The BIBLETEXTS
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KJV w/Strong# (From the ABS Reference Bible CDROM, published by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.) Verse numbers are indicated by French brackets { }. Strong's numbers are enclosed in less-than and greater-than signs < > and identify the Hebrew or Greek words from which the KJV words were translated. For a list of some very helpful Bible study resources that are keyed to Strong's number system, browse or click on http://www.bibletexts.com/strongs.htm. Please keep in mind that the Strong's numbers do not necessarily represent the Hebrew and Greek words in the original texts -- only those Hebrew and Greek texts from which the KJV was translated. For more details on this issue, you can browse or click on http://www.bibletexts.com/kjv-mod.htm to read an article entitled, "Why the King James Version differs with modern versions."
TEV (Today's English Version, Copyright 1976, 1992, American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.) The full paragraph (with the TEV's paragraph heading shown in quotes and underlined) is included on this webpage to help you read the Bible Lesson verses in the original author's intended context.
KJV w/Strong# - {10} The LORD <03068> hath made bare <02834> his holy <06944> arm <02220> in the eyes <05869> of all <03605> the nations <01471>; and all <03605> the ends <0657> of the earth <0776> shall see <07200> the salvation <03444> of our God <0430>.
TEV - "God Will Rescue Jerusalem" - 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 w/Strong# - {12} Blessed <01288> [art] thou, O LORD <03068>: teach <03925> me thy statutes <02706>. {13} With my lips <08193> have I declared <05608> all <03605> the judgments <04941> of thy mouth <06310>. {14} I have rejoiced <07797> in the way <01870> of thy testimonies <05715>, as [much as] in all <03605> riches <01952>. {15} I will meditate <07878> in thy precepts <06490>, and have respect <05027> unto thy ways <0734>.
{17} Deal <01580> bountifully <01580> with thy servant <05650>, [that] I may live <02421>, and keep <08104> thy word <01697>. {18} Open <01540> thou mine eyes <05869>, that I may behold <05027> wondrous <06381> things out of thy law <08451>. {19} I [am] a stranger <01616> in the earth <0776>: hide <05641> not thy commandments <04687> from me. {20} My soul <05315> breaketh <01638> for the longing <08375> [that it hath] unto thy judgments <04941> at all <03605> times <06256>.
{33} Teach <03384> me, O LORD <03068>, the way <01870> of thy statutes <02706>; and I shall keep <05341> it [unto] the end <06118>.
{47} And I will delight <08173> myself in thy commandments <04687>, which <0834> I have loved <0157>.
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. 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.
"A Prayer for Understanding" - 33 Teach me, LORD, the meaning of your laws, and I will obey them at all times. 34 Explain your law to me, and I will obey it; I will keep it with all my heart. 35 Keep me obedient to your commandments, because in them I find happiness. 36 Give me the desire to obey your laws rather than to get rich. 37 Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless; be good to me, as you have promised. 38 Keep your promise to me, your servant__ the promise you make to those who obey you. 39 Save me from the insults I fear; how wonderful are your judgments!
"Trusting the Law of the LORD" - 41 Show me how much you love me, LORD, and save me according to your promise. 42 Then I can answer those who insult me because I trust in your word. 43 Enable me to speak the truth at all times, because my hope is in your judgments. 44 I will always obey your law, forever and ever. 45 I will live in perfect freedom, because I try to obey your teachings. 46 I will announce your commands to kings and I will not be ashamed. 47 I find pleasure in obeying your commands, because I love them.
<B1> Psalms 67
KJV w/Strong# - {1} God <0430> be merciful <02603> unto us, and bless <01288> us; [and] cause his face <06440> to shine <0215> upon us. {2} That thy way <01870> may be known <03045> upon earth <0776>, thy saving <03444> health among all <03605> nations <01471>.
TEV - "A Song of Thanksgiving" - 1 God, be merciful to us and bless us; look on us with kindness, 2 so that the whole world may know your will; so that all nations may know your salvation.
KJV w/Strong# - {9} All <03605> nations <01471> whom <0834> thou hast made <06213> shall come <0935> and worship <07812> before <06440> thee, O Lord <0136>; and shall glorify <03513> thy name <08034>. {10} For thou [art] great <01419>, and doest <06213> wondrous <06381> things: thou [art] God <0430> alone <0905>.
