The BIBLETEXTS Online Bible Commentary 

Excerpts that are relevant to the Bible Lesson for Sunday, November 8, 1998

plus other biblical resources, in English or in English and Spanish, to enrich the study of the current Bible Lesson

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<GT> Isaiah 54

KJV w/Strong# - {4} Fear <03372> not; for thou shalt not be ashamed <0954>: neither <0408> be thou confounded <03637>; for thou shalt not be put to shame <02659>:...

NRSV - 4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace;...

TEV - "The LORD's Love for Israel" - 4 Do not be afraid -- you will not be disgraced again; you will not be humiliated. You will forget your unfaithfulness as a young wife, and your desperate loneliness as a widow. 5 Your Creator will be like a husband to you -- the LORD Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you -- he is the ruler of all the world.

<RR1> 2 Timothy 2

KJV w/Strong# - {1} ...my son <5043>, be strong <1743> in the grace <5485> that is in Christ <5547> Jesus <2424>.

{7} Consider <3539> what <3739> I say <3004>; and the Lord <2962> give <1325> thee understanding <4907> in all <3956> things.

{15} Study <4704> to shew <3936> thyself <4572> approved <1384> unto God <2316>, a workman <2040> that needeth <422> not to be ashamed <422>, rightly dividing <3718> the word <3056> of truth <225>. {16} But shun <4026> profane <952> [and] vain <2757> babblings <2757>: for they will increase <4298> unto more <4119> ungodliness <763>.

{19} Nevertheless <3305> the foundation <2310> of God <2316> standeth <2476> sure <4731>, having <2192> this <5026> seal <4973>, The Lord <2962> knoweth <1097> them that are his. And, Let every <3956> one that nameth <3687> the name <3686> of Christ <5547> depart <868> from iniquity <93>. {20} But in a great <3173> house <3614> there are not only <3440> vessels <4632> of gold <5552> and of silver <693>, but also <2532> of wood <3585> and of earth <3749>; and some <3588> to honour <5092>, and some <3588> to dishonour <819>. {21} If <1437> a man <5100> therefore <3767> purge <1571> himself <1438> from these <5130>, he shall be a vessel <4632> unto honour <5092>, sanctified <37>, and meet <2173> for the master's <1203> use, [and] prepared <2090> unto every <3956> good <18> work <2041>.

NRSV - 1 ...my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus;

7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 16 Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,

19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness." 20 In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. 21 All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.

TEV - "A Loyal Soldier of Christ Jesus" - 1 As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus. 2 Take the teachings that you heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. 5 An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules. 6 The farmer who has done the hard work should have the first share of the harvest. 7 Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will enable you to understand it all.

"An Approved Worker" - 14 Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God's presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. 15 Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. 16 Keep away from profane and foolish discussions, which only drive people farther away from God. 17 Such teaching is like an open sore that eats away the flesh. Two men who have taught such things are Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the way of truth and are upsetting the faith of some believers by saying that our resurrection has already taken place. 19 But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: "The Lord knows those who are his" and "Whoever says that he belongs to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing." 20 In a large house there are dishes and bowls of all kinds: some are made of silver and gold, others of wood and clay; some are for special occasions, others for ordinary use. 21 If anyone makes himself clean from all those evil things, he will be used for special purposes, because he is dedicated and useful to his Master, ready to be used for every good deed. 22 Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help. 23 But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels.

<RR2> 2 Timothy 3

KJV w/Strong# - {16} All <3956> scripture <1124> [is] given by inspiration <2315> of God <2315>, and [is] profitable <5624> for doctrine <1319>, for reproof <1650>, for correction <1882>, for instruction <3809> in righteousness <1343>: {17} That the man <444> of God <2316> may be perfect <739>, throughly <1822> furnished <1822> unto all <3956> good <18> works <2041>.

NRSV - 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

TEV - "Last Instructions" - 14 But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, 15 and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, 17 so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.

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<B1> Genesis 1

KJV w/Strong# - {1} In the beginning <07225> God <0430> created <01254> the heaven <08064> and the earth <0776>.

