Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray




In all things see that you are an example of good works; holy in your teaching, serious in behaviour, Saying true and right words, against which no protest may be made, so that he who is not on our side may be put to shame, unable to say any evil of us.

And I said to them, We have given whatever we were able to give, to make our brothers the Jews free, who were servants and prisoners of the nations: and would you now give up your brothers for a price, and are they to become our property? Then they said nothing, answering not a word. And I said, What you are doing is not good: is it not the more necessary for you to go in the fear of our God, because of the shame which the nations may put on us? Even I and my servants have been taking interest for the money and the grain we have let them have. So now, let us give up this thing. read more.
Give back to them this very day their fields, their vine-gardens, their olive-gardens, and their houses, as well as a hundredth part of the money and the grain and the wine and the oil which you have taken from them. Then they said, We will give them back, and take nothing for them; we will do as you say. Then I sent for the priests and made them take an oath that they would keep this agreement. And shaking out the folds of my robe, I said, So may God send out from his house and his work every man who does not keep this agreement; even so let him be sent out and made as nothing. And all the meeting of the people said, So be it, and gave praise to the Lord. And the people did as they had said. Now from the time when I was made ruler of the people in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year till the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, for twelve years, I and my servants have never taken the food which was the right of the ruler. But earlier rulers who were before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver; and even their servants were lords over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God. And I kept on with the work of this wall, and we got no land for ourselves: and all my servants were helping with the work. And more than this, a hundred and fifty of the Jews and the rulers were guests at my table, in addition to those who came to us from the nations round about us. Now the food made ready for one day was one ox and six fat sheep, as well as fowls; and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine: but all the same, I did not take the food to which the ruler had a right, because the people were crushed under a hard yoke. Keep in mind, O my God, for my good, all I have done for this people.


And you took us and the Lord as your example, after the word had come to you in much trouble, with joy in the Holy Spirit; So that you became an example to all those who have faith in Christ in Macedonia and Achaia. For not only was the word of the Lord sounding out from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God is made clear; so that we have no need to say anything.

Take as an example of pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble, the prophets who gave to men the words of the Lord. We say that those men who have gone through pain are happy: you have the story of Job and the troubles through which he went and have seen that the Lord was full of pity and mercy in the end.

My loved ones, I make this request with all my heart, that, as those for whom this world is a strange country, you will keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh which make war against the soul; Being of good behaviour among the Gentiles; so that though they say now that you are evil-doers, they may see your good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge. Keep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all, read more.
And those of the rulers who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of those who do well. Because it is God's pleasure that foolish and narrow-minded men may be put to shame by your good behaviour: As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God; Have respect for all, loving the brothers, fearing God, honouring the king. Servants, take orders from your masters with all respect; not only if they are good and gentle, but even if they are bad-humoured. For it is a sign of grace if a man, desiring to do right in the eyes of God, undergoes pain as punishment for something which he has not done. What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take your punishment quietly? but if you are given punishment for doing right, and take it quietly, this is pleasing to God. This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps: Who did no evil, and there was no deceit in his mouth: To sharp words he gave no sharp answer; when he was undergoing pain, no angry word came from his lips; but he put himself into the hands of the judge of righteousness: He took our sins on himself, giving his body to be nailed on the tree, so that we, being dead to sin, might have a new life in righteousness, and by his wounds we have been made well. Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls.

And these were the ornaments of the holy women of the past, whose hope was in God, being ruled by their husbands: As Sarah was ruled by Abraham, naming him lord; whose children you are if you do well, and are not put in fear by any danger.

