From Mark Copeland... The Art Of Making Peace (Philippians 4:1-3)

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                     The Art Of Making Peace (4:1-3)

INTRODUCTION

1. Even in "good" churches you often find brethren who have differences
   with each other; such was the case with the church at Philippi

2. As Paul continues with various exhortations to the Christian life, at
   this point in his epistle he addresses his comments concerning a rift
   that apparently existed among two members at Philippi (4:1-3)

3. How Paul approaches the sensitive task of trying to make peace between
   Euodia and Syntyche provides several lessons in the use of tact
   a. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be known as "peacemakers"
      (Mt 5:9)
   b. From Paul, then, let us learn what we can about "The Art Of Making
      Peace"

[The first lesson, gleaned from verse one, is...]

I. THE PEACEMAKER MUST LOVE THOSE ON BOTH SIDES (1)

   A. PAUL STARTS OUT BY EXPRESSING HIS LOVE...
      1. Note the terms used by Paul...
         a. "my brothers"
         b. "beloved and longed for"
         c. "my joy and crown"
         d. "beloved"
      2. Truly Paul loved the people at Philippi!

   B. PEACEMAKERS MUST DO THE SAME...
      1. They must have sincere love for those on both sides of an issue
      2. They must be able and willing to express their love, as did Paul
      3. Otherwise, they cannot be useful arbitrators in making peace
         a. Loving one side, and not the other, makes impartial judgments
            impossible
         b. The peacemaker's advice and counsel will be open to suspicion

[With mutual love for those on both sides, the peacemaker is in a
position to render a fair evaluation of the problem and the solution.

Next, we see that...]

II. THE PEACEMAKER SHOULD TREAT BOTH SIDES TENDERLY AND EQUALLY (2)

   A. IN THE CASE OF PAUL...
      1. Note the use of the verb "implore" (KJV, "beseech") - parakaleo
         {par-ak-al-eh'-o}
         a. To call to one's side, call for, summon
         b. To address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done
            in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction,
            etc.
         -- Rather than command, Paul chooses to plead with them
      2. Note the repeated and equal use of the verb "implore"
         a. "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche"
         b. Rather than take sides, Paul treats them both tenderly and
            equally

   B. THERE IS A NEED FOR SUCH PEACEMAKERS TODAY...
      1. Individuals who will use tenderness and fairness in treating
         those in a dispute
      2. Again, remaining impartial, so the counsel will not tainted with
         any accusation of bias

[The next insight we can glean from Paul in "The Art Of Making Peace" 
is...]

III. THE PEACEMAKER MUST SEEK FOR ONENESS OF MIND (2)

   A. NOTE PAUL'S OBJECTIVE...
      1. That Euodia and Syntyche "be of the same mind in the Lord"
      2. A concern of Paul already expressed in this epistle, that there
         be  - Php 1:27; 2:2
      3. But now applied especially to these two ladies

   B. IN MAKING PEACE, THERE MUST BE ONENESS OF MIND...
      1. In many "peace agreements", the participants have not truly
         reached a oneness of mind, only a compromise
      2. Such "agreements" are often only temporary, destroyed when the
         remaining differences eventually resurface
      3. For Christians, seeking to "be of the same mind in the Lord"
         becomes easy if we all strive to have "the mind of Christ" 
         - Php 2:2-5

[Not content with only a "cessation of hostilities", the peacemaker 
seeks to go much further, dealing with the divisiveness of mind that is 
the true cause of the problem.

Note also, that...]

IV. THE PEACEMAKER MUST USE ASSISTANCE WHEN AVAILABLE (3)

   A. PAUL WAS NOT TOO PROUD TO CALL FOR HELP...
      1. He sought out the assistance of "Syzygus"
         a. Literally, "yoke-fellow, true companion"
         b. Possibly his true name, which if so, he was being called upon
            by Paul to live up to his name!
      2. Paul wanted this individual to help these ladies out

   B. PEACEMAKERS WILL GLADLY USE THE HELP OTHERS CAN GIVE...
      1. Humble, they do not feel like they have to do it all
      2. Aware of others who may be in a position to provide counsel or
         other means of help, they will glad utilize them
      3. Their goal is to make peace, not a reputation for themselves!

[Finally, we can glean from Paul that...]

V. THE PEACEMAKER MUST SEE THE GOOD AND GIVE CREDIT WHEN DUE (3)

   A. PAUL DID NOT LOSE SIGHT OF WHOSE THESE WOMEN WERE...
      1. They had labored with Paul in the gospel
      2. They had labored with Clement
      3. They had labored with Paul's other fellow-workers as well (who
         though unmentioned by name, had their names in the "Book of
         Life" - cf. Re 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19)

   B. SO PEACEMAKERS MUST REMEMBER THE GOOD IN THOSE WITH WHOM THEY
      DEAL...
      1. It is so easy to forget that those having problems likely have
         much good to their credit
      2. Recognizing this and giving credit where it is due increases the
         likelihood that one's advice will be heeded

CONCLUSION

1. In a world that is as divided as ours, there is a grave need for those
   who can serve as faithful and effective "peacemakers"

2. Hopefully, by considering and applying "The Art Of Making Peace" as
   exemplified by the apostle Paul in this passage, we may be useful to
   the Lord when called upon to bring divided people together!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Jim McGuiggan... Now you see it, now you don't — Phil 4.13

Now you see it, now you don't — 

Phil 4.13

Frustration and all that goes with it and can grow out of it (including depression and resentment) comes when our eager expectations are consistently not met. You see this in Christians a lot when you would think that they’d be the happiest people in the world. Well...that’s saying too much—is it not?

But look at this. In Philippians 4:13 Paul says, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me." And then in 4:19 he says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

What are we to think of such claims? I know what we’ve done with them for ages. Let’s see, we make "all things" all things (why wouldn’t we?) and we make "can do" of immediate effect (why wouldn’t we?) so that there’s nothing the believer can’t do. Sensibly we don’t apply "all things" to matters outside of living for God and furthering his purpose. I can’t turn scrap iron into gold, for example, or sprout wings and fly. We rightly sniff at such nonsense and feel sure that Paul’s experience, while it’s unlimited in its area, should be restricted to life before God. That makes sense. But in what way does it make sense? God would rather that I did not sin and since he is in me to enable me to do "all things" then it should follow that I can be sinless. No? Why not?

Now imagine some poor soul that’s plagued by a particular sin. Let’s make it one of the ones we usually zero in on. He repeatedly falls to sexual temptation or maybe he can’t keep his gossiping mouth shut. He reads Philippians 4:13, or more probably, he hears the preacher going on about it, and he thinks, "there’s nothing I cannot do because God strengthens me so I ought to be able to control my mouth or my desires." But he continues to fail when he tries to get control of his blabbering mouth or keep his hands to himself. How does he explain that? How does the preacher or teacher explain it?

Well certainly God offers the strength to overcome the sin but we must want it. [Hmmm. That sounds like a bit of fine print that you have to use a magnifying glass to see in Philippians 4.] What is our failing sinner to think? If he wants the strength to overcome the sin, then he gets it. But the fact is that he’s been wanting this overcoming strength for years so why doesn’t he have it? The answer’s obvious, isn’t it? He mustn’t really want it. [Ah, I see. The fine print has fine print.] Yes, but our struggler has always thought he really wanted it; he’s wept sore over it and prayed fervently against the sin, as he pursued purity or mouth-control. Perhaps, but it takes more than prayer to access the overcoming power of God. You must purpose and act on preventing the re-occurrence, maybe even set up a protective network of friends. [So, the text isn’t nearly as simple as it looks. In fact, it’s a bit of a scam to quote it as if it were that simple—"It’s simply a matter of trusting that it’s true."] Well naturally it’s not that simple. But our struggler didn’t just trust and pray, he purposed and set up hurdles against the usurper, even went for counselling and such like—all to no avail. What now? More fine print?

