Thematic Bible: Select readings
Thematic Bible
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So then Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou really sweep away, the righteous with the lawless? Peradventure there are fifty righteous, in the midst of the city, Wilt thou really sweep away, and not spare the place, for the sake of the fifty righteous which are therein? Far be it from thee! to do after this manner. to put to death the righteous with the lawless! Then should righteous and lawless be alike, Far be it from thee! Shall, the Judge of all the earth not do justice? read more.
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Jacob was left alone, - and there wrestled a man with him, until the uprisings of the dawn. And when he saw, that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, - and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he wrestled with him. Then said he - Let me go, for uprisen hath the dawn. And he said: I will not let thee go, except thou have blessed me read more.
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then entered King David, and tarried before Yahweh, - and said - Who am, I, My Lord, Yahweh, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me, hitherto; and hast yet further made this seem little in thine eyes, My Lord, Yahweh, in that thou hast spoken, even of the house, of thy servant, for a great while to come? This, then is the law of manhood, O My Lord, Yahweh! What more, then, can David yet further speak unto thee, - seeing that, thou thyself knowest thy servant, O My Lord Yahweh? read more.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
And Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, in the presence of all the convocation of Israel, - and spread forth his hands towards the heavens; and said - O Yahweh, God of Israel! Not like thee, is there a God, in the heavens above, or upon the earth beneath, - keeping Covenant and Lovingkindness for thy servants who are walking before thee, with all their heart; who hast kept for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, - in that thou didst promise with thy mouth, and, with thy hand, hast fulfilled, as it is this day. read more.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain place praying, as he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him - Lord! teach us to pray, as, John also, taught his disciples. And he said unto them - Whensoever ye are praying, say - Father! Hallowed be thy name, Come may thy kingdom, Our needful bread, be giving us, day by day; read more.
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And he was speaking a parable unto them, as to its being needful for them always to pray, and not be faint-hearted; saying - A certain judge, there was in a certain city, - having, for God, no reverence, and, for man, no respect. And, a widow, there was, in that city; and she kept coming unto him, saying - Vindicate me from mine adversary! read more.
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
Daily duty » Select readings
See that none, evil for evil, unto any, do render: but, evermore, what is good, be pursuing, towards one another, and towards all: Evermore, rejoice, Unceasingly, pray, read more.
In everything, give thanks, - for, this, is a thing willed of God, in Christ Jesus, towards you: The Spirit, do not quench, Prophesyings, do not despise, But, all things, put to the proof - what is comely, hold ye fast: From every form of wickedness, abstain. But, the God of peace himself, hallow you completely, and, entire, might your spirit, and soul, and body, - so as to be unblameable in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, - be preserved! Faithful, is he that is calling you, - who, also will perform. Brethren! be praying for us also. Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you, by the Lord, that the letter be read unto all the brethren! The favour of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you.
In everything, give thanks, - for, this, is a thing willed of God, in Christ Jesus, towards you: The Spirit, do not quench, Prophesyings, do not despise, But, all things, put to the proof - what is comely, hold ye fast: From every form of wickedness, abstain. But, the God of peace himself, hallow you completely, and, entire, might your spirit, and soul, and body, - so as to be unblameable in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, - be preserved! Faithful, is he that is calling you, - who, also will perform. Brethren! be praying for us also. Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you, by the Lord, that the letter be read unto all the brethren! The favour of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you.
The Dead » Resurrection of » Select readings
But we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are falling asleep, - lest ye be sorrowing, even as the rest also, who are without hope; For, if we believe that, Jesus, died, and rose again, so, also will, God, bring forth with him, them who have fallen asleep through Jesus; For, this, unto you, do we say, by a word of the Lord, - that, we, the living who are left unto the Presence of the Lord, shall in nowise get before them who have fallen asleep; read more.
Because, the Lord himself, with a word of command, with a chief-messenger's voice, and with a trumpet of God, shall descend from heaven, - and, the dead in Christ, shall rise, first, After that, we, the living who are left, together with them, shall be caught away, in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: - and, thus, evermore, with the Lord, shall we be! So then, be consoling one another with these words.
Because, the Lord himself, with a word of command, with a chief-messenger's voice, and with a trumpet of God, shall descend from heaven, - and, the dead in Christ, shall rise, first, After that, we, the living who are left, together with them, shall be caught away, in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: - and, thus, evermore, with the Lord, shall we be! So then, be consoling one another with these words.
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister. And Mary was she who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped his feet with her hair - whose brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters, therefore, sent out unto him, saying - Lord, see! he whom thou tenderly lovest, is sick. read more.
But Jesus hearing, said - This sickness, is not unto death, but for the glory of God, - that the Son of God may be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, he heard that he was sick, then, indeed, he abode in the place where he was, two days. Then, after this, he saith unto the disciples - Let us be leading on into Judaea, again. The disciples say unto him - Rabbi! just now, were the Jews seeking to stone thee - and, again, goest thou thither? Jesus answered - Are there not, twelve hours, in the day? If one walk in the day, he doth no stumble, because, the light of this world, he seeth; But, if one walk in the night, he stumbleth, because, the light, is not in him. These things, he said, and, after this, he saith unto them - Lazarus, our dear friend, hath fallen asleep; but I am going, that I may awake him. The disciples, therefore, said unto him - Lord! if he have fallen asleep, he will recover. But Jesus had spoken concerning his death; whereas, they, supposed that, concerning the taking of rest in sleep, he had been speaking. Jesus, therefore, then, said unto them, plainly, - Lazarus, died; and I rejoice, for your sake - that ye may believe, - that I was not there; but let us be going unto him. Thomas, therefore, the one called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples - Let, us also, be going, that we may die with him. Jesus, therefore, coming, found that, four days already, had he been in the tomb. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and, many from among the Jews, had come unto Martha and Mary, that they might console them concerning their brother. Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him; but, Mary, in the house, remained sitting. Martha, therefore, said unto Jesus - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; And, now, I know, that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God, will give unto thee. Jesus saith unto her - Thy brother shall rise. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise, in the resurrection, in the last day. Jesus said unto her - I, am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, even though he die, shall live again! And, no one who liveth again and believeth on me, shall in anywise die, unto times age-abiding. Believest thou this? She saith unto him - Yea, Lord! I, have believed, that, thou, art the Christ, the Son of God, - He who, into the world, should come. And this saying, she went away, and called Mary her sister, secretly, saying - The teacher, is present, and calleth thee. And, she, when she heard, was roused up quickly, and was coming unto him. Not yet, however, had Jesus come into the village, but was still in the place where, Martha, met him. The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house and consoling her, seeing Mary, that quickly she arose and went out, followed her, supposing that she was withdrawing unto the tomb, that she might weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing him, fell at his feet, saying unto him - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, was indignant in the spirit, and troubled himself, and said - Where have ye laid him? They say unto him - Lord! come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, were saying - See! how tenderly he loved him! But, some from among them, said - Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that, this one also, should not have died? Jesus, therefore, again, being indignant within himself, cometh unto the tomb. Now it was a cave, and, a stone, was lying thereon. Jesus, saith, Take ye away the stone! Martha, the sister of the deceased, saith unto him - Lord! by this time, he stinketh, for it is, four days. Jesus saith unto her - Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And, Jesus, lifted up his eyes on high, and said - Father! I thank thee, thou didst hear me: I, indeed, knew that, always, unto me, thou dost hearken; but, for the sake of the multitude standing around, I spake, - that they might believe that, thou, didst send me forth. And, these things, having said, with a loud voice, he cried out - Lazarus! Come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with bandages, and, his face, with a napkin, was bound about. Jesus saith unto them - Loose him, and let him go.
But Jesus hearing, said - This sickness, is not unto death, but for the glory of God, - that the Son of God may be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, he heard that he was sick, then, indeed, he abode in the place where he was, two days. Then, after this, he saith unto the disciples - Let us be leading on into Judaea, again. The disciples say unto him - Rabbi! just now, were the Jews seeking to stone thee - and, again, goest thou thither? Jesus answered - Are there not, twelve hours, in the day? If one walk in the day, he doth no stumble, because, the light of this world, he seeth; But, if one walk in the night, he stumbleth, because, the light, is not in him. These things, he said, and, after this, he saith unto them - Lazarus, our dear friend, hath fallen asleep; but I am going, that I may awake him. The disciples, therefore, said unto him - Lord! if he have fallen asleep, he will recover. But Jesus had spoken concerning his death; whereas, they, supposed that, concerning the taking of rest in sleep, he had been speaking. Jesus, therefore, then, said unto them, plainly, - Lazarus, died; and I rejoice, for your sake - that ye may believe, - that I was not there; but let us be going unto him. Thomas, therefore, the one called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples - Let, us also, be going, that we may die with him. Jesus, therefore, coming, found that, four days already, had he been in the tomb. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and, many from among the Jews, had come unto Martha and Mary, that they might console them concerning their brother. Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him; but, Mary, in the house, remained sitting. Martha, therefore, said unto Jesus - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; And, now, I know, that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God, will give unto thee. Jesus saith unto her - Thy brother shall rise. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise, in the resurrection, in the last day. Jesus said unto her - I, am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, even though he die, shall live again! And, no one who liveth again and believeth on me, shall in anywise die, unto times age-abiding. Believest thou this? She saith unto him - Yea, Lord! I, have believed, that, thou, art the Christ, the Son of God, - He who, into the world, should come. And this saying, she went away, and called Mary her sister, secretly, saying - The teacher, is present, and calleth thee. And, she, when she heard, was roused up quickly, and was coming unto him. Not yet, however, had Jesus come into the village, but was still in the place where, Martha, met him. The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house and consoling her, seeing Mary, that quickly she arose and went out, followed her, supposing that she was withdrawing unto the tomb, that she might weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing him, fell at his feet, saying unto him - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, was indignant in the spirit, and troubled himself, and said - Where have ye laid him? They say unto him - Lord! come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, were saying - See! how tenderly he loved him! But, some from among them, said - Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that, this one also, should not have died? Jesus, therefore, again, being indignant within himself, cometh unto the tomb. Now it was a cave, and, a stone, was lying thereon. Jesus, saith, Take ye away the stone! Martha, the sister of the deceased, saith unto him - Lord! by this time, he stinketh, for it is, four days. Jesus saith unto her - Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And, Jesus, lifted up his eyes on high, and said - Father! I thank thee, thou didst hear me: I, indeed, knew that, always, unto me, thou dost hearken; but, for the sake of the multitude standing around, I spake, - that they might believe that, thou, didst send me forth. And, these things, having said, with a loud voice, he cried out - Lazarus! Come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with bandages, and, his face, with a napkin, was bound about. Jesus saith unto them - Loose him, and let him go.
And, the Sabbath having passed, Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that, coming, they might anoint him. And, very early, on the first of the week, they are coming towards the tomb - when, the sun, arose. And they were saying one to another - Who, shall roll away for us the stone, out of the door of the tomb? read more.
And, looking up, they observe that the stone hath been rolled up, - for it was exceeding great. And, entering into the tomb, they saw a young man, sitting on the right, clothed with a white robe, - and they were greatly alarmed. But, he, saith unto them - Be not alarmed! Jesus, ye are seeking, the Nazarene, the crucified: He hath arisen! he is not here, - See! the place where they laid him! But go your way, tell his disciples, and Peter - He is going before you into Galilee: there, shall ye yourselves see him, - according as he said unto you. And, going out, they fled from the tomb, for, trembling and transport, were holding them; and, unto no one, said they, anything, for they were afraid.
And, looking up, they observe that the stone hath been rolled up, - for it was exceeding great. And, entering into the tomb, they saw a young man, sitting on the right, clothed with a white robe, - and they were greatly alarmed. But, he, saith unto them - Be not alarmed! Jesus, ye are seeking, the Nazarene, the crucified: He hath arisen! he is not here, - See! the place where they laid him! But go your way, tell his disciples, and Peter - He is going before you into Galilee: there, shall ye yourselves see him, - according as he said unto you. And, going out, they fled from the tomb, for, trembling and transport, were holding them; and, unto no one, said they, anything, for they were afraid.
but, on the first day of the week, at early dawn, unto the tomb, came they, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone, rolled away from the tomb; but, when they entered, they found not the body . read more.
And it came to pass, while they were perplexing themselves concerning this, that 1o! two men, stood near them, in dazzling raiment. And, they becoming afraid, and bending their faces unto the ground, they said unto them - Why seek ye the Living One with the dead? Remember how he spake unto you while yet he was in Galilee: Saying, as to the Son of Man, that he must needs be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, - and, on the third day, arise. And they remembered his sayings; and, returning from the tomb, reported all these things unto the eleven, and unto all the rest. Now they were the Magdalene Mary, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and, the other women with them, were telling, unto the apostles, these things. And these sayings appeared before them, as if idle talk, and they were minded to disbelieve them. And lo! two from among them, on the selfsame day, were journeying unto a village, distant sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, the name of which, was Emmaus; and, they, were conversing one with another, about all these things which had occurred. And it came to pass, as they were conversing and reasoning together, that, Jesus himself, drawing near, was journeying with them; but, their eyes, were held, so as not to know him. And he said unto them - What are these things which ye are debating one with another, as ye walk along? And they came to a stand, sad in countenance. But one, by name Cleopas, answering, said unto him - Art, thou, lodging, alone, in Jerusalem, and knowest not the things which have come to pass therein in these days? And he said unto them - What things? And, they, said unto him - The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who became a prophet, mighty in work and word, before God and all the people: In what way also our High-priests and Rulers delivered him up unto a sentence of death, and crucified him. We, however, were hoping that, he, was the one destined to redeem Israel! But indeed, even with all these things, this brings on, the third, day, since these things happened: - Nay! certain women also, from amongst us, have made us beside ourselves, in that they went early unto the tomb; and, not finding his body, came, saying - that, a vision of messengers, they had seen, who were affirming him to be alive. And certain of them who were with us departed unto the tomb, - and found so, according as, the women, had said; but, him, they saw not. And, he, said unto them - O thoughtless ones! and slow in heart to rest your faith upon all things which the prophets have spoken: - Was it not needful for the Christ, these very things, to suffer, and to enter into his glory? And, beginning from Moses, and from all the prophets, he thoroughly explained to them, in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself. And they drew near unto the village, whither they were journeying; and, he, made for journeying, further. And they constrained him, saying - Abide with us; because it is, towards evening, and the day hath already declined. And he went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, when he reclined with them, taking the loaf, he blessed, and, breaking it, went on to give unto them. And, their, eyes were opened, and they knew him; and, he, vanished from them. And they said one to another - Was not, our heart, burning, as he was speaking to us in the way, as he was opening to us the Scriptures? And, arising in that very hour, they returned unto Jerusalem, - and found, gathered together, the eleven, and them who were with them, saying - In truth, the Lord hath arisen, and hath appeared unto Simon! And, they, went on to relate the things, that had passed on the journey, and how he was made known unto them in the breaking of the loaf. Now, as, these very things, they were telling, he himself, stood in their midst But, being agitated and becoming, afraid, they began to imagine, that, upon a spirit, they were looking. And he said unto them - Why are ye troubled? and for what cause do reasonings arise in your hearts? See my hands, and my feet, - that it is, I, myself: Handle me, and see! because, a spirit, hath not, flesh and bones, as ye perceive, I, have. Now, while yet they believed not for the joy, and were marvelling, he said unto them - Have ye anything to eat, here? And they gave unto him a piece of boiled fish; and, taking it before them, he did eat. And he said unto them - These, are my words, which I spake unto you yet being with you: That all the things that are written in the law of Moses and the Prophets and Psalms, concerning me, must needs be fulfilled. Then, opened he their mind, to understand the Scriptures; and said unto them - Thus, it is written, That the Christ, should suffer, and arise from among the dead on the third day;
And it came to pass, while they were perplexing themselves concerning this, that 1o! two men, stood near them, in dazzling raiment. And, they becoming afraid, and bending their faces unto the ground, they said unto them - Why seek ye the Living One with the dead? Remember how he spake unto you while yet he was in Galilee: Saying, as to the Son of Man, that he must needs be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, - and, on the third day, arise. And they remembered his sayings; and, returning from the tomb, reported all these things unto the eleven, and unto all the rest. Now they were the Magdalene Mary, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and, the other women with them, were telling, unto the apostles, these things. And these sayings appeared before them, as if idle talk, and they were minded to disbelieve them. And lo! two from among them, on the selfsame day, were journeying unto a village, distant sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, the name of which, was Emmaus; and, they, were conversing one with another, about all these things which had occurred. And it came to pass, as they were conversing and reasoning together, that, Jesus himself, drawing near, was journeying with them; but, their eyes, were held, so as not to know him. And he said unto them - What are these things which ye are debating one with another, as ye walk along? And they came to a stand, sad in countenance. But one, by name Cleopas, answering, said unto him - Art, thou, lodging, alone, in Jerusalem, and knowest not the things which have come to pass therein in these days? And he said unto them - What things? And, they, said unto him - The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who became a prophet, mighty in work and word, before God and all the people: In what way also our High-priests and Rulers delivered him up unto a sentence of death, and crucified him. We, however, were hoping that, he, was the one destined to redeem Israel! But indeed, even with all these things, this brings on, the third, day, since these things happened: - Nay! certain women also, from amongst us, have made us beside ourselves, in that they went early unto the tomb; and, not finding his body, came, saying - that, a vision of messengers, they had seen, who were affirming him to be alive. And certain of them who were with us departed unto the tomb, - and found so, according as, the women, had said; but, him, they saw not. And, he, said unto them - O thoughtless ones! and slow in heart to rest your faith upon all things which the prophets have spoken: - Was it not needful for the Christ, these very things, to suffer, and to enter into his glory? And, beginning from Moses, and from all the prophets, he thoroughly explained to them, in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself. And they drew near unto the village, whither they were journeying; and, he, made for journeying, further. And they constrained him, saying - Abide with us; because it is, towards evening, and the day hath already declined. And he went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, when he reclined with them, taking the loaf, he blessed, and, breaking it, went on to give unto them. And, their, eyes were opened, and they knew him; and, he, vanished from them. And they said one to another - Was not, our heart, burning, as he was speaking to us in the way, as he was opening to us the Scriptures? And, arising in that very hour, they returned unto Jerusalem, - and found, gathered together, the eleven, and them who were with them, saying - In truth, the Lord hath arisen, and hath appeared unto Simon! And, they, went on to relate the things, that had passed on the journey, and how he was made known unto them in the breaking of the loaf. Now, as, these very things, they were telling, he himself, stood in their midst But, being agitated and becoming, afraid, they began to imagine, that, upon a spirit, they were looking. And he said unto them - Why are ye troubled? and for what cause do reasonings arise in your hearts? See my hands, and my feet, - that it is, I, myself: Handle me, and see! because, a spirit, hath not, flesh and bones, as ye perceive, I, have. Now, while yet they believed not for the joy, and were marvelling, he said unto them - Have ye anything to eat, here? And they gave unto him a piece of boiled fish; and, taking it before them, he did eat. And he said unto them - These, are my words, which I spake unto you yet being with you: That all the things that are written in the law of Moses and the Prophets and Psalms, concerning me, must needs be fulfilled. Then, opened he their mind, to understand the Scriptures; and said unto them - Thus, it is written, That the Christ, should suffer, and arise from among the dead on the third day;
God » Wisdom of » Select readings
Yet where can, Wisdom, be found? And where is the place of understanding? Mortal knoweth not the way thereof, neither can it be found in the land of the living; The resounding deep, hath said, It is not in me! And, the sea, hath said, It is not with me! read more.