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray



Let the sinner give up his way, and the evil-doer his purpose: and let him come back to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for there is full forgiveness with him. Verse ConceptsAbundance, SpiritualGenerosity, God'sGrace, In OtMind, Of GodRepentance, Importance OfRepentance, Nature OfSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfSin, Deliverance From GodThoughtForsaking SinReturning To GodThinking ArightEvil WaysA Forgiving God

When he sent death on them, then they made search for him; turning to him and looking for him with care; Verse ConceptsDeathbedsAfflictions, Benefits OfGod KillingGod Killed His People

And with all their heart and soul are turned again to you, in the land of those who took them prisoners, and make their prayer to you, turning their eyes to this land which you gave to their fathers, and to the town which you took for yourself, and the house which I made for your name: Verse ConceptsBuilding God's DwellingWhole HeartednessA Place For God's Name

And the Lord will send punishment on Egypt, and will make them well again; and when they come back to the Lord he will give ear to their prayer and take away their disease. Verse ConceptsPlaguesRepentance, Examples OfRepentance, Importance OfResponseReturning To GodGod Beating PeopleGod HealsHealing And Comfort


O Israel, come back to the Lord your God; for your evil-doing has been the cause of your fall. Verse ConceptsReturning To GodDownfallFalling Away From God

From the days of your fathers you have been turned away from my rules and have not kept them. Come back to me, and I will come back to you, says the Lord of armies. But you say, How are we to come back? Verse ConceptsConversion, God's demands fordrawing near to GodImpenitence, Results OfRevival, CorporateReturning To GodThey Do Not Keep Commands

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray

Israel is a wandering sheep; the lions have been driving him away: first he was attacked by the king of Assyria, and now his bones have been broken by Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon. Verse Conceptsdispersion, theIn Danger From Lions

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray



But go to the wandering sheep of the house of Israel, Verse ConceptsSheep, FigurativeMore ThanIsrael HardenedLost People

My people have been wandering sheep: their keepers have made them go out of the right way, turning them loose on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, having no memory of their resting-place. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sLossRestlessnessSatan, Agents OfSheepShepherds, As OccupationsInadequate ShepherdingWanderersPeople Going AstrayBeing MisleadLost PeopleBeing Lost

And my sheep went out of the way, wandering through all the mountains and on every high hill: my sheep went here and there over all the face of the earth; and no one was troubled about them or went in search of them. Verse ConceptsHillsWanderersScattered Like SheepEscaping To MountainsNot Seeking PeopleNo One Available

What would you say now? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone wandering away, will he not let the ninety-nine be, and go to the mountains in search of the wandering one? Verse ConceptsHillsSheepShepherds, As OccupationsWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepThe Number NinetyOne HundredThinking ArightGod Searching For PeopleAbandoning ThingsNinetiesMissing SomeoneBeing LostLosing Someone

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray



Let the sinner give up his way, and the evil-doer his purpose: and let him come back to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for there is full forgiveness with him. Verse ConceptsAbundance, SpiritualGenerosity, God'sGrace, In OtMind, Of GodRepentance, Importance OfRepentance, Nature OfSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfSin, Deliverance From GodThoughtForsaking SinReturning To GodThinking ArightEvil WaysA Forgiving God

When he sent death on them, then they made search for him; turning to him and looking for him with care; Verse ConceptsDeathbedsAfflictions, Benefits OfGod KillingGod Killed His People

And with all their heart and soul are turned again to you, in the land of those who took them prisoners, and make their prayer to you, turning their eyes to this land which you gave to their fathers, and to the town which you took for yourself, and the house which I made for your name: Verse ConceptsBuilding God's DwellingWhole HeartednessA Place For God's Name

And the Lord will send punishment on Egypt, and will make them well again; and when they come back to the Lord he will give ear to their prayer and take away their disease. Verse ConceptsPlaguesRepentance, Examples OfRepentance, Importance OfResponseReturning To GodGod Beating PeopleGod HealsHealing And Comfort


O Israel, come back to the Lord your God; for your evil-doing has been the cause of your fall. Verse ConceptsReturning To GodDownfallFalling Away From God

From the days of your fathers you have been turned away from my rules and have not kept them. Come back to me, and I will come back to you, says the Lord of armies. But you say, How are we to come back? Verse ConceptsConversion, God's demands fordrawing near to GodImpenitence, Results OfRevival, CorporateReturning To GodThey Do Not Keep Commands

Israel is a wandering sheep; the lions have been driving him away: first he was attacked by the king of Assyria, and now his bones have been broken by Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon. Verse Conceptsdispersion, theIn Danger From Lions

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray



But go to the wandering sheep of the house of Israel, Verse ConceptsSheep, FigurativeMore ThanIsrael HardenedLost People

