esther the queen, `In Shushan the palace have the Jews slain

and destroyed five hundred men, and the ten sons of Haman; in the rest of the

provinces of the king what have they done? and what [is] thy petition? and it is

given to thee; and what thy request again? and it is done.`

Esther 9 13

Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do

tomorrow also according to this day`s decree, and let Haman`s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.

And Esther said, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to

do to-morrow also according to this day`s decree, and let Haman`s ten sons be hanged

upon the gallows.

And Esther saith, `If to the king [it be] good, let it be given also to-morrow, to the

Jews who [are] in Shushan, to do according to the law of to-day; and the ten sons of

Haman they hang on the tree.`

Esther 9 14

The king commanded it so to be done: and a decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged

Haman`s ten sons.

And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they

hanged Haman`s ten sons.

And the king saith -- `to be done so;` and a law is given in Shushan, and the ten

sons of Haman they have hanged.

Esther 9 15

The Jews who were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the

month Adar, and killed three hundred men in Shushan; but they didn`t lay their hand on the

spoil.

And the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day

also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but they laid not their

hand on the prey.

And the Jews who [are] in Shushan are assembled also on the fourteenth day of the

month of Adar, and they slay in Shushan three hundred men, and on the prey they

have not put forth their hand.

Esther 9 16

The other Jews who were in the king`s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for

their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and killed of those who hated them seventy-five

thousand; but they didn`t lay their hand on the spoil.

And the other Jews that were in the king`s provinces gathered themselves together, and

stood for their life, and had rest from their enemies; and they slew of them that hated

them seventy-five thousand (but they laid not their hand on the prey),

And the rest of the Jews, who [are] in the provinces of the king, have been

assembled, even to stand for their life, and to rest from their enemies, and to slay

among those hating them five and seventy thousand, and on the prey they have not

put forth their hand;

Esther 9 17

[This was done] on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same

they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth of the same they rested,

and made it a day of feasting and joy.

on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, even to rest on the fourteenth of it,

and to make it a day of banquet and of joy.

Esther 9 18

But the Jews who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth [day] of it, and on the

fourteenth of it; and on the fifteenth [day] of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting

and gladness.

But the Jews that were at Shushan gathered themselves together on the thirteenth [day]

thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth of the same they rested, and

made it a day of feasting and joy.

And the Jews who [are] in Shushan have been assembled, on the thirteenth day of

it, and on the fourteenth of it, even to rest on the fifteenth of it, and to make it a

day of banquet and of joy.

Esther 9 19

Therefore do the Jews of the villages, who dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day

of the month Adar [a day of] gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one

to another.

Therefore the Jews of the villages that dwell in the country towns make the fourteenth of

the month Adar a day of joy and feasting, and a good day, and on which they send

portions one to another.

Therefore the Jews of the villages, who are dwelling in cities of the villages, are

making the fourteenth day of the month of Adar -- joy and banquet, and a good

day, and of sending portions one to another.

Esther 9 20

Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the

king Ahasuerus, both near and far,

And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews near and far that were

in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus,

And Mordecai writeth these things, and sendeth letters unto all the Jews who

[are] in all provinces of the king Ahasuerus, who are near and who are far off,

Esther 9 21

to enjoin those who they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day

of the same, yearly,

to establish [this] among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month

Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

to establish on them, to be keeping the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and

the fifteenth day of it, in every year and year,

Esther 9 22

as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to

them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them

days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

as the days on which the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month that was turned

to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make

them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the

poor.

as days on which the Jews have rested from their enemies, and the month that

hath been turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a good day, to

make them days of banquet and of joy, and of sending portions one to another, and

gifts to the needy.

Esther 9 23

The Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them;

And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them.