{26} And God <0430> said <0559>, Let us make <06213> man <0120> in our image <06754>, after our likeness <01823>: and let them have dominion <07287> over the fish <01710> of the sea <03220>, and over the fowl <05775> of the air <08064>, and over the cattle <0929>, and over all <03605> the earth <0776>, and over every <03605> creeping <07431> thing that creepeth <07430> upon the earth <0776>. {27} So God <0430> created <01254> man <0120> in his [own] image <06754>, in the image <06754> of God <0430> created <01254> he him; male <02145> and female <05347> created <01254> he them. {28} And God <0430> blessed <01288> them, and God <0430> said <0559> unto them, Be fruitful <06509>, and multiply <07235>, and replenish <04390> the earth <0776>, and subdue <03533> it:...

{31} And God <0430> saw <07200> every <03605> thing that he had made <06213>, and, behold <02009>, [it was] very <03966> good <02896>...

NRSV - 1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

26 Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it;...

31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good...

TEV - "The Story of Creation" - 1 In the beginning, when God created the universe, 2 the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of God was moving over the water. 3 Then God commanded, "Let there be light" -- and light appeared. 4 God was pleased with what he saw. Then he separated the light from the darkness, 5 and he named the light "Day" and the darkness "Night." Evening passed and morning came -- that was the first day.

26 Then God said, "And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small." 27 So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female, 28 blessed them, and said, "Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. 29 I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; 30 but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food" -- and it was done. 31 God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased. Evening passed and morning came -- that was the sixth day.

<B2> Genesis 2

KJV w/Strong# - {1} Thus the heavens <08064> and the earth <0776> were finished <03615>, and all <03605> the host <06635> of them. {2} And on the seventh <07637> day <03117> God <0430> ended <03615> his work <04399> which <0834> he had made <06213>; and he rested <07673> on the seventh <07637> day <03117> from all <03605> his work <04399> which <0834> he had made <06213>.

NRSV - 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2 And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.

TEV - "The Story of Creation" - 1 And so the whole universe was completed. 2 By the seventh day God finished what he had been doing and stopped working. 3 He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day, because by that day he had completed his creation and stopped working. 4 And that is how the universe was created.

<B3> Ecclesiastes 3

KJV w/Strong# - {14} I know <03045> that, whatsoever God <0430> doeth <06213>, it shall be for ever <05769>: nothing <0369> can be put <03254> to it, nor <0369> any thing taken <01639> from it: and God <0430> doeth <06213> [it], that [men] should fear <03372> before <06440> him.

NRSV - 14 I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him.

TEV - "A Time for Everything" - 9 What do we gain from all our work? 10 I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us. 11 He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. 12 So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. 13 All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift. 14 I know that everything God does will last forever. You can't add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of him. 15 Whatever happens or can happen has already happened before. God makes the same thing happen again and again.

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<B4> Genesis 2

KJV w/Strong# - {4} These <0428> [are] the generations <08435> of the heavens <08064> and of the earth <0776> when they were created <01254>, in the day <03117> that the LORD <03068> God <0430> made <06213> the earth <0776> and the heavens <08064>, {5} And every <03605> plant <07880> of the field <07704> before <02962> it was in the earth <0776>, and every <03605> herb <06212> of the field <07704> before <02962> it grew <06779>: for the LORD <03068> God <0430> had not caused it to rain <04305> upon the earth <0776>, and [there was] not a man <0120> to till <05647> the ground <0127>. {6} But there went <05927> up a mist <0108> from the earth <0776>, and watered <08248> the whole face <06440> of the ground <0127>. {7} And the LORD <03068> God <0430> formed <03335> man <0120> [of] the dust <06083> of the ground <0127>, and breathed <05301> into his nostrils <0639> the breath <05397> of life <02416>; and man <0120> became <01961> a living <02416> soul <05315>.

{15} And the LORD <03068> God <0430> took <03947> the man <0120>, and put <03240> him into the garden <01588> of Eden <05731> to dress <05647> it and to keep <08104> it. {16} And the LORD <03068> God <0430> commanded <06680> the man <0120>, saying <0559>, Of every <03605> tree <06086> of the garden <01588> thou mayest freely eat <0398>: {17} But of the tree <06086> of the knowledge <01847> of good <02896> and evil <07451>, thou shalt not eat <0398> of it: for in the day <03117> that thou eatest <0398> thereof thou shalt surely die <04191>.

