Book Reviews XII: The Holy Bible & The Dead Sea Scrolls

The Holy Bible
The Dead Sea Scrolls



The Holy Bible - The Contemporary English Version

I. The Bible contains rules for community life.

1. Worship the Lord in the right way.
2. Deuteronomy 14 - Animals that can be eaten. You can eat any clean bird.
Don't eat the meat of a dead animal.
Don't do disrespectful acts to animals who are going to be slaughtered for food.
3. The Lord says, "Sometimes, loans do not have to be paid back."
4. Deuteronomy 15 - Setting slaves free. Slaves must be set free after six years.
5. Deuteronomy 15 - First-Born Animals: Treat first-born animals better than you would treat other animals.
6. Perform traditions that make you remember where you came from.
7. Deuteronomy 16 - Eat bread made with yeast or thin bread.
8. It is okay for a parent to correct his child.
It is okay for an adult to correct a child.
If you have to correct someone, correct them as you would a child.
9. Deuteronomy 17 - Difficult Cases: It may be difficult to find out the truth in some legal cases in your town.
Was property damage done by accident or on purpose?
10. Deuteronomy 18 - Designate an approved site to burn the remains of a sacrificed cow or sheep.
11. Deuteronomy 17:8 - Accidental vs Intentional crimes - Killing someone by accident is okay, but killing someone who you are angry with is a problem.
Safe Towns - If one of you accidentally kills someone, then you can run to a Safe Town and find protection there from being put to death.
You are chopping down a tree with an axe, when the ax head slips off the handle, hits your friend, and kills him.
In Safe Towns they might even choose one of the men from their family to track you down and arrest you. He will hand you over to the police in your home country.
The Safe Towns may themselves be encouraging criminal activity.
12. Witnesses must tell the truth.
13. For particularly heinous crimes, there should be severe punishments.
14. Property Lines - It is not acceptable to harm someone simply because they crossed a property line.
15. If you accuse someone of a crime, but seem to be lying, then both you and the accused must be taken to court. There the priests and judges will find out if you are lying or telling the truth.
16. If you are lying and the accused is innocent, then you will be punished by the judge.
17. "Israel, the crime of telling lies in court must be punished."
18. A person shouldn't threaten the witnesses.
19. It is wrong for one army to stereotype the army of another country.
20. Using analogies in court is acceptable.
However, the analogy you present to the court should make sense.

21. Before you attack a town that is far from your land, offer peace to the people who live there.
But if they reject your offer of peace and try to fight, then declare war on their town.
22. Deuteronomy 20 - Unsolved Murder: If a body is found in a field and no one knows who murdered him, then ask the officials of the town to investigate.
23. A Son Who Rebels - If a son rebels, then his father and mother may treat him badly.
24. Lost and Found - If you find a lost wallet and don't know who the owner is, then bring it to an official you trust, who can then try to return it to the rightful owner. This is what you should do if you find anything that belongs to someone else.
25. Don't pretend to be the opposite sex.
26. Don't take a mother bird. Leave some eggs and the mother bird, and the Lord will bless you.
27. Laws Against Mixing Different Things - If you plant a vineyard, don't plant any other fruit tree or crop in it. If you do plant something there, you must bring it to the place of worship.
28. Don't hitch an ox and a donkey to your plow at the same time.
29. When you leave cloth for clothing, you can use thread made of flax or wool, but not both together. And when you make a coat, sew a tassel on each of the four corners.
30. Be careful when selling old clothing. For example, make sure it is washed so that no one gets a disease from the previous owner.

31. There was a curse put on Balaam, but God turned Balaam's curse into a blessing.
32. Keep the army camp acceptable and clean.
33. In the camp, if there is no plumbing, then set up latrines.
34. Eating Someone Else's Produce
35. A Law about Divorce
Their marriage would pollute the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and he would be disgusted.
36. Newlyweds - If a man and a woman have been married for less than one year, then they must be allowed to stay home and be happy with each other.
37. Poor People's Wages - If you hire poor people to work for you, don't hold back their pay. Pay them their wages at the end of each day, because they live in poverty and need the money to survive. By doing this the Lord will bless you.
38. Don't cheat people out of their wages.
39. Don't Mistreat the Powerless
40. Leave Some of Your Harvest for the Poor

41. Don't muzzle an ox.
42. A Son for a Dead Brother - Suppose two brothers are living on the same property. Families are subject to government laws just as the rest of society are.
43. Be Honest in Business - Don't try to cheat people. If you run an honest business, then Lord your God will let you enjoy a long life in the land he is giving you. But the Lord is disgusted with anyone who cheats or is dishonest.
44. When building, don't use scarce material, use common, readily available material.
45. We ask the Lord to put a curse on anyone who makes an idol or worships idols, even secretly.
46. Curse those who do not show respect for their father and mother.
47. Curse anyone who keeps the poor from getting justice.
48. Curse anyone who refuses to obey the laws.
49. Obey the Lord and your harvests will be so large that your storehouses will be full.
50. The Lord promised your ancestors that this land would be yours, and he will make it produce large crops for you.

II. 1. The Lord will open the storehouse of the skies...You will have plenty of money to lend to other nations and you won't need to borrow any yourself.
2. Moses said, if you don't obey the teachings of the Lord your God, then he will put many curses on you.
Your businesses and farms will fail. The Lord will make you fail in everything you do. No matter what you try to accomplish, the Lord will confuse you, and you will feel his anger.
3. Deuteronomy 21 - Many accounts in The Bible may be fictitious.
4. Foreigners will be sent to attack you. They will have no respect for old people or pity for children.
5. They combed their hair with olive oil.
6. Disobedience brings destruction.
7. No matter what you try to accomplish, the Lord will confuse you, and you will feel his anger.
8. If the Lord makes you wealthy, then he will send enemies to attack you. Then you will live in fear.
9. Refers to a plant that produces bitter-tasting, poisonous fruit.
10. You offered sacrifices to demons, those useless gods who never helped you.
11. You turned away from God, your Creator. You were the Lord's children, but he made you angry.
12. Deuteronomy 32 - The tribe didn't do anything wrong to live under drought-plagued land.
13. Deuteronomy 32 - I wanted to scatter you, so no one would remember that you had ever lived.
14. Deuteronomy 32 - But you don't have good sense and you never listen to advice.
15. Tell the heavens to celebrate and all gods to bow down.
16. The Lord came from Mount Sinai. Thousands of his warriors were with him.
17. The Lord who appeared in the burning bush wants to give you the best the land can produce.
18. The land will make you wealthy, so invite other tribes to celebrate with you.
19. The Lord's greatest blessing is for you, tribe of Asher. You will be the favorite of all the other tribes. You will be rich with olive oil and have strong town gates. Your people will be powerful for as long as they live.
20. The Lord said, "Moses, this is the land I was talking about when I solemnly promised that I would give land to their descendants."
21. And so, Moses the Lord's servant died there in Moab, Moses was a hundred twenty years old when he died, yet his eyesight was still good, and his body was strong.
22. Moses was a great prophet. The Lord sent him to perform powerful miracles in the presence of the King of Egypt and his entire nation.
23. Numbers 14 - The Israelites are punished for complaining.
24. "You sinful people who ganged up on me will die here in the desert. Ten of the men sent to explore the land had brought back bad news and had made the people complain against the Lord."
25. Numbers 15 - Laws about Sacrifices: The smell of smoke from these sacrifices is pleasing to me. The smell is in the air morning, afternoon and night.
26. Examine the effects of smoke inhalation from fast food restaurants' cooking.
27. If you disobey one of my laws without meaning to, you must make a sacrifice to please me. And since you did not mean to do wrong, the sin of everyone will be forgotten.
28. Fast food restaurants should use acceptable practices toward animals on their farms.
29. Fast food restaurants should have yearly inspections for safety and cleanliness.
30. Don't be wasteful; don't waste food. Especially when people are starving in the world.
31. Numbers 14 - Those Canaanites already know that we are your people. And they have heard how you lead us with a thick cloud during the day and flaming fire at night.
32. Miriam's skin turned white with leprosy.
33. Some humans have to eat meat.
34. The Silver Trumpets - Give a sign on a trumpet when it is time to break camp.
35. Mandatory retirement age in the workplace. They may help the other Levites in their duties, but they must no longer be responsible for any work themselves.
36. Numbers 7 - It's okay to burn a small amount of incense in your home.
37. They used gold bowls and gold cups.
38. Numbers 6 - Rules for Nazarites: You must never go close to a dead body, not even that of your father, mother or siblings. That would make you unclean.
39. During a woman's monthly period, she should be excused from school or work and stay home because she is unclean. She should stay home to cleanse and heal.
39-B. Rachel said, "Please excuse me for my mood swings - I'm having my period."
40. Numbers 4 - The Duties of the Menanite Clan: "Moses, find out how many men between thirty and fifty are in the Menanite clans. The Menanites will be responsible for the physical labor in the town. They will be told exactly what objects they are to carry.
41. All able-bodied men in the town were selected to do the physical labor of the town.
42. In the town, there were only a small number of families. There were also only a small number of children in the town.
43. The town was arranged according to class and families.
44. Animals to be sacrificed must not have anything wrong with them. These animals must live a decent life and be killed in an honourable way.
44-B. Leviticus 3 - When you sacrifice an animal, lay your hand on its head, and have it killed there.
45. When you offer sacrifices to give thanks to me, you must only use your finest wheat.
46. Acceptable trash disposal methods for fast food restaurants.
47. Regulate the amount of salt that fast food restaurants use in preparation of food.
48. During feasts, the men liked eating the fat on the animal.
50. If a dog bites someone, then the courts should determine if the dog or the owner was at fault.

