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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.

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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.

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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

KJV - 6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

NRSV - 6 Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you."

TEV - "Joshua Becomes Moses' Successor" - 1 Moses continued speaking to the people of Israel, 2 and said, "I am now a hundred and twenty years old and am no longer able to be your leader. And besides this, the LORD has told me that I will not cross the Jordan. 3 The LORD your God himself will go before you and destroy the nations living there, so that you can occupy their land; and Joshua will be your leader, as the LORD has said. 4 The LORD will destroy those people, just as he defeated Sihon and Og, kings of the Amorites, and destroyed their country. 5 The LORD will give you victory over them, and you are to treat them exactly as I have told you. 6 Be determined and confident. Do not be afraid of them. Your God, the LORD himself, will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you."

KJV - 1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

NRSV - 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."' 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you,' and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone."' 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."' 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

TEV - "The Temptation of Jesus" - 1 Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. 3 Then the Devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread." 4 But Jesus answered, "The scripture says, "Man cannot live on bread alone, but needs every word that God speaks." 5 Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, set him on the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says, "God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones." 7 Jesus answered, "But the scripture also says, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." 8 Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. 9 "All this I will give you," the Devil said, "if you kneel down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus answered, "Go away, Satan! The scripture says, "Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!" 11 Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.

• Mat 4:1-11
• Mar 1:12,13
• Luk 4:1-13
• Mat 4:1 - DEVIL
• To read an explanation of the Greek words translated by the KJV as "Satan" and "the Devil", browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/satan.htm.
• Mat 4:1
• Heb 4:15
• Mat 4:2
• Exo 34:28
• 1Ki 19:8
• Mat 4:3
• Gen 3:1-7
• Mat 4:4
• Luk 4:4
• S&H 410:10
• Mat 4:6
• Psa 91:11,12
• Mat 4:9
• Mat 16:26
• Mat 4:10
• Luk 4:8
• No 23:7
• Mat 4:11
• Joh 1:51
• Heb 1:6,14

KJV - 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:…

NRSV - 7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked,...

TEV - "Bear One Another's Burdens" - 6 The man who is being taught the Christian message should share all the good things he has with his teacher. 7 Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A person will reap exactly what he plants. 8 If he plants in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death; if he plants in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life. 9 So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. 10 So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.

• Gal 6:7
• S&H 405:17
• S&H 537:13
• Mis 65:30
• Mis 105:24
• Hea 5:10-3
• No 32:4
• Pul 7:19
• My 6:3

KJV - 8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.

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.

NRSV - 8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the LORD.

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.

TEV - "Jeremiah's Letter to the Jews in Babylonia" - 8 I, the LORD, the God of Israel, warn you not to let yourselves be deceived by the prophets who live among you or by any others who claim they can predict the future. Do not pay any attention to their dreams. 9 They are telling you lies in my name. I did not send them. I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken.' 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.'

• Jer 29:11 - KJV wording: TO GIVE YOU AN EXPECTED END. - modern translation: to give you a hopeful future.

KJV - 5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me:…

NRSV - 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no god...

TEV - "The LORD Appoints Cyrus" - 5 "I am the LORD; there is no other god. I will give you the strength you need, although you do not know me. 6 I do this so that everyone from one end of the world to the other may know that I am the LORD and that there is no other god. 7 I create both light and darkness; I bring both blessing and disaster. I, the LORD, do all these things. 8 I will send victory from the sky like rain; the earth will open to receive it and will blossom with freedom and justice. I, the LORD, will make this happen."

KJV - 4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. 5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

NRSV - 4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

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.

KJV - 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

NRSV - 30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.

TEV - "Solomon's Proverbs" - 28 The testimony of a liar is not believed, but the word of someone who thinks matters through is accepted. 29 Righteous people are sure of themselves; the wicked have to pretend as best they can. 30 Human wisdom, brilliance, insight -- they are of no help if the LORD is against you. 31 You can get horses ready for battle, but it is the LORD who gives victory.

