From Gary... A word to the young (and those young at heart)

Her name is Arsa and she lives in Romania.  What a treasure!!!  She is the absolute picture of youth and vitality!!!  I remember looking at the world through eyes like hers and that grin; such a grin!!!  This picture caught my attention some time ago, but I just haven't had the time to post it!  While viewing it this portrait, these words from Ecclesiastes came to mind...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 11

 7 Truly the light is sweet,

and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.

  8 Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all;

but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many.

All that comes is vanity.

  9 Rejoice, young man, in your youth,

and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,

and walk in the ways of your heart,

and in the sight of your eyes;

but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

  10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,

and put away evil from your flesh;

for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

It has been said that it is a pity that youth is wasted on the young- on those who don't really appreciate what they have.  But, this young lady appears to be enjoying life.  So, verse 9 above is appropriate and even more so as its latter part and verse 10 remind us all of the future.

PS. Even though I no longer have the glow of youthfulness, I still feel young at heart and that is half the battle of enjoying life.  The other half is seeking to know God's will and to try to do it!!!  That second part can be demanding, but then again- the reward of heaven is eternity with God!!!

From Mark Copeland... Concerning The Collection (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)

                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                   Concerning The Collection (16:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

1. Among many churches of Christ, visitors are often surprised to
   find...
   a. That there is not a lot of passing the plate to "take up an
      offering"
   b. A collection is taken only once on Sunday, the first day of the
      week
   c. No collection is taken during other times, such as midweek
      services, or special events like gospel meetings (what some may
      call revivals)

2. The practice reflects a desire to follow the New Testament pattern...
   a. Not just in giving, but in every aspect of church worship
   b. To allow the example and principles found in the early church to
      guide us

[What exactly is revealed "Concerning The Collection" in the New
Testament?  With 1Co 16:1-2 as the text for our study, let's first
review the...]

I. HISTORY OF THE COLLECTION

   A. EARLY CHURCH NOTED FOR ITS LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER...
      1. In the church at Jerusalem, the charity of its members was
         remarkable - Ac 2:44-45
      2. Their liberality continued for sometime - Ac 4:32-35
      3. Granted, there were extenuating circumstances that may explain
         why selling everything they had did not become normative for
         the church
      4. But they demonstrate the extent to which brethren were willing
         to go

   B. SUCH LOVE WENT BEYOND THE LOCAL CONGREGATION...
      1. The church in Antioch took up a collection for the needy saints
         in Judea - Ac 11:27-30
      2. The churches in Greece took up a collection for the saints in
         Jerusalem - Ro 15:25-26

   C. A SYSTEMATIC COLLECTION WAS ESTABLISHED...
      1. Paul gave instructions to churches in Galatia and Corinth
         - 1Co 16:1
      2. A weekly collection, gathered on the first day of the week
         - 1Co 16:2

[Thus began a practice that remains to this day among churches of
Christ.  Note carefully now the...]

II. PURPOSE OF THE COLLECTION

   A. TO PROVIDE FOR NEEDY CHRISTIANS...
      1. It was "the collection for the saints" - 1Co 16:1
      2. It was "for the poor among the saints" - Ro 15:26
      3. It concerns "ministering to the saints" - 2Co 9:1
      4  It "supplies the needs of the saints" - 2Co 9:12

   B. BOTH LOCALLY AND ABROAD...
      1. As the church in Jerusalem cared for its own - cf. Ac 2,4,6
      2. As the churches in Antioch, Macedonia, Achaia, and Galatia
         cared for those in Jerusalem and Judea - cf. Ac 11, Ro 15, 1Co 
         16

   C. INCLUDING PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL...
      1. Who were certainly worthy of their support - 1Co 9:3-14
      2. Paul received support from various churches - 2Co 11:8,9
      3. One can infer that such support came from the church treasury
         for needy saints
      4. As individuals who devoted their full service to the Lord,
         becoming dependent on others for support, they would certainly
         qualify as "needy saints"

[For the work of benevolence and evangelism, it has become customary for
the weekly collection to support what is the proper work of the church
(including edification).  Now consider the...]

III. BLESSINGS OF THE COLLECTION

   A. THE GIVERS ARE BLESSED...
      1. For it is more blessed to give than receive - Ac 20:35
      2. Cheerful givers who sow bountifully will reap accordingly
         - 2Co 9:6-7
      3. That they might have an abundance for even more good works
         - 2Co 9:8-11

   B. THE RECIPIENTS ARE BLESSED...
      1. The needs of the saints are supplied - 2Co 9:12a
      2. They are filled with praise to God and longing for their
         brethren - 2Co 9:13-14

   C. GOD IS BLESSED...
      1. Such liberality abounds with many thanksgivings to God - 2 Co 9:11-15
      2. By the beneficiaries and those who witness it - ibid.

[Thus the collection for the saints has great potential for much good!
Lastly, let's review some...]

IV. GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION

   A. WHEN TO GIVE...
      1. On the first day of the week - 1Co 16:1
      2. The day in which disciples came together to break bread - Ac 20:7

   B. HOW TO GIVE...
      1. Proportionately - as one may prosper - 1Co 16:2; 2Co 8:12-13
      2. Willingly - with a willing mind, according to what one has
         - 2Co 8:12
      3. Purposefully - with thought, as one purposes in his heart
         - 2Co 9:7
      4. Cheerfully - not grudgingly, or of necessity - 2Co 9:7

   C. EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE...
      1. The Macedonians - who gave sacrificially, beyond their ability
         - 2Co 8:1-7
      2. The Achaians - whose zeal stirred up many others to give - 2 Co 9:1-2
      3. Jesus Christ - who though rich, became poor, that we might be
         rich - 2Co 8:9

CONCLUSION

1. The practice of a weekly collection continued after the apostles
   died...

   "On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country
   gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the
   writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then when
   the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts
   to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and
   pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and
   wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers
   prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people
   assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a
   participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those
   who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are
   well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is
   collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans
   and widows, and those who, through sickness or any other cause are in
   want, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers sojourning among
   us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is
   the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the
   first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and
   matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day
   rose from the dead." - Justin Martyr, First Apology (110-165 A.D.)

2. There is certainly good reason for it to continue today, for it is a
   practice...
   a. With apostolic approval
   b. Free from coercion that often accompanies an appeal to give
   c. Sufficient to supply the church with the funds to do its work

When one properly understands what is revealed in the Scriptures
"Concerning The Collection", a Christian will truly give as they have
been prospered, with a cheerful heart and willing mind...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Mark Copeland... Act Like Men (1 Corinthians 16:13)

                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                          Act Like Men (16:13)

INTRODUCTION

1. In 1Co 16:13, Paul commands the Corinthians to "be brave" (NKJV),
   also translated as...
   a. "quit you like men" (ASV, KJV)
   b. "act like men" (ESV, NASB)
   c. "be courageous" (NRSV), "be men of courage" (NIV)

2. The Greek word is andrizomai, and is defined by Thayer...
   a. to make a man of or make brave
   b. to show one's self a man, be brave

3. For our study, I would like to focus on the idea of acting like
   men...
   a. What is involved in showing oneself to be a man (besides bravery)?
   b. Especially as a man in Christ, what does it mean to be a real man?