III. 1. Richer countries gave livestock as gifts to the poorer country, for food. In some cases, the rich country sold livestock to the poorer country.
2. The Lord said, "I will bless you and give you a large family and you will have many descendants."
3. Two of the children of Nahor included Chesed and Bethuel.
4. Our land is desolate and barren, please let me buy a piece of land in your territory.
5. They lived in military camp style housing.
6. The man replied, "Why should we haggle over such a small amount? Take the land, its yours."
7. The resources of the country belong to all the people of the tribes of that country equally.
9. Finally, Abimilech said, "Isaac, I want you to leave our country. You have become too evil to stay here."
10. Isaac left and settled in Gerar Valley, where he cleaned out those wells that the Philistines had stopped up. While his servants were digging in the valley, they found a spring-fed well.
11. "How to dig a well," is a useful Google search term if you need to know how to dig a well for drinking water.
12. Isaac's servants dug another well, and the shepherds quarreled about it.
13. Finally, they dug one more well.
14. The two governments made a peace treaty and agreed not to harm each other.
15. "My brother Esau is a hairy man," Jacob said, "And I am not."
16. Jacob used a rock for a pillow that night.
17. "You shouldn't have to work without pay just because you are not a relative of mine."
18. Leah was older than Rachel, but her eyes didn't sparkle, while Rachel was more beautiful.
19. The younger daugther was having trouble with the older daughter.
20. When she had another son, she said, "God has given me a wonderful gift, and the king will praise me for bringing another son into our kingdom."
21. Jacob contributed a great deal to his country.
22. He was given a going-away party.
23. What have I done wrong? Have I committed a crime?
24. You can share this land with us. Move freely about until you find the property you want, then buy it and settle down here.
25. Potiphar liked Joseph and made him his personal assistant, putting him in charge of his house and all of his property.
26. With Joseph there, the only decision he had to make was what he wanted to eat.
27. The glory will be so great that no one will remember the sorrow.
28. In fact, there was so much grain that they stopped keeping record, because it was like counting the grains of sand on a beach.
29. They did not recognize Joseph, but right away he knew who they were, though he pretended not to know.
30. I'm an old man, and if anything happens to him, I'll die of sorrow and all of you will be to blame.
31. The woman let the man do all the hard work, because men are built bigger than women.
32. God said, "I will give you so many descendant that one day they will become a nation."
33. People shouldn't waste food, especially while people are starving in the world.
34. The King said, "It is good that your father and brothers have arrived. I will let them live anywhere they choose in Egypt.
35. Businesses should have a good relationship with the community.
36. You and your land belong to the king. One-fifth of your crops must go to the king.
37. In disputes, the senator was peaceful and diplomatic, to resolve them.
38. The snake bit the heel of a horse, making its rider fall.
39. To be continued.

3/7/2025, 10:45am :
40. Genesis 48 - 40. Joseph, I pray these blessings will come to you, because you are the leader of your brothers.
41. Joseph gave orders for Jacob's body to be embalmed, and it took the usual forty days.
42. Joseph said to the Egyptian leaders, "If you consider me your friend, please speak to the king for me." During this time, many of the king's highest officials went along.
43. Now we ask you to please forgive the terrible things we did.
44. Noah farmed the land and was the first to plant a vineyard. But he planted this throuhg arguably deceptive methods.
45. Genesis 9 - According to God, "Humans can eat the creatures of the earth, but not in wasteful quantities."
46. I want my son to "work" for a living.
47. This made Cais so angry that he could not hide his feelings.
48. Genesis 3 - You will have to sweat to earn a living; you were made out of soil, and you will once again turn into soil.
49. The man Adam named his wife Eve because she would become the mother of all who live.
50. Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go for a walk." And when they were out in a field, Cain killed him.

IV. 1. "God sometimes teaches people in his own way."
2. God made the dome and named it Sky.
3. God said, "I command the ocean to be full of living creatuees, and I command birds to fly above the earth." So God made the giant sea monsters and all the living creatures that swin in the ocean.
4. God said, "Let the humans rule all living creatures."
5. God blessed the seventh day and made it special because on that day he rested from his work.
6. Leviticus - The Lord spoke to Moses and gave him instructions for the community to follow.
7. Acceptable equipment / standards for restaurants.
8. Guidelines for using salt in preparation of food in fast food restaurants.
9. A culturally friendly restaurant environment.
10. An animal should be in a healthy condition when it is slaughtered to eat.
11. Restaurants should use an acceptable ratio of fat to meat.
12. There are acceptable practices for butchering an animal.
13. The animal should be killed in the presence of a tribal leader.
14. If a woman gives birth, then she is unclean for seven days, just as she is during her monthly period. After some time, she will heal.
15. The size of the child can make the delivery more or less complicated.
16. In some cases, the priest will have you stay away from everyone else for seven days, a quarantine.
17. Ask a doctor if you have a sore on your head or chin. When he examines the itch, the doctor will say, "You are clean; now you must wash your clothes."
19. Our intuition can make us defend ourselves.
20. Leviticus 15 - After making love, both the man and woman must take a bath, but they still remain unclean until evening.
21. When a woman has her monthly period, she has to take several baths a day. She also has to clean anything she rests or sits on, as well as he clothes.
22. People in her household should also bathe themselves during this time.
23. Any woman who has a flow outside her regular monthly period is unclean until it stops, just as she is during her monthly period.
24. She must have time to heal.
25. When any of you are unclean, you must stay away from the community of Israel.
26. If you refuse to testify in court about something you saw or know has happened, you have sinned and can be punished.
27. Human or animal waste may be disposed of in an honest manner, but if there is suspicion of wrongdoing, then supervise and monitor it.
28. Don't eat meat that touches something unclean.
29. If you want to offer a sacrifice to ask my blessing, you must first lift up the choice ribs with their fat to show that the offering is dedicated to me.
30. Leviticus 18:25 - They made themselves and the land unclean, that I punished the land because of their sins and I made them vomit it up.
31. Leviticus 19 - A person should be clean when he serves food to another person.
32. Do not eat anything that is killed by a wild animal or dies a natural death.
33. I will destroy anyone who refuses to go without eating.
34. When you buy or sell farmland, the price is to be determined by the number of crops it can produce in a year. Also consider the potential of the land to produce crops.
35. Leviticus 24 - You must supply the purest olive oil for the lamps in the sacred tent.
36. Compensation for services is one thing, but compensation for pain is another.
37. American citizens should get the first pick of American jobs.
38. If you are a slave, then you mustn't be grossly mistreated.
39. If you disobey me, then you will be struck with incurable diseases.
40. You will become so weak that you will stumble and fall over each other, even when no one is chasing you.

11:00am :
41. Numbers 1 - The Lord said, "I want you and Aaron to find out how many people are in each of Israel's families. And make a list of all men twenty years and older, who are able to fight in battle."
42. After they counted the families of Israel, those from the Levi tribe were not included.
43. They arranged their camp according to clans and families.
44. The Levi tribe has a special job to the king.
45. Numbers 3 - The priests were to make sure that the Israelites worshipped in the proper way.
46. If one country can't supply the food, then ask another country to supply the food.
47. The gold incense altar is to be covered with a blue cloth, and then with a piece of fine leather.
48. They used sweet-smelling incense.
49. The word translated "leprosy" was used for many different kinds of skin diseases.
50. Flour / powder washes away in warm water.

V. 1. This month: Abib (also called Nisan), the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
2. Eat the Passover lamb with bitter herbs.
3. They obeyed the Lord's commands and went wherever he directed Moses.
4. Hobab and Jobab
Hobab: Hebrew "Hobab son of Reuel."
5. The Hebrew text has "Kush" a region south of Egypt that included parts of Ethiopia and Sudan.
6. The people trapped quails, and used the meat for food.
7. The Hebrew text has "unclean animal," which probably refers to a donkey.
8. If someone dies in a tent, while you are there, then you will be unclean for seven days.
9. She sprinkled rosewater on his face in order to wake him up.
10. The people went out into the desert, then the Lord sent poisonous snakes that bit and killed many of them.
11. Numbers 21 - Moses prayed, and the Lord answered, "Make a snake out of bronze and place it on top of a pole. Anyone who gets bitten can look at the snake and won't die."
12. A song in The Book of the Lord's Battles mentions a town in Waheb with its creeks in the territory of Suphah.
13. Discusses the life of a woman named Ahijah.
14. He had wine, and he drank it as though it was water.
15. Finally, they reached Moabite territory, where they camped near Mount Pisqah in a valley overlooking the Dead Sea.
16. Soldier's aren't supposed to sieze treasure from another country.
17. "I'll pay you very well, just send us a shipment and name your price."
18. Numbers 24 - You are like a tall aloe tree.
19. Numbers 24 - "I told your messengers that even if you offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I would still obey the Lord."
20. Numbers 26 - "Divide the land of Canaan among these tribes, according to the number of people in each one, ao the larger tribes have more land than the smaller ones."
I will show you what land to give each tribe, and they will receive as much land as they need, according to the number of people in it.
20-B. Divide the land among the tribes fairly. When you receive your tribal lands, you must give towns and pastures to the Levi tribe.
20-C. Each tribe must choose some experienced men who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will make those men the official leaders of their tribes.
21. There are appointed times of worship.
22. You must honor me by eating bread made without yeast.
23. To purify something, clean it with a sprinkle of water.
24. The men listed everything that belonged to them: 6.000 sheep and goats, 2,000 cattle, 1,000 donkeys.
25. That's good pastureland, and since we own cattle and sheep, let us have this land as our own.
26. When you settle legal cases, your decisions should be fair.
27. Poorer countries can ask richer countries for food and supplies.

12:00pm :
28. The Lord spoke to Joshua: "Wherever you go, I'll give you that land. It will reach from the Southern Desert to the Lebanon Mountains as fars as the great Euphrates River."
29. Never stop reading The Book of the Law.
30. The Lord said that everything in Jericho belonged to him. But Acham from the Judah tribe took some of the things for himself.
31. Refers to the Book of Jashar.
32. Joshua 2 - The guards at the gate let soldiers leave Jericho, but they closed the gate again as soon as the soldiers went through.
33. The spies hid in the hills for three days while the king's soldiers looked for them. They reported to Joshua and told him everytihng that had happened.
34. Joshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothes and put dirt on their heads to show their sorrow.
35. Joshua 7 - They made a fire and burned the bodies.
36. Refers to The Book of the Law of Moses
37. Joshua told some of his soldiers, "I want to meet with the Gibeonite leaders. Bring them here. When the Gibeonites came, Joshua said, "You live close to us, why did you lie by claiming you lived far away?"
38. The messages said, "The Gibeonites have signed a peace treaty with Joshua and the Israelites. Come and help me attack Gibeon."
39. Joshua marched all night from Gilgal to Gibeon and made a surprise attack on the Amorite camp.

2:00pm :
40. Joshua 10 - The Lord was helping the Israelites defeat the Amorites that day. So about noon, Joshua prayed to the Lord loud enough for the Israelites to hear. Joshua asked the Lord for help.
41. Joshua said, "Be strong and brave. This is what the Lord will do to all your enemies."
42. Joshua Continues the Fighting
43. Joshua Captures Towns in the North
44. The Lord told Joshua, "Don't let him frighten you! I'll help you defeat them, and by this time tomorrow they will be dead."
45. When you attack, the first thing you have to do is cripple their houses. Then after the battle is over, burn their chariots.
46. Joshua captured all the towns where the enemy kings had ruled.
47. Moses, the Lord's servant, had led the people of Israel in defeating Sihon and Og.
48. Joshua 15 - Judah's Land
The clans of the Judah tribe were given a great deal of land.
49. Caleb's nephew Othniel: Hebrew "Othniel the son of Caleb's brother Keraz."
50. Joshua 17 - "The Lord told Moses to give us lannd just as he gave our ancestors."