And the Jews have received that which they had begun to do, and that which

Mordecai hath written unto them,

Esther 9 24

because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted

against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is the lot, to consume them, and to

destroy them;

For Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the oppressor of all the Jews, had devised

against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them and

to destroy them;

because Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, adversary of all the Jews, had

devised concerning the Jews to destroy them, and had caused to fall Pur -- that [is]

the lot -- to crush them and to destroy them;

Esther 9 25

but when [the matter] came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device,

which he had devised against the Jews, should return on his own head, and that he and his sons

should be hanged on the gallows.

and when [Esther] came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked

device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head; and

they hanged him and his sons on the gallows.

and in her coming in before the king, he said with the letter, `Let his evil device

that he devised against the Jews turn back upon his own head,` and they have

hanged him and his sons on the tree,

Esther 9 26

Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Therefore because of all the words

of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come

to them,

Therefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore, according to all

the words of this letter, and for what they had seen concerning this matter and what had

happened to them,

therefore they have called these days Purim -- by the name of the lot -- therefore,

because of all the words of this letter, and what they have seen concerning this,

and what hath come unto them,

Esther 9 27

the Jews ordained, and took on them, and on their seed, and on all such as joined themselves to

them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing of

it, and according to the appointed time of it, every year;

the Jews ordained and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined

themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would observe these two days

according to their writing and according to their fixed time, every year;

the Jews have established and received upon them, and upon their seed, and upon

all those joined unto them, and it doth not pass away, to be keeping these two days

according to their writing, and according to their season, in every year and year;

Esther 9 28

and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family,

every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews,

nor the memory of them perish from their seed.

and that these days should be remembered and observed throughout every generation, in

every family, every province, and every city, and that these days of Purim should not fail

from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them cease from among their seed.

and these days are remembered and kept in every generation and generation,

family and family, province and province, and city and city, and these days of

Purim do not pass away from the midst of the Jews, and their memorial is not

ended from their seed.

Esther 9 29

Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority

to confirm this second letter of Purim.

And queen Esther the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all

authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.

And Esther the queen, daughter of Abihail, writeth, and Mordecai the Jew, with

all might, to establish this second letter of Purim,

Esther 9 30

He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of

Ahasuerus, [with] words of peace and truth,

And he sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the

kingdom of Ahasuerus, words of peace and truth,

and he sendeth letters unto all the Jews, unto the seven and twenty and a hundred

provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus -- words of peace and truth --

Esther 9 31

to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, according as Mordecai the Jew and

Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had ordained for themselves and for their seed,

in the matter of the fastings and their cry.

to confirm these days of Purim in their fixed times, according as Mordecai the Jew and

queen Esther had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their

seed, as to the matters of the fastings and their cry.

to establish these days of Purim, in their seasons, as Mordecai the Jew hath

established on them, and Esther the queen, and as they had established on

themselves, and on their seed -- matters of the fastings, and of their cry.

Esther 9 32

The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the

book.

And a saying of Esther hath established these matters of Purim, and it is written

in the Book.

Esther 10 1

The king Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and on the isles of the sea.

And king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land and the isles of the sea.

And the king Ahasuerus setteth a tribute on the land and the isles of the sea;

Esther 10 2

All the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai,

whereunto the king advanced him, aren`t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings

of Media and Persia?

And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of

Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the

chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

and all the work of his strength, and his might, and the explanation of the

greatness of Mordecai with which the king made him great, are they not written

on the book of the Chronicles of Media and Persia?

Esther 10 3

For Mordecai the Jew was next to king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the

multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

For Mordecai the Jew was second to king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and

accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the welfare of his people, and

speaking peace to all his seed.

For Mordecai the Jew [is] second to king Ahasuerus, and a great man of the Jews,

and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking good for his people, and

speaking peace to all his seed.

Study Questions

What did Esther request from the king? 7:3-4

How was pride the downfall of Haman?

How did the king treat Mordecai? 8:1-2

What did Esther request of the king? 8:5, 6

Who sent an edict in the king's name? 8:10 (7)

Why did the princes help the Jews? 9:3

What further request did Esther make of the king? 9:13

What was the status of Mordecai? 10:3

How was rebellion (chapter 1) and pride (chapter 3) 

turned into salvation for the Jews? (chapters 9 and 10)

The World English Bible

Aug. 15, 16

Acts 26

Act 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You may speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.

Act 26:2 "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews,

Act 26:3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

Act 26:4 "Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem;

Act 26:5 having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Act 26:6 Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,

Act 26:7 which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!

Act 26:8 Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead?

Act 26:9 "I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Act 26:10 This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.

Act 26:11 Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Act 26:12 "Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

Act 26:13 at noon, O King, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.

