Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



He said: Go and tell this people: 'Hear constantly but do not understand. See constantly but do not perceive.'

Some of them were convinced by his words, but others did not believe. So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul had said this one thing: How well the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors! He said, Go and say to this people, 'You will listen and listen, but not understand. You will look and look, but not see. read more.
These people have closed their mind and are hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. They never turn to me for healing.'

It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23)


The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. read more.
He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are.

So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul had said this one thing: How well the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors! He said, Go and say to this people, 'You will listen and listen, but not understand. You will look and look, but not see. These people have closed their mind and are hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. They never turn to me for healing.' read more.
You need to know that God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews. They will listen.

What shall we say? The nations did not pursue righteousness. Yet they have attained to righteousness, the righteousness that is based on the principle of faith. But Israel, pursuing after a law of righteousness, has not attained to that law. Why? It is because it was not based on the principle of faith, but on that of works. They have stumbled at the stumbling stone. read more.
It is written: Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and he that believes on him will not be ashamed. (Isaiah 8:14)

I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life. (1 Kings 19:14, 18) read more.
What does God say in answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God's grace. If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works. What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (rendered stupid) (hardened) (made insensitive). It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23) I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy. Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world, and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean? I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify (honor) (praise) (celebrate) my ministry. If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh (fellow countrymen), and might save some of them. If their rejection means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the first piece is holy, the lump is also holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches. Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them. Do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. They were broken off because of unbelief! You stand by faith! Do not be conceited but be reverent. God did not spare the natural branches and he will not spare you! Observe both God's kindness and severity. Severity is for those who fail to continue. But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off. If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again. If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree: how much more could these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits (estimation). Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in. In this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob. For this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins. Concerning the good news, they are enemies for your sakes. With reference to the chosen ones, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. In times past you have not believed (did not obey) God. Yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so these also do not believe now. Through the mercy shown they also may obtain mercy. For God has stopped all disobedience so he might show mercy to all.

Abraham believed God and Jehovah considered his faith as his righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) You know that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: In you will all the nations be blessed. read more.
So then those who have faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. Those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, by obeying them. The fact that the Law justifies no man before God is evident. The righteous will live by faith. The Law is not based on faith. He that does them will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It is written; Cursed is everyone who is hung on a stake. This way the blessing of Abraham might come upon the nations through Christ Jesus and we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


What shall we say? The nations did not pursue righteousness. Yet they have attained to righteousness, the righteousness that is based on the principle of faith. But Israel, pursuing after a law of righteousness, has not attained to that law. Why? It is because it was not based on the principle of faith, but on that of works. They have stumbled at the stumbling stone. read more.
It is written: Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and he that believes on him will not be ashamed. (Isaiah 8:14)

Indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom. We preach Christ impaled. It is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the nations!

Remember that Jehovah of Hosts is holy. He is the one you should respect. He is the one you should reverence (venerate) (exalt). He will be a place of safety for you. But he will be a rock that makes people trip and a stumbling block for both kingdoms of Israel. He will be a trap and a snare for those who live in Jerusalem. Many will stumble over them. They will fall and be broken. They will be trapped and caught.

I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life. (1 Kings 19:14, 18) read more.
What does God say in answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God's grace. If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works. What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (rendered stupid) (hardened) (made insensitive). It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23) I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy.


I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life. (1 Kings 19:14, 18) read more.
What does God say in answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God's grace. If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works. What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (rendered stupid) (hardened) (made insensitive). It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23) I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy. Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world, and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean? I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify (honor) (praise) (celebrate) my ministry. If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh (fellow countrymen), and might save some of them. If their rejection means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the first piece is holy, the lump is also holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches. Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them. Do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. They were broken off because of unbelief! You stand by faith! Do not be conceited but be reverent. God did not spare the natural branches and he will not spare you! Observe both God's kindness and severity. Severity is for those who fail to continue. But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off. If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again. If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree: how much more could these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits (estimation). Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in. In this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob. For this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins. Concerning the good news, they are enemies for your sakes. With reference to the chosen ones, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. In times past you have not believed (did not obey) God. Yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so these also do not believe now. Through the mercy shown they also may obtain mercy. For God has stopped all disobedience so he might show mercy to all.