VI. 1. Then they settled there themselves and renamed the town Dan after their ancestor.
2. Across the globe, Safe Towns exist for people who have accidentally killed someone. However, the deceased's family can track the person down in the Safe Town, and contact their local police to have him arrested and brought to trial in their home country.
3. But the town leders must not simply hand over the person accused of murder. The citizens of that Safe Town must explain and give more information about these events.
4. These Safe Towns were set up, so that if Israelites accidentally killed someone, they could run to one of these towns.
5. Joshua 21 - Shechem was located in the Hillcountry, and it was also one of the Safe Towns for people who had accidentally killed someone.
6. Judges - In ancient times, the stars were sometimes regarded as supernatural beings.
7. Now I'm going to die: The Hebrew text has "I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face." Some people believed that if they saw one of the Lord's angels, they would die.
8. Gideon went home and killed a young goat, then started boiling the meat, along with a liquid of thin broth. He took the meat, the broth and the bread and placed them under a big tree.
9. When the meat was cooking, flames jumped up from the rock and burned up the meat and the bread.
10. The men of the town went to Joash and said, "Your son Gideon knocked over Baal's altar and cut down the sacred pole next to it. Hand him over so we can kill him!" If Baal really is a God, let him take his own revenge on someone who tears down his altar.
11. When Gideon led his army down to the spring, the Lord told him, "Watch how each man gets a drink of water. Then divide them into two groups -- those who lap the water like a dog and those who kneel down to drink."
Three hundred men scooped up water in their hands and lapped it, and the rest knelt to get a drink.

3/8/2025, 9:00am :
12. And it would be easier to count the grains of sand on a beach than to count their camels.
13. Gideon said, "When we get to the enemy camp, spread out and surround it. Then wait for me to blow a signal on my trumptet. As soon as you hear it, blow your trumpets and shout, "Fight for the Lord! Fight for Gideon!"
14. The enemy soldiers started yelling and tried to run away. Gideon's troops stayed in their positions surrounding the camp and blew their trumpets again.
15. The night was divided into three periods called watches, each about four hours longs, and different guards would come on duty at the beginning of each watch.
16. Put guards at every spring, steeam, and well, as far as Beth-Barah before the Midianites can get to them. And guard the Jordan River.
17. Judges 8 - After Gideon and his three hundred troops had chased the Midianites as far as the Jordan River, they were exhausted.
18. The town of Succoth was nearby, so he went there and asked, "Please give my troops some food. They are worn out, but we have to keep chasing Zebah and Zalumna, the two Midianite kings.
19. They were tricked into worshipping idols made of gold.
20. Sometimes marriages were arranged so that the wife lived with her parents, and the husband visited her from time to time.
20-B. A male dowry and a female dowry should exist in marriages.
21. This translates a Hebrew word for a woman who was legally bound to a man, but without the full privileges of a wife.
22. Gideon: The Hebrew text has Jerubbaal, another name for Gideon.
23. Judges 9 - After Jotham had finished telling this story, he said: "My father Gideon risked his life for you when he fought to rescue you from the Midianites.
24. So, you leaders of Shechem, if you treated Gideon and his family the way you should have, then I hope you and Abimelech will make each other happy. But if it was wrong to treat Gideon and his family the way you did, then I pray that Abimelech will destroy you with fire, and I pray that you will do the same to him.
24-B. Jotham ran off and went to live in the town of Beir, where he would be safe from his brother Abimelech.
25. Cedars of Lebanon: The cedars that grew in the Lebanon mountains were some of the largest trees in that part of the world.
26. Abimelech had been a military commander of Israel for three years, when God decided to punish him and the leaders of Shechem for killing Gideon's seventy sons.
27. They put grapes in their wine-pits annd walked on them to squeeze out the uice in order to make wine. Then they went into the temple of their god and threw a big party. There was a lot of eating and drinking, and before long they were cursing Abimelech.
28. If I were the ruler of Shechem, I'd get rid of that Abimelech. I'd tell him "Get yourself an even bigger army, and we will still defeat you."
29. Then Zebed replied, "What good is all of your bragging now?"
30. Psalms 18 - You protected me from violent enemies and made me greater than all of them.
31. Psalms 19 - The heavens keep telling the wonders of God.
32. Consider the Law of God.
33. Forgive me when I sin without knowing it.
Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault.

5:45pm -
34. Examine the court of man vs the Court of God.
35. Judges 11 - The land that Ammon was trying to take over belonged to the Moabites before belonging to the Amorites. So the Amorites may have thought that Chemosh controlled it.
36. Each donkey - A sign that the family was wealthy.
37. If the man said "Sibboleth," the guards would grab him and kill him right there.
38. Judges 13 - Once again the Israelites started disobeying the Lord. So he let the Philistines take control of Isaerl for forty years.
39. When you are pregnant, you must not drink any wine or beer or eat any food forbidden by God's laws. Our son will belong to God as long as he lives.
40. Judges 13 - ...so she found him and said, "That same man is here again! He's the one I saw the other day.
41. Moroah said, "Tell us your name so we can honor you after our son is born. "No," the angel replied. "You don't need to know my name. And if you did, you couldn't understand it."
42. The fire blazed up. Moroah and his wife bowed down low when they saw what happened.
43. At that time, the Philistines were in control of Israel, and the Lord wanted to stir up trouble for them. That's why he made Samson desire that woman.
44. If you can tell me the right answer, I'll give you a shirt. But if you can't tell me the right answer, then you will have to give me two shirts.
45. Party - The Hebrew term means a party that involved a lot of drinking.
46. The father of the bride had Samson's wife marry one of the thirty men that had been at the party.
47. He enjoyed buying gifts for his wife.
48. The people of Judah asked, "Why have you invaded our land?"
49. "Don't you know that the Philistines rule us, and they will punish us for what you did?"
"We came over here to tie you up and turn you over to them," said the men from Judah.
50. "I won't put up a fight," Samson said, "but you have to promise me not to hurt me yourselves."

7:45pm
VII. 1. Refers to the jawbone of a donkey.
2. He celebrated, even though there was still more to do.
3. Judges 16 - One day while Samson was in Gaza, he saw a woman and went to her house to spend the night. The people who lived in Gaza found out he was there, and they decided to kill him at sunrise.
4. The men used ropes to tie him up.
5. My hair is in seven braids. If you weave my braids into the threads on a loom and nailed the loom to a wall, then I will be as weak as anyone else.
6. The loom was secured by posts in the ground and nails in the wall.
7. His hair was his strength, if his hair was cut off, then his strength would leave him.
8. The Philistines grabbed Samson and attacked him.
9. Samson said, "I need to lean against something. Take me over to the columns that hold up the roof."
10. The Philistine rulers were celebrating in a temple packed with 3,000 people. They had to supply food and drink.
11. Samson was standing between the two middle columns that held up the roof. He felt around and found one column with his right hand, and the other with his left hand. Then he shouted, and pressed against the columns as hard as he could, and the temple collapsed with everyone inside.
12. He was visiting family in the area.
13. Ruth 1 - You were kind to my husband and sons, and you have always been kind to me. I pray that the Lord will be just as kind to you. May he give each of you another husband and a home of your own.
14. Her husband was a very old man.
15. When a married man died and left no children, it was the custom for one of his brothers to marry his widow. Any children they had would then be thought of as those of the dead man, so that his family name would live on.
16. I've heard how you've helped your mother-in-law ever since your husband died. You even left your own father and mother to come and live in a foreign land among people you don't know.

3/9/2025 - 9:30am
17. Ruth 3 - One day, Naomi said to Ruth: "Now take a bath and put on some perfume, then dress in your best clothes."
18. After she moved in his house, she moved one of her relatives into the house as well, and they both helped the owner. After this, a second relative moved into the house.
19. The Boaz also got ten of the town leaders, and aksed them to sit down. They began to discuss politics.
20. This property would have to be shared with Ruth and her children, as well as with his own family.
21. Then if you have a son by her, then property will stay in the fmaily of Ruth's friend.
22. Ruth 4:13 - Praise the Lord! Today he has given you a son who will take care of you. We pray that the boy will grow up to be successful. He will make you happy and will take care of you in your old age.
23. Samuel - The books are named for one of the main characters, who was a prophet and also the last judge to lead Israel.
24. The rest of Samuel tells how David escaped and became the leader of his own small army in the desert.
25. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninah. Although Peninah had children, Hannah did not have any. Peninah liked to make Hannah feel miserable about not having any children, especially when the family went to the house of the Lord each year.
26. After Elkanah sacrificed some meat, he gave some of it to Peninah, and his sons and daughters.
27. Hebrew: Hophi and Phineas, the two sons of Eli, served the Lord as priests.
28. Some meat can be cooked in a pan, on the stovetop, and some meat can be cooked in the oven.
29. There is a magical chest, that many people fear, but other people believe contains wealth and possesses magical properties.
30. But they were not like their father. They were dishonest and accepted bribes to give unfair decisions.

9:45am
31. Samuel 10 - In one ancient translation they got up early the next morning, around sunrise.
32. Samuel 13 - Wandering groups of people who sometimes become outlaws or hired soldiers.

10:00am - 11:00am
33. The army was camped at Michmash. Each day they sent out patrols to attack and rob villages and then destroy him.
34. The soldier said, "It's jsut the two of us against all those men."
35. Saul's lookouts at Geba saw that the Philistine army was running in every direction, like melted wax.
36. At that time, Ahijah was serving as priest for the army of Israel.
37. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in your hearts.
38. When the Isaelite soldiers saw Goliath, they were scared and ran off.
39. Wipe Out Amalek - People of Israel, do you remember what the Amalekites did to you after you came out of Egypt?

11:00am - 12:00pm
40. Samuel 20 - Everyone will think you've been gone a long time. Then go to the place where you hid before and stay beside Going-Away-Rock.
41. Samuel 21:12 - It made him afraid of Achish. So right there in front of everyone, he pretended to be insane. He acted confused and scratched up the doors of the town gate...
42. Samuel 21:12 - David thought about what they were saying, and it made him afraid of Achish.
43. Samuel 23:14 - David stayed in hideouts in the hill country of the Zilph desert.
44. Samuel 24:14 - Why shouldn't the king of Israel be out chasing me, anyway? I'm as worthless as a dead dog or a flea.
45. From the Caleb clan, or "behaved like a dog."
46. Samuel 24:12 - I'll let the Lord decide which one of us has done right. An old proverb says, "Only evil people do evil things," and so I won't harm you.
47. Family toms were sometimes underneath the house or in the courtyard of the home.
48. David sent some messengers from the desert. He's a bully who won't listen to anyone.
49. Samuel 26 - Abishai - Hebrew...Abishai and Joab were David's nephews.
50. Samuel 26:8 - This time God has let you get your hands on your enemy! I'll pin him to the ground with one thrust of his own spear.