TEV - "A Prayer for Help" - 8 There is no god like you, O Lord, not one has done what you have done. 9 All the nations that you have created will come and bow down to you; they will praise your greatness. 10 You are mighty and do wonderful things; you alone are God.
KJV w/Strong# - {1} And there shall come <03318> forth <03318> a rod <02415> out of the stem <01503> of Jesse <03448>, and a Branch <05342> shall grow <06509> out of his roots <08328>: {2} And the spirit <07307> of the LORD <03068> shall rest <05117> upon him, the spirit <07307> of wisdom <02451> and understanding <0998>, the spirit <07307> of counsel <06098> and might <01369>, the spirit <07307> of knowledge <01847> and of the fear <03374> of the LORD <03068>; {3} And shall make him of quick understanding <07306> in the fear <03374> of the LORD <03068>: and he shall not judge <08199> after the sight <04758> of his eyes <05869>, neither <03808> reprove <03198> after <0310> the hearing <04926> of his ears <0241>: {4} But with righteousness <06664> shall he judge <08199> the poor <01800>, and reprove <03198> with equity <04334> for the meek <06035> of the earth <0776>:...
TEV - "The Peaceful Kingdom" - 1 The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David's descendants. 2 The spirit of the LORD will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the LORD's will and honor him, 3 and find pleasure in obeying him. He will not judge by appearance or hearsay; 4 he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people will be punished, and evil persons will die. 5 He will rule his people with justice and integrity.
KJV w/Strong# - {3} For the LORD <03068> shall comfort <05162> Zion <06726>: he will comfort <05162> all <03605> her waste <02723> places; and he will make <07760> her wilderness <04057> like Eden <05731>, and her desert <06160> like the garden <01588> of the LORD <03068>; joy <08342> and gladness <08057> shall be found <04672> therein, thanksgiving <08426>, and the voice <06963> of melody <02172>. {4} Hearken <07181> unto me, my people <05971>; and give ear <0238> unto me, O my nation <03816>: for a law <08451> shall proceed <03318> from me, and I will make my judgment <04941> to rest <07280> for a light <0216> of the people <05971>.
TEV - "Words of Comfort to Jerusalem" - 3 "I will show compassion to Jerusalem, to all who live in her ruins. Though her land is a desert, I will make it a garden, like the garden I planted in Eden. Joy and gladness will be there, and songs of praise and thanks to me. 4 "Listen to me, my people, listen to what I say: I give my teaching to the nations; my laws will bring them light. 5 I will come quickly and save them; the time of my victory is near. I myself will rule over the nations. Distant lands wait for me to come; they wait with hope for me to save them.
<B5> 1 Kings 17
KJV w/Strong# - {1} And Elijah <0452> the Tishbite <08664>, [who was] of the inhabitants <08453> of Gilead <01568>, said <0559> unto Ahab <0256>, [As] the LORD <03068> God <0430> of Israel <03478> liveth <02416>, before <06440> whom <0834> I stand <05975>, there shall not be dew <02919> nor rain <04306> these <0428> years <08141>, but according <06310> to my word <01697>.
{8} And the word <01697> of the LORD <03068> came <01961> unto him, saying <0559>, {9} Arise <06965>, get <03212> thee to Zarephath <06886>, which <0834> [belongeth] to Zidon <06721>, and dwell <03427> there <08033>: behold <02009>, I have commanded <06680> a widow <0490> woman <0802> there <08033> to sustain <03557> thee.
{17} And it came <01961> to pass after <0310> these <0428> things <01697>, [that] the son <01121> of the woman <0802>, the mistress <01172> of the house <01004>, fell sick <02470>; and his sickness <02483> was so <03966> sore <02389>, that there was no <03808> breath <05397> left <03498> in him. {18} And she said <0559> unto Elijah <0452>, What <04100> have I to do with thee, O thou man <0376> of God <0430>? art thou come <0935> unto me to call <02142> my sin <05771> to remembrance <02142>, and to slay <04191> my son <01121>? {19} And he said <0559> unto her, Give <05414> me thy son <01121>. And he took <03947> him out of her bosom <02436>, and carried <05927> him up into <0413> a loft <05944>, where he abode <03427>, and laid <07901> him upon his own bed <04296>.
