Thematic Bible: Select readings
Thematic Bible
Christ » Devotions of » Select readings
and drew near and said, "Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee. Should not the Judge of all the world do according to right?" read more.
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
and tarried behind; himself alone. And there wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he could not prevail against him, he smote him under the thigh, and the sinew of Jacob's thigh shrank as he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." And he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." read more.
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
then went King David and set him down before the LORD and said, "What am I, Lord Jehovah, and what is my kin, that thou shouldest have brought me this far forth? And is this a small thing in thy sight Lord Jehovah, but that thou shouldest speak also of thy servant's house for a great while to come? Is this a law among men Lord Jehovah? And what can David say more unto thee, seeing thou knowest thy servant, Lord Jehovah? read more.
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the sight of all the congregation of Israel and stretched out his hands to heaven, and said, "LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above or in the earth beneath, that keepest appointment and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their hearts: which also hast kept with thy servants David my father, that thou promisedest him. Thou spakest with thy mouth and hast fulfilled with thine hand, as it is come to pass this day. read more.
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And it fortuned, as he was praying in a certain place: when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, "Master, teach us to pray; As John taught his disciples." And he said unto them, "When ye pray, say: O Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will, be fulfilled, even in earth as it is in heaven. Our daily bread give us this day evermore. read more.
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying, "There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying, 'Avenge me of mine adversary.' read more.
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
Daily duty » Select readings
See that none recompense evil for evil unto any man: but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice ever. Pray continually. read more.
In all things give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Quench not the spirit, despise not prophesying. Examine all things, and keep that which is good. Abstain from all suspicious things. The very God of peace sanctify you throughout. And I pray God that your whole spirit, soul, and body, be kept faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he, which called you: which will also do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you in the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. {The end of the First Epistle unto the Thessalonians, Sent from Athens.}
In all things give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Quench not the spirit, despise not prophesying. Examine all things, and keep that which is good. Abstain from all suspicious things. The very God of peace sanctify you throughout. And I pray God that your whole spirit, soul, and body, be kept faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he, which called you: which will also do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you in the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. {The end of the First Epistle unto the Thessalonians, Sent from Athens.}
The Dead » Resurrection of » Select readings
I would not, brethren, have you ignorant concerning them which are fallen asleep, that ye sorrow not as others do which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again: even so them also which sleep by Jesus, will God bring again with him. And this say we unto you in the word of the Lord, that we which live and are remaining in the coming of the Lord, shall not come before they which sleep. read more.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel, and trump of God. And the dead in Christ shall arise first: then shall we which live and remain, be caught up with them also in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Where-fore comfort yourselves one another with these words.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel, and trump of God. And the dead in Christ shall arise first: then shall we which live and remain, be caught up with them also in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Where-fore comfort yourselves one another with these words.
Acertain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed Jesus with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick, and his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." read more.
When Jesus that heard he said, "This infirmity is not unto death: But for the laud of God, that the son of God might be praised by the reason of it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. After he heard that he was sick, then abode he two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that said he to his disciples, "Let us go into Jewry again." His disciples said unto him, "Master, the Jews lately sought means to stone thee, and wilt thou go thither again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." This said he. And after that he said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out of sleep." Then said his disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, then shall he do well enough." Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of the natural sleep. Then said Jesus unto them, plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, because ye may believe. Nevertheless let us go unto him." Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Then went Jesus, and found that he had lain in his grave four days already. Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother. Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. But Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee." Jesus said unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on me; Yea though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" She said unto him, "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world." And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee." And she, as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came unto him. Jesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out: followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave, to weep there." Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead." When Jesus saw her weep, and the Jews also weep, which came with her; He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled in himself, and said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him." And some of them said, "Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that this man should not have died?" Jesus again groaned in himself and came to the grave: it was a cave, and a stone laid on it. And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days." Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes and said, "father I thank thee, because that thou hast heard me; I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth." And he that was dead, came forth bound hand and foot, with grave bonds after the manner as they were wont to bind their dead withal. And his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, "Loose him, and let him go."
When Jesus that heard he said, "This infirmity is not unto death: But for the laud of God, that the son of God might be praised by the reason of it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. After he heard that he was sick, then abode he two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that said he to his disciples, "Let us go into Jewry again." His disciples said unto him, "Master, the Jews lately sought means to stone thee, and wilt thou go thither again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." This said he. And after that he said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out of sleep." Then said his disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, then shall he do well enough." Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of the natural sleep. Then said Jesus unto them, plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, because ye may believe. Nevertheless let us go unto him." Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Then went Jesus, and found that he had lain in his grave four days already. Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother. Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. But Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee." Jesus said unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on me; Yea though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" She said unto him, "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world." And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee." And she, as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came unto him. Jesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out: followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave, to weep there." Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead." When Jesus saw her weep, and the Jews also weep, which came with her; He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled in himself, and said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him." And some of them said, "Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that this man should not have died?" Jesus again groaned in himself and came to the grave: it was a cave, and a stone laid on it. And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days." Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes and said, "father I thank thee, because that thou hast heard me; I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth." And he that was dead, came forth bound hand and foot, with grave bonds after the manner as they were wont to bind their dead withal. And his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, "Loose him, and let him go."
And when the Sabbath day was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary Joseph, and Salome, bought ointments, that they might come and anoint him. And early in the morning, the next day after the Sabbath day, they came unto the sepulchre when the sun was risen. And they said one to another, "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" read more.
And when they looked, they saw how the stone was rolled away. For it was a very great one, and they went into the sepulchre, and saw a young man, sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were abashed. And he said unto them, "Be not afraid. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He is risen, he is not here. Behold the place, where they put him. But go your way, and tell his disciples, and namely Peter, that he will go before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre. For they trembled, and were amazed. Neither said they anything to any man, for they were afraid. When Jesus was risen, the morrow after the Sabbath day he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he cast seven devils. And she went, and told them that were with him, as they mourned and wept. And though they heard that he was alive, and he had appeared to her: they believed it not. After that, he appeared unto two of them in a strange figure, as they walked and went into the country. And they went, and told it to the remnant. And they believed them neither. After that he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat: and cast in their teeth their unbelief, and hardness of heart: because they believed not them which had seen him after his resurrection.
And when they looked, they saw how the stone was rolled away. For it was a very great one, and they went into the sepulchre, and saw a young man, sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were abashed. And he said unto them, "Be not afraid. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He is risen, he is not here. Behold the place, where they put him. But go your way, and tell his disciples, and namely Peter, that he will go before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre. For they trembled, and were amazed. Neither said they anything to any man, for they were afraid. When Jesus was risen, the morrow after the Sabbath day he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he cast seven devils. And she went, and told them that were with him, as they mourned and wept. And though they heard that he was alive, and he had appeared to her: they believed it not. After that, he appeared unto two of them in a strange figure, as they walked and went into the country. And they went, and told it to the remnant. And they believed them neither. After that he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat: and cast in their teeth their unbelief, and hardness of heart: because they believed not them which had seen him after his resurrection.
On the morrow after the Sabbath, early in the morning, they came unto the tomb and brought the odours which they had prepared, and other women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and went in: but found not the body of the Lord Jesus. read more.
And it happened, as they were amazed thereat, behold, two men stood by them, in shining vestures. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: but is risen. Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet with you in Galilee, saying that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the remnant. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary Joseph; And others that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles, and their words seemed unto them feigned things, neither believed they them. Then arose Peter and ran unto the sepulchre, and stooped in; And saw the linen clothes laid by themself. And departed, wondering in himself at that which had happened. And behold, two of them went that same day to a town, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs, called Emmaus: and they talked together of all these things that had happened. And it chanced, as they communed together, and reasoned, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden, that they could not know him. And he said unto them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another as ye walk, and are sad?" And the one of them named Cleopas, answered, and said unto him, "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which have chanced therein in these days?" To whom he said, "What things?" And they said unto him, "Of Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet, mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people. And how the high priests, and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death: and have crucified him. But we trusted, that it should have been he that should have delivered Israel. And as touching all these things, today is even the third day, that they were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished: which came early unto the sepulchre, and found not his body. And came saying, that they had seen a vision of angels which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us, went their way to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not." And he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" And he began at Moses, and at all the prophets, and interpreted unto them, in all scriptures which were written of him. And they drew nigh unto the town which they went to. And he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, "Abide with us: for it draweth towards night, and the day is far passed." And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it unto them. And their eyes were opened. And they knew him. And he vanished out of their sight, and they said between themselves, "Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, as he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose up the same hour, and returned again to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, which said, "The Lord is risen in deed, and hath appeared to Simon." And they told what things was done in the way, and how they knew him in breaking of bread. As they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, "Peace be with you." And they were abashed, and afraid, supposing that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, "Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet: that it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands, and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, "Have ye here any meat?" And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and ate it before them. And he said unto them, "These are the words, which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms." Then opened he their wits, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, "Thus is it written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from death the third day.
And it happened, as they were amazed thereat, behold, two men stood by them, in shining vestures. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: but is risen. Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet with you in Galilee, saying that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the remnant. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary Joseph; And others that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles, and their words seemed unto them feigned things, neither believed they them. Then arose Peter and ran unto the sepulchre, and stooped in; And saw the linen clothes laid by themself. And departed, wondering in himself at that which had happened. And behold, two of them went that same day to a town, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs, called Emmaus: and they talked together of all these things that had happened. And it chanced, as they communed together, and reasoned, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden, that they could not know him. And he said unto them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another as ye walk, and are sad?" And the one of them named Cleopas, answered, and said unto him, "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which have chanced therein in these days?" To whom he said, "What things?" And they said unto him, "Of Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet, mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people. And how the high priests, and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death: and have crucified him. But we trusted, that it should have been he that should have delivered Israel. And as touching all these things, today is even the third day, that they were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished: which came early unto the sepulchre, and found not his body. And came saying, that they had seen a vision of angels which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us, went their way to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not." And he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" And he began at Moses, and at all the prophets, and interpreted unto them, in all scriptures which were written of him. And they drew nigh unto the town which they went to. And he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, "Abide with us: for it draweth towards night, and the day is far passed." And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it unto them. And their eyes were opened. And they knew him. And he vanished out of their sight, and they said between themselves, "Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, as he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose up the same hour, and returned again to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, which said, "The Lord is risen in deed, and hath appeared to Simon." And they told what things was done in the way, and how they knew him in breaking of bread. As they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, "Peace be with you." And they were abashed, and afraid, supposing that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, "Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet: that it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands, and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, "Have ye here any meat?" And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and ate it before them. And he said unto them, "These are the words, which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms." Then opened he their wits, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, "Thus is it written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from death the third day.
God » Wisdom of » Select readings
How cometh a man then by wisdom? Where is the place that men find understanding? Verily, no man can tell how worthy a thing she is, neither is she found in the land of the living. "The deep sayeth, 'She is not in me.' The sea sayeth, 'She is not with me.' read more.
She cannot be gotten for the most fine gold, neither may the price of her be bought with any money. No wedges of gold of Ophir, no precious Onyx stones, no Sapphire may be compared unto her. No, neither gold nor Crystal, neither sweet odours nor golden plate. There is nothing so worthy, or so excellent, as once to be named unto her: for perfect wisdom goeth far beyond them all. The Topaz that cometh out of Ethiopia may in no wise be likened unto her: yea, no manner of apparel how pleasant and fair soever it be. "From where then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? She is hid from the eyes of all men; yea, and from the fouls of the air. Destruction and death say, 'We have heard tell of her with our ears.' But God seeth her way, and knoweth her place. For he holdeth the ends of the world and looketh upon all that is under the heaven. When he weighed the winds, and measured the waters; When he set the rain in order, and gave the mighty floods a law; Then did he see her, then declared he her, prepared her and knew her. And unto man he said, 'Behold, to fear the LORD is wisdom: and to forsake evil, is understanding.'"
