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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 - 1 … the goodness of God endureth continually.

*NRSV - 1 Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly? All day long 2 you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.

TEV - "God's Judgment and Grace" - 1 Why do you boast, great man, of your evil? God's faithfulness is eternal. 2 You make plans to ruin others; your tongue is like a sharp razor. You are always inventing lies. 3 You love evil more than good and falsehood more than truth. 4 You love to hurt people with your words, you liar!

• *Psa 52:1 - KJV wording: THE GOODNESS OF GOD ENDURETH CONTINUALLY - NRSV wording: ...against the godly? All day long...
• Robert G. Bratcher and WIlliam D. Reyburn (A Handbook on Psalms, New York: United Bible Societies, 1991, p. 479) explain:

...The Masoretic Text is literally "the constant love of God (is) all day," which TEV has translated "God's faithfulness is eternal" (similarly Weiser; TOB, NJV, AT, GECL, SPCL). But this statement seems inappropriate in the context, and other translations are proposed. There are several ways in which the text has been changed:

• (1) following in part the Syriac, instead of the Masoretic Text "constant love of God," read "against the godly," and join the phrase all the day with what follows in verse 3 (so Oesterley; RSV, FRCL, NEB, ZUR also has "against the godly" but keeps "all the day" with this line instead of joining it to the next);
• (2) following in part the Septuagint, take the Hebrew word chesed (see 5.7) in its Aramaic sense of "infamy" and translate "hero of infamy," and join "all the day" with what follows in verse 3 (BJ, NJB, FRCL, NAB);
• (3) delete "the constant love of God" as a later gloss (Briggs).

The Masoretic Text can be translated, but the meaning it provides does not seem as appropriate to the context as that supplied by the proposed changes in the Hebrew text.

KJV - 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

NRSV - 10 do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

TEV - "God's Assurance to Israel" - 8 "But you, Israel my servant, you are the people that I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham, my friend. 9 I brought you from the ends of the earth; I called you from its farthest corners and said to you, "You are my servant.' I did not reject you, but chose you. 10 Do not be afraid -- I am with you! I am your God -- let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

17 "When my people in their need look for water, when their throats are dry with thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer their prayer; I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. 18 I will make rivers flow among barren hills and springs of water run in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and the dry land into flowing springs. 19 I will make cedars grow in the desert, and acacias and myrtles and olive trees. Forests will grow in barren land, forests of pine and juniper and cypress.

KJV - 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

NRSV - 1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

TEV - "God's Offer of Mercy" - 1 The LORD says, "Come, everyone who is thirsty -- here is water! Come, you that have no money -- buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk -- it will cost you nothing! 2 Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry? Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all. 3 "Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life! I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you the blessings I promised to David. 4 I made him a leader and commander of nations, and through him I showed them my power. 5 Now you will summon foreign nations; at one time they did not know you, but now they will come running to join you! I, the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, will make all this happen; I will give you honor and glory."

10 "My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat. 11 So also will be the word that I speak -- it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do. 12 "You will leave Babylon with joy; you will be led out of the city in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into singing, and the trees will shout for joy. 13 Cypress trees will grow where now there are briers; myrtle trees will come up in place of thorns. This will be a sign that will last forever, a reminder of what I, the LORD, have done."

KJV - 14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

NRSV - 14 I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him.

TEV - "A Time for Everything" - 9 What do we gain from all our work? 10 I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us. 11 He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. 12 So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. 13 All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift. 14 I know that everything God does will last forever. You can't add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of him. 15 Whatever happens or can happen has already happened before. God makes the same thing happen again and again.

KJV - 6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

NRSV - 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

TEV - "A Song of Praise" - 1 All you that are righteous, shout for joy for what the LORD has done; praise him, all you that obey him. 2 Give thanks to the LORD with harps, sing to him with stringed instruments. 3 Sing a new song to him, play the harp with skill, and shout for joy! 4 The words of the LORD are true, and all his works are dependable. 5 The LORD loves what is righteous and just; his constant love fills the earth. 6 The LORD created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word. 7 He gathered all the seas into one place; he shut up the ocean depths in storerooms. 8 Worship the LORD, all the earth! Honor him, all peoples of the world! 9 When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared. 10 The LORD frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans. 11 But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally. 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD; happy are the people he has chosen for his own!

KJV - 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

NRSV - 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.