KJV - 5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people;…

NRSV - 5 Now there was a Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair son of Shimei son of Kish, a Benjaminite.

7 Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his cousin, for she had neither father nor mother; the girl was fair and beautiful, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter.

17 the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

20 Now Esther had not revealed her kindred or her people,...

TEV - "Esther Becomes Queen" - 5 There in Susa lived a Jew named Mordecai son of Jair; he was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei. 6 When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took King Jehoiachin of Judah into exile from Jerusalem, along with a group of captives, Mordecai was among them. 7 He had a cousin, Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah; she was a beautiful girl, and had a good figure. At the death of her parents, Mordecai had adopted her and brought her up as his own daughter.

17 The king liked her more than any of the other girls, and more than any of the others she won his favor and affection. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great banquet in Esther's honor and invited all his officials and administrators. He proclaimed a holiday for the whole empire and distributed gifts worthy of a king.

"Mordecai Saves the King's Life" - 19 Meanwhile Mordecai had been appointed by the king to an administrative position. 20 As for Esther, she had still not let it be known that she was Jewish. Mordecai had told her not to tell anyone, and she obeyed him in this, just as she had obeyed him when she was a little girl under his care.

KJV - 1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed:…

15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

NRSV - 1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the officials who were with him. 2 And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance.

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance to him, Haman was infuriated. 6 But he thought it beneath him to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, having been told who Mordecai's people were, Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so that it is not appropriate for the king to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued for their destruction,...

TEV - "Haman Plots to Destroy the Jews" - 1 Some time later King Xerxes promoted a man named Haman to the position of prime minister. Haman was the son of Hammedatha, a descendant of Agag. 2 The king ordered all the officials in his service to show their respect for Haman by kneeling and bowing to him. They all did so, except for Mordecai, who refused to do it. 3 The other officials in the royal service asked him why he was disobeying the king's command; 4 day after day they urged him to give in, but he would not listen to them. "I am a Jew," he explained, "and I cannot bow to Haman." So they told Haman about this, wondering if he would tolerate Mordecai's conduct. 5 Haman was furious when he realized that Mordecai was not going to kneel and bow to him, 6 and when he learned that Mordecai was a Jew, he decided to do more than punish Mordecai alone. He made plans to kill every Jew in the whole Persian Empire. 7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes' rule, in the first month, the month of Nisan, Haman ordered the lots to be cast ("purim", they were called) to find out the right day and month to carry out his plot. The thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, was decided on. 8 So Haman told the king, "There is a certain race of people scattered all over your empire and found in every province. They observe customs that are not like those of any other people. Moreover, they do not obey the laws of the empire, so it is not in your best interests to tolerate them. 9 If it please Your Majesty, issue a decree that they are to be put to death. If you do, I guarantee that I will be able to put 375 tons of silver into the royal treasury for the administration of the empire."

KJV - 7 … the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

NRSV - 7 The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;

TEV - "The Obedience of the LORD's Servant" - 7 But their insults cannot hurt me because the Sovereign LORD gives me help. I brace myself to endure them. I know that I will not be disgraced, 8 for God is near, and he will prove me innocent. Does anyone dare bring charges against me? Let us go to court together! Let him bring his accusation! 9 The Sovereign LORD himself defends me -- who, then, can prove me guilty? All my accusers will disappear; they will vanish like moth-eaten cloth.

KJV - 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing;…

4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her…

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:…

NRSV - 3 In every province, wherever the king's command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting,...

4 ...Esther's maids and her eunuchs came and told her,...

15 Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, 16 "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law;...