She cannot be gotten for the most fine gold, neither may the price of her be bought with any money. No wedges of gold of Ophir, no precious Onyx stones, no Sapphire may be compared unto her. No, neither gold nor Crystal, neither sweet odours nor golden plate. There is nothing so worthy, or so excellent, as once to be named unto her: for perfect wisdom goeth far beyond them all. The Topaz that cometh out of Ethiopia may in no wise be likened unto her: yea, no manner of apparel how pleasant and fair soever it be. "From where then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? She is hid from the eyes of all men; yea, and from the fouls of the air. Destruction and death say, 'We have heard tell of her with our ears.' But God seeth her way, and knoweth her place. For he holdeth the ends of the world and looketh upon all that is under the heaven. When he weighed the winds, and measured the waters; When he set the rain in order, and gave the mighty floods a law; Then did he see her, then declared he her, prepared her and knew her. And unto man he said, 'Behold, to fear the LORD is wisdom: and to forsake evil, is understanding.'"
Well is him that findeth wisdom, and obtaineth understanding, for the getting of it is better than any merchandise of silver, and the profit of it is better than gold. Wisdom is more worth than precious stones, and all the things that thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. read more.
Upon her righthand is long life, and upon her left hand is riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceable. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and blessed are they that keep her fast. With wisdom hath the LORD laid the foundation of the earth, and through understanding hath he established the heavens. Through his wisdom the depths break up, and the clouds drop down of the dew. My son, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but keep my law and my counsel: So shall it be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy mouth. Then shalt thou walk safely in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble. If thou sleepest thou shalt not be afraid, but shall take thy rest and sleep sweetly.
Upon her righthand is long life, and upon her left hand is riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceable. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and blessed are they that keep her fast. With wisdom hath the LORD laid the foundation of the earth, and through understanding hath he established the heavens. Through his wisdom the depths break up, and the clouds drop down of the dew. My son, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but keep my law and my counsel: So shall it be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy mouth. Then shalt thou walk safely in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble. If thou sleepest thou shalt not be afraid, but shall take thy rest and sleep sweetly.
Hear, O ye children, the fatherly exhortation, and take good heed, that ye may learn wisdom. Yea I shall give you a good reward, if ye will not forsake my law. For when I myself was my father's dear son, and tenderly beloved of my mother, read more.
he taught me also, saying, "Let thine heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live. Get thee wisdom, get thee understanding, forget not the words of my mouth, and shrink not from them. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. The chief point of wisdom is that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding. Make much of her and she shall promote thee: Yea, if thou embracest her, she shall bring thee unto honour. She shall make thee a gracious head, and garnish thee with the crown of glory." Hear, my son, and receive my words, that the years of thy life may be many. I will show thee the way of wisdom, and lead thee in the right paths. So that if thou goest therein, there shall no straitness hinder thee: and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall. Take fast hold of doctrine, let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.
he taught me also, saying, "Let thine heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live. Get thee wisdom, get thee understanding, forget not the words of my mouth, and shrink not from them. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. The chief point of wisdom is that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding. Make much of her and she shall promote thee: Yea, if thou embracest her, she shall bring thee unto honour. She shall make thee a gracious head, and garnish thee with the crown of glory." Hear, my son, and receive my words, that the years of thy life may be many. I will show thee the way of wisdom, and lead thee in the right paths. So that if thou goest therein, there shall no straitness hinder thee: and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall. Take fast hold of doctrine, let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.
spiritual Growth » Encouraged » Select readings
Whereof we have many things to say which are hard to be uttered: because ye are dull of hearing. For when as concerning the time, ye ought to be teachers, yet have ye need again that we teach you the first principles of the word of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat: For every man that is fed with milk is inexpert in the word of righteousness: For he is but a babe. read more.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are perfect, which through custom have their wits exercised, to judge both good and evil also.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are perfect, which through custom have their wits exercised, to judge both good and evil also.
Wherefore, let us leave the doctrine pertaining to the beginning of a Christian man, and let us go unto perfection, and now no more lay the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of baptism, of doctrine, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection from death, and of eternal judgment. And so will we do, if God permit. read more.
For it is not possible that they which were once lighted, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were become partakers of the holy ghost, and have tasted of the good word of God, and of the power of the world to come; if they fall away, should be renewed again unto repentance: Forasmuch as they have, as concerning themselves, crucified the son of God afresh, making a mock of him. For that earth which drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them that dress it, receiveth blessing of God: but that ground, which beareth thorns and briars, is reproved, and is nigh unto cursing: whose end is to be burned. Nevertheless dear friends, we trust to see better of you, and things which accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous that he should forget your work and labour that proceedeth of love, which love showed in his name, which have ministered unto the saints, and yet minister. Yea, and we desire that every one of you show the same diligence, to the establishing of hope, even unto the end: that ye faint not, but follow them which through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he had no greater thing to swear by, he sware by himself, saying, "Surely I will bless thee, and multiply thee indeed." And so after that he had tarried a long time, he enjoyed the promises. Men verily swear by him that is greater than themselves; And an oath to confirm the thing, is among them an end of all strife.
For it is not possible that they which were once lighted, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were become partakers of the holy ghost, and have tasted of the good word of God, and of the power of the world to come; if they fall away, should be renewed again unto repentance: Forasmuch as they have, as concerning themselves, crucified the son of God afresh, making a mock of him. For that earth which drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them that dress it, receiveth blessing of God: but that ground, which beareth thorns and briars, is reproved, and is nigh unto cursing: whose end is to be burned. Nevertheless dear friends, we trust to see better of you, and things which accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous that he should forget your work and labour that proceedeth of love, which love showed in his name, which have ministered unto the saints, and yet minister. Yea, and we desire that every one of you show the same diligence, to the establishing of hope, even unto the end: that ye faint not, but follow them which through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he had no greater thing to swear by, he sware by himself, saying, "Surely I will bless thee, and multiply thee indeed." And so after that he had tarried a long time, he enjoyed the promises. Men verily swear by him that is greater than themselves; And an oath to confirm the thing, is among them an end of all strife.
Heavenly » Home heavenly home the final dwelling place of the saints » Select readings
And I say also unto you, Make you friends of the wicked mammon, that when ye shall have need they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Verse Concepts
Importunity » Select readings
and drew near and said, "Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee. Should not the Judge of all the world do according to right?" read more.
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
and tarried behind; himself alone. And there wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he could not prevail against him, he smote him under the thigh, and the sinew of Jacob's thigh shrank as he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." And he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." read more.
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
then went King David and set him down before the LORD and said, "What am I, Lord Jehovah, and what is my kin, that thou shouldest have brought me this far forth? And is this a small thing in thy sight Lord Jehovah, but that thou shouldest speak also of thy servant's house for a great while to come? Is this a law among men Lord Jehovah? And what can David say more unto thee, seeing thou knowest thy servant, Lord Jehovah? read more.
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the sight of all the congregation of Israel and stretched out his hands to heaven, and said, "LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above or in the earth beneath, that keepest appointment and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their hearts: which also hast kept with thy servants David my father, that thou promisedest him. Thou spakest with thy mouth and hast fulfilled with thine hand, as it is come to pass this day. read more.
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And it fortuned, as he was praying in a certain place: when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, "Master, teach us to pray; As John taught his disciples." And he said unto them, "When ye pray, say: O Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will, be fulfilled, even in earth as it is in heaven. Our daily bread give us this day evermore. read more.
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying, "There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying, 'Avenge me of mine adversary.' read more.
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
Prayer » Select readings
and drew near and said, "Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee. Should not the Judge of all the world do according to right?" read more.
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
and tarried behind; himself alone. And there wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he could not prevail against him, he smote him under the thigh, and the sinew of Jacob's thigh shrank as he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." And he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." read more.
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
then went King David and set him down before the LORD and said, "What am I, Lord Jehovah, and what is my kin, that thou shouldest have brought me this far forth? And is this a small thing in thy sight Lord Jehovah, but that thou shouldest speak also of thy servant's house for a great while to come? Is this a law among men Lord Jehovah? And what can David say more unto thee, seeing thou knowest thy servant, Lord Jehovah? read more.
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the sight of all the congregation of Israel and stretched out his hands to heaven, and said, "LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above or in the earth beneath, that keepest appointment and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their hearts: which also hast kept with thy servants David my father, that thou promisedest him. Thou spakest with thy mouth and hast fulfilled with thine hand, as it is come to pass this day. read more.
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And it fortuned, as he was praying in a certain place: when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, "Master, teach us to pray; As John taught his disciples." And he said unto them, "When ye pray, say: O Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will, be fulfilled, even in earth as it is in heaven. Our daily bread give us this day evermore. read more.
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying, "There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying, 'Avenge me of mine adversary.' read more.
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
Select readings » The raising of lazarus
Acertain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed Jesus with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick, and his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."
Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother. Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. But Mary sat still in the house. read more.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee." Jesus said unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on me; Yea though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" She said unto him, "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world." And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee." And she, as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came unto him. Jesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out: followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave, to weep there." Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead." When Jesus saw her weep, and the Jews also weep, which came with her; He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled in himself, and said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him." And some of them said, "Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that this man should not have died?" Jesus again groaned in himself and came to the grave: it was a cave, and a stone laid on it. And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days." Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes and said, "father I thank thee, because that thou hast heard me; I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth." And he that was dead, came forth bound hand and foot, with grave bonds after the manner as they were wont to bind their dead withal. And his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, "Loose him, and let him go." Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee." Jesus said unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on me; Yea though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" She said unto him, "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world." And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee." And she, as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came unto him. Jesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out: followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave, to weep there." Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead." When Jesus saw her weep, and the Jews also weep, which came with her; He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled in himself, and said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him." And some of them said, "Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that this man should not have died?" Jesus again groaned in himself and came to the grave: it was a cave, and a stone laid on it. And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days." Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes and said, "father I thank thee, because that thou hast heard me; I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth." And he that was dead, came forth bound hand and foot, with grave bonds after the manner as they were wont to bind their dead withal. And his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, "Loose him, and let him go." Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
Select readings » David's lament over absalom
Then said Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, "Let me run I pray thee, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath judged him quite of the hands of all his enemies." And Joab said unto him, "Thou art no man to bear tidings today. Thou shalt bear tidings another time: but today thou shalt bear none, because the king's son is dead. Then said Joab to Cushi, "Go and tell the king what thou hast seen." And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab and ran. read more.
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok again to Joab, "Come what will, let me run, I pray thee, after Cushi." And Joab said, "Wherefore shouldest thou run my son? For and thou run thou gettest no reward." He answered, "Well, come what will; let me run." And he said unto him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the plain and overran Cushi. And David sat between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes and saw: and behold, there came a man running alone. And the watchman called and told the king. And the king said, "If he come alone, there is tidings in his mouth." And he came and drew nigh. And the watchman saw another man running, and called unto the porter and said, "Behold, there cometh another running alone." And the king answered, "He is also a tidings bringer." And the watchman said, "Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." And the king said, "He is a good man and cometh with good tidings." And Ahimaaz called and said to the king, "Good tidings," and bowed himself to the earth upon his face before the king and said, "Blessed be the LORD thy God which hath shut up all the men that lifted up their hands against my Lord the king." And the king said, "Is the lad Absalom safe?" And Ahimaaz answered, "I saw a great ado, when the king's servant Joab sent me thy servant. But I know not what it was." And the king said, "Turn and stand here." And he turned and stood. And behold, Cushi came and said, "Tidings, my lord the king: the LORD hath quite thee this day out of the hands of all that rose against thee." And the king said to Cushi, "Is the lad Absalom safe?" And Cushi answered, "The enemies of my lord the king and all that rise against thee, to have thee, be as thy lad is." And the king was moved and went up to a chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went thus he said, "My son Absalom, my son, my son, my son Absalom, would to God I had died for thee Absalom, my son, my son."