3:35pm
VIII. 1. Have I done something wrong or have I committed a crime?
2. Samuel 26:20 - Why should the king of Israel hunt me down as if I were a beast in the fields?
3. Samuel 26:17 - Saul could tell it was David's voice, and he called out, "David my son! Is that you?"
4. Samuel 30 - You are now dying, in several years, I will join you in the land of the dead.
5. Samuel 30 - Some of David's men were good-for-nothings, and they complained.
6. Samuel 31:3 - The fighting was fierce around Saul, and he was badly wounded by enemy arrows.
7. It was easy to love Saul and Jonathan. Together in life, together in death, they were faster than eagles and stronger than lions.
8. 2 Samuel 1:26 - Jonathan, I miss you most! I loved you like a brother.
9. 2 Samuel 2:18 - Asahel could run as fast as a deer in an open field.
10. Abner shouted to Joab, "Aren't we ever going to stop killing each other?"
11. A Hebrew word for a woman who was legally bound to a man, but without the full privileges of a wife.
12. Ishbosheth was so afraid of Abner that he could not even answer.
13. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pretended he wanted to talk privately with him, but this was in order to do something else.
14. I pray that Joab's family will always be sick with sores and other skin diseases.
15. The Hebrew word means that they did not have the full, legal rights as citizens.
16. Then David said, "Kill these two brothers! Cut off their hands and feet, and hang their bodies by the pool in Hebron.
17. That's why there is a rule that says, "Only people who walk and see are allowed in the temple."
18. ...and started bringing it down the hill from Abinadab's house.
19. ...then David sacrificed an ox and a choice cow.
20. The Hebrew word is ephod which can mean either a pice of clothing like a skirt that went from the waist to the knee or a garment like a vest or a jacket that only the priests wore.
21. Everyone was celebrating. The people carrying the chest walked six steps, then David sacrificed an ox and a choice cow.
22. But when she saw David jumping and dancing for the Lord, she was disgusted.
23. "You acted like a dirty old man, dancing around in front of your servants."
24. David told him, "The Lord chose me, and I was celebrating in honor of her."
25. I have made you one of the most famous people in the world.
26. Is this the way you usually treat people?
27. I am your servant, and you know my thoughts, so there is nothing more that I need to say.
28. And now, please do what you have promised us. Then you will be famous forever, and everyone will say...
29. You have promised me some very good things, and you can be trusted to do what you promise.
30. Kings sometimes set up monuments in the lands they conquered. After he built a monument, the people accepted him as their rule.
31. In Hebrew the words "Edomite" and "Aramean" look almost alike.
32. 2 Samuel 10 - Hanum arrested David's officials and had their beards shaved off on one side of their faces.
33. He sent a message, "Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back. Then you can come home."
34. Because of your evil deeds I will take your wives and give them to another man before your very eyes.
35. Jonadab told him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick."
36. No one in all Israel was as handsome as Absalom. He got his hair cut once a year, and when the hair was weighed, it came to about five pounds.
37. The general geography of the lands of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the surrounding areas, make them fit to be safe havens for people seeking safety from crimes.
38. David and others went down the road. Shmei went along the hillside by the road, cursing and throwing rocks and dirt at him.
39. The Hebrew text has Kush, which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present day Ethiopia and Sudan.
40. They made a dirt ramp up the town wall and then started to use a battering ram to knock the wall down.
41. His name is Sheba, and he is the leader of a rebellion against the king. Turn him over to me, and we will leave your town alone.
42. A bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.
43. Whatever you do, don't let him die peacefully in his old age.
44. And three days later her baby was born. One night while we were all asleep, she rolled over on her baby, and he died.
45. There were so many people living in Judah and Israel while Solomon was king that they seemed like grains of sand on a beach.
46. Solomon's Wisdom - Solomon was brilliant. God had blessed him with insight and understanding. He was wiser than anyone else in the world. Solomon wrote 3,000 wise sayings and over 1,000 songs. He could talk about all kinds of plants, from large trees to small bushes, and he taught about animals, birds and reptiles. Kings all over the world heard about Solomon's wisdom and sent people to listen to him teach.
47. Kings 5:9 - My workers will cut down trees into logs. They will tie the logs together and float them along the coast to wherever you want them.
48. Kings 5:11 - In return, Solomon gave Hiram about one-hundred bushels of wheat and one-thousand gallons of olive oil each year.
Hiram and Solomon signed a treaty and never went to war against each other.
49. Kings 5:15 - When the logs were cut, Solomon ordered seventy thousand workers to carry the stones and over three thousand assistants to keep track of the work and to supervise the workers.
50. Kings 8 - I pray that the Lord God will remember my prayer day and night. May he help everyone in Israel each day, in whatever way we need it.

3/10/2025 - 11:00am
IX. 1. Kings 9 - Kabul sounds like the Hebrew word for worthless.
2. Kings 12:4 - Your father Solomon forced us to work very hard, but if you make our work easier, then we will serve you and do whatever you ask.
3. The Middle East refers to the land occupied by many tribes of desert people.
4. He asked her to come to his house for drink and dinner.
5. Refers to The History of the Kings of Israel.
6. Sacred poles, or rods, used as symbols of Asherah, the goddess of fertility.
7. Kings 17:18 - I've sinned against God - In ancient times people sometimes thought that if they sinned, then something terrible would happen to them.
8. When the child was born... with the new addition to the kingdom, the family proceeded with their life.
9. In fact, when Jezebel was trying to kill the Lord's prophets, Obadiah hid them in the two caves.
10. Kings 18 - Initially the world's prophets were in Arabia and then scattered across the globe on different continents.
11. Fill a pot with water and meat, and the cook it.
12. Kings 20:28 0 The Lord is god of the hills and valleys.
13. Amorites - A name sometimes used of the people who lived in Palestine before the Israelites.
14. See History of the Kings of Judah.
15. 2 Kings - The people of Judah and Jerusalem made the Lord so angry that he attracted them.
16. In biblical times, a father and son would sometimes rule as kings at the same time. This way, when the father died, the son would already have control of the kingdom.
17. There was a spring of fresh water, then Paul went up to the spring and threw a handful of salt in the water and turned it into saltwater.
18. Refers to a crazy old prophet.
19. 2 Kings 12:4 - Collect all the money that has been given to the Lord's temple, whether from taxes or gifts, and use it to repair the temple. You priests can contribute your own money too.
20. Some animals scare easily.
21. King Rezin of Syria, in Hebrew, there is only one letter difference between Edom and Aram.
22. When Slahmaneser found out, he arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.
23. I, the Lord, command you to stop doing sinful things and start obeying my laws and teachings.
24. 2 Kings 17 - At first these people did not worship the Lord, so he sent lions to attack them, and the lions killed some of them.
25. When the Israelites measured time, part of a year could be counted as a whole year.

3/11/2025, 12:00pm -
1. 2 Kings 22 - All workers' expenses should be covered in their paychecks: uniforms, transportation, injuries, food, etc. They can talk to their boss or supervisor for this.
2. 2 Kings 23 - In a Christian country, people are supposed to follow the Bible.
3. 2 Kings 23:7 - In a high-crime area, the King had the buildings torn down to maintain a safe environment..
4. Shrines were set up, but the priests said that the shrines were unfit for worship.
5. He tore down the stone images of foreign gods and cut down the sacred pole used in the worship of Asherah.

3/12/2025, 1:00pm -
X. 1. The man tried to obey the law of God.
2. The commanders sent troops to attack the enemy's camp. The troops set up camp outside the city.
3. Then he arrested one of the army commanders, the kings five personal advisors, and the officer in charge of gathering troops for battle.
4. The evil man became king of Babylonia.
5. 1 Chronicles 1 - In his time, the earth was divided into tribal regions.
6. In Hebrew, the letters d and n look almost exactly alike.
7. And they found a lot of good pastureland that was undisturbed.
8. The first-born son inherited the largest amount of property, as well as the leadership of the family.
9. The villages garbage was disposed of in a landfill outside of town.
10. 1 Chronicles 22 - threshing boards: heavy boards with bits of rock or metal at the bottom.
11. Chronicles 22 - May he give you wisdom and knowledge, so that you can rule Israel according to his law.
12. If you obey the laws and teachiings that the Lord gave Moses, then you will be successful.
13. You have plenty of workers to do the job. Now get started and I pray that the Lord will be with you in your work.
14. Solomon, worship God and obey him. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things.
15. Now, who else will show his dedication to the Lord by giving gifts for building his temple?
16. After he finished, the family leaders, the tribal leaders, the army commanders, and the government officials voluntarily gave gifts for the temple.
17. The next day, the Israelites slaughtered a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, and offered them as sacrifices to please the Lord.
18. We are only foreigners living here on earth for a while, just as our ancestors were. And we will soon be gone, like rain that disappears after a storm.
19. 2 Chronicles - The book tells how Jerusalem was destroyed, but the book concludes with hope for the Jews.
20. The woman rolled over in bed and accidentally killed her baby.
21. Babies like rattles, we don't know why, but babies like rattles.
22. 2 Chronicles 4:11 - The priests of every group had gone through the ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable to the Lord.
23. Bread was put out on special tables, and replaced every week.
24. 2 Chronicles 6:36 - Everyone sins. But when your people sin against you, suppose you get angry enough to let their enemies drag them away to foreign countries.
25. Come to your new home, where we have already placed the sacred chest, which is the symbol of your strength.
26. Then on the twentieth day, Solomon sent everyone home.
27. 2 Chronicles 8:19 - But if you or any of the people of Israel disobey my laws or start worshipping foreign gods, then I will pull you out of this land I gave you.
28. People everywhere will think it is only a joke and will make fun of it.
29. He answered every question, no matter how difficult it was.
30. 2 Chronicles 10:7 - If you want to help them, be kind and make their work easier.
31. 2 Chronicles 20:10 - The nations of Arabia are coming to take back the land you gave us.
32. Ezra 4 - Then the neighboring people did everything possible to frighten the Jews and make them stop building.
33. They kept bribing government officials to slow down the work.
34. The officials from neighboring areas insulted the Jews and accused them of wanting to rebel against Persia.
35. Nehemiah 1:4 - When I hear this, I sat down and cried. Then for several days I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed.
36. So they became angry and decided to stir up trouble, and to fight against the people of Jerusalem.
37. Although Jerusalem covered a large area, not many people lived there, and no new houses had been built.
38. Only priests were allowed to enter the holy place; anyone else could be put to death.
39. Esther - The king's highest official was a man named Haman. He hated the Jews, and he tricked the king into giving permission to have them all killed.

