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Acknowledgements of the Bible versions and footnotes regularly used on this Webpage:

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."

NRSV (New Revised Standard Version, Copyright, 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

TEV (Today's English Version, Copyright 1976, 1992, American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.) 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.
 

• Footnotes: textual and exegetical commentary and cross-references. Cross-references are mostly the result of original research done by Robert Nguyen Cramer [RNC], but some came from various American Bible Society resources or The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey. All commentary was done by RNC, unless otherwise noted. Additional resources used in the preparation of this Webpage are described in the bibliography.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "A Song of Praise" - 8 Worship the LORD, all the earth! Honor him, all peoples of the world! 9 When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared. 10 The LORD frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans. 11 But the Lord's plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally. 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD; happy are the people he has chosen for his own!

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "The LORD Answers Job" - 1 Then out of the storm the LORD spoke to Job. 2 Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words? 3 Stand up now like a man and answer the questions I ask you. 4 Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. 5 Who decided how large it would be? Who stretched the measuring line over it? Do you know all the answers? 6 What holds up the pillars that support the earth? Who laid the cornerstone of the world? 7 In the dawn of that day the stars sang together, and the heavenly beings shouted for joy.

16 Have you been to the springs in the depths of the sea? Have you walked on the floor of the ocean? 17 Has anyone ever shown you the gates that guard the dark world of the dead? 18 Have you any idea how big the world is? Answer me if you know. 19 Do you know where the light comes from or what the source of darkness is? 20 Can you show them how far to go, or send them back again? 21 I am sure you can, because you're so old and were there when the world was made! 22 Have you ever visited the storerooms, where I keep the snow and the hail? 23 I keep them ready for times of trouble, for days of battle and war. 24 Have you been to the place where the sun comes up, or the place from which the east wind blows? 25 Who dug a channel for the pouring rain and cleared the way for the thunderstorm? 26 Who makes rain fall where no one lives? 27 Who waters the dry and thirsty land, so that grass springs up? 28 Does either the rain or the dew have a father? 29 Who is the mother of the ice and the frost, 30 which turn the waters to stone and freeze the face of the sea?

34 Can you shout orders to the clouds and make them drench you with rain? 35 And if you command the lightning to flash, will it come to you and say, "At your service"? 36 Who tells the ibis when the Nile will flood, or who tells the rooster that rain will fall? 37 Who is wise enough to count the clouds and tilt them over to pour out the rain, 38 rain that hardens the dust into lumps?

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Job" - 1 Then Job answered the LORD. 2 I know, LORD, that you are all-powerful; that you can do everything you want. 3 You ask how I dare question your wisdom when I am so very ignorant. I talked about things I did not understand, about marvels too great for me to know. 4 You told me to listen while you spoke and to try to answer your questions. 5 In the past I knew only what others had told me, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. 6 So I am ashamed of all I have said and repent in dust and ashes.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "In Praise of God the Almighty" - 1 Praise the LORD! It is good to sing praise to our God; it is pleasant and right to praise him. 2 The LORD is restoring Jerusalem; he is bringing back the exiles. 3 He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds. 4 He has decided the number of the stars and calls each one by name. 5 Great and mighty is our Lord; his wisdom cannot be measured. 6 He raises the humble, but crushes the wicked to the ground.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Jeremiah's Message about the Prophets" - 23 "I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. 24 No one can hide where I cannot see him. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth? 25 I know what those prophets have said who speak lies in my name and claim that I have given them my messages in their dreams. 26 How much longer will those prophets mislead my people with the lies they have invented? 27 They think that the dreams they tell will make my people forget me, just as their fathers forgot me and turned to Baal. 28 The prophet who has had a dream should say it is only a dream, but the prophet who has heard my message should proclaim that message faithfully. What good is straw compared with wheat? 29 My message is like a fire and like a hammer that breaks rocks in pieces.

• Jer 23:23 - a/r: AT HAND or: nearby

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "The LORD of the World and the Idols of Babylon" - 8 "Remember this, you sinners; consider what I have done. 9 Remember what happened long ago; acknowledge that I alone am God and that there is no one else like me. 10 From the beginning I predicted the outcome; long ago I foretold what would happen. I said that my plans would never fail, that I would do everything I intended to do. 11 I am calling a man to come from the east; he will swoop down like a hawk and accomplish what I have planned. I have spoken, and it will be done.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Words of Hope" - 9 Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Zion; announce the good news! Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming! 10 The Sovereign LORD is coming to rule with power, bringing with him the people he has rescued. 11 He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

"Israel's Incomparable God" - 18 To whom can God be compared? How can you describe what he is like? 19 He is not like an idol that workmen make, that metalworkers cover with gold and set in a base of silver. 20 The man who cannot afford silver or gold chooses wood that will not rot. He finds a skillful craftsman to make an image that won't fall down.

27 Israel, why then do you complain that the LORD doesn't know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? 28 Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. 29 He strengthens those who are weak and tired. 30 Even those who are young grow weak; young men can fall exhausted.

