BIBLETEXTS.COM - Online Bible Commentary
for Sunday, July 1, 2001 (version 2.04)
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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 (Copyright, 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.), TEV = Today's English Version (Copyright 1976, 1992, American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.), Footnotes with textual and exegetical commentary, and cross references = BibleTexts.com Online Bible Commentary (Commentary by Robert Nguyen Cramer [RNC], unless otherwise noted. Cross references: mostly by RNC, but a few are from various American Bible Society materials or other biblical resources.)
<GT> Jer 30 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 2 Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
NRSV - 2 Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.
TEV - "The LORD's Promises to His People" - 1 The LORD, the God of Israel, 2 said to me, "Write down in a book everything that I have told you, 3 because the time is coming when I will restore my people, Israel and Judah. I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it again. I, the LORD, have spoken."
KJV - 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. 13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
NRSV - 11 The vision of all this has become for you like the words of a sealed document. If it is given to those who can read, with the command, "Read this," they say, "We cannot, for it is sealed." 12 And if it is given to those who cannot read, saying, "Read this," they say, "We cannot read." 13 The Lord said: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote; 14 so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing. The wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the discernment of the discerning shall be hidden.
18 On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a scroll, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
24 And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will accept instruction.
TEV - "Disregarded Warnings" - 9 Go ahead and be stupid! Go ahead and be blind! Get drunk without any wine! Stagger without drinking a drop! 10 The LORD has made you drowsy, ready to fall into a deep sleep. The prophets should be the eyes of the people, but God has blindfolded them. 11 The meaning of every prophetic vision will be hidden from you; it will be like a sealed scroll. If you take it to someone who knows how to read and ask him to read it to you, he will say he can't because it is sealed. 12 If you give it to someone who can't read and ask him to read it to you, he will answer that he doesn't know how. 13 The Lord said, "These people claim to worship me, but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized. 14 So I will startle them with one unexpected blow after another. Those who are wise will turn out to be fools, and all their cleverness will be useless."
"Hope for the Future" - 18 When that day comes, the deaf will be able to hear a book being read aloud, and the blind, who have been living in darkness, will open their eyes and see. 19 Poor and humble people will once again find the happiness which the LORD, the holy God of Israel, gives. 20 It will be the end of those who oppress others and show contempt for God. Every sinner will be destroyed. 21 God will destroy those who slander others, those who prevent the punishment of criminals, and those who tell lies to keep honest men from getting justice. 22 So now the LORD, the God of Israel, who rescued Abraham from trouble, says, "My people, you will not be disgraced any longer, and your faces will no longer be pale with shame. 23 When you see the children that I will give you, then you will acknowledge that I am the holy God of Israel. You will honor me and stand in awe of me. 24 Foolish people will learn to understand, and those who are always grumbling will be glad to be taught."
<B1> Isa 52 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
NRSV - 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
9 Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
TEV - "God Will Rescue Jerusalem" - 7 How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good news, the news of peace! He announces victory and says to Zion, "Your God is king!" 8 Those who guard the city are shouting, shouting together for joy. They can see with their own eyes the return of the LORD to Zion. 9 Break into shouts of joy, you ruins of Jerusalem! The LORD will rescue his city and comfort his people. 10 The LORD will use his holy power; he will save his people, and all the world will see it.
KJV - 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
NRSV - 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
TEV - "Jesus Feeds Five Thousand Men" - 33 Many people, however, saw them leave and knew at once who they were; so they went from all the towns and ran ahead by land and arrived at the place ahead of Jesus and his disciples. 34 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw this large crowd, and his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things. 35 When it was getting late, his disciples came to him and said, "It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. 36 Send the people away, and let them go to the nearby farms and villages in order to buy themselves something to eat."
"Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret" - 53 They crossed the lake and came to land at Gennesaret, where they tied up the boat. 54 As they left the boat, people recognized Jesus at once. 55 So they ran throughout the whole region; and wherever they heard he was, they brought to him the sick lying on their mats. 56 And everywhere Jesus went, to villages, towns, or farms, people would take their sick to the marketplaces and beg him to let the sick at least touch the edge of his cloak. And all who touched it were made well.
