BIBLETEXTS.COM - Online Bible Commentary


A Bible Lesson Study Aid

for Sunday, May 13, 2001 (version 2.02)


What is included in this study aid and in the actual Bible lesson?

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This Bible lesson study aid includes a variety of resources: Bible texts from the KJV, NRSV, and TEV; excerpts from the BibleTexts Online Bible Commentary; and links to other resources that can enrich your study of the current Bible lesson.

The Bible lesson itself has three components: (1) the current Christian Science Quarterly magazine, (2) the Bible, and (3) Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (by Mary Baker Eddy). All three can be read or purchased at any Christian Science Reading Room. A worldwide listing of Reading Rooms is available at http://168.203.8.11/Church.qry?function=form.

The Christian Science Quarterly contains three months of weekly Bible Lessons. Each week's Bible lesson begins with a Golden Text and Responsive Reading and then lists six sections of (a) readings from the Bible and (b) correlative readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which help to explain each section's Bible passages.

Some questions regarding this week's Bible Lesson may be found at http://www.bibletexts.com/bt/bq010513.htm.


"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.

This webpage also 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/sundayschool.htm.

KJV = King James Version, NRSV = New Revised Standard Version, TEV = Today's English Version


Bible Lesson Study Aid

<GT> James 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

NRSV - 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

TEV - "Friendship with the World" - 7 So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! 9 Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.


<RR1> James 1 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

NRSV - 12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. 14 But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it;

21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act -- they will be blessed in their doing.

TEV - "Testing and Tempting" - 12 Happy is the person who remains faithful under trials, because when he succeeds in passing such a test, he will receive as his reward the life which God has promised to those who love him. 13 If a person is tempted by such trials, he must not say, "This temptation comes from God." For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But a person is tempted when he is drawn away and trapped by his own evil desire. 15 Then his evil desire conceives and gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

"Hearing and Doing" - 19 Remember this, my dear brothers! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. 20 Man's anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose. 21 So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you. 22 Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. 23 Whoever listens to the word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is. 24 He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks closely into the perfect law that sets people free, who keeps on paying attention to it and does not simply listen and then forget it, but puts it into practice -- that person will be blessed by God in what he does.


<RR2> James 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God…

NRSV - 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God...

TEV - "Friendship with the World" - 7 So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! 9 Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.


[********** 1 **********]

<B1> Genesis 1 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

NRSV - 1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

6 ...God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters."

26 Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

TEV - "The Story of Creation" - 1 In the beginning, when God created the universe, 2 the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of God was moving over the water. 3 Then God commanded, "Let there be light" -- and light appeared. 4 God was pleased with what he saw. Then he separated the light from the darkness, 5 and he named the light "Day" and the darkness "Night." Evening passed and morning came -- that was the first day. 6...7 Then God commanded, "Let there be a dome to divide the water and to keep it in two separate places" -- and it was done. So God made a dome, and it separated the water under it from the water above it. 8 He named the dome "Sky." Evening passed and morning came -- that was the second day.

26 Then God said, "And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small." 27 So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female, 28 blessed them, and said, "Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. 29 I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; 30 but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food" -- and it was done. 31 God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased. Evening passed and morning came -- that was the sixth day.


<B2> Psalms 108 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

NRSV - 1 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make melody. Awake, my soul!

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.

TEV - "A Prayer for Help against Enemies" - 1 I have complete confidence, O God! I will sing and praise you! Wake up, my soul! 2 Wake up, my harp and lyre! I will wake up the sun. 3 I will thank you, O LORD, among the nations. I will praise you among the peoples. 4 Your constant love reaches above the heavens; your faithfulness touches the skies. 5 Show your greatness in the sky, O God, and your glory over all the earth. 6 Save us by your might; answer my prayer, so that the people you love may be rescued. 7 From his sanctuary God has said, "In triumph I will divide Shechem and distribute Sukkoth Valley to my people. 8 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh too; Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my royal scepter. 9 But I will use Moab as my washbowl, and I will throw my sandals on Edom, as a sign that I own it. I will shout in triumph over the Philistines."


<B3> Psalms 139 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

NRSV - 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

TEV - "God's Complete Knowledge and Care" - 13 You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. 15 When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there -- 16 you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.


<B4> Psalms 49 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable:…

NRSV - 1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.

TEV - "The Foolishness of Trusting in Riches" - 1 Hear this, everyone! Listen, all people everywhere, 2 great and small alike, rich and poor together. 3 My thoughts will be clear; I will speak words of wisdom. 4 I will turn my attention to proverbs and explain their meaning as I play the harp.


<B5> Genesis 2 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

NRSV - 6 but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground -- 7 then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. 8 And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

TEV - "The Garden of Eden" - 4b When the LORD God made the universe, 5 there were no plants on the earth and no seeds had sprouted, because he had not sent any rain, and there was no one to cultivate the land; 6 but water would come up from beneath the surface and water the ground. 7 Then the LORD God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live. 8 Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the East, and there he put the man he had formed. 9 He made all kinds of beautiful trees grow there and produce good fruit. In the middle of the garden stood the tree that gives life and the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in the past section.


[********** 2 **********]

<B6> Genesis 2 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

NRSV - 18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." 19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken."

TEV - "The Garden of Eden" - 18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him." 19 So he took some soil from the ground and formed all the animals and all the birds. Then he brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and that is how they all got their names. 20 So the man named all the birds and all the animals; but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him. 21 Then the LORD God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the flesh. 22 He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. 23 Then the man said, "At last, here is one of my own kind -- Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh. "Woman' is her name because she was taken out of man." 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in the past section.


[********** 3 **********]

<B7> Genesis 3 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

NRSV - 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, "You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die."' 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.

