A Bible Lesson study aid

For Sunday, November 21, 1999, including excerpts from BibleTexts Online Bible Commentary,

with 3 Bible versions' texts, plus other biblical resources to enrich the study of the current Bible Lesson.

This webpage includes links to textual commentary and to glossary articles that describe people, places, terms, and books of the Bible. To access those links, just click on "[To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]." To use the Sunday School preparation aid, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/bt-tw-ss.htm.


NOTE REGARDING "THE BIBLE" AND THE 3 BIBLE VERSIONS USED HERE: The original Hebrew and Greek texts are what actually constitute "the Bible." All other versions, whether in English or in Chinese or in Aramaic, whether produced in 384 A.D. or in 1611 A.D. or in 1996 A.D., are merely translations indirectly derived from those original Hebrew and Greek texts. The BibleTexts Online Bible Commentary at http://www.bibletexts.com/bt.htm provides verse-by-verse textual corrections that are based upon the most current knowledge of those original Hebrew and Greek texts. Most of those corrections are relevant only to the KJV, because most modern versions such as the NRSV and the TEV were translated from Hebrew and Greek texts that are much more consistent with "the original texts" than those Hebrew and Greek texts from which the 1611 KJV was translated. In the KJV most of the substantive errors are due to the faulty Hebrew and Greek texts from which the KJV was translated. (See S&H 139:15.) For more details on these issues, you can browse http://www.bibletexts.com/kjv-tr.htm.

Wherever there are substantial differences between the wording of the KJV and the NRSV, the NRSV should be considered as more accurately representing the wording of the original texts. Of the three English language Bible versions used below (the KJV, the NRSV, and the TEV), the NRSV gives the best word-for-word representation of the wording of original texts, and the TEV gives the best phrase-by-phrase representation of the originally intended meaning of original texts.


| KJV = King James Version | NRSV = New Revised Standard Version | TEV = Today's English Version |

<GT> 1 Corinthians 6 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 20 …glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

NRSV - 20 ...glorify God in your body.

TEV - "Use Your Bodies for God's Glory" - 18 Avoid immorality. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; 20 he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.


<RR1> Psalms 15 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

NRSV - 1 O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;

TEV - "What God Requires" - 1 LORD, who may enter your Temple? Who may worship on Zion, your sacred hill? 2 A person who obeys God in everything and always does what is right, whose words are true and sincere, 3 and who does not slander others. He does no wrong to his friends nor spreads rumors about his neighbors. 4 He despises those whom God rejects, but honors those who obey the LORD. He always does what he promises, no matter how much it may cost. 5 He makes loans without charging interest and cannot be bribed to testify against the innocent. Whoever does these things will always be secure.


<RR2> Psalms 16 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

NRSV - 5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. 7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. 10 For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. 11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

TEV - "A Prayer of Confidence" - 3 How excellent are the LORD's faithful people! My greatest pleasure is to be with them. 4 Those who rush to other gods bring many troubles on themselves. I will not take part in their sacrifices; I will not worship their gods. 5 You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. 6 How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are! 7 I praise the LORD, because he guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. 8 I am always aware of the LORD's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me. 9 And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, 10 because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead. 11 You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.


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<B1> Psalms 25 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

NRSV - 1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

TEV - "A Prayer for Guidance and Protection" - 1 To you, O LORD, I offer my prayer; 2 in you, my God, I trust. Save me from the shame of defeat; don't let my enemies gloat over me! 3 Defeat does not come to those who trust in you, but to those who are quick to rebel against you.


<B2> Job 13 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

NRSV - 3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.

TEV - "The First Dialogue" - 1...2 Everything you say, I have heard before. I understand it all; I know as much as you do. I'm not your inferior. 3 But my dispute is with God, not you; I want to argue my case with him. 4 You cover up your ignorance with lies; you are like doctors who can't heal anyone. 5 Say nothing, and someone may think you are wise!


<B3> Job 23 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

NRSV - 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling!

8 "If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;

11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

13 But he stands alone and who can dissuade him? What he desires, that he does. 14 For he will complete what he appoints for me; and many such things are in his mind.

TEV - "The Third Dialogue" - 1...2 I still rebel and complain against God; I cannot keep from groaning. 3 How I wish I knew where to find him, and knew how to go where he is. 4 I would state my case before him and present all the arguments in my favor. 5 I want to know what he would say and how he would answer me. 6 Would God use all his strength against me? No, he would listen as I spoke.