TEV - "Mordecai Asks for Esther's Help" - 1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes in anguish. Then he dressed in sackcloth, covered his head with ashes, and walked through the city, wailing loudly and bitterly, 2 until he came to the entrance of the palace. He did not go in because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside. 3 Throughout all the provinces, wherever the king's proclamation was made known, there was loud mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, wailed, and most of them put on sackcloth and lay in ashes. 4 When Esther's servant girls and eunuchs told her what Mordecai was doing, she was deeply disturbed. She sent Mordecai some clothes to put on instead of the sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then she called Hathach, one of the palace eunuchs appointed as her servant by the king, and told him to go to Mordecai and find out what was happening and why. 6 Hathach went to Mordecai in the city square at the entrance of the palace. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him and just how much money Haman had promised to put into the royal treasury if all the Jews were killed.

12 When Mordecai received Esther's message, 13 he sent her this warning: "Don't imagine that you are safer than any other Jew just because you are in the royal palace. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, help will come from heaven to the Jews, and they will be saved, but you will die and your father's family will come to an end. Yet who knows -- maybe it was for a time like this that you were15 Esther sent Mordecai this reply: 16 "Go and get all the Jews in Susa together; hold a fast and pray for me. Don't eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant girls and I will be doing the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I must die for doing it, I will die."

• Est 4:16 - pray for me
• To explore the subject of prayer, browse a listing of many articles on prayer at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/prayer.htm. Especially see the article at http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/prayer.htm.

KJV - 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. 4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

NRSV - 3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch. 4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you. 12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover them with favor as with a shield.

TEV - "A Prayer for Protection" - 1 Listen to my words, O LORD, and hear my sighs. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my God and king! I pray to you, O LORD; 3 you hear my voice in the morning; at sunrise I offer my prayer and wait for your answer. 4 You are not a God who is pleased with wrongdoing; you allow no evil in your presence. 5 You cannot stand the sight of proud men; you hate all wicked people. 6 You destroy all liars and despise violent, deceitful men. 7 But because of your great love I can come into your house; I can worship in your holy Temple and bow down to you in reverence. 8 LORD, I have so many enemies! Lead me to do your will; make your way plain for me to follow. 9 What my enemies say can never be trusted; they only want to destroy. Their words are flattering and smooth, but full of deadly deceit. 10 Condemn and punish them, O God; may their own plots cause their ruin. Drive them out of your presence because of their many sins and their rebellion against you. 11 But all who find safety in you will rejoice; they can always sing for joy. Protect those who love you; because of you they are truly happy. 12 You bless those who obey you, LORD; your love protects them like a shield.

KJV - 2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight:…

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. 9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart:…

NRSV - 2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor...

3 The king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom."

7 Then Esther said, "This is my petition and request: 8 If I have won the king's favor, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and then I will do as the king has said." 9 Haman went out that day happy and in good spirits...

TEV - "Esther Invites the King and Haman to a Banquet" - 1 On the third day of her fast Esther put on her royal robes and went and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, facing the throne room. The king was inside, seated on the royal throne, facing the entrance. 2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing outside, she won his favor, and he held out to her the gold scepter. She then came up and touched the tip of it. 3 "What is it, Queen Esther?" the king asked. "Tell me what you want, and you shall have it -- even if it is half my empire." 4 Esther replied, "If it please Your Majesty, I would like you and Haman to be my guests tonight at a banquet I am preparing for you." 5 The king then ordered Haman to come quickly, so that they could be Esther's guests. So the king and Haman went to Esther's banquet. 6 Over the wine the king asked her, "Tell me what you want, and you shall have it. I will grant your request, even if you ask for half my empire." 7 Esther replied, 8 "If Your Majesty is kind enough to grant my request, I would like you and Haman to be my guests tomorrow at another banquet that I will prepare for you. At that time I will tell you what I want." 9 When Haman left the banquet he was happy and in a good mood. But then he saw Mordecai at the entrance of the palace, and when Mordecai did not rise or show any sign of respect as he passed, Haman was furious with him. 10 But he controlled himself and went on home. Then he invited his friends to his house and asked his wife Zeresh to join them. 11 He boasted to them about how rich he was, how many sons he had, how the king had promoted him to high office, and how much more important he was than any of the king's other officials. 12 "What is more," Haman went on, "Queen Esther gave a banquet for no one but the king and me, and we are invited back tomorrow. 13 But none of this means a thing to me as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the entrance of the palace."