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok again to Joab, "Come what will, let me run, I pray thee, after Cushi." And Joab said, "Wherefore shouldest thou run my son? For and thou run thou gettest no reward." He answered, "Well, come what will; let me run." And he said unto him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the plain and overran Cushi. And David sat between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes and saw: and behold, there came a man running alone. And the watchman called and told the king. And the king said, "If he come alone, there is tidings in his mouth." And he came and drew nigh. And the watchman saw another man running, and called unto the porter and said, "Behold, there cometh another running alone." And the king answered, "He is also a tidings bringer." And the watchman said, "Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." And the king said, "He is a good man and cometh with good tidings." And Ahimaaz called and said to the king, "Good tidings," and bowed himself to the earth upon his face before the king and said, "Blessed be the LORD thy God which hath shut up all the men that lifted up their hands against my Lord the king." And the king said, "Is the lad Absalom safe?" And Ahimaaz answered, "I saw a great ado, when the king's servant Joab sent me thy servant. But I know not what it was." And the king said, "Turn and stand here." And he turned and stood. And behold, Cushi came and said, "Tidings, my lord the king: the LORD hath quite thee this day out of the hands of all that rose against thee." And the king said to Cushi, "Is the lad Absalom safe?" And Cushi answered, "The enemies of my lord the king and all that rise against thee, to have thee, be as thy lad is." And the king was moved and went up to a chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went thus he said, "My son Absalom, my son, my son, my son Absalom, would to God I had died for thee Absalom, my son, my son."
Select readings » The betrayal of jesus by judas iscariot
While he yet spake: behold, there came a company: and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and pressed nigh unto Jesus to kiss him. And Jesus said unto him, "Judas, betrayest thou the son of man with a kiss?" When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, "Lord, shall we smite with a sword?" read more.
And one of them smote a servant of him which was the highest priest of all, and smote off his right ear. And Jesus answered, and said, "Suffer ye thus far forth." And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said unto the high priests and rulers of the temple and the elders which were come to him, "Be ye come out, as unto a thief: with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth hands against me. But this is even your very hour, and the power of darkness." Then took they him, and led him, and brought him to the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. When they had kindled a fire in the midst of the palace, and were set down together, Peter also sat down among them. And one of the wenches, as he sat, beheld him by the fire and set good eyesight on him, and said, "This same was also with him." Then he denied him, saying, "Woman I know him not." And after a little while, another saw him and said, "Thou art also of them." And Peter said, "Man I am not." And about the space of a hour after, another affirmed, saying, "Verily even this fellow was with him, for he is of Galilee." And Peter said, "Man, I know not what thou sayest." And immediately while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned back and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the words of the Lord, how he said unto him, "Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice." And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
And one of them smote a servant of him which was the highest priest of all, and smote off his right ear. And Jesus answered, and said, "Suffer ye thus far forth." And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said unto the high priests and rulers of the temple and the elders which were come to him, "Be ye come out, as unto a thief: with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth hands against me. But this is even your very hour, and the power of darkness." Then took they him, and led him, and brought him to the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. When they had kindled a fire in the midst of the palace, and were set down together, Peter also sat down among them. And one of the wenches, as he sat, beheld him by the fire and set good eyesight on him, and said, "This same was also with him." Then he denied him, saying, "Woman I know him not." And after a little while, another saw him and said, "Thou art also of them." And Peter said, "Man I am not." And about the space of a hour after, another affirmed, saying, "Verily even this fellow was with him, for he is of Galilee." And Peter said, "Man, I know not what thou sayest." And immediately while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned back and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the words of the Lord, how he said unto him, "Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice." And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Select readings » The parable of the good samaritan
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, "Master what shall I do, to inherit eternal life?" He said unto him, "What is written in the law? How readest thou?" And he answered and said, "Thou shalt love thy Lord God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself." read more.
And he said unto him, "Thou hast answered right. This do and thou shalt live." He, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "Who is then my neighbor?" Jesus answered and said, "A certain man descended from Jerusalem into Jericho; And fell into the hands of thieves, which robbed him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance, there came a certain priest that same way, and when he saw him, he passed by. And likewise a Levite, when he was come nigh to the place, went and looked on him, and passed by. Then a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came nigh unto him: and when he saw him, had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, and poured in wine, and oil, and put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and made provision for him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host and said unto him, 'Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will recompense thee.' Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell into the thieves hands?" And he said, "He that showed mercy on him." Then said Jesus unto him, "Go and do thou likewise."
And he said unto him, "Thou hast answered right. This do and thou shalt live." He, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "Who is then my neighbor?" Jesus answered and said, "A certain man descended from Jerusalem into Jericho; And fell into the hands of thieves, which robbed him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance, there came a certain priest that same way, and when he saw him, he passed by. And likewise a Levite, when he was come nigh to the place, went and looked on him, and passed by. Then a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came nigh unto him: and when he saw him, had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, and poured in wine, and oil, and put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and made provision for him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host and said unto him, 'Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will recompense thee.' Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell into the thieves hands?" And he said, "He that showed mercy on him." Then said Jesus unto him, "Go and do thou likewise."
Select readings » Elijah's miraculous preservation
And Elijah the Tishbite, which was of the inhabiters of Gilead, said unto Ahab, "As truly as the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, save as I appoint it." And the word of God came to him, saying, "Get thee hence and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself in the brook Cherith that lieth before Jordan. read more.
Drink of the river for I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there." And he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that lieth before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh every morning and every evening, and he drank of the brook. And it chanced after a while that the brook dried up, because there fell no rain upon the earth. Then came the word of the LORD unto him, saying, "Up, and get thee to Zarephath a city of Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain thee." And he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, there was a widow there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a dish that I may drink." And as she went to fetch it, he cried to her and said, "Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand." And she answered, "As surely as the LORD thy God liveth, I have no bread, but even a handful of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a cruse. And see, I have gathered a few sticks for to go and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it and then die." And Elijah said unto her, "Fear not, but go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first of all, and bring it out to me, and afterward make for thee and thy son. For thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'The pitcher of meal shall not be wasted, neither shall thy oil cruse be without oil, until the LORD have sent rain upon the earth.'" And she went and did as Elijah bade. And she and he and her house did eat a good space, and the pitcher of meal wasted not neither was the oil cruse without oil according to the word of the LORD which he spake through Elijah.
Drink of the river for I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there." And he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that lieth before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh every morning and every evening, and he drank of the brook. And it chanced after a while that the brook dried up, because there fell no rain upon the earth. Then came the word of the LORD unto him, saying, "Up, and get thee to Zarephath a city of Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain thee." And he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, there was a widow there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a dish that I may drink." And as she went to fetch it, he cried to her and said, "Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand." And she answered, "As surely as the LORD thy God liveth, I have no bread, but even a handful of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a cruse. And see, I have gathered a few sticks for to go and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it and then die." And Elijah said unto her, "Fear not, but go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first of all, and bring it out to me, and afterward make for thee and thy son. For thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'The pitcher of meal shall not be wasted, neither shall thy oil cruse be without oil, until the LORD have sent rain upon the earth.'" And she went and did as Elijah bade. And she and he and her house did eat a good space, and the pitcher of meal wasted not neither was the oil cruse without oil according to the word of the LORD 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 to his father, father, give me my part of the goods that to me belongeth. And he divided unto them his substance. And not long after, the younger son gathered all that he had together, and took his journey into a far country, and there he wasted his goods with riotous living. read more.
And when he had spent all that he had, there rose a great dearth throughout all that same land. And he began to lack. And he went, and clave to a citizen of that same country, which sent him to his field, to keep his swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the cods, that the swine ate: and no man gave him. Then he came to himself and said, 'How many hired servants at my father's have bread enough, and I die for hunger. I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.' And he arose, and went to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran unto him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy henceforth to be called thy son.' But his father said to his servants, 'Bring forth that best garment, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither that fatted calf, and kill him, and let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is now found.' And they began to be merry. The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing, and called one of his servants, and asked what those things meant. And he said unto him, 'Thy brother is come, and thy father had killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.' And he was angry, and would not go in. Then came his father out, and entreated him. He answered, and said to his father, 'Lo these many years have I done thee service, neither brake at any time thy commandment, and yet gavest thou me never so much as a kid to make merry with my lovers: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy goods with harlots, thou hast for his pleasure killed the fatted calf.' And he said unto him, 'Son, thou wast ever with me, and all that I have is thine: it was mete that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is found.'"
And when he had spent all that he had, there rose a great dearth throughout all that same land. And he began to lack. And he went, and clave to a citizen of that same country, which sent him to his field, to keep his swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the cods, that the swine ate: and no man gave him. Then he came to himself and said, 'How many hired servants at my father's have bread enough, and I die for hunger. I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.' And he arose, and went to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran unto him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy henceforth to be called thy son.' But his father said to his servants, 'Bring forth that best garment, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither that fatted calf, and kill him, and let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is now found.' And they began to be merry. The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing, and called one of his servants, and asked what those things meant. And he said unto him, 'Thy brother is come, and thy father had killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.' And he was angry, and would not go in. Then came his father out, and entreated him. He answered, and said to his father, 'Lo these many years have I done thee service, neither brake at any time thy commandment, and yet gavest thou me never so much as a kid to make merry with my lovers: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy goods with harlots, thou hast for his pleasure killed the fatted calf.' And he said unto him, 'Son, thou wast ever with me, and all that I have is thine: it was mete that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is found.'"
Select readings » The brevity of life
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of divers miseries. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower. He flyeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one state. Doest thou open thine eyes upon such one, and bringest me in thy judgment? read more.
Who can make it clean, that cometh from an unclean thing? Nobody. The days of man are short, the number of his months are known only to thee. Thou hast appointed him his bounds; he cannot go beyond them. Go from him, that he may rest until his day come: which he looketh for, like as a hireling doth. "If a tree be cut down, there is some hope yet, that it will sprout and shoot forth the branches again; For though a root be waxen old and dead in the ground, yet when the stock getteth the scent of water, it will bud, and bring forth bows, like as when it was first planted. But as for man; when he is dead, perished and consumed away, what becometh of him?
Who can make it clean, that cometh from an unclean thing? Nobody. The days of man are short, the number of his months are known only to thee. Thou hast appointed him his bounds; he cannot go beyond them. Go from him, that he may rest until his day come: which he looketh for, like as a hireling doth. "If a tree be cut down, there is some hope yet, that it will sprout and shoot forth the branches again; For though a root be waxen old and dead in the ground, yet when the stock getteth the scent of water, it will bud, and bring forth bows, like as when it was first planted. But as for man; when he is dead, perished and consumed away, what becometh of him?