Pure gold cannot be given in its stead, neither can silver he weighed as the value thereof; It cannot be put into the scales against the gold of Ophir, with costly onyx, or sapphire; Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can, the exchange thereof, be a vessel of pure gold, Coral or crystal, cannot be mentioned, Yea, a possession, is wisdom, above red coral; The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, Against purest gold, can it not be weighed. Whence then cometh, wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it hath been hid from the eyes of every living thing, and, from the bird of the heavens, hath it been concealed? Destruction and death, have said, With our ears, have we heard the report thereof! GOD, understandeth the way thereof, and, he, discerneth the place thereof; For, he, unto the ends of the earth, directeth his look, under all the heavens, he seeth; Making, for the wind, a weight, and, the waters, he proved by measure, When he made, for the rain, a decree, and a way for the lightning of thunders, Then, saw he it, and declared it, He settled it, yea also he searched it out; And said to the son of earth, Lo! the reverence of the Lord, that, is wisdom, and, to avoid evil, is understanding.
Pure gold cannot be given in its stead, neither can silver he weighed as the value thereof; It cannot be put into the scales against the gold of Ophir, with costly onyx, or sapphire; Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can, the exchange thereof, be a vessel of pure gold, Coral or crystal, cannot be mentioned, Yea, a possession, is wisdom, above red coral; The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, Against purest gold, can it not be weighed. Whence then cometh, wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it hath been hid from the eyes of every living thing, and, from the bird of the heavens, hath it been concealed? Destruction and death, have said, With our ears, have we heard the report thereof! GOD, understandeth the way thereof, and, he, discerneth the place thereof; For, he, unto the ends of the earth, directeth his look, under all the heavens, he seeth; Making, for the wind, a weight, and, the waters, he proved by measure, When he made, for the rain, a decree, and a way for the lightning of thunders, Then, saw he it, and declared it, He settled it, yea also he searched it out; And said to the son of earth, Lo! the reverence of the Lord, that, is wisdom, and, to avoid evil, is understanding.
How happy the man who hath found wisdom, and the man who draweth forth understanding, For better is her merchandise, than the merchandise of silver, yea, than gold, her increase; More precious, is she, than corals, yea, none of thy delightful things, doth equal her: read more.
Length of days, is in her right hand, in her left, are riches and honour; Her ways, are ways of pleasantness, and, all her paths, are peace; A tree of life, is she, to them who secure her, - and, they who hold her fast, are every one to be pronounced happy. Yahweh, in wisdom, founded the earth, establishing the heavens with understanding; By his knowledge, the resounding deeps were burst open, and, the skies, drop down dew. My son, let them not depart from thine eyes, guard thou counsel, and purpose: So shall they become life to thy soul, and an adorning to thy neck; Then, shalt thou walk securely in thy way, and, thy foot, shall not stumble; When thou sittest down, thou shalt have no dread, yea thou shalt lie down, and sweet shall be thy sleep.
Length of days, is in her right hand, in her left, are riches and honour; Her ways, are ways of pleasantness, and, all her paths, are peace; A tree of life, is she, to them who secure her, - and, they who hold her fast, are every one to be pronounced happy. Yahweh, in wisdom, founded the earth, establishing the heavens with understanding; By his knowledge, the resounding deeps were burst open, and, the skies, drop down dew. My son, let them not depart from thine eyes, guard thou counsel, and purpose: So shall they become life to thy soul, and an adorning to thy neck; Then, shalt thou walk securely in thy way, and, thy foot, shall not stumble; When thou sittest down, thou shalt have no dread, yea thou shalt lie down, and sweet shall be thy sleep.
Hear, ye sons, the correction of a father, and attend, that ye may know understanding. For, good teaching, have I given you, mine instruction, do not ye forsake. For, a son, became I to my father, tender and most precious in the sight of my mother. read more.
So he taught me, and said to me - Let thy heart, lay hold of my words, Keep my commandments and live! Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, Do not forget, neither decline thou from the sayings of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard thee, - love her and she will keep thee. The principal thing, is wisdom, acquire thou wisdom, With all thine acquisition, acquire thou understanding. Exalt her, and she will set thee on high, she will bring thee to honour, when thou dust embrace her: She will give for thy head, a wreath of beauty, A crown of adorning, will she bestow upon thee. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and they will multiply to thee the years of life. In the way of wisdom, have I taught thee, I have guided thee in tracks of uprightness. When thou walkest, thy step shall not be hemmed in, and, if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of correction, let her not go, - keep her, for, she, is thy life.
So he taught me, and said to me - Let thy heart, lay hold of my words, Keep my commandments and live! Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, Do not forget, neither decline thou from the sayings of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard thee, - love her and she will keep thee. The principal thing, is wisdom, acquire thou wisdom, With all thine acquisition, acquire thou understanding. Exalt her, and she will set thee on high, she will bring thee to honour, when thou dust embrace her: She will give for thy head, a wreath of beauty, A crown of adorning, will she bestow upon thee. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and they will multiply to thee the years of life. In the way of wisdom, have I taught thee, I have guided thee in tracks of uprightness. When thou walkest, thy step shall not be hemmed in, and, if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of correction, let her not go, - keep her, for, she, is thy life.
spiritual Growth » Encouraged » Select readings
Concerning whom, great, is our discourse, and of difficult interpretation, to express, seeing that, slothful, have ye become in the hearing; For, even when ye ought to be teachers, by reason of the time, again, have ye, need, that one be teaching, you, what are the first principles of the oracles of God, and have become such as have, need, of milk, not, of strong food; For, every one partaking of milk, is unskilled in discourse of righteousness, for he is, a babe; read more.
But, to such as are mature, pertaineth, the strong food, to them who, by reason of habit, have their organs of perception well trained for discriminating both good and evil.
But, to such as are mature, pertaineth, the strong food, to them who, by reason of habit, have their organs of perception well trained for discriminating both good and evil.
Wherefore, dismissing the elementary discourse concerning the Christ, unto maturity, let us be tending, not, again, a foundation, laying down - of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God, Of immersions - in respect of teaching, and of the laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and of judgment age-abiding; - And, this, will we do, if at least, God, permit. read more.
For it is impossible - as to these who have been, once for all, illuminated, who have tasted also of the heavenly free-gift, and have been made, partners, in a Holy Spirit, And have tasted God's utterance to be, sweet, mighty works also of a coming age, And who have fallen away, again, to be remoulding them into repentance; seeing they are again crucifying unto themselves the Son of God, and holding him up as an example. For, land, which hath drunk in, the rain, thereupon ofttimes coming, and which bringeth forth vegetation fit for them for whom it is even cultivated, partaketh of a blessing from God; But, should it be bringing forth thorns and briars, it is disapproved, and, unto cursing, nigh, - whose end is for burning. But we are persuaded, concerning you, beloved, the things which are better and which contain salvation, though, even thus we speak. For, not unrighteous, is God, to be forgetful of your work and of the love which ye have shewn forth for his name, in that ye have ministered unto the saints, and are ministering, But we covet that, each one of you, be shewing forth the same diligence, unto the full assurance of the hope throughout: In order that, not slothful, ye may become, but imitators of them who, through faith and patience, were becoming heirs of the promises. For, when to Abraham God made promise, seeing he had no one greater by whom to swear, He sware, by himself, - saying - Truly, if blessing I will bless thee, and, multiplying, I will multiply thee; And, thus, being patient, he attained unto the promise. For, men, by the greater one, swear, and, with them, an end of all gainsaying by way of confirmation is, the oath:
For it is impossible - as to these who have been, once for all, illuminated, who have tasted also of the heavenly free-gift, and have been made, partners, in a Holy Spirit, And have tasted God's utterance to be, sweet, mighty works also of a coming age, And who have fallen away, again, to be remoulding them into repentance; seeing they are again crucifying unto themselves the Son of God, and holding him up as an example. For, land, which hath drunk in, the rain, thereupon ofttimes coming, and which bringeth forth vegetation fit for them for whom it is even cultivated, partaketh of a blessing from God; But, should it be bringing forth thorns and briars, it is disapproved, and, unto cursing, nigh, - whose end is for burning. But we are persuaded, concerning you, beloved, the things which are better and which contain salvation, though, even thus we speak. For, not unrighteous, is God, to be forgetful of your work and of the love which ye have shewn forth for his name, in that ye have ministered unto the saints, and are ministering, But we covet that, each one of you, be shewing forth the same diligence, unto the full assurance of the hope throughout: In order that, not slothful, ye may become, but imitators of them who, through faith and patience, were becoming heirs of the promises. For, when to Abraham God made promise, seeing he had no one greater by whom to swear, He sware, by himself, - saying - Truly, if blessing I will bless thee, and, multiplying, I will multiply thee; And, thus, being patient, he attained unto the promise. For, men, by the greater one, swear, and, with them, an end of all gainsaying by way of confirmation is, the oath:
Heavenly » Home heavenly home the final dwelling place of the saints » Select readings
And, I, unto you, say - For yourselves, make ye friends, with the unjust Riches, in order that, as soon as it shall fail, they may welcome you into the age-abiding tents.
Verse Concepts
Importunity » Select readings
So then Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou really sweep away, the righteous with the lawless? Peradventure there are fifty righteous, in the midst of the city, Wilt thou really sweep away, and not spare the place, for the sake of the fifty righteous which are therein? Far be it from thee! to do after this manner. to put to death the righteous with the lawless! Then should righteous and lawless be alike, Far be it from thee! Shall, the Judge of all the earth not do justice? read more.
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Jacob was left alone, - and there wrestled a man with him, until the uprisings of the dawn. And when he saw, that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, - and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he wrestled with him. Then said he - Let me go, for uprisen hath the dawn. And he said: I will not let thee go, except thou have blessed me read more.
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then entered King David, and tarried before Yahweh, - and said - Who am, I, My Lord, Yahweh, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me, hitherto; and hast yet further made this seem little in thine eyes, My Lord, Yahweh, in that thou hast spoken, even of the house, of thy servant, for a great while to come? This, then is the law of manhood, O My Lord, Yahweh! What more, then, can David yet further speak unto thee, - seeing that, thou thyself knowest thy servant, O My Lord Yahweh? read more.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
And Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, in the presence of all the convocation of Israel, - and spread forth his hands towards the heavens; and said - O Yahweh, God of Israel! Not like thee, is there a God, in the heavens above, or upon the earth beneath, - keeping Covenant and Lovingkindness for thy servants who are walking before thee, with all their heart; who hast kept for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, - in that thou didst promise with thy mouth, and, with thy hand, hast fulfilled, as it is this day. read more.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain place praying, as he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him - Lord! teach us to pray, as, John also, taught his disciples. And he said unto them - Whensoever ye are praying, say - Father! Hallowed be thy name, Come may thy kingdom, Our needful bread, be giving us, day by day; read more.
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And he was speaking a parable unto them, as to its being needful for them always to pray, and not be faint-hearted; saying - A certain judge, there was in a certain city, - having, for God, no reverence, and, for man, no respect. And, a widow, there was, in that city; and she kept coming unto him, saying - Vindicate me from mine adversary! read more.
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
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So then Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou really sweep away, the righteous with the lawless? Peradventure there are fifty righteous, in the midst of the city, Wilt thou really sweep away, and not spare the place, for the sake of the fifty righteous which are therein? Far be it from thee! to do after this manner. to put to death the righteous with the lawless! Then should righteous and lawless be alike, Far be it from thee! Shall, the Judge of all the earth not do justice? read more.
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Jacob was left alone, - and there wrestled a man with him, until the uprisings of the dawn. And when he saw, that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, - and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he wrestled with him. Then said he - Let me go, for uprisen hath the dawn. And he said: I will not let thee go, except thou have blessed me read more.
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then entered King David, and tarried before Yahweh, - and said - Who am, I, My Lord, Yahweh, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me, hitherto; and hast yet further made this seem little in thine eyes, My Lord, Yahweh, in that thou hast spoken, even of the house, of thy servant, for a great while to come? This, then is the law of manhood, O My Lord, Yahweh! What more, then, can David yet further speak unto thee, - seeing that, thou thyself knowest thy servant, O My Lord Yahweh? read more.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
And Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, in the presence of all the convocation of Israel, - and spread forth his hands towards the heavens; and said - O Yahweh, God of Israel! Not like thee, is there a God, in the heavens above, or upon the earth beneath, - keeping Covenant and Lovingkindness for thy servants who are walking before thee, with all their heart; who hast kept for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, - in that thou didst promise with thy mouth, and, with thy hand, hast fulfilled, as it is this day. read more.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain place praying, as he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him - Lord! teach us to pray, as, John also, taught his disciples. And he said unto them - Whensoever ye are praying, say - Father! Hallowed be thy name, Come may thy kingdom, Our needful bread, be giving us, day by day; read more.
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And he was speaking a parable unto them, as to its being needful for them always to pray, and not be faint-hearted; saying - A certain judge, there was in a certain city, - having, for God, no reverence, and, for man, no respect. And, a widow, there was, in that city; and she kept coming unto him, saying - Vindicate me from mine adversary! read more.
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
Select readings » The raising of lazarus
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister. And Mary was she who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped his feet with her hair - whose brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters, therefore, sent out unto him, saying - Lord, see! he whom thou tenderly lovest, is sick.
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and, many from among the Jews, had come unto Martha and Mary, that they might console them concerning their brother. Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him; but, Mary, in the house, remained sitting. read more.