Well, God doesn’t always answer prayers in an instant. How about within a week or a month or a decade, or what about half a life time? And so we add caveats to qualifiers and "buts" to plain affirmations. Before we know it Philippians 4:13 is hardly recognisable as the passage we smilingly (and glibly?) quote; the passage we quote with something of an implied demand in it (since Philippians 4:13’s true, you need to behave and make no excuses!).

Sometimes we think that biblical texts are spoken/written in a vacuum. But this simply isn’t true. Existential realities are assumed as Paul and people like him speak or write. They know very well that there’s no such thing as moral "magic" and they know very well that acts of sin are all tangled up in the vast network of a human’s experiences, fears, shaping, emotional pre-dispositions, habits and felt needs. They know very well that a recurring sin isn’t cured without a change in the struggler’s inner structure. The act may be effectively blocked by numerous hurdles built against it (a good thing too) but it’s hardly a cure. Since they know all these things and assume them all as true even while they write, we mustn’t quote them as if they were stupid or sheerly simplistic. We need to stop promising instant transformation. Instant coffee, instant oats, tanning creams, maybe—but not instant transformation.

So does Philippians 4:13,19 mean nothing? No, that can never be true, but it’s time we stopped dabbling with texts; it’s time we stopped quoted verses that are rooted in other rich complex truths as if the verses stood alone. Stop promising things God didn’t promise! We lead masses to think that God has promised this or that and when he doesn’t come up with it serious self-doubt is generated in the believer who begins to think he doesn’t truly want God’s will. Or resentment is provoked against God who, it appears, won’t keep his word.

So does Philippians 4:13,19 mean nothing? Certainly not! What does it mean then? Work with it!

©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 Ben Fronczek... Blessed Are those Who Mourn

Blessed Are those Who Mourn

Sermon on the Mount (Part 2) Blessed are those who Mourn – They shall be comforted”  Matthew 5:4 

(by Ben Froncek)

Opening Story: 

Jamie, at the age of four, and her sister, Kim, being five, like any other kids seem to have an endless supply of energy. So much so that their mom enjoys it when she can get them down for an afternoon nap. During those naps which often lasted about an hour, she would also take time to relax calling a friend, reading her favorite magazine or sometimes even taking a nap herself.

On one such occasion after she slipped off into that sweet sleep the girls got up and after seeing their mom sleeping went off to play. Sometimes they like to play in their mom’s bedroom. They loved to put on her shoes and hats and pretend that they were models. They wrap a scarf around their waist and would twirl around to watch them swirl. They would go over to her make-up table and would only eye it with oohs and ahs. Playing with their mom’s clothes was one thing, but they knew better not to touch anything on that table. Their mom warned them more than once not to touch a thing on it because it was a place where she kept all her precious things. As they gazed at the treasures that were spread across the table it was hard not to touch the pretty bottles and containers that were filled with perfume, lipstick and make-up. And at the back of the table against the mirror they saw her jewelry box. They definitely knew that was off limits. The table was also decorated with their mom’s favorite pictures and knick-knacks. There were pictures of grandmas and grandpas, picture of them when they were just babies and a new picture of their daddy in his army uniform in some place called Iraq. And there was also a small collection of beautiful glass flowers daddy had given her. Some were tiny and colorful. Some looked like violets, and one of her favorite glass flowers was a pink rose that stood tall and delicate on the end of a tall thin stem. As you know, if kids can’t touch and play with something the attention span of a four and five year will only last for a matter of minutes. It wasn’t too long before the girls were acting silly and resumed modeling their mom’s silliest hats and spiked shoes. And then it happened- after horsing and pushing one another they bumped into the table and they heard something break. As they look up they saw that their mom’s tall pink rose was now laying on the table in pieces. Jamie and Kim look at one another with an express of total shock. Jamie asked Kim, “What are we going to do?” with a little terror in her voice. A small tear began to develop in Kim’s eye, and she said, “I, I don’t know. That was mama’s favorite.” And then they both began to break down and quietly cry. That’s when the door quietly opened and mother first heard them quietly crying. She thought it was a bit odd because it wasn’t the kind of cry she heard when one of them got hurt, or when one was mad at the other. Together they were both quietly crying tears of sadness.  As they look up and saw their mother the tears really began to flow, and both girls began to choke out, “Mommy we are sorry, it was an accident.” Not knowing what they were talking about her eyes scanned her room and then settled on the broken glass rose. She sat down on the floor beside them looking so guilty as they wept, and then hugged them both. She said, “I can see they you are both so sorry for breaking my favorite rose. I am sad that it is broke, but I love you more than that piece of glass.” She held them and kissed them until they felt that they were loved and forgiven.

In Matthew 5:4 on the side of that mountain, Jesus told the people,  

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Have you ever felt as bad as those girls for doing something you shouldn’t have?  That’s what Jesus was talking about there; when we feel really bad and grieve because of what we have done. Proud, arrogant individuals are less likely to feel like this, but those who are poor in spirit, humble feel something when they mess up. Jesus lets us know that it is not the proud or the arrogant that will find blessing here but rather those who are humble enough to feel bad. He tells us that they are the ones who will be comforted.

I don’t think that there a better story in the Bible to illustrate this than the one found in:

 Luke 15:11-24  ” The Parable of the Lost Son 

   ¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

   ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

   ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

   ²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’   

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (NIV)

Do you see the progression that takes place in this story? The selfish, self-centred young man wants his share of the inheritance, seemingly not caring about his dad’s nor his brother’s feelings, nor about the family business, nor does he seem very concerned about the family’s religion nor their morals.

He takes the money and runs to party it up. Then after the money dries up and famine strikes he can’t find suitable work, and ends up feeding pigs which is probably very demeaning for a Jew who consider this animal unclean.  He get to the point where he is so hungry  he even longs to eat the pig’s food. It is at this point he seemingly wakes up. His proud spirit is broken, and his thoughts wander back home where there was plenty, even for the servants.

But he knows what he did. He knows that he took advantage of and hurt his father. So he humbly goes back to his dad and confesses his own sin and is ready to work as a servant if his dad would only take him back.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,… and blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”

His dad barely hears what he has to say and showers him with kisses, hugs, fine cloths and jewelry, and wants to throw a party.

  “Blessed are those who mourn, or they shall be comforted”

As Jesus stood and taught this sermon on the side of that hill that day, He begins by showing those who would follow Him the kind of heart that pleases the Lord; one that’s not proud or haughty, but rather one that is still sensitive enough that still feels something when you do something wrong. You actually feels bad and grieve about what you have done.

In Matthew 18:1-5, we read where the disciples came to Jesus with a question, let me read it to you:

  “¹ At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  ²He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “

There are too many people in the world today that just don’t care, and don’t feel things like an innocent child. Some of us over the years have become hardened; so much so that when we do things we ought not to do we no longer feel any remorse or grieve over what we have done. Jesus lets us know that if we get to that point, we rob our self of a blessing.    I think we rob our self of the  innocence which is precious and child-like. And so people find themselves doing even harsher, crueler, and even more vile things because their heart no longer grieves over such behavior. God loves the innocence heart of a child. And those who turn back to that humble state God promises to bless and comfort them.  Jesus even went as far as to say, “Unless you become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

My challenge for you this week is this: Think about the condition of your heart. Have you stopped feeling the kind of shame and guilt that is actually healthy for you? The kind of feelings that help keep us from becoming crude, foul mouthed, nasty, hurtful, rude, mean and selfish and the like?