Act 26:14 When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

Act 26:15 "I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' "He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Act 26:16 But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you;

Act 26:17 delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

Act 26:18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Act 26:19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

Act 26:20 but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

Act 26:21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me.

Act 26:22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen,

Act 26:23 how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles."

Act 26:24 As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!"

Act 26:25 But he said, "I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

Act 26:26 For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.

Act 26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."

Act 26:28 Agrippa said to Paul, "With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?"

Act 26:29 Paul said, "I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds."

Act 26:30 The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

Act 26:31 When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, "This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds."

Act 26:32 Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." 

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Acts

Acts 26 1

Agrippa said to Paul, "You may speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand, and

made his defense.

And Agrippa said to Paul, It is permitted thee to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching

out his hand answered in his defence:

And Agrippa said unto Paul, `It is permitted to thee to speak for thyself;` then

Paul having stretched forth the hand, was making a defence:

Acts 26 2

"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day

concerning all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews,

I count myself happy, king Agrippa, in having to answer to-day before thee concerning

all of which I am accused by the Jews,

`Concerning all things of which I am accused by Jews, king Agrippa, I have

thought myself happy, being about to make a defence before thee to-day,

Acts 26 3

especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews.

Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

especially because thou art acquainted with all the customs and questions which are

among the Jews; wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

especially knowing thee to be acquainted with all things -- both customs and

questions -- among Jews; wherefore, I beseech thee, patiently to hear me.

Acts 26 4

"Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning

among my own nation and at Jerusalem;

My manner of life then from my youth, which from its commencement was passed among

my nation in Jerusalem, know all the Jews,

`The manner of my life then, indeed, from youth -- which from the beginning was

among my nation, in Jerusalem -- know do all the Jews,

Acts 26 5

having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our

religion I lived a Pharisee.

who knew me before from the outset [of my life], if they would bear witness, that

according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

knowing me before from the first, (if they may be willing to testify,) that after the

most exact sect of our worship, I lived a Pharisee;

Acts 26 6

Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,

And now I stand to be judged because of the hope of the promise made by God to our

fathers,

and now for the hope of the promise made to the fathers by God, I have stood

judged,

Acts 26 7

which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I

am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!

to which our whole twelve tribes serving incessantly day and night hope to arrive; about

which hope, O king, I am accused of [the] Jews.

to which our twelve tribes, intently night and day serving, do hope to come,

concerning which hope I am accused, king Agrippa, by the Jews;

Acts 26 8

Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead?

Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight if God raises the dead?

why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?

Acts 26 9

"I most assuredly thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of

Jesus of Nazareth.

*I* indeed myself thought that I ought to do much against the name of Jesus the

Nazaraean.

`I, indeed, therefore, thought with myself, that against the name of Jesus of

Nazareth it behoved [me] many things to do,

Acts 26 10

This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received

authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.

Which also I did in Jerusalem, and myself shut up in prisons many of the saints, having

received the authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my

vote.

which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I in prison did shut up, from

the chief priests having received the authority; they also being put to death, I

gave my vote against them,

Acts 26 11

Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly

enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

And often punishing them in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme. And,

being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even to cities out [of our own

land].

and in every synagogue, often punishing them, I was constraining [them] to speak

evil, being also exceedingly mad against them, I was also persecuting [them] even

unto strange cities.

Acts 26 12

"Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief

priests,

And when, [engaged] in this, I was journeying to Damascus, with authority and power

from the chief priests,

`In which things, also, going on to Damascus -- with authority and commission

from the chief priests --

Acts 26 13

at noon, O King, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me

and those who traveled with me.

at mid-day, on the way, I saw, O king, a light above the brightness of the sun, shining

from heaven round about me and those who were journeying with me.

at mid-day, I saw in the way, O king, out of heaven, above the brightness of the

sun, shining round about me a light -- and those going on with me;

Acts 26 14

When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, `Saul,

Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.`

And, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew

tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against goads.

and we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying

in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute? hard for thee

against pricks to kick!