TEV - "The Disobedience of Man" - 1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the LORD God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" 2 "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered, 3 "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die." 4 The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die. 5 God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad." 6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. 7 As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves. 8 That evening they heard the LORD God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees. 9 But the LORD God called out to the man, "Where are you?" 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked." 11 "Who told you that you were naked?" God asked. "Did you eat the fruit that I told you not to eat?"


<B8> 1 John 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

6 We are of God:…

NRSV - 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

6 We are from God....

TEV - "The True Spirit and the False Spirit" - 1 My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere. 2 This is how you will be able to know whether it is God's Spirit: anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came as a human being has the Spirit who comes from God. 3 But anyone who denies this about Jesus does not have the Spirit from God. The spirit that he has is from the Enemy of Christ; you heard that it would come, and now it is here in the world already. 4 But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world. 5 Those false prophets speak about matters of the world, and the world listens to them because they belong to the world. 6 But we belong to God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. This, then, is how we can tell the difference between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


<B9> 2 Corinthians 11 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 3 …I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

NRSV - 3 ...I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

TEV - "Paul and the False Apostles" - 1 I wish you would tolerate me, even when I am a bit foolish. Please do! 2 I am jealous for you, just as God is; you are like a pure virgin whom I have promised in marriage to one man only, Christ himself. 3 I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ -- in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake's clever lies. 4 For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a different Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the gospel you received from us!


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in the past section.


[********** 4 **********]

<B10> Genesis 3 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

NRSV - 9 But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate."

22 Then the LORD God said, "See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" -- 23 therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.

TEV - "The Disobedience of Man" - 6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. 7 As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves. 8 That evening they heard the LORD God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees. 9 But the LORD God called out to the man, "Where are you?" 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked." 11 "Who told you that you were naked?" God asked. "Did you eat the fruit that I told you not to eat?" 12 The man answered, "The woman you put here with me gave me the fruit, and I ate it." 13 The LORD God asked the woman, "Why did you do this?" She replied, "The snake tricked me into eating it."

"Adam and Eve Are Sent Out of the Garden" - 22 Then the LORD God said, "Now the man has become like one of us and has knowledge of what is good and what is bad. He must not be allowed to take fruit from the tree that gives life, eat it, and live forever." 23 So the LORD God sent him out of the Garden of Eden and made him cultivate the soil from which he had been formed. 24 Then at the east side of the garden he put living creatures and a flaming sword which turned in all directions. This was to keep anyone from coming near the tree that gives life.


<B11> Romans 6 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

NRSV - 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

TEV - "Slaves of Righteousness" - 15 What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under God's grace? By no means! 16 Surely you know that when you surrender yourselves as slaves to obey someone, you are in fact the slaves of the master you obey -- either of sin, which results in death, or of obedience, which results in being put right with God.


<B12> 1 Peter 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

NRSV - 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

TEV - "The Flock of God" - 5 In the same way you younger men must submit yourselves to the older men. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. 7 Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in the past section.


[********** 5 **********]

<B13> Isaiah 57 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 14 …Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

NRSV - 14 ..."Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way." 15 For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will lead them and repay them with comfort, creating for their mourners the fruit of the lips.

TEV - "God's Promise of Help and Healing" - 14 The LORD says, "Let my people return to me. Remove every obstacle from their path! Build the road and make it ready! 15 "I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope. 16 I gave my people life, and I will not continue to accuse them or be angry with them forever. 17 I was angry with them because of their sin and greed, and so I punished them and abandoned them. But they were stubborn and kept on going their own way. 18 "I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn. 19 I offer peace to all, both near and far! I will heal my people. 20 But evil men are like the restless sea, whose waves never stop rolling in, bringing filth and muck. 21 There is no safety for sinners," says the LORD.


<B14> Isaiah 43 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

NRSV - 6 I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth -- 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

TEV - "God Promises to Rescue His People" - 5 "From the distant east and the farthest west I will bring your people home. 6 I will tell the north to let them go and the south not to hold them back. Let my people return from distant lands, from every part of the world. 7 They are my own people, and I created them to bring me glory."


<B15> Isaiah 41 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

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.

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.

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.


<B16> 1 John 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

NRSV - 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,

18 We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

TEV - "Our Victory over the World" - 1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Messiah is a child of God; and whoever loves a father loves his child also. 2 This is how we know that we love God's children: it is by loving God and obeying his commands. 3 For our love for God means that we obey his commands. And his commands are not too hard for us, 4 because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. 5 Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

"Eternal Life" - 18 We know that no child of God keeps on sinning, for the Son of God keeps him safe, and the Evil One cannot harm him. 19 We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One. 20 We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we know the true God. We live in union with the true God -- in union with his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and this is eternal life. 21 My children, keep yourselves safe from false gods!


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in the past section.


[********** 6 **********]

<B17> John 9 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

NRSV - 1 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.

6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, 7 saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.

TEV - "Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind" - 1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind. 2 His disciples asked him, "Teacher, whose sin caused him to be born blind? Was it his own or his parents' sin?" 3 Jesus answered, "His blindness has nothing to do with his sins or his parents' sins. He is blind so that God's power might be seen at work in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me; night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light for the world." 6 After he said this, Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud with the spittle; he rubbed the mud on the man's eyes 7 and told him, "Go and wash your face in the Pool of Siloam." (This name means "Sent.") So the man went, washed his face, and came back seeing.


<B18> Romans 8 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;…

NRSV - 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ...

TEV - "The Conflict in Man" - 2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like man's sinful nature, to do away with sin. 4 God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature.

12 So then, my brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. 13 For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 14 Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's sons. 15 For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, "Father! my Father!" 16 God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. 17 Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.


<B19> Galatians 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 22 ...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

NRSV - 22 ...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

TEV - "The Spirit and Human Nature" - 22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. 25 The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives. 26 We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in the past section.


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