[The answer is to be found in the New Testament, where men of God are
often commanded to behave a certain way.  For example, consider how a
man of God should conduct himself...]

I. AS A BACHELOR

   A. BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER CHRISTIANS...
      1. This is the charge given to Timothy, who was single - 1Ti 4:12
      2. Likewise to Titus - Tit 2:7
      3. Even as Paul did himself - 1Th 2:10
      -- A single man should provide an example of what it means to
         serve Christ

   B. USE YOUR FREEDOM FOR THE LORD...
      1. Paul wrote that the unmarried can do more for the Lord - 1Co 7:32-34
      2. They do not have spousal and parental duties
      -- A single man should utilize the extra time and energy they have
         for the Lord

[Of course, many men do not remain bachelors, they marry and have a
family.  How then does one act like a man...]

II. AS A HUSBAND

   A. LOVE YOUR WIFE...
      1. Husbands are charged to love their wives - Ep 5:25
      2. As Christ loved the church - Ep 5:25-27
      3. As they love their own bodies - Ep 5:28-29
      -- A real man is one who unselfishly loves his wife

   B. TREAT HER WITH RESPECT...
      1. Render the affection that she is due - 1Co 7:3-4
      2. Seek to understand her, give her honor - 1Pe 3:7
      -- A real man is one who is considerate and seeks to exalt his
         wife

[When children come along, acting like a man involves accepting
responsibilities...]

III. AS A FATHER

   A. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN...
      1. Fathers have the duty to bring their children up in the ways of
         the Lord - Ep 6:4
      2. As God expected of Abraham - Gen 18:19
      3. As God command Israel - Deut 6:6-7
      4. Providing the kind of leadership Joshua did for his family
         - Josh 24:15
      -- Fathers who act like men will provide spiritual leadership for
         their children

   B. BE PATIENT WITH THEM...
      1. Fathers are not to provoke their children to wrath - Ep 6:4
      2. Fathers must not be so overbearing as to discourage their
         children - Col 3:21
      3. This does not mean there is never discipline - He 12:5-11
      -- Fathers who act like men will seek to provide the proper
         balance between love and discipline

[Even after a man has become a husband and a father, acting like a man
still involves some duties...]

IV. AS A SON

   A. HONOR YOUR PARENTS...
      1. A duty for all children - Ep 6:1-2
      2. A duty that involves providing for them in old age - cf. Mk 7:
         9-13
      -- A son acting like a man will not try to avoid caring for his
         parents

   B. SUPPORT YOUR WIDOWS...
      1. Children (including sons) are to provide for their mothers and
         grandmothers - 1Ti 5:4,16
      2. Failure to do so makes one worse than an unbeliever - 1Ti 5:8
      -- A son will see that his mother or grandmother is cared for
         - e.g., Jn 19:25-26

[Finally, some thoughts on what one acting like a man will be...]

V. AS A CHRISTIAN

   A. EXERCISE YOURSELF TO GODLINESS...
      1. So Paul charged Timothy - 1Ti 4:7-8
      2. Which involves fleeing some things, while pursuing others
         - 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 3:16-17
         a. Fleeing the love of money and youthful lusts - 1Ti 6:10;
            2Ti 2:22; 1Co 6:18
         b. Pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
            gentleness - 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:22
      -- A man of God will make every effort to be a true child of God

   B. UTILIZE YOUR GIFTS...
      1. By God's grace, we each have gifts, differing abilities - Ro 12:3-6
      2. We should therefore use them in service to one another - Ro 12:
         6-8; 1Pe 4:10-11
      -- A man of God will make the effort to discover his gift(s) and
         use them in service to the family of God

CONCLUSION

1. More can certainly be said, for the scriptures are full of wisdom and
   instruction of what it means to be a real man of God

2. Sadly, the world often presents an entirely different picture of what
   it means to be a man, confusing machismo (exaggerated masculinity)
   with true manliness

As noted in the beginning, the word translated "act like men" conveys
the idea of being "brave, courageous".  Will we who are men be brave
enough to behave the way God wants us to, and not just imitate those
"models of manhood" who are often spiritually and emotionally
immature...?

   "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
   godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  Fight the good fight
   of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called
   and have confessed the good confession in the presence of
   many witnesses." - 1Ti 6:12

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Mark Copeland... Addicted To The Ministry Of The Saints (1 Corinthians 16:15)

                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

             Addicted To The Ministry Of The Saints (16:15)

INTRODUCTION

1. Many people have addictions to one thing or another...
   a. Some are negative addictions:  drugs, alcohol, cigarettes,
      gambling, etc.
   b. Some are positive addictions, such as exercise

2. In the KJV translation of 1Co 16:15, we read of a family with a very
   positive addiction...
   a. "...ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of
      Achaia"
   b. "...and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the
      saints"

3. The Greek word translated by the KJV as "addicted" is tasso...
   a. Which literally means "to arrange in an orderly manner" - Strong
   b. Most other translations render it as "devoted" (NKJV, NASB, NIV,
      etc.)

4. Playing on the word "addicted" (for the sake of illustration)...
   a. If we are addicted to something, what a more noble habit?
   b. Would it not be wonderful if we were all "addicted" to serving one
      another?

[In this lesson, we shall see why everyone should have such an
addiction, and offer some suggestions on how to get hooked...!]

I. WHY BE ADDICTED TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS?

   A. TO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST...
      1. When we bear one another's burdens, we fulfill the law of
         Christ - Ga 6:1-2
      2. Thus we are encouraged to do good to another as we have
         opportunity - Ga 6:10
      -- If addicted to the ministry of the saints, we are more likely
         to utilize our opportunities to fulfill the law of Christ!

   B. TO PROVE THAT WE HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD IN US...
      1. We cannot have the love of God in us if we do not love one
         another - 1Jn 4:20-21
      2. Loving the brethren indicates that we have passed from death to
         life - 1Jn 3:14-20
      -- If addicted to the ministry of the saints, it is a positive
         sign that we are truly the children of God!

   C. TO FULFILL OUR PART IN THE BODY OF CHRIST...
      1. God intends for members of the body to be concerned for one
         another - 1Co 12:24-27
      2. For the body to grow as it should, every member must do its
         part - Ep 4:15-16
      -- If addicted to the ministry of the saints, we will do our part
         in the body of Christ!

[There are both personal and altruistic motives to becoming "addicted"
to serving one another as brethren.  That being so, here are some
thoughts on...]