My people have been wandering sheep: their keepers have made them go out of the right way, turning them loose on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, having no memory of their resting-place. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sLossRestlessnessSatan, Agents OfSheepShepherds, As OccupationsInadequate ShepherdingWanderersPeople Going AstrayBeing MisleadLost PeopleBeing Lost

And my sheep went out of the way, wandering through all the mountains and on every high hill: my sheep went here and there over all the face of the earth; and no one was troubled about them or went in search of them. Verse ConceptsHillsWanderersScattered Like SheepEscaping To MountainsNot Seeking PeopleNo One Available

What would you say now? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone wandering away, will he not let the ninety-nine be, and go to the mountains in search of the wandering one? Verse ConceptsHillsSheepShepherds, As OccupationsWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepThe Number NinetyOne HundredThinking ArightGod Searching For PeopleAbandoning ThingsNinetiesMissing SomeoneBeing LostLosing Someone

Awake! O sword, against the keeper of my flock, and against him who is with me, says the Lord of armies: put to death the keeper of the sheep, and the sheep will go in flight: and my hand will be turned against the little ones. Verse ConceptsSheepUnfaithfulness, To PeopleInadequate ShepherdingJesus Christ, Prophecies OfChrist And His SheepProphecies Concerning ChristNames And Titles For ChristMessianic PropheciesAtonement, ForeordainedScattered Like SheepGod With ChristHurt And Betrayal


Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray

Then said Jesus to them, All of you will be turned away from me this night: for it is said in the Writings, I will put to death the keeper of the sheep, and the sheep of the flock will be put to flight. Verse ConceptsSheepUnfaithfulness, To PeopleInadequate ShepherdingProphecies Concerning ChristThe Smiting Of JesusScattered Like SheepGod Beating PeoplePeople StumblingDuring One NightChrist Would Be KilledHurt And Betrayal

Truly I say to you, He who does not go through the door into the place where the sheep are kept, but gets in by some other way, is a thief and an outlaw. He who goes in by the door is the keeper of the sheep. The porter lets him in; and the sheep give ear to his voice; he says over the names of the sheep, and takes them out. read more.
When he has got them all out, he goes before them, and the sheep go after him, for they have knowledge of his voice. They will not go after another who is not their keeper, but will go from him in flight, because his voice is strange to them. In this Jesus was teaching them in the form of a story: but what he said was not clear to them. So Jesus said again, Truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and outlaws: but the sheep did not give ear to them. I am the door: if any man goes in through me he will have salvation, and will go in and go out, and will get food. The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure. I am the good keeper of sheep: the good keeper gives his life for the sheep. He who is a servant, and not the keeper or the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming and goes in flight, away from the sheep; and the wolf comes down on them and sends them in all directions: Because he is a servant he has no interest in the sheep. I am the good keeper; I have knowledge of my sheep, and they have knowledge of me, Even as the Father has knowledge of me and I of the Father; and I am giving my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep which are not of this field: I will be their guide in the same way, and they will give ear to my voice, so there will be one flock and one keeper.


Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray

And Jesus said to them, You will all be turned away from me: for it is in the Writings, I will put the keeper of the sheep to death, and the sheep will be put to flight. Verse ConceptsSheep, FigurativeUnfaithfulness, To PeopleInadequate ShepherdingThe Smiting Of JesusScattered Like SheepChrist Would Be KilledJesus Foretelling His Resurrection



Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. Verse ConceptsGuidance, Need For God'sOverseersGod our ShepherdSheepWatchfulness, DivineLost SheepAlienation, OvercomingWanderersPeople Going AstrayAnimals Going Astray

But their bows were broken by a strong one, and the cords of their arms were cut by the Strength of Jacob, by the name of the Stone of Israel: Verse ConceptsGod, As ShepherdBow And Arrows, Symbol Of StrengthArmsGod, Power OfGod, The RockGod, Titles And Names OfRefugeShepherds, As Kings And LeadersChrist, The ShepherdSoftnessMighty One


Give ear to the word of the Lord, O you nations, and give news of it in the sea-lands far away, and say, He who has sent Israel wandering will get him together and will keep him as a keeper does his flock. Verse ConceptsGod, As Shepherddispersion, theIslandsPeople Of God, In OtShepherds, As Kings And LeadersShepherds, As OccupationsChrist And His SheepGathering Israel

The Lord takes care of me as his sheep; I will not be without any good thing.