TEV - "A Prayer for Help" - 7 Answer me now, LORD! I have lost all hope. Don't hide yourself from me, or I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead. 8 Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in you. My prayers go up to you; show me the way I should go. 9 I go to you for protection, LORD; rescue me from my enemies. 10 You are my God; teach me to do your will. Be good to me, and guide me on a safe path.

KJV - 2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: 6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

NRSV - 2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. 4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. 5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;

TEV - "In Praise of God the Savior" - 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, my soul! 2 I will praise him as long as I live; I will sing to my God all my life. 3 Don't put your trust in human leaders; no human being can save you. 4 When they die, they return to the dust; on that day all their plans come to an end. 5 Happy is the man who has the God of Jacob to help him and who depends on the LORD his God, 6 the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them. He always keeps his promises; 7 he judges in favor of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free 8 and gives sight to the blind. He lifts those who have fallen; he loves his righteous people.

KJV - 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

NRSV - 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

TEV - "Faith" - 1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. 2 It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval. 3 It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen. 4 It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

• Heb 11:1 - KJV wording: SUBSTANCE - modern translation: underlying reality (or: assurance)
• Regarding the Greek word translated in the KJV as "substance," which is translated in the RSV as "assurance," Paul Ellingworth and Eugene A. Nida write in Handbook on The Letter to the Hebrews, (New York: United Bible Societies, 1983, page 251):
• The Greek word which RSV translates "assurance" has been understood in three ways: (a) From early times, some translators and commentators have thought it had the meaning "substance" or"underlying reality" which it has in 1.3 (God's own being). This interpretation is chosen by KJV "substance"; Knox and NEB text "gives substance to our hopes." (b) Most translations understand the word as "assurance" or "conviction": RSV and NEB footnote "assurance"; Phps "full confidence"; NAB "confident assurance"; or verbal expressions like to be sure; Mft "we are confident." (c) Some French translations have "guarantee," perhaps because "the word was often used in legal documents of the time for the title-deeds of a piece of property" (TNT note)...
• Heb 11:3 - KJV wording: FRAMED - modern translation: formed

KJV - 6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. 7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. 10 And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

NRSV - 6 Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal; and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him an honest report.

9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, "Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.' 10 And now, as you see, the LORD has kept me alive, as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel was journeying through the wilderness; and here I am today, eighty-five years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was on the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war, and for going and coming.

13 Then Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

TEV - "Hebron Is Given to Caleb" - 6 One day some people from the tribe of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. One of them, Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, said to him, "You know what the LORD said in Kadesh Barnea about you and me to Moses, the man of God. 7 I was forty years old when the LORD's servant Moses sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out this land. I brought an honest report back to him. 8 The men who went with me, however, made our people afraid. But I faithfully obeyed the LORD my God. 9 Because I did, Moses promised me that my children and I would certainly receive as our possession the land which I walked over. 10 But now, look. It has been forty-five years since the LORD said that to Moses. That was when Israel was going through the desert, and the LORD, as he promised, has kept me alive ever since. Look at me! I am eighty-five years old 11 and am just as strong today as I was when Moses sent me out. I am still strong enough for war or for anything else. 12 Now then, give me the hill country that the LORD promised me on that day when my men and I reported. We told you then that the race of giants called the Anakim were there in large walled cities. Maybe the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out, just as the LORD said." 13 Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him the city of Hebron as his possession. 14 Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, because he faithfully obeyed the LORD, the God of Israel. 15 Before this, Hebron was called the city of Arba. (Arba had been the greatest of the Anakim.) There was now peace in the land.

KJV - 8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

NRSV - 8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. 10 For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. 11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

TEV - "A Prayer of Confidence" - 7 I praise the LORD, because he guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. 8 I am always aware of the LORD's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me. 9 And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, 10 because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead. 11 You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.

KJV - 15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

NRSV - 15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

TEV - "The Prayer of an Innocent Man" - 13 Come, LORD! Oppose my enemies and defeat them! Save me from the wicked by your sword; 14 save me from those who in this life have all they want. Punish them with the sufferings you have stored up for them; may there be enough for their children and some left over for their children's children! 15 But I will see you, because I have done no wrong; and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.