Martha, therefore, said unto Jesus - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; And, now, I know, that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God, will give unto thee. Jesus saith unto her - Thy brother shall rise. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise, in the resurrection, in the last day. Jesus said unto her - I, am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, even though he die, shall live again! And, no one who liveth again and believeth on me, shall in anywise die, unto times age-abiding. Believest thou this? She saith unto him - Yea, Lord! I, have believed, that, thou, art the Christ, the Son of God, - He who, into the world, should come. And this saying, she went away, and called Mary her sister, secretly, saying - The teacher, is present, and calleth thee. And, she, when she heard, was roused up quickly, and was coming unto him. Not yet, however, had Jesus come into the village, but was still in the place where, Martha, met him. The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house and consoling her, seeing Mary, that quickly she arose and went out, followed her, supposing that she was withdrawing unto the tomb, that she might weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing him, fell at his feet, saying unto him - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, was indignant in the spirit, and troubled himself, and said - Where have ye laid him? They say unto him - Lord! come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, were saying - See! how tenderly he loved him! But, some from among them, said - Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that, this one also, should not have died? Jesus, therefore, again, being indignant within himself, cometh unto the tomb. Now it was a cave, and, a stone, was lying thereon. Jesus, saith, Take ye away the stone! Martha, the sister of the deceased, saith unto him - Lord! by this time, he stinketh, for it is, four days. Jesus saith unto her - Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And, Jesus, lifted up his eyes on high, and said - Father! I thank thee, thou didst hear me: I, indeed, knew that, always, unto me, thou dost hearken; but, for the sake of the multitude standing around, I spake, - that they might believe that, thou, didst send me forth. And, these things, having said, with a loud voice, he cried out - Lazarus! Come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with bandages, and, his face, with a napkin, was bound about. Jesus saith unto them - Loose him, and let him go. Many therefore from among the Jews, who had come unto Mary, and gazed on what he did, believed on him but, certain from among them, went away unto the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
Martha, therefore, said unto Jesus - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; And, now, I know, that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God, will give unto thee. Jesus saith unto her - Thy brother shall rise. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise, in the resurrection, in the last day. Jesus said unto her - I, am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, even though he die, shall live again! And, no one who liveth again and believeth on me, shall in anywise die, unto times age-abiding. Believest thou this? She saith unto him - Yea, Lord! I, have believed, that, thou, art the Christ, the Son of God, - He who, into the world, should come. And this saying, she went away, and called Mary her sister, secretly, saying - The teacher, is present, and calleth thee. And, she, when she heard, was roused up quickly, and was coming unto him. Not yet, however, had Jesus come into the village, but was still in the place where, Martha, met him. The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house and consoling her, seeing Mary, that quickly she arose and went out, followed her, supposing that she was withdrawing unto the tomb, that she might weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing him, fell at his feet, saying unto him - Lord! if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, was indignant in the spirit, and troubled himself, and said - Where have ye laid him? They say unto him - Lord! come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, were saying - See! how tenderly he loved him! But, some from among them, said - Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that, this one also, should not have died? Jesus, therefore, again, being indignant within himself, cometh unto the tomb. Now it was a cave, and, a stone, was lying thereon. Jesus, saith, Take ye away the stone! Martha, the sister of the deceased, saith unto him - Lord! by this time, he stinketh, for it is, four days. Jesus saith unto her - Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And, Jesus, lifted up his eyes on high, and said - Father! I thank thee, thou didst hear me: I, indeed, knew that, always, unto me, thou dost hearken; but, for the sake of the multitude standing around, I spake, - that they might believe that, thou, didst send me forth. And, these things, having said, with a loud voice, he cried out - Lazarus! Come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with bandages, and, his face, with a napkin, was bound about. Jesus saith unto them - Loose him, and let him go. Many therefore from among the Jews, who had come unto Mary, and gazed on what he did, believed on him but, certain from among them, went away unto the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
Select readings » David's lament over absalom
Then, Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, said, Let me run, I pray thee, and carry tidings unto the king, - how that Yahweh hath vindicated him, at the hand of his enemies. And Joab said to him - Not a man to bear tidings, art thou this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day, - but, this day, shalt thou not bear tidings, for this cause, that, the king's son, is dead. Then said Joab to a Cushite, Go tell the king, what thou hast seen. And the Cushite bowed himself down to Joab, and ran. read more.
Then, yet again, said Ahimaaz son of Zadok unto Joab. But, be what may, do, I pray thee, let, me also, run, after the Cushite. And Joab said - Wherefore is it that, thou, wouldst run, my son, when, thou, hast no tidings of, any profit? But, be what may, I will run. So he said to him - Run. Then ran Ahimaaz by the way of the plain, and got beyond the Cushite. Now, David, was sitting between the two gates, - and the watchman went on to the top of the gate-house, upon the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and lo! a man, running alone. So the watchman called out, and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth. And he came on nearer and nearer. Then saw the watchman another man, running, so he called out unto the porter, Lo! a man, running alone. And the king said. This one also, beareth tidings. Then said the watchman, It seemeth, to me, that, the running of the foremost, is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok. And the king said, A good man, is he, and, with good tidings, he cometh. Then called out Ahimaaz, and said unto the king, Peace! And he bowed himself down to the king, with his face to the earth, - and said - Blessed, be Yahweh thy God, who hath surrendered the men who were lifting up their hand, against my lord the king. And the king said, Is it, well, with the young man - Absolom? Then said Ahimaaz - I saw a great crowd, when Joab sent the king's servant and me thy servant, but I knew not what it meant . And the king said, Aside! stand, here. So he turned aside, and stood. Then lo! the Cushite, coming in, - and the Cushite said - Tidings, getteth my lord the king, how that Yahweh hath vindicated thee to-day, at the hand of all them who had risen up against thee. And the king said unto the Cushite - Is it, well, with the young man - Absolom? Then said the Cushite - Be, like the young man, the enemies of my lord the king, and all who have risen up against thee, for harm. Then was the king deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept, - and, thus, he said as he went - O my son Absolom, my son - my son - Absolom! could, I, but have died in thy stead, O Absolom, my son - my son!
Then, yet again, said Ahimaaz son of Zadok unto Joab. But, be what may, do, I pray thee, let, me also, run, after the Cushite. And Joab said - Wherefore is it that, thou, wouldst run, my son, when, thou, hast no tidings of, any profit? But, be what may, I will run. So he said to him - Run. Then ran Ahimaaz by the way of the plain, and got beyond the Cushite. Now, David, was sitting between the two gates, - and the watchman went on to the top of the gate-house, upon the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and lo! a man, running alone. So the watchman called out, and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth. And he came on nearer and nearer. Then saw the watchman another man, running, so he called out unto the porter, Lo! a man, running alone. And the king said. This one also, beareth tidings. Then said the watchman, It seemeth, to me, that, the running of the foremost, is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok. And the king said, A good man, is he, and, with good tidings, he cometh. Then called out Ahimaaz, and said unto the king, Peace! And he bowed himself down to the king, with his face to the earth, - and said - Blessed, be Yahweh thy God, who hath surrendered the men who were lifting up their hand, against my lord the king. And the king said, Is it, well, with the young man - Absolom? Then said Ahimaaz - I saw a great crowd, when Joab sent the king's servant and me thy servant, but I knew not what it meant . And the king said, Aside! stand, here. So he turned aside, and stood. Then lo! the Cushite, coming in, - and the Cushite said - Tidings, getteth my lord the king, how that Yahweh hath vindicated thee to-day, at the hand of all them who had risen up against thee. And the king said unto the Cushite - Is it, well, with the young man - Absolom? Then said the Cushite - Be, like the young man, the enemies of my lord the king, and all who have risen up against thee, for harm. Then was the king deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept, - and, thus, he said as he went - O my son Absolom, my son - my son - Absolom! could, I, but have died in thy stead, O Absolom, my son - my son!
Select readings » The betrayal of jesus by judas iscariot
While yet he was speaking, lo! a multitude; and, he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them on, - and he drew near unto Jesus, to kiss him. But, Jesus, said to him - Judas! with a kiss, the Son of Man, dost thou deliver up? And they who were about him, seeing what would be, said - Lord! shall we smite with the sword? read more.
And a certain one from among them smote, the High-priest's, servant, and took off his right ear. But Jesus, answering, said - Let be - as long as this! -- And, touching the ear, he healed him. And Jesus said unto the High-priests, and Captains of the temple, and Elders, who had come against him - As against a robber, have ye come out, with swords and clubs? Daily, was I with you, in the temple, and yet ye stretched not forth your hands against me! -- But, this, is your hour, and the authority of darkness. And, having arrested him, they led him away, and took him into the house of the High-priest; and, Peter, was following afar. And, they having kindled up a fire in the midst of the court, and taken seats together, Peter was for sitting among them. But, a certain maid-servant, seeing him seating himself towards the light, and looking steadfastly at him, said - This one also, was, with him. But, he, denied, saying - I know him not, woman! And, after a little, another, beholding him, said - Thou also, art, from among them. But, Peter, said - Man! I am not. And, about one hour having passed, a certain other, began stoutly to insist, saying - Of a truth, this one also, was with him; for indeed he is, a Galilaean. But Peter said - Man! I know not what thou art saying! And, instantly while yet he was speaking, a cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter; and Peter was put in mind of the declaration of the Lord, how he had said to him - Before, a cock, crow this day, thou wilt deny me thrice! And, going forth outside, he wept bitterly.
And a certain one from among them smote, the High-priest's, servant, and took off his right ear. But Jesus, answering, said - Let be - as long as this! -- And, touching the ear, he healed him. And Jesus said unto the High-priests, and Captains of the temple, and Elders, who had come against him - As against a robber, have ye come out, with swords and clubs? Daily, was I with you, in the temple, and yet ye stretched not forth your hands against me! -- But, this, is your hour, and the authority of darkness. And, having arrested him, they led him away, and took him into the house of the High-priest; and, Peter, was following afar. And, they having kindled up a fire in the midst of the court, and taken seats together, Peter was for sitting among them. But, a certain maid-servant, seeing him seating himself towards the light, and looking steadfastly at him, said - This one also, was, with him. But, he, denied, saying - I know him not, woman! And, after a little, another, beholding him, said - Thou also, art, from among them. But, Peter, said - Man! I am not. And, about one hour having passed, a certain other, began stoutly to insist, saying - Of a truth, this one also, was with him; for indeed he is, a Galilaean. But Peter said - Man! I know not what thou art saying! And, instantly while yet he was speaking, a cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter; and Peter was put in mind of the declaration of the Lord, how he had said to him - Before, a cock, crow this day, thou wilt deny me thrice! And, going forth outside, he wept bitterly.
Select readings » The parable of the good samaritan
And lo! a certain lawyer, arose, putting him to the test, saying - Teacher! by doing what, shall I inherit, life age-abiding? And, he, said unto him - In the law, what is written? how dost thou read? And, he, answering, said - Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, out of all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might, and with all thine intention; and thy neighbour, as thyself? read more.
And he said unto him - Rightly, hast thou answered: This, do, and thou shalt live. But, he, wishing to justify himself, said unto Jesus - And, who is, my, neighbour? And taking up the question , Jesus said - A certain man, was going down from Jerusalem unto Jericho, and, with robbers, fell in, - who, stripping him, and inflicting, wounds, upon him, departed, leaving him, half dead. And, by chance, a certain priest, was coming down by that road, and, seeing him, passed by, on the opposite side. And, in like manner, a Levite also, coming down to the place, and seeing him, passed by, on the opposite side. But, a certain Samaritan, going on his journey, came down to him, and, seeing him, was moved with compassion; and, coming near, bound up his bruises, pouring thereon oil and wine, - and, setting him on his own beast, brought him into an inn, and took care of him. And, on the morrow, throwing out two denaries, he gave them to the inn-keeper, and said - Take care of him, and, whatsoever thou shall further spend, I, when on my way back, will duly pay thee. Which of these three, seemeth unto thee to have become, neighbour, unto him who fell among the robbers? And, he, said - He who dealt mercifully with him. And Jesus said unto him - Be taking thy journey, and, thou, be doing, in like manner.
And he said unto him - Rightly, hast thou answered: This, do, and thou shalt live. But, he, wishing to justify himself, said unto Jesus - And, who is, my, neighbour? And taking up the question , Jesus said - A certain man, was going down from Jerusalem unto Jericho, and, with robbers, fell in, - who, stripping him, and inflicting, wounds, upon him, departed, leaving him, half dead. And, by chance, a certain priest, was coming down by that road, and, seeing him, passed by, on the opposite side. And, in like manner, a Levite also, coming down to the place, and seeing him, passed by, on the opposite side. But, a certain Samaritan, going on his journey, came down to him, and, seeing him, was moved with compassion; and, coming near, bound up his bruises, pouring thereon oil and wine, - and, setting him on his own beast, brought him into an inn, and took care of him. And, on the morrow, throwing out two denaries, he gave them to the inn-keeper, and said - Take care of him, and, whatsoever thou shall further spend, I, when on my way back, will duly pay thee. Which of these three, seemeth unto thee to have become, neighbour, unto him who fell among the robbers? And, he, said - He who dealt mercifully with him. And Jesus said unto him - Be taking thy journey, and, thou, be doing, in like manner.
Select readings » Elijah's miraculous preservation
Then said Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, unto Ahab, By the life of Yahweh, God of Israel, before whom I stand, there shall not, these two years, be either dew or rain, - save at the bidding of my word. Then came the word of Yahweh unto him, saying: Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, - and hide thyself in the ravine of Cherith, which faceth the Jordan; read more.
and it shall be that, of the torrent, shalt thou drink, - and, the ravens, have I commanded to sustain thee, there. So he went and did, according to the word of Yahweh, - yea he went and dwelt in the ravine of Cherith, which faceth the Jordan. And, the ravens, used to bring him bread and flesh, in the morning, and bread and flesh, in the evening, - and, of the torrent, used he to drink. But it came to pass, at the end of certain days, that the torrent dried up, - because there had been no rain in the land. Then came the word of Yahweh unto him, saying - Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there, - Lo! I have commanded, there, a widow woman, to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath, and, when he came to the entrance of the city, lo! there, a widow woman gathering sticks, - and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And, as she went to fetch it, he called to her and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread, in thy hand. And she said - By the life of Yahweh, thy God, verily I have not a cake, only a handful of meal in the jar, and a little oil in the cruse, - and lo! I have been gathering a couple of sticks, so I shall go in and make it ready for me and for my son, that we may eat it - and die! And Elijah said unto her - Do not fear, go in - make ready according to thy word, - howbeit, make me thereof a little cake, first, and bring it out to me, and, for thyself and thy son, make ready, afterwards. For, thus, saith Yahweh, God of Israel, The jar of meal, shall not waste, and, the cruse of oil, shall not fail, - until the day that Yahweh giveth rain upon the face of the ground. So she went and made ready, according to the word of Elijah, - and did eat, she, and he, and her house, certain days: The jar of meal, did not waste, - and, the cruse of oil, did not fail, - according to the word of Yahweh, which he spake through Elijah.
and it shall be that, of the torrent, shalt thou drink, - and, the ravens, have I commanded to sustain thee, there. So he went and did, according to the word of Yahweh, - yea he went and dwelt in the ravine of Cherith, which faceth the Jordan. And, the ravens, used to bring him bread and flesh, in the morning, and bread and flesh, in the evening, - and, of the torrent, used he to drink. But it came to pass, at the end of certain days, that the torrent dried up, - because there had been no rain in the land. Then came the word of Yahweh unto him, saying - Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there, - Lo! I have commanded, there, a widow woman, to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath, and, when he came to the entrance of the city, lo! there, a widow woman gathering sticks, - and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And, as she went to fetch it, he called to her and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread, in thy hand. And she said - By the life of Yahweh, thy God, verily I have not a cake, only a handful of meal in the jar, and a little oil in the cruse, - and lo! I have been gathering a couple of sticks, so I shall go in and make it ready for me and for my son, that we may eat it - and die! And Elijah said unto her - Do not fear, go in - make ready according to thy word, - howbeit, make me thereof a little cake, first, and bring it out to me, and, for thyself and thy son, make ready, afterwards. For, thus, saith Yahweh, God of Israel, The jar of meal, shall not waste, and, the cruse of oil, shall not fail, - until the day that Yahweh giveth rain upon the face of the ground. So she went and made ready, according to the word of Elijah, - and did eat, she, and he, and her house, certain days: The jar of meal, did not waste, - and, the cruse of oil, did not fail, - according to the word of Yahweh, which he spake through Elijah.
Select readings » The parable of the prodigal son
And he said - A certain man, had two sons. And the younger of them said unto the father - Father! give me the share that falleth to me, of what there is. And, he, divided unto them the living. And, after not many days, the younger son, gathering all together, left home for a country far away, and, there, squandered his substance with riotous living. read more.