KJV - 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
NRSV - 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.
25 "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
TEV - "Jesus the Way to the Father" - 9 Jesus answered, "For a long time I have been with you all; yet you do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Why, then, do you say, "Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe, Philip, that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I have spoken to you," Jesus said to his disciples, "do not come from me. The Father, who remains in me, does his own work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If not, believe because of the things I do. 12 I am telling you the truth: whoever believes in me will do what I do -- yes, he will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.
"The Promise of the Holy Spirit" - 15 "If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you. 18 "When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me; and because I live, you also will live. 20 When that day comes, you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me, just as I am in you.
25 "I have told you this while I am still with you. 26 The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you. 27 "Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, "I am leaving, but I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father; for he is greater than I. 29 I have told you this now before it all happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. 30 I cannot talk with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, 31 but the world must know that I love the Father; that is why I do everything as he commands me. "Come, let us go from this place.
KJV - 2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
NRSV - 2 Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.
TEV - "The LORD's Answer to Habakkuk" - 2 The LORD gave me this answer: "Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance. 3 Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed. 4 And this is the message: "Those who are evil will not survive, but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God."
<B5> Isa 30 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved;…
NRSV - 15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved;...
TEV - "The Disobedient People" - 15 The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says to the people, "Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure." But you refuse to do it. 16 Instead, you plan to escape from your enemies by riding fast horses. And you are right -- escape is what you will have to do! You think your horses are fast enough, but those who pursue you will be faster! 17 A thousand of you will run away when you see one enemy soldier, and five soldiers will be enough to make you all run away. Nothing will be left of your army except a lonely flagpole on the top of a hill. 18 And yet the LORD is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the LORD.
KJV - 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
NRSV - 13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
TEV - "The LORD Judges the Nations" - 12 The LORD says, "I will bring you lasting prosperity; the wealth of the nations will flow to you like a river that never goes dry. You will be like a child that is nursed by its mother, carried in her arms, and treated with love. 13 I will comfort you in Jerusalem, as a mother comforts her child. 14 When you see this happen, you will be glad; it will make you strong and healthy. Then you will know that I, the LORD, help those who obey me, and I show my anger against my enemies." 15 The LORD will come with fire. He will ride on the wings of a storm to punish those he is angry with. 16 By fire and sword he will punish all the people of the world whom he finds guilty -- and many will be put to death.
KJV - 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
NRSV - 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
TEV - "Christ Our Helper" - 1 I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have someone who pleads with the Father on our behalf -- Jesus Christ, the righteous one. 2 And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. 3 If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him. 4 If someone says that he knows him, but does not obey his commands, such a person is a liar and there is no truth in him. 5 But whoever obeys his word is the one whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: 6 whoever says that he remains in union with God should live just as Jesus Christ did.
KJV - 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:…
NRSV - 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins;...
TEV - "Children of God" - 4 Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God's law, because sin is a breaking of the law. 5 You know that Christ appeared in order to take away sins, and that there is no sin in him. 6 So everyone who lives in union with Christ does not continue to sin; but whoever continues to sin has never seen him or known him. 7 Let no one deceive you, my children! Whoever does what is right is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. 8 Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil had done.
KJV - 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
NRSV - 9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
TEV - "Jesus Calls Matthew" - 9 Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, he saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting in his office. He said to him, "Follow me." Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other outcasts came and joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. 11 Some Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such people?" 12 Jesus heard them and answered, "People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. 13 Go and find out what is meant by the scripture that says: "It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.' I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts."
<B10> Luk 8 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
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.
KJV - 36 And he spake also a parable unto them;…
NRSV - 36 He also told them a parable:...
