Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Dream » Instances of » False prophets pretended to receive revelations through
Do not listen to prophets, mediums, and interpreters of dreams, fortunetellers, or sorcerers who tell you, 'You will never serve the king of Babylon.'
For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie. They have told false dreams! They comfort in vain. They go their way like sheep. They are afflicted because there is no shepherd.
This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'Do not let the prophets or the mediums among you trick you. Do not even listen to your own dreams.
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart. read more.
Follow Jehovah and respect him. Obey him and keep his commandments. Worship him and be faithful to him (stick to him) (stay close to him) (cleave, cling to him). Put to death any interpreters of dreams or prophets that tell you to rebel against Jehovah. For he (Jehovah) rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. Such people are evil and are trying to lead you away from the life that Jehovah has commanded you to live. They must be put to death, in order to get rid of this evil.
Follow Jehovah and respect him. Obey him and keep his commandments. Worship him and be faithful to him (stick to him) (stay close to him) (cleave, cling to him). Put to death any interpreters of dreams or prophets that tell you to rebel against Jehovah. For he (Jehovah) rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. Such people are evil and are trying to lead you away from the life that Jehovah has commanded you to live. They must be put to death, in order to get rid of this evil.
I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in my name. They say: 'I had a dream! I had a dream! How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets, who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the deception of their own heart? They think the dreams they tell will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name and turned to Baal worship. read more.
The prophet who has had a dream should say it is only a dream. The prophet who has heard my message should proclaim that message faithfully. What good is chaff compared with wheat? Says Jehovah. My message is like a fire and like a hammer that breaks rocks in pieces. I am against those prophets who take each other's words and proclaim them as my message. I am also against those prophets, says Jehovah, They speak their own words and claim they came from me! Listen to what I, Jehovah, say! I am against the prophets who tell their dreams that are full of lies. They tell these dreams and lead my people astray with their lies and their boasting. I did not send them or order them to go. They are of no help at all to the people. I Jehovah have spoken!
The prophet who has had a dream should say it is only a dream. The prophet who has heard my message should proclaim that message faithfully. What good is chaff compared with wheat? Says Jehovah. My message is like a fire and like a hammer that breaks rocks in pieces. I am against those prophets who take each other's words and proclaim them as my message. I am also against those prophets, says Jehovah, They speak their own words and claim they came from me! Listen to what I, Jehovah, say! I am against the prophets who tell their dreams that are full of lies. They tell these dreams and lead my people astray with their lies and their boasting. I did not send them or order them to go. They are of no help at all to the people. I Jehovah have spoken!
Dreams » False prophets » Not to be regarded in
Do not listen to prophets, mediums, and interpreters of dreams, fortunetellers, or sorcerers who tell you, 'You will never serve the king of Babylon.'
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
Hearing » Who not to listen to
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive that he does not have lips of knowledge.
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'Do not let the prophets or the mediums among you trick you. Do not even listen to your own dreams. These people prophesy lies to you in my name. I did not send them,' declares Jehovah.
Miracles » Performed in support of false religions
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true,
Miracles through evil agents » Produced » In support of false religions
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true,
Proof » The lord proving
The anger of Jehovah was hot against Israel. He said: Because this people have transgressed my covenant, which I commanded their fathers, and have not listened to my voice; I will not drive out any of the nations that Joshua left when he died. That through them I may test Israel, to see whether they will keep the way of Jehovah and walk in it as their fathers did. read more.
Therefore Jehovah left those nations, without driving them out. He did not deliver them into the hand of Joshua.
Therefore Jehovah left those nations, without driving them out. He did not deliver them into the hand of Joshua.
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
Examine me, O Jehovah, and test me. Look closely (deeply) into my heart and mind.
The people heard the thunder and the trumpet blast. They saw the lightning and the smoking mountain. They trembled with fear and stood at a distance. They said to Moses: If you speak to us, we will listen. However, we are afraid that if God speaks to us, we will die. Moses responded: Do not be afraid. God has only come to test you and to inspire you to obey him, so that you will not sin.