3/13/2025, 8:00am -
XI. 1. These men were very wise, and understood all the laws and customs of the country.
2. He began her beauty treatments at once. He also gave her plenty of food and seven special maids from the king's cabinet.
3. Then he declared a holiday everywhere in his kingdom and gave expensive gifts.
4 The king had given orders for the people to honor him by kneeling down to him.
5. Esther 9 - There existed military interdepedence between the countries on the continent.
6. Even though she was divorced, she visited her ex-husband three times a year.
7. Esther 10 - All the great and famous things that king Xerxes did are written in the record books of the kings of Media and Persia.
8. Job - Job and the friends argued back and forth, with neither side ever winning.
9. Job 5:26 - You will live a long life, and your body will be strong until the day you die.
10. Job 6:6 - What is food without salt?
11. Job 12:7 - If you want to learn, then go and ask.
12. Job 15:17 - Just listen to what I know, and you will learn wisdom known by others since ancient times.
13. Job 19:13 - God has turned friends and relatives against me, and made it look like I am angry.
14. Job 21:5 - He needs help. Just looking at him is enough to make you sick.
15. Job 13 - Wisdom is more valuable than silver, gold, or precious stones.
16. Job 29 - Everyone was pleased with what I said and did.
17. Job 30 - Soon he will send me home to the world of the dead.
18. Job 31 - When people complained against me, I was fair to them.
19. Job 31 - Punishing honest people is wrong.
20. Job 31:38 - There were strict regulations for proper use of the land, and land abuse was prohibited.
21. Job 34:34 - Job, anyone with good sense can easily see that you are speaking nonsense and lack good judgement.
21-B. Job - He was talking senselessness, nonsense.
22. Job 36:5 - I ask you to make fair decisions about my life.
23. Job 39 - Did you train eagles to build their nests on rocky cliffs where they can look down and spot their own meal?
24. Job 40 - The powerful strength of the hippopotamus.
25. Psalms 1 - The law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night.
Sinners won't have an excuse on the day of judgement and they won't have a place with the people of God.
26. Psalms 7:14 - An evil person is like a woman about to give birth to a hateful, deceitful, and rebellious child.
27. Psalms 7:4 - He had pity on his enemy.
28. Psalms 35 - You protect the helpless from those in power.
29. Psalms 43 - Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain.
30. Psalms 45 - The sweet aroma of the spices myrrh, aloes and cassia, covers your royal robes.
31. Psalms 48 - The kings ran away. They trembled all over like women giving birth.
32. Then you can say to future generations, "Our God is like this forever and will always guide us."
33. The Hebrew text has 'ships of tarshish,' which probably means large, seagoing ships.

3/13/2025, 9:00am -
XII. 1. Psalms 49 - I speak words of wisdom, and my thoughts make sense.
2. You can never pay God enough to stay alive forever and safe from death.
3. We see that people die. Then their money is left for someone else.
4. Don't let it bother you if some people are rich, because they are still unhappy.
5. Psalms 50 - God shines brightly from Zion, the most beautiful city.
6. The only sacrifice I want is for you to be thankful and to keep your word.
7. Psalms 52 - You would rather do evil than good, and tell lies than speak the truth.
8. Psalms 58 - You are always planning evil, you have done wrong and lied from the day you were born.
9. Psalms 60 - You gave us wine that made us stagger.
10. Psalms 64 - Keep me safe from secret plots of corrupt and evil gangs.
11. Other nations followed the ways of the successful nation
12. Psalms 68 - And for those who guard the sheep, there are metal doves with sliver-coated wings and shiny gold feathers.
13. Why is it jealous of Zion, the mountain you chose as your home forever?
14. Psalms 68:21 - "Have long hair," probably refers to the ancient custom of wearing long hair on special occasions, such as a holy war.
15. Psalms 69 - I am worn out from crying, and my throat is dry.
16. Psalms 69:4 - There are more people who hate me for no reason, than there are hairs on my head.
17. Psalms 71 - Sheba may have been a place in what is now Southwest Arbia, and Seba may have been in southern Arabia.
18. This ends the prayers of David, son of Jesse.
19. They die a painless death.
20. Psalms 74 - Or "made boundaries for the earth."
21. Psalms 76:5 - Brave warriors were robbed of their land.
22. Psalms 78 - They forgot all the teachings of God.
23. God became angry and killed the strongest and best from the families of Israel. Then the group was weakened, and vulerable to attacks.
24. Psalms 81 - But my people Israel, you refused to listen, so I let you be stubborn and keep on following your own advice.
25. Psalms 90 - Justice and fairness go hand in hand.
26. Psalms 119 - You give peace of mind to all who love your law.
27. Psalms 101 - A person shouldn't spread gossip.
28. A person shouldn't be conceited.
29. People should be trustworthy and honest, and not cheat or lie.
30. The morning is a time for silence and peace.
31. Light incense to praise and worship God.
32. The country should be at peace instead of at war.
33. Kedar was a tribe of the Syrian desert.
34. Children are a blessing and a gift from the lord.
35. Olive oil was poured on Aaron's headt to show that God had chosen him to be the high priest.
36. Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand go limp. Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth.
37. Psalms 127 - Only the Lord can bless a home.
38. Psalms 139 - You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body.
39. Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
40. I try to count your thoughts...
Think of my prayer as sweet-smelling incense.
Each day, let me learn more about your wisdom.
41. As Christians, we are supposed to treat each other the right way in life.
42. Make the livestock multiply as much as possible, then we will have more food.
Let the livestock grow fat.
Teach each generation the deeds of the previous generation.
43. The tribe made a checklist of food and supplies that they needed.

3/15/2025 - 1:00pm
XIII. 1. There was a mixture of smoke from animal fat and smoke from incense in the air.
2. Proverbs - The Book of Porverbs is a collection of sayings that were used in ancient Israel to teach God's people how to live right.
3. For the most part, these sayings go back to Solomon.
4. Powerful statements with very few words, that mak them easy to memorize and apply to daily life.
5. All wisdom is a gift from God.
6. This wisdom supplies practical advice for everyday living in all aspects of life.
7. The Book of Proverbs also teaches the importance of fairness, humility, loyalty, and concern for the poor and needy.
8. From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.
9. If you are already wise, then you will become even wiser.
10. This is the beginning of knowledge, only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.
11. Proverbs 1 - Warnings Against Bad Friends
12. Be a leader, not a follower. Don't follow bad people.
13. Don't follow anyone who wants to commit a crime.
14. They gang up to rob someone, but they are the victims.
15. People shout in the streets, wherever crowds gather.
16. People aren't supposed to shout or misbehave in the streets.
17. Littering in the streets is also prohibited.
18. Proverbs 2 - Think what it means to have common sense, and define what common sense it.
19. Wisdom is sometimes used as a supernatural being who was with God at the time of creation.
20. Wisdom will control your mind, and sound judgement and good sense will watch over you.
21. Wisdom will protect you from the smooth talk of a sinful woman.
22. Follow the example of good people and live an honest life. Then, God and people will like you, and consider you a success.
23. Proverbs 2 - The Value of Wisdom
24. God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense.
25. Wisdom is worth more than gold or precious jewels.
26. Proverbs 4 - Don't follow the bad example of cruel and evil people. They can't sleep or rest until they do wrong or harm.
27. The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darkness.
28. Proverbs 6 - Don't be Foolish
29. Suppose you agree to pay the debt of someone who cannot pay a loan.
30. If you cannot repay a loan, go and beg for permission to call off the agreement.
31. Do this as soon as you get the ticket.
32. Some kinds of people tell lies in court or stir up trouble in a family.
33. Some evil women try to sweet-talk and seduce men, and such a woman has caused the downfall and destruction of a lot of men.
34. Proverbs 9 - Stupidity is reckless, senseless, and foolish.
35. And to every fool she says...
36. None who listen to stupidity understand...
37. Laziness leads to poverty; hard work makes you rich.
38. Everyone praises good people, but evil hides behind the words of the wicked.
39. If you have good sense, then you will listen and obey; if all you do is talk, then you will destroy yourself.
40. Deceit causes trouble and foolish talk.
41. Using deception against another person is wrong.
42. If you have good sense, then you will learn, but foolish talk will destroy you.
43. You will say the wrong thing if you talk too much, so be sensible and watch what you say.
44. Proverbs 10 - The words of a good person are like silver, but the thoughts of an evil person are almost worthless.
45. Many are helped by useful instruction, but fools are killed by their own stupidity.
46. Fools enjoy doing wrong, but anyone with good sense enjoys acting wisely.
47. What evil people dread most will happen to them, but good people will get what they want most.
48. Having a lazy person on the job is like a mouth full of vinegar or smoke in your eyes. Laziness is not acceptable for the workplace.
49. Honest people speak sensibly, but deceitful liars will be silenced.
50. No one will trust you if you tell lies.

XIV. 1. Proverbs 11 - The Lord hates anyone who cheats, but he likes everyone who is honest.
2. When God is angry, money won't help you.
3. If you are truly good, you will do right; if you are wicked, you will be destroyed by your own sin.
4. Proverbs 11 - Honesty can keep you safe, but if you can't be trusted, then you trap yourself.
5. Dishonest people use gossip to destroy their neighbors.
6. Deceitful liars can destroy a city.
7. Proverbs 12 - It is better just to have an ordinary job.
8. Proverbs 13:6 - Sin and evil ways will destroy a city. Live right and a city will prosper.
9. He had too much money for his job and level of education.
10. Sensible instruction is a life-giving fountain that helps you escape all deadly traps.
11. Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools.
12. Proverbs 14 - A woman's family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness.
13. An honest witness tells the truth; a dishonest witness tells nothing but lies.
14. Make fun of wisdom, and you will never find it. But if you have understanding, knowledge comes easily.
15. Stay away from fools, or you won't learn.
16. Proverbs 14 - Wise people have enough sense to find their way, but stupid people get lost.
17. Fools don't care if they are wrong, but God is pleased when people do right.
18. No one else can really know how sad or happy you are.
19. Sorrow may hide behind laughter, and happiness may end in sorrow.
20. You harvest what you plant, whether good or bad.
21. Don't be stupid and believe all you hear; be smart and know where you are headed.
22. Fools have quick tempers, and no one likes you if you can't be trusted.
23. Proverbs 15 - A friendly smile makes you happy. Healthy correction is good, and if you accept it, then you will be wise.
24. You hurt only yourself by rejecting instruction, but it makes good sense to accept it.