Truly the sound from the hills and mountains is the noise of false worship. Truly Jehovah our God will be our salvation.

If only salvation for Israel would come from Zion! When Jehovah restores his captive people, Jacob will rejoice. Israel will be glad.

Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Jehovah brings his people back from captivity, Jacob and Israel will rejoice and be glad.


God deals with you like children. Endure discipline (instruction) (training). Who is the child whom a father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, you are illegitimate children, and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh that corrected us, and we gave them respect. Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? read more.
They disciplined us for a few days for their own pleasure. He disciplines for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you people of the nations. You have heard of the stewardship of God's loving kindness that was given to me with you in view. The secret was made known to me by revelation, just as I wrote before in few words. read more.
When you read this you can understand my insight into the secret of Christ. It was not made known to other generations of the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. The Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the good news.

I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life. (1 Kings 19:14, 18) read more.
What does God say in answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God's grace. If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works. What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (rendered stupid) (hardened) (made insensitive). It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23) I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy. Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world, and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean? I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify (honor) (praise) (celebrate) my ministry. If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh (fellow countrymen), and might save some of them. If their rejection means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the first piece is holy, the lump is also holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches. Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them.

My dearly beloved, flee (run away) from idolatry. I speak as to wise men. You judge what I say. The cup of blessing we bless, is it not the sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread we break, is it not the sharing of the body of Christ? read more.
For we being many are one-bread and one-body. We are all partakers of that one bread. Is physical Israel the ones who eat the sacrifices, the partakers of the altar?

Since the day we heard about you, we have not ceased to pray and make request for you. We pray for you to be filled with the [intimate accurate] knowledge (discernment) (recognition) of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Philippians 1:9) (John 17:3) Walk worthily of God, fully pleasing him. Bear fruit in every good work, and increase in the knowledge (Greek: epignosis: full discernment, recognition) of God. God will strengthen you with all power, according to the might of his glory, to all patience and longsuffering with joy. read more.
Give thanks to the Father, who made us partakers of the inheritance of the holy ones in the light. He rescued us from the power of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love (the Son he dearly loves). We have in him our redemption and the forgiveness of our sins.

Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the teachings will not be blasphemed. Do not despise your believing masters, because they are brothers. Serve them, because they who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Beloved ones do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, for it comes upon you like a test, as though some strange thing were happening to you. As much as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God, and of our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. This is through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue (excellence). read more.
He offered us his precious and exceedingly great promises. Through these you may become partakers of the divine nature. You will escape from the corruption that is in the lust-filled world.


The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. read more.
He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are.

So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul had said this one thing: How well the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors! He said, Go and say to this people, 'You will listen and listen, but not understand. You will look and look, but not see. These people have closed their mind and are hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. They never turn to me for healing.' read more.
You need to know that God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews. They will listen.

What shall we say? The nations did not pursue righteousness. Yet they have attained to righteousness, the righteousness that is based on the principle of faith. But Israel, pursuing after a law of righteousness, has not attained to that law. Why? It is because it was not based on the principle of faith, but on that of works. They have stumbled at the stumbling stone. read more.
It is written: Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and he that believes on him will not be ashamed. (Isaiah 8:14)

I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life. (1 Kings 19:14, 18) read more.
What does God say in answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God's grace. If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works. What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (rendered stupid) (hardened) (made insensitive). It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23) I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy. Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world, and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean? I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify (honor) (praise) (celebrate) my ministry. If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh (fellow countrymen), and might save some of them. If their rejection means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the first piece is holy, the lump is also holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches. Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them. Do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. They were broken off because of unbelief! You stand by faith! Do not be conceited but be reverent. God did not spare the natural branches and he will not spare you! Observe both God's kindness and severity. Severity is for those who fail to continue. But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off. If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again. If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree: how much more could these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits (estimation). Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in. In this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob. For this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins. Concerning the good news, they are enemies for your sakes. With reference to the chosen ones, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. In times past you have not believed (did not obey) God. Yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so these also do not believe now. Through the mercy shown they also may obtain mercy. For God has stopped all disobedience so he might show mercy to all.