{22} And the LORD <03068> heard <08085> the voice <06963> of Elijah <0452>; and the soul <05315> of the child <03206> came <07725> into <05921> him again <07725>, and he revived <02421>. {23} And Elijah <0452> took <03947> the child <03206>, and brought <03381> him down <03381> out of the chamber <05944> into the house <01004>, and delivered <05414> him unto his mother <0517>: and Elijah <0452> said <0559>, See <07200>, thy son <01121> liveth <02416>. {24} And the woman <0802> said <0559> to Elijah <0452>, Now <06258> by this <02088> I know <03045> that thou [art] a man <0376> of God <0430>, [and] that the word <01697> of the LORD <03068> in thy mouth <06310> [is] truth <0571>.
TEV - "Elijah and the Drought" - 1 A prophet named Elijah, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to King Ahab, "In the name of the LORD, the living God of Israel, whom I serve, I tell you that there will be no dew or rain for the next two or three years until I say so." 2 Then the LORD said to Elijah, 3 "Leave this place and go east and hide yourself near Cherith Brook, east of the Jordan. 4 The brook will supply you with water to drink, and I have commanded ravens to bring you food there." 5 Elijah obeyed the LORD's command, and went and stayed by Cherith Brook. 6 He drank water from the brook, and ravens brought him bread and meat every morning and every evening. 7 After a while the brook dried up because of the lack of rain.
"Elijah and the Widow in Zarephath" - 8 Then the LORD said to Elijah, 9 "Now go to the town of Zarephath, near Sidon, and stay there. I have commanded a widow who lives there to feed you." 10 So Elijah went to Zarephath, and as he came to the town gate, he saw a widow gathering firewood. "Please bring me a drink of water," he said to her. 11 And as she was going to get it, he called out, "And please bring me some bread, too." 12 She answered, "By the living LORD your God I swear that I don't have any bread. All I have is a handful of flour in a bowl and a bit of olive oil in a jar. I came here to gather some firewood to take back home and prepare what little I have for my son and me. That will be our last meal, and then we will starve to death."
17 Some time later the widow's son got sick; he got worse and worse, and finally he died. 18 She said to Elijah, "Man of God, why did you do this to me? Did you come here to remind God of my sins and so cause my son's death?" 19 "Give the boy to me," Elijah said. He took the boy from her arms, carried him upstairs to the room where he was staying, and laid him on the bed. 20 Then he prayed aloud, "O LORD my God, why have you done such a terrible thing to this widow? She has been kind enough to take care of me, and now you kill her son!" 21 Then Elijah stretched himself out on the boy three times and prayed, "O LORD my God, restore this child to life!" 22 The LORD answered Elijah's prayer; the child started breathing again and revived. 23 Elijah took the boy back downstairs to his mother and said to her, "Look, your son is alive!" 24 She answered, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the LORD really speaks through you!"
<B6> Matthew 8
KJV w/Strong# - {14} And when Jesus <2424> was come <2064> into <1519> Peter's <4074> house <3614>, he saw <1492> his wife's <3994> mother <3994> laid <906>, and sick <4445> of a fever <4445>. {15} And he touched <680> her hand <5495>, and the fever <4446> left <863> her: and she arose <1453>, and ministered <1247> unto them. {16} When the even <3798> was come <1096>, they brought <4374> unto him many <4183> that were possessed <1139> with devils <1139>: and he cast <1544> out the spirits <4151> with [his] word <3056>, and healed <2323> all <3956> that were sick <2560>:
TEV - "Jesus Heals Many People" - 14 Jesus went to Peter's home, and there he saw Peter's mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand; the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, people brought to Jesus many who had demons in them. Jesus drove out the evil spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 He did this to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said, "He himself took our sickness and carried away our diseases."
KJV w/Strong# - {2} Now <1161> when John <2491> had heard <191> in the prison <1201> the works <2041> of Christ <5547>, he sent <3992> two <1417> of his disciples <3101>, {3} And said <2036> unto him, Art <1488> thou he that should come <2064>, or <2228> do we look <4328> for another <2087>? {4} Jesus <2424> answered <611> and said <2036> unto them, Go <4198> and shew <518> John <2491> again <518> those things which <3739> ye do hear <191> and see <991>: {5} The blind <5185> receive <308> their sight <308>, and the lame <5560> walk <4043>, the lepers <3015> are cleansed <2511>, and the deaf <2974> hear <191>, the dead <3498> are raised <1453> up, and the poor <4434> have the gospel <2097> preached <2097> to them. {6} And blessed <3107> is [he], whosoever <3362> shall not <3362> be offended <4624> in me.
TEV - "The Messengers from John the Baptist" - 2 When John the Baptist heard in prison about the things that Christ was doing, he sent some of his disciples to him. 3 "Tell us," they asked Jesus, "are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus answered, "Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing: 5 the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. 6 How happy are those who have no doubts about me!"
<B8> Matthew 9
KJV w/Strong# - {37} Then <5119> saith <3004> he unto his disciples <3101>, The harvest <2326> truly <3303> [is] plenteous <4183>, but the labourers <2040> [are] few <3641>; {38} Pray <1189> ye therefore <3767> the Lord <2962> of the harvest <2326>, that he will send <1544> forth <1544> labourers <2040> into <1519> his harvest <2326>.
TEV - "Jesus Has Pity for the People" - 35 Jesus went around visiting all the towns and villages. He taught in the synagogues, preached the Good News about the Kingdom, and healed people with every kind of disease and sickness. 36 As he saw the crowds, his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were worried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 So he said to his disciples, "The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in. 38 Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest."
KJV w/Strong# - {12} Verily <281>, verily <281>, I say <3004> unto you, He that believeth <4100> on <1519> me, the works <2041> that I do <4160> shall he do <4160> also <2548>; and greater <3187> [works] than these <5130> shall he do <4160>; because <3754> I go <4198> unto my Father <3962>.
{16} And I will pray <2065> the Father <3962>, and he shall give <1325> you another <243> Comforter <3875>, that he may abide <3306> with you for ever <165>; {17} [Even] the Spirit <4151> of truth <225>; whom <3739> the world <2889> cannot <1410> receive <2983>, because <3754> it seeth <2334> him not, neither <3761> knoweth <1097> him: but ye know <1492> him; for he dwelleth <3306> with you, and shall be in you.
{25} These <5023> things have I spoken <2980> unto you, being [yet] present <3306> with you. {26} But the Comforter <3875>, [which is] the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>, whom <3739> the Father <3962> will send <3992> in my name <3686>, he shall teach <1321> you all <3956> things, and bring <5179> all <3956> things to your <5209> remembrance <5279>, whatsoever <3739> I have said <2036> unto you.
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.
<B10> Revelation 1
KJV w/Strong# - {1} The Revelation <602> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, which <3739> God <2316> gave <1325> unto him, to shew <1166> unto his servants <1401> things which <3739> must <1163> shortly <5034> come <1096> to pass; and he sent <649> and signified <4591> [it] by his angel <32> unto his servant <1401> John <2491>: {2} Who <3739> bare <3140> record <3140> of the word <3056> of God <2316>, and of the testimony <3141> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, and of all <3745> things that he saw <1492>. {3} Blessed <3107> [is] he that readeth <314>, and they that hear <191> the words <3056> of this <3588> prophecy <4394>, and keep <5083> those <3588> things which are written <1125> therein <846>: for the time <2540> [is] at <1451> hand <1451>.
TEV - 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 w/Strong# - {1} And I saw <1492> another <243> mighty <2478> angel <32> come <2597> down <2597> from heaven <3772>, clothed <4016> with a cloud <3507>: and a rainbow <2463> [was] upon his head <2776>, and his face <4383> [was] as it were the sun <2246>, and his feet <4228> as pillars <4769> of fire <4442>: {2} And he had <2192> in his hand <5495> a little <974> book <974> open <455>: and he set <5087> his right <1188> foot <4228> upon the sea <2281>, and [his] left <2176> [foot] on <1909> the earth <1093>, {3} And cried <2896> with a loud <3173> voice <5456>, as [when] a lion <3023> roareth <3455>:...