Select readings » Paul on mars' hill
Paul stood in the midst of Mars Street and said, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld the manner how ye worship your gods, I found an altar wherein was written, Unto the unknown God. Whom ye then ignorantly worship, him show I unto you: God, that made the world, and all that are in it, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, he dwelleth not in temples made with hands, read more.
neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed of any thing. Seeing he himself giveth life and breath to all men everywhere, and hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth; and hath assigned before: how long time, and also the ends of their inhabitation. That they should seek God, if they might feel and find him: though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, move, and have our being, as certain of your own poets said. For we are also his generation. Forasmuch then as we are the generation of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, silver, or stone, graven by craft and imagination of man. And the time of this ignorance God regarded not: but now he biddeth all men everywhere to repent, because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world according to righteousness, by that man, whom he hath appointed, and hath offered faith to all men, after that he had raised him from death."
neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed of any thing. Seeing he himself giveth life and breath to all men everywhere, and hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth; and hath assigned before: how long time, and also the ends of their inhabitation. That they should seek God, if they might feel and find him: though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, move, and have our being, as certain of your own poets said. For we are also his generation. Forasmuch then as we are the generation of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, silver, or stone, graven by craft and imagination of man. And the time of this ignorance God regarded not: but now he biddeth all men everywhere to repent, because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world according to righteousness, by that man, whom he hath appointed, and hath offered faith to all men, after that he had raised him from death."
Select readings » Judah's defense
Then Judah went unto him and said, "O my lord, let thy servant speak a word in my lord's audience, and be not wroth with thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. My lord asked his servant, saying, 'Have ye a father or a brother?' And we answered my lord, 'We have a father that is old, and a young lad which he begat in his age: and the brother of the said lad is dead, and he is all that is left of that mother. And his father loveth him.' read more.
Then said my lord unto his servants, 'Bring him unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.' And we answered my lord, that the lad could not go from his father, 'For if he should leave his father, he were but a dead man.' Then saidest thou unto thy servants, 'Except your youngest brother come with you, look that ye see my face no more.' And when we came unto thy servant our father, we showed him what my lord had said. And when our father said unto us, 'Go again and buy us a little food,' we said that we could not go. 'Nevertheless, if our youngest brother go with us then will we go, for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.' Then said thy servant our father unto us, 'Ye know that my wife bare me two sons. And the one went out from me and it is said of a surety that he is torn in pieces of wild beasts, and I saw him not since. If ye shall take this also away from me and some misfortune happen upon him, then shall ye bring my gray head with sorrow unto the grave.' Now therefore, when I come to thy servant my father, if the lad be not with me - seeing that his life hangeth by the lad's life - then as soon as he seeth that the lad is not come, he will die. So shall we thy servants bring the gray head of thy servant our father with sorrow unto the grave. For I thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father and said, 'If I bring him not unto thee again. I will bear the blame all my life long.' Now therefore let me thy servant bide here for the lad, and be my lord's bondman: and let the lad go home with his brethren. For how can I go unto my father, and the lad not with me: lest I should see the wretchedness that shall come on my father?"
Then said my lord unto his servants, 'Bring him unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.' And we answered my lord, that the lad could not go from his father, 'For if he should leave his father, he were but a dead man.' Then saidest thou unto thy servants, 'Except your youngest brother come with you, look that ye see my face no more.' And when we came unto thy servant our father, we showed him what my lord had said. And when our father said unto us, 'Go again and buy us a little food,' we said that we could not go. 'Nevertheless, if our youngest brother go with us then will we go, for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.' Then said thy servant our father unto us, 'Ye know that my wife bare me two sons. And the one went out from me and it is said of a surety that he is torn in pieces of wild beasts, and I saw him not since. If ye shall take this also away from me and some misfortune happen upon him, then shall ye bring my gray head with sorrow unto the grave.' Now therefore, when I come to thy servant my father, if the lad be not with me - seeing that his life hangeth by the lad's life - then as soon as he seeth that the lad is not come, he will die. So shall we thy servants bring the gray head of thy servant our father with sorrow unto the grave. For I thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father and said, 'If I bring him not unto thee again. I will bear the blame all my life long.' Now therefore let me thy servant bide here for the lad, and be my lord's bondman: and let the lad go home with his brethren. For how can I go unto my father, and the lad not with me: lest I should see the wretchedness that shall come on my father?"
Select readings » Paul and silas in prison
And it fortuned as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit that prophesied met us, which brought her master and masters much vantage with prophesying. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, "These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation." And this did she many days. But Paul, not content, turned about and said to the spirit, "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ that thou come out of her." And he came out the same hour. read more.
And when her master and mistress saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought them to the officers, saying, "These men trouble our city, which are Jews and preach ordinances which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, seeing we are Romans." And the people ran on them, and the officers rent their clothes, and commanded them to be beaten with rods, and when they had beaten them sore, they cast them into prison commanding the jailer to keep them surely. Which jailer, when he had received such commandment, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and lauded God. And the prisoners heard them. And suddenly, there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison was shaken, and by and by all the doors opened, and every man's bonds were loosed. When the keeper of the prison waked out of his sleep, and saw the prison doors open, he drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice saying, "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here." Then he called for a light and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy household." And they preached unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and was baptised, with all that belonged unto him, straightway. When he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and joyed that he with all his household believed on God. And when it was day, the officers sent the ministers saying, "Let those men go." The keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, "The officers have sent word to loose you. Now therefore get you hence and go in peace." Then said Paul unto them, "They have beaten us, openly un-condemned, for all that we are Romans, and have cast us into prison: and now would they send us away privily? Nay not so, but let them come themselves and fetch us out." When the ministers told these words unto the officers, they feared when they heard that they were Romans; and came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And they went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lydia, and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.
And when her master and mistress saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought them to the officers, saying, "These men trouble our city, which are Jews and preach ordinances which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, seeing we are Romans." And the people ran on them, and the officers rent their clothes, and commanded them to be beaten with rods, and when they had beaten them sore, they cast them into prison commanding the jailer to keep them surely. Which jailer, when he had received such commandment, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and lauded God. And the prisoners heard them. And suddenly, there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison was shaken, and by and by all the doors opened, and every man's bonds were loosed. When the keeper of the prison waked out of his sleep, and saw the prison doors open, he drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice saying, "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here." Then he called for a light and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy household." And they preached unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and was baptised, with all that belonged unto him, straightway. When he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and joyed that he with all his household believed on God. And when it was day, the officers sent the ministers saying, "Let those men go." The keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, "The officers have sent word to loose you. Now therefore get you hence and go in peace." Then said Paul unto them, "They have beaten us, openly un-condemned, for all that we are Romans, and have cast us into prison: and now would they send us away privily? Nay not so, but let them come themselves and fetch us out." When the ministers told these words unto the officers, they feared when they heard that they were Romans; and came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And they went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lydia, and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.
Select readings » The majesty of God
Thy way, O God, is holy: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders, and hast declared thy power among the people. Thou, with thine arm, hast delivered thy people, even the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. read more.
The waters saw thee, O God; the waters saw thee, and were afraid, the depths were moved. The thick clouds poured out water, the air thundered, and thine arrows went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was heard round about; the lightnings shone upon the ground. The earth was moved, and shook withal. Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters; and thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest thy people like sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The waters saw thee, O God; the waters saw thee, and were afraid, the depths were moved. The thick clouds poured out water, the air thundered, and thine arrows went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was heard round about; the lightnings shone upon the ground. The earth was moved, and shook withal. Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters; and thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest thy people like sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
God cometh from Teman, and the holy one from the mount of Paran. Selah. His glory covereth the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise. His shine is as the sun, and beams of light go out of his hands; there is his power hid. Destruction goeth before him, and burning cressettes go from his feet. read more.
He standeth, and measureth the earth. He looketh, and the people consume away, the mountains of the world fall down to powder, and the hills are fain to bow themselves, for his goings are everlasting and sure. I saw, that the pavilions of the Ethiopians and the tents of the land of Midian were vexed for weariness. Wast thou not angry, O LORD, in the waters? Was not thy wrath in the floods, and thy displeasure in the sea? Yes, when thou sattest upon thine horse, and when thy chariots had the victory. Thou showedest thy bow openly, like as thou hadst promised with an oath unto the tribes. Selah. Thou didst divide the waters of the earth. The mountains saw thee, and they tembled, the water stream went away: the deep made a noise at the lifting up of thine hand. The Sun and Moon remained still in their habitation. Thine arrows went out glistering, and thy spears as the shine of the lightning. Thou troddest down the land in thine anger, and didst thrash the Heathen in thy displeasure.
He standeth, and measureth the earth. He looketh, and the people consume away, the mountains of the world fall down to powder, and the hills are fain to bow themselves, for his goings are everlasting and sure. I saw, that the pavilions of the Ethiopians and the tents of the land of Midian were vexed for weariness. Wast thou not angry, O LORD, in the waters? Was not thy wrath in the floods, and thy displeasure in the sea? Yes, when thou sattest upon thine horse, and when thy chariots had the victory. Thou showedest thy bow openly, like as thou hadst promised with an oath unto the tribes. Selah. Thou didst divide the waters of the earth. The mountains saw thee, and they tembled, the water stream went away: the deep made a noise at the lifting up of thine hand. The Sun and Moon remained still in their habitation. Thine arrows went out glistering, and thy spears as the shine of the lightning. Thou troddest down the land in thine anger, and didst thrash the Heathen in thy displeasure.
Select readings » Song of moses when pharaoh and his army were overthrown
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto the LORD, and said, "Let us sing unto the LORD, for he is become glorious, the horse and him that rode upon him hath he overthrown in the sea! The LORD is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation. He is my God, and I will glorify him! He is my father's God, and I will lift him up on high! The LORD is a man of war, Jehovah is his name: read more.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea. His jolly captains are drowned in the reed sea; the deep waters have covered them; they sank to the bottom as a stone. Thine hand, LORD, is glorious in power, thine hand, LORD, hath all to dashed the enemy. And with thy great glory thou hast destroyed thine adversaries! Thou sentest forth thy wrath and it consumed them, even as stubble. With the breath of thine anger the water gathered together and the floods stood still as a rock, and the deep water congealed together in the midst of the sea. The enemy said, 'I will follow and overtake them, and will divide the spoil: I will satisfy my lust upon them: I will draw my sword, and mine hand shall destroy them.' Thou blewest with thy breath and the sea covered them, and they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among gods? Who is like thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful, laudable and that showest wonders? Thou stretchedest out thy right hand, and in the earth swallowed them. And thou carriedest with thy mercy this people which thou deliveredest, and broughtest them with thy strength unto thy holy habitation! The nations heard, and were afraid. Pangs came upon the Philistines. Then the dukes of the Edomites were amazed, and trembling came upon the mightiest of the Moabites, and all the inhabiters of Canaan waxed faint-hearted. Let fear and dread fall upon them through the greatness of thine arm, and let them be as still as a stone, while thy people pass through, O LORD; while the people pass through, which thou hast gotten. Bring them in and plant them in the mountains of thine inheritance, the place, LORD, which thou hast made for to dwell in, the sanctuary, LORD, which thy hands have prepared. The LORD reign ever and always!" For Pharaoh went in on horseback with his chariots and horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought the waters of the sea upon them. And the children of Israel went on dry land through the midst of the sea.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea. His jolly captains are drowned in the reed sea; the deep waters have covered them; they sank to the bottom as a stone. Thine hand, LORD, is glorious in power, thine hand, LORD, hath all to dashed the enemy. And with thy great glory thou hast destroyed thine adversaries! Thou sentest forth thy wrath and it consumed them, even as stubble. With the breath of thine anger the water gathered together and the floods stood still as a rock, and the deep water congealed together in the midst of the sea. The enemy said, 'I will follow and overtake them, and will divide the spoil: I will satisfy my lust upon them: I will draw my sword, and mine hand shall destroy them.' Thou blewest with thy breath and the sea covered them, and they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among gods? Who is like thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful, laudable and that showest wonders? Thou stretchedest out thy right hand, and in the earth swallowed them. And thou carriedest with thy mercy this people which thou deliveredest, and broughtest them with thy strength unto thy holy habitation! The nations heard, and were afraid. Pangs came upon the Philistines. Then the dukes of the Edomites were amazed, and trembling came upon the mightiest of the Moabites, and all the inhabiters of Canaan waxed faint-hearted. Let fear and dread fall upon them through the greatness of thine arm, and let them be as still as a stone, while thy people pass through, O LORD; while the people pass through, which thou hast gotten. Bring them in and plant them in the mountains of thine inheritance, the place, LORD, which thou hast made for to dwell in, the sanctuary, LORD, which thy hands have prepared. The LORD reign ever and always!" For Pharaoh went in on horseback with his chariots and horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought the waters of the sea upon them. And the children of Israel went on dry land through the midst of the sea.