• Isa 40:9 - a/r: O ZION, THAT BRINGEST GOOD TIDINGS... O JERUSALEM, THAT BRINGETH GOOD TIDINGS or: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion... O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem
• Isa 40:10 - a/r: WORK or: recompense

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "The Meeting at Jerusalem" - 16 "After this I will return, says the Lord, and restore the kingdom of David. I will rebuild its ruins and make it strong again. 17 And so all the rest of mankind will come to me, all the Gentiles whom I have called to be my own. 18 So says the Lord, who made this known long ago.'

• Act 15:18 - in the KJV, omit: UNTO GOD <3588> <2316> ARE <1510> ALL <3956> HIS <846> WORKS <2041>
• Act 15:18 - {Note: In the original text of this verse in Acts, there were only three Greek words, "gnosta ap aionos" [known from ages]. Bruce Metzger (Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, Second Edition, NY: United Bible Societies, 1994, page 379) comments:
• Since the quotation from Am 9.12 ends with tauta [these things], the concluding words [in verse 18] are James's comment. The reading gnosta ap aionos, however, is so elliptical an expression that copyists made various attempts to recast the phrase, rounding it out as an independent sentence.}

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

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

"The LORD of Creation and History" - 9 Does a clay pot dare argue with its maker, a pot that is like all the others? Does the clay ask the potter what he is doing? Does the pot complain that its maker has no skill? 10 Does anyone dare say to his parents, "Why did you make me like this?" 11 The LORD, the holy God of Israel, the one who shapes the future, says: "You have no right to question me about my children or to tell me what I ought to do! 12 I am the one who made the earth and created mankind to live there. By my power I stretched out the heavens; I control the sun, the moon, and the stars.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Israel Is the LORD's Witness" - 10 "People of Israel, you are my witnesses; I chose you to be my servant, so that you would know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God. Besides me there is no other god; there never was and never will be. 11 "I alone am the LORD, the only one who can save you. 12 I predicted what would happen, and then I came to your aid. No foreign god has ever done this; you are my witnesses. 13 I am God and always will be. No one can escape from my power; no one can change what I do."

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "True Worship" - 1 The Almighty God, the LORD, speaks; he calls to the whole earth from east to west. 2 God shines from Zion, the city perfect in its beauty.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Praise to God" - 33 How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways? 34 As the scripture says, "Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice? 35 Who has ever given him anything, so that he had to pay it back?" 36 For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

• Rom 11:36 - a/r: OF HIM or: from him
• Rom 11:36 - a/r: TO WHOM or: to Him

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "The Conflict in Man" - 5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. 6 To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. 7 And so a person becomes an enemy of God when he is controlled by his human nature; for he does not obey God's law, and in fact he cannot obey it. 8 Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.

• Rom 8:7 - a/r: CARNAL MIND or: mind of the flesh {Greek: phronema tes sarkos}
• Rom 8:7 - a/r: ENMITY or: hostility (or: ill will or hatred)
• Rom 8:7 - a/r: IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE or: it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so {ABS Translator's Version}

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - Romans 6

"Dead to Sin but Alive in Union with Christ" - 12 Sin must no longer rule in your mortal bodies, so that you obey the desires of your natural self. 13 Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. 14 Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.

"Slaves of Righteousness" - 15 What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under God's grace? By no means! 16 Surely you know that when you surrender yourselves as slaves to obey someone, you are in fact the slaves of the master you obey -- either of sin, which results in death, or of obedience, which results in being put right with God.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "The Lost Son" - 11 Jesus went on to say, "There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to him, "Father, give me my share of the property now.' So the man divided his property between his two sons. 13 After a few days the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living. 14 He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing. 15 So he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him out to his farm to take care of the pigs. 16 He wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat.

• Luk 15:12 - a/r: AND HE in KJV change to: so he
• Luk 15:12 - a/r: AND <2532> HE <1244> DIVIDED <1244> in KJV change to: so <1161> he <3588> divided <1244> {Note: If not explicitly stated, "he" is implied in the Greek verb.}
• Luk 15:16 - a/r: WOULD FAIN <1937> HAVE FILLED <1072> HIS BELLY <2836> WITH <575> in KJV change to: longed <1937> to be satisfied <5526> by <1537>

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "The Lost Son" - 17 At last he came to his senses and said, "All my father's hired workers have more than they can eat, and here I am about to starve! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. 19 I am no longer fit to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers." 20 So he got up and started back to his father. 20b "He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arms around his son, and kissed him. 21 "Father,' the son said, "I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.' 22 But the father called to his servants. "Hurry!' he said. "Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. 23 Then go and get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast! 24 For this son of mine was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' And so the feasting began.