{9} And I went <565> unto the angel <32>, and said <3004> unto him, Give <1325> me the little <974> book <974>. And he said <3004> unto me, Take <2983> [it], and eat <2719> it up; and it shall make <4087> thy belly <2836> bitter <4087>, but it shall be in thy mouth <4750> sweet <1099> as honey <3192>. {10} And I took <2983> the little <974> book <974> out of the angel's <32> hand <5495>, and ate <2719> it up; and it was in my mouth <4750> sweet <1099> as honey <3192>: and as soon <3753> as I had eaten <5315> it, my belly <2836> was bitter <4087>. {11} And he said <3004> unto me, Thou must <1163> prophesy <4395> again <3825> before <1909> many <4183> peoples <2992>, and nations <1484>, and tongues <1100>, and kings <935>.
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!"
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."
<B12> Isaiah 2
KJV w/Strong# - {2} And it shall come <01961> to pass in the last <0319> days <03117>, [that] the mountain <02022> of the LORD'S <03068> house <01004> shall be established <03559> in the top <07218> of the mountains <02022>, and shall be exalted <05375> above the hills <01389>; and all <03605> nations <01471> shall flow <05102> unto it. {3} And many <07227> people <05971> shall go <01980> and say <0559>, Come <03212> ye, and let us go <05927> up to the mountain <02022> of the LORD <03068>, to the house <01004> of the God <0430> of Jacob <03290>; and he will teach <03384> us of his ways <01870>, and we will walk <03212> in his paths <0734>: for out of Zion <06726> shall go <03318> forth <03318> the law <08451>, and the word <01697> of the LORD <03068> from Jerusalem <03389>. {4} And he shall judge <08199> among <0996> the nations <01471>, and shall rebuke <03198> many <07227> people <05971>: and they shall beat <03807> their swords <02719> into plowshares <0855>, and their spears <02595> into pruninghooks <04211>: nation <01471> shall not lift <05375> up sword <02719> against <0413> nation <01471>, neither <03808> shall they learn <03925> war <04421> any more <05750>.
TEV - "Everlasting Peace" - 2 In days to come the mountain where the Temple stands will be the highest one of all, towering above all the hills. Many nations will come streaming to it, 3 and their people will say, "Let us go up the hill of the LORD, to the Temple of Israel's God. He will teach us what he wants us to do; we will walk in the paths he has chosen. For the LORD's teaching comes from Jerusalem; from Zion he speaks to his people." 4 He will settle disputes among great nations. They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again. 5 Now, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light which the LORD gives us!
KJV w/Strong# - {6} The wolf <02061> also shall dwell <01481> with the lamb <03532>, and the leopard <05246> shall lie <07257> down <07257> with the kid <01423>; and the calf <05695> and the young <03715> lion <03715> and the fatling <04806> together <03162>; and a little <06995> child <05288> shall lead <05090> them. {7} And the cow <06510> and the bear <01677> shall feed <07462>; their young <03206> ones shall lie <07257> down <07257> together <03162>: and the lion <0738> shall eat <0398> straw <08401> like the ox <01241>.
{9} They shall not hurt <07489> nor <03808> destroy <07843> in all <03605> my holy <06944> mountain <02022>: for the earth <0776> shall be full <04390> of the knowledge <01844> of the LORD <03068>, as the waters <04325> cover <03680> the sea <03220>.
TEV - "The Peaceful Kingdom" - 6 Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed together, and little children will take care of them. 7 Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do. 8 Even a baby will not be harmed if it plays near a poisonous snake. 9 On Zion, God's sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil. The land will be as full of knowledge of the LORD as the seas are full of water.
"the Comforter"
by Robert Nguyen Cramer
This article on "the Comforter" is listed in the Topical Index of Commentaries and Cross-references and is found at http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/comforte.htm.
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (KJV)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. (NRSV)
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. (TEV)
* * * * * * *
The New Testament Greek word translated above as "Comforter," "Advocate," and "Helper" is parakletos. It is the basis for our modern (though infrequently used) word, paraclete. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Unabridged Edition (McLean, VA: Mac Donald Publishing Company, no date) states:
PARAKLETOS..., lit., called to one's side, i.e., to one's aid, is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defence, an advocate; then generally, one who pleads another's cause, an intercessor, advocate, as in 1 John 2:1, of the Lord Jesus. In the widest sense, it signifies a succourer, comforter...
In the the Gospel of John, Jesus implies that he himself had been serving as a paraclete (Greek: parakletos, see Joh 14:16), and 1 John refers to Jesus as a paraclete (1Jo 2:1).