Prophecy » How tested
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
If a prophet speaks in Jehovah's name and what he says does not happen or come true, then it did not come from Jehovah. That prophet has spoken on his own authority. Never be afraid of him.'
Prophets » FALSE » Warnings to
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
False prophets » Mode of trying and detecting
Beloved, do not believe every spirit. Test the spirits to see whether they are from God. This is because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Here is how you know the Spirit of God, every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh is from God. Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that you heard was coming and now it is already in the world.
You may wonder: How shall we recognize that Jehovah did not speak this message? If a prophet speaks in Jehovah's name and what he says does not happen or come true, then it did not come from Jehovah. That prophet has spoken on his own authority. Never be afraid of him.'
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future),
Punishment » Death penalty » Mosaic law » Death penalty » False prophecy
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart. read more.
Follow Jehovah and respect him. Obey him and keep his commandments. Worship him and be faithful to him (stick to him) (stay close to him) (cleave, cling to him). Put to death any interpreters of dreams or prophets that tell you to rebel against Jehovah. For he (Jehovah) rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. Such people are evil and are trying to lead you away from the life that Jehovah has commanded you to live. They must be put to death, in order to get rid of this evil. If your brother, your mother's son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your very best friend tries to secretly entice you, saying: 'Let us go and serve other gods, gods neither you nor your fathers have known, the gods of the people who are around you from one end of the earth to the other end.' Do not yield to him or listen to him. Your eye should not have pity on him. You should not spare or conceal him. You must kill him! Your hand should be first against him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. Stone him to death because he has sought to draw you away from Jehovah your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Follow Jehovah and respect him. Obey him and keep his commandments. Worship him and be faithful to him (stick to him) (stay close to him) (cleave, cling to him). Put to death any interpreters of dreams or prophets that tell you to rebel against Jehovah. For he (Jehovah) rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. Such people are evil and are trying to lead you away from the life that Jehovah has commanded you to live. They must be put to death, in order to get rid of this evil. If your brother, your mother's son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your very best friend tries to secretly entice you, saying: 'Let us go and serve other gods, gods neither you nor your fathers have known, the gods of the people who are around you from one end of the earth to the other end.' Do not yield to him or listen to him. Your eye should not have pity on him. You should not spare or conceal him. You must kill him! Your hand should be first against him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. Stone him to death because he has sought to draw you away from Jehovah your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Teachers » FALSE » Admonition against
Watch out for the false prophets. They are disguised as sheep. But in their hearts they are vicious wolves.
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
Whoever disobeys even the least of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand whoever obeys and teaches others to obey the Law will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, he said. Obey everything they teach you, but do not follow their example. They say one thing and do something else. They chain heavy burdens on your shoulders. Yet they are unwilling to lift even a finger to carry these same burdens. read more.