II. BECOMING ADDICTED TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS

   A. GETTING ACQUAINTED IS REQUIRED...
      1. Will Rogers once said, "I never met a man I didn't like"
      2. Allow me to rephrase that:  "I never loved a person I never
         met"
      3. Unless we know each other, there is little hope to becoming
         addicted to serving one another
      4. Getting acquainted requires some effort; how much?
         a. More than just seeing each other for a few moments, once or
            twice a week
         b. Whatever it takes so that when one is absent from one
            assembly, others are concerned
      5. It requires being given to hospitality - cf. Ro 12:13
         a. What I knew growing up as "southern hospitality"
         b. Not the cold, hands off, keep your distance, attitude so
            prevalent in some circles
         c. But the love of strangers that opens heart and home, and
            turns them into friends
         d. A willingness to visit, and be visited
         e. Truly believing in the phrase "mi casa, su casa" (my house
            is your house)
      -- We must know each other well enough to like one another if we
         are going to be truly concerned about each other

   B. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR BECOMING ADDICTED...
      1. For addictions to be developed, habits must be formed
      2. Make it a habit to learn the names of  the members and others
         who visit frequently
         a. Learn a new name each week
         b. Greet those you know by name each week - cf. 3Jn 14
         c. Continue until you know everyone by name
      3. Make it a habit to practice hospitality with one another - cf.
         1Pe 4:9
         a. Invite people into your home, or out for dinner
         b. Accept invitations when offered, for hospitality is a
            two-way street!
      4. Whatever abilities you have, use them in service to your
         brethren - cf. 1Pe 4:10-11
         a. For the goal is to become addicted to serving our brethren
         b. Whether it be serving through teaching, helping, etc.
      -- The more we know one another, and the more we grow in our
         abilities to serve, the easier it is to become addicted to the
         ministry of the saints

CONCLUSION

1. The family of Stephanas left behind a wonderful reputation...
   a. They were devoted to the ministry of the saints - 1Co 16:15
   b. They made Paul glad and refreshed his spirit when they came to him
      - 1Co 16:17-18

2. What kind of reputation will we leave behind...?
   a. Devoted to serving our brethren with love and zeal?
   b. Or unwilling to render loving service because we were too busy or
      disinterested?

May we all become "Addicted To The Ministry Of The Saints"...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... Missing Someone

Missing Someone

When they moved in the house he said

"I’ll fix that gate one day."

In later years he changed his tune—

"Creaking gates hang longest—look at me!"

She came to love the gate, it told her things,

told her when he was coming home.

After the funeral her son said

"I’ll get that gate replaced, Dad

never got around to it."

The new gate is silent, swings smooth

on oiled hinges, closes

with a well-oiled click,

but the music has gone out of her life

And she is left with a feeling of betrayal.

R.P Fenwick wrote that. His own experiences helped to make him sensitive both to the capacity of love to transform dissonance into music and to the awful pain lovers feel at profound loss.

Ah, sin, to hell with you!

©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 Jim McGuiggan... Mr. Wonderful blunders

Mr. Wonderful blunders

Now that I think of it I think I should have had a clearer awareness of it long before now, though I wasn't completely ignorant of it in the past. Mrs. Clennam (click) despised herself and as a consequence she despised other transgressors and had come to hate evil-doers. There was something of that in Javier, Hugo's obsessed policeman in Les Miserables. 

Each of us has some influence over others and the influence we have is not always the purposed kind; much of it we aren't aware of because we aren't consciously trying to exert it.

If we're overly severe with ourselves and forever self-critical we're proclaiming a definite message to those we live with. If I call myself "stupid" (or some such thing) when I make a mistake, even in silly things (maybe, spilling milk, breaking a cup, burning the toast), I'm creating an atmosphere around the home. If I'm Mr. Death on my moral wrongs, so severe that I verbally whip myself to shreds and show no mercy, I'm sending out a message: transgressors deserve to be punished without mercy.

Certainly in relation to those I have influence with, when they see me withholding forgiveness or allowing it only grudgingly and after a severe beating, they'll tend to think they should withhold forgiveness from themselves; and so the infection spreads as we each influence someone else.

If I show no mercy toward myself and those who are to some degree shaped by me show no mercy to themselves, what will we feel toward others? If we learn to despise ourselves because we're transgressors, will we not come to think that all transgressors are to be despised and treated with prolonged severity?

This came home to me quite some time ago when I was working with Ethel, doing a tricky little cleaning job and replacing a burst colostomy pouch. It took a while and some patience but I finally got it done, only to discover that the pouch was facing in the wrong direction and in the process of replacing that one I goofed and had to replace the urostomy pouch also. It infuriated me and I gave myself an audible and over-the-top verbal beating. Ethel asked: "Did you do it on purpose?" She was right but I wasn't prepared to allow room for my failure without a string of self-insulting remarks. (Who'd I think I was that I wouldn't allow myself to blunder? Samuel L. Jackson, the actor, said an honest caddy taught him to control his temper on the golf course. In ill-temper Jackson had flung his club away and the caddy said: "You're not good enough to be that angry.")

If I was injuring anyone at times like that I was injuring only myself (I think I must have thought) but it wasn't true. Maybe that's when I first linked my own behaviour with Ethel's habit of calling herself "stupid!" when she spilled water or forgot her medicine or jammed her hand between the door and the wheelchair. Why would she speak that way? Because she'd heard me do it for years and was led to believe that if I made no allowances for myself she should make none for her. I learned it from her and she learned it from me.

It turns out that to withhold forgiveness from yourself creates a culture in which forgiveness is harder to accept as well as to offer. Nelson Mandela said "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." Hmmm, there's something in that statement that sheds light on this topic and I want the truth of it to be part of me.

Would all this have any effect on our understanding of forgiveness offered by God in Jesus Christ, do you think?

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

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

From Jim McGuiggan... MY NAME IS "IMPASSIONED"

MY NAME IS "IMPASSIONED"

Is God jealous? The Bible says yes!

“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt…You must have no other gods besides me. You must not make a carved image for yourself…You must not bow down to them in worship; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…” (Exodus 20:2-5, REB)

But Exodus 34:14 puts it even more bluntly. “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

Isn’t that an astonishing name he gives himself? Bless me, he doesn’t even seem to be embarrassed by it and in fact the tone of the text makes it clear that he wants Israel to keep it in mind. In other places he speaks of himself as someone who delights in love and kindness and compassion but here he just as plainly says, "Call me 'Jealous'."

So does that mean that God’s like the pouters who sulk, who disappear in a shroud of sullen silence, who make everyone in the house miserable so that they speak in whispers and mothers say to children, “Shush, be quiet, your father’s in a bad mood.” Is that the sort of thing he's talking about? If it is, he does it more than occasionally—he says, “That’s my name! That’s the word that describes me.”

Take as an example, Sydney Crittenden, the great pouter, who's nearly always in a bad mood. What is it that distresses the poor thing? Well, he feels he isn’t appreciated. And what is it that makes him feel that way? Um…he heard someone being praised and he felt that that made less of him. His name didn’t come up in numerous conversations and there were several occasions throughout the week when no one asked for his opinion and, in fact, there was one occasion when he gave his opinion and someone else’s was thought better. Then there was the time when his wife simply went on and on about how John Jones made her laugh and how nice he was to be around. That’s the kind of thing that made his bottom lip swell to the size of a watermelon and go all trembly. He was the jealous type!

That’s what God’s like?

Yes, I can understand non-believers and pathetic little celebrity gurus taking offense at biblical texts like the above and I do understand that there are preachers who are all thunder and no light, who go around screaming and foaming at the mouth about a God who is so obsessed with his own reputation that you’d think Philippians 2:6-8 wasn’t in the Bible.

The words often rendered “jealousy” have a wide range of meaning but central to all of them are the notions of heightened passion, an intense state of mind that lead to action—notions that are the opposite of ideas like “laid back” or “unruffled” or “calm” and therefore feeling no need to do anything. The words are often rendered zeal (compare Isaiah 9:7). The Jewish Publication Society translation renders Exodus 34:14, “The Lord whose name is Impassioned is an impassioned God.”