The court case allegory in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (pages 430-442) by Mary Baker Eddy, refers to Christian Science acting as counsel (defense attorney) for Mortal Man. (See page 434.) In that allegory, the defense attorney's active role is identical to the meaning of the Greek word parakletos, as described above.
(The New Testament uses the term satan or devil for "the accuser" of mankind, and uses the term Paraclete -- or Advocate, Comforter, Counselor, or Helper -- as "the defender" of mankind. To read an article on satan or devil, browse or click on http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/satan.htm.)
In the various translations of the New Testament, the Greek term parakletos is translated:
In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes the parakletos as being:
In the Gospel of John, the full text of the verses (as translated by the NRSV) describing the parakletos are the following:
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Joh 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
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. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father...
The World’s Hatred
Joh 15:18 “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
Joh 16:1 “I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. 3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. 4 But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.
The Work of the Spirit
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
16 “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22 So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
Peace for the Disciples
25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” 29 His disciples said, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
It is very edifying to take these terms for parakletos ("the Spirit", "the Spirit of truth", "the Holy Spirit" or "the Holy Ghost", "the Advocate" or "the Comforter" or "the Counselor" or "the Helper" or "the Paraclete" or the Defense Attorney) and interchange them to see the richness of meaning and the ever-active presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, just as it was in the lives of the prophets, of Jesus, of the apostles, and of Christians throughout the ages.
In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy writes,
In the words of St. John: "He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science. (S&H 55:27)
She also refers to the Comforter as "the Science of Christianity." (S&H 271:20)
As understood in Christian Science, the Comforter cannot be limited to a temporal period and thought of as an ecclesiastical denomination first called "Christian Science" in the mid-1800s. (See S&H 150:4; S&H 577:28.) Mrs. Eddy frequently refers to "eternal Science." She also writes
Divine Science derives its sanction from the Bible, and the divine origin of Science is demonstrated through the holy influence of Truth in healing sickness and sin. This healing power of Truth must have been far anterior to the period in which Jesus lived. It is as ancient as "the Ancient of days." It lives through all Life, and extends throughout all space. (S&H 146:23)
Of Christian Science Mrs. Eddy writes,
It presents the calm and clear verdict of Truth against error, uttered and illustrated by the prophets, by Jesus, by his apostles, as is recorded throughout the Scriptures. (S&H 358:15)
And in The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany (My 284:1), she refers to her "rediscovery of Christian Science."
Of the modern-day activity of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, Mrs. Eddy writes:
Its appearing is the coming anew of the gospel of "on earth peace, good-will toward men." This coming, as was promised by the Master, is for its establishment as a permanent dispensation among men; but the mission of Christian Science now, as in the time of its earlier demonstration, is not primarily one of physical healing. Now, as then, signs and wonders are wrought in the metaphysical healing of physical disease; but these signs are only to demonstrate its divine origin,--to attest the reality of the higher mission of the Christ-power to take away the sins of the world. (S&H 150:6)
The genuine meaning and biblical foundation of "Divine Science" or "the Science of Christianity" are more fully comprehended by occasionally substituting "the Spirit", "the Spirit of truth", "the Holy Spirit" or "the Holy Ghost", "the Advocate" or "the Comforter" or "the Counselor" or the Helper" or "the Paraclete" (or the Defense Attorney) wherever the terms "Divine Science" or "the Science of Christianity" appears in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy.
The terms "the Spirit" or "the Holy Spirit" (or "the Holy Ghost") is used 224 times in the New Testament. When reading the New Testament, occasionally substituting "Divine Science" wherever "the Spirit" or "the Holy Spirit" (or "the Holy Ghost") appears is also very edifying.
Mary Baker Eddy writes of her own experience with the Comforter, "the Science of Christianity":
The author became a member of the orthodox Congregational Church in early years. Later she learned that her own prayers failed to heal her as did the prayers of her devout parents and the church; but when the spiritual sense of the creed was discerned in the Science of Christianity, this spiritual sense was a present help. It was the living, palpitating presence of Christ, Truth, which healed the sick. (S&H 351:8)
She also writes,
Hold perpetually this thought,--that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being. (S&H 496:15)
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