KJV - 1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? 7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, 8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate:…

12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

NRSV - 1 On that night the king could not sleep, and he gave orders to bring the book of records, the annals, and they were read to the king. 2 It was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had conspired to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king said, "What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" The king's servants who attended him said, "Nothing has been done for him."

6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, "What shall be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?" Haman said to himself, "Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?" 7 So Haman said to the king, "For the man whom the king wishes to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and a horse that the king has ridden, with a royal crown on its head.

10 Then the king said to Haman, "Quickly, take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to the Jew Mordecai who sits at the king's gate..."

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered.

TEV - "The King Honors Mordecai" - 1 That same night the king could not get to sleep, so he had the official records of the empire brought and read to him. 2 The part they read included the account of how Mordecai had uncovered a plot to assassinate the king -- the plot made by Bigthana and Teresh, the two palace eunuchs who had guarded the king's rooms. 3 The king asked, "How have we honored and rewarded Mordecai for this?" His servants answered, "Nothing has been done for him." 4 "Are any of my officials in the palace?" the king asked. Now Haman had just entered the courtyard; he had come to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows that was now ready. 5 So the servants answered, "Haman is here, waiting to see you." "Show him in," said the king. 6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, "There is someone I wish very much to honor. What should I do for this man?" Haman thought to himself, "Now who could the king want to honor so much? Me, of course." 7...8 So he answered the king, "Have royal robes brought for this man -- robes that you yourself wear. Have a royal ornament put on your own horse. 9 Then have one of your highest noblemen dress the man in these robes and lead him, mounted on the horse, through the city square. Have the nobleman announce as they go: "See how the king rewards a man he wishes to honor!" 10 Then the king said to Haman, "Hurry and get the robes and the horse, and provide these honors for Mordecai the Jew. Do everything for him that you have suggested. You will find him sitting at the entrance of the palace." 11 So Haman got the robes and the horse, and he put the robes on Mordecai. Mordecai got on the horse, and Haman led him through the city square, announcing to the people as they went: "See how the king rewards a man he wishes to honor!" 12 Mordecai then went back to the palace entrance while Haman hurried home, covering his face in embarrassment. 13 He told his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then she and those wise friends of his told him, "You are beginning to lose power to Mordecai. He is a Jew, and you cannot overcome him. He will certainly defeat you."

KJV - 1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish…

5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman…

NRSV - 1 So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther.

3 Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me -- that is my petition -- and the lives of my people -- that is my request. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated...

5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?" 6 Esther said, "A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!"...

TEV - "Haman Is Put to Death" - 1 And so the king and Haman went to eat with Esther 2 for a second time. Over the wine the king asked her again, "Now, Queen Esther, what do you want? Tell me and you shall have it. I'll even give you half the empire." 3 Queen Esther answered, "If it please Your Majesty to grant my humble request, my wish is that I may live and that my people may live. 4 My people and I have been sold for slaughter. If it were nothing more serious than being sold into slavery, I would have kept quiet and not bothered you about it; but we are about to be destroyed -- exterminated!" 5 Then King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who dares to do such a thing? Where is this man?" 6 Esther answered, "Our enemy, our persecutor, is this evil man Haman!" Haman faced the king and queen with terror. 7 The king got up in a fury, left the room, and went outside to the palace gardens. Haman could see that the king was determined to punish him for this, so he stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. 8 He had just thrown himself down on Esther's couch to beg for mercy, when the king came back into the room from the gardens. Seeing this, the king cried out, "Is this man going to rape the queen right here in front of me, in my own palace?" The king had no sooner said this than the eunuchs covered Haman's head.

KJV - 1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.

15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

NRSV - 1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews; and Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her.

15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king, wearing royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a mantle of fine linen and purple, while the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

TEV - "The Jews Are Told to Fight Back" - 1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther all the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was related to her, and from then on Mordecai was allowed to enter the king's presence. 2 The king took off his ring with his seal on it (which he had taken back from Haman) and gave it to Mordecai. Esther put Mordecai in charge of Haman's property.