• Psa 17:15 - BEHOLD YOUR [GOD'S] FACE / SEE YOU [GOD]
• [For additional references, browse "SEE GOD" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/s.htm.]
• Psa 17:15 - AWAKE WITH THY LIKENESS / AWAKE... BEHOLDING YOUR LIKENESS
• [For additional references, browse "AWAKE WITH THY LIKENESS / AWAKE... BEHOLDING YOUR LIKENESS" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/a.htm.]
• Psa 17:15 - KJV wording: LIKENESS <08544> - modern translation: form (or: representation or similitude)
• The Hebrew is temunah. Temunah is translated in the KJV as follows:
• likeness: Exo 20:4; Deu 4:23,25; Deu 5:8; Psa 17:15
• similitude: Num 12:8, Deu 4:12-16
• image: Job 4:16
• Robert G. Bratcher and William D. Reyburn (A Handbook on Psalms, New York: United Bible Societies, 1991, page 159) comment regarding "likeness" or "form"or "presence:"
• Thy form recalls Num 12:8, where Yahweh [Jehovah] states that Moses has spoken to him face to face and has seen his "form." It is doubtful the psalmist thought of Yahweh as having a material body; so TEV "your pressence"; NEB "a vision of thee"; NJV "the vision of You." The Septuagint translated "and I shall be filled at the appearance of your glory." TEV's "your presence" may need to be rendered "where you are." In some languages line 15b may be rendered idiomatically as "When I awake, my heart will sit cool because I am in the place where you are" or, nonfiguratively, "When I awake, I will be happy because I am near you."

KJV - 40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

NRSV - 40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.

TEV - "Jairus' Daughter and the Woman Who Touched Jesus' Cloak" - 40 When Jesus returned to the other side of the lake, the people welcomed him, because they had all been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus arrived; he was an official in the local synagogue. He threw himself down at Jesus' feet and begged him to go to his home, 42 because his only daughter, who was twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went along, the people were crowding him from every side.

• Luk 8:40 - omit KJV wording: AND IT CAME TO PASS - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)

KJV - 13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

NRSV - 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." 14 But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."

22 He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you -- you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

TEV - "The Parable of the Rich Fool" - 13 A man in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide with me the property our father left us." 14 Jesus answered him, "Man, who gave me the right to judge or to divide the property between you two?" 15 And he went on to say to them all, "Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because a person's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be."

"Trust in God" - 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "And so I tell you not to worry about the food you need to stay alive or about the clothes you need for your body. 23 Life is much more important than food, and the body much more important than clothes. 24 Look at the crows: they don't plant seeds or gather a harvest; they don't have storage rooms or barns; God feeds them! You are worth so much more than birds! 25 Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? 26 If you can't manage even such a small thing, why worry about the other things? 27 Look how the wild flowers grow: they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. 28 It is God who clothes the wild grass -- grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have! 29 "So don't be all upset, always concerned about what you will eat and drink. 30 (For the pagans of this world are always concerned about all these things.) Your Father knows that you need these things. 31 Instead, be concerned with his Kingdom, and he will provide you with these things. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. 33 Sell all your belongings and give the money to the poor. Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out, and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get to them, and no moth can destroy them. 34 For your heart will always be where your riches are.

• Luk 12:13-34 - Possessions, greed, wealth, and poverty
• To explore additional references in the Bible and other writings, and to read articles about early Christian practices, browse:
• "Wealth and Poverty" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/wealth&poverty.htm.
• "Christian love" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/christianlove.htm, especially:
• Sharing as practiced by the earliest Christians (webpage article)
• Sharing and giving to the poor in the Christian churches of Paul's day (webpage article)
• Luk 12:23 (at beginning of verse) - add to KJV wording: For <1063> - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Luk 12:29 - KJV wording: OR <2228> - corrected wording: and <2532> - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Luk 12:31 - KJV wording: THE <3588> KINGDOM <932> OF GOD <3588> <2316> - corrected wording: his <846> kingdom <3588> <932> - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)

KJV - 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

NRSV - 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." 17 They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." 18 And he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

TEV - "Jesus Feeds Five Thousand Men" - 13 When Jesus heard the news about John, he left there in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. The people heard about it, and so they left their towns and followed him by land. 14 Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick. 15 That evening his disciples came to him and said, "It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. Send the people away and let them go to the villages to buy food for themselves." 16 "They don't have to leave," answered Jesus. "You yourselves give them something to eat!" 17 "All we have here are five loaves and two fish," they replied. 18 "Then bring them here to me," Jesus said. 19 He ordered the people to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over. 21 The number of men who ate was about five thousand, not counting the women and children.

• Mat 14:17 - LOAVES AND FISH
• [To explore additional references in the Bible and other writings, browse "LOAVES AND FISH" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/l.htm.]

KJV - 7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

NRSV - 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

TEV - "The Goodness of God" - 7 How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings. 8 We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness. 9 You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light. 10 Continue to love those who know you and to do good to those who are righteous. 11 Do not let proud men attack me or wicked men make me run away.