I believe that Jesus was letting His disciples know that you can re-claim that innocent child-like heart again. But it begins but humbly turning to the Father like that prodigal son returning home and asking his dad for forgiveness.   And then we need choose to stop doing those things that we know we shouldn’t be doing in the first place.  Sometimes it’s hard to stop doing certain things we’ve done for a long time, but I believe God will help us win over these things.

And if you mess up along the way? 

The Apostle John wrote in his first epistle, (1:9) 

 “If we confess our sins, He (that is God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

We need to remember, that more than anything else God loves us.  Just like that mother loved her two girls, and the father loved his prodigal son. Father God loves us dearly. 

So can you do that? Can you go backwards and become more childlike and innocent?  I know you can.

I challenge you to do it!

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Gary... Gettin' along

Gettin' along

In the early 70's, I had just started my first job in the field of the sciences- an entry level quality control technician position.  I worked in a temperature and humidity controlled room testing various raw materials used in the production of coated products like sandpaper and emery cloth.  Most of the day, there were only two of us in this area, but on rare occasions there might be three.  Things went fine for a few months, then one day, George (not his real name) refused to speak to me; not even to tell me why.  This was difficult for me, as I love to talk and being alone in a room all day in silence is torture.  I did everything I could to get George to "get over it".  After a couple of months of silence, I just gave up and didn't try any more.  I was living in a silent hell, but I was determined to do something about it.  Since George wouldn't even say "Hi", I didn't either.  I would just nod and be polite when appropriate.  After a few more months in silence, one day George said "Hi" and after a few more months things were "OK".  Once in awhile, we even went out to lunch together.  He never did tell me the "why" of all this- he just became my friend.  And sometimes that will just have to do!!!!  People are funny, some times you run up against a brick wall and feel like the Elephant in the picture, but other times, you become fast friends like the dog and the Elephant in the above video entitled "Gettin' along".  Now, the story I told is true and those were days before I became a Christian.  But Christians have problems too as the following chapter from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians will show...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 3

 1 Brothers, I couldn’t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ.  2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready,  3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?  4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?  5 Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?  6 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.  11 For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.  12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;  13 each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.  14 If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.  15 If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire. 

  16  Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.  18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.  19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”  20 And again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.”  21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,  23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Disharmony hurts; I know!!!  If just a fellow worker could cause so much pain, imagine the problems that can occur when the other fellow is a Christian.  Bad news!!!  I wish I had all the answers to human interaction, but I don't.  I am a male of the species and therefore not as attune to the feelings of others as the ladies are.  But, I can try- even if it hurts, even if it feels like I am banging my head against a brick wall (here we go with the Elephant again)!!!  That is the thing about learning to love your fellow human being-- you just keep trying to be the best friend they will allow you to be and learn to accept the consequences.  Who knows, one day you may find you have an inseparable friend!!!

From Mark Copeland... Two Ways To Walk (Philippians 3:17-21)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                        Two Ways To Walk (3:17-21)

INTRODUCTION

1. As we continue our examination of Paul's "epistle of joy", we now find
   him discussing two different ways to walk in this life...
   a. The walk of one who is "a citizen of heaven"
   b. The walk of one who is "an enemy of the cross of Christ"

2. Hopefully, there should be no question as to which way we are to walk;
   but to better understand why, we will look closely at some reasons
   Paul gives in this passage

[First, we notice...]

I. AN ADMONITION TO WALK LIKE PAUL AND OTHERS (17)

   A. "JOIN IN FOLLOWING MY EXAMPLE"...
      1. Paul frequently encouraged others to follow his example - cf.
         Ph 4:9; 1 Co 4:16; 11:1
      2. Some brethren evidently took him up on it - e.g., 1 Th 1:6-9
      3. In what way were people to imitate Paul?
         a. To the degree he tried to imitate Christ - 1 Co 11:1
         b. Perhaps also in his devotion to Jesus Christ - cf. Ph 3:7-16

   B. "NOTE THOSE WHO SO WALK, AS YOU HAVE US FOR A PATTERN"...
      1. Just as there were some in Thessalonica who imitated Paul (1 Th
         1:6-9), so there were those at Philippi who did the same, and
         were thus worthy of emulation
      2. Noticing the examples of others can be very beneficial - cf. Ps
         37:37
      3. Especially when we consider the outcome of their conduct - cf.
         He 13:7

   C. WE SHOULD NOT ONLY BE GOOD IMITATORS, BUT GOOD EXAMPLES OURSELVES!
      1. This is especially true of those who teach and preach God's Word
         - 1 Ti 4:12; Ti 2:7-8
      2. Which includes those who serve as elders - He 13:7; 1 Pe 5:1-3

[The reasons for noting those who are worthy of emulation is given
later in this passage.  But first there is...]

II. A WARNING CONCERNING THOSE WHO WALK AS "ENEMIES OF THE CROSS" (18-19)

   A. "OF WHOM I HAVE TOLD YOU OFTEN"...
      1. Paul found "repetition" to be a valuable tool - cf. Ga 1:8,9;
         5:21; Ph 3:1
      2. Also, that it was necessary to be "negative" at times - cf. Ph
         3:2

   B. "AND NOW TELL YOU EVEN WEEPING"...
      1. Negative preaching, when necessary, should not be done without
         compassion - e.g., 2 Co 2:4
      2. Even here, Paul is setting the right example...
         a. To love our enemies
         b. Even those who are "enemies of the cross"!

   C. WHO ARE THESE "ENEMIES OF THE CROSS"?
      1. We know they are MANY people
         a. "For many walk" - cf. Mt 7:13-14
         b. So not just a few
      2. We know their END
         a. "whose end is destruction" - cf. 2 Th 1:7-9
         b. Have we seriously considered the outcome of their conduct?
      3. We know who is their GOD
         a. "whose god is their belly"
         b. I.e., those who are set on satisfying only their fleshly
            appetites
      4. We know wherein is their GLORY
         a. "whose glory is in their shame"
         b. They take pride in things that are actually shameful
      5. We know upon what they set their MINDS
         a. "who set their mind on earthly things"
         b. Contrast this with where Christians are to set their minds -
            Ph 4:8; Co 3:1-2

[Where is our "mindset"?  How we answer may determine whether or not WE
are "enemies of the cross of Christ"!

As a motivation not to be "enemies of the cross", we notice Paul now
shares a few...]

III. REASONS TO WALK LIKE PAUL AND OTHERS (20-21)

   A. "FOR OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN"...
      1. Our true loyalty is to that above, not that on earth!
      2. It is there where our "inheritance" is reserved - 1 Pe 1:3-4
      3. Therefore, we have special responsibilities - cf. 1 Pe 2:9-12

   B. "WE EAGERLY WAIT FOR THE SAVIOR...WHO WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY
      BODY"...
      1. Though now in heaven, our Savior is coming again one day! - Ac
         1:9-11
      2. When He does, what glory there will be for those who are
         "citizens of heaven"!
         a. He will "transform our lowly body"!
         b. It will be "conformed to His glorious body"!
      3. This He will do by the same POWER by which He subdues all things
         to Himself - cf. Mt 28:18; 1 Pe 3:22

CONCLUSION

1. Are not these good reasons to walk like Paul?

2. Brethren, how are we walking in this life?
   a. As "citizens of heaven"?
   b. Or "enemies of the cross of Christ"?

3. The answer depends upon where we have set our MINDS:
   a. If on EARTHLY things...we are "enemies of the cross of Christ"!
      1) We make our bellies to be our god
      2) We glory in that which is shameful
      3) Our end will be destruction
   b. But if on HEAVENLY things...we are "citizens of heaven"!
      1) We eagerly await Christ's coming
      2) We eagerly await our transformation

4. Have you become...
   a. A "citizen of heaven"?  If not, why not become one today?  - Jn
      3:5
   b. An "enemy of the cross"?  If so, why not "defect" today? - 1 Pe
      4:1-3

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Jim McGuiggan.... Punishment——God and government

 Punishment——God and government

God’s law as expressed in scripture is vast and complex. The bulk of the laws we read in the Old Testament are to enable Israel to live in covenant relationship with God. They have nothing to do with what we today would call criminal (penal) law. The rules and regulations are to shape the believing society and be the glue that holds it together. (Disputes could arise where no crime was involved and the disputants went to the judge or elder who settled the issue and everyone went back to life.) Glad allegiance to Yahweh included worship as well as proper social relationships so there are laws about how worship was to be shaped and practiced (large sections in Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and the whole book of Leviticus make the point). These laws were not given so that Israelites would have an opportunity to offend. God’s instruction about the kind of fire to be used in worship by the priests was not given so Nadab and Abihu would have something to break and so sin (see Leviticus 10).