And, when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine throughout that country, - and, he, began to be in want. And he went his way, and joined himself unto one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to be feeding swine. And he used to long to be filled with the pods which the swine were eating; and, no man, was giving unto him. But coming, to himself, he said - How many hired servants of my father, have bread enough and to spare, whereas, I, with famine, here, am perishing! I will arise, and go unto my father, and will say unto him - Father! I have sinned against heaven, and before thee: No longer, am I worthy to be called a son of thine, - Make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came unto his own father. Now, while yet he was holding afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and, running, fell upon his neck, and tenderly kissed him. And the son said unto him - Father! I have sinned against heaven, and before thee: No longer, am I worthy to be called a son of thine, - make me as one of thy hired servants. But the father said unto his servants - Quick! bring forth a robe - the best! and put on him, and get out a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. And be bringing the fatted calf, sacrifice! and let us eat and make merry: Because, this my son, was, dead, and hath come to life again, was lost, and is found. And they began to be making merry. But his elder son was in a field; and, as, in coming, he drew near unto the house, he heard music and dancing, - and, calling near one of the youths, he inquired what these things, could be. And, he, said unto him, - Thy brother, hath come, and thy father hath sacrificed the fatted calf, because, safe and sound, hath he received him back. But he was provoked to anger, and would not go in. And, his father, coming out, began to entreat him. But, he, answering said unto his father - Lo! so many years as these, do I serve thee, and, at no time, a commandment of thine, have I transgressed, - And, unto me, at no time, hast thou given a kid, that, with my friends, I might make merry; But, when, this thy son, who had devoured thy living with harlots, came, thou didst sacrifice, for him, the fatted calf; But, he, said unto him - Child! thou, always, art, with me, and, all that is mine, is, thine; But, to make merry and rejoice, there was need, because, this thy brother - was, dead, and hath come to life again, and was lost, and is found.
And, when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine throughout that country, - and, he, began to be in want. And he went his way, and joined himself unto one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to be feeding swine. And he used to long to be filled with the pods which the swine were eating; and, no man, was giving unto him. But coming, to himself, he said - How many hired servants of my father, have bread enough and to spare, whereas, I, with famine, here, am perishing! I will arise, and go unto my father, and will say unto him - Father! I have sinned against heaven, and before thee: No longer, am I worthy to be called a son of thine, - Make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came unto his own father. Now, while yet he was holding afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and, running, fell upon his neck, and tenderly kissed him. And the son said unto him - Father! I have sinned against heaven, and before thee: No longer, am I worthy to be called a son of thine, - make me as one of thy hired servants. But the father said unto his servants - Quick! bring forth a robe - the best! and put on him, and get out a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. And be bringing the fatted calf, sacrifice! and let us eat and make merry: Because, this my son, was, dead, and hath come to life again, was lost, and is found. And they began to be making merry. But his elder son was in a field; and, as, in coming, he drew near unto the house, he heard music and dancing, - and, calling near one of the youths, he inquired what these things, could be. And, he, said unto him, - Thy brother, hath come, and thy father hath sacrificed the fatted calf, because, safe and sound, hath he received him back. But he was provoked to anger, and would not go in. And, his father, coming out, began to entreat him. But, he, answering said unto his father - Lo! so many years as these, do I serve thee, and, at no time, a commandment of thine, have I transgressed, - And, unto me, at no time, hast thou given a kid, that, with my friends, I might make merry; But, when, this thy son, who had devoured thy living with harlots, came, thou didst sacrifice, for him, the fatted calf; But, he, said unto him - Child! thou, always, art, with me, and, all that is mine, is, thine; But, to make merry and rejoice, there was need, because, this thy brother - was, dead, and hath come to life again, and was lost, and is found.
Select readings » The brevity of life
Man that is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble: As a flower, he cometh forth - and fadeth, He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And yet upon such a one as this, hast thou opened thine eye? And, him, wouldst thou bring into judgment with thee? read more.
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one! If determined am his days, the number of his months, is with thee, Fixed times for him, thou hast appointed and he cannot go beyond. Look sway from him, that he may rest, Till he shall pay off, as a hireling, his day. Though there is - for a tree - hope, - if it should be cut down, that, again, it will grow, and, the tender branch thereof, will not cease; If its root, should become old in the earth, and, in the dust, its stock should die: Through the scent of water, it may break forth, and produce branches like a sapling, Yet, man, dieth, and is prostrate, Yea the son of earth doth cease to breathe, and where is he?
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one! If determined am his days, the number of his months, is with thee, Fixed times for him, thou hast appointed and he cannot go beyond. Look sway from him, that he may rest, Till he shall pay off, as a hireling, his day. Though there is - for a tree - hope, - if it should be cut down, that, again, it will grow, and, the tender branch thereof, will not cease; If its root, should become old in the earth, and, in the dust, its stock should die: Through the scent of water, it may break forth, and produce branches like a sapling, Yet, man, dieth, and is prostrate, Yea the son of earth doth cease to breathe, and where is he?
Select readings » Paul on mars' hill
And Paul taking his stand in the midst of the Hill of Mars, said - Ye men of Athens! In every way, how unusually reverent of the demons ye are, I perceive. For, passing through, and carefully observing your objects of devotion, I found an altar also, in which was inscribed - Unto an Unknown God. What, therefore, not knowing, ye reverence, the same, do, I, declare unto you. The God that made the world and all things that are therein, the same, being, Lord, of heaven and earth, not in hand-made shrines, doth dwell, read more.
nor, by human hands, is waited upon, as though in want of anything, himself, giving unto all life and breath and all things; he made also, of one, every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, - marking out fitting opportunities, and the bounds of their dwelling place, that they might be seeking God - if, after all, indeed, they might feel after him and find him, - although, in truth, he is already not far from any one of us. For, in him, we live and move and are: as, even some of your own poets, have said - For, his offspring also, we are. Being, then, offspring, of God, we ought not to be supposing that, unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and device of man, the Divine, is like. The times of ignorance, therefore, overlooking, God, as things now are, is charging all men everywhere to repent, inasmuch as he hath appointed a day, in which he is about to be judging the habitable earth in righteousness, by a man whom he hath pointed out, - offering faith unto all, by raising him from among the dead?
nor, by human hands, is waited upon, as though in want of anything, himself, giving unto all life and breath and all things; he made also, of one, every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, - marking out fitting opportunities, and the bounds of their dwelling place, that they might be seeking God - if, after all, indeed, they might feel after him and find him, - although, in truth, he is already not far from any one of us. For, in him, we live and move and are: as, even some of your own poets, have said - For, his offspring also, we are. Being, then, offspring, of God, we ought not to be supposing that, unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and device of man, the Divine, is like. The times of ignorance, therefore, overlooking, God, as things now are, is charging all men everywhere to repent, inasmuch as he hath appointed a day, in which he is about to be judging the habitable earth in righteousness, by a man whom he hath pointed out, - offering faith unto all, by raising him from among the dead?
Select readings » Judah's defense
Then Judah drew near unto him, and said - Pardon my lord! Pray let thy servant speak a word in the ears of my lord, and do not let thine anger be kindled against thy servant, - for, thus, art, thou as Pharaoh! It was, my lord, who asked his servants, saying, - Have ye a father, or a brother? So we said unto my lord, We have an aged father, and the child of his old age a youth, - his brother, being dead, he alone, is left of his mother and, his father, loveth him. read more.
So then thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, - that I may set mine eyes upon him. And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father, - as surely as he leaveth his father, so surely will he, die. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother do come down with you, ye shall not again behold my face. So it came to pass when we had gone up unto thy servant, my father, that we told him the words of my lord. Then said our father, - Go again buy us a little food, And we said, We cannot go down, - If our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down, for we cannot see the face of the man if, our youngest brother, is not with us. Then said thy servant my father, unto us, - Ye yourselves, know, that, two, did my wife bear to me, and the one went forth from me, and I said - Certainly he hath been, torn in pieces, - And I have never seen him since. As surely as ye take, this one also, away from before my face and there befall him any mischief, so surely shall ye bring down my grey hairs, with misfortune to hades. Now, therefore, as surely as I go in unto thy servant my father, and, the lad, is not with us, - seeing that his soul is bound up with the lads soul, so surely shall it come to pass that when he sooth that the lad is not with us, then will he die. So shall thy servants bring down the grey hairs of thy servant our father, with sorrow to hades. For thy servant, became surety for the lad, while away from my father saying, - If I bring him not unto thee, then will I count myself a sinner against my father all the days. Now, therefore, I pray thee let thy servant remain instead of the lad, as servant to my lord, - but as for the lad, let him go up with his brethren. For how can I go up unto my father, should the lad, not be with me? lest I look on the calamity, that shall find out my father,
So then thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, - that I may set mine eyes upon him. And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father, - as surely as he leaveth his father, so surely will he, die. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother do come down with you, ye shall not again behold my face. So it came to pass when we had gone up unto thy servant, my father, that we told him the words of my lord. Then said our father, - Go again buy us a little food, And we said, We cannot go down, - If our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down, for we cannot see the face of the man if, our youngest brother, is not with us. Then said thy servant my father, unto us, - Ye yourselves, know, that, two, did my wife bear to me, and the one went forth from me, and I said - Certainly he hath been, torn in pieces, - And I have never seen him since. As surely as ye take, this one also, away from before my face and there befall him any mischief, so surely shall ye bring down my grey hairs, with misfortune to hades. Now, therefore, as surely as I go in unto thy servant my father, and, the lad, is not with us, - seeing that his soul is bound up with the lads soul, so surely shall it come to pass that when he sooth that the lad is not with us, then will he die. So shall thy servants bring down the grey hairs of thy servant our father, with sorrow to hades. For thy servant, became surety for the lad, while away from my father saying, - If I bring him not unto thee, then will I count myself a sinner against my father all the days. Now, therefore, I pray thee let thy servant remain instead of the lad, as servant to my lord, - but as for the lad, let him go up with his brethren. For how can I go up unto my father, should the lad, not be with me? lest I look on the calamity, that shall find out my father,
Select readings » Paul and silas in prison
And it came to pass, as we were on our way unto the place of prayer, a certain damsel, having a spirit of Python, met us, - who, indeed, much gain, was presenting unto her masters, by divining. The same, following after Paul and us, kept crying aloud, saying - These men, are servants of the Most High God, - who, indeed, are declaring unto you a way of salvation. And, this, she continued to do for many days. But Paul, worn out, and turning unto the spirit, said - I charge thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out from her. And it came out the same hour. read more.
And, her masters, seeing that their hope of gain had gone out, laying hold on Paul and Silas, dragged them into the market-place, unto the rulers; and, leading them forward unto the magistrates, said - These men, are exceedingly troubling our city, they, being Jews, And are declaring customs, which it is not allowable for us either to accept or to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them, and, the magistrates, rending off them their mantles, were giving orders to beat them with rods; and, laying upon them many stripes, they thrust them into prison, charging the prison-keeper, safely, to be keeping them: who, a charge like this receiving, thrust them into the inner prison, and, their feet, made he fast in the stocks. And, at midnight, Paul and Silas, being at prayer, began singing praise unto God; and the prisoners unto them, did hearken. And, suddenly, a great earthquake took place, - so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and all the doors were instantlyset open, and the bonds of all were unfastened. And, the prison-keeper, being wakened and seeing that the doors of the prison had been opened, drawing his sword, was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying - By no means, do thyself harm, for we are, one and all, here. And, asking for a light, he sprang in, and becoming, agitated, fell down unto Paul and Silas, and, leading them forth outside, said - Sirs! what must I be doing, that I may be saved? And, they, said - Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of God, with all who were in his house. And, taking them with him, in that hour of the night, he bathed them from their stripes, and was immersed, he, and his, one and all, on the spot; and, leading them up into his house, he set near a table, - and exulted, having, with all his house, believed in God. And. when day came. the magistrates sent off the constables saying - Let those men go! And the prison-keeper reported the words unto Paul - The magistrates have sent, that ye be let go. Now, therefore, going forth, be taking your journey in peace. But, Paul, said unto them - Beating us, in public, uncondemned, men that are Romans, they thrust us into prison; - and, now, by stealth, are they thrusting us forth? Nay, verily! but let them come, themselves, and lead us out! And the constables reported unto the magistrates these words; and they were struck with fear, when they heard that they were, Romans; and came, and besought them, and, leading them out, went on to request them to depart from the city. And so, coming forth from the prison, they went unto Lydia, and, seeing the brethren, they comforted them, and went forth.
And, her masters, seeing that their hope of gain had gone out, laying hold on Paul and Silas, dragged them into the market-place, unto the rulers; and, leading them forward unto the magistrates, said - These men, are exceedingly troubling our city, they, being Jews, And are declaring customs, which it is not allowable for us either to accept or to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them, and, the magistrates, rending off them their mantles, were giving orders to beat them with rods; and, laying upon them many stripes, they thrust them into prison, charging the prison-keeper, safely, to be keeping them: who, a charge like this receiving, thrust them into the inner prison, and, their feet, made he fast in the stocks. And, at midnight, Paul and Silas, being at prayer, began singing praise unto God; and the prisoners unto them, did hearken. And, suddenly, a great earthquake took place, - so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and all the doors were instantlyset open, and the bonds of all were unfastened. And, the prison-keeper, being wakened and seeing that the doors of the prison had been opened, drawing his sword, was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying - By no means, do thyself harm, for we are, one and all, here. And, asking for a light, he sprang in, and becoming, agitated, fell down unto Paul and Silas, and, leading them forth outside, said - Sirs! what must I be doing, that I may be saved? And, they, said - Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of God, with all who were in his house. And, taking them with him, in that hour of the night, he bathed them from their stripes, and was immersed, he, and his, one and all, on the spot; and, leading them up into his house, he set near a table, - and exulted, having, with all his house, believed in God. And. when day came. the magistrates sent off the constables saying - Let those men go! And the prison-keeper reported the words unto Paul - The magistrates have sent, that ye be let go. Now, therefore, going forth, be taking your journey in peace. But, Paul, said unto them - Beating us, in public, uncondemned, men that are Romans, they thrust us into prison; - and, now, by stealth, are they thrusting us forth? Nay, verily! but let them come, themselves, and lead us out! And the constables reported unto the magistrates these words; and they were struck with fear, when they heard that they were, Romans; and came, and besought them, and, leading them out, went on to request them to depart from the city. And so, coming forth from the prison, they went unto Lydia, and, seeing the brethren, they comforted them, and went forth.
Select readings » The majesty of God
O God, in the sanctuary, is thy way, - Who is a great GOD like Elohim? Thou, art GOD, doing wonderfully, - Thou hast made known, among the peoples, thy might; Thou didst redeem, with thine arm - Thy people, Thy sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. read more.
The waters saw thee, O God, The waters saw thee, They were in birth-throes, Yea the resounding deeps were stirred; The clouds, poured down waters, The skies uttered, a voice, Yea, thine arrows, flew hither and thither; The, voice of thy thunder, was in the whirlwind, Thy lightnings illumined the world, The earth, trembled and quaked; In the sea, was thy way, And, thy path, in the mighty waters, And, thy footprints, could not be known: Thou didst lead, like a flock, thy people, By the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The waters saw thee, O God, The waters saw thee, They were in birth-throes, Yea the resounding deeps were stirred; The clouds, poured down waters, The skies uttered, a voice, Yea, thine arrows, flew hither and thither; The, voice of thy thunder, was in the whirlwind, Thy lightnings illumined the world, The earth, trembled and quaked; In the sea, was thy way, And, thy path, in the mighty waters, And, thy footprints, could not be known: Thou didst lead, like a flock, thy people, By the hand of Moses and Aaron.
GOD, from Teman, cometh in, and, the Holy One, from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendour, hath covered the heavens, and, his praise, hath filled the earth: And, a brightness, as light, appeareth, Rays, out of his hand, hath he, - and, there, is the hiding of his power. Before him, marcheth pestilence, - and fever, goeth forth, at his feet: read more.
He hath stood and measured the earth, he hath looked, and caused nations to tremble, and, scattered as dust, are the perpetual mountains, and, sunk, are the age-abiding hills, - Forthgoings age-abiding, are his. Under distress, saw I the tents of Ethiopia, - tremble, do the curtains of the land of Midian. Against the rivers, is Yahweh wroth? Against the rivers, is thine anger? Against the sea, is thine indignation? For thou wilt ride on Thy horses, Thy chariots, shall be salvation! To nakedness, is bared thy bow, oaths of chastisement - song! Selah. With rivers, thou dost cleave open the land. The mountains, have seen thee - they tremble, a downpour of waters, hath passed along, - the roaring deep, hath given forth, his voice, on high - his hand, hath he uplifted. Sun, moon, have stood still, on high, - like light, thine arrows, speed along, like brightness, is the flash of thy spear. In wrath, dost thou stride through the land, - in anger, dost thou thresh the nations.
He hath stood and measured the earth, he hath looked, and caused nations to tremble, and, scattered as dust, are the perpetual mountains, and, sunk, are the age-abiding hills, - Forthgoings age-abiding, are his. Under distress, saw I the tents of Ethiopia, - tremble, do the curtains of the land of Midian. Against the rivers, is Yahweh wroth? Against the rivers, is thine anger? Against the sea, is thine indignation? For thou wilt ride on Thy horses, Thy chariots, shall be salvation! To nakedness, is bared thy bow, oaths of chastisement - song! Selah. With rivers, thou dost cleave open the land. The mountains, have seen thee - they tremble, a downpour of waters, hath passed along, - the roaring deep, hath given forth, his voice, on high - his hand, hath he uplifted. Sun, moon, have stood still, on high, - like light, thine arrows, speed along, like brightness, is the flash of thy spear. In wrath, dost thou stride through the land, - in anger, dost thou thresh the nations.