KJV - 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

NRSV - 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

TEV - "A Hymn of Praise" - 3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock. 4 Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him. 5 The LORD is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.

KJV - 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

46 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

NRSV - 32 the God who girded me with strength, and made my way safe.

46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation,

TEV - "David's Song of Victory" - 30 This God -- how perfect are his deeds! How dependable his words! He is like a shield for all who seek his protection. 31 The LORD alone is God; God alone is our defense. 32 He is the God who makes me strong, who makes my pathway safe. 33 He makes me sure-footed as a deer; he keeps me safe on the mountains. 34 He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow.

46 The LORD lives! Praise my defender! Proclaim the greatness of the God who saves me. 47 He gives me victory over my enemies; he subdues the nations under me 48 and saves me from my foes. O LORD, you give me victory over my enemies and protect me from violent men. 49 And so I praise you among the nations; I sing praises to you. 50 God gives great victories to his king; he shows constant love to the one he has chosen, to David and his descendants forever.

KJV - 12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;…

NRSV - 12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles...

TEV - "Miracles and Wonders" - 12 Many miracles and wonders were being performed among the people by the apostles. All the believers met together in Solomon's Porch. 13 Nobody outside the group dared join them, even though the people spoke highly of them. 14 But more and more people were added to the group -- a crowd of men and women who believed in the Lord. 15 As a result of what the apostles were doing, sick people were carried out into the streets and placed on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 And crowds of people came in from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing those who were sick or who had evil spirits in them; and they were all healed.

KJV - 8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

NRSV - 8 In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And the man sprang up and began to walk.

TEV - "In Lystra and Derbe" - 8 In Lystra there was a crippled man who had been lame from birth and had never been able to walk. 9 He sat there and listened to Paul's words. Paul saw that he believed and could be healed, so he looked straight at him 10 and said in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" The man jumped up and started walking around. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they started shouting in their own Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us!" 12 They gave Barnabas the name Zeus, and Paul the name Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of the god Zeus, whose temple stood just outside the town, brought bulls and flowers to the gate, for he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice to the apostles.

• Act 14:8 - IMPOTENT
• To explore additional references to "impotent," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/i.htm.
• Act 14:8-10 - Christian healing
• To further explore Christian healing, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/ChristianHealing.htm.

KJV - 9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

NRSV - 9 Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;

TEV - "Advice to Young Men" - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. 6 Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. 7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong. 8 If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains. 9 Honor the LORD by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces. 10 If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all.

KJV - 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

NRSV - 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,

34 For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. 35 Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward.

TEV - "Let Us Come Near to God" - 19 We have, then, my brothers, complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus. 20 He opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain -- that is, through his own body. 21 We have a great priest in charge of the house of God. 22 So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. 23 Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. 24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. 25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

32 Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God's light had shone on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle. 33 You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way. 34 You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed something much better, which would last forever. 35 Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward.

• Heb 10:34 - omit KJV wording: OF ME - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Heb 10:34 - omit KJV wording: MY - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Heb 10:34 - a/r: HAVE or: had
• Heb 10:34 - omit KJV wording: IN HEAVEN - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)
• Heb 10:34 - KJV wording: FOR YE HAD COMPASSION OF ME IN MY BONDS, AND TOOK JOYFULLY THE SPOILING OF YOUR GOODS, KNOWING IN YOURSELVES THAT YE HAVE IN HEAVEN A BETTER AND AN ENDURING SUBSTANCE. - modern translation: You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. {ABS's Translator's Version}

KJV - 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

NRSV - 15 Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

TEV - "Spiritual Treasure in Clay Pots" - 13 The scripture says, "I spoke because I believed." In the same spirit of faith we also speak because we believe. 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus to life, will also raise us up with Jesus and take us, together with you, into his presence. 15 All this is for your sake; and as God's grace reaches more and more people, they will offer to the glory of God more prayers of thanksgiving.

"Living by Faith" - 16 For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. 17 And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. 18 For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.

KJV - 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

NRSV - 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

TEV - "Paul's Prayer for His Readers" - 9 I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, 10 so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. 11 Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.

• Phi 1:10 - KJV wording: SINCERE <1506> - modern translation: :pure [Literally: unmixed or genuine or unadulterated. See Loh and Nida's A Translator's Handbook on Paul's Letter to the Philippians (New York: United Bible Society, 1977, page 17).]

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