See, the Lord God will come as a strong one, ruling in power: see, those made free by him are with him, and those whom he has made safe go before him. He will give food to his flock like a keeper of sheep; with his arm he will get it together, and will take up the lambs on his breast, gently guiding those which are with young.

For this is what the Lord has said: Truly, I, even I, will go searching and looking for my sheep. As the keeper goes looking for his flock when he is among his wandering sheep, so I will go looking for my sheep, and will get them safely out of all the places where they have been sent wandering in the day of clouds and black night. And I will take them out from among the peoples, and get them together from the countries, and will take them into their land; and I will give them food on the mountains of Israel by the water-streams and wherever men are living in the country. read more.
I will give them good grass-land for their food, and their safe place will be the mountains of the high place of Israel: there they will take their rest in a good place, and on fat grass-land they will take their food on the mountains of Israel. I myself will give food to my flock, and I will give them rest, says the Lord. I will go in search of that which had gone wandering from the way, and will get back that which had been sent in flight, and will put bands on that which was broken, and give strength to that which was ill: but the fat and the strong I will give up to destruction; I will give them for their food the punishment which is theirs by right. And as for you, O my flock, says the Lord, truly, I will be judge between sheep and sheep, the he-sheep and the he-goats. Does it seem a small thing to you to have taken your food on good grass-land while the rest of your grass-land is stamped down under your feet? and that after drinking from clear waters you make the rest of the waters dirty with your feet? And as for my sheep, their food is the grass which has been stamped on by your feet, and their drink the water which has been made dirty by your feet. For this reason the Lord has said to them, Truly, I, even I, will be judge between the fat sheep and the thin sheep. Because you have been pushing with side and leg, pushing the diseased with your horns till they were sent away in every direction; I will make my flock safe, and they will no longer be taken away, and I will be judge between sheep and sheep. And I will put over them one keeper, and he will give them food, even my servant David; he will give them food and be their keeper. And I the Lord will be their God and my servant David their ruler; I the Lord have said it.

For he is our God; and we are the people to whom he gives food, and the sheep of his flock. Today, if you would only give ear to his voice! Verse ConceptsGod, As ShepherdThe Accepted TimeTodayPasturing The FlockPay Attention To God!He Is Our Godpeople

Truly I say to you, He who does not go through the door into the place where the sheep are kept, but gets in by some other way, is a thief and an outlaw. He who goes in by the door is the keeper of the sheep. The porter lets him in; and the sheep give ear to his voice; he says over the names of the sheep, and takes them out. read more.
When he has got them all out, he goes before them, and the sheep go after him, for they have knowledge of his voice. They will not go after another who is not their keeper, but will go from him in flight, because his voice is strange to them. In this Jesus was teaching them in the form of a story: but what he said was not clear to them. So Jesus said again, Truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and outlaws: but the sheep did not give ear to them. I am the door: if any man goes in through me he will have salvation, and will go in and go out, and will get food. The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure. I am the good keeper of sheep: the good keeper gives his life for the sheep. He who is a servant, and not the keeper or the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming and goes in flight, away from the sheep; and the wolf comes down on them and sends them in all directions: Because he is a servant he has no interest in the sheep. I am the good keeper; I have knowledge of my sheep, and they have knowledge of me, Even as the Father has knowledge of me and I of the Father; and I am giving my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep which are not of this field: I will be their guide in the same way, and they will give ear to my voice, so there will be one flock and one keeper. For this reason am I loved by the Father, because I give up my life so that I may take it again. No one takes it away from me; I give it up of myself. I have power to give it up, and I have power to take it again. These orders I have from my Father.

This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps: Who did no evil, and there was no deceit in his mouth: To sharp words he gave no sharp answer; when he was undergoing pain, no angry word came from his lips; but he put himself into the hands of the judge of righteousness: read more.
He took our sins on himself, giving his body to be nailed on the tree, so that we, being dead to sin, might have a new life in righteousness, and by his wounds we have been made well. Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls.