BIBLETEXTS.COM - Online Bible Commentary


Bible Lesson Study Aid

for Sunday, September 23, 2001 (version 1.00)


What is included in this Bible Lesson Study Aid and in the actual Bible lesson?

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The Bible Lesson Questions for this week's Bible Lesson may be found at http://www.bibletexts.com/bt/bq010923.htm.

The weekly Bible Lesson itself has three components: (1) the current Christian Science Quarterly magazine, (2) the Bible, and (3) Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (by Mary Baker Eddy). All three can be read or purchased at any Christian Science Reading Room. A worldwide listing of Reading Rooms is available at http://168.203.8.11/Church.qry?function=form. The Christian Science Quarterly is published by the Christian Science Publishing Society (Boston, MA, USA) and 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. You can read the entire Bible Lesson at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/studyguide.jhtml.


"The Bible" and the 3 Bible versions used on this webpage

The original Hebrew and Greek texts are what actually constitute "the Bible." All other versions, whether in Latin, English, Chinese, or 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.

Recommended Bible Study Books/Resources - This provides a listing of recommended books (Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, concordances, etc.) that Bible students should consider for deeper exploration of the Bible, including the Bible Lesson texts. There are also links to BibleTexts.com book reviews for each of the listings. (http://www.bibletexts.com/reviews/index.htm)


Bible Lesson Study Aid

<GT> Joshua 24 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 15 …choose you this day whom ye will serve;

NRSV - 15 ...choose this day whom you will serve,...

TEV - "Joshua Speaks to the People at Shechem" - 14 "Now then," Joshua continued, "honor the LORD and serve him sincerely and faithfully. Get rid of the gods which your ancestors used to worship in Mesopotamia and in Egypt, and serve only the LORD. 15 If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve the LORD."


<RR1> Psalms 100 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God:…

NRSV - 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD is God...

TEV - "A Hymn of Praise" - 1 Sing to the LORD, all the world! 2 Worship the LORD with joy; come before him with happy songs! 3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock. 4 Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him. 5 The LORD is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.


<RR2> Psalms 97 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. 8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord. 9 For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

NRSV - 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. 7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him. 8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God. 9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

TEV - "God the Supreme Ruler" - 1 The LORD is king! Earth, be glad! Rejoice, you islands of the seas! 2 Clouds and darkness surround him; he rules with righteousness and justice. 3 Fire goes in front of him and burns up his enemies around him. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees it and trembles. 5 The hills melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the nations see his glory. 7 Everyone who worships idols is put to shame; all the gods bow down before the LORD. 8 The people of Zion are glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O LORD. 9 LORD Almighty, you are ruler of all the earth; you are much greater than all the gods. 10 The LORD loves those who hate evil; he protects the lives of his people; he rescues them from the power of the wicked. 11 Light shines on the righteous, and gladness on the good. 12 All you that are righteous be glad because of what the LORD has done! Remember what the holy God has done, and give thanks to him.


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<B1> Deuteronomy 6 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

NRSV - 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.

TEV - "The Great Commandment" - 4 "Israel, remember this! The LORD -- and the LORD alone -- is our God. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. 8 Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.


<B2> Joshua 24 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;

22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.

24 And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.

NRSV - 1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors -- Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor -- lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods.

14 "Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

16 Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods;

22 Then Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him." And they said, "We are witnesses."

24 The people said to Joshua, "The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey."

TEV - "Joshua Speaks to the People at Shechem" - 1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem. He called the elders, the leaders, the judges, and the officers of Israel, and they came into the presence of God. 2 Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, has to say: "Long ago your ancestors lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. One of those ancestors was Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor. 3 Then I took Abraham, your ancestor, from the land across the Euphrates and led him through the whole land of Canaan. I gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I gave Esau the hill country of Edom as his possession, but your ancestor Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.