Context alone determines the precise meaning of words in their given texts and to have God himself telling us, “I am peevish, envious and obsessed with my own praise” is sheer silliness.

The word “jealousy” is used now, almost exclusively, of a mean-spirited attitude, something that wouldn’t exist in a really fine person. That being the case it’s now a misleading rendering of passages like Exodus 20:5.

    God's jealousy is an intense feeling on behalf of someone else.

Eric Fairbairn adored Jeanie Duncan, Frank Boreham tells us, so he is furious when Jeanie becomes infatuated with Rex Crawford, a user and a villain who played with her and robbed her of what she couldn’t afford to lose. Eric's rage was not only that his own love was now being sidelined—though true love does seek love in return even if it doesn’t get it—his rage was that Jeanie was missing his love and the benefits that his love would mean to her.

God rages against all that robs his people in particular and the human family in general. God isn’t jealous of our friends, our gardens, our jobs, our children and families, our lovers or our health (bless me, they're his gifts to us) but he cannot bear with indifference, as if it didn’t matter, when we set our hearts on things that undermine our commitment to him or so set our hearts on his gifts that they rob us of Him.

To ask God to love us and not care that we’re losing what we can’t afford to lose is not to know God—his name is Impassioned!

To prefer a God who will simply leave us alone and make no demands of us empties the life of Jesus and his suffering, resurrection and glorification of all significance and turns it into a long shrug. God cannot not care intensely what happens to us. If we don't understand that we've lost the right to speak about real love and certainly we don't understand the love of God.

To make the word “God” mean anything or nothing depending on what we want to experience signals the changeless doom of the oppressed and the millions that have been oppressed into the grave.

Isaiah 9:1-7 speaks of Jesus, the Son of God, in whom light would come to the world and the oppressed will find deliverance. The prophet insisted that the zeal (jealousy) of the Lord of Hosts would see to it. We mustn't rob God of his passion!

Here’s the real question: The relationship you have now committed yourself to, the person or child who has now entered your life, the enterprise you are now engaged in—does it destroy your commitment to God, his agenda and method? If so, you should be glad God is zealous (jealous) and is opposed to it. Does it enrich your relationship with God and call you upward in gallantry and honor; does it bind you more closely to him, to his agenda and method? If so, this too is the work of God’s zeal. God gives us marvelous gifts and wants us to fully enjoy them and when we do it pleases him for he means us to enjoy them!

Can you imagine a parent making a great breakfast for the kids being offended when they devour it with pleasure? The parental pleasure is the pleasure of seeing the child's pleasure. A spouse, parent, child or friend that we so love that we'd throw ourselves in front or a train for them is a gift of God. He gives us these and is then upset because we love them with all our hearts? Nonsense!

God is “jealous” of nothing but what would use and abuse you, what would rob and corrupt you. Don’t ask him, now or in the end, to leave you alone—he won’t do it! 

He’s a jealous God and loves you too much to do that!

©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 19

Bible Reading and Study 

August 19

The World English Bible

Aug. 19

Job 13-16

Job 13:1 "Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.

Job 13:2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

Job 13:3 "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.

Job 13:4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

Job 13:5 Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.

Job 13:6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

Job 13:7 Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

Job 13:8 Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

Job 13:9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

Job 13:10 He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.

Job 13:11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?

Job 13:12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.

Job 13:13 "Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.

Job 13:14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

Job 13:15 Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

Job 13:16 This also shall be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him.

Job 13:17 Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

Job 13:18 See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

Job 13:19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.

Job 13:20 "Only don't do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from your face:

Job 13:21 withdraw your hand far from me; and don't let your terror make me afraid.

Job 13:22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.

Job 13:23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

Job 13:24 Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?

Job 13:25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?

Job 13:26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:

Job 13:27 You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,

Job 13:28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Job 14:1 "Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.

Job 14:2 He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down. He also flees like a shadow, and doesn't continue.

Job 14:3 Do you open your eyes on such a one, and bring me into judgment with you?

Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.

Job 14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his bounds that he can't pass;

Job 14:6 Look away from him, that he may rest, until he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.

Job 14:7 "For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, that the tender branch of it will not cease.

Job 14:8 Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground,

Job 14:9 yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.

Job 14:10 But man dies, and is laid low. Yes, man gives up the spirit, and where is he?

Job 14:11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the river wastes and dries up,

Job 14:12 so man lies down and doesn't rise. Until the heavens are no more, they shall not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep.

Job 14:13 "Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would keep me secret, until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!

Job 14:14 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, until my release should come.

Job 14:15 You would call, and I would answer you. You would have a desire to the work of your hands.

Job 14:16 But now you number my steps. Don't you watch over my sin?

Job 14:17 My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity.

Job 14:18 "But the mountain falling comes to nothing. The rock is removed out of its place;

Job 14:19 The waters wear the stones. The torrents of it wash away the dust of the earth. So you destroy the hope of man.

Job 14:20 You forever prevail against him, and he departs. You change his face, and send him away.

Job 14:21 His sons come to honor, and he doesn't know it. They are brought low, but he doesn't perceive it of them.

Job 14:22 But his flesh on him has pain, and his soul within him mourns."

Job 15:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

Job 15:2 "Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind?

Job 15:3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or with speeches with which he can do no good?

Job 15:4 Yes, you do away with fear, and hinder devotion before God.

Job 15:5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.

Job 15:6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I. Yes, your own lips testify against you.

Job 15:7 "Are you the first man who was born? Or were you brought forth before the hills?

Job 15:8 Have you heard the secret counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

Job 15:9 What do you know, that we don't know? What do you understand, which is not in us?

Job 15:10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, much elder than your father.

Job 15:11 Are the consolations of God too small for you, even the word that is gentle toward you?

Job 15:12 Why does your heart carry you away? Why do your eyes flash,

Job 15:13 That you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth?

Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Job 15:15 Behold, he puts no trust in his holy ones. Yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight;

Job 15:16 how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water!

Job 15:17 "I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare:

Job 15:18 (Which wise men have told by their fathers, and have not hidden it;

Job 15:19 to whom alone the land was given, and no stranger passed among them):

Job 15:20 the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.

Job 15:21 A sound of terrors is in his ears. In prosperity the destroyer shall come on him.

Job 15:22 He doesn't believe that he shall return out of darkness. He is waited for by the sword.

Job 15:23 He wanders abroad for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

Job 15:24 Distress and anguish make him afraid. They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

Job 15:25 Because he has stretched out his hand against God, and behaves himself proudly against the Almighty;

Job 15:26 he runs at him with a stiff neck, with the thick shields of his bucklers;

Job 15:27 because he has covered his face with his fatness, and gathered fat on his thighs.

Job 15:28 He has lived in desolate cities, in houses which no one inhabited, which were ready to become heaps.

Job 15:29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall their possessions be extended on the earth.

Job 15:30 He shall not depart out of darkness. The flame shall dry up his branches. By the breath of God's mouth shall he go away.

Job 15:31 Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; for emptiness shall be his reward.

Job 15:32 It shall be accomplished before his time. His branch shall not be green.

Job 15:33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive tree.