And laws governing social behavior such as "Honor your father and mother" were not laid down so that children could have a commandment to break. "Honor your father and mother" is not criminal law but the laws that laid out sanctions against law-breakers come under that heading. Penal laws exist not because there are other laws but because people break the other laws.

Aside from the primary directives, God’s laws changed with the changing face and situation of the Israelite society. For example, many of the laws in the Pentateuch became redundant when the temple replaced the Tabernacle. Laws governing the collection of manna and how Israel was to camp in the wilderness reflected current situations and were set aside when the situation changed. Nothing became redundant that was essential to Israel’s self-understanding as God’s elect servant, working with him to gain larger ends.

When God punishes the sinner personal and relational factors are always present. The righteous God sees us as moral beings with whom he wants a personal relationship and in pursuing that he uses punishment as one of his instruments. The ultimate aim is always to produce in sinners a moral state (repentance) that expresses itself in righteousness and in the pursuit of "the good" as envisioned by God. 

Whatever a secular society’s vision of "the good" is, it makes laws to promote that vision. Again, law is a complex and changing reality of course because human society is a complex and changing reality and it need laws to take that into account. At the simple level we have traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, stop signs and the like so that accidents and traffic gridlock can be avoided and to enable us to take advantage of these aids there are laws that govern their use. The lights and crossings and the rules connected with them are not introduced so that people can have an occasion to offend. The rules governing the flow of traffic are laws true enough but criminal law and the question of punishment only enters when someone ignores or chooses to ignore them but in and of themselves they have nothing to do with crime. These laws govern a series of societal needs and are intended to see that a society gets what it needs so that while the laws introduce restrictions they restrict in order to enable. (In the OT the choice of a special priesthood excluded all but the family of Aaron but one reason for the restriction was to enable the whole nation to worship, something they couldn’t do if they all had to crowd into the little Tabernacle. (See The Blessing of representation.) It’s true, of course, that along with the rules to govern the use of traffic lights society brings in sanctions against those who pay no attention to the rules but the whole mass of criminal law exists because there are criminals. Law is indispensable if humans are to live in a functioning society (rather than in anarchy) and criminal law is inevitable because we will continue to be law-breakers.

Because all people in society don’t want and can’t have a personal relationship with one another they settle for less. Since they don’t care much for the inner moral state of others except where it affects their freedom and rights they settle for the process that makes their fellow-citizens law-abiding and initiate criminal proceedings were they must. Clearly there are those for whom moral states and behavior are vitally important and those who care little for such questions as long as their human rights are permitted (this itself is a moral issue of great magnitude). Society can’t stand still until these serious moral questions are exhaustively studied, debated and infallible guidance given on them so they express their majority opinions through elected officials. The laws laid down express the current opinion of the majority and the courts render judgements in light of those laws irrespective of the moral state or arguments of individual citizens. So what society via government with the support of armed forces is after is law-abidingness whether or not the individual or society at large has any moral convictions. For this reason we often hear statesmen and stateswomen definitively separate legal questions and moral questions. A former Prime Minister here in the UK said, "If you want morals go to your clergyman." At one level this makes perfect sense; nevertheless even people who are so definitely convicted lean on "natural law" as the basis for the human rights which they think should be enshrined in a free society. Whatever we say when pressed, we would insist that human rights and the things that are necessary to achieve those for people are moral rights and a society is "righteous" when it moves to see that they’re gained for the people at large.

This leads to the point of a just society’s punishment of criminals. The capacity and power to punish like every other capacity and power can be abused but we need not take the abuse of it as the only face it has. As Aristotle reminds us, we’re not to take a diseased and stunted tree as the norm for trees. Giving punishment its best face and leaving society’s "the good" to be defined only in general terms, it’s clear that punishment by society needs to be seen as moral and righteous.

It would be immoral for society to knowingly punish a known innocent person. It would be immoral for a society to knowingly punish a person known not to be accountable by reason of mental disability or some other pronounced condition that renders a free choice out of the question. So when a society punishes via government and court structures it wishes to have the approval of "universal moral law" (natural law) even when the crimes are lower level infringements. It is never right to knowingly punish the innocent or knowingly over-punish the guilty no matter how insignificant the offence or punishment attached to the offence. (See Deuteronomy 25:1-3 on over-punishing.) Finding a place for "morals" in governing may be difficult but in the end everyone without exception—either openly or by smuggling them in—appeals to right and wrong. We hear gang-members or police in some parts of the world talk about "a righteous" shooting, by which they mean that it was justified, it wasn’t a mistake and, more to the point, it wasn’t unwarranted.

Societal "righteousness" is shaped and indicated by the values it upholds and seeks to nurture, and society punishes to express that righteousness against the offender’s unrighteousness. Society’s righteousness exists prior to the crime and it is expressed as laws that promote the well-being and moral rights (there’s that phrase again) of the citizens. When it deals with a criminal, society’s righteousness takes the form of punishment, which is society’s homage to the righteousness it stands for. So whatever the criminal thinks or feels, society insists that there is a righteousness to which it is committed and will work to uphold. Once more, punishment is a form that society’s righteousness takes when dealing with a criminal.

In punishing a murderer or rapist society describes itself as valuing the person murdered and acts out that value. But in punishing them it also says to all would-be murderers that it values the lives of all who might be murdered. So that the judgement of one murderer or rapist is a word about murder and rape as potential acts as well as deeds done. Here we’d have specific and general deterrence. That murderer or rapist has been deterred by imprisonment and other would-be murderers or rapists are warned and society at large is better pleased with and therefore more committed to the rule of law so there is a further deterrent effect.

Imagine that the penitent transgressor now sees his crime as unrighteous, deplores it and genuinely commits to promoting the righteousness of the society that just recently acted against him. In such a case the murderer now stands outside his crime, he now rejects the mind-set of a murderer and rejects the justification he offered himself. His state of mind is an anti-murder state of mind. That is, while there is no way to undo the act, he has comprehensively and genuinely condemned the heart that produced the act and is only able to do it because his heart is a changed heart.

Punishment may not be able to achieve such a change of heart in which case the righteousness of the society in the form of punishment failed to gain something it aimed for but it did accomplish some of what it meant to do. But if society did gain a change of heart in the criminal by its dealing with him that would be more than righteousness making itself present in the form of distress inflicted, it would be righteousness echoed in the offender’s heart. It would be righteousness triumphing over the unrighteousness that the offender had championioned. (In the religious and theological realm in such a case we would see Christ truly and fully defeating sin in the person of the sinner—Christians would call it the repentance of faith..)