{21} And the LORD <03068> God <0430> caused a deep <08639> sleep <03462> to fall <05307> upon Adam <0121>, and he slept <03462>: and he took <03947> one <0259> of his ribs <06763>, and closed <05462> up the flesh <01320> instead <08478> thereof; {22} And the rib <06763>, which <0834> the LORD <03068> God <0430> had taken <03947> from man <0120>, made <01129> he a woman <0802>, and brought <0935> her unto the man <0120>. {23} And Adam <0120> said <0559>, This <02063> [is] now <06471> bone <06106> of my bones <06106>, and flesh <01320> of my flesh <01320>: she shall be called <07121> Woman <0802>, because <03588> she was taken <03947> out of Man <0376>.

NRSV - 4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up -- for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground;

6 but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground -- 7 then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die."

21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken."

TEV - "The Story of Creation" - 1 And so the whole universe was completed. 2 By the seventh day God finished what he had been doing and stopped working. 3 He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day, because by that day he had completed his creation and stopped working. 4a And that is how the universe was created.

"The Garden of Eden" - 4b When the LORD God made the universe, 5 there were no plants on the earth and no seeds had sprouted, because he had not sent any rain, and there was no one to cultivate the land; 6 but water would come up from beneath the surface and water the ground. 7 Then the LORD God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live. 8 Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the East, and there he put the man he had formed. 9 He made all kinds of beautiful trees grow there and produce good fruit. In the middle of the garden stood the tree that gives life and the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad.

15 Then the LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it. 16 He told him, "You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, 17 except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day."

21 Then the LORD God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the flesh. 22 He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. 23 Then the man said, "At last, here is one of my own kind -- Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh. "Woman' is her name because she was taken out of man." 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.

<B5> Isaiah 2

KJV w/Strong# - {22} Cease <02308> ye from man <0120>, whose <0834> breath <05397> [is] in his nostrils <0639>: for wherein <04100> is he to be accounted <02803> of?

NRSV - 22 Turn away from mortals, who have only breath in their nostrils, for of what account are they?

TEV - "Arrogance Will Be Destroyed" - 19 People will hide in caves in the rocky hills or dig holes in the ground to try to escape from the LORD's anger and to hide from his power and glory, when he comes to shake the earth. 20 When that day comes, they will throw away the gold and silver idols they have made, and abandon them to the moles and the bats. 21 When the LORD comes to shake the earth, people will hide in holes and caves in the rocky hills to try to escape from his anger and to hide from his power and glory. 22 Put no more confidence in mortal men. What are they worth?

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<B6> Genesis 3

KJV w/Strong# - {1} Now the serpent <05175> was more subtil <06175> than any <03605> beast <02416> of the field <07704> which <0834> the LORD <03068> God <0430> had made <06213>. And he said <0559> unto the woman <0802>, Yea, hath God <0430> said <0559>, Ye shall not eat <0398> of every <03605> tree <06086> of the garden <01588>? {2} And the woman <0802> said <0559> unto the serpent <05175>, We may eat <0398> of the fruit <06529> of the trees <06086> of the garden <01588>: {3} But of the fruit <06529> of the tree <06086> which <0834> [is] in the midst <08432> of the garden <01588>, God <0430> hath said <0559>, Ye shall not eat <0398> of it, neither shall ye touch <05060> it, lest <06435> ye die <04191>. {4} And the serpent <05175> said <0559> unto the woman <0802>, Ye shall not surely die <04191>: {5} For God <0430> doth know <03045> that in the day <03117> ye eat <0398> thereof, then your eyes <05869> shall be opened <06491>, and ye shall be as gods <0430>, knowing <03045> good <02896> and evil <07451>. {6} And when the woman <0802> saw <07200> that the tree <06086> [was] good <02896> for food <03978>, and that it [was] pleasant <08378> to the eyes <05869>, and a tree <06086> to be desired <02530> to make [one] wise <07919>, she took <03947> of the fruit <06529> thereof, and did eat <0398>, and gave <05414> also <01571> unto her husband <0376> with her; and he did eat <0398>.

NRSV - 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, "You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die."' 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.

TEV - "The Disobedience of Man" - 1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the LORD God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" 2 "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered, 3 "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die." 4 The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die. 5 God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad." 6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. 7 As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves. 8 That evening they heard the LORD God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees. 9 But the LORD God called out to the man, "Where are you?" 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked." 11 "Who told you that you were naked?" God asked. "Did you eat the fruit that I told you not to eat?"

<B7> 2 Corinthians 11

KJV w/Strong# - {3} ...I fear <5399>, lest <3381> by any <3381> means <4458>, as the serpent <3789> beguiled <1818> Eve <2096> through <1722> his subtilty <3834>, so <3779> your <5216> minds <3540> should be corrupted <5351> from the simplicity <572> that is in Christ <5547>.