Select readings » Song of moses when pharaoh and his army were overthrown
Then, sang Moses, and the sons of Israel, this song unto Yahweh, and they spake, saying, - I will sing to Yahweh, for he is exalted, exalted, - The horse and his rider, hath he cast into the sea. My might and melody, is Yah, And he became mine, by salvation, - This, is my GOD, and I will glorify him, The God of my father and I will set him on high. Yahweh is a warlike one, - Yahweh, is his name. read more.
The chariots of Pharaoh and his train, hath he cast into the sea, - Yea, the choice of his warriors, were sunk in the Sedgy Sea. Roaring deeps, covered them, - They went down in the raging depths like a stone. Thy right hand, O Yahweh is splendid in power, - Thy right hand, O Yahweh dasheth in pieces a foe; And in the greatness of thine exaltation, dost thou tear down thine opposers, - Thou dost send forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as straw; And with the blast of thy nostrils, heaped up are the waters, Upreared like a mound, are the flowing waves, - Roaring deeps are congealed in the heart of the sea. Said the fee - I will pursue - overtake divide spoil, - Take her fill of them - shall my soul, I will bare my sword, root them out - shall my hand. Thou didst blow with thy wind they were covered by the sea, - They rolled like lead, into the waters so wide. Who is, like unto thee, among the mighty O Yahweh? Who is, like unto thee, Majestic in holiness, - To be revered in praises, Doing a marvellous thing? Thou didst stretch forth thy right hand, earth swallowed them up. Thou hast led forth in thy lovingkindness, the people which thou hast redeemed, - Thou hast guided them in thy might into the home of thy holiness. Peoples have heard they tremble, - A pang, hath seized the dwellers of Philistia: Then, were amazed the chiefs of Edom, The mighty ones of Moab, there seizeth them, a trembling, - Melted away, have all the dwellers of Canaan: There falleth upon them a terror and dread, With the greatness of thine arm, are they struck dumb as a stone, - Till thy people pass over O Yahweh, Till the people pass over, which thou hast made thine own: - Thou bringest them in and plantest them, In the mountain of thine inheritance, Thy dwelling-place to abide in which thou hast made, O Yahweh, - A hallowed place O My Lord which thy hands have established. Yahweh, shall reign unto times age-abiding and beyond. For the horses of Pharaoh, with his chariots and his horsemen, entered into the sea, Then did Yahweh bring back upon them the waters of the sea, - But the sons of Israel, had gone their way on the dry ground through the midst of the sea.
The chariots of Pharaoh and his train, hath he cast into the sea, - Yea, the choice of his warriors, were sunk in the Sedgy Sea. Roaring deeps, covered them, - They went down in the raging depths like a stone. Thy right hand, O Yahweh is splendid in power, - Thy right hand, O Yahweh dasheth in pieces a foe; And in the greatness of thine exaltation, dost thou tear down thine opposers, - Thou dost send forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as straw; And with the blast of thy nostrils, heaped up are the waters, Upreared like a mound, are the flowing waves, - Roaring deeps are congealed in the heart of the sea. Said the fee - I will pursue - overtake divide spoil, - Take her fill of them - shall my soul, I will bare my sword, root them out - shall my hand. Thou didst blow with thy wind they were covered by the sea, - They rolled like lead, into the waters so wide. Who is, like unto thee, among the mighty O Yahweh? Who is, like unto thee, Majestic in holiness, - To be revered in praises, Doing a marvellous thing? Thou didst stretch forth thy right hand, earth swallowed them up. Thou hast led forth in thy lovingkindness, the people which thou hast redeemed, - Thou hast guided them in thy might into the home of thy holiness. Peoples have heard they tremble, - A pang, hath seized the dwellers of Philistia: Then, were amazed the chiefs of Edom, The mighty ones of Moab, there seizeth them, a trembling, - Melted away, have all the dwellers of Canaan: There falleth upon them a terror and dread, With the greatness of thine arm, are they struck dumb as a stone, - Till thy people pass over O Yahweh, Till the people pass over, which thou hast made thine own: - Thou bringest them in and plantest them, In the mountain of thine inheritance, Thy dwelling-place to abide in which thou hast made, O Yahweh, - A hallowed place O My Lord which thy hands have established. Yahweh, shall reign unto times age-abiding and beyond. For the horses of Pharaoh, with his chariots and his horsemen, entered into the sea, Then did Yahweh bring back upon them the waters of the sea, - But the sons of Israel, had gone their way on the dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Select readings » The deliverance of the israelites from pharaoh
And it was told the king of Egypt, that the people had fled, - and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and they said - What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? So he yoked his chariot, - and his people, took he with him. And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, - with warriors in every one. read more.
And Yahweh let the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt wax bold, and he pursued the sons of Israel, - when the sons of Israel, were going out with a high hand. So the Egyptians pursued them and overtook them, encamping by the sea - all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his forces, - by Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon. Now when, Pharaoh, had drawn near, the sons of Israel lifted up their eyes, and lo! the Egyptians, moving along after them and they feared greatly, and the sons of Israel made outcry unto Yahweh. Then said they unto Moses, Was it because there were no graves in Egypt, that thou didst fetch us to die in the desert? What is this thou hast done to us, bringing us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word which we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians, - for it is better for us, to serve the Egyptians, than to die in the desert? And Moses said unto the people - Do not fear, stand still and see the salvation of Yahweh, which be will work for you to-day, - for as for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall not again see them any more to times age-abiding. Yahweh, will fight for you, - and, ye, shall forbear. And Yahweh said unto Moses, What outcry wouldst thou make unto me? Speak unto the sons of Israel, that they go forward; and, thou, lift high thy staff and stretch forth thy hand over the sea and cleave it asunder, - that the sons of Israel may enter into the midst of the sea on dry ground; and, I, behold me letting the heart of the Egyptians wax bold, that they may enter after them, - that I may get me honour over Pharaoh and over his forces, over his chariots, and over his horsemen, And the Egyptians shall know, that, I, am Yahweh, - when I have gotten me honour over Pharaoh, over his chariots and over his horsemen. And the messenger of God who was going on before the camp of Israel removed, and came on behind them, - and the pillar of cloud removed from before them, and stood behind them; so it came in between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, so it became a cloud and darkness, and yet lighted up the night, - so that the one came not near unto the other, all the night. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and Yahweh carried away the sea by a mighty east wind all the night, and turned the sea into dry land, - and the waters were cloven asunder. Then went the sons of Israel into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, - and, the waters, to them, were a wall, on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and entered after them - all the horses of Pharaoh his chariots and his horsemen, - into the midst of the sea. And it came to pass in the morning watch, that Yahweh looked down into the camp of the Egyptians, through the pillar of fire and cloud, and confused the camp of the Egyptians; and he took off the wheels of their chariots, and made them drive heavily, - so that the Egyptians said - We must flee from the face of Israel, for Yahweh, is fighting for them against the Egyptians. Then said Yahweh unto Moses, Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, - that the waters may return upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea and the sea returned, towards morning, to its steady flow, when the Egyptians, were fleeing to meet it, - thus Yahweh shook off the Egyptians into the midst of the sea; thus the waters returned and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, even all the forces of Pharaoh that were entering after them into the sea, - there was not left remaining among them so much as one. But the sons of Israel, had gone their way on dry ground in the saidst of the sea, - and the waters had been to them a wall, on their right hand and on their left. Thus did Yahweh, on that day, save Israel, out of the hand of the Egyptians, - and Israel saw the Egyptians, dead on the shore of the sea.
And Yahweh let the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt wax bold, and he pursued the sons of Israel, - when the sons of Israel, were going out with a high hand. So the Egyptians pursued them and overtook them, encamping by the sea - all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his forces, - by Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon. Now when, Pharaoh, had drawn near, the sons of Israel lifted up their eyes, and lo! the Egyptians, moving along after them and they feared greatly, and the sons of Israel made outcry unto Yahweh. Then said they unto Moses, Was it because there were no graves in Egypt, that thou didst fetch us to die in the desert? What is this thou hast done to us, bringing us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word which we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians, - for it is better for us, to serve the Egyptians, than to die in the desert? And Moses said unto the people - Do not fear, stand still and see the salvation of Yahweh, which be will work for you to-day, - for as for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall not again see them any more to times age-abiding. Yahweh, will fight for you, - and, ye, shall forbear. And Yahweh said unto Moses, What outcry wouldst thou make unto me? Speak unto the sons of Israel, that they go forward; and, thou, lift high thy staff and stretch forth thy hand over the sea and cleave it asunder, - that the sons of Israel may enter into the midst of the sea on dry ground; and, I, behold me letting the heart of the Egyptians wax bold, that they may enter after them, - that I may get me honour over Pharaoh and over his forces, over his chariots, and over his horsemen, And the Egyptians shall know, that, I, am Yahweh, - when I have gotten me honour over Pharaoh, over his chariots and over his horsemen. And the messenger of God who was going on before the camp of Israel removed, and came on behind them, - and the pillar of cloud removed from before them, and stood behind them; so it came in between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, so it became a cloud and darkness, and yet lighted up the night, - so that the one came not near unto the other, all the night. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and Yahweh carried away the sea by a mighty east wind all the night, and turned the sea into dry land, - and the waters were cloven asunder. Then went the sons of Israel into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, - and, the waters, to them, were a wall, on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and entered after them - all the horses of Pharaoh his chariots and his horsemen, - into the midst of the sea. And it came to pass in the morning watch, that Yahweh looked down into the camp of the Egyptians, through the pillar of fire and cloud, and confused the camp of the Egyptians; and he took off the wheels of their chariots, and made them drive heavily, - so that the Egyptians said - We must flee from the face of Israel, for Yahweh, is fighting for them against the Egyptians. Then said Yahweh unto Moses, Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, - that the waters may return upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea and the sea returned, towards morning, to its steady flow, when the Egyptians, were fleeing to meet it, - thus Yahweh shook off the Egyptians into the midst of the sea; thus the waters returned and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, even all the forces of Pharaoh that were entering after them into the sea, - there was not left remaining among them so much as one. But the sons of Israel, had gone their way on dry ground in the saidst of the sea, - and the waters had been to them a wall, on their right hand and on their left. Thus did Yahweh, on that day, save Israel, out of the hand of the Egyptians, - and Israel saw the Egyptians, dead on the shore of the sea.
Select readings » The prophetic blessing of zacharias
And, Zachariah his father, was filled with Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: - Blessed, be the Lord, the God of Israel! Because he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us, In the house of David his servant: read more.
According as he hath spoken by mouth of his holy ancient prophets, - Of salvation from among our foes, and out of the hand of all them that hate us: To perform mercy with our fathers, and to be mindful of his holy covenant, - The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father, To grant us, without fear, from the hand of enemies rescued, to be rendering divine service unto him, in lovingkindness and righteousness before him, all our days. And, even thou, child, prophet of the Most High, shalt be called, - for thou shall march on before the Lord, to prepare his ways, Giving a knowledge of salvation unto his people, by a remission of their sins. Because of the yearning compassion of the mercy of our God, wherein shall visit us a day-dawn from on high, - To shine on them who, in the darkness and shade of death, are sitting, to guide our feet into a way of peace. And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.
According as he hath spoken by mouth of his holy ancient prophets, - Of salvation from among our foes, and out of the hand of all them that hate us: To perform mercy with our fathers, and to be mindful of his holy covenant, - The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father, To grant us, without fear, from the hand of enemies rescued, to be rendering divine service unto him, in lovingkindness and righteousness before him, all our days. And, even thou, child, prophet of the Most High, shalt be called, - for thou shall march on before the Lord, to prepare his ways, Giving a knowledge of salvation unto his people, by a remission of their sins. Because of the yearning compassion of the mercy of our God, wherein shall visit us a day-dawn from on high, - To shine on them who, in the darkness and shade of death, are sitting, to guide our feet into a way of peace. And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.
Select readings » Joseph revealing his identity
And Joseph could not restrain himself before all who were stationed near him, so he cried out - Have forth every man from me! And there stood no man with him, when Joseph made himself known unto his brethren, Then gave he forth his voice in weeping, - and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. Then said Joseph unto his brethren: I, am Joseph, is my father yet alive? But his brethren could not answer him, for they were terrified because of him. read more.
Then said Joseph unto his brethren - Draw near I pray you, unto me. And they drew near. And he said - I, am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. But, now, do not grieve, neither let it be vexing in your eyes, that ye sold me hither, - for, to save life, did God send me before you. For these two years, hath the famine been in the midst of the land, - and, yet five years, are there, in which there shall be neither ploughing, nor harvest. So then God sent me before you, to plant for you a remainder in the earth, - and to save you alive, by a great deliverance, Now, therefore it was not ye, who sent me hither, but, God, himself, - who also appointed me to be a father to Pharaoh, and a lord to all his house, and a ruler over all the land of Egypt. Haste ye and go up unto my father, then shall ye say unto him - Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath appointed me lord to all Egypt, - come down unto me do not delay; so shalt thou dwell in the land of Goshen, and shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy sons, and thy son's sons, - and thy flocks and thy herds and all that is thine; so will I sustain thee, there, for there are yet five years of famine, - lest thou come to poverty - thou and thy house and all who are thine. Now lo! your own eyes do see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, - that it is my own mouth, that doth speak unto you. As soon as ye have told my father all my honour in Egypt, and all that ye have seen, so soon shall ye hasten and bring down my father hither. Then fell he upon the neck of Benjamin his brother, and wept, - and Benjamin wept on his neck. Then kissed he all his brethren, and wept upon them, - and, thereafter, his brethren spake with him.
Then said Joseph unto his brethren - Draw near I pray you, unto me. And they drew near. And he said - I, am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. But, now, do not grieve, neither let it be vexing in your eyes, that ye sold me hither, - for, to save life, did God send me before you. For these two years, hath the famine been in the midst of the land, - and, yet five years, are there, in which there shall be neither ploughing, nor harvest. So then God sent me before you, to plant for you a remainder in the earth, - and to save you alive, by a great deliverance, Now, therefore it was not ye, who sent me hither, but, God, himself, - who also appointed me to be a father to Pharaoh, and a lord to all his house, and a ruler over all the land of Egypt. Haste ye and go up unto my father, then shall ye say unto him - Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath appointed me lord to all Egypt, - come down unto me do not delay; so shalt thou dwell in the land of Goshen, and shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy sons, and thy son's sons, - and thy flocks and thy herds and all that is thine; so will I sustain thee, there, for there are yet five years of famine, - lest thou come to poverty - thou and thy house and all who are thine. Now lo! your own eyes do see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, - that it is my own mouth, that doth speak unto you. As soon as ye have told my father all my honour in Egypt, and all that ye have seen, so soon shall ye hasten and bring down my father hither. Then fell he upon the neck of Benjamin his brother, and wept, - and Benjamin wept on his neck. Then kissed he all his brethren, and wept upon them, - and, thereafter, his brethren spake with him.
Select readings » Mankind in extremity
I will love thee, O Yahweh my strength! Yahweh, was my mountain crag and my stronghold, and my deliverer: My GOD, was my rock, I sought refuge in him, My shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower. The meshes of death encompassed me, The torrents of perdition, made me afraid; read more.
The meshes of hades, had surrounded me, The snares of death, had confronted me, In my distress, called I on Yahweh, And, unto my God, made outcry for help, He heard, out of his temple, my voice, And my outcry for help came before him - entered into his ears! Then did the earth shake and quake, Even, the foundations of the mountains, were deeply moved, Yea they did shake, because he was angry. There went up smoke in his nostrils, and, a fire out of his mouth, devoured, Live coals, were kindled from it: Then he stretched out the heaven, and came down, - and, thick gloom, was under his feet; Then he rode on a cherub, and flew, and darted on the wings of the wind; Made darkness his hiding-place, Round about him - his pavilion, Darkness of waters, clouds of vapours. Out of the brightness before him, his clouds rolled along, hail, and live coals of fire. Then did Yahweh thunder in the heavens, and the Highest uttered his voice, - hail, and live coals of fire. And he sent forth his arrows and scattered them, yea, lightnings, he shot out, and confused them. Then appeared the channels of waters, were uncovered the foundations of the world, - At thy rebuke O Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me, - he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my foe, in his might, and from them who hated me, because they were too strong for me: They confronted me, in the day of my necessity, Then became Yahweh my stay: And brought me out, into a large place, he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The meshes of hades, had surrounded me, The snares of death, had confronted me, In my distress, called I on Yahweh, And, unto my God, made outcry for help, He heard, out of his temple, my voice, And my outcry for help came before him - entered into his ears! Then did the earth shake and quake, Even, the foundations of the mountains, were deeply moved, Yea they did shake, because he was angry. There went up smoke in his nostrils, and, a fire out of his mouth, devoured, Live coals, were kindled from it: Then he stretched out the heaven, and came down, - and, thick gloom, was under his feet; Then he rode on a cherub, and flew, and darted on the wings of the wind; Made darkness his hiding-place, Round about him - his pavilion, Darkness of waters, clouds of vapours. Out of the brightness before him, his clouds rolled along, hail, and live coals of fire. Then did Yahweh thunder in the heavens, and the Highest uttered his voice, - hail, and live coals of fire. And he sent forth his arrows and scattered them, yea, lightnings, he shot out, and confused them. Then appeared the channels of waters, were uncovered the foundations of the world, - At thy rebuke O Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me, - he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my foe, in his might, and from them who hated me, because they were too strong for me: They confronted me, in the day of my necessity, Then became Yahweh my stay: And brought me out, into a large place, he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Select readings » Mary's magnificat
And Mary said - My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath exulted upon God my saviour; Because he hath looked upon the humbling of his handmaid; for lo! from the present time, all the generations, will pronounce me happy. read more.