©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 Ben Fronczek... A Lesson From A Humble Ant

From Ben Fronczek... A Lesson From A Humble Ant

A Lesson From A Humble Ant

Sermon on the Mount – Part 1 (By Ben Fronczek)

Once upon a time out in a southern prairie, there was this huge colony of ants. In a somewhat isolated place their colony flourished for generations. They had been there so long and worked on their nest for so such a long time that there was a six foot tall mound of dirt on top of the ground and hundreds of feet of caves below. Now whether you realize it or not, most of the eggs that are laid by the queens grow up to become wingless, sterile females who are the “workers”. But every now and then a male comes along. In this particular nest a young male was born, and he was one good looking ant, (at least a lot of the other ants told him that he was). Even though he was small he was strong and was able to do his job quite well, and very fast. Seeing that he was so strong and moved quick, it was decide that he would be sent out of the nest to gather food.  As usual, he did this job very well, and gathered more food than any of the other ants. The other ants also notices that he was a fairly smart ant, and quite wise. Eventually he thought that he deserved more recognition, he was strong, good looking, he did his job well, so he thought he deserved more.  He went to the foreman ant and demanded better lodging, and a higher position. But the foreman could not do anything for him and told him that he had to speak to someone higher up. So during his free time that ant went from the manager to the supervisor, to the boss, and even to the big boss ant and basically they all told him the same thing, ‘that they never had anyone make such a request and that they could do nothing about what he wanted.  He would have to go to someone higher up’.  So eventually, he made his mind up to go right to the top, he would seek an audience with the queen.  And why not, he was a good looking, hard working, and a somewhat intelligent ant.  Shouldn’t he deserve more? Well the day finally came, his audience with the queen, his mother. Well, she was actually the mother of all the ants. Mother of thousands upon thousands of ants in that colony. She was very old, and wise, and she was so much larger than the little male ant. She looked like a giant compared to him, and she seem very busy. As the little male ant stated his case before the queen he almost felt that the queen was just too busy, ready to lay even more eggs. She said, “Yes I see that you are a handsome little things, and I heard that you have done very well at your job of collecting food for the colony, and now you say you want something more. Oh my, I’ve never had any other ant ask for more, a promotion per say. All of us ant are born with a job to do and we simply do it, including me. My job is to bring more and more of you into the world and lay more and more eggs”. She told him, “I think you need to talk to someone even higher up than me.” And the little male ant asked, “Is there someone with even more power and authority than you?”   And she responded by saying, “Oh yes my dear, you need to talk to our creator and our God. So go forth and find Him and He will help you understand what you need to know.”  As he left the queen and then left the nest, and began to scurry away from the ant mound he wondered where He could find the creator. He decided to go to the highest place he knew, to the top of the big old tree on the plain. It took him two days to climb to the top. After he reached the top he was amazed how far he could see. So much farther than he ever saw before. At the top of the tree, on one of the highest branches, he began to call out to the creator. Almost all day he waited and continued to plead for an audience with God to ask for more. And then at dusk the Lord came to him. And so the Lord spoke to the little male ant and asked, “Tell me little fellow, what is on your mind.” And so the little ant proceeded to tell the Lord all that was on his mind; how because he was such a good worker, even quicker than most, and because he was so good looking, and even intelligent and wise,  he told the Lord how he thought that he deserved a better position in the colony, better accommodations and more.  And so the Lord God spoke to the ant saying, “So you say you are very intelligent and wise. Since you think this, I would like to show you something.”  And before he even realized it the little ant began to move through the air somehow feeling like he was being carried by the hand of God. The great field he knew so very well quickly disappeared behind him. All of a sudden he began to see things that he could not even imagine. There were all kinds of huge animals, hundreds even thousands of times bigger than even the queen ant. More than he could ever have imagined. The Lord set me upon the a beautiful yet mighty beast called a horse that stood so very high compared to an ant, and it began to run began to run as fast as the wind. And then as he moved away from the horse, up and up, all of a sudden he saw large buildings, so big that they boggled his little mind. Building that reached up and touched the sky. He thought that his ant mound was monstrous.  The Lord allowed him for a moment to place his feet on a sky scraper which was over 2500 feet high. He wondered how anyone could build such a monstrosity. And then he saw them for the first time, humans erecting one of those structures and then he began to rise again.

As the Lord lifted him higher and higher into the air all of a sudden he saw a shiny bird moving across the sky coming toward them. The wings did not move yet it traveled faster than any bird he ever saw. As the Lord brought Him closer he saw that it was not a bird but a huge flying machine filled with even more humans. He could barely fathom the size of that machine, not to speak of how they got it off the ground. And then the Lord began to take him higher and higher now. All of a sudden it turned dark and the stars became brighter than he ever saw them before. He turned his head and looked back to see the planet earth leaving them behind. He never had any idea that he lived on a such beautiful blue ball. They were moving so fast the earth disappeared very, very quickly. He saw that there was more than just one planet, there so many, thousands, millions going around billions of stars. And as they exited out of our galaxy he saw that there were more glaxies, hundreds if not billions of them containing trillions of stars and planets. It was more than the little ant could fathom. And then the Lord said, “I have shown you only a small portion of my physical creation, now I will show you more.” And then something happened.   He was in a totally different kind of place. I believe it is what one would call the spiritual realm. There was bright light that seem radiate love. And the sound of music and praise resounded everywhere and through everything. He heard many other wonderful sounds that he could not even imagine hearing. And the colors, nothing like he ever saw before. There were large and beautiful winged creatures, everything seemed solid yet transparent. It was sensory overload for the little ant. He saw thing so glorious it would be impossible for any earthly being to put into words, yet here he was. But it was too much. He closed his eyes, and then all of a sudden the music stopped, and when he opened his eyes he was again sitting in a safe place atop that tall tree close to his home. And then he heard the Lord speak and say, “Now little wise ant let me ask you a few questions. After seeing the other creatures on your world, the animals small and large, and the humans with their building and machines, where were you when I created them? As you left the planet so beautiful and blue seeing the untold number galaxies and stars did your wisdom help me create them? And when I created the unseen spiritual realm with all its wonders, let me ask you, how did I do it? And how do I hold it all together so that everything works with such harmony?  Tell me ol’ wise one, how and why I should honor you?” The little ant on top of the tree all of a sudden felt very, very, very small. Less than a speck in the universe; small, trivial, and powerless in the presence of the One who created so much. What was he compared to those  beasts of field he saw, or compared to a planet, or stars or a galaxy of stars?He told the Lord, “I did not know what I was talking about. I feel like less than a speck in the grand scheme of things my Lord. I am so sorry for thinking that I was so important to this world. Surely I spoke of things I did understand, thing to wonderful for me to know. You have shown me great wonders and now I feel like a fool and am sorry for being so arrogant.  I humbly bow before you.”  And then he bowed as low as an ant could bow. 

And then the Lord said, “One day My Son stood on a large hill to teach those who would hear Him. He began His lesson by telling them something which is fundamental and needed by anyone who wants to learn more, and become a child in my kingdom. Jesus said,  “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

In other words, it is not the haughty, boastful and proud that will be happy and blessed by Me with true wisdom and life, rather it will be the humble individuals, those who are not puffed up and stuck on themselves.  The only way that the mighty horse that I set you on can be trained and taught is to break his spirit, because he is a proud animal. I hope that this has taught you something.

The ant returned to his home with a totally new perspective. Over time he did get a promotion but it was more because of his hard work and experience in his field. It was not because of his good looks or because of how smart he thought he was.

Another thing he noticed about the other ants in the colony, they all just seem so grateful for what they had. They never sought after more because they were simply thankful for what they had. He also learned to become thankful for what the creator had given him.  In the great scheme of things and considering what the creator had showed him, later he often thought,‘Who are you little ant to demand anything?’