Select readings » The deliverance of the israelites from pharaoh
And when it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled, then Pharaoh's heart and all his servants turned unto the people and said, "Why have we this done, that we have let Israel go out of our service?" And he made ready his chariots and took his people with him, and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the chariots of Egypt and captains upon all his people. read more.
For the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, that he followed after the children of Israel which for all that went out through a high hand. And the Egyptians followed after them and overtook them where they pitched by the sea, with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh and with his horsemen and his host: even fast by the entering of Hiroth before Baalzephon. And Pharaoh drew nigh, and when the children of Israel lift up their eyes and saw how the Egyptians followed after them, they were sore afraid and cried out unto the LORD. Then said they unto Moses, "Were there no graves for us in Egypt, but thou must bring us away for to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou served us thus, for to carry us out of Egypt? Did not we tell thee this in Egypt saying, 'Let us be in rest and serve the Egyptians?' For it had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than for to die in the wilderness." And Moses said unto the people, "Fear ye not, but stand still and behold how the LORD shall save you this day: For as ye see the Egyptians this day, shall ye see them no more forever till the world's end. The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace." The LORD said unto Moses, "Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward. But lift thou up thy rod and stretch out thy hand over the sea and divide it asunder, that the children of Israel may go on dry ground through the midst thereof. And behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians that they may follow you. And I will get me honour upon Pharaoh and upon all his host, upon his chariots and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots and upon his horsemen." And the angel of God which went before the host of Israel, removed and went behind them. And the clouden pillar that was before them removed and stood behind them and went between the host of the Egyptians and the host of Israel. It was a dark cloud, and gave light by night: so that all the night long the one could not come at the other. When now Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, the LORD carried away the sea with a strong east wind that blew all night, and made the sea dry land and the water divided itself. And the children of Israel went in through the midst of the sea upon the dry ground. And the water was a wall unto them, both on their right hand and on their left hand. And the Egyptians followed and went in after them to the midst of the sea, with all Pharaoh's horses, and his chariots and his horsemen. And in the morning watch, the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians out of the fiery and cloudy pillar, and troubled their host; and smote off their chariot wheels and cast them down to the ground. Then said the Egyptians, "Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD fighteth for them against us." Then said the LORD unto Moses, "Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the water may come again upon the Egyptians; upon their chariots and horsemen." Then stretched forth Moses his hand over the sea, and it came again to his course early in the morning, and the Egyptians fled against it. Thus the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea, and the water returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen: so that of all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them, there remained not one. But the children of Israel went upon dry land in the midst of the sea, and the water was a wall unto them: both on the right hand of them and also on the left. Thus the LORD delivered Israel the selfsame day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seaside.
For the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, that he followed after the children of Israel which for all that went out through a high hand. And the Egyptians followed after them and overtook them where they pitched by the sea, with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh and with his horsemen and his host: even fast by the entering of Hiroth before Baalzephon. And Pharaoh drew nigh, and when the children of Israel lift up their eyes and saw how the Egyptians followed after them, they were sore afraid and cried out unto the LORD. Then said they unto Moses, "Were there no graves for us in Egypt, but thou must bring us away for to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou served us thus, for to carry us out of Egypt? Did not we tell thee this in Egypt saying, 'Let us be in rest and serve the Egyptians?' For it had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than for to die in the wilderness." And Moses said unto the people, "Fear ye not, but stand still and behold how the LORD shall save you this day: For as ye see the Egyptians this day, shall ye see them no more forever till the world's end. The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace." The LORD said unto Moses, "Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward. But lift thou up thy rod and stretch out thy hand over the sea and divide it asunder, that the children of Israel may go on dry ground through the midst thereof. And behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians that they may follow you. And I will get me honour upon Pharaoh and upon all his host, upon his chariots and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots and upon his horsemen." And the angel of God which went before the host of Israel, removed and went behind them. And the clouden pillar that was before them removed and stood behind them and went between the host of the Egyptians and the host of Israel. It was a dark cloud, and gave light by night: so that all the night long the one could not come at the other. When now Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, the LORD carried away the sea with a strong east wind that blew all night, and made the sea dry land and the water divided itself. And the children of Israel went in through the midst of the sea upon the dry ground. And the water was a wall unto them, both on their right hand and on their left hand. And the Egyptians followed and went in after them to the midst of the sea, with all Pharaoh's horses, and his chariots and his horsemen. And in the morning watch, the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians out of the fiery and cloudy pillar, and troubled their host; and smote off their chariot wheels and cast them down to the ground. Then said the Egyptians, "Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD fighteth for them against us." Then said the LORD unto Moses, "Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the water may come again upon the Egyptians; upon their chariots and horsemen." Then stretched forth Moses his hand over the sea, and it came again to his course early in the morning, and the Egyptians fled against it. Thus the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea, and the water returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen: so that of all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them, there remained not one. But the children of Israel went upon dry land in the midst of the sea, and the water was a wall unto them: both on the right hand of them and also on the left. Thus the LORD delivered Israel the selfsame day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seaside.
Select readings » The prophetic blessing of zacharias
And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy ghost, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people. And hath raised up a horn of salvation unto us, in the house of his servant David. read more.
Even as he promised by the mouth of his holy prophets which were since the world began. That we should be saved from our enemies: And from the hands of all that hate us: To fulfill the mercy promised to our fathers; And to remember his holy covenant; And to perform the oath, which he sware to our father Abraham, for to give us. That we, delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear: all the days of our life, in such holiness and righteousness that are accept before him. And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways: And to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, for the remission of sins: Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us: To give light to them that sat in darkness, and in shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in wilderness: till the day came, when he should show himself unto the Israelites.
Even as he promised by the mouth of his holy prophets which were since the world began. That we should be saved from our enemies: And from the hands of all that hate us: To fulfill the mercy promised to our fathers; And to remember his holy covenant; And to perform the oath, which he sware to our father Abraham, for to give us. That we, delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear: all the days of our life, in such holiness and righteousness that are accept before him. And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways: And to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, for the remission of sins: Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us: To give light to them that sat in darkness, and in shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in wilderness: till the day came, when he should show himself unto the Israelites.
Select readings » Joseph revealing his identity
And Joseph could no longer refrain before all them that stood about him, but commanded that they should go all out from him, and that there should be no man with him, while he uttered himself unto his brethren. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. And he said unto his brethren, "I am Joseph: doth my father yet live?" But his brethren could not answer him, for they were abashed at his presence. read more.
And Joseph said unto his brethren, "Come near to me." And they came near. And he said, "I am Joseph your brother whom ye sold into Egypt. And now be not grieved therewith, neither let it seem a cruel thing in your eyes, that ye sold me hither. For God did send me before you to save life. For this is the second year of dearth in the land, and five more are behind in which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. Wherefore God sent me before you to make provision, that ye might continue in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not ye that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me father unto Pharaoh and lord over all his house, and ruler in all the land of Egypt. Haste you and go to my father and tell him, 'This sayeth thy son Joseph: God hath made me lord over all Egypt. Come down unto me and tarry not. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen and be by me: both thou and thy children, and thy children's children: and thy sheep, and beasts and all that thou hast. There will I make provision for thee: for there remain yet five years of dearth, lest thou and thy household and all that thou hast perish.' Behold, your eyes do see, and the eyes also of my brother Benjamin, that I speak to you by mouth. Therefore, tell my father of all my honour which I have in Egypt and of all that ye have seen, and make haste and bring in father hither." And he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover, he kissed all his brethren and wept upon them. And after that, his brethren talked with him.
And Joseph said unto his brethren, "Come near to me." And they came near. And he said, "I am Joseph your brother whom ye sold into Egypt. And now be not grieved therewith, neither let it seem a cruel thing in your eyes, that ye sold me hither. For God did send me before you to save life. For this is the second year of dearth in the land, and five more are behind in which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. Wherefore God sent me before you to make provision, that ye might continue in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not ye that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me father unto Pharaoh and lord over all his house, and ruler in all the land of Egypt. Haste you and go to my father and tell him, 'This sayeth thy son Joseph: God hath made me lord over all Egypt. Come down unto me and tarry not. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen and be by me: both thou and thy children, and thy children's children: and thy sheep, and beasts and all that thou hast. There will I make provision for thee: for there remain yet five years of dearth, lest thou and thy household and all that thou hast perish.' Behold, your eyes do see, and the eyes also of my brother Benjamin, that I speak to you by mouth. Therefore, tell my father of all my honour which I have in Egypt and of all that ye have seen, and make haste and bring in father hither." And he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover, he kissed all his brethren and wept upon them. And after that, his brethren talked with him.
