KJV - 7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:…

NRSV - 7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;...

TEV - "The LORD Our Protector" - 7 The LORD will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. 8 He will protect you as you come and go now and forever.

KJV - 9 ...the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

NRSV - 9 the LORD's own portion was his people, Jacob his allotted share. 10 He sustained him in a desert land, in a howling wilderness waste; he shielded him, cared for him, guarded him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young; as it spreads its wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft on its pinions, 12 the LORD alone guided him; no foreign god was with him. 13 He set him atop the heights of the land, and fed him with produce of the field; he nursed him with honey from the crags, with oil from flinty rock;

TEV - "The Song of Moses" - 7 "Think of the past, of the time long ago; ask your fathers to tell you what happened, ask the old men to tell of the past. 8 The Most High assigned nations their lands; he determined where peoples should live. He assigned to each nation a heavenly being, 9 but Jacob's descendants he chose for himself. 10 "He found them wandering through the desert, a desolate, wind-swept wilderness. He protected them and cared for them, as he would protect himself. 11 Like an eagle teaching its young to fly, catching them safely on its spreading wings, the LORD kept Israel from falling. 12 The LORD alone led his people without the help of a foreign god. 13 "He let them rule the highlands, and they ate what grew in the fields. They found wild honey among the rocks; their olive trees flourished in stony ground. 14 Their cows and goats gave plenty of milk; they had the best sheep, goats, and cattle, the finest wheat, and the choicest wine.

KJV - 17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

22 And the Lord shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: 23 And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. 24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.

NRSV - 17 You must diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his decrees, and his statutes that he has commanded you.

22 The LORD displayed before our eyes great and awesome signs and wonders against Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his household. 23 He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land that he promised on oath to our ancestors. 24 Then the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now the case.

TEV - "Warning against Disobedience" - 16 "Do not put the LORD your God to the test, as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure that you obey all the laws that he has given you. 18 Do what the LORD says is right and good, and all will go well with you. You will be able to take possession of the fertile land that the LORD promised your ancestors, 19 and you will drive out your enemies, as he promised.

22 With our own eyes we saw him work miracles and do terrifying things to the Egyptians and to their king and to all his officials. 23 He freed us from Egypt to bring us here and give us this land, as he had promised our ancestors he would. 24 Then the LORD our God commanded us to obey all these laws and to honor him. If we do, he will always watch over our nation and keep it prosperous. 25 If we faithfully obey everything that God has commanded us, he will be pleased with us.'

KJV - 5 The Lord is thy keeper:…

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

NRSV - 5 The LORD is your keeper;...

8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

TEV - "The LORD Our Protector" - 1 I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? 2 My help will come from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake. 4 The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps. 5 The LORD will guard you; he is by your side to protect you. 6 The sun will not hurt you during the day, nor the moon during the night. 7 The LORD will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. 8 He will protect you as you come and go now and forever.

KJV - 1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

NRSV - 1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me.

7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,"

TEV - "God's Complete Knowledge and Care" - 1 LORD, you have examined me and you know me. 2 You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. 3 You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. 4 Even before I speak, you already know what I will say. 5 You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power. 6 Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding. 7 Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? 8 If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. 9 If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, 10 you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night, 12 but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

• Psa 139:11,12
  • In the TEV texts for verse 11, I include verse 12 as part of the Bible Lesson text. This is to enable the Bible Lesson Study Aid to more fully reflect what the KJV text of verse 11 says. The fact is that the KJV incorrectly translates the second part of verse 11. Virtually all modern Bible versions (including the 1885 RV, 1902 ASV, 1952 RSV, 1985 NJB, 1989 NRSV, 1992 TEV, 1996 REB) and modern Bible commentaries represent all of verse 11 as part of the same condition that begins with "If I say,..." The NRSV translation of verses 11 and 12 is consistent with most other modern translations:

    11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night," 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.

    The NAB translates these verses (and adds a footnote):

    11 If I say, Surely darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light" * - 12 Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day. Darkness and light are but one.

    * Night shall be my light: night to me is what day is to others.

    In the outstanding United Bible Societies' commentary, A Handbook on Psalms (NY: UBS, 1993, pages 1126-1127), Robert Bratcher and William Reyburn comment on verses 11 and 12:

    Most translations find that the Hebrew text as it is yields a satisfactory sense. In verse 11b instead of the Masoretic Text "and the light around me (become) darkness," the Qumran manuscript has "the night (become) a belt around me"...

    Not even the possiblity of changing light into darkness would be of any help to the psalmist, were he to attempt to flee from Yahweh [Jehovah, the Lord God], for with Yahweh there is no difference between darkness and light.

KJV - 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

NRSV - 8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it fell on Israel;

TEV - "The LORD Will Punish Israel" - 8 The Lord has pronounced judgment on the kingdom of Israel, on the descendants of Jacob. 9 All the people of Israel, everyone who lives in the city of Samaria, will know that he has done this. Now they are proud and arrogant. They say, 10 "The brick buildings have fallen down, but we will replace them with stone buildings. The beams of sycamore wood have been cut down, but we will replace them with the finest cedar."

KJV - 41 ...Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. 42 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

NRSV - 41 ..Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob." 42 But the words of her elder son Esau were told to Rebekah; so she sent and called her younger son Jacob and said to him, "Your brother Esau is consoling himself by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran,

TEV - "Esau Begs for Isaac's Blessing" - 38 Esau continued to plead with his father: "Do you have only one blessing, father? Bless me too, father!" He began to cry. 39 Then Isaac said to him, "No dew from heaven for you, No fertile fields for you. 40 You will live by your sword, But be your brother's slave. Yet when you rebel, You will break away from his control." 41 Esau hated Jacob, because his father had given Jacob the blessing. He thought, "The time to mourn my father's death is near; then I will kill Jacob." 42 But when Rebecca heard about Esau's plan, she sent for Jacob and said, "Listen, your brother Esau is planning to get even with you and kill you. 43 Now, son, do what I say. Go at once to my brother Laban in Haran, 44 and stay with him for a while, until your brother's anger cools down 45 and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send someone to bring you back. Why should I lose both of my sons on the same day?"

KJV - 10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set;…

12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac:…

15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

NRSV - 10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set...

12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the LORD stood beside him and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac;...

15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place -- and I did not know it!"

TEV - "Jacob's Dream at Bethel" - 10 Jacob left Beersheba and started toward Haran. 11 At sunset he came to a holy place and camped there. He lay down to sleep, resting his head on a stone. 12 He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it. 13 And there was the LORD standing beside him. "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham and Isaac," he said. "I will give to you and to your descendants this land on which you are lying. 14 They will be as numerous as the specks of dust on the earth. They will extend their territory in all directions, and through you and your descendants I will bless all the nations. 15 Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you." 16 Jacob woke up and said, "The LORD is here! He is in this place, and I didn't know it!" 17 He was afraid and said, "What a terrifying place this is! It must be the house of God; it must be the gate that opens into heaven."

KJV - 13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house…

16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

18 And Jacob loved Rachel;…

20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel;…

NRSV - 13 When Laban heard the news about his sister's son Jacob, he ran to meet him; he embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house....

16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

18 Jacob loved Rachel;...

20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel,...

TEV - "Jacob Arrives at Laban's Home" - 9 While Jacob was still talking with them, Rachel arrived with the flock. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel with his uncle Laban's flock, he went to the well, rolled the stone back, and watered the sheep. 11 Then he kissed her and began to cry for joy. 12 He told her, "I am your father's relative, the son of Rebecca." She ran to tell her father; 13 and when he heard the news about his nephew Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him and kissed him, and brought him into the house. When Jacob told Laban everything that had happened, 14 Laban said, "Yes, indeed, you are my own flesh and blood." Jacob stayed there a whole month.

"Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel and Leah" - 15 Laban said to Jacob, "You shouldn't work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. How much pay do you want?" 16 Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger Rachel. 17 Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, "I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel." 19 Laban answered, "I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me." 20 Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her.

KJV - 43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

NRSV - 43 Thus the man grew exceedingly rich, and had large flocks, and male and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.

TEV - "Jacob's Bargain with Laban" - 41 When the healthy animals were mating, Jacob put the branches in front of them at the drinking troughs, so that they would breed among the branches. 42 But he did not put the branches in front of the weak animals. Soon Laban had all the weak animals, and Jacob all the healthy ones. 43 In this way Jacob became very wealthy. He had many flocks, slaves, camels, and donkeys.

KJV - 2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, 5 And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. 6 And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. 7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. 8 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob:…

13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. 14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? 15 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

NRSV - 2 And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him as favorably as he did before.

4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was, 5 and said to them, "I see that your father does not regard me as favorably as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all my strength; 7 yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not permit him to harm me. 8 If he said, "The speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore speckled; and if he said, "The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore striped.

11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, "Jacob,' ...

13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and return to the land of your birth."' 14 Then Rachel and Leah answered him, "Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father's house? 15 Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has been using up the money given for us.

21 So he fled with all that he had; starting out he crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.

TEV - "Jacob Flees from Laban" - 1 Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father. He got all his wealth from what our father owned." 2 He also saw that Laban was no longer as friendly as he had been earlier. 3 Then the LORD said to him, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives. I will be with you." 4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to meet him in the field where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, "I have noticed that your father is not as friendly toward me as he used to be; but my father's God has been with me. 6 You both know that I have worked for your father with all my strength. 7 Yet he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not let him harm me. 8 Whenever Laban said, "The speckled goats shall be your wages,' all the flocks produced speckled young. When he said, "The striped goats shall be your wages,' all the flocks produced striped young. 9 God has taken flocks away from your father and given them to me. 10 "During the breeding season I had a dream, and I saw that the male goats that were mating were striped, spotted, and speckled. 11 The angel of God spoke to me in the dream and said, "Jacob!' "Yes,' I answered. 12 "Look,' he continued, "all the male goats that are mating are striped, spotted, and speckled. I am making this happen because I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you dedicated a stone as a memorial by pouring olive oil on it and where you made a vow to me. Now get ready and go back to the land where you were born.' " 14 Rachel and Leah answered Jacob, "There is nothing left for us to inherit from our father. 15 He treats us like foreigners. He sold us, and now he has spent all the money he was paid for us. 16 All this wealth which God has taken from our father belongs to us and to our children. Do whatever God has told you." 17...18 So Jacob got ready to go back to his father in the land of Canaan. He put his children and his wives on the camels, and drove all his flocks ahead of him, with everything that he had gotten in Mesopotamia. 19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and during his absence Rachel stole the household gods that belonged to her father. 20 Jacob deceived Laban by not letting him know that he was leaving. 21 He took everything he owned and left in a hurry. He crossed the Euphrates River and started for the hill country of Gilead.

KJV - 3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed:…

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

NRSV - 1 Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him;

3 Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom,

6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed;...

24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." 27 So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." 28 Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed."

30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved."

TEV - "Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau" - 1 As Jacob went on his way, some angels met him. 2 When he saw them, he said, "This is God's camp"; so he named the place Mahanaim. 3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the country of Edom. 4 He instructed them to say: "I, Jacob, your obedient servant, report to my master Esau that I have been staying with Laban and that I have delayed my return until now. 5 I own cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and slaves. I am sending you word, sir, in the hope of gaining your favor." 6 When the messengers came back to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you. He has four hundred men with him." 7 Jacob was frightened and worried. He divided into two groups the people who were with him, and also his sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. 8 He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks the first group, the other may be able to escape."

"Jacob Wrestles at Peniel" - 22 That same night Jacob got up, took his two wives, his two concubines, and his eleven children, and crossed the Jabbok River. 23 After he had sent them across, he also sent across all that he owned, 24 but he stayed behind, alone. Then a man came and wrestled with him until just before daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he was not winning the struggle, he hit Jacob on the hip, and it was thrown out of joint. 26 The man said, "Let me go; daylight is coming." "I won't, unless you bless me," Jacob answered. 27 "What is your name?" the man asked. "Jacob," he answered. 28 The man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have struggled with God and with men, and you have won; so your name will be Israel." 29 Jacob said, "Now tell me your name." But he answered, "Why do you want to know my name?" Then he blessed Jacob. 30 Jacob said, "I have seen God face-to-face, and I am still alive"; so he named the place Peniel. 31 The sun rose as Jacob was leaving Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Even today the descendants of Israel do not eat the muscle which is on the hip joint, because it was on this muscle that Jacob was hit.

KJV - 1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men…

4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

NRSV - 1 Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him...

4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

TEV - "Jacob Meets Esau" - 1 Jacob saw Esau coming with his four hundred men, so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two concubines. 2 He put the concubines and their children first, then Leah and her children, and finally Rachel and Joseph at the rear. 3 Jacob went ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They were both crying. 5 When Esau looked around and saw the women and the children, he asked, "Who are these people with you?" "These, sir, are the children whom God has been good enough to give me," Jacob answered. 6 Then the concubines came up with their children and bowed down; 7 then Leah and her children came, and last of all Joseph and Rachel came and bowed down.

KJV - 17 For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:

NRSV - 17 for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed;

TEV - "Joshua Speaks to the People at Shechem" - 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."

KJV - 6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone;…

13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:

NRSV - 6 And Ezra said: "You are the LORD, you alone;...

13 You came down also upon Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,

TEV - "The Prayer of Confession" - 6 And then the people of Israel prayed this prayer: "You, LORD, you alone are LORD; you made the heavens and the stars of the sky. You made land and sea and everything in them; you gave life to all. The heavenly powers bow down and worship you. 7 You, LORD God, chose Abram and led him out of Ur in Babylonia; you changed his name to Abraham.

13 At Mount Sinai you came down from heaven; you spoke to your people and gave them good laws and sound teachings. 14 You taught them to keep your Sabbaths holy, and through your servant Moses you gave them your laws.

KJV - 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it;…

20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? 21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:

25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.

NRSV - 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently;...

20 When your children ask you in time to come, "What is the meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?" 21 then you shall say to your children, "We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

25 If we diligently observe this entire commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, we will be in the right."

TEV - "The Great Commandment" - 1 "These are all the laws that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you. Obey them in the land that you are about to enter and occupy. 2 As long as you live, you and your descendants are to honor the LORD your God and obey all his laws that I am giving you, so that you may live in that land a long time. 3 Listen to them, people of Israel, and obey them! Then all will go well with you, and you will become a mighty nation and live in that rich and fertile land, just as the LORD, the God of our ancestors, has promised.

"Warning against Disobedience" - 20 "In times to come your children will ask you, "Why did the LORD our God command us to obey all these laws?' 21 Then tell them, "We were slaves of the king of Egypt, and the LORD rescued us by his great power. 22 With our own eyes we saw him work miracles and do terrifying things to the Egyptians and to their king and to all his officials. 23 He freed us from Egypt to bring us here and give us this land, as he had promised our ancestors he would. 24 Then the LORD our God commanded us to obey all these laws and to honor him. If we do, he will always watch over our nation and keep it prosperous. 25 If we faithfully obey everything that God has commanded us, he will be pleased with us.'

KJV - 89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:…

92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

NRSV - 89 The LORD exists forever; your word is firmly fixed in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;...

92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.

129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

TEV - "Faith in the Law of the LORD" - 89 Your word, O LORD, will last forever; it is eternal in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures through all the ages; you have set the earth in place, and it remains. 91 All things remain to this day because of your command, because they are all your servants. 92 If your law had not been the source of my joy, I would have died from my sufferings. 93 I will never neglect your instructions, because by them you have kept me alive. 94 I am yours-- save me! I have tried to obey your commands. 95 Wicked men are waiting to kill me, but I will meditate on your laws.

"Desire to Obey the Law of the LORD" - 129 Your teachings are wonderful; I obey them with all my heart. 130 The explanation of your teachings gives light and brings wisdom to the ignorant. 131 In my desire for your commands I pant with open mouth. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me as you do on all those who love you. 133 As you have promised, keep me from falling; don't let me be overcome by evil. 134 Save me from those who oppress me, so that I may obey your commands. 135 Bless me with your presence and teach me your laws. 136 My tears pour down like a river, because people do not obey your law.

KJV - 14 ...as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

NRSV - 14 ...just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

TEV - "Jesus and Nicodemus" - 14 As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the desert, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.

KJV - 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

NRSV - 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me;

TEV - "Jesus Is Rejected" - 22 It was winter, and the Festival of the Dedication of the Temple was being celebrated in Jerusalem. 23 Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the Temple, 24 when the people gathered around him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us the plain truth: are you the Messiah?" 25 Jesus answered, "I have already told you, but you would not believe me. The deeds I do by my Father's authority speak on my behalf; 26 but you will not believe, for you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than everything, and no one can snatch them away from the Father's care. 30 The Father and I are one."

KJV - 17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

NRSV - 17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

TEV - "Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man" - 17 One day when Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting there who had come from every town in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was present for Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a bed, and they tried to carry him into the house and put him in front of Jesus. 19 Because of the crowd, however, they could find no way to take him in. So they carried him up on the roof, made an opening in the tiles, and let him down on his bed into the middle of the group in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, "Your sins are forgiven, my friend."

• Luk 5:17 - omit KJV wording: them - (based on the original text's correction of KJV's Greek text)

KJV - 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

NRSV - 2 Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, "Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?" 4 But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away.

TEV - "Jesus Heals a Sick Man" - 1 One Sabbath Jesus went to eat a meal at the home of one of the leading Pharisees; and people were watching Jesus closely. 2 A man whose legs and arms were swollen came to Jesus, 3 and Jesus spoke up and asked the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, "Does our Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?" 4 But they would not say a thing. Jesus took the man, healed him, and sent him away. 5 Then he said to them, "If any one of you had a son or an ox that happened to fall in a well on a Sabbath, would you not pull him out at once on the Sabbath itself?" 6 But they were not able to answer him about this.

KJV - 15 ...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

NRSV - [[15 ...Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.]]

TEV - "Jesus Appears to the Eleven" - [[14 Last of all, Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them, because they did not have faith and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive. 15 He said to them, "Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all mankind. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues; 18 if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well."]]

• Mar 16:9-20 - One of the four different endings of Mark found in ancient manuscripts
  • To explore the original text's actual ending (Mar 16:8), the traditional ending (Mar 16:9-20), and the two other ancient endings of Mark, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/versecom/mar16v09.htm. That webpage also includes numerous cross-references to the traditional ending, Mar 16:9-20.

KJV - 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom:…

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

NRSV - 6 For the LORD gives wisdom;...

8 guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his faithful ones.

TEV - "The Rewards of Wisdom" - 1 Son, learn what I teach you and never forget what I tell you to do. 2 Listen to what is wise and try to understand it. 3 Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. 4 Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. 5 If you do, you will know what it means to fear the LORD and you will succeed in learning about God. 6 It is the LORD who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. 7 He provides help and protection for righteous, honest men. 8 He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him.

KJV - 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:…

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

NRSV - 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,...

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

TEV - "True Happiness" - 3 "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! 4 "Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! 5 "Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised! 6 "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully! 7 "Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! 8 "Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God! 9 "Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children! 10 "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! 11 "Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

"Salt and Light" - 13 "You are like salt for all mankind. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. 14 "You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

KJV - 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son:…

NRSV - 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

TEV - "Introduction" - 1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, sent to proclaim the promised life which we have in union with Christ Jesus -- 2 To Timothy, my dear son: May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

KJV - 17 ...the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

NRSV - 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

TEV - "Personal Words" - 16 No one stood by me the first time I defended myself; all deserted me. May God not count it against them! 17 But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength, so that I was able to proclaim the full message for all the Gentiles to hear; and I was rescued from being sentenced to death. 18 And the Lord will rescue me from all evil and take me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.