• Luk 15:17 - in KJV add (after perish): here {literally: but I with hunger here am dying}
• Luk 15:19 - AND AM in KJV change to: I am {Note: The Greek word for "and" was not in the original text, and the Greek verb that is translated "am" does not need the Greek pronoun for I, so it literally means "I am".}
• Luk 15:21 - AND AM in KJV change to: I am {Note: The Greek word for "and" was not in the original text, and the Greek verb that is translated "am" does not need the Greek pronoun for I, so it literally means "I am".}
• Luk 15:22 - in KJV add (before bring) : quickly <5035>
• Luk 15:22 - a/r: THE BEST ROBE in KJV change to: a robe, the best one,

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Life in God's Service" - 1 So then, my brothers, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. 2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God -- what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Solomon's Proverbs" - 17 Those who are good travel a road that avoids evil; so watch where you are going -- it may save your life. 18 Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall. 19 It is better to be humble and stay poor than to be one of the arrogant and get a share of their loot. 20 Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the LORD and you will be happy. 21 A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is. 22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "The Witness about Jesus Christ" - 6 Jesus Christ is the one who came with the water of his baptism and the blood of his death. He came not only with the water, but with both the water and the blood. And the Spirit himself testifies that this is true, because the Spirit is truth. 7 There are three witnesses: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and all three give the same testimony. 9 We believe man's testimony; but God's testimony is much stronger, and he has given this testimony about his Son. 10 So whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his own heart; but whoever does not believe God, has made a liar of him, because he has not believed what God has said about his Son. 11 The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son.

"Eternal Life" - 18 We know that no child of God keeps on sinning, for the Son of God keeps him safe, and the Evil One cannot harm him. 19 We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One. 20 We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we know the true God. We live in union with the true God -- in union with his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and this is eternal life. 21 My children, keep yourselves safe from false gods!

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Jesus Heals a Roman Officer's Servant" - 5 When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman officer met him and begged for help: 6 "Sir, my servant is sick in bed at home, unable to move and suffering terribly." 7 "I will go and make him well," Jesus said. 8 "Oh no, sir," answered the officer. "I do not deserve to have you come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9 I, too, am a man under the authority of superior officers, and I have soldiers under me. I order this one, "Go!' and he goes; and I order that one, "Come!' and he comes; and I order my slave, "Do this!' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was surprised and said to the people following him, "I tell you, I have never found anyone in Israel with faith like this. 11 I assure you that many will come from the east and the west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of heaven. 12 But those who should be in the Kingdom will be thrown out into the darkness, where they will cry and gnash their teeth." 13 Then Jesus said to the officer, "Go home, and what you believe will be done for you." And the officer's servant was healed that very moment.

• Mat 8:5 - a/r: BESEECHING HIM or: pleading with him
• Mat 8:6 - a/r: SICK OF THE PALSY, GRIEVOUSLY TORMENTED or: paralyzed, in terrible suffering
• Mat 8:9 - a/r: SERVANT or: slave
• Mat 8:10 - a/r: VERILY or: truly

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Running toward the Goal" - 12 I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. 13 Of course, my brothers, I really do not 4 think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. 14 So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above. 15 All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you. 16 However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "Prayer of Thanksgiving" - 3 We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God's people. 5 When the true message, the Good News, first came to you, you heard about the hope it offers. So your faith and love are based on what you hope for, which is kept safe for you in heaven. 6 The gospel keeps bringing blessings and is spreading throughout the world, just as it has among you ever since the day you first heard about the grace of God and came to know it as it really is.

9 For this reason we have always prayed for you, ever since we heard about you. We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. 10 Then you will be able to live as the Lord wants and will always do what pleases him. Your lives will produce all kinds of good deeds, and you will grow in your knowledge of God. 11...12 May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light. 13 He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of his dear Son, 14 by whom we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.

• Col 1:3 - (after God) in KJV omit: AND <2532>
• Col 1:4 - a/r: [WHICH <-> YE HAVE <->] <no supporting Greek words> in KJV change to: that <3739> you have <2192> {literally in KJV add: that <3739> you have <2192>}
• Col 1:10 - a/r: UNTO ALL PLEASING or: unto all that is pleasing

KJV w/Strong# - k

NRSV - r

TEV - "God's Wisdom" - 15 Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him. 16 As the scripture says, "Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice?" We, however, have the mind of Christ.

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS COMMENTARY (such as a/r=alternate rendering, c/m=changed meaning since KJV translation, omit=omit wording not found in the Hebrew or Greek texts from which the KJV was translated but not in the original Hebrew or Greek texts, add=add wording that was omitted from the KJV's Hebrew or Greek texts but were found in the original Hebrew or Greek texts). Also other information about this commentary. (http://www.bibletexts.com/abbrev.htm)

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CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY BIBLE LESSONS - HISTORICAL INSIGHTS - This is a link to a Webpage that lists articles from early issues of the Christian Science periodical -- articles that give insights on how Mary Baker Eddy and early Bible Lesson Committee members viewed the Bible Lessons. (http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/bl.htm)

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STRONG'S-BASED BIBLE STUDY AIDS - This is a Webpage that describes various  Bible study aids that are keyed to the Strong's number system. These materials will enable you to use the above "KJV/Strong's" texts and <numbers> to explore the actual meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words from which the English wording was translated. (http://www.bibletexts.com/strongs.htm)

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