2:00pm
25. Proverbs 16 - When we please the Lord, even our enemies make friends with us.
26. Learn to make friends with your enemies.
27. Rulers speak with authority, and are never wrong.
28. Justice makes rulers powerful. They should hate evil and like honesty and truth.
29. You are better off to be humble and poor, than to be rich and famous.
30. You can persuade others if you are wise and speak sensibly.
31. Proverbs 17 - You will be punished if you make fun of someone in trouble.
32. A sensible person accepts correction, but you can't beat sense into a fool.
33. Proverbs 17:15 - The Lord doesn't like those who defend the guilty or condemn the innocent.
34. Why should fools have money for an education, when they refuse to learn?
35. Fools can never make up their minds.
36. Foolish children bring sorrow to their father and pain to their mother.
37. Proverbs 19:26 - Children who bring disgrace rob their father and chase their mother away
38. Proverbs 19:13 - A foolish son brings disgrace to his father.
39. It isn't fair to punish the wicked and those who do right.
40. It makes a lot of sense to be a person of few words and to stay calm. Even fools seem smart when they are quiet.
41. Proverbs 19:5 - Dishonest witnesses and liars won't escape punishment.
42. Proverbs 19:8 - Do yourself a favor by having good sense -- you will be glad you did.
43. A nagging wife goes on and on like the drip drip drip of the rain.
44. Proverbs 19:15 - If you are lazy and sleep your time away, you will starve.
45. Proverbs 19:24 - Some people are too lazy to lift a hand to feed themselves.
46. Proverbs 19:25 - Stupid fools learn good sense by seeing others punished.
47. A lying witness makes fun of the court system and encourages criminal activity by others.
48. Proverbs 19:29 - Every stupid fool is just waiting to be punished.
49. Proverbs 20:1 - Someone's thoughts may be deep, but if you are smart, then you will discover them.
50. Proverbs 20:11 - The good or bad that children do, shows what they are like.

1. Proverbs 20:22 - Don't try to get even. Trust the Lord, and he will help you.
2. Proverbs 20:27 - Our inner thoughts are a lamp from the Lord, and they search our hearts.
3. Proverbs 21:6 - Cheating to get rich is a foolish dream...
4. Proverbs 20:17 - Heavy drinkers and others who live only for pleasure will lose all they have.
5. Proverbs 22:28 - In ancient Israel boundary lines were sacred because all property was a gift from the Lord.
6. Proverbs 23:6 - Don't accept an invitation to eat a selfish person's food, no matter how good it is.
7. Proverbs 23:7 - People like that take note of how much you eat.
8. They say "Take all you want," but they don't mean it.
9. Proverbs 23:12 - Don't fail to correct your children. You won't kill them by being firm and it may even save their lives.
10. Proverbs 23:16 - Make your parents truly happy by living right and showing sound judgement. Make your parents proud, especially your mother.

11. Proverbs 24:20 - Fill your homes with priceless treasures
12. Proverbs 24:21:5 - Wisdom brings strength...battles are won reading and listening to advice.
13. Proverbs 24:22:7 - Wisdom is too much for fools. Their advice is no good.
14. Proverbs 24:25:12 - Don't say, "I didn't know it," God can read your mind.

3/16/2025 - 3:30pm
15. Proverbs 23:26:13 - Honey is good for you, my children, and it tastes sweet.
15-B. Proverbs 25:16 - Eating too much honey can make you sick.
16. Omitted.
17. Proverbs 24:30:31 - I once walked by the house of an old fool. Thorns and weeds were everywhere, and the stone wall had fallen down.
18. Proverbs 25 - More of Solomon's Wise Sayings
19. Proverbs 25:2 - God is praised for being mysterious; rulers are praised for explaining mysteries.
20. Proverbs 25:3 - Who can fully understand the thoughts of a ruler?
21. Proverbs 25:5 - Evil people must be removed before anyone can rule with justice.
22. Proverbs 25:6 - Don't try to seem important in the court of a ruler.
23. Proverbs 25:7 - Be sure you are right before you sue someone, or you might lose your case and be embarrassed.
24. Proverbs 25:15 - Patience and gentle talk can convince a ruler and overcome any problem.
25. Proverbs 25:17 - Don't visit friends too often, or they will get tired of it and start hating you.
26. Proverbs 25:18 - A person shouldn't tell lies about his friends.
27. Proverbs 25:21 - If your enemies are hungry, then give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, then give them something to drink. And the Lord will reward you.
28. Proverbs 25:26 - If you are a good person, then don't give in to the wicked.
29. Nehemiah 8 - Enjoy your good food and wine and share some with those who don't have anything.
30. ...and you gave your people good laws and teachings that are fair and honest.
31. Cisterns - pits dug into the ground to hold water.
32. You have always been fair, when you punished us for our sins.

4:15pm -
33. Proverbs 26:4 - Don't make a fool of yourself by answering a fool.
34. Proverbs 26:17 - It's better to take hold of a mad dog by the ears than to take part in someone else's argument.
35. Proverbs 27:2 - Don't brag about yourself -- let others praise you.
36. Proverbs 27:7 - ...if you are really hungry, then you will eat anything.
37. Proverbs 27:9 - The sweet smell of incense can make you feel good, but true friendship is better still.
38. Proverbs 27:10 - Don't desert an old friend or your family.
39. Proverbs 27:14 - A loud greeting early in the morning is the same as a curse.
40. Proverbs 30:8 - ...make me absolutely honest and don't let me be too poor or too rich.
41. Proverbs 31:4 - Kings and leaders should not get drunk or even want to drink.
Drinking makes you forget your responsibilities and you mistreat the poor.
42. Proverbs 31:6 - Beer and wine are only for the dying or for those who have lost all hope. Let them drink and forget how poor and miserable they feel. But you must defend them.
43. Ecclesiastes 1 - The son of David said,
44. Ecclesiastes 2 - "Nothing makes sense! Everything is nonsense. I have seen it all -- nothing makes sense!"
45. Ecclesiastes 1:18 - The more you know, the more you understand.
46. Ecclesiastes 2:12 - I asked myself, "What can the next king do that the previous one hasn't done?"
47. Ecclesiastes 2:15 - Finally, I said to myself, "Being wise got me somewhere! Being wise can get you somewhere!"
48. Ecclesiastes 2:19 - Who knows if those people will be sensible or stupid. Either way, they will own everything I have earned by hard work and wisdom.
49. Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Everything Has It's Time
50. Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.

1. Ecclesiastes 3:14 - Everything God has done will last forever.
2. Ecclesiastes 3:19 - Humans are like animals and all living creatures. We are made from nature and return to nature. We were meant to enjoy our lives.
3. Ecclesiastes 4 - I am only a single individual defending myself against the big government.
4. Ecclesiastes 4 - It is Better to Have a Friend
5. Ecclesiastes 4:12 - Someone might be able to beat up on one of you, but not both of you.

3/17/2025 - 1:00pm
6. Ecclesiastes 4:14 - Even if you were not born into the royal family but you have shown bravery and courage, then you can still be king.
7. Ecclesiastes 5 - Be Careful How You Worship
8. Ecclesiastes 5:1 - When you enter the house of God; it's best just to listen when you go to worship. Don't talk before you think or make promises to God. If you keep thinking about something, then you will dream about it.
9. Ecclesiastes 5:4 - God doesn't like fools.
10. Ecclesiastes 5:7 - Daydreaming leads to a lot of senseless talk.
11. Ecclesiastes 5:10 - If you love money and wealth, then you will never be satisfied with what you have. This doesn't make sense either. The more you have, the more everyone expects from you.
12. Ecclesiastes 5:12 - If you have to work hard for a living, then you can rest well at night...Besides all this, many rich people are unhappy with their lives.
13. Ecclesiastes 8:14 - There is something else that doesn't make sense to me. Good citizens are treated as criminals, while criminals are honored as though they were good citizens.
14. Ecclesiastes 7:5 - Harsh correction is better than the songs of a fool.
15. Ecclesiastes 7:6 - Foolish laughter is stupid.
16. Ecclesiastes 7:9 - Only fools get angry and hold a grudge.
17. Ecclesiastes 9:4 - The fastest runners and the greatest heroes don't alwys win races and battles.
18. Ecclesiastes 9:12 - None of us know when we might fall victim to a sudden disaster and find ourselves dead.
19. Ecclesiastes 11:5 - No one can explain how a baby breathes before it is born.
20. Ecclesiastes 11:7 - Nothing on earth is more beautiful than the morning sun. Try to enjoy each day.
21. Ecclesiastes 11:9 - Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young...But don't forget that God will judge you for everything you do. You're not young foreever.
22. Ecclesiastes 10:8 - Walls of houses were often made with mud to fill the cracks between them.

3/18/2025 - 10:30am
23. It can be rather difficult for a good wife to distance herself from a corrupt husband; it can be difficult for a good wife to distance herself from a husband who is involved in crime, so she should not be punished.

12:00pm
24. Song of Songs 1 - My skin is dark and beautiful.
The sun has darkened my skin.
I used to be an even darker complexion.
25. Song of Songs 2 - Put your left hand under my head and embrace me with your right arm.
26. Song of Songs 6 - The Groom and the Wedding Party
27. Song of Songs 27 - Deer and gazelles were sacred animals and they were thought to have special powers.
28. Isaiah 1:9 - Sodom and Gomorrah - two ancient cities in Palestine that God destroyed because the people were so wicked.
29. Isaiah 1:13 - I can't stand the evil you do on your Sabbaths.
30. Isaiah 2:3 - The Lord will teach us his law from Jerusalem. He will settle arguments between nations.
31. Isaiah 2:10 - Everyone of you, go hide among the rocks and in the ground, because the Lord is fearful.
32. Isaiah 4 - The Lord will send a fiery judgement to clean the city and its people of its fiery deeds.
33. Isaiah 4:14 - The world of the dead awaits him.
34. Isaiah 5:21 - You think you are clever and smart. And you are great at drinking and mixing drinks.
35. Isaiah 5:25 - You are the Lord's people, but you made him terribly angry, and he struck you with his mighty arm.
36. Isaiah 5:26 - None of them are tired. They don't sleep or get drowsy, and they run without stumbling.
37. Isaiah 6:1 - In the year that king Uzziah died, flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They were shouting praises to the Lord.
38. Isaiah 5:25 - One possible meaning, or "hasn't given up on you yet."
39. Isaiah 6:8 - Samaria is the capital of Israel. But in less than sixty-five years, Israel will be destroyed. And if Ahaz and his officials don't trust me, they will be defeated.
40. Isaiah 7:15:16 - It is important to know how to chooses between right and wrong.
41. Isaiah 7:14 - She had an easy childbirth.
42. Isaiah 6:1 - Immanuel: In Hebrew "Immanuel" means "God is with us."
43. Isaiah 7:15:16 - Yogurt and honey.
44. Isaiah 8:19 - Someone may say to you, "Go to the fortunetellers, or ask the spirits of the dead."
45. Isaiah 10:1 - You people are in for trouble! You have made cruel and unfair laws that let you cheat the poor and needy and rob widows and orphans.
46. Isaiah 11:10 - The heroic figure, who unifies all people, and brings peace to the Earth.
47. Isaiah 12:1 - You will say, "I thank you Lord! You were angry with me, but you stopped being angry and gave me comfort."
48. Isaiah 13:4 - Listen to the noisy crowds on the mountains! Kingdoms and nations are joining forces. The Lord All-Powerful is bringing together an army for battle.
49. Isaiah 13:7 - All people will be terrified, hands will grow limp, courage will melt away.
50. Isaiah 13:8 - Everyone will tremble with pain like a woman giving birth; they will stare at each other with horror on their faces.