Job 15:34 For the company of the godless shall be barren, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

Job 15:35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. Their heart prepares deceit."

Job 16:1 Then Job answered,

Job 16:2 "I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!

Job 16:3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

Job 16:4 I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,

Job 16:5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

Job 16:6 "Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

Job 16:7 But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.

Job 16:8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.

Job 16:9 He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.

Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.

Job 16:11 God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.

Job 16:12 I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.

Job 16:13 His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.

Job 16:14 He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.

Job 16:15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.

Job 16:16 My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.

Job 16:17 Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

Job 16:18 "Earth, don't cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

Job 16:19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.

Job 16:20 My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,

Job 16:21 that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!

Job 16:22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from whence I shall not return. 

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.

Job

Job 13 1

"Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.

Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], mine ear hath heard and understood it.

Lo, all -- hath mine eye seen, Heard hath mine ear, and it attendeth to it.

Job 13 2

What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

What ye know, I know also: I am not inferior to you.

According to your knowledge I have known -- also I. I am not fallen more than you.

Job 13 3

"Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.

But I will speak to the Almighty, and will find pleasure in reasoning with ·God;

Yet I for the Mighty One do speak, And to argue for God I delight.

Job 13 4

But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

For ye indeed are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

And yet, ye [are] forgers of falsehood, Physicians of nought -- all of you,

Job 13 5

Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.

Oh that ye would be altogether silent! and it would be your wisdom.

O that ye would keep perfectly silent, And it would be to you for wisdom.

Job 13 6

Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

Hear now my defence, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

Hear, I pray you, my argument, And to the pleadings of my lips attend,

Job 13 7

Will you speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?

Will ye speak unrighteously for ·God? and for him speak deceit?

For God do ye speak perverseness? And for Him do ye speak deceit?

Job 13 8

Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for ·God?

His face do ye accept, if for God ye strive?

Job 13 9

Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

Will it be well if he should search you out? or as one mocketh at a man, will ye mock at

him?

Is [it] good that He doth search you, If, as one mocketh at a man, ye mock at Him?

Job 13 10

He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.

He will certainly reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.

He doth surely reprove you, if in secret ye accept faces.

Job 13 11

Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?

Shall not his excellency terrify you? and his dread fall upon you?

Doth not His excellency terrify you? And His dread fall upon you?

Job 13 12

Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.

Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your bulwarks are bulwarks of mire.

Your remembrances [are] similes of ashes, For high places of clay your heights.

Job 13 13

"Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.

Hold your peace from me, and I will speak, and let come on me what [will]!

Keep silent from me, and I speak, And pass over me doth what?

Job 13 14

Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth? And my soul put in my hand?

Job 13 15

Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before

him.

Lo, He doth slay me -- I wait not! Only, my ways unto His face I argue.

Job 13 16

This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

This also shall be my salvation, that a profane man shall not come before his face.

Also -- He [is] to me for salvation, For the profane cometh not before Him.

Job 13 17

Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

Hear attentively my speech and my declaration with your ears.

Hear ye diligently my word, And my declaration with your ears.

Job 13 18

See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

Behold now, I have ordered the cause; I know that I shall be justified.

Lo, I pray you, I have set in order the cause, I have known that I am righteous.

Job 13 19

Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.

Who is he that contendeth with me? For if I were silent now, I should expire.

Who [is] he that doth strive with me? For now I keep silent and gasp.

Job 13 20

"Only don`t do two things to me; Then I will not hide myself from your face:

Only do not two things unto me; then will I not hide myself from thee.

Only two things, O God, do with me: Then from Thy face I am not hidden.

Job 13 21

Withdraw your hand far from me; And don`t let your terror make me afraid.

Withdraw thy hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid:

Thy hand put far off from me, And Thy terror let not terrify me.

Job 13 22

Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and you answer me.

Then call, and I will answer; or I will speak, and answer thou me.

And call Thou, and I -- I answer, Or -- I speak, and answer Thou me.

Job 13 23

How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

How many iniquities and sins have I? My transgression and my sin let me know.

Job 13 24

Why hide you your face, And hold me for your enemy?

Wherefore dost thou hide thy face, and countest me for thine enemy?

Why dost Thou hide Thy face? And reckonest me for an enemy to Thee?

Job 13 25

Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?

Wilt thou terrify a driven leaf? and wilt thou pursue dry stubble?

A leaf driven away dost Thou terrify? And the dry stubble dost Thou pursue?

Job 13 26

For you write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:

For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my

youth;

For Thou writest against me bitter things, And causest me to possess iniquities of

my youth:

Job 13 27

You also put my feet in the stocks, And mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my

feet:

And thou puttest my feet in the stocks, and markest all my paths; thou settest a bound

about the soles of my feet; --

And puttest in the stocks my feet, And observest all my paths, On the roots of my

feet Thou settest a print,

Job 13 28

Though I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

One who, as a rotten thing consumeth, as a garment that the moth eateth.

And he, as a rotten thing, weareth away, As a garment hath a moth consumed him.

Job 14 1

"Man, who is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.

Man, born of woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.

Man, born of woman! Of few days, and full of trouble!

Job 14 2

He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down. He also flees like a shadow, and doesn`t continue.

He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; and he fleeth as a shadow, and continueth

not.

As a flower he hath gone forth, and is cut off, And he fleeth as a shadow and

standeth not.

Job 14 3

Do you open your eyes on such a one, And bring me into judgment with you?

Yet dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

Also -- on this Thou hast opened Thine eyes, And dost bring me into judgment

with Thee.

Job 14 4

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.

Who can bring a clean [man] out of the unclean? Not one!

Who giveth a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

Job 14 5

Seeing his days are determined, The number of his months is with you, And you have

appointed his bounds that he can`t pass;

If his days are determined, if the number of his months is with thee, [and] thou hast

appointed his bounds which he must not pass,

If determined are his days, The number of his months [are] with Thee, His limit

Thou hast made, And he passeth not over;

Job 14 6

Look away from him, that he may rest, Until he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.

Look away from him; and let him rest, till he accomplish, as a hireling, his day.

Look away from off him that he may cease, Till he enjoy as an hireling his day.

Job 14 7

"For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, That the tender

branch of it will not cease.

For there is hope for a tree: if it be cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender branch

will not cease;

For there is of a tree hope, if it be cut down, That again it doth change, That its

tender branch doth not cease.

Job 14 8

Though the root of it grows old in the earth, And the stock of it dies in the ground;

Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground,

If its root becometh old in the earth, And its stem doth die in the dust,

Job 14 9

Yet through the scent of water it will bud, And put forth boughs like a plant.

Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a young plant.

From the fragrance of water it doth flourish, And hath made a crop as a plant.

Job 14 10

But man dies, and is laid low. Yes, man gives up the spirit, and where is he?

But a man dieth, and is prostrate; yea, man expireth, and where is he?

And a man dieth, and becometh weak, And man expireth, and where [is] he?

Job 14 11

As the waters fail from the sea, And the river wastes and dries up,

The waters recede from the lake, and the river wasteth and drieth up:

Waters have gone away from a sea, And a river becometh waste and dry.

Job 14 12

So man lies down and doesn`t rise; Until the heavens are no more, they shall not awake, Nor

be roused out of their sleep.