15 Mordecai left the palace, wearing royal robes of blue and white, a cloak of fine purple linen, and a magnificent gold crown. Then the streets of Susa rang with cheers and joyful shouts. 16 For the Jews there was joy and relief, happiness and a sense of victory. 17 In every city and province, wherever the king's proclamation was read, the Jews held a joyful holiday with feasting and happiness. In fact, many other people became Jews, because they were afraid of them now.

KJV - 1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end:…

NRSV - 1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

6 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.

TEV - "Thanksgiving to God for His Justice" - 1 I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the wonderful things you have done. 2 I will sing with joy because of you. I will sing praise to you, Almighty God. 3 My enemies turn back when you appear; they fall down and die. 4 You are fair and honest in your judgments, and you have judged in my favor. 5 You have condemned the heathen and destroyed the wicked; they will be remembered no more. 6 Our enemies are finished forever; you have destroyed their cities, and they are completely forgotten. 7 But the LORD is king forever; he has set up his throne for judgment. 8 He rules the world with righteousness; he judges the nations with justice.

KJV - 14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

NRSV - 14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; 15 he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick.

TEV - "Jesus Heals Many People" - 14 Jesus went to Peter's home, and there he saw Peter's mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand; the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, people brought to Jesus many who had demons in them. Jesus drove out the evil spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 He did this to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said, "He himself took our sickness and carried away our diseases."

• Mat 8:14
• 1Co 9:5
• Mat 8:15 - KJV wording: UNTO THEM - corrected wording: unto him. - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)

KJV - 1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

NRSV - 1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

TEV - "Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples" - 1 Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. 2 Then he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick, 3 after saying to them, "Take nothing with you for the trip: no walking stick, no beggar's bag, no food, no money, not even an extra shirt. 4 Wherever you are welcomed, stay in the same house until you leave that town; 5 wherever people don't welcome you, leave that town and shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them." 6 The disciples left and traveled through all the villages, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere.

• Luk 9:1 - the twelve
• To further explore "the twelve disciples and the women who followed Jesus," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/thetwelve.htm.
• Luk 9:1 - KJV wording: DEVILS <1140> - correct translation: demons
• Mary Baker Eddy also made this correction on the Cross and Crown "Seal of Christian Science," which quotes from Mat 10:8. She chose to use the term demons, which is the correct translation of the Greek word daimonia <Strong's #1140>, rather than devils, which is consistently found in the KJV. (To further explore Mrs. Eddy's use of more accurate Greek texts and modern translations, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/bl-ver.htm.)
• Luk 9:1-6
• Luk 10:1-12

KJV - 1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

NRSV - 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" 18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

TEV - "Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two" - 1 After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 He said to them, "There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest. 3 Go! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Don't take a purse or a beggar's bag or shoes; don't stop to greet anyone on the road.

17 The seventy-two men came back in great joy. "Lord," they said, "even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your name!" 18 Jesus answered them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Listen! I have given you authority, so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the Enemy, and nothing will hurt you. 20 But don't be glad because the evil spirits obey you; rather be glad because your names are written in heaven."

