'Serious' in the Bible

But the Lord punished Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious.

The situation distressed Abraham greatly because of his son [Ishmael].

It's actually in my power to do some serious evil to you, but last night the God of your father told me, "Be careful what you say to Jacob whether good or evil.'

"If men fight and hit a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no serious injury, he will surely be punished in accordance with what the woman's husband demands of him, and he will pay what the court decides.

But if there is serious injury, then you will give a life for a life,

The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a very serious sin, but now I will go up to the Lord -- perhaps I can make atonement on behalf of your sin."

So Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Alas, this people has committed a very serious sin, and they have made for themselves gods of gold.

But if there is a defect in the animal, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you must not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.

“You must not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or sheep with a defect or any serious flaw, for that is detestable to the Lord your God.

Then Jephthah said to them, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites. So I called for you, but you didn’t deliver me from their power.

By doing this, the sin of the young men was very serious in the LORD's sight because the men despised the LORD's offering.

Give ear now to their voice: but make a serious protest to them, and give them a picture of the sort of king who will be their ruler.

Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.”

“Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Samuel asked Saul.“I’m in serious trouble,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me. He doesn’t answer me anymore, either through the prophets or in dreams. So I’ve called on you to tell me what I should do.”

Joab answered, "Get serious! I don't want to swallow up or destroy anything!

The Lord afflicted the king, and he had a serious skin disease until the day of his death. He lived in a separate house, while Jotham, the king’s son, was over the household governing the people of the land.

He tore Israel away from David's dynasty, and Jeroboam son of Nebat became their king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from the Lord and encouraged them to commit a serious sin.

And as for you, you will suffer from a serious disease of your bowels. Eventually, day-by-day you will excrete your own bowels because of this disease."

So King Uzziah was diseased to the time of his death. He lived in quarantine with a serious skin disease and was excluded from access to the Lord’s temple, while his son Jotham was over the king’s household governing the people of the land.

And for everything he undertook, in connection with the work of the house of God and his law and orders, he got directions from God and did it with serious purpose; and things went well for him.

Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations! Quickly send your compassion our way, for we are in serious trouble!

The Lord protects the untrained; I was in serious trouble and he delivered me.

Listen to my cry for help, for I am in serious trouble! Rescue me from those who chase me, for they are stronger than I am.

To make the simple-minded sharp, and to give the young man knowledge, and serious purpose:

There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being kept and hoarded by their owner to his own misery.

This also is a grievous evil—exactly as he was born, so he shall die. So what advantage has he who labors for the wind?

"Tell these people this, Jeremiah: 'My eyes overflow with tears day and night without ceasing. For my people, my dear children, have suffered a crushing blow. They have suffered a serious wound.

“For thus says the Lord,‘Your wound is incurableAnd your injury is serious.

Right away a man with a serious skin disease came up and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon, a man who had a serious skin disease,

Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?”

So give orders for the sepulchre to be securely guarded till the third day, for fear his disciples should come by night and steal the body, and then tell the people that he has come back to life; and so the last imposture will be more serious than the first."

Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

While He was in Bethany at the house of Simon who had a serious skin disease, as He was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head.

And in the prophet Elisha’s time, there were many in Israel who had serious skin diseases, yet not one of them was healed —only Naaman the Syrian.”

While He was in one of the towns, a man was there who had a serious skin disease all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged Him: “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

As He entered a village, 10 men with serious skin diseases met Him. They stood at a distance

A serious-minded man, fearing God with all his family; he gave much money to the poor, and made prayer to God at all times.

And one of them, named Agabus, said publicly through the Spirit that there would be serious need of food all over the earth: which came about in the time of Claudius.

But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.

So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus.

Now these were more noble than the Jews of Thessalonica, for they gave serious attention to the word, searching in the holy Writings every day, to see if these things were so.

But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of some crime or serious piece of villainy, I would have been justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews,

When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they were not able to prove,

He who has the power of comforting, let him do so; he who gives, let him give freely; he who has the power of ruling, let him do it with a serious mind; he who has mercy on others, let it be with joy.

For if we are foolish, it is to God; or if we are serious, it is for you.

For you see what care was produced in you by this very sorrow of yours before God, what clearing of yourselves, what wrath against sin, what fear, what desire, what serious purpose, what punishment. In everything you have made it clear that you are free from sin in this business.

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.

For kings and all those in authority; so that we may have a calm and quiet life in all fear of God and serious behaviour.

And that women may be dressed in simple clothing, with a quiet and serious air; not with twisted hair and gold or jewels or robes of great price;

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour;

Ministers, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced, addicted to wine, or greedy for money.

Their wives must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything.

But opening his house freely to guests; a lover of what is good, serious-minded, upright, holy, self-controlled;

Older men are to be sober, serious, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.

To the young men give orders to be wise and serious-minded:

In all things see that you are an example of good works; holy in your teaching, serious in behaviour,

And without faith it is not possible to be well-pleasing to him, for it is necessary for anyone who comes to God to have the belief that God is, and that he is a rewarder of all those who make a serious search for him.

But the end of all things is near: so be serious in your behaviour and keep on the watch with prayer;

I who am myself one of the rulers of the church, and a witness of the death of Christ, having my part in the coming glory, send this serious request to the chief men among you:

Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food;

I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent!