This webpage includes links to textual commentary and to glossary articles that describe people, places, terms, and books of the Bible. To access those links, just click on "[To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]." To use the Sunday School preparation aid, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/bt-tw-ss.htm.

NOTE REGARDING "THE BIBLE" AND THE 3 BIBLE VERSIONS USED HERE: The original Hebrew and Greek texts are what actually constitute "the Bible." All other versions, whether in English or in Chinese or in Aramaic, whether produced in 384 A.D. or in 1611 A.D. or in 1996 A.D., are merely translations indirectly derived from those original Hebrew and Greek texts. The BibleTexts Online Bible Commentary at http://www.bibletexts.com/bt.htm provides verse-by-verse textual corrections that are based upon the most current knowledge of those original Hebrew and Greek texts. Most of those corrections are relevant only to the KJV, because most modern versions such as the NRSV and the TEV were translated from Hebrew and Greek texts that are much more consistent with "the original texts" than those Hebrew and Greek texts from which the 1611 KJV was translated. In the KJV most of the substantive errors are due to the faulty Hebrew and Greek texts from which the KJV was translated. (See S&H 139:15.) For more details on these issues, you can browse http://www.bibletexts.com/kjv-tr.htm.

Wherever there are substantial differences between the wording of the KJV and the NRSV, the NRSV should be considered as more accurately representing the wording of the original texts. Of the three English language Bible versions used below (the KJV, the NRSV, and the TEV), the NRSV gives the best word-for-word representation of the wording of original texts, and the TEV gives the best phrase-by-phrase representation of the originally intended meaning of original texts.

KJV - 6 …the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

NRSV - 6 ...the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

TEV - "The Rewards of Wisdom" - 1 Son, learn what I teach you and never forget what I tell you to do. 2 Listen to what is wise and try to understand it. 3 Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. 4 Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. 5 If you do, you will know what it means to fear the LORD and you will succeed in learning about God. 6 It is the LORD who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. 7 He provides help and protection for righteous, honest men. 8 He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him.

KJV - 1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. 2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

NRSV - 1 In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed such dreams that his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. 2 So the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. When they came in and stood before the king,

10 The Chaldeans answered the king, "There is no one on earth who can reveal what the king demands! In fact no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean.

16 So Daniel went in and requested that the king give him time and he would tell the king the interpretation.

19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel said: "Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his.

23 To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and power, and have now revealed to me what we asked of you, for you have revealed to us what the king ordered."

TEV - "Nebuchadnezzar's Dream" - 1 In the second year that Nebuchadnezzar was king, he had a dream. It worried him so much that he couldn't sleep, 2 so he sent for his fortunetellers, magicians, sorcerers, and wizards to come and explain the dream to him. When they came and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, "I'm worried about a dream I've had. I want to know what it means." 4 They answered the king in Aramaic, "May Your Majesty live forever! Tell us your dream, and we will explain it to you."

10 The advisers replied, "There is no one on the face of the earth who can tell Your Majesty what you want to know. No king, not even the greatest and most powerful, has ever made such a demand of his fortunetellers, magicians, and wizards. 11 What Your Majesty is asking for is so difficult that no one can do it for you except the gods, and they do not live among human beings." 12 At that, the king flew into a rage and ordered the execution of all the royal advisers in Babylon. 13 So the order was issued for all of them to be killed, including Daniel and his friends.

"God Shows Daniel What the Dream Means" - 16 Daniel went at once and obtained royal permission for more time, so that he could tell the king what the dream meant. 17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. 18 He told them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy and to ask him to explain the mystery to them so that they would not be killed along with the other advisers in Babylon. 19 Then that same night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he praised the God of heaven: 20 "God is wise and powerful! Praise him forever and ever. 21 He controls the times and the seasons; he makes and unmakes kings; it is he who gives wisdom and understanding. 22 He reveals things that are deep and secret; he knows what is hidden in darkness, and he himself is surrounded by light. 23 I praise you and honor you, God of my ancestors. You have given me wisdom and strength; you have answered my prayer and shown us what to tell the king."

KJV - 5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

NRSV - 5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.

7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

TEV - "A Song of Praise" - 4 Happy are those who trust the LORD, who do not turn to idols or join those who worship false gods. 5 You have done many things for us, O LORD our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all -- their number is so great! 6 You do not want sacrifices and offerings; you do not ask for animals burned whole on the altar or for sacrifices to take away sins. Instead, you have given me ears to hear you, 7 and so I answered, "Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law. 8 How I love to do your will, my God! I keep your teaching in my heart."

KJV - 1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

NRSV - 1 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

7 Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings,

10 So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."

13 But Moses said to God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, "What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, "I AM has sent me to you."'

TEV - "God Calls Moses" - 1 One day while Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, he led the flock across the desert and came to Sinai, the holy mountain. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a flame coming from the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up. 3 "This is strange," he thought. "Why isn't the bush burning up? I will go closer and see." 4 When the LORD saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to him from the middle of the bush and said, "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Yes, here I am."

7 Then the LORD said, "I have seen how cruelly my people are being treated in Egypt; I have heard them cry out to be rescued from their slave drivers. I know all about their sufferings, 8 and so I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them out of Egypt to a spacious land, one which is rich and fertile and in which the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites now live. 9 I have indeed heard the cry of my people, and I see how the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 Now I am sending you to the king of Egypt so that you can lead my people out of his country." 11 But Moses said to God, "I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" 12 God answered, "I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you." 13 But Moses replied, "When I go to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors sent me to you,' they will ask me, "What is his name?' So what can I tell them?" 14 God said, "I am who I am. You must tell them: "The one who is called I AM has sent me to you.' 15 Tell the Israelites that I, the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have sent you to them. This is my name forever; this is what all future generations are to call me.

• Exo 3:14 - KJV wording: I AM THAT I AM - modern translation: I AM WHO I AM
• To read an explanation of the background, use, and significance of the phrase I AM in the early Christian's Bible (the Greek Septuagint) and in the Gospel of John, including Jesus' "I am" sayings, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/i-am.htm.
• To read a recurring question and a definitive answer regarding the Exodus 3:14 pronouncement of God as the I AM, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/qa/qa043.htm.

KJV - 1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

NRSV - 1 On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

3 Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: 4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

TEV - "The Israelites at Mount Sinai" - 1...2 The people of Israel left Rephidim, and on the first day of the third month after they had left Egypt they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai, 3 and Moses went up the mountain to meet with God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and told him to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants: 4 "You saw what I, the LORD, did to the Egyptians and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to me. 5 Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people, 6 a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests." 7 So Moses went down and called the leaders of the people together and told them everything that the LORD had commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together, "We will do everything that the LORD has said," and Moses reported this to the LORD.

KJV - 1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

NRSV - 1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me.

TEV - "The Ten Commandments" - 1 God spoke, and these were his words: 2 "I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. 3 "Worship no god but me. 4 "Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. 5 Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the LORD your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation. 6 But I show my love to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my laws.

• Exo 20:3 - 1st Commandment: HAVE NO OTHER GODS
• [To explore additional references in the Bible and other writings, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/10commandments.htm.]

KJV - 4 Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: 5 Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

NRSV - 4 Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?

13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.

TEV - "The Sin of Israel's Ancestors" - 4 Listen to the LORD's message, you descendants of Jacob, you tribes of Israel. 5 The LORD says: "What accusation did your ancestors bring against me? What made them turn away from me? They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. 6 They did not care about me, even though I rescued them from Egypt and led them through the wilderness: a land of deserts and sand pits, a dry and dangerous land where no one lives and no one will even travel.

"The LORD's Case against His People" - 12 And so I command the sky to shake with horror, to be amazed and astonished, 13 for my people have committed two sins: they have turned away from me, the spring of fresh water, and they have dug cisterns, cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all.

KJV - 10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king:…

NRSV - 10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King...

TEV - "Idolatry and True Worship" - 8 All of them are stupid and foolish. What can they learn from wooden idols? 9 Their idols are covered with silver from Spain and with gold from Uphaz, all the work of artists; they are dressed in violet and purple cloth woven by skilled weavers. 10 But you, LORD, are the true God, you are the living God and the eternal king. When you are angry, the world trembles; the nations cannot endure your anger.

KJV - 15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; 17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

NRSV - 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; 17 they have ears, but they do not hear, and there is no breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them and all who trust them shall become like them.

TEV - "A Hymn of Praise" - 15 The gods of the nations are made of silver and gold; they are formed by human hands. 16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, and eyes, but cannot see. 17 They have ears, but cannot hear; they are not even able to breathe. 18 May all who made them and who trust in them become like the idols they have made!

KJV - 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

NRSV - 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

TEV - "God's Offer of Mercy" - 6 Turn to the LORD and pray to him, now that he is near. 7 Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the LORD, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive. 8 "My thoughts," says the LORD, "are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. 9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.

KJV - 1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

NRSV - 1 Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? Wisdom makes one's face shine, and the hardness of one's countenance is changed.

{2 Keep the king's command...} 5 Whoever obeys a command will meet no harm, and the wise mind will know the time and way.

TEV - "Thoughts about Life" - 1 Only a wise man knows what things really mean. Wisdom makes him smile and makes his frowns disappear.

"Obey the King" - 2 Do what the king says, and don't make any rash promises to God. 3 The king can do anything he likes, so depart from his presence; don't stay in such a dangerous place. 4 The king acts with authority, and no one can challenge what he does. 5 As long as you obey his commands, you are safe, and a wise man knows how and when to do it. 6 There is a right time and a right way to do everything, but we know so little! 7 None of us knows what is going to happen, and there is no one to tell us. 8 No one can keep himself from dying or put off the day of his death. That is a battle we cannot escape; we cannot cheat our way out.

KJV - 1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God:…

14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

NRSV - 1 All this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God;...

14 There was a little city with few people in it. A great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

TEV - "The Wicked and the Righteous" - 1 I thought long and hard about all this and saw that God controls the actions of wise and righteous men, even their love and their hate. No one knows anything about what lies ahead of him.

"Thoughts on Wisdom and Foolishness" - 13 There is something else I saw, a good example of how wisdom is regarded in this world. 14 There was a little town without many people in it. A powerful king attacked it. He surrounded it and prepared to break through the walls. 15 A man lived there who was poor, but so clever that he could have saved the town. But no one thought about him. 16 I have always said that wisdom is better than strength, but no one thinks of a poor man as wise or pays any attention to what he says. 17 It is better to listen to the quiet words of a wise man than to the shouts of a ruler at a council of fools. 18 Wisdom does more good than weapons, but one sinner can undo a lot of good.

KJV - 5 The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation:…

NRSV - 5 The LORD is exalted, he dwells on high; he filled Zion with justice and righteousness; 6 he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;...

TEV - "A Prayer for Help" - 1 Our enemies are doomed! They have robbed and betrayed, although no one has robbed them or betrayed them. But their time to rob and betray will end, and they themselves will become victims of robbery and treachery. 2 LORD, have mercy on us. We have put our hope in you. Protect us day by day and save us in times of trouble. 3 When you fight for us, nations run away from the noise of battle. 4 Their belongings are pounced upon and taken as loot. 5 How great the LORD is! He rules over everything. He will fill Jerusalem with justice and integrity 6 and give stability to the nation. He always protects his people and gives them wisdom and knowledge. Their greatest treasure is their reverence for the LORD.

KJV - 1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

NRSV - 1 In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.

5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.

18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Your power

TEV - "An Old Man's Prayer" - 1 LORD, I have come to you for protection; never let me be defeated! 2 Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me. Listen to me and save me! 3 Be my secure shelter and a strong fortress to protect me; you are my refuge and defense. 4 My God, rescue me from wicked men, from the power of cruel and evil men. 5 Sovereign LORD, I put my hope in you; I have trusted in you since I was young. 6 I have relied on you all my life; you have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise you.

17 You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts. 18 Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come. 19 Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies. You have done great things; there is no one like you. 20 You have sent troubles and suffering on me, but you will restore my strength; you will keep me from the grave. 21 You will make me greater than ever; you will comfort me again.

KJV - 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever:

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

NRSV - 23 Our steps are made firm by the LORD, when he delights in our way;

28 For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones. The righteous shall be kept safe forever,...

37 Mark the blameless, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable.

TEV - "The Destiny of the Wicked and of the Good" - 21 The wicked man borrows and never pays back, but the good man is generous with his gifts. 22 Those who are blessed by the LORD will possess the land, but those who are cursed by him will be driven out. 23 The LORD guides a man in the way he should go and protects those who please him. 24 If they fall, they will not stay down, because the LORD will help them up.

27 Turn away from evil and do good, and your descendants will always live in the land; 28 for the LORD loves what is right and does not abandon his faithful people. He protects them forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be driven out. 29 The righteous will possess the land and live in it forever. 30 A good man's words are wise, and he is always fair. 31 He keeps the law of his God in his heart and never departs from it.

35 I once knew a wicked man who was a tyrant; he towered over everyone like a cedar of Lebanon; 36 but later I passed by, and he wasn't there; I looked for him, but couldn't find him. 37 Notice the good man, observe the righteous man; a peaceful man has descendants, 38 but sinners are completely destroyed, and their descendants are wiped out.

KJV - 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

NRSV - 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 12 Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. 13 When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,

TEV - "Jeremiah's Letter to the Jews in Babylonia" - 10 "The LORD says, "When Babylonia's seventy years are over, I will show my concern for you and keep my promise to bring you back home. 11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. 12 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. 13 You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart. 14 Yes, I say, you will find me, and I will restore you to your land. I will gather you from every country and from every place to which I have scattered you, and I will bring you back to the land from which I had sent you away into exile. I, the LORD, have spoken.'