So man lieth down, and riseth not again; till the heavens be no more, they do not awake,

nor are raised out of their sleep.

And man hath lain down, and riseth not, Till the wearing out of the heavens they

awake not, Nor are roused from their sleep.

Job 14 13

"Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, That you would keep me secret, until your wrath is past,

That you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!

Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, that thou wouldest keep me secret until thine

anger be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me, --

O that in Sheol Thou wouldst conceal me, Hide me till the turning of Thine anger,

Set for me a limit, and remember me.

Job 14 14

If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Until my release

should come.

(If a man die, shall he live [again]?) all the days of my time of toil would I wait, till my

change should come:

If a man dieth -- doth he revive? All days of my warfare I wait, till my change come.

Job 14 15

You would call, and I would answer you. You would have a desire to the work of your hands.

Thou wouldest call, and I would answer thee; thou wouldest have a desire after the work

of thy hands.

Thou dost call, and I -- I answer Thee; To the work of Thy hands Thou hast desire.

Job 14 16

But now you number my steps. Don`t you watch over my sin?

For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

But now, my steps Thou numberest, Thou dost not watch over my sin.

Job 14 17

My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity.

My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou heapest up mine iniquity.

Sealed up in a bag [is] my transgression, And Thou sewest up mine iniquity.

Job 14 18

"But the mountain falling comes to nothing; The rock is removed out of its place;

And indeed a mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of its place;

And yet, a falling mountain wasteth away, And a rock is removed from its place.

Job 14 19

The waters wear the stones; The torrents of it wash away the dust of the earth: So you destroy

the hope of man.

The waters wear the stones, the floods thereof wash away the dust of the earth; and thou

destroyest the hope of man.

Stones have waters worn away, Their outpourings wash away the dust of earth,

And the hope of man Thou hast destroyed.

Job 14 20

You forever prevail against him, and he passes; You change his face, and send him away.

Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth away; thou changest his

countenance, and dismissest him.

Thou prevailest [over] him for ever, and he goeth, He is changing his countenance,

And Thou sendest him away.

Job 14 21

His sons come to honor, and he doesn`t know it; They are brought low, but he doesn`t perceive

it of them.

His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, and he

perceiveth it not.

Honoured are his sons, and he knoweth not; And they are little, and he attendeth

not to them.

Job 14 22

But his flesh on him has pain; His soul within him mourns."

But his flesh hath pain for himself alone, and his soul mourneth for himself.

Only -- his flesh for him is pained, And his soul for him doth mourn.`

Job 15 1

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

And Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

And Eliphaz the Temanite answereth and saith: --

Job 15 2

"Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind?

Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind,

Doth a wise man answer [with] vain knowledge? And fill [with] an east wind his

belly?

Job 15 3

Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or with speeches with which he can do no good?

Reasoning with unprofitable talk, and with speeches which do no good?

To reason with a word not useful? And speeches -- no profit in them?

Job 15 4

Yes, you do away with fear, And hinder devotion before God.

Yea, thou makest piety of none effect, and restrainest meditation before ·God.

Yea, thou dost make reverence void, And dost diminish meditation before God.

Job 15 5

For your iniquity teaches your mouth, And you choose the language of the crafty.

For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou hast chosen the tongue of the crafty.

For thy mouth teacheth thine iniquity, And thou chooseth the tongue of the

subtile.

Job 15 6

Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; Yes, your own lips testify against you.

Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; and thy lips testify against thee.

Thy mouth declareth thee wicked, and not I, And thy lips testify against thee.

Job 15 7

"Are you the first man who was born? Or were you brought forth before the hills?

Art thou the first man that was born? and wast thou brought forth before the hills?

The first man art thou born? And before the heights wast thou formed?

Job 15 8

Have you heard the secret counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

Hast thou listened in the secret council of +God? And hast thou absorbed wisdom for

thyself?

Of the secret counsel of God dost thou hear? And withdrawest thou unto thee

wisdom?

Job 15 9

What do you know, that we don`t know? What do you understand, which is not in us?

What knowest thou that we know not? [what] understandest thou which is not in us?

What hast thou known, and we know not? Understandest thou -- and it is not with

us?

Job 15 10

With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, Much elder than your father.

Both the greyheaded and the aged are with us, older than thy father.

Both the gray-headed And the very aged [are] among us -- Greater than thy father

[in] days.

Job 15 11

Are the consolations of God too small for you, Even the word that is gentle toward you?

Are the consolations of ·God too small for thee? and the word gently spoken to thee?

Too few for thee are the comforts of God? And a gentle word [is] with thee,

Job 15 12

Why does your heart carry you away? Why do your eyes flash,

Why doth thy heart carry thee away? and why do thine eyes wink?

What -- doth thine heart take thee away? And what -- are thine eyes high?

Job 15 13

That you turn your spirit against God, And let such words go out of your mouth?

That thou turnest thy spirit against ·God, and lettest words go out of thy mouth?

For thou turnest against God thy spirit? And hast brought out words from thy

mouth:

Job 15 14

What is man, that he should be clean? He who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

What is man, that he should be pure? and he that is born of a woman, that he should be

righteous?

What [is] man that he is pure, And that he is righteous, one born of woman?

Job 15 15

Behold, he puts no trust in his holy ones; Yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight:

Behold, he putteth no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight:

Lo, in His holy ones He putteth no credence, And the heavens have not been pure

in His eyes.

Job 15 16

How much less one who is abominable and corrupt, A man who drinks iniquity like water!

How much less the abominable and corrupt, -- man, that drinketh unrighteousness like

water!

Also -- surely abominable and filthy Is man drinking as water perverseness.

Job 15 17

"I will show you, listen to me; That which I have seen I will declare:

I will shew thee, listen to me; and what I have seen I will declare;

I shew thee -- hearken to me -- And this I have seen and declare:

Job 15 18

(Which wise men have told From their fathers, and have not hidden it;

Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hidden;

Which the wise declare -- And have not hid -- from their fathers.

Job 15 19

To whom alone the land was given, And no stranger passed among them):

Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.

To them alone was the land given, And a stranger passed not over into their midst:

Job 15 20

The wicked man travails with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for

the oppressor.

All his days the wicked man is tormented, and numbered years are allotted to the violent.

`All days of the wicked he is paining himself, And few years have been laid up for

the terrible one.

Job 15 21

A sound of terrors is in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer shall come on him.

The sound of terrors is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer cometh upon him.

A fearful voice [is] in his ears, In peace doth a destroyer come to him.

Job 15 22

He doesn`t believe that he shall return out of darkness, He is waited for by the sword.

He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is singled out for the sword.

He believeth not to return from darkness, And watched [is] he for the sword.

Job 15 23

He wanders abroad for bread, saying, `Where is it?` He knows that the day of darkness is ready

at his hand.

He wandereth abroad for bread, -- where may it be? He knoweth that the day of darkness

is ready at his hand.

He is wandering for bread -- `Where [is] it?` He hath known that ready at his hand

Is a day of darkness.

Job 15 24

Distress and anguish make him afraid; They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

Distress and anguish make him afraid; they prevail against him, as a king ready for the

battle.

Terrify him do adversity and distress, They prevail over him As a king ready for a

boaster.