In Proverbs 16:15 it says, “The LORD detests all the proud of heart.  Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”

Isaiah 2:12 says, “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.” NAS

James 4:6 says “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

In his last letter 

Paul wrote of the future, it may even be our present time, he wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1-5  “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

From the very beginning of scripture to the end we see God’s intolerance for those who think they are some kind of big shot, those who think they know it all and deserve so much more than others. Rather we see God wants to bless those who are poor in spirit, those who have a humble heart.

And so what can we do to prevent us from falling into this trap.

There are people in this world who are a bit diluted and are trying to convince us that we deserve more. Just watch the ads on your television. You need, even you deserve a new car, and not just any car but rather a expensive designer car. And furniture, and a cruise, and the latest I-Phone, and I-Pad, and the list goes on. You just deserve it.

And don’t settle for what your parents had. Go for the gusto! You deserve it, you are smart, and educated, and good looking. Don’t settle for less. And that line of thinking has led to unrealistic debt and why I think there are so many today going around feeling depressed; because there are too many that don’t have the means to acquire what we are told people should have.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:3   “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

I can’t help but think that in many ways we are like that little ant who did not realize how small and obscure he was in grand scheme of things, compared to all creation, and compared to a God that can create and manipulate it all. For example, in recent years whith help of the Hubble telescope, scientists have learned much about the universe which we live in. We are all familiar with our solar system and stars, and even a grouping of stars called a galaxy. But did you know this; that the smallest galaxies observed contain over a 10 million stars each? They probably each have their own planets circling them. Our own Milky Way Galaxy has an estimated 200 billion stars. Our closest neighboring Galaxy, the Andromeda Galaxy contains an est. one trillion stars. And there are some larger galaxies out there that contain up to 100 trillion stars.  That a lot of stars and solar systems.

Now what really blows my mind is the fact that some scientists estimate that there are possible more than 500 billion Galaxies, and there is a design and order in each and every one of them. And that’s just the physical universe that we can see. What about that unseen spiritual realm, how vast is it? Nobody knows.

I often wonder, ‘Who do we think we are to make demands of God the creator, or even think that we are smart enough to doubt His existence.’

Paul said, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

Like the ant, God has communicated with mankind and has given us not only glimpses of His glory, but also what He desires from us, because He loves us. And it all begin with a humble heart; one not so full of self that we can’t see beyond our own nose.

Even though we are small compared to the vastness of all creation God has let us know that He love us and wants up to be part of His eternal realm. He loves us so much that He was willing to send His one and only Son to show us what he is like, he also sent him to deal with our impurity and sin, that is  if we would only believe in Him and accept this wonderful gift. But the choice is ours.

So my encouragement is this today: 

 “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.   Don’t let yourself become so proud, or arrogant that it blinds you to the truth. Come to appreciate what you have, and don’t worry about what you don’t have. If you are meant to have something down the road, you will get. In the mean time, be thankful and enjoy what you have today!

From Gary.... Bible Reading and Study October 24

Bible Reading and Study   

October 24

The World English Bible

Oct. 24

Song of Solomon 1-4

Son 1:1 The Song of songs, which is Solomon's. Beloved

Son 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine.

Son 1:3 Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured forth, therefore the virgins love you.

Son 1:4 Take me away with you. Let us hurry. The king has brought me into his chambers. Friends We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love more than wine! Beloved They are right to love you.

Son 1:5 I am dark, but lovely, you daughters of Jerusalem, like Kedar's tents, like Solomon's curtains.

Son 1:6 Don't stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother's sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven't kept my own vineyard.

Son 1:7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; For why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions? Lover

Son 1:8 If you don't know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside the shepherds' tents.

Son 1:9 I have compared you, my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.

Son 1:10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.

Son 1:11 We will make you earrings of gold, with studs of silver. Beloved

Son 1:12 While the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

Son 1:13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that lies between my breasts.

Son 1:14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. Lover

Son 1:15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves. Beloved

Son 1:16 Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, yes, pleasant; and our couch is verdant. Lover

Son 1:17 The beams of our house are cedars. Our rafters are firs. Beloved

Son 2:1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Lover

Son 2:2 As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. Beloved

Son 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Son 2:4 He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner over me is love.

Son 2:5 Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples; For I am faint with love.

Son 2:6 His left hand is under my head. His right hand embraces me.

Son 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

Son 2:8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping on the mountains, skipping on the hills.

Son 2:9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart. Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice.

Son 2:10 My beloved spoke, and said to me, "Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.

Son 2:11 For, behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone.

Son 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Son 2:13 The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away." Lover

Son 2:14 My dove in the clefts of the rock, In the hiding places of the mountainside, Let me see your face. Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Son 2:15 Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom. Beloved

Son 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies.

Son 2:17 Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a roe or a young hart on the mountains of Bether.

Son 3:1 By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn't find him.

Son 3:2 I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn't find him.

Son 3:3 The watchmen who go about the city found me; "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"

Son 3:4 I had scarcely passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, into the chamber of her who conceived me.

Son 3:5 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

Son 3:6 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

Son 3:7 Behold, it is Solomon's carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

Son 3:8 They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

Son 3:9 King Solomon made himself a carriage of the wood of Lebanon.

Son 3:10 He made its pillars of silver, its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, its midst being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.

Son 3:11 Go forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the day of the gladness of his heart. Lover

Son 4:1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is as a flock of goats, that descend from Mount Gilead.

Son 4:2 Your teeth are like a newly shorn flock, which have come up from the washing, where every one of them has twins. None is bereaved among them.

Son 4:3 Your lips are like scarlet thread. Your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.

Son 4:4 Your neck is like David's tower built for an armory, whereon a thousand shields hang, all the shields of the mighty men.

Son 4:5 Your two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a roe, which feed among the lilies.

Son 4:6 Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, I will go to the mountain of myrrh, to the hill of frankincense.

Son 4:7 You are all beautiful, my love. There is no spot in you.

Son 4:8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Son 4:9 You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck.

Son 4:10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine! The fragrance of your perfumes than all manner of spices!

Son 4:11 Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

Son 4:12 A locked up garden is my sister, my bride; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain.

Son 4:13 Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits: henna with spikenard plants,

Son 4:14 spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices,

Son 4:15 a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, flowing streams from Lebanon. Beloved

Son 4:16 Awake, north wind; and come, you south! Blow on my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and taste his precious fruits. Lover

  

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.

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 1 1

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Words of a preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

Ecclesiastes 1 2

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities! all is vanity.

Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, Vanity of vanities: the whole [is] vanity.

Ecclesiastes 1 3

What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?

What profit hath man of all his labour wherewith he laboureth under the sun?

What advantage [is] to man by all his labour that he laboureth at under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1 4

One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.

[One] generation passeth away, and [another] generation cometh, but the earth standeth for ever.

A generation is going, and a generation is coming, and the earth to the age is standing.

Ecclesiastes 1 5

The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.

The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth.

Also, the sun hath risen, and the sun hath gone in, and unto its place panting it is rising there.

Ecclesiastes 1 6

The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.

The wind goeth towards the south, and turneth about towards the north: it turneth about

continually, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.

Going unto the south, and turning round unto the north, turning round, turning

round, the wind is going, and by its circuits the wind hath returned.

Ecclesiastes 1 7

All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.

All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full: unto the place whither the rivers

go, thither they go again.

All the streams are going unto the sea, and the sea is not full; unto a place whither

the streams are going, thither they are turning back to go.

Ecclesiastes 1 8

All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

All things are full of toil; none can express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor

the ear filled with hearing.