• Luk 10:1 - KJV, NASB, NRSV wording: SEVENTY - NIV, NJB, REB wording: seventy-two - NAB, UBS4 (Greek New Testament) wording: seventy[-two]
• Bruce Metzger, in A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, Second Edition (New York: United Bible Societies, 1994, pages 126-127), writes:
• Was it seventy or seventy-two whom Jesus appointed and sent on ahead of him? The external evidence is almost evenly divided... The factors that bear on the evaluation of internal evidence are singularly elusive... In order to represent the balace of external evidence and the indecisiveness of internal consideration, a majority of the Committee decided to include the word duo in the text, but to enclose it within square brackets to indicate a certain doubt that it has a right to stand there.
• Fellow Greek New Testament Editorial Committee member and textual authority Kurt Aland is granted a dissenting opinion in the Metzger's Textual Commentary from the indecisiveness of the rest of the Editorial Committee. Unequivocally endorsing "seventy-two" as representing the original text of Luke, Aland writes:
• The concept of "70" is an established entity in the Septuagint and in Christian tradition... Consequently it is astonishing that the reading hebdomeykonta duo [seventy-two] occurs at all in 10.1 and 17, and that it has such strong support.
• Luk 10:1
• Luk 6:13-16
• Luk 9:1
• Mar 6:7
• Luk 10:17 - KJV wording: DEVILS <1140> - correct translation: demons
• Mary Baker Eddy also made this correction on the Cross and Crown "Seal of Christian Science," which quotes from Mat 10:8. She chose to use the term demons, which is the correct translation of the Greek word daimonia <Strong's #1140>, rather than devils, which is consistently found in the KJV. (To further explore Mrs. Eddy's use of more accurate Greek texts and modern translations, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/bl-ver.htm.)
• Luk 10:17
• S&H 49:5

Some questions regarding this week's Bible Lesson (version 2.01)

The answers to all of these questions can be found (1) in the Bible Lesson itself, (2) in this "Bible Lesson study aid," or (3) in other webpages on the BibleTexts.com website, the homepage of which is http://www.bibletexts.com.

1. What does the word Devil mean? (See http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/satan.htm.)
2. According to the book of Revelation, what are other terms used for the Devil? (See Rev 12:9,10, Rev 20:2.)
3. How does "the Temptation of Jesus" account in Mat 4:1-11 compare with "the Temptation of Jesus" accounts in Mar 1:12,13 and Luk 4:1-13?

1. What form of self-deception is mentioned in this section?
2. Whose thoughts and words can one trust?
3. Whose thoughts and words can one not trust?
4. What is the basis for evil?
5. What is the basis for good?

1. Who was Esther?
2. Who was Vashti, and why was she no longer King Xerxes' queen? (Note: In the Persian language Xerxes is known as Ahasuerus.)
3. What did Haman plot, and why?
4. Where in twentieth century history are there parallels to Haman's plot? (Note: To answer this, read all of chapter 3 of Esther.)
5. Why did King Xerxes go along with Haman's plot?
6. What is the basis for Isaiah 50 writing, "Their insults cannot hurt me because the Sovereign LORD gives me help. I brace myself to endure them. I know that I will not be disgraced" (Bible citation # 8)?
7. What today is our basis for defense against wicked plots?

1. As Haman's plot was revealed to Esther, what was Esther's immediate course of action?
2. When you are faced with any type of problem, what should be your first resort?

1. According to the account in this section, what good was revealed, which ultimately served as the basis for exposing wickedness?
2. How does this account coincide with Paul's words, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:21, NRSV)?
3. What impact on their own lives is felt by those who attempt (or even think) to injure others or to influence someone else to injure others?
4. What power does a person, place, or thing have to injure the children of God?

1. What were the eventual results of Haman's plot on Esther, on Mordecai, and on Haman himself?
2. Is there truth or life in wickedness?
3. How do Paul's words in Rom 12:9-21 illustrate the Christly influence of New Testament theology as compared with Old Testament theology, including that found in the story of Esther?

1. In the King James Version, the Greek word that should be translated as demon is incorrectly and consistently translated as devil. (For an example and further explanation, see http://www.bibletexts.com/versecom/mat10v08.htm.) In the biblical context what is the difference between the Devil (also known by the Hebrew name of Satan) and a demon?
2. Though it is natural for us to be very grateful for our God-given freedom from (power over) sin and sickness, according to Luk 10:20, for what are we to be most joyful?
3. What does it mean to be 'a law unto oneself,' as Paul described in Rom 2:14, and why is this important in our defense against malicious thoughts, words, and acts?
4. How is the Lord's Prayer applicable to this entire Bible Lesson? (See http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/prayer.htm.)