Because he that is mighty hath done for me great things, and, holy, is his name; And his mercy is unto generations and generations, to them who revere him; He hath wrought strength with his arm, He hath scattered men arrogant in the intention of their heart; He hath deposed potentates from thrones, and uplifted the lowly; The hungry, hath he filled with good things, and, the wealthy, hath he sent empty away; He hath laid hold of Israel his servant, to be mindful of mercies: According as he spake unto our fathers, - To Abraham, and to his seed, - Unto times age-abiding. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.
Because he that is mighty hath done for me great things, and, holy, is his name; And his mercy is unto generations and generations, to them who revere him; He hath wrought strength with his arm, He hath scattered men arrogant in the intention of their heart; He hath deposed potentates from thrones, and uplifted the lowly; The hungry, hath he filled with good things, and, the wealthy, hath he sent empty away; He hath laid hold of Israel his servant, to be mindful of mercies: According as he spake unto our fathers, - To Abraham, and to his seed, - Unto times age-abiding. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.
Select readings » God's providence
Observe intently, the birds of the heaven, - that they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet, your heavenly Father, feedeth, them: Are no, ye, much better than, they? But who from among you, being anxious, can add to his stature one cubit? And, about clothing, why are ye anxious? Consider well the lilies of the field, how they grow, - they toil not neither do they spin; read more.
And yet, I say unto you, not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like, one of these! Now, if the grass of the field - which to-day, is, and, to-morrow, into an oven, is cast - God thus adorneth, not much rather, you, little of faith? Do not then be anxious saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be arrayed? For, all these things, the nations, seek after, - for your heavenly Father, knoweth, that ye are needing, all these things. But be seeking first, the kingdom and its righteousness, - and, all these things, shall be added unto you. Do not, then, be anxious for the morrow; for the morrow, will be anxious, for itself: Sufficient for the day, is the evil thereof.
And yet, I say unto you, not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like, one of these! Now, if the grass of the field - which to-day, is, and, to-morrow, into an oven, is cast - God thus adorneth, not much rather, you, little of faith? Do not then be anxious saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be arrayed? For, all these things, the nations, seek after, - for your heavenly Father, knoweth, that ye are needing, all these things. But be seeking first, the kingdom and its righteousness, - and, all these things, shall be added unto you. Do not, then, be anxious for the morrow; for the morrow, will be anxious, for itself: Sufficient for the day, is the evil thereof.
Select readings » Naaman the leper
Now, Naaman, general of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man in presence of his lord, and held in honour, because, by him, had Yahweh given deliverance to Syria, - and, the man, was a hero of valour - but , a leper. Now, the Syrians, had gone out in companies, and had brought back out of the land of Israel, a little maiden, - who became an attendant on the wife of Naaman. And she said unto her mistress, Ah! would that my lord were before the prophet, who is in Samaria! then, would he set him free from his leprosy. read more.
And he went in and told his lord, saying, - Thus and thus, hath spoken the maiden who is of the land of Israel! And the king of Syria said - Go, get in, that I may send a letter unto the king of Israel. So he went, and took in his hand ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought in the letter unto the king of Israel, saying, Now, therefore, when this letter cometh in unto thee, lo! I have sent unto thee, Naaman my servant, and thou shalt set him free from his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am, I, God, to kill and to make alive, that, this, man is sending unto me, to set one free from his leprosy, - but, of a truth, just mark, I pray you, and see, that he, is seeking an occasion, against me. And it was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent unto the king, saying - Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come, I pray thee, unto me, that he may get to know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came, with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the entrance of the house of Elisha; and Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, - Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan, so shall thy flesh come back to thee, and be thou clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, - and said - Lo! I thought, Unto me, will he, come right out, and take his stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand towards the spot, and so set free the leper. Are not, Abanah and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not bathe, in them, and be clean? So he turned, and went away in a rage. Then drew near his servants, and spake unto him, and said - My father! if, some great thing, the prophet had commanded thee, wouldst thou not have done it? then, how much rather, when he hath said unto thee, Bathe and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself in the Jordan, seven times, according to the word of the man of God: and his flesh came back, as the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
And he went in and told his lord, saying, - Thus and thus, hath spoken the maiden who is of the land of Israel! And the king of Syria said - Go, get in, that I may send a letter unto the king of Israel. So he went, and took in his hand ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought in the letter unto the king of Israel, saying, Now, therefore, when this letter cometh in unto thee, lo! I have sent unto thee, Naaman my servant, and thou shalt set him free from his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am, I, God, to kill and to make alive, that, this, man is sending unto me, to set one free from his leprosy, - but, of a truth, just mark, I pray you, and see, that he, is seeking an occasion, against me. And it was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent unto the king, saying - Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come, I pray thee, unto me, that he may get to know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came, with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the entrance of the house of Elisha; and Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, - Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan, so shall thy flesh come back to thee, and be thou clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, - and said - Lo! I thought, Unto me, will he, come right out, and take his stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand towards the spot, and so set free the leper. Are not, Abanah and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not bathe, in them, and be clean? So he turned, and went away in a rage. Then drew near his servants, and spake unto him, and said - My father! if, some great thing, the prophet had commanded thee, wouldst thou not have done it? then, how much rather, when he hath said unto thee, Bathe and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself in the Jordan, seven times, according to the word of the man of God: and his flesh came back, as the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Select readings » The resurrection of jesus Christ
but, on the first day of the week, at early dawn, unto the tomb, came they, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone, rolled away from the tomb; but, when they entered, they found not the body . read more.
And it came to pass, while they were perplexing themselves concerning this, that 1o! two men, stood near them, in dazzling raiment. And, they becoming afraid, and bending their faces unto the ground, they said unto them - Why seek ye the Living One with the dead? Remember how he spake unto you while yet he was in Galilee: Saying, as to the Son of Man, that he must needs be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, - and, on the third day, arise. And they remembered his sayings; and, returning from the tomb, reported all these things unto the eleven, and unto all the rest. Now they were the Magdalene Mary, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and, the other women with them, were telling, unto the apostles, these things. And these sayings appeared before them, as if idle talk, and they were minded to disbelieve them.
And it came to pass, while they were perplexing themselves concerning this, that 1o! two men, stood near them, in dazzling raiment. And, they becoming afraid, and bending their faces unto the ground, they said unto them - Why seek ye the Living One with the dead? Remember how he spake unto you while yet he was in Galilee: Saying, as to the Son of Man, that he must needs be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, - and, on the third day, arise. And they remembered his sayings; and, returning from the tomb, reported all these things unto the eleven, and unto all the rest. Now they were the Magdalene Mary, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and, the other women with them, were telling, unto the apostles, these things. And these sayings appeared before them, as if idle talk, and they were minded to disbelieve them.
Select readings » Wise and foolish builders
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord! Lord! shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, - but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in the heavens. Many, will say unto me, in, that, day, Lord! Lord! did we not, in thy name, prophesy, and, in thy name, cast, demons, out, - and, in thy name, many works of power, perform? And, then, will I confess unto them, Never, have I acknowledged you, - Depart from me, ye workers of lawlessness! read more.
Every one, therefore, who heareth thesemy words, and doeth them, shall be likened to a prudent man, who built his house upon the rock; And the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and rushed against that house, and it fell not; for it had been founded upon the rock. And every one who heareth these my words, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; And the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and dashed against that house, and it fell; and, the fall thereof, was, great.
Every one, therefore, who heareth thesemy words, and doeth them, shall be likened to a prudent man, who built his house upon the rock; And the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and rushed against that house, and it fell not; for it had been founded upon the rock. And every one who heareth these my words, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; And the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and dashed against that house, and it fell; and, the fall thereof, was, great.
Select readings » Peter on the day of pentecost
And, when the day of pentecost was filling up the number of days they were all together with one intent; - When there came suddenly out of heaven a sound, just as of a mighty rushing wind, - -and it filled all the house where they were sitting; And there appeared unto them - parting asunder - tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each one of them; read more.
And they were all filled with Holy Spirit, and began to be speaking with other kinds of tongues just as the Spirit was giving unto them to be sounding forth. Now there were in Jerusalem sojourning Jews, reverent men from every nation who were under heaven; And this sound occurring the throng came together and was thrown into confusion, because each one severally heard in his own language them who were speaking; Yea they were beside themselves and did marvel, saying - Lo! are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans? How then do, we, hear each one in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judaea also and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia also and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of the Libya that is towards Cyrene, and the sojourning Romans, - both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we do hear them speaking in our own tongues the magnificent things of God. But they were all beside themselves and were utterly at a loss, saying one to another - What doth this please to be? While, others, in mockery were saying - With sweet wine, are they drunken! But, taking his stand, Peter with the eleven lifted up his voice, and sounded out unto them - Ye men of Judaea, and all ye who are sojourning in Jerusalem! Let, this, unto you be known, and give ear unto my declarations; - For not, as, ye, suppose, are these men drunken, for it is the third hour of the day; - But this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel - And it shall be, in the last days saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and, your young men, visions shall see and, your elders, in dreams shall dream, - And, even upon my men-servants and upon my maid-servants in those days, will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy; And I will set forth wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath, - blood and fire and vapour of smoke: The sun, shall be turned into darkness and, the moon, into blood, - before the coming of the day of the Lord, the great and manifest day ; And it shall be - Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. Ye men of Israel! hear these words: - Jesus the Nazarene, a man pointed out of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs, which God did through him in your midst, just as ye yourselves know, The same, by the marked out counsel and foreknowledge of God given up, through the hands of lawless men, suspending, ye slew, Whom, God, raised up, loosing the pangs of death, inasmuch as it was, not possible, for him to continue held fast by it. For, David, saith concerning him - I foresaw the Lord before me continually, because he is, on my right hand, that I may not be shaken; For this reason, was my heart made glad and my tongue exulted, - ye further, even my flesh, shall encamp on hope: Because thou wilt not abandon my soul unto hades, neither wilt thou give thy man of lovingkindness to see corruption; Thou madest known unto me paths of life, thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy countenance. Brethren! it is, allowable, to say with freedom of speech unto you, concerning the patriarch David, - that he both died and was buried, and, his tomb, is among us until this day. Being then, a prophet, and knowing that, with an oath, God had sworn unto him, of the fruit of his loins, to seat on his throne, With foresight, spake he concerning the resurrection of the Christ - that neither was he abandoned unto hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. The same Jesus, hath God raised up, whereof, all we, are witnesses! By the right hand of God, therefore, having been exalted, also, the promise of the Holy Spirit, having received from the Father, He hath poured out this which, yourselves, do see and hear. For, David, hath not ascended into the heavens; but he saith, himself, - Said the Lord unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Assuredly, then, let all the house of Israel know: that, both Lord and Christ, hath God made him, even the same Jesus whom, ye, crucified!
And they were all filled with Holy Spirit, and began to be speaking with other kinds of tongues just as the Spirit was giving unto them to be sounding forth. Now there were in Jerusalem sojourning Jews, reverent men from every nation who were under heaven; And this sound occurring the throng came together and was thrown into confusion, because each one severally heard in his own language them who were speaking; Yea they were beside themselves and did marvel, saying - Lo! are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans? How then do, we, hear each one in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judaea also and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia also and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of the Libya that is towards Cyrene, and the sojourning Romans, - both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we do hear them speaking in our own tongues the magnificent things of God. But they were all beside themselves and were utterly at a loss, saying one to another - What doth this please to be? While, others, in mockery were saying - With sweet wine, are they drunken! But, taking his stand, Peter with the eleven lifted up his voice, and sounded out unto them - Ye men of Judaea, and all ye who are sojourning in Jerusalem! Let, this, unto you be known, and give ear unto my declarations; - For not, as, ye, suppose, are these men drunken, for it is the third hour of the day; - But this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel - And it shall be, in the last days saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and, your young men, visions shall see and, your elders, in dreams shall dream, - And, even upon my men-servants and upon my maid-servants in those days, will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy; And I will set forth wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath, - blood and fire and vapour of smoke: The sun, shall be turned into darkness and, the moon, into blood, - before the coming of the day of the Lord, the great and manifest day ; And it shall be - Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. Ye men of Israel! hear these words: - Jesus the Nazarene, a man pointed out of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs, which God did through him in your midst, just as ye yourselves know, The same, by the marked out counsel and foreknowledge of God given up, through the hands of lawless men, suspending, ye slew, Whom, God, raised up, loosing the pangs of death, inasmuch as it was, not possible, for him to continue held fast by it. For, David, saith concerning him - I foresaw the Lord before me continually, because he is, on my right hand, that I may not be shaken; For this reason, was my heart made glad and my tongue exulted, - ye further, even my flesh, shall encamp on hope: Because thou wilt not abandon my soul unto hades, neither wilt thou give thy man of lovingkindness to see corruption; Thou madest known unto me paths of life, thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy countenance. Brethren! it is, allowable, to say with freedom of speech unto you, concerning the patriarch David, - that he both died and was buried, and, his tomb, is among us until this day. Being then, a prophet, and knowing that, with an oath, God had sworn unto him, of the fruit of his loins, to seat on his throne, With foresight, spake he concerning the resurrection of the Christ - that neither was he abandoned unto hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. The same Jesus, hath God raised up, whereof, all we, are witnesses! By the right hand of God, therefore, having been exalted, also, the promise of the Holy Spirit, having received from the Father, He hath poured out this which, yourselves, do see and hear. For, David, hath not ascended into the heavens; but he saith, himself, - Said the Lord unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Assuredly, then, let all the house of Israel know: that, both Lord and Christ, hath God made him, even the same Jesus whom, ye, crucified!
Select readings » Elisha and the widow's oil
Now, a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets, made outcry unto Elisha, saying - Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and, thou, knowest that, thy servant, was one who revered Yahweh, - now, the creditor, hath come to take my two boys to himself as bondmen. And Elisha said unto her - What shall I do for thee? tell me what thou, hast, in the house. And she said - Thy maid-servant hath, nothing at all, in the house, save a flask of oil. And he said - Go, ask thee vessels, from without, of all thy neighbours, - empty vessels, let them not be few. read more.
And, when thou hast come in, then shalt thou shut the door behind thee and behind thy sons, and shalt pour out into all these vessels, - and, that which is full, shalt thou set aside. So she went out from his presence, and shut the door behind her, and behind her sons, - they bringing near to her, and she pouring out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son - Bring me a vessel more. And he said unto her - There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then came she in, and told the man of God, and he said - Go, sell the oil, and pay thy creditor, - and, thou and thy sons, shall live of the rest.
And, when thou hast come in, then shalt thou shut the door behind thee and behind thy sons, and shalt pour out into all these vessels, - and, that which is full, shalt thou set aside. So she went out from his presence, and shut the door behind her, and behind her sons, - they bringing near to her, and she pouring out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son - Bring me a vessel more. And he said unto her - There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then came she in, and told the man of God, and he said - Go, sell the oil, and pay thy creditor, - and, thou and thy sons, shall live of the rest.
Select readings » Stephen's defense
And the High-priest said - Are these things, so? And, he, said - Brethren and fathers, hearken! The God of Glory, appeared unto our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, - And said unto him - Get thee forth, out of thy land, and from among thy kindred, and come unto the land which, unto thee, I will point out. read more.