All these things are wearying; a man is not able to speak, the eye is not satisfied

by seeing, nor filled is the ear from hearing.

Ecclesiastes 1 9

That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that

which will be done: and there is nothing new under the sun.

What [is] that which hath been? it [is] that which is, and what [is] that which

hath been done? it [is] that which is done, and there is not an entirely new thing

under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1 10

Is there a thing of which it may be said, "Behold, this is new?" It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.

Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already in the ages

which were before us.

There is a thing of which [one] saith: `See this, it [is] new!` already it hath been in

the ages that were before us!

Ecclesiastes 1 11

There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.

There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be remembrance of things

that are to come with those who shall live afterwards.

There is not a remembrance of former [generations]; and also of the latter that

are, there is no remembrance of them with those that are at the last.

Ecclesiastes 1 12

I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

I, a preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1 13

I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done

under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to

weary themselves therewith.

And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that

hath been done under the heavens. It [is] a sad travail God hath given to the sons

of man to be humbled by it.

Ecclesiastes 1 14

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and

pursuit of the wind.

I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and lo, the whole [is]

vanity and vexation of spirit!

Ecclesiastes 1 15

That which is crooked can`t be made straight; and that which is lacking can`t be counted.

That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be

numbered.

A crooked thing [one] is not able to make straight, and a lacking thing is not able to be numbered.

Ecclesiastes 1 16

I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have acquired

wisdom more than all they that have been before me over Jerusalem; and my heart hath

seen much of wisdom and knowledge.

I -- I spake with my heart, saying, `I, lo, I have magnified and added wisdom above

every one who hath been before me at Jerusalem, and my heart hath seen

abundantly wisdom and knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 1 17

I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.

And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and

folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind.

And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known

that even this [is] vexation of spirit;

Ecclesiastes 1 18

For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth

sorrow.

for, in abundance of wisdom [is] abundance of sadness, and he who addeth knowledge addeth pain.`

Ecclesiastes 2 1

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and, behold, this also was vanity.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will try thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure. But

behold, this also is vanity.

I said in my heart, `Pray, come, I try thee with mirth, and look thou on gladness;` and lo, even it [is] vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2 2

I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"

I said of laughter, Madness! and of mirth, What availeth it?

Of laughter I said, `Foolish!` and of mirth, `What [is] this it is doing?`

Ecclesiastes 2 3

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart

with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the

children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart

leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where [is] this -- the

good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of

the days of their lives.

Ecclesiastes 2 4

I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;

I made great my works, I builded for me houses, I planted for me vineyards.

Ecclesiastes 2 5

I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.

I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of every kind of fruit;

I made for me gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit.

Ecclesiastes 2 6

I made myself pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared.

I made me ponds of water, to water therewith the wood, where the trees are reared.

I made for me pools of water, to water from them a forest shooting forth trees.

Ecclesiastes 2 7

I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem;

I acquired servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great

possessions of herds and flocks, above all that had been in Jerusalem before me.

I got men-servants, and maid-servants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had

much substance -- herd and flock -- above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 2 8

I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men -- musical

instruments, and that of all sorts.

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the

provinces; I got me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the children of

men, a wife and concubines.

I gathered for me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of

the provinces. I prepared for me men-singers and women-singers, and the

luxuries of the sons of man -- a wife and wives.

Ecclesiastes 2 9

So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.

And I became great, and increased more than all that had been before me in Jerusalem:

also my wisdom remained with me.

And I became great, and increased above every one who had been before me in

Jerusalem; also, my wisdom stood with me.

Ecclesiastes 2 10

Whatever my eyes desired, I didn`t keep from them. I didn`t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them: I withheld not my heart from

any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour, and this was my portion from all my labour.

And all that mine eyes asked I kept not back from them; I withheld not my heart

from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labour, and this hath been my

portion, from all my labour,

Ecclesiastes 2 11

Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that it had

cost me to do [them]; and behold, all was vanity and pursuit of the wind, and there was no

profit under the sun.

and I have looked on all my works that my hands have done, and on the labour that

I have laboured to do, and lo, the whole [is] vanity and vexation of spirit, and

there is no advantage under the sun!

Ecclesiastes 2 12

I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king`s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man [do]

that cometh after the king? -- that which hath already been done.

And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what [is] the man who

cometh after the king? that which [is] already -- they have done it!

Ecclesiastes 2 13

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.

And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as light excelleth darkness.

And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of

the light above the darkness.

Ecclesiastes 2 14

The wise man`s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness -- and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

The wise man`s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness; but I myself also

perceived that one event happeneth to them all.

The wise! -- his eyes [are] in his head, and the fool in darkness is walking, and I

also knew that one event happeneth with them all;

Ecclesiastes 2 15

Then said I in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then said I in my heart that this also is vanity.

And I said in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool so will it happen even to me; and why

was I then so wise? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

and I said in my heart, `As it happeneth with the fool, it happeneth also with me,

and why am I then more wise?` And I spake in my heart, that also this [is] vanity:

Ecclesiastes 2 16

For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory for ever, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!

For there shall be no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; because

everything is already forgotten in the days which come. And how dieth the wise even as

the fool?

That there is no remembrance to the wise -- with the fool -- to the age, for that

which [is] already, [in] the days that are coming is all forgotten, and how dieth

the wise? with the fool!

Ecclesiastes 2 17

So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is

vanity and a chasing after wind.

And I hated life; for the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all

is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

And I have hated life, for sad to me [is] the work that hath been done under the

sun, for the whole [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 2 18

I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who comes after me.

And I hated all my labour wherewith I had been toiling under the sun, because I should

leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

And I have hated all my labour that I labour at under the sun, because I leave it to

a man who is after me.

Ecclesiastes 2 19

Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

And who knoweth whether he will be a wise [man] or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all

my labour at which I have laboured, and wherein I have been wise under the sun. This

also is vanity.

And who knoweth whether he is wise or foolish? yet he doth rule over all my

labour that I have laboured at, and that I have done wisely under the sun! this

also [is] vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2 20

Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.

Then I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour wherewith I had

laboured under the sun.

And I turned round to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour that I

laboured at under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2 21

For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored therein. This also is vanity and a great evil.

For there is a man whose labour hath been with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with

skill, and who leaveth it to a man that hath not laboured therein, to be his portion. This

also is vanity and a great evil.

For there is a man whose labour [is] in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity,

and to a man who hath not laboured therein he giveth it -- his portion! Even this

[is] vanity and a great evil.

Ecclesiastes 2 22

For what has a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun?

For what will man have of all his labour and of the striving of his heart, wherewith he

hath wearied himself under the sun?

For what hath been to a man by all his labour, and by the thought of his heart that

he laboured at under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 2 23

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no

rest. This also is vanity.

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail vexation: even in the night his heart taketh

no rest. This also is vanity.

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart hath

not lain down; this also [is] vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2 24

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

There is nothing good for man, but that he should eat and drink, and that he should make

his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

There is nothing good in a man who eateth, and hath drunk, and hath shewn his

soul good in his labour. This also I have seen that it [is] from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2 25

For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

For who can eat, or who be eager, more than I?

For who eateth and who hasteth out more than I?

Ecclesiastes 2 26

For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he

gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

For he giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to

the sinner he giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is

good in God`s sight. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

For to a man who [is] good before Him, He hath given wisdom, and knowledge, and

joy; and to a sinner He hath given travail, to gather and to heap up, to give to the

good before God. Even this [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 3 1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens:

To everything -- a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:

Ecclesiastes 3 2

A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up that which is

planted;

A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is

planted;

A time to bring forth, And a time to die. A time to plant, And a time to eradicate the planted.

Ecclesiastes 3 3

A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to slay, And a time to heal, A time to break down, And a time to build up.

Ecclesiastes 3 4

A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh. A time to mourn, And a time to skip.

Ecclesiastes 3 5

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, And a

time to refrain from embracing;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and

a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to cast away stones, And a time to heap up stones. A time to embrace, And a

time to be far from embracing.

Ecclesiastes 3 6

A time to seek, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to cast away;

A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to seek, And a time to destroy. A time to keep, And a time to cast away.

Ecclesiastes 3 7

A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to rend, And a time to sew. A time to be silent, And a time to speak.

Ecclesiastes 3 8

A time to love, And a time to hate; A time for war, And a time for peace.

A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.

A time to love, And a time to hate. A time of war, And a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3 9

What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?

What profit hath he that worketh from that wherein he laboureth?

What advantage hath the doer in that which he is labouring at?

Ecclesiastes 3 10

I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of men to toil in.

I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.

Ecclesiastes 3 11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can`t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

He hath made everything beautiful in its time; also he hath set the world in their heart,

so that man findeth not out from the beginning to the end the work that God doeth.

The whole He hath made beautiful in its season; also, that knowledge He hath put

in their heart without which man findeth not out the work that God hath done

from the beginning even unto the end.

Ecclesiastes 3 12

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

I know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life;

I have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life,

Ecclesiastes 3 13

Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

yea also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, it is the

gift of God.

yea, even every man who eateth and hath drunk and seen good by all his labour, it [is] a gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3 14

I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything

taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

I know that whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever; there is nothing to be added to it,

nor anything to be taken from it; and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.

I have known that all that God doth is to the age, to it nothing is to be added, and

from it nothing is to be withdrawn; and God hath wrought that they do fear

before Him.

Ecclesiastes 3 15

That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.

That which is was long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God bringeth

back again that which is past.

What is that which hath been? already it is, and that which [is] to be hath already

been, and God requireth that which is pursued.

Ecclesiastes 3 16

Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the

place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

And moreover I saw under the sun, that in the place of judgment, wickedness was there;

and in the place of righteousness, wickedness was there.

And again, I have seen under the sun the place of judgment -- there [is] the

wicked; and the place of righteousness -- there [is] the wicked.

Ecclesiastes 3 17

I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there

for every purpose and for every work.

I said in my heart, `The righteous and the wicked doth God judge, for a time [is] to

every matter and for every work there.`

Ecclesiastes 3 18

I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they

themselves are like animals.

I said in my heart, It is thus with the children of men, that God may prove them, and that

they should see that they themselves are but beasts.

I said in my heart concerning the matter of the sons of man that God might

cleanse them, so as to see that they themselves [are] beasts.

Ecclesiastes 3 19

For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity.

For what befalleth the children of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as

the one dieth, so dieth the other, and they have all one breath; and man hath no pre-

eminence above the beast: for all is vanity.

For an event [is to] the sons of man, and an event [is to] the beasts, even one event

[is] to them; as the death of this, so [is] the death of that; and one spirit [is] to all,

and the advantage of man above the beast is nothing, for the whole [is] vanity.

Ecclesiastes 3 20

All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.

All go unto one place: all are of the dust, and all return to dust.

The whole are going unto one place, the whole have been from the dust, and the

whole are turning back unto the dust.

Ecclesiastes 3 21

Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?"

Who knoweth the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards? and the spirit of the

beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth?

Who knoweth the spirit of the sons of man that is going up on high, and the spirit

of the beast that is going down below to the earth?

Ecclesiastes 3 22

Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man should rejoice in his own

works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man rejoice in his works,

for it [is] his portion; for who doth bring him in to look on that which is after

Ecclesiastes 4 1

Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the

tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was

power, and they had no comforter.

And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and

lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their

oppressors [is] power, and they have no comforter.

Ecclesiastes 4 2

Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.

Ecclesiastes 4 3

Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil

work that is done under the sun.

And better than both of them [is] he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not

seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4 4

Then I saw all of labor and of achievement that is the envy of a man`s neighbor. This also is

vanity and a striving after wind.

And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man`s jealousy of his neighbour.

This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man

is the envy of his neighbour. Even this [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 4 5

The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:

Ecclesiastes 4 6

Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the

wind.

`Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labour and vexation of spirit.`

Ecclesiastes 4 7

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:

Ecclesiastes 4 8

There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This also is vanity, yes, it is a miserable business.

There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is

there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not],

For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a

grievous occupation.

There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there

is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he saith

not], `For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?` This also is

vanity, it is a sad travail.

Ecclesiastes 4 9

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour.

Ecclesiastes 4 10

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and

doesn`t have another to lift him up.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he

falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!

For if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but wo to the one who falleth

and there is not a second to raise him up!

Ecclesiastes 4 11

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?

Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?

Ecclesiastes 4 12

If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4 13

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn`t know how to receive admonition any more.

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to

be admonished.

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known

to be warned any more.

Ecclesiastes 4 14

For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his

kingdom.

For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own

kingdom he hath been poor.

Ecclesiastes 4 15

I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who

succeeded him.

I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand

up in his stead.

I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place;

Ecclesiastes 4 16

There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was -- yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

[There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come

after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.

there is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter

rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Study Questions

All the works done under the sun are? 1:14

Solomon realized his labor was? 2:10

There is nothing better than to be wise? True or False?

A threefold cord is not quickly ___________? 4:12

The World English Bible

Oct. 24

1 Thessalonians 1

1Th 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 1:2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,

1Th 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

1Th 1:4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,

1Th 1:5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.

1Th 1:6 You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1Th 1:7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

1Th 1:8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything.

1Th 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

1Th 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

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.

1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 1 1

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus  Christ.

Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus to the assembly of Thessalonians in God [the] Father and

[the] Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace.

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the assembly of Thessalonians in God the

Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Thessalonians 1 2

We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you at our prayers,

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

1 Thessalonians 1 3

remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

remembering unceasingly your work of faith, and labour of love, and enduring constancy

of hope, of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;

unceasingly remembering of you the work of the faith, and the labour of the love,

and the endurance of the hope, of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the presence of our God and Father,

1 Thessalonians 1 4

We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,

knowing, brethren beloved by God, your election.

having known, brethren beloved, by God, your election,

1 Thessalonians 1 5

and that our gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.

For our glad tidings were not with you in word only, but also in power, and in [the] Holy

Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what we were among you for your sakes:

because our good news did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in

the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, even as ye have known of what sort we

became among you because of you,

1 Thessalonians 1 6

You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

and *ye* became our imitators, and of the Lord, having accepted the word in much

tribulation with joy of [the] Holy Spirit,

and ye -- ye did become imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word

in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Thessalonians 1 7

so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

so that ye became models to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia:

so that ye became patterns to all those believing in Macedonia and Achaia,

1 Thessalonians 1 8

For from you has sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith toward God has gone forth; so that we need not to say  anything.

for the word of the Lord sounded out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in

every place your faith which [is] towards God has gone abroad, so that we have no need to

say anything;

for from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and

Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God did go forth, so that we have

no need to say anything,

1 Thessalonians 1 9

For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

for they themselves relate concerning us what entering in we had to you, and how ye

turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

for they themselves concerning us do declare what entrance we had unto you, and

how ye did turn unto God from the idols, to serve a living and true God,

1 Thessalonians 1 10

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

and to await his Son from the heavens, whom he raised from among the dead, Jesus, our

deliverer from the coming wrath.

and to wait for His Son from the heavens, whom He did raise out of the dead --

Jesus, who is rescuing us from the anger that is coming.

Study Questions

What three things did Paul remember about them? 1:13

Jesus delivers.. Who? 1:10