1:00pm
1. Isaiah 13:9 - I, the Lord, will show no mercy or pity...In my anger I will destroy the earth and every sinner on it. A great deal of time will pass.
2. Isaiah 14:24 - Everything I have planned will happen just as I said.
3. Isaiah 15:29 - Philistines, don't be happy just because the rod that punished you is broken. That rod will become a poisonous snake, and then a flying fiery dragon.
4. Isaiah 15:30 - But I will starve some of you, and others will be killed.
5. Isaiah 15:1 - The towns of Ar and Kir were destroyed in a night.
6. Isaiah 16:3 - Let the refugees live in another country.
7. Isaiah 16:7 - Fancy raisins - The Hebrew text has raisin-cakes, which could mean either the rich produce or the prosperous farmers.
8. Isaiah 16:9 - There will be no more celebrations or joyful happy times, singing and shouting are gone. There are no joyful shouts. God has silenced them all.
9. Isaiah 17:4 - When that time comes, the glorious nation of Israel will be brought down; it's prosperous people will be skin and bones.
10. Isaiah 17:8 - They have built altars and places for burning incense to their goddess, and they will continue to worship at these places.
11. Isaiah 17:13 - The nations are a noisy, thunderous sea. But even if they roar like a fearsome flood, God will give them the command to turn them back.
12. Isaiah 17:14 - In the evening their attack is fierce, but by morning they are destroyed.
13. Isaiah 18 - Send them fast to Ethiopia, whose people are tall and have smooth skin. Their land is divided by rivers; they are strong and feared all over the world.
14. Isaiah 19 - The banks of the Nile will dry up, there will be no more plants or animals there.
15. Isaiah 19:11 - Egypt's Helpless Leaders
16. Isaiah 19:11 - The King's officials in Zoan are foolish themselves and give stupid advice. How can they say to him, "We are very wise, and our families go back to kings of long ago."
17. Isaiah 19:13 - The royal officials in Zoan and in Memphis are foolish and deceived the leaders in every state and have given bad advice to the nation. The Lord has confused Egypt; its leaders have made it stagger.
18. Isaiah 19:13 - They will be so terrified of Judah that they will be frightened...this will happen because of what the Lord is planning for Egypt.
19. Isaiah 19:18 - One of those cities will be called the city of the sun. In the heart of Egypt an altar will be set up for the Lord, at its border a shrine will be built to honor him. He will send someone to rescue them from their enemies.
20. Isaiah 19:20 - The Egyptians and the Assyrians will travel back and forth from Egypt to Assyria and they will worship together. Israel will join with these two countries.
21. Isaiah 20:5 - They will be confused and frustrated, because they depended on Ethiopia. Ethiopia was supposed to protect and guide people.
22. Isaiah 21:5 - "Officers take your places. Send guards to find out what's going on."
23. Isaiah 3:16 - Since he is a strong man, he should have a strong woman.
24. Isaiah 4:3 - Everyone who is left alive in Jerusalem will be called special.
25. Isaiah 4:8 - Then the Lord will cover the whole city and its meeting places with a thick cloud each day and night.
26. Isaiah 24:6 - The earth is under a curse; its people are dying out because of their sins.
27. Isaiah 24:17 - Traps and pits: If you are terrified and run, then you will fall into a pit.
28. Isaiah 22:18 - You're an honor to those who serve.
29. Isaiah 21:9 - Throughout the night, my heart searches for you.
30. Isaiah 28:24 - Farmers, wheat and barley are pounded, but not beaten to a pulp.
31. Isaiah 29:21 - ...and keeps innocent people from getting a fair trial.
32. Isaiah 29 - In Hebrew 'ariel' can mean God's hero or God's lion or God's altar.
33. Isaiah 30:18 - Don't preach the truth. Just say what we want to hear, even if its false. And put your trust in the Lord.
34. Isaiah 30:30 - He ignored the rules and procedures in one man's favor, but followed them in the favor of another man.
35. Isaiah 30 - The Lord used his iron rod as a weapon. The people were terrified. He will attack them in battle, and each time he strikes them...
36. Isaiah 30:33 - Long ago the Lord got a place ready for the burning of the body of the dead king.
37. Isaiah 30:33 - The place for the fire is deep, the wood is piled hihg and the fire is started by breathing out flaming sulphur.
38. Isaiah 31:3 - The Egyptians are mere humans. They aren't God. Their horses are made of flesh, they can't live forever.
39. Isaiah 32 - You will live safe and secure even through harsh weather.

3/21/2025 12:00pm
40. Isaiah 33 - Maybe the day will come when the desert of Saudi Arabia will be a sea of freshwater and there are no more wars or no more starvation and poverty, and peace reigns on earth.
41. Isaiah 33 - But she is like a ship with loose rigging and shaky mast.
42. Isaiah 34 - When it is time to slaughter cattle, slaughter only healthy cattle.
43. Isaiah 34 - When it is time to slaughter cattle, some will be powerful, so set them free. Consider a zoo for them. Do this with several cattle each year.
44. Isaiah 34:8 - The Lord has chosen the year and the day when he will come to Zion's defense.
45. Isaiah 34 - Chemical leakage from businesses can harm rivers and lakes, and wildlife.
46. Isaiah 38 - Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me.
47. Isaiah 41 - Who appointed this ruler from the east? Who puts nations and kings in his power?
48. Isaiah 40 - The Lord said, "Encourage my people!" Speak kindly to them.
49. Isaiah 40 - They will be strong like eagles...they will walk and run without getting tired.
50. Isaiah 42:5 - I am the Lord God. I created the heavens; I made the earth and everything that grows on it. I am the source of life for all who live on this earth.

1. Isaiah 13 - The Lord is marching out like an angry soldier, shouting with all his might while attacking his enemies.
2. Isaiah 14 - For a long time I the Lord have held my temper; now I will scream and groan like a woman giving birth.
3. Isaiah 43:23 - ...or sweet-smelling incense. You have not brought delicious spices for me or given me sacrificed animals.
4. Isaiah 44:3 - I will bless the thirsty land... I will bless your descendants.
5. Isaiah 44 - Idols Can't Do A Thing
6. Don't worship false idols. Why make an idol or an image that can't do a thing?
7. Isaiah 44:25 - I make liars and false prophets... I take human wisdom and I turn it into nonsense.
8. Isaiah 45 - I have taken hold of your right hand to help you remove kings from power.
9. Isaiah 45:3 - I will give you treasures hidden in dark and secret places. Then you will know that I, the Lord God of Israel, have called you by name.
10. Isaiah 45:13 - I have done the right thing by placing Cyrus in power, and I will make the roads easy for him to follow.
11. Isaiah 45:18 - The Lord alone is God. He created the heavens and made a world where people can live instead of creating an empty desert.
12. Isaiah 45:19 - The Lord did not speak, or command Jacob's descendants to search for him in vain.
13. Isaiah 45:19 - The Lord speaks the truth, to every survivor he says, "Why don't you get together and meet me in court?"
I bring about justice, and have the power to save. Everyone who is angry with me will turn to me.
14. Isaiah 46:1 - Bel was another name for Marduk, the chief God of the Babylonians. Nebo was the son of Marduk and also an important God.
15. Isaiah 47 - I was angry with my people. So I let you take their land and bring disgrace on them.
16. You showed them no mercy, and were especially cruel.
17. Isaiah 47:14 - No one can ever keep warm sitting by a fire that feeds only on straw.
18. Isaiah 48 - You have never been willing to listen to what I say; from the moment of your birth, I knew you would rebel.
19. Isaiah 48 - Turn on the oven if you forget to pay the heat bill in your house.
20. Isaiah 49:18 - I the Lord promise, that your city with its people will be as lovely as a bride wearing her jewelry. The city has a bright future.
21. Isaiah 49:18 - Demolish old homes or buildings, then build up new ones in their place, in order to improve your city or town. Demolish and rebuild entire streets. This will give your city a brighter future.
22. Isaiah 49:21 - The children will ask, "If you are our parents then you will love us and care for us, then we will love you and care for you when you are older, in addition to improving our own future and the future of our country."
23. Isaiah 51:3 - The Lord will bring comfort, and the city will be as lovely as the garden of Eden.
24. Isaiah 51:7 - ...don't be discouraged when others insult you and say hurtful things.
25. Isaiah 51:9 - Wake up! Do something, Lord. Didn't you chop up Rahab, the monster?
26. Isaiah 51:11 - They will be crowned with great happiness.
27. Isaiah 51:12 - I am the Lord, the one who, I spread out the heavens and laid foundations for the earth.
28. Isaiah 51:20 - The Lord your God is angry, and on every street corner your children will lie helpless, like deer trapped in nets.
29. Isaiah 52 - Holy city of Zion, dress in your best clothes.
30. Isaiah 52:13 - My servant will succeed! But everyone who saw him was even more horrified because he suffered until he no longer looked human.
31. Isaiah 52:15 - Nations and kings will be in wonder. They will see and think about things they have never seen or thought about before.
32. Isaiah 52:15 He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off.
33. Isaiah 52:15 - They sent their children overseas to live in a foreign country.
34. Isaiah 54 - The city was rebuilt with impressive architecture.
35. Isaiah 55 - You will be built on fairness with no fears of injustice.
36. Isaiah 55 - I created metalworkers who could make weapons over burning coals.
37. Isaiah 55 - God's words are powerful
38. Isaiah 56:12 - You say to each other, "Let's drink till we're drunk. Tomorrow we'll do it again. We'll really enjoy ourselves."
39. Isaiah 58:12 - You will rebuild those houses left in ruins for years; you will be known as a builder and repairer of city walls and streets.
40. Isaiah 59:8 - The roads you make are crooked; your followers cannot find peace.
The pavement for some roads is impressive.
41. Isaiah 60 - In ancient Arabia, The Queen of Sheba brought gifts to King Solomon.
42. Isaiah 61:8 - My people, I solemnly promise to reward you with an eternal agreement.
43. Isaiah 61:11 - The principles of Christianity apply to every nation on earth to benefit all people.
44. Isaiah 62 - Jerusalem, I will speak up for your own good.
45. Isaiah 62:6 - Jerusalem, on your walls, I have stationed guards whose duty it is to speak out day and night.
46. Isaiah 64:9 - Don't be so furious or keep our sins in your thoughts forever.
47. Isaiah 65:5 - Some people are like smoke, irritating my nose all day.
48. Isaiah 65:7 - They have disgraced us by burning smoke on mountains.
49. Isaiah 65 - I am God! I can be trusted. Your past troubles are gone; I no longer think of them.
50. Isaiah 65:17 - ...everything of the past will be forgotten. Celebrate and be glad forever.