TEV - "The Question about Fasting" - 36 Jesus also told them this parable: "No one tears a piece off a new coat to patch up an old coat. If he does, he will have torn the new coat, and the piece of new cloth will not match the old. 37 Nor does anyone pour new wine into used wineskins, because the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will pour out, and the skins will be ruined. 38 Instead, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins! 39 And no one wants new wine after drinking old wine. "The old is better,' he says."
KJV - 30 …A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
NRSV - 30 ..."A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
TEV - "The Parable of the Good Samaritan" - 30 Jesus answered, "There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. 31 It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side. 32 In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. 34 He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. "Take care of him,' he told the innkeeper, "and when I come back this way, I will pay you whatever else you spend on him." 36 And Jesus concluded, "In your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers?" 37 The teacher of the Law answered, "The one who was kind to him." Jesus replied, "You go, then, and do the same."
KJV - 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
NRSV - 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, 4 who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.
TEV - "Paul Gives Thanks to God" - 3 Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! 4 He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. 5 Just as we have a share in Christ's many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God's great help. 6 If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure. 7 So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.
<B14> Psa 19 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
NRSV - 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
TEV - "The Law of the LORD" - 7 The law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it. 8 The laws of the LORD are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the LORD are just and give understanding to the mind. 9 Reverence for the LORD is good; it will continue forever. The judgments of the LORD are just; they are always fair. 10 They are more desirable than the finest gold; they are sweeter than the purest honey. 11 They give knowledge to me, your servant; I am rewarded for obeying them.
KJV - 22 …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 - 22 ...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 - "Hearing and Doing" - 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.
<B16> Luk 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
NRSV - 14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.
TEV - "Jesus Begins His Work in Galilee" - 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him. The news about him spread throughout all that territory. 15 He taught in the synagogues and was praised by everyone.
KJV - 10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
NRSV - 10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.
TEV - "Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath" - 10 One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. 11 A woman there had an evil spirit that had kept her sick for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, "Woman, you are free from your sickness!" 13 He placed his hands on her, and at once she straightened herself up and praised God. 14 The official of the synagogue was angry that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, so he spoke up and said to the people, "There are six days in which we should work; so come during those days and be healed, but not on the Sabbath!"
KJV - 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
NRSV - 12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes.
18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
76 Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
TEV - "Obedience to the Law of the LORD" - 9 How can a young man keep his life pure? By obeying your commands. 10 With all my heart I try to serve you; keep me from disobeying your commandments. 11 I keep your law in my heart, so that I will not sin against you. 12 I praise you, O LORD; teach me your ways. 13 I will repeat aloud all the laws you have given. 14 I delight in following your commands more than in having great wealth. 15 I study your instructions; I examine your teachings. 16 I take pleasure in your laws; your commands I will not forget.
"Happiness in the Law of the LORD' - 17 Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live and obey your teachings. 18 Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law. 19 I am here on earth for just a little while; do not hide your commands from me. 20 My heart aches with longing; I want to know your judgments at all times. 21 You reprimand the proud; cursed are those who disobey your commands. 22 Free me from their insults and scorn, because I have kept your laws. 23 The rulers meet and plot against me, but I will study your teachings.
"The Justice of the Law of the LORD" - 73 You created me, and you keep me safe; give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws. 74 Those who honor you will be glad when they see me, because I trust in your promise. 75 I know that your judgments are righteous, LORD, and that you punished me because you are faithful. 76 Let your constant love comfort me, as you have promised me, your servant. 77 Have mercy on me, and I will live because I take pleasure in your law. 78 May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me; as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.
<B19> Rev 1 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
NRSV - 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.
TEV - "Introduction" - 1 This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave him this revelation in order to show to his servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to his servant John by sending his angel to him, 2 and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. 3 Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.
KJV - 1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
NRSV - 1 And I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He held a little scroll open in his hand. Setting his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 he gave a great shout, like a lion roaring. And when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded.
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll; and he said to me, "Take it, and eat; it will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth."