KJV - 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

NRSV - 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

TEV - "Thanksgiving and Encouragement" - 3 I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did. I thank him as I remember you always in my prayers night and day. 4 I remember your tears, and I want to see you very much, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also. 6 For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.

• 2Ti 1:7 - GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR
• To explore additional references, browse "FEAR NOT" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/f.htm.

KJV - 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

NRSV - 1 After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay many invalids -- blind, lame, and paralyzed. 4 [ Omitted in NRSV ] 5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." 9 At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath.

TEV - "The Healing at the Pool" - 1 After this, Jesus went to Jerusalem for a religious festival. 2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool with five porches; in Hebrew it is called Bethzatha. 3 A large crowd of sick people were lying on the porches -- the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. 5 A man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus saw him lying there, and he knew that the man had been sick for such a long time; so he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" 7 The sick man answered, "Sir, I don't have anyone here to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am trying to get in, somebody else gets there first." 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." 9 Immediately the man got well; he picked up his mat and started walking. The day this happened was a Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish authorities told the man who had been healed, "This is a Sabbath, and it is against our Law for you to carry your mat." 11 He answered, "The man who made me well told me to pick up my mat and walk." 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who told you to do this?" 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who Jesus was, for there was a crowd in that place, and Jesus had slipped away.

• Joh 5:2 - KJV wording: SHEEP MARKET - modern translation: sheepgate
• Joh 5:2 - KJV wording: BETHESDA - corrected wording: Bethzatha - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Joh 5:3-4 - [To read a textual commentary of John 5:3-4, regarding the pool of Bethesda (Bethzatha), browse http://www.bibletexts.com/versecom/joh05v03.htm ]
• Joh 5:3 - omit KJV wording: GREAT <4183> - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Joh 5:3 - omit KJV wording: WAITING <1551> FOR THE MOVING <3588> <2796> OF THE WATER <3588> <5204> - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Joh 5:4 - omit KJV wording: (omit entire verse) - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Joh 5:5 - KJV wording: (preceding "infirmity"): AN <3588> - corrected wording: his <846> <3588> - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)

KJV - 28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

NRSV - 28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The first is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32 Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that "he is one, and besides him there is no other'; 33 and "to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and "to love one's neighbor as oneself,' -- this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that no one dared to ask him any question.

TEV - "The Great Commandment" - 28 A teacher of the Law was there who heard the discussion. He saw that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer, so he came to him with a question: "Which commandment is the most important of all?" 29 Jesus replied, "The most important one is this: "Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second most important commandment is this: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment more important than these two." 32 The teacher of the Law said to Jesus, "Well done, Teacher! It is true, as you say, that only the Lord is God and that there is no other god but he. 33 And man must love God with all his heart and with all his mind and with all his strength; and he must love his neighbor as he loves himself. It is more important to obey these two commandments than to offer on the altar animals and other sacrifices to God." 34 Jesus noticed how wise his answer was, and so he told him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." After this nobody dared to ask Jesus any more questions.

• Mar 12:28-34 - JESUS' TEACHINGS ON THE COMMANDMENTS
• To explore Jesus' teachings on 4 commandments that he specifically singled out for comment, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/10Commandments-Jesus-comments.htm.
• Mar 12:28 - KJV wording: PERCEIVING <1492> - corrected wording: seeing <3708> - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Mar 12:29 - omit KJV wording: (after "answered") HIM - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Mar 12:29 - omit KJV wording: OF ALL THE COMMANDMENTS - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Mar 12:30 - omit KJV wording: THIS IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Mar 12:30 - LOVE GOD WITH ALL HEART, SOUL, MIND
• To explore other biblical and other references, browse "LOVE GOD WITH ALL HEART, SOUL, MIND" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/l.htm.
• Mar 12:31 - omit KJV wording: (at beginning of verse) AND - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Mar 12:31 - omit KJV wording: LIKE, NAMELY - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Mar 12:31 - LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
• [To explore additional references in the Bible and other writings, browse "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/l.htm.]
• Mar 12:32 - omit KJV wording: GOD - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)

KJV - 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NRSV - 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

TEV - "Please Others, Not Yourselves" - 1 We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves. 2 Instead, we should all please our brothers for their own good, in order to build them up in the faith. 3 For Christ did not please himself. Instead, as the scripture says, "The insults which are hurled at you have fallen on me." 4 Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. 5 And may God, the source of patience and encouragement, enable you to have the same point of view among yourselves by following the example of Christ Jesus, 6 so that all of you together may praise with one voice the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Homepage of the BibleTexts website is at http://www.bibletexts.com
• Ask questions or make comments to support@bibletexts.com