They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the prominent seats in the synagogues. They require recognition in public places and insist on being called Rabbi by men. Do not be called Rabbi (master) (teacher) (leader), for only one is your teacher. You are all brothers. Call no man your father on the earth, for only one is your Father in heaven. Do not be called master (teacher) (leader), for only one is your master, and he is Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. He who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter. [Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.] Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel on both sea and land to make one convert. When this happens, you make him twice as deserving of destruction in the trash fires of the valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna). Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, 'When you swear by the temple, it is nothing.' Then you say, 'When you swear by the gold of the temple, you are obligated.' You fools! You blind men! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? When you swear by an altar, you owe nothing. When you swear by the gift left on the altar, you are obligated. You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He who swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him that dwells within it. Thus, he who swears by heaven also swears by the throne of God and him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone. You blind guides! You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, yet the inside is full of extortion and excess. You are blind. Clean the inside of the cup and platter first. Then clean the outside. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside. They are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness on the inside. You appear righteous to men. However, inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. You claim that you would not have been involved with your fathers when they spilled the blood of the prophets. You witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up the (guilt) measure of your fathers. You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How will you escape from being destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom? (Greek: Gehenna, the trash fires in the valley just outside of Jerusalem)
They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the prominent seats in the synagogues. They require recognition in public places and insist on being called Rabbi by men. Do not be called Rabbi (master) (teacher) (leader), for only one is your teacher. You are all brothers. Call no man your father on the earth, for only one is your Father in heaven. Do not be called master (teacher) (leader), for only one is your master, and he is Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. He who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter. [Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.] Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel on both sea and land to make one convert. When this happens, you make him twice as deserving of destruction in the trash fires of the valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna). Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, 'When you swear by the temple, it is nothing.' Then you say, 'When you swear by the gold of the temple, you are obligated.' You fools! You blind men! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? When you swear by an altar, you owe nothing. When you swear by the gift left on the altar, you are obligated. You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He who swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him that dwells within it. Thus, he who swears by heaven also swears by the throne of God and him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone. You blind guides! You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, yet the inside is full of extortion and excess. You are blind. Clean the inside of the cup and platter first. Then clean the outside. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside. They are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness on the inside. You appear righteous to men. However, inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. You claim that you would not have been involved with your fathers when they spilled the blood of the prophets. You witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up the (guilt) measure of your fathers. You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How will you escape from being destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom? (Greek: Gehenna, the trash fires in the valley just outside of Jerusalem)
They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands. His answer to them was in the form of a question: Why do you go against the word of God in favor of your tradition? God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' read more.
You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
The Pharisee wondered about Jesus not bathing before dinner. The Lord said: You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter. Yet your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. You foolish ones. Did he that made the outside also make the inside? read more.
Give that which is within as charity. Then all things are clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the prominent seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! You are as the tombs that do not appear and men walk over them and do not know it. One of the lawyers said to him: Teacher, you also insult us by saying this. Jesus said: Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to bear. And you will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Therefore you are witnesses and consent to the works of your fathers. They killed them and you build their tombs. It is for this reason the wisdom of God said, 'I send to them prophets and apostles and they will persecute and kill some of them.' The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering.
Give that which is within as charity. Then all things are clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the prominent seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! You are as the tombs that do not appear and men walk over them and do not know it. One of the lawyers said to him: Teacher, you also insult us by saying this. Jesus said: Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to bear. And you will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Therefore you are witnesses and consent to the works of your fathers. They killed them and you build their tombs. It is for this reason the wisdom of God said, 'I send to them prophets and apostles and they will persecute and kill some of them.' The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering.
Temptation » A test
By faith Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. He that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only-begotten son!
Learn this lesson by heart: Jehovah your God disciplined you like parents discipline their children.
I will bring the third part into the fire. I will refine them, as silver is refined, and I will test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say: 'It is my people!' They will say: 'Jehovah is my God!'
The man who endures under trial is blessed. For when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.
Verse Concepts
BattlesBlessedCrowns Of ChristiansFate Of The GodlyFaith, Testing OfAssurance, basis ofCommendationeternal life, experience ofdiscipline, divineCharacterAthleticsLove, Nature OfPerseverancePrizesGod's PromisesPunishment, By GodSatan, Resistance ToSelf DisciplineTemptation, ResistingTestingTrialsTrust, Importance OfAfflictions, Consolation DuringLove For GodSuffering, Hardship
Endurance In DiscouragementCrowns For God's PeopleEnduringPeople Commended By GodBemaPromise Of HeavenUniversalismTemptationEnduranceLife StrugglesOvercoming Hard TimesHardshipPatience In Hard TimesResisting TemptationTestsOvercoming AdversityPersistenceHard Work And Perseveranceperserverancepatientsperseveringcrownsexamstrailspressure
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
God tested Abraham. He said to him: Abraham! Abraham replied: Here I am. Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you. Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey. He took two of his servants and his son Isaac with him. He had cut the wood for the burnt offering. Then he set out for the place that God had told him about. read more.
Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. He said to the servants: Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you. Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, Isaac spoke up: Father! He answered: Yes, my son? Isaac asked: I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham answered: God will provide one. And the two of them walked on together. They came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he picked up the knife to kill him. Jehovah's angel shouted from heaven: Abraham! Abraham! Here I am! he answered. Do not hurt the boy or harm him in any way! The angel said. Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son. Abraham named that place Jehovah Will Provide. It is still said today: It will be provided on the mountain of Jehovah.
Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. He said to the servants: Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you. Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, Isaac spoke up: Father! He answered: Yes, my son? Isaac asked: I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham answered: God will provide one. And the two of them walked on together. They came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he picked up the knife to kill him. Jehovah's angel shouted from heaven: Abraham! Abraham! Here I am! he answered. Do not hurt the boy or harm him in any way! The angel said. Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son. Abraham named that place Jehovah Will Provide. It is still said today: It will be provided on the mountain of Jehovah.
Remember the forty years Jehovah your God led you in the wilderness. He did this in order to humble you and test you. He wanted to know what was in your heart. Whether you would obey his commandments.
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
You greatly rejoice in this, though you have been grieved with various trials for a little while. The proof of your faith is more precious than gold that perishes. Though it is tested by fire, it may be found in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. Know that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance).
Did you notice my servant Job? Jehovah asked. There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He respects me and is careful not to do anything evil. Satan replied: Would Job respect you if he got nothing out of it? You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does. You have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. read more.
Now suppose you take away everything he has. He will curse you to your face! All right, Jehovah said to Satan, everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job! So Satan left. One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, a messenger came running to Job. We were plowing the fields with the cattle, he said, and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us. They took away the camels and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. No sooner had he finished speaking, then another servant came and said: Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face down on the ground. He said: I was born with nothing (naked), and I will die with nothing. Jehovah gave, and now he has taken away. Blessed be the name of Jehovah! In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Now suppose you take away everything he has. He will curse you to your face! All right, Jehovah said to Satan, everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job! So Satan left. One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, a messenger came running to Job. We were plowing the fields with the cattle, he said, and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us. They took away the camels and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. No sooner had he finished speaking, then another servant came and said: Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face down on the ground. He said: I was born with nothing (naked), and I will die with nothing. Jehovah gave, and now he has taken away. Blessed be the name of Jehovah! In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Jehovah asked Satan: Have you thought about my servant Job? No one in the world is like him! He is a man of integrity! He is decent and he respects God. He stays away from evil. And he still holds on to his principles. You are trying to provoke me into ruining him for no reason. Satan answered Jehovah: Skin for skin! Certainly, a man will give everything he has for his life. But stretch out your hand, and strike his flesh and bones and he will curse you to your face! read more.
Jehovah told Satan: He is in your power, but you must spare his life! Satan left Jehovah's presence and struck Job with painful boils from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. Job took a piece of broken pottery to scratch his sores as he sat in the ashes. His wife asked him: Are you still holding on to your principles? Curse God and die! He said to her: You are talking like a godless fool. We accept the good that God gives us. Should we not also accept the bad? Through all this Job did not speak sinful words.
Jehovah told Satan: He is in your power, but you must spare his life! Satan left Jehovah's presence and struck Job with painful boils from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. Job took a piece of broken pottery to scratch his sores as he sat in the ashes. His wife asked him: Are you still holding on to your principles? Curse God and die! He said to her: You are talking like a godless fool. We accept the good that God gives us. Should we not also accept the bad? Through all this Job did not speak sinful words.
You have tested us, O God. You have refined us in the same way silver is refined. You have trapped us in a net. You have laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads. We went through fire and water, but then you brought us out and refreshed us. read more.
I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will keep my vows to you,
I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will keep my vows to you,
Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined. The wicked will do wickedly and none of the wicked will understand. Those who are wise will understand!