11 Then they said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and languages and kings."
TEV - "The Angel and the Little Scroll" - 1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down out of heaven. He was wrapped in a cloud and had a rainbow around his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like columns of fire. 2 He had a small scroll open in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out in a loud voice that sounded like the roar of lions. After he had called out, the seven thunders answered with a roar. 4 As soon as they spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice speak from heaven, "Keep secret what the seven thunders have said; do not write it down!" 5 Then the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and took a vow in the name of God, who lives forever and ever, who created heaven, earth, and the sea, and everything in them. The angel said, "There will be no more delay! 7 But when the seventh angel blows his trumpet, then God will accomplish his secret plan, as he announced to his servants, the prophets." 8 Then the voice that I had heard speaking from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go and take the open scroll which is in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land." 9 I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it; it will turn sour in your stomach, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey." 10 I took the little scroll from his hand and ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey in my mouth. But after I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach. 11 Then I was told, "Once again you must proclaim God's message about many nations, races, languages, and kings."
As the opening of the seventh seal was delayed by two scenes in ch. 7, so the blowing of the seventh trumpet must wait upon the scenes in 10:1-11:14. The tableau in ch. 10 is largely a rewriting of certain striking scenes in Ezek. 1-3. Accordingly, these O.T. passages will be briefly summarized.
Ezekiel relates that he saw the heavens opened, and a great cloud driven by a high wind came from the north flashing with light and glowing with an inner fire. As it drew near, the cloud was resolved into the throne of Yahweh [Jehovah, the Lord]. Yahweh himself was something like a man, but far more glorious. From the loins up he appeared like fiery amber, and from the loins downward like fire, with brightness all around him like a rainbow. After this marvelous theophany, God commissioned Ezekiel to prophesy against the rebellious children of Israel, and commanded him to eat a little scroll which he extended to him. The scroll, written on both sides, contained lamentations, mourning, and woe. Ezekiel did as he was told, and found the scroll sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezek. 2:8-3:3) . By eating it he became possessed of its prophecies, so that his book is actually a reproduction of the heavenly one. It was sweet as honey in his mouth because he found its prophecies of doom against the wicked most acceptable. John's earlier dependence upon this section of Ezekiel has been noted before.
10:1. With this before us, as it was before the author, let us turn to his portrayal. Since 4:1 he has been writing as though he were in heaven, but apparently his position has now shifted to earth, for he writes that he saw another mighty angel descending from heaven. This angel arrived in a cloud, as Yahweh did in Ezek. 1:4, but not as dramatically; and his appearance was reminiscent of that of Yahweh in Ezek. 1:27-28, for he had a rainbow on his head, his face shone like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire (cf. also Dan. 10:5-6; Apocalypse of Abraham 11) .
2a. Like Yahweh in Ezek. 2:9, he had a little scroll open in his hand, which contained a prophecy of doom (cf. 5:1 and Exeg., ad loc.) .
2b-3a. He set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, possibly to symbolize his mastery over all of the world, both sea and land. It was but to be expected that he should speak with a loud voice; but it is also said that he sounded like a lion roaring. The Messiah, according to II Esdras 11:37, roars like a lion; while in Amos 3:8 the voice of God himself was like that of a roaring lion, filling all people with fear and forecasting his divine punishment upon the sinful. This may be the significance of the lionlike voice of the angel.
3b-4. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded-which brings to mind that in the incident related in John 12:28-29, the voice of God sounded like thunder to some of the bystanders. However, a closer resemblance is to be found in Ps. 29:3-9, where the sevenfold voice of God, which seemed like thunder, had powerful effects on both sea and land. More than likely we are to consider that these seven thunders are the voice of God proclaiming the doom of the world. John was about to transcribe what the seven thunders had revealed, but for some reason he is ordered to seal up what he had heard and not to write it down. This is somewhat strange, for up to now John has been more than willing to relate what he has seen and heard. Possibly he considered the seven thunders as prophecies of doom which should not be revealed to mankind until later (as in Dan. 12:9) ; but they are not set forth later in this book.