NRSV - 3 ...I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

TEV - "Paul and the False Apostles" - 1 I wish you would tolerate me, even when I am a bit foolish. Please do! 2 I am jealous for you, just as God is; you are like a pure virgin whom I have promised in marriage to one man only, Christ himself. 3 I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ -- in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake's clever lies. 4 For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a different Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the gospel you received from us!

[********** 4 **********]

<B8> Genesis 3

KJV w/Strong# - {8} And they heard <08085> the voice <06963> of the LORD <03068> God <0430> walking <01980> in the garden <01588> in the cool <07307> of the day <03117>: and Adam <0120> and his wife <0802> hid <02244> themselves from the presence <06440> of the LORD <03068> God <0430> amongst <08432> the trees <06086> of the garden <01588>. {9} And the LORD <03068> God <0430> called <07121> unto Adam <0120>, and said <0559> unto him, Where <0335> [art] thou? {10} And he said <0559>, I heard <08085> thy voice <06963> in the garden <01588>, and I was afraid <03372>, because <03588> I [was] naked <05903>; and I hid <02244> myself. {11} And he said <0559>, Who <04310> told <05046> thee that thou [wast] naked <05903>? Hast thou eaten <0398> of the tree <06086>, whereof <0834> I commanded <06680> thee that thou shouldest not eat <0398>? {12} And the man <0120> said <0559>, The woman <0802> whom <0834> thou gavest <05414> [to be] with me, she gave <05414> me of the tree <06086>, and I did eat <0398>. {13} And the LORD <03068> God <0430> said <0559> unto the woman <0802>, What <04100> [is] this <02063> [that] thou hast done <06213>? And the woman <0802> said <0559>, The serpent <05175> beguiled <05377> me, and I did eat <0398>.

{17} And unto Adam <0121> he said <0559>, Because <03588> thou hast hearkened <08085> unto the voice <06963> of thy wife <0802>, and hast eaten <0398> of the tree <06086>, of which <0834> I commanded <06680> thee, saying <0559>, Thou shalt not eat <0398> of it: cursed <0779> [is] the ground <0127> for thy sake <05668>; in sorrow <06093> shalt thou eat <0398> [of] it all <03605> the days <03117> of thy life <02416>;

{23} Therefore the LORD <03068> God <0430> sent <07971> him forth from the garden <01588> of Eden <05731>, to till <05647> the ground <0127> from whence he was taken <03947>.

NRSV - 8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate."

17 And to the man he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, "You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

23 therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.

TEV - "The Disobedience of Man" - 6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. 7 As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves. 8 That evening they heard the LORD God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees. 9 But the LORD God called out to the man, "Where are you?" 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked." 11 "Who told you that you were naked?" God asked. "Did you eat the fruit that I told you not to eat?" 12 The man answered, "The woman you put here with me gave me the fruit, and I ate it." 13 The LORD God asked the woman, "Why did you do this?" She replied, "The snake tricked me into eating it."

"God Pronounces Judgment" - 17 And he said to the man, "You listened to your wife and ate the fruit which I told you not to eat. Because of what you have done, the ground will be under a curse. You will have to work hard all your life to make it produce enough food for you. 18 It will produce weeds and thorns, and you will have to eat wild plants. 19 You will have to work hard and sweat to make the soil produce anything, until you go back to the soil from which you were formed. You were made from soil, and you will become soil again."

"Adam and Eve Are Sent Out of the Garden" - 22 Then the LORD God said, "Now the man has become like one of us and has knowledge of what is good and what is bad. He must not be allowed to take fruit from the tree that gives life, eat it, and live forever." 23 So the LORD God sent him out of the Garden of Eden and made him cultivate the soil from which he had been formed. 24 Then at the east side of the garden he put living creatures and a flaming sword which turned in all directions. This was to keep anyone from coming near the tree that gives life.

[********** 5 **********]

<B9> Romans 5

KJV w/Strong# - {19} For as by one <1520> man's <444> disobedience <3876> many <4183> were made <2525> sinners <268>, so <3779> by the obedience <5218> of one <1520> shall many <4183> be made <2525> righteous <1342>.

NRSV - 19 For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

TEV - "Adam and Christ" - 18 So then, as the one sin condemned all mankind, in the same way the one righteous act sets all mankind free and gives them life. 19 And just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man, in the same way they will all be put right with God as the result of the obedience of the one man. 20 Law was introduced in order to increase wrongdoing; but where sin increased, God's grace increased much more. 21 So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

<B10> John 3

KJV w/Strong# - {17} For God <2316> sent <649> not his Son <5207> into <1519> the world <2889> to condemn <2919> the world <2889>; but that the world <2889> through <1223> him might be saved <4982>.

NRSV - 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.

<B11> John 1

KJV w/Strong# - {12} But as many <3745> as received <2983> him, to them gave <1325> he power <1849> to become <1096> the sons <5043> of God <2316>, [even] to them that believe <4100> on <1519> his name <3686>: {13} Which <3739> were born <1080>, not of blood <129>, nor <3761> of the will <2307> of the flesh <4561>, nor <3761> of the will <2307> of man <435>, but of God <2316>.

{16} And of his fulness <4138> have all <3956> we received <2983>, and grace <5485> for grace <5485>.

NRSV - 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

TEV - "The Word of Life" - 6 God sent his messenger, a man named John, 7 who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. 9 This was the real light -- the light that comes into the world and shines on all mankind. 10 The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. 12 Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. 13 They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father. 14 The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. 15 John spoke about him. He cried out, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, "He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born." 16 Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. 17 God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

<B12> John 5

KJV w/Strong# - {1} ...there was a feast <1859> of the Jews <2453>; and Jesus <2424> went <305> up to Jerusalem <2414>. {2} Now <1161> there is at <1722> Jerusalem <2414> by the sheep <4262> [market] a pool <2861>, which <3588> is called <1951> in the Hebrew <1447> tongue <1447> Bethesda <964>, having <2192> five <4002> porches <4745>. {3} In these <5025> lay <2621> a great <4183> multitude <4128> of impotent <770> folk, of blind <5185>, halt <5560>, withered <3584>, waiting <1551> for the moving <2796> of the water <5204>. {4} For an angel <32> went <2597> down <2597> at <2596> a certain season <2540> into <1722> the pool <2861>, and troubled <5015> the water <5204>: whosoever <3588> then <3767> first <4413> after <3326> the troubling <5016> of the water <5204> stepped <1684> in was made <1096> whole <5199> of whatsoever <1221> disease <3553> he had <2722>. {5} And a certain <5100> man <444> was there <1563>, which had <2192> an infirmity <769> thirty <5144> and eight <3638> years <2094>. {6} When Jesus <2424> saw <1492> him lie <2621>, and knew <1097> that he had been <2192> now <2235> a long <4183> time <5550> [in that case], he saith <3004> unto him, Wilt <2309> thou be made <1096> whole <5199>? {7} The impotent <770> man answered <611> him, Sir <2962>, I have <2192> no <3756> man <444>, when <3752> the water <5204> is troubled <5015>, to put <906> me into <1519> the pool <2861>: but while <3739> I am coming <2064>, another <243> steppeth <2597> down <2597> before <4253> me. {8} Jesus <2424> saith <3004> unto him, Rise <1453>, take <142> up thy bed <2895>, and walk <4043>. {9} And immediately <2112> the man <444> was made <1096> whole <5199>, and took <142> up his bed <2895>, and walked <4043>: and on <1722> the same <1565> day <2250> was the sabbath <4521>.

{14} Afterward <5023> Jesus <2424> findeth <2147> him in the temple <2411>, and said <2036> unto him, Behold <2396>, thou art made <1096> whole <5199>: sin <264> no <3371> more <3371>, lest <3361> a worse <5501> thing come <1096> unto thee. {15} The man <444> departed <565>, and told <312> the Jews <2453> that it was Jesus <2424>, which <3588> had made <4160> him whole <5199>.

NRSV - 1 ...there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay many invalids -- blind, lame, and paralyzed. 4 [Omitted in NRSV] 5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." 9 At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath.