Select readings » Mankind in extremity
{To the Chanter, of David, servant of the Lord, which said unto the Lord the words of this song, on the day in which the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and said} I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The LORD is my stony rock, and my defense, my Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge. {TYNDALE: The LORD is my rock, my castle and my deliverer. God is my strength, and in him will I trust: my shield and the horn that defendeth me: mine high hold and refuge.} 3 I will call upon the LORD, which is worthy to be praised; so shall I be safe from mine enemies. {TYNDALE: I will praise and call on the LORD, and so shall be saved from mine enemies.} read more.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid. {TYNDALE: For the waves of death have closed me about, and the floods of Belial have feared me.} The pains of hell came about me; the snares of death overtook me. {TYNDALE: The cords of hell have compassed me about, and the snares of death have overtaken me.} In my trouble I will call upon the LORD, and complain unto my God. So he shall hear my voice out of his holy temple, and my complaint shall come before him: it shall enter even into his ears. {TYNDALE: In my tribulation I called to the LORD, and cried to my God. And he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry entered into his ears.} The earth trembled and quaked; the very foundations also of the hills shook and were removed, because he was wroth. {TYNDALE: And the earth trembled and quoke, and the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was angry.} There went a smoke out in his presence, and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it. {TYNDALE: Smoke went up out of his nostrils, and consuming fire out of his mouth, that coals were kindled of him.} He bowed the heavens, also, and came down, and it was dark under his feet. {TYNDALE: And he bowed heaven and came down, and darkness underneath his feet.} He rode upon the Cherub, and did fly: he came flying upon the wings of the wind. {TYNDALE: And he rode upon Cherub and flew: and appeared upon the wings of the wind.} He made darkness his secret place, his pavilion round about him; with dark waters and thick clouds to cover him. {TYNDALE: And he made darkness a tabernacle round about him, with water gathered together in thick clouds.} At the brightness of his presence, his clouds removed hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: Of the brightness that was before him, coals were set on fire.} The LORD also thundered out of the heaven, and the highest gave his thunder, with hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most high put out his voice.} He sent out his arrows and scattered them, he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them. {TYNDALE: And he shot arrows and scattered them, and hurled lightning and turmoiled them.} The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered at thy chiding, O LORD, at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasures. {TYNDALE: And the bottom of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were seen, by the reason of the rebuking of the LORD, and through the blasting of the breath of his nostrils.} He shall send down from on high to fetch me, and shall take me out of many waters. {TYNDALE: He sent from on high and fetched me, and plucked me out of mighty waters.} He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me; for they are too mighty for me. {TYNDALE: He delivered me from my mighty enemy, and from them that hated me and were too strong for me.} They prevented me in the day of my trouble, but the LORD was my upholder. {TYNDALE: When they had compassed me in the day of my tribulation, the LORD stayed me up.} He brought me forth also into a place of liberty: he brought me forth, even because he had a favor unto me. {TYNDALE: And he brought me out into roomth, and delivered me, because he delighted in me.}
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid. {TYNDALE: For the waves of death have closed me about, and the floods of Belial have feared me.} The pains of hell came about me; the snares of death overtook me. {TYNDALE: The cords of hell have compassed me about, and the snares of death have overtaken me.} In my trouble I will call upon the LORD, and complain unto my God. So he shall hear my voice out of his holy temple, and my complaint shall come before him: it shall enter even into his ears. {TYNDALE: In my tribulation I called to the LORD, and cried to my God. And he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry entered into his ears.} The earth trembled and quaked; the very foundations also of the hills shook and were removed, because he was wroth. {TYNDALE: And the earth trembled and quoke, and the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was angry.} There went a smoke out in his presence, and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it. {TYNDALE: Smoke went up out of his nostrils, and consuming fire out of his mouth, that coals were kindled of him.} He bowed the heavens, also, and came down, and it was dark under his feet. {TYNDALE: And he bowed heaven and came down, and darkness underneath his feet.} He rode upon the Cherub, and did fly: he came flying upon the wings of the wind. {TYNDALE: And he rode upon Cherub and flew: and appeared upon the wings of the wind.} He made darkness his secret place, his pavilion round about him; with dark waters and thick clouds to cover him. {TYNDALE: And he made darkness a tabernacle round about him, with water gathered together in thick clouds.} At the brightness of his presence, his clouds removed hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: Of the brightness that was before him, coals were set on fire.} The LORD also thundered out of the heaven, and the highest gave his thunder, with hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most high put out his voice.} He sent out his arrows and scattered them, he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them. {TYNDALE: And he shot arrows and scattered them, and hurled lightning and turmoiled them.} The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered at thy chiding, O LORD, at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasures. {TYNDALE: And the bottom of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were seen, by the reason of the rebuking of the LORD, and through the blasting of the breath of his nostrils.} He shall send down from on high to fetch me, and shall take me out of many waters. {TYNDALE: He sent from on high and fetched me, and plucked me out of mighty waters.} He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me; for they are too mighty for me. {TYNDALE: He delivered me from my mighty enemy, and from them that hated me and were too strong for me.} They prevented me in the day of my trouble, but the LORD was my upholder. {TYNDALE: When they had compassed me in the day of my tribulation, the LORD stayed me up.} He brought me forth also into a place of liberty: he brought me forth, even because he had a favor unto me. {TYNDALE: And he brought me out into roomth, and delivered me, because he delighted in me.}
Select readings » Mary's magnificat
And Mary said, "My soul magnifieth the Lord. And my spirit rejoiceth in God my saviour: For he hath looked on the poor degree of his handmaiden. Behold, now from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed. read more.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is his name. And his mercy is always on them that fear him, throughout all generations. He showeth strength with his arm, he scattereth them that are proud in the imagination of their hearts. He putteth Down the mighty from their seats, and hath exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things: And sendeth away the rich empty. He remembereth mercy: and helpeth his servant Israel. Even as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and to his seed forever." And Mary abode with her about a three months; And returned again to her own house.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is his name. And his mercy is always on them that fear him, throughout all generations. He showeth strength with his arm, he scattereth them that are proud in the imagination of their hearts. He putteth Down the mighty from their seats, and hath exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things: And sendeth away the rich empty. He remembereth mercy: and helpeth his servant Israel. Even as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and to his seed forever." And Mary abode with her about a three months; And returned again to her own house.
Select readings » God's providence
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither reap, nor yet carry into the barns, and yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you, though he took thought therefore, could put one cubit unto his stature? And why care ye then for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They labor not, neither spin: read more.
And yet for all that, I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his royalty, was not arrayed like unto one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow shall be cast into the furnace, shall he not much more do the same unto you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' Or. 'What shall we drink?' Or, 'Wherewith shall we be clothed?' After all these things seek the gentiles: For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But rather, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof; and all these things shall be ministered unto you. Care not then for the morrow: but let the morrow care for itself. For the day present hath ever enough of his own trouble.
And yet for all that, I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his royalty, was not arrayed like unto one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow shall be cast into the furnace, shall he not much more do the same unto you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' Or. 'What shall we drink?' Or, 'Wherewith shall we be clothed?' After all these things seek the gentiles: For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But rather, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof; and all these things shall be ministered unto you. Care not then for the morrow: but let the morrow care for itself. For the day present hath ever enough of his own trouble.
Select readings » Naaman the leper
Naaman, captain of the Host to the king of Syria, was great with his master and well taken: for through him the LORD saved Syria. And he was an active man, and yet a leper. And there had gone a company of soldiers out of Syria a running, and had brought out of the country of Israel a little maid, which was with Naaman's wife. And the Damsel said unto her lady, "I would my master were with a prophet that is in Samaria: he would deliver him of his leprosy." read more.
And she went and told her husband, saying, "Thus and thus sayeth the maid that is out of the land of Israel." And the king of Syria said, "Go thy way, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel." And he went and took with him ten talents of silver and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiments. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel containing this tenor, "Now when this letter is come up to thee: Behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou shouldest rid him of his leprosy." And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he rent his clothes and said, "Am I God, to slay and to make alive, that he should send to me, for to deliver a man from his leprosy? But consider, I pray you, and see how he picketh quarrels with me!" And when Elisha the man of God, heard how that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, "Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? Let him come to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel." And Naaman came with his horses and his chariot, and stood at the door of Elisha. Then Elisha sent a messenger, saying, "Go and wash thee in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee as before, and thou shalt be clean." And Naaman was wroth and went away, and said, "Behold, I thought in myself, he would have come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and put his hand on the place of the disease, and so take away the leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Might I not rather wash in them and be clean?" And so he turned and departed in an anger. Then came his servants and communed with him, and said, "Father if the prophet had bid thee done some great thing, oughtest thou not to have done it? How much rather then shouldest thou do it, while he sayeth to thee only, 'Wash and be clean?'" Then he went down and washed seven times in Jordan, as the man of God bade, and his flesh changed, like unto the flesh of a little boy, and he was clean.
And she went and told her husband, saying, "Thus and thus sayeth the maid that is out of the land of Israel." And the king of Syria said, "Go thy way, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel." And he went and took with him ten talents of silver and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiments. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel containing this tenor, "Now when this letter is come up to thee: Behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou shouldest rid him of his leprosy." And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he rent his clothes and said, "Am I God, to slay and to make alive, that he should send to me, for to deliver a man from his leprosy? But consider, I pray you, and see how he picketh quarrels with me!" And when Elisha the man of God, heard how that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, "Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? Let him come to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel." And Naaman came with his horses and his chariot, and stood at the door of Elisha. Then Elisha sent a messenger, saying, "Go and wash thee in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee as before, and thou shalt be clean." And Naaman was wroth and went away, and said, "Behold, I thought in myself, he would have come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and put his hand on the place of the disease, and so take away the leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Might I not rather wash in them and be clean?" And so he turned and departed in an anger. Then came his servants and communed with him, and said, "Father if the prophet had bid thee done some great thing, oughtest thou not to have done it? How much rather then shouldest thou do it, while he sayeth to thee only, 'Wash and be clean?'" Then he went down and washed seven times in Jordan, as the man of God bade, and his flesh changed, like unto the flesh of a little boy, and he was clean.
Select readings » The resurrection of jesus Christ
On the morrow after the Sabbath, early in the morning, they came unto the tomb and brought the odours which they had prepared, and other women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and went in: but found not the body of the Lord Jesus. read more.
And it happened, as they were amazed thereat, behold, two men stood by them, in shining vestures. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: but is risen. Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet with you in Galilee, saying that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the remnant. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary Joseph; And others that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles, and their words seemed unto them feigned things, neither believed they them. Then arose Peter and ran unto the sepulchre, and stooped in; And saw the linen clothes laid by themself. And departed, wondering in himself at that which had happened.
And it happened, as they were amazed thereat, behold, two men stood by them, in shining vestures. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: but is risen. Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet with you in Galilee, saying that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the remnant. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary Joseph; And others that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles, and their words seemed unto them feigned things, neither believed they them. Then arose Peter and ran unto the sepulchre, and stooped in; And saw the linen clothes laid by themself. And departed, wondering in himself at that which had happened.
Select readings » Wise and foolish builders
"Not all they that say unto me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter in to the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth my father's will which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not in thy name prophesied? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name have done many miracles?' And then will I knowledge unto them, that I never knew them: 'Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.' read more.
"Whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and doeth the same, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house on a rock: And abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that same house, and it fell not: because it was grounded on the rock. And whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and doeth them not the same, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
"Whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and doeth the same, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house on a rock: And abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that same house, and it fell not: because it was grounded on the rock. And whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and doeth them not the same, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Select readings » Peter on the day of pentecost
When the fiftieth day was come, they were all with one accord gathered together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as it had been the coming of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they sat. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as they had been fire, and it sat upon each of them: read more.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, which were of all nations under heaven. When this was noised about, the multitude came together and were astonished, because that every man heard them speak his own tongue. They wondered all, and marveled: saying among themselves, "Behold, are not all these which speak of Galilee? And how hear we every man his own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites and the inhabiters of Mesopotamia, of Jewry and of Cappadocia, of Pontus and of Asia; Phrigia, Pamphylia, and of Egypt, and of the parts of Libya, which is beside Cyrene; And strangers of Rome; Jews and converts, Greeks and Arabians: We have heard them speak with our own tongues the great works of God." They were all amazed, and wondered: saying one to another, "What meaneth this?" Others mocked them saying, "They are full of new wine." But Peter stepped forth with the eleven, and lift up his voice, and said unto them, "Ye men of Jewry, and all ye that inhabit Jerusalem: be this known unto you, and with your ears hear my words. These are not drunken, as ye suppose - For it is yet but the third hour of the day - but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, 'It shall be in the last days, saith God, of my spirit I will pour out upon all flesh. And your sons, and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions. And your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth beneath, blood and fire, and the vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great, and notable day of the Lord come.' And it shall be that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you with miracles and wonders, and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know: him have ye taken by the hands of unrighteous persons, after he was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified and slain him whom God hath raised up: and loosed the sorrows of death, because it was impossible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh of him, 'Aforehand, saw I God always before me: For he is on my righthand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad. Moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt suffer thine holy to see corruption. Thou hast showed me the ways of life; and shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.' "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David: For he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre remaineth with us unto his day. Therefore seeing he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins should sit on his seat - in that Christ should rise again in the flesh - He saw before, and spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul should not be left in hell: neither his flesh should see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Since now that he by the righthand of God exalted is, and hath received of the father the promise of the holy ghost, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into heaven, but he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord sit on my right hand, until I make thy foes, thy footstool.' So therefore let all the house of Israel know for a surety, that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified, Lord and Christ."