Job 15 25

Because he has stretched out his hand against God, And behaves himself proudly against the

Almighty;

For he hath stretched out his hand against ·God, and strengthened himself against the

Almighty:

For he stretched out against God his hand, And against the Mighty he maketh

himself mighty.

Job 15 26

He runs at him with a stiff neck, With the thick shields of his bucklers;

He runneth against him, with [outstretched] neck, with the thick bosses of his bucklers;

He runneth unto Him with a neck, With thick bosses of his shields.

Job 15 27

Because he has covered his face with his fatness, And gathered fat on his loins.

For he hath covered his face with his fatness, and gathered fat upon [his] flanks.

For he hath covered his face with his fat, And maketh vigour over [his] confidence.

Job 15 28

He has lived in desolate cities, In houses which no one inhabited, Which were ready to

become heaps.

And he dwelleth in desolate cities, in houses that no man inhabiteth, which are destined

to become heaps.

And he inhabiteth cities cut off, houses not dwelt in, That have been ready to

become heaps.

Job 15 29

He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, Neither shall their possessions be

extended on the earth.

He shall not become rich, neither shall his substance continue, and their possessions

shall not extend upon the earth.

He is not rich, nor doth his wealth rise, Nor doth he stretch out on earth their

continuance.

Job 15 30

He shall not depart out of darkness; The flame shall dry up his branches, By the breath of

God`s mouth shall he go away.

He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches; and by the

breath of his mouth shall he go away.

He turneth not aside from darkness, His tender branch doth a flame dry up, And

he turneth aside at the breath of His mouth!

Job 15 31

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; For emptiness shall be his reward.

Let him not trust in vanity: he is deceived, for vanity shall be his recompense;

Let him not put credence in vanity, He hath been deceived, For vanity is his

recompence.

Job 15 32

It shall be accomplished before his time. His branch shall not be green.

It shall be complete before his day, and his branch shall not be green.

Not in his day is it completed, And his bending branch is not green.

Job 15 33

He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, And shall cast off his flower as the olive-tree.

He shall shake off his unripe grapes as a vine, and shall cast his flower as an olive.

He shaketh off as a vine his unripe fruit, And casteth off as an olive his blossom.

Job 15 34

For the company of the godless shall be barren, And fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

For the family of the ungodly shall be barren, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

For the company of the profane [is] gloomy, And fire hath consumed tents of

bribery.

Job 15 35

They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. Their heart prepares deceit."

They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity, and their belly prepareth deceit.

To conceive misery, and to bear iniquity, Even their heart doth prepare deceit.

Job 16 1

Then Job answered,

And Job answered and said,

And Job answereth and saith: --

Job 16 2

"I have heard many such things. Miserable comforters are you all!

I have heard many such things: grievous comforters are ye all.

I have heard many such things, Miserable comforters [are] ye all.

Job 16 3

Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

Shall words of wind have an end? or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

Is there an end to words of wind? Or what doth embolden thee that thou

answerest?

Job 16 4

I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul`s place, I could join words together

against you, And shake my head at you.

I also could speak as ye: if your soul were in my soul`s stead, I could join together words

against you, and shake my head at you;

I also, like you, might speak, If your soul were in my soul`s stead. I might join

against you with words, And nod at you with my head.

Job 16 5

But I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

[But] I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage

[your pain].

I might harden you with my mouth, And the moving of my lips might be sparing.

Job 16 6

"Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, what am I eased?

If I speak, my pain is not restrained, And I cease -- what goeth from me?

Job 16 7

But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.

But now he hath made me weary; ... thou hast made desolate all my family;

Only, now, it hath wearied me; Thou hast desolated all my company,

Job 16 8

You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me, It

testifies to my face.

Thou hast shrivelled me up! it is become a witness; and my leanness riseth up against me,

it beareth witness to my face.

And Thou dost loathe me, For a witness it hath been, And rise up against me doth

my failure, In my face it testifieth.

Job 16 9

He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He has gnashed on me with his teeth: My

adversary sharpens his eyes on me.

His anger teareth and pursueth me; he gnasheth with his teeth against me; [as] mine

adversary he sharpeneth his eyes at me.

His anger hath torn, and he hateth me, He hath gnashed at me with his teeth, My

adversary sharpeneth his eyes for me.

Job 16 10

They have gaped on me with their mouth; They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully.

They gather themselves together against me.

They gape upon me with their mouth; they smite my cheeks reproachfully; they range

themselves together against me.

They have gaped on me with their mouth, In reproach they have smitten my

cheeks, Together against me they set themselves.

Job 16 11

God delivers me to the ungodly, And casts me into the hands of the wicked.

·God hath delivered me over to the iniquitous man, and hurled me into the hands of the

wicked.

God shutteth me up unto the perverse, And to the hands of the wicked turneth me

over.

Job 16 12

I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces.

He has also set me up for his target.

I was at rest, but he hath shattered me; he hath taken me by the neck and shaken me to

pieces, and set me up for his mark.

At ease I have been, and he breaketh me, And he hath laid hold on my neck, And he

breaketh me in pieces, And he raiseth me to him for a mark.

Job 16 13

His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my

gall on the ground.

His arrows encompass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder and doth not spare;

he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

Go round against me do his archers. He splitteth my reins, and spareth not, He

poureth out to the earth my gall.

Job 16 14

He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.

He breaketh me with breach upon breach; he runneth upon me like a mighty man.

He breaketh me -- breach upon breach, He runneth upon me as a mighty one.

Job 16 15

I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, And have thrust my horn in the dust.

I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and rolled my horn in the dust.

Sackcloth I have sewed on my skin, And have rolled in the dust my horn.

Job 16 16

My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.

My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

My face is foul with weeping, And on mine eyelids [is] death-shade.

Job 16 17

Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.

Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

Not for violence in my hands, And my prayer [is] pure.

Job 16 18

"Earth, don`t cover my blood, Let my cry have no place to rest.

O earth, cover not my blood, and let there be no place for my cry!

O earth, do not thou cover my blood! And let there not be a place for my cry.

Job 16 19

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.

Even now, behold, my Witness is in the heavens, and he that voucheth for me is in the

heights.

Also, now, lo, in the heavens [is] my witness, And my testifier in the high places.

Job 16 20

My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,

My friends are my mockers; mine eye poureth out tears unto +God.

My interpreter [is] my friend, Unto God hath mine eye dropped:

Job 16 21

That he would maintain the right of a man with God, Of a son of man with his neighbor!

Oh that there were arbitration for a man with +God, as a son of man for his friend!

And he reasoneth for a man with God, And a son of man for his friend.

Job 16 22

For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from whence I shall not return.

For years [few] in number shall pass, -- and I shall go the way [whence] I shall not return.

When a few years do come, Then a path I return not do I go.

Study Questions

Job ______________ God? 13:15

Did Job believe in resurrection? 14:14

Eliphaz said that Job condemned himself, true or false? 15:6

What is on high? 16:19

The World English Bible

Aug. 19

Acts 28

Act 28:1 When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.

Act 28:2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Act 28:3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Act 28:4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live."

Act 28:5 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn't harmed.

Act 28:6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Act 28:7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.

Act 28:8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

Act 28:9 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured.

Act 28:10 They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

Act 28:11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers."

Act 28:12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

Act 28:13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,

Act 28:14 where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.