Of all the angels who inhabit the pages of John's book only three are called mighty. The first mighty angel was the herald who proclaimed the challenge to all comers to try their strength at opening the scroll with seven seals, and who thus prepared the way for the advent of the Lamb (v. 2). Now, in what can only be a deliberate cross-reference, John speaks of another mighty angel, and we are encouraged to look for a new disclosure comparable in importance to the earlier one. The description of the angel gives us an inkling of what to expect. He is wrapped in the cloud of the divine presence, and over his head is the rainbow of the divine mercy (cf. iv. 3). He bears the delegated attributes of deity, but he is also the angel of Jesus Christ, whose face John has seen shining like the sun (cf. i. I6). The legs like pillars of fire are reminiscent of Israel's journeys in the wilderness. This is the angel who is to guide the new Israel through the darkness of its Exodus pilgrimage from Egypt to the promised land. The scroll he carries, then, will contain the gospel of God's mercy, but particularly as it affects the people of God in their earthly pilgrimage. The great scroll contained the purposes of God in so far as they were to be achieved by the Lamb. The little scroll contains a new version of those same purposes in so far as they are to be achieved through the agency of the church. The angel plants his feet on sea and land because his message, though directed in the first instance to the few, is of eventual significance to the whole world.
<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in this section of the Bible Lesson.
Some questions regarding this week's Bible Lesson (version 2.04)
For the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson for Sunday, July 1, 2001
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.
Note: The Greek word translated as "Comforter" in Joh 14 in the KJV is parakletos <Strongs #3865>, which in English is translated as the Comforter (ASV, Moulton, KJV, RV), the Advocate (NAB, NRSV, REB, Rotherham, TCNT, Weymouth), the Counselor (NIV), the Helper (TEV), or 'someone who speaks/pleads in our defense' (paraphrased from several versions).
Note 2: 1Jo 2:1 (Bible citation #7) describes Jesus as a parakletos (Advocate, Comforter, Counselor)?
Note: The Greek word translated as "advocate" in 1Jo 2:1 in the KJV is parakletos <Strongs #3865>, which in Joh 14-16 is translated into English as Comforter (ASV, Moulton, KJV, RV), the Advocate (NAB, NRSV, REB, Rotherham, TCNT, Weymouth), the Counselor (NIV), the Helper (TEV), or 'someone who speaks/pleads in our defense' (paraphrased from several versions).
Note: To Jesus and his fellow Jews, the Samaritans were not part of their religious community; yet, Jesus several times commended the example of some Samaritans to his sometimes self-righteous and spiritually baron Jewish audience.
Weekly Question
"The Golden Text may be said to contain the fundamental thought with which the sermon deals.... The responsive reading, while entirely separate from the sermon, deals with the same subject... Usually, the first Science and Health reference in each section hints the leading thought in that section, which the Bible selections and the other Science and Health selections in the section develop." (TCSJ, Vol 40, p 483-487.)
SOME NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF THE BIBLE LESSON
In 1898 when Mary Baker Eddy chose the 26 subjects for an entirely new Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson format, the Reverend Irving Tomlinson was one of the original members of the newly constituted Christian Science Bible Lesson Committee.
From 1888 to 1899 the Christian Science Bible Lesson Committee simply had directly copied to the Christian Science Quarterly the Bible citations that had been prepared by the multi-denominational International Lesson Committee [ILC] for the weekly International Sunday School Lessons used by Protestant churches. (The Church of Christ, Scientist, had no representation on that committee.) To those Bible Lessons the Christian Science Bible Lesson Committee added correlative citations from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which provided explanations of the Bible texts chosen by the ILC. Until 1898 the ILC-based Bible Lessons were a key component of both Christian Science church services and Christian Science Sunday School, which until 1895 included adult Sunday School classes.]
To read the Rev. Tomlinson's complete article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j040p483.htm. To read more about the history of the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lessons, including the official use of other translations in addition to -- and for one entire year replacing -- the King James Version, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/bl-ver.htm.)]
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