Then, coming forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, in which, ye, now dwell; And gave him no inheritance therein, not even a place to set his foot on; and yet promised to give it unto him in possession, and unto his seed after him, when as yet he had not a child. But God, spake thus - His seed shall be a sojourner in a foreign land, and they will bring it into bondage, and ill-treat it four-hundred years; And, the nation unto which they shall be in bondage, will, I, judge - said God; and, after these things, shall they come forth, and render divine service unto me, in this place. And he gave unto him a covenant of circumcision; and, thus, he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And, the patriarchs, being jealous of Joseph, gave him up into Egypt; and, God, was, with him, And rescued him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. And there came a famine upon all Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation, and our fathers could not find pasture. But Jacob, hearing there was corn in Egypt, sent off our fathers, first; And, the second time, Joseph was made known unto his brethren, and, the race of Joseph was made, manifest, unto Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending forth, called for Jacob his father, and all the kindred, consisting of seventy-five souls; And Jacob went down into Egypt. And he died, he, and our fathers; And were brought over into Shechem, and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased, for a price of silver, of the sons of Hamor in Shechem. Now, just as the time of the promise was drawing near wherewith God had agreed with Abraham, the people grew, and were multiplied in Egypt, - Until there arose another sort of king over Egypt, who had not known Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, so as to cause their babes to be exposed, to the end they might not be suffered to live. In which season, Moses, was born, and was exceeding goodly, - who was nourished up three months in the house of his father; But, when he was exposed, the daughter of Pharaoh rescued him, and nourished him for herself, as a son. And, so Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. And, when there was being fulfilled unto him a period of forty years, it came up on his heart to look after his brethren the sons of Israel; And, seeing one being wronged, he defended him, and avenged him that was getting worn out, smiting the Egyptian. But he supposed his brethren would understand that, God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; whereas they understood not. On the following day also, he appeared unto them, as they were contending, and would have reconciled them in peace, saying - Men! ye are, brothers! Wherefore wrong ye one another? But, he that was wronging his neighbour, thrust him away, saying - Who hath appointed, thee, to be ruler and judge over us? Art, thou, wishing, to kill me, in the same way thou didst kill, yesterday, the Egyptian? And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, when forty years were fulfilled, there appeared unto him, in the desert of Mount Sinai, a messenger, in a flame of fire, in a bush. And, Moses, seeing it, marvelled at the sight; and, as he was going near to observe, there came a voice of the Lord - I, am the God of thy fathers, The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. And Moses becoming, terrified, durst not observe. And the Lord said unto him - Loose the sandals of thy feet; for, the place whereon thou art standing, is, hallowed ground. I have, indeed seen, the ill-treatment of my people that is in Egypt, and, unto their groaning, have I hearkened, and have come down to rescue them. Now, therefore, come! I will send thee into Egypt. The same Moses whom they had refused, saying - Who hath appointed thee to be ruler and judge? the same, both as ruler and redeemer, did God send, by the hand of the messenger who had appeared unto him in the bush: The same, led them forth, doing wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the desert, forty years: The same, is the Moses that said unto the sons of Israel - A prophet, unto you, will God raise up, from among your brethren, like unto me: The same, is he that came to be in the assembly in the desert, with the messenger who was speaking with him in Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, he who welcomed living utterances, to give unto us: Unto whom, our fathers would not become obedient, but thrust him away, and turned in their hearts unto Egypt, Saying unto Aaron - Make as gods who shall go before us; for, as for this Moses who brought us forth out of Egypt, we know not what hath befallen him! And so they fell to calf-making in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. But God, turned, and delivered them up to be doing divine service unto the host of heaven, - just as it is written in a book of the prophets - Victims and sacrifices did ye offer unto me, forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? Nay! but ye took with you the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, - the forms which ye made to bow down unto them: therefore will I carry you away beyond Babylon. The tent of witness, was with our fathers in the desert, according as he who was speaking unto Moses, gave instructions, to make it, according to the model which he had seen. Which our fathers succeeding to, also brought in, with Joshua, when taking possession of the nations, which God put out from before our fathers until the days of David; Who found favour before God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. But, Solomon, built him a house. Although indeed, the Most High, not in hand-made places, dwelleth; just as, the prophet, saith - Heaven is my thrown, and, the earth, is my footstool: What manner of house, will ye build me, saith the Lord, - Or what shall be the place of my resting? Hath not, my hand, made all these things? Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in hearts and in ears, ye, always, against the Holy Spirit, do strive! As your fathers, ye also: Which of the prophets, did not your fathers persecute? Yea they slew them who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One - of whom, now, ye, have become, betrayers and murderers! Who, indeed, received the law through ranks of messengers, - and guarded it not. And, while they were hearing these things, they were being pierced in their hearts, and began gnashing their teeth against him. But he, being already full of Holy Spirit, looking steadfastly into heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; And said - Lo! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man, standing, on the right hand of God.
Then, coming forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, in which, ye, now dwell; And gave him no inheritance therein, not even a place to set his foot on; and yet promised to give it unto him in possession, and unto his seed after him, when as yet he had not a child. But God, spake thus - His seed shall be a sojourner in a foreign land, and they will bring it into bondage, and ill-treat it four-hundred years; And, the nation unto which they shall be in bondage, will, I, judge - said God; and, after these things, shall they come forth, and render divine service unto me, in this place. And he gave unto him a covenant of circumcision; and, thus, he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And, the patriarchs, being jealous of Joseph, gave him up into Egypt; and, God, was, with him, And rescued him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. And there came a famine upon all Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation, and our fathers could not find pasture. But Jacob, hearing there was corn in Egypt, sent off our fathers, first; And, the second time, Joseph was made known unto his brethren, and, the race of Joseph was made, manifest, unto Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending forth, called for Jacob his father, and all the kindred, consisting of seventy-five souls; And Jacob went down into Egypt. And he died, he, and our fathers; And were brought over into Shechem, and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased, for a price of silver, of the sons of Hamor in Shechem. Now, just as the time of the promise was drawing near wherewith God had agreed with Abraham, the people grew, and were multiplied in Egypt, - Until there arose another sort of king over Egypt, who had not known Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, so as to cause their babes to be exposed, to the end they might not be suffered to live. In which season, Moses, was born, and was exceeding goodly, - who was nourished up three months in the house of his father; But, when he was exposed, the daughter of Pharaoh rescued him, and nourished him for herself, as a son. And, so Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. And, when there was being fulfilled unto him a period of forty years, it came up on his heart to look after his brethren the sons of Israel; And, seeing one being wronged, he defended him, and avenged him that was getting worn out, smiting the Egyptian. But he supposed his brethren would understand that, God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; whereas they understood not. On the following day also, he appeared unto them, as they were contending, and would have reconciled them in peace, saying - Men! ye are, brothers! Wherefore wrong ye one another? But, he that was wronging his neighbour, thrust him away, saying - Who hath appointed, thee, to be ruler and judge over us? Art, thou, wishing, to kill me, in the same way thou didst kill, yesterday, the Egyptian? And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, when forty years were fulfilled, there appeared unto him, in the desert of Mount Sinai, a messenger, in a flame of fire, in a bush. And, Moses, seeing it, marvelled at the sight; and, as he was going near to observe, there came a voice of the Lord - I, am the God of thy fathers, The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. And Moses becoming, terrified, durst not observe. And the Lord said unto him - Loose the sandals of thy feet; for, the place whereon thou art standing, is, hallowed ground. I have, indeed seen, the ill-treatment of my people that is in Egypt, and, unto their groaning, have I hearkened, and have come down to rescue them. Now, therefore, come! I will send thee into Egypt. The same Moses whom they had refused, saying - Who hath appointed thee to be ruler and judge? the same, both as ruler and redeemer, did God send, by the hand of the messenger who had appeared unto him in the bush: The same, led them forth, doing wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the desert, forty years: The same, is the Moses that said unto the sons of Israel - A prophet, unto you, will God raise up, from among your brethren, like unto me: The same, is he that came to be in the assembly in the desert, with the messenger who was speaking with him in Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, he who welcomed living utterances, to give unto us: Unto whom, our fathers would not become obedient, but thrust him away, and turned in their hearts unto Egypt, Saying unto Aaron - Make as gods who shall go before us; for, as for this Moses who brought us forth out of Egypt, we know not what hath befallen him! And so they fell to calf-making in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. But God, turned, and delivered them up to be doing divine service unto the host of heaven, - just as it is written in a book of the prophets - Victims and sacrifices did ye offer unto me, forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? Nay! but ye took with you the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, - the forms which ye made to bow down unto them: therefore will I carry you away beyond Babylon. The tent of witness, was with our fathers in the desert, according as he who was speaking unto Moses, gave instructions, to make it, according to the model which he had seen. Which our fathers succeeding to, also brought in, with Joshua, when taking possession of the nations, which God put out from before our fathers until the days of David; Who found favour before God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. But, Solomon, built him a house. Although indeed, the Most High, not in hand-made places, dwelleth; just as, the prophet, saith - Heaven is my thrown, and, the earth, is my footstool: What manner of house, will ye build me, saith the Lord, - Or what shall be the place of my resting? Hath not, my hand, made all these things? Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in hearts and in ears, ye, always, against the Holy Spirit, do strive! As your fathers, ye also: Which of the prophets, did not your fathers persecute? Yea they slew them who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One - of whom, now, ye, have become, betrayers and murderers! Who, indeed, received the law through ranks of messengers, - and guarded it not. And, while they were hearing these things, they were being pierced in their hearts, and began gnashing their teeth against him. But he, being already full of Holy Spirit, looking steadfastly into heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; And said - Lo! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man, standing, on the right hand of God.
Select readings » The beatitudes
But, seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, - and, when he had taken a seat, his disciples came unto him; and, opening his mouth, he began teaching them, saying: - Happy, the destitute, in spirit; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens; read more.
Happy, they who mourn; for, they, shall be comforted: Happy, the meek; for, they, shall inherit the earth: Happy, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for, they, shall be filled: Happy, the merciful; for, they, shall receive mercy: Happy, the pure, in heart; for, they, shall, see God: Happy, the peacemakers; for, they, shall be, called sons of God: Happy, they who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens. Happy, are ye, whensoever they may reproach you and persecute you, and say every evil thing against you, falsely, for my sake: Rejoice and exult, because, your reward, is great in the heavens; for, so, persecuted they the prophets who were before you. Ye, are the salt of the earth; but, if the salt become tasteless, wherewith shall it be salted? it is good, for nothing, any more, save, being cast out, to be trampled on by men. Ye, are the light of the world: it is impossible for a city to be hid, on the top of a mountain, lying. Neither light they a lamp, and place it under the measure; but upon the lampstand, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. In like manner, let your light shine before men, - that they may see your good works, - and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
Happy, they who mourn; for, they, shall be comforted: Happy, the meek; for, they, shall inherit the earth: Happy, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for, they, shall be filled: Happy, the merciful; for, they, shall receive mercy: Happy, the pure, in heart; for, they, shall, see God: Happy, the peacemakers; for, they, shall be, called sons of God: Happy, they who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens. Happy, are ye, whensoever they may reproach you and persecute you, and say every evil thing against you, falsely, for my sake: Rejoice and exult, because, your reward, is great in the heavens; for, so, persecuted they the prophets who were before you. Ye, are the salt of the earth; but, if the salt become tasteless, wherewith shall it be salted? it is good, for nothing, any more, save, being cast out, to be trampled on by men. Ye, are the light of the world: it is impossible for a city to be hid, on the top of a mountain, lying. Neither light they a lamp, and place it under the measure; but upon the lampstand, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. In like manner, let your light shine before men, - that they may see your good works, - and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
Select readings » Old age
Yet remember thy Creator, in the days of thy vigour, - or ever come in, the days of discomfort, and the years arrive, in which thou shalt say - I have, in them, no pleasure; Or ever be darkened - the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, - and the clouds return after a downpour of rain; In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the men of might bow themselves, - and the grinders cease because they are few, and they who look through the windows are darkened; read more.
And the doors in the street be closed, when the sound of the mill become low, - and one rise at the chirp of a small bird, and low-voiced be all the daughters of song; Yea, at what is high, they be in fear, and there be, terrors, in the way, and the almond be rejected, and the grasshopper drag itself along, and desire perish, - for man is going to his age-abiding home, when the wailers shall go round in the streets; Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, - or the bucket by the fountain be shivered, or the wheel at the well be broken; And the dust return to the earth, as it was, - and, the spirit, return unto God, who gave it.
And the doors in the street be closed, when the sound of the mill become low, - and one rise at the chirp of a small bird, and low-voiced be all the daughters of song; Yea, at what is high, they be in fear, and there be, terrors, in the way, and the almond be rejected, and the grasshopper drag itself along, and desire perish, - for man is going to his age-abiding home, when the wailers shall go round in the streets; Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, - or the bucket by the fountain be shivered, or the wheel at the well be broken; And the dust return to the earth, as it was, - and, the spirit, return unto God, who gave it.
Select readings » The wrath of God
I saw My Lord stationed by the altar, and he said - Smite the capital - that the sills, may tremble, Yea break them off on the head of them all, and, the last of them, with the sword, will I slay, - He that fleeth of them, shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them, shall not make good his escape. Though they break through into hades, from thence, shall my hand fetch them, - and, though they ascend the heavens, from thence, will I bring them down; And, though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, from thence, will I search for them and take them, - and, though they conceal themselves from before mine eyes at the bottom of the sea, from thence, will I command the serpent and he shall bite them; read more.
And, though they go into captivity before their enemies, from thence, will I command the sword, and it shall slay them, - So will I set mine eyes upon them for calamity, and not for blessing. Now, My Lord, Yahweh of hosts, is he - -who toucheth the earth, and it melteth, and all that dwell therein, mourn; and it cometh up like the Nile, all of it, and subsideth like the river of Egypt: Who buildeth, in the heavens, his upper rooms, and, as for his vault, upon the earth, hath he founded it, - who calleth to the waters of the sea, and poureth them out over the face of the land, Yahweh, is his name.
And, though they go into captivity before their enemies, from thence, will I command the sword, and it shall slay them, - So will I set mine eyes upon them for calamity, and not for blessing. Now, My Lord, Yahweh of hosts, is he - -who toucheth the earth, and it melteth, and all that dwell therein, mourn; and it cometh up like the Nile, all of it, and subsideth like the river of Egypt: Who buildeth, in the heavens, his upper rooms, and, as for his vault, upon the earth, hath he founded it, - who calleth to the waters of the sea, and poureth them out over the face of the land, Yahweh, is his name.
Select readings » Esther's triumph
Select readings » The omnipotence and incomparableness of God
Select readings » The majesty and providence of God
Select readings » Christ's kingdom foreshadowed
Select readings » The animals of the field
Select readings » God's challenge to job
Select readings » Nature's testimony
Select readings » In captivity
Select readings » The omnipresence of God
Select readings » Charity
Select readings » The new heaven and the new earth
Select readings » Paul in front of governor felix
Select readings » Paul in front of agrippa
Select readings » The joy of the righteous
Select readings » The state of the Godly
Select readings » Confidence in God
Select readings » The king of glory
Select readings » God, our refuge
Select readings » The new song
Select readings » The river of life
Select readings » God, Glory of
Select readings » The righteous and the wicked in contrast
Select readings » The triumphant king
Select readings » Lights and shadows
Select readings » Mankind in nature
United prayer » Select readings
So then Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou really sweep away, the righteous with the lawless? Peradventure there are fifty righteous, in the midst of the city, Wilt thou really sweep away, and not spare the place, for the sake of the fifty righteous which are therein? Far be it from thee! to do after this manner. to put to death the righteous with the lawless! Then should righteous and lawless be alike, Far be it from thee! Shall, the Judge of all the earth not do justice? read more.
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Jacob was left alone, - and there wrestled a man with him, until the uprisings of the dawn. And when he saw, that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, - and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he wrestled with him. Then said he - Let me go, for uprisen hath the dawn. And he said: I will not let thee go, except thou have blessed me read more.
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then entered King David, and tarried before Yahweh, - and said - Who am, I, My Lord, Yahweh, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me, hitherto; and hast yet further made this seem little in thine eyes, My Lord, Yahweh, in that thou hast spoken, even of the house, of thy servant, for a great while to come? This, then is the law of manhood, O My Lord, Yahweh! What more, then, can David yet further speak unto thee, - seeing that, thou thyself knowest thy servant, O My Lord Yahweh? read more.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
And Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, in the presence of all the convocation of Israel, - and spread forth his hands towards the heavens; and said - O Yahweh, God of Israel! Not like thee, is there a God, in the heavens above, or upon the earth beneath, - keeping Covenant and Lovingkindness for thy servants who are walking before thee, with all their heart; who hast kept for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, - in that thou didst promise with thy mouth, and, with thy hand, hast fulfilled, as it is this day. read more.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain place praying, as he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him - Lord! teach us to pray, as, John also, taught his disciples. And he said unto them - Whensoever ye are praying, say - Father! Hallowed be thy name, Come may thy kingdom, Our needful bread, be giving us, day by day; read more.
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And he was speaking a parable unto them, as to its being needful for them always to pray, and not be faint-hearted; saying - A certain judge, there was in a certain city, - having, for God, no reverence, and, for man, no respect. And, a widow, there was, in that city; and she kept coming unto him, saying - Vindicate me from mine adversary! read more.