Abraham believed God and Jehovah considered his faith as his righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) You know that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: In you will all the nations be blessed. read more.
So then those who have faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. Those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, by obeying them. The fact that the Law justifies no man before God is evident. The righteous will live by faith. The Law is not based on faith. He that does them will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It is written; Cursed is everyone who is hung on a stake. This way the blessing of Abraham might come upon the nations through Christ Jesus and we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life. (1 Kings 19:14, 18) read more.
What does God say in answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God's grace. If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works. What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (rendered stupid) (hardened) (made insensitive). It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23) I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy. Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world, and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean? I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify (honor) (praise) (celebrate) my ministry. If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh (fellow countrymen), and might save some of them. If their rejection means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the first piece is holy, the lump is also holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches. Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them. Do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. They were broken off because of unbelief! You stand by faith! Do not be conceited but be reverent. God did not spare the natural branches and he will not spare you! Observe both God's kindness and severity. Severity is for those who fail to continue. But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off. If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again. If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree: how much more could these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits (estimation). Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in. In this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob. For this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins. Concerning the good news, they are enemies for your sakes. With reference to the chosen ones, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. In times past you have not believed (did not obey) God. Yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so these also do not believe now. Through the mercy shown they also may obtain mercy. For God has stopped all disobedience so he might show mercy to all.

Truly the sound from the hills and mountains is the noise of false worship. Truly Jehovah our God will be our salvation.

If only salvation for Israel would come from Zion! When Jehovah restores his captive people, Jacob will rejoice. Israel will be glad.

Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Jehovah brings his people back from captivity, Jacob and Israel will rejoice and be glad.


I have a few things against you: you have people there who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to present a snare to the sons of Israel, to eat of idol sacrifices and commit fornication.

They will throw their gold and silver away in the streets like garbage (like an abhorrent thing), because neither silver nor gold can save them when Jehovah pours out his fury. They cannot use it to satisfy their desires or fill their stomachs. Gold and silver led them into sin.




Suppose an Israelite or a foreigner who lives in Israel deserts me by devoting himself to idols and by allowing himself to sin. If he goes to a prophet to ask for my help, I, Jehovah, will give him an answer.


Son of man, these people are devoted to their idols. They allow themselves to sin. Should they be allowed to ask me for anything? Speak to them. Tell them, 'This is what Jehovah says: Suppose an Israelite is devoted to idols and allows himself to sin. Suppose he goes to a prophet to ask for my help. I, Jehovah, will give that Israelite an answer, the answer that his many idolaters deserve.

Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering.

One will say: 'Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way; Take the stumbling block out of the way of my people.'

Therefore, Jehovah says: I am laying stumbling blocks before this people. They will stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbors and friends will perish.

If righteous people turn from living the right way and do wrong, I will make them stumble and they will die. If you do not warn them, they will die because of their sin. The right things they did will not be remembered. I will hold you responsible for their deaths.

I will terminate both man and beast. I will put an end to the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea. I will eliminate the sins that make people fall, together with the sinners. I will remove people from the face of the earth, declared Jehovah.

David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them.

Be careful that this freedom does not become a stumbling block to those who are weak. If any man with knowledge sees you having a meal from an idol's temple, will the conscience of the weak one be emboldened (encouraged) to eat food offered to idols? And because of your knowledge the weak brother will perish. Christ died for him! read more.
When you sin against your brothers and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. If food makes my brother stumble I will eat no food at all so I do not make my brother stumble.


Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walks in the day he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.

Jesus said to them: The light will be with you for a little while. Walk while you have the light, that darkness does not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, exert active faith in the light, that you may become sons of light. Jesus said this and then he departed and hid himself from them.


I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life. (1 Kings 19:14, 18) read more.
What does God say in answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God's grace. If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works. What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (rendered stupid) (hardened) (made insensitive). It is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day. (Deuteronomy 29:4) David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Psalm 69:23) I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy.

Their rock is not like our rock! Their enemies know that their own gods are weak, not mighty like Israel's God. Their vine is like the vine of Sodom. Their fields are like Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of anger. Their clusters are bitter. Their wine is the poison of serpents, and the cruel venom of asps (cobras). read more.
Is this not laid up in store with me and sealed up among my treasures? Vengeance and retribution belong to me. (Vengeance is mine, I will repay.) Their foot shall slide in time, for the day of their calamity is at hand. The things to come on them come quickly.