8 I have searched in the East, but God is not there; I have not found him when I searched in the West. 9 God has been at work in the North and the South, but still I have not seen him. 10 Yet God knows every step I take; if he tests me, he will find me pure. 11 I follow faithfully the road he chooses, and never wander to either side. 12 I always do what God commands; I follow his will, not my own desires. 13 He never changes. No one can oppose him or stop him from doing what he wants to do. 14 He will fulfill what he has planned for me; that plan is just one of the many he has; 15 I tremble with fear before him. 16...17 Almighty God has destroyed my courage. It is God, not the dark, that makes me afraid -- even though the darkness has made me blind.


<B4> Acts 17 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being;…

NRSV - 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. 26 From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him -- though indeed he is not far from each one of us. 28 For "In him we live and move and have our being';...

TEV - "In Athens" - 22 Paul stood up in front of the city council and said, "I see that in every way you Athenians are very religious. 23 For as I walked through your city and looked at the places where you worship, I found an altar on which is written, "To an Unknown God.' That which you worship, then, even though you do not know it, is what I now proclaim to you. 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in man-made temples. 25 Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. 26 From one man he created all races of mankind and made them live throughout the whole earth. He himself fixed beforehand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would live. 27 He did this so that they would look for him, and perhaps find him as they felt around for him. Yet God is actually not far from any one of us; 28 as someone has said, "In him we live and move and exist.' It is as some of your poets have said, "We too are his children.' 29 Since we are God's children, we should not suppose that his nature is anything like an image of gold or silver or stone, shaped by the art and skill of man. 30 God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways.


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<B5> Genesis 39 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

NRSV - 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man; he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him; he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.

7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me." 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, with me here, my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my hand. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

12 she caught hold of his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

TEV - "Joseph and Potiphar's Wife" - 1 Now the Ishmaelites had taken Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, one of the king's officers, who was the captain of the palace guard. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and made him successful. He lived in the house of his Egyptian master, 3 who saw that the LORD was with Joseph and had made him successful in everything he did. 4 Potiphar was pleased with him and made him his personal servant; so he put him in charge of his house and everything he owned. 5 From then on, because of Joseph the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian and everything that he had in his house and in his fields. 6 Potiphar turned over everything he had to the care of Joseph and did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Joseph was well-built and good-looking, 7 and after a while his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. 8 He refused and said to her, "Look, my master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. 9 I have as much authority in this house as he has, and he has not kept back anything from me except you. How then could I do such an immoral thing and sin against God?" 10 Although she asked Joseph day after day, he would not go to bed with her. 11 But one day when Joseph went into the house to do his work, none of the house servants was there. 12 She caught him by his robe and said, "Come to bed with me." But he escaped and ran outside, leaving his robe in her hand. 13 When she saw that he had left his robe and had run out of the house, 14 she called to her house servants and said, "Look at this! This Hebrew that my husband brought to the house is insulting us. He came into my room and tried to rape me, but I screamed as loud as I could. 15 When he heard me scream, he ran outside, leaving his robe beside me."


<B6> Psalms 86 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

NRSV - 2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

TEV - "A Prayer for Help" - 1 Listen to me, LORD, and answer me, for I am helpless and weak. 2 Save me from death, because I am loyal to you; save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.


<B7> Galatians 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

NRSV - 16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

TEV - "The Spirit and Human Nature" - 16 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. 17 For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. 18 If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law.

22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. 25 The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives. 26 We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.


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<B8> Proverbs 22 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

NRSV - 6 Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.

17 The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your mind to my teaching;

19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today -- yes, to you.

TEV - "Solomon's Proverbs" - 1 If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation. 2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both. 3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later. 4 Obey the LORD, be humble, and you will get riches, honor, and a long life. 5 If you love your life, stay away from the traps that catch the wicked along the way. 6 Teach a child how he should live, and he will remember it all his life. 7 Poor people are the rich man's slaves. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave.

"The Thirty Wise Sayings" - 17 Listen, and I will teach you what wise men have said. Study their teachings, 18 and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them. 19 I want you to put your trust in the LORD; that is why I am going to tell them to you now. 20 I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice, 21 and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find it out, you will bring back the right answer.


<B9> Proverbs 4 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

NRSV - 1 Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight; 2 for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother's favorite,

20 My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

TEV - "The Benefits of Wisdom" - 1 Sons, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention, and you will have understanding. 2 What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all. 3 When I was only a little boy, my parents' only son, 4 my father would teach me. He would say, "Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say. 6 Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe. 7 Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. 8 Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honor. 9 She will be your crowning glory."

20 Son, pay attention to what I say. Listen to my words. 21 Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. 22 They will give life and health to anyone who understands them. 23 Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. 24 Never say anything that isn't true. Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. 25 Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don't hang your head in shame. 26 Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. 27 Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.


<B10> Psalm 90 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

NRSV - 1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

16 Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

TEV - "Of God and Man" - 1 O Lord, you have always been our home. 2 Before you created the hills or brought the world into being, you were eternally God, and will be God forever.