Act 28:15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.

Act 28:16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Act 28:17 It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

Act 28:18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.

Act 28:19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.

Act 28:20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

Act 28:21 They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.

Act 28:22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."

Act 28:23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

Act 28:24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

Act 28:25 When they didn't agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers,

Act 28:26 saying, 'Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.

Act 28:27 For this people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.'

Act 28:28 "Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen."

Act 28:29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

Act 28:30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,

Act 28:31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

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 28 1

When we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Malta.

And when we got safe [to land] we then knew that the island was called Melita.

And having been saved, then they knew that the island is called Melita,

Acts 28 2

The natives showed us no common kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because

of the present rain, and because of the cold.

But the barbarians shewed us no common kindness; for, having kindled a fire, they took

us all in because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

and the foreigners were shewing us no ordinary kindness, for having kindled a

fire, they received us all, because of the pressing rain, and because of the cold;

Acts 28 3

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out

because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And Paul having gathered a [certain] quantity of sticks together in a bundle and laid [it]

on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat seized his hand.

but Paul having gathered together a quantity of sticks, and having laid [them]

upon the fire, a viper -- out of the heat having come -- did fasten on his hand.

Acts 28 4

When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt

this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to

live."

And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another,

This man is certainly a murderer, whom, [though] saved out of the sea, Nemesis has not

allowed to live.

And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said unto one

another, `Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the

sea, the justice did not suffer to live;`

Acts 28 5

However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn`t harmed.

*He* however, having shaken off the beast into the fire, felt no harm.

he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,

Acts 28 6

But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they were

long in expectation and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said

that he was a god.

But *they* expected that he would have swollen or fallen down suddenly dead. But when

they had expected a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, changing their

opinion, they said he was a god.

and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down suddenly

dead, and they, expecting [it] a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon

happening to him, changing [their] minds, said he was a god.

Acts 28 7

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island,

named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us three days.

Now in the country surrounding that place were the lands belonging to the chief man of

the island, by name Publius, who received us and gave [us] hospitality three days in a

very friendly way.

And in the neighbourhood of that place were lands of the principal man of the

island, by name Publius, who, having received us, three days did courteously

lodge [us];

Acts 28 8

It was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him,

prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

And it happened that the father of Publius lay ill of fever and dysentery; to whom Paul

entered in, and having prayed and laid his hands on him cured him.

and it came to pass, the father of Publius with feverish heats and dysentery

pressed, was laid, unto whom Paul having entered, and having prayed, having laid

[his] hands on him, healed him;

Acts 28 9

Then when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured.

But this having taken place, the rest also who had sicknesses in the island came and were

healed:

this, therefore, being done, the others also in the island having infirmities were

coming and were healed;

Acts 28 10

They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that

we needed.

who also honoured us with many honours, and on our leaving they made presents to us of

what should minister to our wants.

who also with many honours did honour us, and we setting sail -- they were lading

[us] with the things that were necessary.

Acts 28 11

After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose

sign was "The Twin Brothers."

And after three months we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, an

Alexandrian, with [the] Dioscuri for its ensign.

And after three months, we set sail in a ship (that had wintered in the isle) of

Alexandria, with the sign Dioscuri,

Acts 28 12

Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

And having come to Syracuse we remained three days.

and having landed at Syracuse, we remained three days,

Acts 28 13

From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up,

and on the second day we came to Puteoli,

Whence, going in a circuitous course, we arrived at Rhegium; and after one day, the

wind having changed to south, on the second day we came to Puteoli,

thence having gone round, we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a south wind

having sprung up, the second [day] we came to Puteoli;

Acts 28 14

where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them seven days. So we came to Rome.

where, having found brethren, we were begged to stay with them seven days. And thus

we went to Rome.

where, having found brethren, we were called upon to remain with them seven

days, and thus to Rome we came;

Acts 28 15

From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius

and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

And thence the brethren, having heard about us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum

and Tres Tabernae, whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage.

and thence, the brethren having heard the things concerning us, came forth to

meet us, unto Appii Forum, and Three Taverns -- whom Paul having seen, having

given thanks to God, took courage.

Acts 28 16

When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard,

but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

And when we came to Rome, [the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the praetorian

prefect, but] Paul was allowed to remain by himself with the soldier who kept him.

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the

captain of the barrack, but Paul was suffered to remain by himself, with the

soldier guarding him.

Acts 28 17

It happened, that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews.

When they had come together, he said to them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against

the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the

hands of the Romans,

And it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of

the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, *I* having done

nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a

prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the

principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them:

`Men, brethren, I -- having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs

of the fathers -- a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the

Romans;

Acts 28 18

who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in

me.

who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of

death in me.

who, having examined me, were wishing to release [me], because of their being no

cause of death in me,

Acts 28 19

But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had

anything about which to accuse my nation.

But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having

anything to accuse my nation of.

and the Jews having spoken against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar --

not as having anything to accuse my nation of;

Acts 28 20

For this cause therefore did I ask you to see and to speak with me. For because of the hope of

Israel I am bound with this chain."

For this cause therefore I have called you to [me] to see and to speak to you; for on account

of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me.

for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with [you], for because

of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.`

Acts 28 21

They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the

brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.

And they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea

concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said

anything evil concerning thee.

And they said unto him, `We did neither receive letters concerning thee from

Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil

concerning thee,

Acts 28 22

But we desire to hear of you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that

everywhere it is spoken against."

But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect it is known to

us that it is everywhere spoken against.

and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed,

concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;`

Acts 28 23

When they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number. He

explained to them, testifying about the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus,

both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he

expounded, testifying of the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus,

both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening.

and having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the

lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading

them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the

prophets, from morning till evening,

Acts 28 24

Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

And some were persuaded of the things which were said, but some disbelieved.

and, some, indeed, were believing the things spoken, and some were not believing.

Acts 28 25

When they didn`t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The

Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers,

And being disagreed among themselves they left; Paul having spoken one word, Well

spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers,

And not being agreed with one another, they were going away, Paul having

spoken one word -- `Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet

unto our fathers,

Acts 28 26

saying, `Go to this people, and say, In hearing, you will hear, and will in no way understand. In

seeing, you will see, and will in no way perceive.

saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing

ye shall see and not perceive.

saying, Go on unto this people and say, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not

understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive,

Acts 28 27

For this people`s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have

closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their heart,

Would turn again, And I would heal them.`

For the heart of this people has become fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and

they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily,

and their eyes they did close, lest they may see with the eyes, and with the heart

may understand, and be turned back, and I may heal them.

Acts 28 28

"Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles. They will also

hear."

Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations;

*they* also will hear [it].

`Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the nations was sent the salvation of God,

these also will hear it;`

Acts 28 29

When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

[And he having said this, the Jews went away, having great reasoning among themselves.]

and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much disputation

among themselves;

Acts 28 30

Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who went in to him,

And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to

him,

and Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired [house], and was

receiving all those coming in unto him,

Acts 28 31

preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with

all boldness, without hinderance.

preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ,

with all freedom unhinderedly.

preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus

Christ with all boldness -- unforbidden.

Study Questions

What fastened to Paul's hand? 28:3

Why was Paul bound with a chain? 28:20