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, which were of all nations under heaven. When this was noised about, the multitude came together and were astonished, because that every man heard them speak his own tongue. They wondered all, and marveled: saying among themselves, "Behold, are not all these which speak of Galilee? And how hear we every man his own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites and the inhabiters of Mesopotamia, of Jewry and of Cappadocia, of Pontus and of Asia; Phrigia, Pamphylia, and of Egypt, and of the parts of Libya, which is beside Cyrene; And strangers of Rome; Jews and converts, Greeks and Arabians: We have heard them speak with our own tongues the great works of God." They were all amazed, and wondered: saying one to another, "What meaneth this?" Others mocked them saying, "They are full of new wine." But Peter stepped forth with the eleven, and lift up his voice, and said unto them, "Ye men of Jewry, and all ye that inhabit Jerusalem: be this known unto you, and with your ears hear my words. These are not drunken, as ye suppose - For it is yet but the third hour of the day - but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, 'It shall be in the last days, saith God, of my spirit I will pour out upon all flesh. And your sons, and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions. And your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth beneath, blood and fire, and the vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great, and notable day of the Lord come.' And it shall be that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you with miracles and wonders, and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know: him have ye taken by the hands of unrighteous persons, after he was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified and slain him whom God hath raised up: and loosed the sorrows of death, because it was impossible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh of him, 'Aforehand, saw I God always before me: For he is on my righthand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad. Moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt suffer thine holy to see corruption. Thou hast showed me the ways of life; and shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.' "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David: For he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre remaineth with us unto his day. Therefore seeing he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins should sit on his seat - in that Christ should rise again in the flesh - He saw before, and spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul should not be left in hell: neither his flesh should see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Since now that he by the righthand of God exalted is, and hath received of the father the promise of the holy ghost, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into heaven, but he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord sit on my right hand, until I make thy foes, thy footstool.' So therefore let all the house of Israel know for a surety, that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified, Lord and Christ."
Select readings » Elisha and the widow's oil
And there cried a certain woman of the wives of the children of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, "Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD. And the creditor is come to fetch my two sons, to be his bondmen." And Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in thine house?" And she said, thy handmaid hath nothing at all in her house, save a pitcher with oil. And he said, "Go and borrow thee in other places, of all thy neighbours, empty vessels - and that not a few. read more.
And then go and shut the door to thee and to thy sons, and pour out into all those vessels, and put the full always aside." And she went from him, and shut the door to her and her sons. And they brought to her, and she poured out. And when the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring yet a vessel." And he said, "There is no more." And then the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go and sell the oil and pay thy creditor. And live, thou and thy children, off the rest."
And then go and shut the door to thee and to thy sons, and pour out into all those vessels, and put the full always aside." And she went from him, and shut the door to her and her sons. And they brought to her, and she poured out. And when the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring yet a vessel." And he said, "There is no more." And then the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go and sell the oil and pay thy creditor. And live, thou and thy children, off the rest."
Select readings » Stephen's defense
Then said the chief priest, "Is it even so?" And he said, "Ye men, brethren, and fathers, hearken to. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham while he was yet in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said unto him, 'Come out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show unto thee.' read more.
Then came he out of the land of Chaldea and dwelt in Haran. And after that, as soon as his father was dead, he brought him into this land, in which ye now dwell, and he gave him none inheritance in it - no, not the breadth of a foot - But promised that he would give it to him to possess and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. God verily spake on this wise, that this seed should be a dweller in a strange land, and that they should keep them in bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 'But the nation to whom they shall be in bondage, will I judge,' said God, 'and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.' And he gave him the covenant of circumcision, and he begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, having indignation, sold Joseph into Egypt, and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his adversities, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; which made him governor over Egypt, and over all his household. Then came there a dearth over all the land of Egypt, and Canaan, and great affliction, that our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers first, and at the second time, Joseph was known of his brethren, and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph and caused his father to be brought, and all his kin: three score and fifteen souls. And Jacob descended into Egypt, and died both he and our fathers, and were translated into Shechem, and were put in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for money of the sons of Hamor, at Shechem. "When the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose which knew not of Joseph. The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, and made them to cast out their young children, that they should not remain alive. The same time was Moses born, and was a proper child in the sight of God, which was nourished up in his father's house three months. When he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him up for her own son. And Moses was learned in all manner wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in deeds and in words. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And when he saw one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged his quarrel that had the harm done to him, and smote the Egyptian. For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hands should save them: but they understood not. And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, 'Sirs, ye are brethren why hurt ye one another?' But he that did his neighbour wrong, thrust him away saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge among us? What, wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?' Then fled Moses at that saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian; Where he begat two sons. "And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. And as he drew near to behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 'I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' Moses trembled and durst not behold. Then said the Lord to him, 'Put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I have perfectly seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now, come: and I will send thee into Egypt.' This Moses whom they forsook, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge?' - the same God sent, both a ruler and a deliverer, by the hands of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. And the same brought them out showing wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the reed sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is that Moses which said unto the children of Israel, 'A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear.' This is he that was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. This man received the word of life to give unto us, to whom our fathers would not obey: But cast it from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, saying unto Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us. For we know not what is become of this Moses that brought us out of the land of Egypt.' And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the image, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned himself, and gave them up, that they should worship the stars of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'O ye of the house of Israel: gave ye to me sacrifices and meat offerings by the space of forty years in the wilderness? And ye took unto you the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Rephan, figures which ye made to worship them. And I will translate you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed them, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen: which tabernacle our fathers received, and brought it in with Joshua into the possession of the gentiles, which gentiles God drave out before the face of our fathers unto the time of David, which found favour before God, and desired that he would faine have made a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. Howbeit, he that is highest of all dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith the prophet, 'Heaven is my seat, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build for me, saith the Lord? Or what place is it that I should rest in? Hath not my hand made all these things?' "Ye stiffnecked and of uncircumcised hearts and ears: ye have always resisted the holy ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them, which showed before of the coming of that Just, whom ye have betrayed and murdered. And ye also have received a law by the ordinance of angels, and have not kept it." When they heard these things, their hearts clave asunder, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the holy ghost, looked up steadfastly with his eyes into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the righthand of God, and said, "Behold, I see the heavens open, and the son of man standing on the righthand of God."
Then came he out of the land of Chaldea and dwelt in Haran. And after that, as soon as his father was dead, he brought him into this land, in which ye now dwell, and he gave him none inheritance in it - no, not the breadth of a foot - But promised that he would give it to him to possess and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. God verily spake on this wise, that this seed should be a dweller in a strange land, and that they should keep them in bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 'But the nation to whom they shall be in bondage, will I judge,' said God, 'and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.' And he gave him the covenant of circumcision, and he begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, having indignation, sold Joseph into Egypt, and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his adversities, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; which made him governor over Egypt, and over all his household. Then came there a dearth over all the land of Egypt, and Canaan, and great affliction, that our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers first, and at the second time, Joseph was known of his brethren, and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph and caused his father to be brought, and all his kin: three score and fifteen souls. And Jacob descended into Egypt, and died both he and our fathers, and were translated into Shechem, and were put in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for money of the sons of Hamor, at Shechem. "When the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose which knew not of Joseph. The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, and made them to cast out their young children, that they should not remain alive. The same time was Moses born, and was a proper child in the sight of God, which was nourished up in his father's house three months. When he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him up for her own son. And Moses was learned in all manner wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in deeds and in words. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And when he saw one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged his quarrel that had the harm done to him, and smote the Egyptian. For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hands should save them: but they understood not. And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, 'Sirs, ye are brethren why hurt ye one another?' But he that did his neighbour wrong, thrust him away saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge among us? What, wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?' Then fled Moses at that saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian; Where he begat two sons. "And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. And as he drew near to behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 'I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' Moses trembled and durst not behold. Then said the Lord to him, 'Put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I have perfectly seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now, come: and I will send thee into Egypt.' This Moses whom they forsook, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge?' - the same God sent, both a ruler and a deliverer, by the hands of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. And the same brought them out showing wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the reed sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is that Moses which said unto the children of Israel, 'A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear.' This is he that was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. This man received the word of life to give unto us, to whom our fathers would not obey: But cast it from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, saying unto Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us. For we know not what is become of this Moses that brought us out of the land of Egypt.' And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the image, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned himself, and gave them up, that they should worship the stars of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'O ye of the house of Israel: gave ye to me sacrifices and meat offerings by the space of forty years in the wilderness? And ye took unto you the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Rephan, figures which ye made to worship them. And I will translate you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed them, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen: which tabernacle our fathers received, and brought it in with Joshua into the possession of the gentiles, which gentiles God drave out before the face of our fathers unto the time of David, which found favour before God, and desired that he would faine have made a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. Howbeit, he that is highest of all dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith the prophet, 'Heaven is my seat, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build for me, saith the Lord? Or what place is it that I should rest in? Hath not my hand made all these things?' "Ye stiffnecked and of uncircumcised hearts and ears: ye have always resisted the holy ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them, which showed before of the coming of that Just, whom ye have betrayed and murdered. And ye also have received a law by the ordinance of angels, and have not kept it." When they heard these things, their hearts clave asunder, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the holy ghost, looked up steadfastly with his eyes into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the righthand of God, and said, "Behold, I see the heavens open, and the son of man standing on the righthand of God."
Select readings » The beatitudes
When he saw the people he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came to him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. read more.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad: for great is your reward in heaven: For so persecuted they the prophets which were before your days. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but and if the salt have lost her saltiness, what can be salted therewith? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill, cannot be hid, neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it lighteth all them that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad: for great is your reward in heaven: For so persecuted they the prophets which were before your days. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but and if the salt have lost her saltiness, what can be salted therewith? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill, cannot be hid, neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it lighteth all them that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.
Select readings » Old age
Remember thy maker in thy youth, before the days of adversity come, and or the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, "I have no pleasure in them"; before the sun, the light, the moon and stars be darkened, and or the clouds turn again after the rain; when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and when the strong men shall bow themselves; when the millers stand still, because they be so few, and when the sight of the windows shall wax dim; read more.
when the doors in the streets shall be shut, and when the voice of the miller shall be laid down; when men shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and when all the daughters of music shall be brought low; When men shall fear in high places, and be afraid in the streets; when the Almond tree shall be despised, the grasshopper born out, and when great poverty shall break in; when man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. Before the silver lace be taken away, and or the golden band be broken; or the pot be broken at the well, and the wheel upon the cistern; Or dust be turned again unto earth from whence it came, and or the spirit return unto God, which gave it.
when the doors in the streets shall be shut, and when the voice of the miller shall be laid down; when men shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and when all the daughters of music shall be brought low; When men shall fear in high places, and be afraid in the streets; when the Almond tree shall be despised, the grasshopper born out, and when great poverty shall break in; when man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. Before the silver lace be taken away, and or the golden band be broken; or the pot be broken at the well, and the wheel upon the cistern; Or dust be turned again unto earth from whence it came, and or the spirit return unto God, which gave it.
Select readings » The wrath of God
I saw the LORD standing upon the altar, and he said, "Smite the door check, that the posts may shake withal. For their covetousness shall fall upon all their heads, and their posterity shall be slain with the sword. They shall not flee away, there shall not one of them escape, nor be delivered. Though they were buried in the hell, my hand shall fetch them from thence. Though they climb up to heaven, yet shall I cast them down. Though they hide themselves upon the top of Carmel, yet shall I seek them out, and bring them from thence. Though they creep down from my sight into the deep of the sea, I shall command the serpent, even there to bite them. read more.
If they go away before their enemies into captivity, then shall I command the sword there to slay them. Thus will I set mine eyes upon them, for their harm and not for their wealth. For when the LORD God of hosts toucheth a land, it consumeth away, and all they that dwell therein, must needs mourn: And why? Their destruction shall arise as every stream and run over them, as the flood in Egypt. He that hath his dwelling in Heaven, and groundeth his tabernacle in the earth; He that calleth the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the plain ground; his name is the LORD.