Acts 26 15

I said, `Who are you, Lord?` He said, `I am Jesus, whom you persecute.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, *I* am Jesus whom *thou* persecutest:

`And I said, Who art thou, Lord? and he said, I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute;

Acts 26 16

But arise, and stand on your feet, for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a servant

and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to

you;

but rise up and stand on thy feet; for, for this purpose have I appeared to thee, to appoint

thee to be a servant and a witness both of what thou hast seen, and of what I shall appear

to thee in,

but rise, and stand upon thy feet, for for this I appeared to thee, to appoint thee

an officer and a witness both of the things thou didst see, and of the things [in

which] I will appear to thee,

Acts 26 17

delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

taking thee out from among the people, and the nations, to whom *I* send thee,

delivering thee from the people, and the nations, to whom now I send thee,

Acts 26 18

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God,

that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by

faith in me.`

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of

Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that

are sanctified by faith in me.

to open their eyes, to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the authority

of the Adversary unto God, for their receiving forgiveness of sins, and a lot among

those having been sanctified, by faith that [is] toward me.

Acts 26 19

"Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision;

`Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

Acts 26 20

but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea,

and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of

repentance.

but have, first to those both in Damascus and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judaea,

and to the nations, announced that they should repent and turn to God, doing works

worthy of repentance.

but to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem, to all the region also of

Judea, and to the nations, I was preaching to reform, and to turn back unto God,

doing works worthy of reformation;

Acts 26 21

For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me.

On account of these things the Jews, having seized me in the temple, attempted to lay

hands on and destroy me.

because of these things the Jews -- having caught me in the temple -- were

endeavouring to kill [me].

Acts 26 22

Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small

and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come,

Having therefore met with [the] help which is from God, I have stood firm unto this day,

witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing else than those things which both the

prophets and Moses have said should happen,

`Having obtained, therefore, help from God, till this day, I have stood witnessing

both to small and to great, saying nothing besides the things that both the

prophets and Moses spake of as about to come,

Acts 26 23

how the Christ must suffer, and how he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim

light both to these people and to the Gentiles."

[namely,] whether Christ should suffer; whether he first, through resurrection of [the]

dead, should announce light both to the people and to the nations.

that the Christ is to suffer, whether first by a rising from the dead, he is about to

proclaim light to the people and to the nations.`

Acts 26 24

As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are crazy! Your great

learning is driving you insane!"

And as he answered for his defence with these things, Festus says with a loud voice, Thou

art mad, Paul; much learning turns thee to madness.

And, he thus making a defence, Festus with a loud voice said, `Thou art mad, Paul;

much learning doth turn thee mad;`

Acts 26 25

But he said, "I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but speak forth words of truth and soberness.

But Paul said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but utter words of truth and soberness;

and he saith, `I am not mad, most noble Festus, but of truth and soberness the

sayings I speak forth;

Acts 26 26

For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of

these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.

for the king is informed about these things, to whom also I speak with all freedom. For I

am persuaded that of these things nothing is hidden from him; for this was not done in a

corner.

for the king doth know concerning these things, before whom also I speak boldly,

for none of these things, I am persuaded, are hidden from him; for this thing hath

not been done in a corner;

Acts 26 27

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

thou dost believe, king Agrippa, the prophets? I have known that thou dost

believe!`

Acts 26 28

Agrippa said to Paul, "With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?"

And Agrippa [said] to Paul, In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.

And Agrippa said unto Paul, `In a little thou dost persuade me to become a

Christian!`

Acts 26 29

Paul said, "I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that

hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds."

And Paul [said], I would to God, both in little and in much, that not only thou, but all who

have heard me this day, should become such as *I* also am, except these bonds.

and Paul said, `I would have wished to God, both in a little, and in much, not only

thee, but also all those hearing me to-day, to become such as I also am -- except

these bonds.`

Acts 26 30

The king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

And the king stood up, and the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them,

And, he having spoken these things, the king rose up, and the governor, Bernice

also, and those sitting with them,

Acts 26 31

When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, "This man does nothing worthy of

death or of bonds."

and having gone apart, they spoke to one another saying, This man does nothing worthy

of death or of bonds.

and having withdrawn, they were speaking unto one another, saying -- `This man

doth nothing worthy of death or of bonds;`

Acts 26 32

Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been let go if he had not appealed to

Caesar.

and Agrippa said to Festus, `This man might have been released if he had not

appealed to Caesar.`

Study Questions

Which religious sect of Judaism did Paul belong to? 26:5

What did Paul see at midday? 26:13

How did Agrippa view Paul's situation? 26:32