13 How much longer will your anger last? Have pity, O LORD, on your servants! 14 Fill us each morning with your constant love, so that we may sing and be glad all our life. 15 Give us now as much happiness as the sadness you gave us during all our years of misery. 16 Let us, your servants, see your mighty deeds; let our descendants see your glorious might. 17 LORD our God, may your blessings be with us. Give us success in all we do!


<B11> Psalm 92 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 4 For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

NRSV - 4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.

TEV - "A Song of Praise" - 1 How good it is to give thanks to you, O LORD, to sing in your honor, O Most High God, 2 to proclaim your constant love every morning and your faithfulness every night, 3 with the music of stringed instruments and with melody on the harp. 4 Your mighty deeds, O LORD, make me glad; because of what you have done, I sing for joy.

12 The righteous will flourish like palm trees; they will grow like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 They are like trees planted in the house of the LORD, that flourish in the Temple of our God, 14 that still bear fruit in old age and are always green and strong. 15 This shows that the LORD is just, that there is no wrong in my protector.


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<B12> Psalm 42 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

NRSV - 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

TEV - "The Prayer of a Man in Exile" - 9 To God, my defender, I say, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?" 10 I am crushed by their insults, as they keep on asking me, "Where is your God?" 11 Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.


<B13> John 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 …there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

NRSV - 1 After this 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.

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.


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<B14> John 2 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

NRSV - 13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"

18 The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

TEV - "Jesus Goes to the Temple" - 13 It was almost time for the Passover Festival, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 There in the Temple he found men selling cattle, sheep, and pigeons, and also the moneychangers sitting at their tables. 15 So he made a whip from cords and drove all the animals out of the Temple, both the sheep and the cattle; he overturned the tables of the moneychangers and scattered their coins; 16 and he ordered the men who sold the pigeons, "Take them out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" 17 His disciples remembered that the scripture says, "My devotion to your house, O God, burns in me like a fire." 18 The Jewish authorities came back at him with a question, "What miracle can you perform to show us that you have the right to do this?" 19 Jesus answered, "Tear down this Temple, and in three days I will build it again." 20 "Are you going to build it again in three days?" they asked him. "It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple!" 21 But the temple Jesus was speaking about was his body. 22 So when he was raised from death, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and what Jesus had said.


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<B15> 2 Corinthians 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

NRSV - 1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord --

8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

TEV - "Living by Faith" - 1 For we know that when this tent we live in -- our body here on earth -- is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever. 2 And now we sigh, so great is our desire that our home which comes from heaven should be put on over us; 3 by being clothed with it we shall not be without a body. 4 While we live in this earthly tent, we groan with a feeling of oppression; it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us, so that what is mortal will be transformed by life. 5 God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us. 6 So we are always full of courage. We know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord's home. 7 For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight. 8 We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord. 9 More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there. 10 For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. Each one will receive what he deserves, according to everything he has done, good or bad, in his bodily life. "Spiritual Treasure in Clay Pots" - 6 The God who said, "Out of darkness the light shall shine!" is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ.


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

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

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

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


<B17> 1 Corinthians 3 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 9 …we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

NRSV - 9 ...we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.

TEV - "Servants of God" - 5 After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do: 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. 7 The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow. 8 There is no difference between the man who plants and the man who waters; God will reward each one according to the work he has done. 9 For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building.10 Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and another man is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.

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11/15/99, 11:00 am (EDT US time): first posted. Above is an optional aid for studying the current Bible Lesson. ("Essential Bible Lesson study materials" are described below.) The "Next week's" webpage becomes "This week's" Bible Lesson study aid at around midnight on Sunday.
Next week's Bible Lesson study aid and Sunday School preparation aid Bible Lesson study aid: http://www.bibletexts.com/bt-nw-ps.htm

Sunday School preparation aid: http://www.bibletexts.com/bt-nw-ss.htm

Not yet posted. The "Next week's" webpage is usually available by early Sunday morning, 7 days before the Sunday by which the corresponding Bible Lesson is dated.
Info about this webpage http://www.bibletexts.com/bt-info.htm . This webpage provides details about the "Bible Lesson Study Aid" webpage's purpose and about the Bible versions used.
Essential Bible Lesson study materials http://www.bibletexts.com/bl-components.htm . This webpage describes the essential Bible Lesson study materials and how to obtain them.
Articles about the Bible Lessons and the Bible -- from early issues of the periodicals http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/bl.htm . This webpage includes excerpts from some articles, links to the full text of other articles, and a listing of some other articles.

Copyright 1996-1999 Robert Nguyen Cramer