14 Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

TEV - "The Healing at the Pool" - 1 After this, Jesus went to Jerusalem for a religious festival. 2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool with five porches; in Hebrew it is called Bethzatha. 3 A large crowd of sick people were lying on the porches -- the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. 4 [Omitted in TEV] 5 A man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus saw him lying there, and he knew that the man had been sick for such a long time; so he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" 7 The sick man answered, "Sir, I don't have anyone here to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am trying to get in, somebody else gets there first." 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." 9 Immediately the man got well; he picked up his mat and started walking. The day this happened was a Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish authorities told the man who had been healed, "This is a Sabbath, and it is against our Law for you to carry your mat." 11 He answered, "The man who made me well told me to pick up my mat and walk." 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who told you to do this?" 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who Jesus was, for there was a crowd in that place, and Jesus had slipped away. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the Temple and said, "Listen, you are well now; so stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15 Then the man left and told the Jewish authorities that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 So they began to persecute Jesus, because he had done this healing on a Sabbath. 17 Jesus answered them, "My Father is always working, and I too must work." 18 This saying made the Jewish authorities all the more determined to kill him; not only had he broken the Sabbath law, but he had said that God was his own Father and in this way had made himself equal with God.

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<B13> Psalm 37

KJV w/Strong# - {37} Mark <08104> the perfect <08535> [man], and behold <07200> the upright <03477>: for the end <0319> of [that] man <0376> [is] peace <07965>.

NRSV - 37 Mark the blameless, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable.

TEV - "The Destiny of the Wicked and of the Good" - 35 I once knew a wicked man who was a tyrant; he towered over everyone like a cedar of Lebanon; 36 but later I passed by, and he wasn't there; I looked for him, but couldn't find him. 37 Notice the good man, observe the righteous man; a peaceful man has descendants, 38 but sinners are completely destroyed, and their descendants are wiped out.

<B14> James 1

KJV w/Strong# - {16} Do not err <4105>, my beloved <27> brethren <80>. {17} Every <3956> good <18> gift <1394> and every <3956> perfect <5046> gift <1394> is from above <509>, and cometh down <2597> from the Father <3962> of lights <5457>, with whom <3739> is no <3756> variableness <3883>, neither <2228> shadow <644> of turning <5157>.

{21} Wherefore <1352> lay <659> apart <659> all <3956> filthiness <4507> and superfluity <4050> of naughtiness <2549>, and receive <1209> with meekness <4240> the engrafted <1721> word <3056>, which <3588> is able <1410> to save <4982> your <5216> souls <5590>. {22} But be ye doers <4163> of the word <3056>, and not hearers <202> only <3440>, deceiving <3884> your <1438> own selves <846>. {23} For if <1487> any <1536> be a hearer <202> of the word <3056>, and not a doer <4163>, he is like <1503> unto a man <435> beholding <2657> his natural <1078> face <4383> in a glass <2072>: {24} For he beholdeth <2657> himself <1438>, and goeth <565> his way, and straightway <2112> forgetteth <1950> what <3697> manner <3697> of man he was. {25} But whoso <3588> looketh <3879> into <1519> the perfect <5046> law <3551> of liberty <1657>, and continueth <3887> [therein], he being <1096> not a forgetful <1953> hearer <202>, but a doer <4163> of the work <2041>, this <3778> man shall be blessed <3107> in his deed <4162>.

NRSV - 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved. 17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act -- they will be blessed in their doing.

TEV - "Testing and Tempting" - 16 Do not be deceived, my dear brothers! 17 Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning. 18 By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures.

"Hearing and Doing" - 19 Remember this, my dear brothers! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. 20 Man's anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose. 21 So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you. 22 Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. 23 Whoever listens to the word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is. 24 He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks closely into the perfect law that sets people free, who keeps on paying attention to it and does not simply listen and then forget it, but puts it into practice -- that person will be blessed by God in what he does.

<B15> James 4

KJV w/Strong# - {7} Submit <5293> yourselves therefore <3767> to God <2316>. Resist <436> the devil <1228>, and he will flee <5343> from you.

{10} Humble <5013> yourselves in the sight <1799> of the Lord <2962>, and he shall lift <5312> you up.

NRSV - 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

TEV - "Friendship with the World" - 7 So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! 9 Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

<B16> Jude 1

KJV w/Strong# - {24} Now <1161> unto him that is able <1410> to keep <5442> you from falling <679>, and to present <2476> [you] faultless <299> before <2714> the presence <2714> of his glory <1391> with exceeding joy <20>, {25} To the only <3441> wise <4680> God <2316> our Saviour <4990>, [be] glory <1391> and majesty <3172>, dominion <2904> and power <1849>, both <2532> now <3568> and ever <165>. Amen <281>.

NRSV - 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

TEV - "Prayer of Praise" - 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to bring you faultless and joyful before his glorious presence -- 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority, from all ages past, and now, and forever and ever! Amen.

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