If they go away before their enemies into captivity, then shall I command the sword there to slay them. Thus will I set mine eyes upon them, for their harm and not for their wealth. For when the LORD God of hosts toucheth a land, it consumeth away, and all they that dwell therein, must needs mourn: And why? Their destruction shall arise as every stream and run over them, as the flood in Egypt. He that hath his dwelling in Heaven, and groundeth his tabernacle in the earth; He that calleth the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the plain ground; his name is the LORD.
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
and drew near and said, "Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee. Should not the Judge of all the world do according to right?" read more.
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
and tarried behind; himself alone. And there wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he could not prevail against him, he smote him under the thigh, and the sinew of Jacob's thigh shrank as he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." And he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." read more.
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
then went King David and set him down before the LORD and said, "What am I, Lord Jehovah, and what is my kin, that thou shouldest have brought me this far forth? And is this a small thing in thy sight Lord Jehovah, but that thou shouldest speak also of thy servant's house for a great while to come? Is this a law among men Lord Jehovah? And what can David say more unto thee, seeing thou knowest thy servant, Lord Jehovah? read more.
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the sight of all the congregation of Israel and stretched out his hands to heaven, and said, "LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above or in the earth beneath, that keepest appointment and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their hearts: which also hast kept with thy servants David my father, that thou promisedest him. Thou spakest with thy mouth and hast fulfilled with thine hand, as it is come to pass this day. read more.
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And it fortuned, as he was praying in a certain place: when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, "Master, teach us to pray; As John taught his disciples." And he said unto them, "When ye pray, say: O Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will, be fulfilled, even in earth as it is in heaven. Our daily bread give us this day evermore. read more.
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying, "There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying, 'Avenge me of mine adversary.' read more.
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
Unwise prayers » Select readings
and drew near and said, "Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee. Should not the Judge of all the world do according to right?" read more.
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake."
and tarried behind; himself alone. And there wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he could not prevail against him, he smote him under the thigh, and the sinew of Jacob's thigh shrank as he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." And he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." read more.
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
then went King David and set him down before the LORD and said, "What am I, Lord Jehovah, and what is my kin, that thou shouldest have brought me this far forth? And is this a small thing in thy sight Lord Jehovah, but that thou shouldest speak also of thy servant's house for a great while to come? Is this a law among men Lord Jehovah? And what can David say more unto thee, seeing thou knowest thy servant, Lord Jehovah? read more.
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
Even for thy word's sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make them known unto thy servant. Wherefore, thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel? Which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to show them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods. And thou hast ordained thy people Israel to be thy people forever. And thou, LORD, art their God. And now, LORD God, the thing thou hast said of thy servant and of his house: make it good forever and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be great forever, that men may say, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel.' And let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, hast told in the ear of thy servant, saying, "I will build thee a house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, Lord Jehovah, thou art the God, and thy words must be true: for thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant. And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed forever."
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the sight of all the congregation of Israel and stretched out his hands to heaven, and said, "LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above or in the earth beneath, that keepest appointment and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their hearts: which also hast kept with thy servants David my father, that thou promisedest him. Thou spakest with thy mouth and hast fulfilled with thine hand, as it is come to pass this day. read more.
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And now LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that thou promisedest him, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other before me, sitting on the seat of Israel: Howbeit, if thy children shall take heed to their ways that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.' Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be stable which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But indeed can God dwell on the earth? Behold: neither heaven, nor heaven above all heavens are able to contain thee - how much less then this house that I have built? But look to the prayer of thy servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, to give an ear unto the voice and prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day, that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day; and upon the place, of which thou hast said, my name shall be there: that thou hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray in this place. And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy. And if any man trespass against his neighbour, and his neighbour take an adjuration to adjure him withal, and the adjuration come before thine altar at this house, then hearken thou up to heaven, and work and judge thy servants, that thou condemn the wicked to bring his way upon his head, and justify the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. When thy people Israel be put to the worse before their enemies, because they have sinned against thee, and afterward turn again to thee and praise thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. If heaven be shut up, that there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee: yet if they pray in this place and praise thy name and turn from their sins, through thy scourging of them: then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit. If there chance dearth in the land, pestilence, blasting or withering of corn, or that the fruits be devoured of grasshoppers or caterpillars, or if their enemies besiege them in the land and in their own cities, or whatsoever plague or sickness chance: then hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place, all the prayers and supplications that shall be made of all men throughout all thy people Israel, which shall knowledge every man the plague of his own heart, and stretch forth his hands unto this house. And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam - that they may fear thee as long as they live upon the earth which thou gavest unto their fathers. And likewise, if a stranger that is not of thy people Israel come out of a far country for thy name's sake - for they shall hear of thy great name and of thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm - and therefore if he come and pray at this place, hear thou up to heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel, and that it may be known that this house which I have built is called after thy name. And when they go out to battle against their enemies whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen and toward the house that I have built for thy name: hear thou their prayers and supplications, up to heaven, and judge their cause. And finally, when they shall have sinned against thee - for there is no man that sinneth not - and thou art angry with them and hast delivered them to their enemies, that they be carried away prisoners unto the land of their enemies, whether far or near; yet if they turn again unto their hearts in the land where they be in captivity, and return and pray unto thee in the land of them that hold them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have done wickedly and have trespassed,' and so turn again unto thee with all their hearts and all their souls in the land of their enemies which hold them captive, and pray unto thee, toward the land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou their prayer and supplication up to heaven thy dwelling place, and judge their causes, and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them. For they be thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the furnace of iron. And let thine eyes be open unto the prayer of thy servant and unto the prayer of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them, in all that they call unto thee for. For thou didst separate them to be thine inheritance, above all the nations of the earth, as thou saidest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah." And when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD and from kneeling on his knees and stretching of his hands up to heaven, and stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the LORD that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised: so that there is not one word escaped of all the good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. And the LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and forsake us not, neither leave us, but that he bow our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, ordinances and customs which he commanded our fathers. And these my words which I have prayed before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he defend the cause of his servant and of his people Israel evermore, that all nations of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God and there is none other. And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day."
And it fortuned, as he was praying in a certain place: when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, "Master, teach us to pray; As John taught his disciples." And he said unto them, "When ye pray, say: O Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will, be fulfilled, even in earth as it is in heaven. Our daily bread give us this day evermore. read more.
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen." And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh shall it be opened. If the son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father: will he give him a stone? Or if he ask fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg: will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then which are evil, can give good gifts unto your children: How much more shall the father of heaven give a holy spirit to them, that desire it of him?"
He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying, "There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying, 'Avenge me of mine adversary.' read more.
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"
Wealth » Accumulation of » Select readings
And he put forth a similitude unto them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth fruits plenteously, and he thought in himself saying, 'What shall I do? Because I have no room where to bestow my fruits.' And he said, 'This will I do. I will destroy my barns, and build greater: and therein will I gather all my fruits, and my goods: read more.
and I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, take thine ease: eat, drink and be merry.' But God said unto him, 'Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?' So is it with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God."
and I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, take thine ease: eat, drink and be merry.' But God said unto him, 'Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?' So is it with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God."
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple, and fine bysse, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores, desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board. Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. read more.
And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
Wisdom » Select readings
How cometh a man then by wisdom? Where is the place that men find understanding? Verily, no man can tell how worthy a thing she is, neither is she found in the land of the living. "The deep sayeth, 'She is not in me.' The sea sayeth, 'She is not with me.' read more.
She cannot be gotten for the most fine gold, neither may the price of her be bought with any money. No wedges of gold of Ophir, no precious Onyx stones, no Sapphire may be compared unto her. No, neither gold nor Crystal, neither sweet odours nor golden plate. There is nothing so worthy, or so excellent, as once to be named unto her: for perfect wisdom goeth far beyond them all. The Topaz that cometh out of Ethiopia may in no wise be likened unto her: yea, no manner of apparel how pleasant and fair soever it be. "From where then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? She is hid from the eyes of all men; yea, and from the fouls of the air. Destruction and death say, 'We have heard tell of her with our ears.' But God seeth her way, and knoweth her place. For he holdeth the ends of the world and looketh upon all that is under the heaven. When he weighed the winds, and measured the waters; When he set the rain in order, and gave the mighty floods a law; Then did he see her, then declared he her, prepared her and knew her. And unto man he said, 'Behold, to fear the LORD is wisdom: and to forsake evil, is understanding.'"
She cannot be gotten for the most fine gold, neither may the price of her be bought with any money. No wedges of gold of Ophir, no precious Onyx stones, no Sapphire may be compared unto her. No, neither gold nor Crystal, neither sweet odours nor golden plate. There is nothing so worthy, or so excellent, as once to be named unto her: for perfect wisdom goeth far beyond them all. The Topaz that cometh out of Ethiopia may in no wise be likened unto her: yea, no manner of apparel how pleasant and fair soever it be. "From where then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? She is hid from the eyes of all men; yea, and from the fouls of the air. Destruction and death say, 'We have heard tell of her with our ears.' But God seeth her way, and knoweth her place. For he holdeth the ends of the world and looketh upon all that is under the heaven. When he weighed the winds, and measured the waters; When he set the rain in order, and gave the mighty floods a law; Then did he see her, then declared he her, prepared her and knew her. And unto man he said, 'Behold, to fear the LORD is wisdom: and to forsake evil, is understanding.'"
Well is him that findeth wisdom, and obtaineth understanding, for the getting of it is better than any merchandise of silver, and the profit of it is better than gold. Wisdom is more worth than precious stones, and all the things that thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. read more.
Upon her righthand is long life, and upon her left hand is riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceable. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and blessed are they that keep her fast. With wisdom hath the LORD laid the foundation of the earth, and through understanding hath he established the heavens. Through his wisdom the depths break up, and the clouds drop down of the dew. My son, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but keep my law and my counsel: So shall it be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy mouth. Then shalt thou walk safely in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble. If thou sleepest thou shalt not be afraid, but shall take thy rest and sleep sweetly.
Upon her righthand is long life, and upon her left hand is riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceable. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and blessed are they that keep her fast. With wisdom hath the LORD laid the foundation of the earth, and through understanding hath he established the heavens. Through his wisdom the depths break up, and the clouds drop down of the dew. My son, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but keep my law and my counsel: So shall it be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy mouth. Then shalt thou walk safely in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble. If thou sleepest thou shalt not be afraid, but shall take thy rest and sleep sweetly.
Hear, O ye children, the fatherly exhortation, and take good heed, that ye may learn wisdom. Yea I shall give you a good reward, if ye will not forsake my law. For when I myself was my father's dear son, and tenderly beloved of my mother, read more.
he taught me also, saying, "Let thine heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live. Get thee wisdom, get thee understanding, forget not the words of my mouth, and shrink not from them. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. The chief point of wisdom is that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding. Make much of her and she shall promote thee: Yea, if thou embracest her, she shall bring thee unto honour. She shall make thee a gracious head, and garnish thee with the crown of glory." Hear, my son, and receive my words, that the years of thy life may be many. I will show thee the way of wisdom, and lead thee in the right paths. So that if thou goest therein, there shall no straitness hinder thee: and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall. Take fast hold of doctrine, let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.
he taught me also, saying, "Let thine heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live. Get thee wisdom, get thee understanding, forget not the words of my mouth, and shrink not from them. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. The chief point of wisdom is that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding. Make much of her and she shall promote thee: Yea, if thou embracest her, she shall bring thee unto honour. She shall make thee a gracious head, and garnish thee with the crown of glory." Hear, my son, and receive my words, that the years of thy life may be many. I will show thee the way of wisdom, and lead thee in the right paths. So that if thou goest therein, there shall no straitness hinder thee: and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall. Take fast hold of doctrine, let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.