14 "Now then," Joshua continued, "honor the LORD and serve him sincerely and faithfully. Get rid of the gods which your ancestors used to worship in Mesopotamia and in Egypt, and serve only the LORD. 15 If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve the LORD." 16 The people replied, "We would never leave the LORD to serve other gods! 17 The LORD our God brought our fathers and us out of slavery in Egypt, and we saw the miracles that he performed. He kept us safe wherever we went among all the nations through which we passed. 18 As we advanced into this land, the LORD drove out all the Amorites who lived here. So we also will serve the LORD; he is our God." 19 Joshua said to the people, "But you may not be able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God and will not forgive your sins. He will tolerate no rivals, 20 and if you leave him to serve foreign gods, he will turn against you and punish you. He will destroy you, even though he was good to you before." 21 The people said to Joshua, "No! We will serve the LORD." 22 Joshua told them, "You are your own witnesses to the fact that you have chosen to serve the LORD." "Yes," they said, "we are witnesses." 23 "Then get rid of those foreign gods that you have," he demanded, "and pledge your loyalty to the LORD, the God of Israel." 24 The people then said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey his commands."


<B3> 1 Corinthians 8 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

NRSV - 5 Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth -- as in fact there are many gods and many lords -- 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

TEV - "The Question about Food Offered to Idols" - 4 So then, about eating the food offered to idols: we know that an idol stands for something that does not really exist; we know that there is only the one God. 5 Even if there are so-called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these "gods" and "lords," 6 yet there is for us only one God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we live.


<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. You can read the entire Bible Lesson at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/studyguide.jhtml.


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<B4> Mark 1 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

NRSV - 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

TEV - "Introduction" - 1 This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: "God said, "I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.' 3 Someone is shouting in the desert, "Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!"


<B5> Matthew 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

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.


<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. You can read the entire Bible Lesson at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/studyguide.jhtml.


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<B6> Mark 3 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 7 …Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea:…

NRSV - 7 Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea...

TEV - "A Crowd by the Lake" - 7 Jesus and his disciples went away to Lake Galilee, and a large crowd followed him. They had come from Galilee, from Judea, 8 from Jerusalem, from the territory of Idumea, from the territory on the east side of the Jordan, and from the region around the cities of Tyre and Sidon. All these people came to Jesus because they had heard of the things he was doing. 9 The crowd was so large that Jesus told his disciples to get a boat ready for him, so that the people would not crush him. 10 He had healed many people, and all the sick kept pushing their way to him in order to touch him. 11 And whenever the people who had evil spirits in them saw him, they would fall down before him and scream, "You are the Son of God!"


<B7> Mark 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

NRSV - 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

TEV - "Jesus Calms a Storm" - 35 On the evening of that same day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." 36 So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too. 37 Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. 38 Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?" 39 Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, "Be quiet!" and he said to the waves, "Be still!" The wind died down, and there was a great calm. 40 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?" 41 But they were terribly afraid and began to say to one another, "Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"


<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. You can read the entire Bible Lesson at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/studyguide.jhtml.


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<B8> Matthew 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

NRSV - 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

TEV - "The Sermon on the Mount" - 1 Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where he sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them:


<B9> Matthew 6 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

NRSV - 22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light;

24 "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

TEV - "The Light of the Body" - 22 "The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light; 23 but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. So if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be!

"God and Possessions" - 24 "No one can be a slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 25 "This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? 27 Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?


<B10> Matthew 7 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

NRSV - 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

TEV - "A Tree and Its Fruit" - 15 "Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside they are really like wild wolves. 16 You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. 17 A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. 20 So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do.

"The Authority of Jesus" - 28 When Jesus finished saying these things, the crowd was amazed at the way he taught. 29 He wasn't like the teachers of the Law; instead, he taught with authority.


<B11> Matthew 15 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

NRSV - 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them,

TEV - "Jesus Heals Many People" - 29 Jesus left there and went along by Lake Galilee. He climbed a hill and sat down. 30 Large crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb, and many other sick people, whom they placed at Jesus' feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they praised the God of Israel.


<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. You can read the entire Bible Lesson at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/studyguide.jhtml.


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<B12> Luke 18 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

NRSV - 35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 Then he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me see again." 42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." 43 Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

TEV - "Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar" - 35 As Jesus was coming near Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the road, begging. 36 When he heard the crowd passing by, he asked, "What is this?" 37 "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by," they told him. 38 He cried out, "Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!" 39 The people in front scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David! Have mercy on me!" 40 So Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" "Sir," he answered, "I want to see again." 42 Jesus said to him, "Then see! Your faith has made you well." 43 At once he was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving thanks to God. When the crowd saw it, they all praised God.


<B13> Psalms 118 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

NRSV - 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.

TEV - "A Prayer of Thanks for Victory" - 28 You are my God, and I give you thanks; I will proclaim your greatness. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good, and his love is eternal.


<B14> Psalms 119 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

NRSV - 18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

TEV - "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.


<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. You can read the entire Bible Lesson at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/studyguide.jhtml.


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

<B15> 1 Corinthians 15 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

NRSV - 1 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand,

3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.

58 Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

TEV - "The Resurrection of Christ" - 1 And now I want to remind you, my brothers, of the Good News which I preached to you, which you received, and on which your faith stands firm. 2 That is the gospel, the message that I preached to you. You are saved by the gospel if you hold firmly to it -- unless it was for nothing that you believed. 3 I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; 4 that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the apostles.

"Our Resurrection" - 12 Now, since our message is that Christ has been raised from death, how can some of you say that the dead will not be raised to life? 13 If that is true, it means that Christ was not raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe. 15 More than that, we are shown to be lying about God, because we said that he raised Christ from death -- but if it is true that the dead are not raised to life, then he did not raise Christ. 16 For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is a delusion and you are still lost in your sins. 18 It would also mean that the believers in Christ who have died are lost. 19 If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in all the world. 20 But the truth is that Christ has been raised from death, as the guarantee that those who sleep in death will also be raised. 21 For just as death came by means of a man, in the same way the rising from death comes by means of a man. 22 For just as all people die because of their union with Adam, in the same way all will be raised to life because of their union with Christ. 23 But each one will be raised in his proper order: Christ, first of all; then, at the time of his coming, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come; Christ will overcome all spiritual rulers, authorities, and powers, and will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father. 25 For Christ must rule until God defeats all enemies and puts them under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be defeated will be death.

"The Resurrection Body" - 55 "Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?" 56 Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. 57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So then, my dear brothers, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.


<B16> 2 Corinthians 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

NRSV - 6 For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

TEV - "Spiritual Treasure in Clay Pots" - 6 The God who said, "Out of darkness the light shall shine!" is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ.


<B17> 2 Corinthians 2 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

NRSV - 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him.

TEV - "Victory through Christ" - 14 But thanks be to God! For in union with Christ we are always led by God as prisoners in Christ's victory procession. God uses us to make the knowledge about Christ spread everywhere like a sweet fragrance. 15 For we are like a sweet-smelling incense offered by Christ to God, which spreads among those who are being saved and those who are being lost. 16 For those who are being lost, it is a deadly stench that kills; but for those who are being saved, it is a fragrance that brings life. Who, then, is capable for such a task? 17 We are not like so many others, who handle God's message as if it were cheap merchandise; but because God has sent us, we speak with sincerity in his presence, as servants of Christ.


<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. You can read the entire Bible Lesson at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/studyguide.jhtml.


Other Relevant Webpages File name Comments
"Bible Lesson study aid" for next week and for past weeks http://www.bibletexts.com/bl.htm This webpage lists and provides links to the weekly "Bible Lesson study aid" -- for next week and for past weeks
Essential Bible Lesson study materials http://www.bibletexts.com/bl-components.htm This webpage describes the essential Bible Lesson study materials and how to obtain them.
Info about the Bible Lesson Study Aid http://www.bibletexts.com/bt-info.htm This webpage provides details about the "Bible Lesson Study Aid" webpage's purpose and about the Bible versions used.
Sunday School preparation aid http://www.bibletexts.com/sundayschool.htm This is an optional aid for preparing for Sunday School.
Articles about the Bible Lessons and the Bible -- from early issues of the periodicals http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/bl.htm This webpage includes excerpts from some articles, links to the full text of other articles, and a listing of some other articles.
Homepages (the first two) and backup homepages (the last two) of the BibleTexts website http://www.bibletexts.com

http://www.bibletexts.com

http://members.aol.com/bibletexts

http://www.bibletexts.domainvalet.com

There have been occasions when the primary homepage (www.BibleTexts.com) or even the entire BibleTexts website has been unavailable, due to technical problems with the web hosting service. If such problems arise, the other homepages listed here can enable the BibleTexts website to be available again quickly, if you email the BibleTexts website administrator (support@bibletexts.com) the details about a problem.
NEW: Recommended Bible Study Books/Resources http://www.bibletexts.com/reviews/index.htm This webpage provides a listing of recommended books (Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, concordances, etc.) that Bible students should consider for deeper exploration of the Bible, including the Bible Lesson texts.

* Copyright 1996-2001 Robert Nguyen Cramer *