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
Unwise prayers » Select readings
So then Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou really sweep away, the righteous with the lawless? Peradventure there are fifty righteous, in the midst of the city, Wilt thou really sweep away, and not spare the place, for the sake of the fifty righteous which are therein? Far be it from thee! to do after this manner. to put to death the righteous with the lawless! Then should righteous and lawless be alike, Far be it from thee! Shall, the Judge of all the earth not do justice? read more.
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake. And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five. And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty. And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty. And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty. And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten!
And Jacob was left alone, - and there wrestled a man with him, until the uprisings of the dawn. And when he saw, that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, - and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he wrestled with him. Then said he - Let me go, for uprisen hath the dawn. And he said: I will not let thee go, except thou have blessed me read more.
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then he said unto him - What is thy name? And he said - Jacob. Then he said - Not Jacob, shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, - For thou hast contended with God and with men and hast prevailed. Then asked Jacob and said, Do, I pray thee, tell me thy name! And he said - Wherefore now, shouldest thou ask for my name? And he blessed him there, So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; For I saw God face to face; and my soul was delivered,
Then entered King David, and tarried before Yahweh, - and said - Who am, I, My Lord, Yahweh, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me, hitherto; and hast yet further made this seem little in thine eyes, My Lord, Yahweh, in that thou hast spoken, even of the house, of thy servant, for a great while to come? This, then is the law of manhood, O My Lord, Yahweh! What more, then, can David yet further speak unto thee, - seeing that, thou thyself knowest thy servant, O My Lord Yahweh? read more.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
For the sake of thine own word, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this great thing, - making it known unto thy servant. For this cause, hast thou magnified thyself, O Yahweh Elohim, - for there is none like unto, thee, yea there is no God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who, then, is like thy people, like Israel, a nation alone in the earth? whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, so to make himself a name, and to do for you the great deed, fearful things also for thy land, to make way for thy people, whom thou hadst redeemed for thyself, out of Egypt, dealing with nations and their god's; and hast established for thyself thy people Israel - for thyself as a people, unto times age-abiding, - thou thyself, also, O Yahweh, becoming their God. Now, therefore, O Yahweh Elohim, the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm thou, unto times age-abiding, - and do, as thou hast spoken: that thy name may be age-abidingly magnified, saying, Yahweh of hosts, is God over Israel, and so, the house of thy servant David, be established before thee. For, thou, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, hast unveiled the ear of thy servant, saying - A house, will I build for thee. For this cause, hath thy servant found in his heart, to pray unto thee, this prayer. Now, therefore, O My Lord, Yahweh, thou, art God, and, thy words, shall prove true, - therefore hast thou spoken unto thy servant this goodness. Now, therefore, be pleased to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue age-abidingly before thee, - for, thou, O My Lord, Yahweh, hast spoken, therefore, with thine own blessing, shall the house of thy servant be age-abidingly blessed.
And Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, in the presence of all the convocation of Israel, - and spread forth his hands towards the heavens; and said - O Yahweh, God of Israel! Not like thee, is there a God, in the heavens above, or upon the earth beneath, - keeping Covenant and Lovingkindness for thy servants who are walking before thee, with all their heart; who hast kept for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, - in that thou didst promise with thy mouth, and, with thy hand, hast fulfilled, as it is this day. read more.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Now, therefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, keep thou for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, - if only, thy sons take heed to their way, by walking before me, as thou hast walked before me. Now, therefore, O God of Israel, - verified be thy word, I pray thee, which thou didst speak to thy servant, David my father. But, in very deed, will God dwell, upon the earth? Lo! the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? Yet wilt thou turn unto the prayer of thy servant, and unto his supplication, O Yahweh my God, - to hearken unto the cry, and unto the prayer, wherewith thy servant doth pray before thee to-day; that thine eye may be opened toward this house, night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be, there; hearkening unto the prayer which thy servant shall offer toward this place. Wilt, thou, therefore, hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, whensoever they shall pray toward this place, - yea wilt, thou thyself, hear, in thine own dwelling-place, in the heavens, and, when thou hearest, then wilt thou forgive? When a man shall sin against his neighbour, and there shall be taken up against him an oath, to put him on oath, - and he shall come in and swear before thine altar, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, condemning the lawless, by setting his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness? When thy people Israel are smitten before an enemy, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they turn again unto thee, and confess thy Name, and pray and make supplication unto thee, in this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the soil, which thou gavest unto their fathers? When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have been sinning against thee, - and they shall pray toward this place, and confess thy Name, and, from their sin, shall return, because thou hast been afflicting them, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way, wherein they should walk, - and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people, for an inheritance? When there shall be, famine, in the land, when there shall be, pestilence, when there shall be, blasting, mildew locust, caterpillar, when their enemy shall besiege them in one of their own gates, - whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness; any prayer, any supplication which, any son of earth, may have, of all thy people Israel, - who will certainly know every man the plague of his own heart, and so he shall spread abroad his hands towards this house, then wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, in the settled place of thine abode, and forgive and act, and give unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou wilt know, - for, thou thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the sons of men; to the end they may revere thee, all the days which they do live, upon the face of the soil, - which thou gavest unto our fathers? Moreover also, unto the stranger, who is, not of thy people Israel, - but hath come in out of a far country, for the sake of thy Name, - (for they will certainly hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched-out arm, - and so will come in and pray towards this house), wilt, thou thyself, hear in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, and act, according to all for which, the stranger, shall cry unto thee, - to the end that all the peoples of the earth may truly know thy Name, so as to revere thee, like thy people Israel, and to know that, thine own Name, hath been given unto this house, which I have built? When thy people go forth to war against their enemy, whithersoever thou mayest send them, - and shall pray unto Yahweh, in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hear, in the heavens, their prayer and their supplication, - and maintain their cause? When they sin against thee - for there is, no son of earth, that sinneth not, and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them up before an enemy, - who shall carry them away as their captives, into the land of the enemy, far or near; and they come back to their right mind, in the land whither they have been taken captive, - and so turn and make supplication unto thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely, we have been lawless; and so they turn unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have carried them away captive, - and pray unto thee in the direction of their own land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy Name, then wilt thou hearken in the heavens, the settled place of thine abode, unto their prayer, and unto their supplication, - and maintain their cause; and grant forgiveness to thy people, who have sinned against thee, even as to all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, - and grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may have compassion upon them; because, thy people and thine inheritance, they are, - whom thou didst bring forth out of Egypt, out of the midst of the smelting-pot of iron; that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, - to hearken unto them, in all their crying unto thee; because, thou thyself, didst separate them unto thee, for an inheritance, out of all the peoples of the earth, - as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Yahweh. And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying unto Yahweh all this prayer and supplication, that he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands outspread to the heavens; and stood and blessed all the convocation of Israel, - with a loud voice, saying: Blessed, be Yahweh, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised, - there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, - let him not leave us, nor forsake us; but bow our heart unto himself, - to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his regulations, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near unto Yahweh our God, day and night, - that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as any need ariseth: To the end that all the peoples of the earth may know, that, Yahweh, is God, - there is none else. So shall your heart be sound with Yahweh our God, - to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain place praying, as he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him - Lord! teach us to pray, as, John also, taught his disciples. And he said unto them - Whensoever ye are praying, say - Father! Hallowed be thy name, Come may thy kingdom, Our needful bread, be giving us, day by day; read more.
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation. And he said unto them - Who from among you, shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him - Friend! supply me with three loaves, forasmuch as, a friend of mine, hath come off a journey unto me, and I have not what I can set before him; and, he, from within, shall answer, and say - Be not disturbing me, - already, the door hath been fastened, and, my children, with me, are, in bed: I cannot rise and give thee? I say unto you - Even though he will not give him, rising because of his being a friend of his, because, at least, of his importunity, he will rouse himself, and give him as many as he needeth. I, therefore, unto you, say - Be asking, and it shall be given to you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. But which is the father, from among yourselves, whom the son will ask for, a fish, who, instead of a fish, will give him, a serpent? Or shall also ask, an egg, who will give him, a scorpion? If therefore, ye, being, evil, know how to be giving, good gifts, unto your children, how much rather, will, the heavenly Father, give Holy Spirit unto them that ask him!
And he was speaking a parable unto them, as to its being needful for them always to pray, and not be faint-hearted; saying - A certain judge, there was in a certain city, - having, for God, no reverence, and, for man, no respect. And, a widow, there was, in that city; and she kept coming unto him, saying - Vindicate me from mine adversary! read more.
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect, Yet, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, - lest, persistently coming, she wholly wear me out. And the Lord said - Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; - And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them? I tell you - He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, find the faith on the earth?
Wealth » Accumulation of » Select readings
And he spake a parable unto them, saying - A certain rich man's estate, bare well. And he began to deliberate within himself, saying - What shall I do? because I have not where I can gather my fruits. And he said - This, will I do, - I will pull down my barns, and, greater ones, build, and gather, there, all my wheat and good things; read more.
and will say to my soul - Soul! thou hast many good things lying by for many years: be taking thy rest, eat, drink,be making merry! But God said unto him - Simple one! on this very night, they are asking, thy soul, from thee; The things, then, which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? So, is he that is laying up treasure for himself, and is not rich, towards God.
and will say to my soul - Soul! thou hast many good things lying by for many years: be taking thy rest, eat, drink,be making merry! But God said unto him - Simple one! on this very night, they are asking, thy soul, from thee; The things, then, which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? So, is he that is laying up treasure for himself, and is not rich, towards God.
Now, a certain man, was rich, and he used to clothe himself with purple and fine linen, making merry day by day, brilliantly. And, a certain beggar, by name Lazarus, used to be cast near his gate, full of sores, and to long to be fed from the crumbs that fell from the table of the rich man: nay! even, the dogs, used to come and lick his sores. read more.
And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried away by the messengers, into the bosom of Abraham. And, the rich man also, died, and was buried. And, in hades, lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And, he, calling out, said - Father Abraham! have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, - because I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said - Child! remember - That thou didst duly received thy good things in thy life, and, Lazarus, in like manner, the evil things; but, now, here, he is comforted, and, thou, art in anguish. And, besides all these things, betwixt us and you, a great chasm, hath been fixed, - so that, they who might wish to cross over from hence unto you, should not be able, nor any, from thence unto us, be crossing over. But he said - I request thee then, father, that thou wouldst send him unto my father's house, - for I have five brethren; - that he may solemnly testify unto them, lest, they also, come into this place of torment. But Abraham saith - They have Moses and the Prophets: Let them hearken unto them. But, he, said - Nay! father Abraham, but, if one, from the dead, should go unto them, they would repent. But he said unto him - If, unto Moses and the Prophets, they do not hearken, neither, if one, from among the dead, should arise, would they be persuaded.
And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried away by the messengers, into the bosom of Abraham. And, the rich man also, died, and was buried. And, in hades, lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And, he, calling out, said - Father Abraham! have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, - because I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said - Child! remember - That thou didst duly received thy good things in thy life, and, Lazarus, in like manner, the evil things; but, now, here, he is comforted, and, thou, art in anguish. And, besides all these things, betwixt us and you, a great chasm, hath been fixed, - so that, they who might wish to cross over from hence unto you, should not be able, nor any, from thence unto us, be crossing over. But he said - I request thee then, father, that thou wouldst send him unto my father's house, - for I have five brethren; - that he may solemnly testify unto them, lest, they also, come into this place of torment. But Abraham saith - They have Moses and the Prophets: Let them hearken unto them. But, he, said - Nay! father Abraham, but, if one, from the dead, should go unto them, they would repent. But he said unto him - If, unto Moses and the Prophets, they do not hearken, neither, if one, from among the dead, should arise, would they be persuaded.
Wisdom » Select readings
Yet where can, Wisdom, be found? And where is the place of understanding? Mortal knoweth not the way thereof, neither can it be found in the land of the living; The resounding deep, hath said, It is not in me! And, the sea, hath said, It is not with me! read more.
Pure gold cannot be given in its stead, neither can silver he weighed as the value thereof; It cannot be put into the scales against the gold of Ophir, with costly onyx, or sapphire; Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can, the exchange thereof, be a vessel of pure gold, Coral or crystal, cannot be mentioned, Yea, a possession, is wisdom, above red coral; The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, Against purest gold, can it not be weighed. Whence then cometh, wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it hath been hid from the eyes of every living thing, and, from the bird of the heavens, hath it been concealed? Destruction and death, have said, With our ears, have we heard the report thereof! GOD, understandeth the way thereof, and, he, discerneth the place thereof; For, he, unto the ends of the earth, directeth his look, under all the heavens, he seeth; Making, for the wind, a weight, and, the waters, he proved by measure, When he made, for the rain, a decree, and a way for the lightning of thunders, Then, saw he it, and declared it, He settled it, yea also he searched it out; And said to the son of earth, Lo! the reverence of the Lord, that, is wisdom, and, to avoid evil, is understanding.
Pure gold cannot be given in its stead, neither can silver he weighed as the value thereof; It cannot be put into the scales against the gold of Ophir, with costly onyx, or sapphire; Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can, the exchange thereof, be a vessel of pure gold, Coral or crystal, cannot be mentioned, Yea, a possession, is wisdom, above red coral; The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, Against purest gold, can it not be weighed. Whence then cometh, wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it hath been hid from the eyes of every living thing, and, from the bird of the heavens, hath it been concealed? Destruction and death, have said, With our ears, have we heard the report thereof! GOD, understandeth the way thereof, and, he, discerneth the place thereof; For, he, unto the ends of the earth, directeth his look, under all the heavens, he seeth; Making, for the wind, a weight, and, the waters, he proved by measure, When he made, for the rain, a decree, and a way for the lightning of thunders, Then, saw he it, and declared it, He settled it, yea also he searched it out; And said to the son of earth, Lo! the reverence of the Lord, that, is wisdom, and, to avoid evil, is understanding.
How happy the man who hath found wisdom, and the man who draweth forth understanding, For better is her merchandise, than the merchandise of silver, yea, than gold, her increase; More precious, is she, than corals, yea, none of thy delightful things, doth equal her: read more.
Length of days, is in her right hand, in her left, are riches and honour; Her ways, are ways of pleasantness, and, all her paths, are peace; A tree of life, is she, to them who secure her, - and, they who hold her fast, are every one to be pronounced happy. Yahweh, in wisdom, founded the earth, establishing the heavens with understanding; By his knowledge, the resounding deeps were burst open, and, the skies, drop down dew. My son, let them not depart from thine eyes, guard thou counsel, and purpose: So shall they become life to thy soul, and an adorning to thy neck; Then, shalt thou walk securely in thy way, and, thy foot, shall not stumble; When thou sittest down, thou shalt have no dread, yea thou shalt lie down, and sweet shall be thy sleep.
Length of days, is in her right hand, in her left, are riches and honour; Her ways, are ways of pleasantness, and, all her paths, are peace; A tree of life, is she, to them who secure her, - and, they who hold her fast, are every one to be pronounced happy. Yahweh, in wisdom, founded the earth, establishing the heavens with understanding; By his knowledge, the resounding deeps were burst open, and, the skies, drop down dew. My son, let them not depart from thine eyes, guard thou counsel, and purpose: So shall they become life to thy soul, and an adorning to thy neck; Then, shalt thou walk securely in thy way, and, thy foot, shall not stumble; When thou sittest down, thou shalt have no dread, yea thou shalt lie down, and sweet shall be thy sleep.
Hear, ye sons, the correction of a father, and attend, that ye may know understanding. For, good teaching, have I given you, mine instruction, do not ye forsake. For, a son, became I to my father, tender and most precious in the sight of my mother. read more.
So he taught me, and said to me - Let thy heart, lay hold of my words, Keep my commandments and live! Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, Do not forget, neither decline thou from the sayings of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard thee, - love her and she will keep thee. The principal thing, is wisdom, acquire thou wisdom, With all thine acquisition, acquire thou understanding. Exalt her, and she will set thee on high, she will bring thee to honour, when thou dust embrace her: She will give for thy head, a wreath of beauty, A crown of adorning, will she bestow upon thee. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and they will multiply to thee the years of life. In the way of wisdom, have I taught thee, I have guided thee in tracks of uprightness. When thou walkest, thy step shall not be hemmed in, and, if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of correction, let her not go, - keep her, for, she, is thy life.
So he taught me, and said to me - Let thy heart, lay hold of my words, Keep my commandments and live! Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, Do not forget, neither decline thou from the sayings of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard thee, - love her and she will keep thee. The principal thing, is wisdom, acquire thou wisdom, With all thine acquisition, acquire thou understanding. Exalt her, and she will set thee on high, she will bring thee to honour, when thou dust embrace her: She will give for thy head, a wreath of beauty, A crown of adorning, will she bestow upon thee. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and they will multiply to thee the years of life. In the way of wisdom, have I taught thee, I have guided thee in tracks of uprightness. When thou walkest, thy step shall not be hemmed in, and, if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of correction, let her not go, - keep her, for, she, is thy life.