1. Isaiah 65:20 - No child will die in infancy; everyone will live to a ripe old age. Anyone a hundred years old will be considered young.
2. Isaiah 65:20 - My chosen people will live to be as old as trees, and they will enjoy what they have earned.
3. Isaiah 65:20 - I will bless their children and grandchildren. I will answer their prayers before they finish praying.
4. Isaiah 65:25 - Wolves and lambs will graze together; lions and oxen will feed on straw. They won't bite or harm anyone on my holy mountain.
5. Isaiah 66 - There is a difference between killing an animal for food and killing and animal that is a pet.
6. Isaiah 66:2 - The people I treasure most are the humble.
7. Isaiah 66:2 - Some of your own people hate and reject you because of me.
8. Isaiah 66:7 - Can a nation be born in a day or come to life in a second?
9. Isaiah 66:7 - ...when they arrive, offer them some wine.
10. Isaiah 66:7 - Put some rags under the rope then we will lower you into the well.
11. Isaiah 66:7 - Bread was the main food of the Israelites.
12. Isaiah 66:7 - The king and their army surrounded Jerusalem. They kept the city surrounded for a year and a half. Then on the ninth day, they broke through the city walls.
13. Isaiah 66:7 - After the war, only the poorest people who owned no land were left behind.
14. Isaiah 66:7 - The rulers and leaders of a city often say outside in a courtyard, to conduct business or hold trials.
15. Isaiah 66:7 - Egypt, no medicine can heal you, not even the soothing lotion from Gilead.

3/25/2025 - 8:30am:
16. Jeremiah 47:3 - Your courage will vanish, and parents will abandon their own children.
17. Jeremiah 47:6 - The Anakim who survive, will mourn for you, by shaving their heads, and sitting in silence.
18. Jeremiah 47:6 - But how can my sword rest when i have commanded it to attack Ashkelon and the seacoast?
19. Jeremiah 48:2 - The Anakim may have been a group of very large people who lived in Palestine before the Israelites.
20. Jeremiah 48 - In Hebrew the name of the town was "Madmen" which sounds like the word for "silence".
21. Jeremiah 48 - People in the town of Dibon, have a seat in the dust.
22. Jeremiah 48 - Cry, people of Heshbon; your town will become a pile of rubble.
23. Jeremiah 48 - I, the Lord, will send neighboring nations to attack you, and strike you with terror.
24. Jeremiah 49:9 - Wisdom and common sense have vanished from Teman.
25. Jeremiah 49:9 - Thieves who break in at night take only what they want. But I will take everything that belongs to you. Then you will die.
26. Jeremiah 49:9 - Pride tricks you into thinking that other nations look at you with fear.
27. Jeremiah 49:17 - People passing by your country will be shocked and horrified to see a disaster as bad as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and towns nearby.
28. Jeremiah 50:5 - You will ask the way to Zion...in making an agreement you won't break or forget.
29. Jeremiah 50 - During one war, the soldiers refused to go into battle.
30. Jeremiah 50 - He twists and turns in pain, like a woman giving birth.
31. Jeremiah 50 - The Hebrew text has "Leb-Qamai," a secret way of writing "Babylonia."
32. Lamentations 3:45 - "You allowed nations to treat us like garbage."
33. Lamentations 3 - A daily allowance, and weekly or monthly sums of money existed.
34. Lamentations 3 - have lost their strength and courage - Hebrew "have lost their strength and have become like women."
35. Lamentations 3 - Refers to visually appealing decorations for your home, such as shining chrysolite wheels.
36. Lamentations 3 - Ezekiel is a mere human, yet he is the one the Lord has chosen to be his prophet who speaks for him to the people of Israel.
37. Lamentations 3 - Get chains ready to drag away the dead bodies of your people.
38. Daniel 1:4 - Take the prince, then take these men. Give them the same education and training that you gave the prince, and then they should turn out as successful as he did.
39. Daniel 1 - Chapter 2:4 is written in Aramaic, a language closely related to Hebrew.
40. Daniel 1 - The men compared two statues, one decorated with gold and jewelry, and one simple and unadorned. The men chose the simple statue.
41. Daniel 1 - The king said, "You've decided to make up a lot of lies, in order to destroy me."
42. Daniel 2:27 - Your majesty, not even the smartest person in all the world can do what you are demanding.
43. Daniel 2 - The king passed an unreasonable law, and then everyone broke it and they were all arrested.
44. Daniel 2 - The king ordered Daniel to be thrown into a pit of lions. Daniel's wisdom and faith in god kept him from being harmed.
45. Daniel 2 - books containing the record of the good and evil that each person has done.
46. Daniel 2 - Aramaic for "a time and a season."
47. Daniel 2 - But he will finally be judged, and his kingdom completely destroyed. Then the greatest kingdom of all will be given to the chosen ones of God most High.
48. Daniel 2 - sackcloth: a rough, dark-colored cloth made from goat or camel hair and used to make grain sacks.
49. Daniel 2 - Xerxes: Hebrew "Ahaseurus".
50. Daniel 2 - The men dug a trench in front of their homes, for sewage.
51. Daniel 2 - ...this may refer to child sacrifice.

7:00pm
1. Jeremiah 51 - A threshing place with a dirt surface had to be leveled and packed down before it could be used.
2. Jeremiah 51 - The Hebrew text has "Sheshach," a secret way of writing the name Babylon.
3. Jeremiah 51 - the governors and leaders and the soldiers of Babylon will get drunk, fall asleep, and never wake up.
4. Jeremiah 51 - Everything that the nation worked so hard to gain will go up in smoke.
5. Lamentations 3:4 - God caused my skin and flesh to waste away and he crushed my bones.
6. Lamentations 4:13 - Jerusalem was punished because her prophets and her priests had sinned and caused the death of innocent victims.
7. Ezekiel 26 - They used a battering-ram, to knock down the wall.
8. Ezekiel 26 - They tried to destroy one column of the wall.
9. Ezekiel 24:3 - Pour water in a cooking pot, and set it over a fire. Throw in the legs and shoulders of your finest sheep, and let the meat and bones boil until they are done.
10. Ezekiel 24:3 - The usual way people mourned was to change their clothing, cover their faces, go barefoot, and to eat special food to show they were grieving.
11. Ezekiel - The giving of sacrifices as 'peace offerings,' or 'offerings of well-being.'
12. Ezekiel - The family property, and how to evenly divide it between the children. And how to do this fairly.
13. Ezekiel - After doing work in the country, these foreigners must be treated like any other citizen, and they will receive a share of the land where they live.
14. Ezekiel 47 - Cooperation between Tribes of the Land. - All tribes are equal.
15. Ezekiel 47 - All tribes should have a central base, one location. If one tribe has more wealth, then it should help out poorer tribes.

3/30/2025 - 9:00am
16. Acts 2:42 - They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.
17. Acts 2 - broke bread - they ate together and celebrated the Lord's supper.
18. Acts 2:47 - Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
19. Acts 3 - There was a lame man who couldn't walk, and Peter and John healed him, and he jumped up and started walking, jumping up and praising God.
20. Acts 3 - The time of prayer - Many of the Jewish people prayed in their homes at regular times each day, and on sprecial occasions they prayed in the temple.
21. Acts 4 - ...and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night.
22. Acts 4:7 - They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle while they questioned them. They asked, "By what power and in whose name have you done this?"
23. Acts 4:10 - This man is standing here completely well because of the power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
24. Acts 4:21 - The officials could not find any reason to punish Peter and John, so they threatened them and let them go.
25. Acts 4:23 - As soon as Peter and John had been set free they went back and told the others everything that had happened to them.
26. Acts 5 - Every day they spent time in the temple and in one home after another.
27. Acts 6:15 - Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
28. Acts 5:36 - Theudas claimed to be someone important, but he was killed.
29. Acts 5:14 - Many men and women started having faith in the Lord. Then sick people were brought out to the road and placed on cots and mats.
30. Acts 5:32 - Sharing Possessions - The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other.
31. Acts 7:44 - The traveling groups brought tents out into the desert and set up camps there.
32. Acts 7 - Saul: Better known as Paul, who became a famous follower of Jesus.
33. Acts 7:51 - You stubborn and hardheaded people! You are always fighting against the Lord, just as your ancestors did.
34. Acts 7 - The Jewish day began at sunrise.
35. Acts 7 - The crowd shouted at him...they kept shouting.
36. Acts - Some of the men in the town were hired to start a riot in the town.
37. Acts - Some people in the group were kidnapped, in a modern sense. They were isolated from family and friends, and situated in an area that did not have the same comforts of home. Eventually however, they were rescued by a heroic figure.
38. Acts 9 - Then one night his followers let him down over the city wall in a large basket.
39. Acts 10:12 - Questions why some people eat animals that are unclean and not fit to eat.
40. Acts - John: Whose other name was Mark.
41. Acts 14:16 - "I, the Lord, will return and rebuild your fallen house.
I will build it up from its ruins and set it up again."
42. Acts 18 - Whatever happens to you will be your own fault. I am not to blame.
43. Acts 23.3 - whitewashed wall - Someone who pretends to be good, but really isn't.
44. Acts 24.6-8 - we arrested him: Some manuscripts add, "We wanted to judge him by our own laws. But Lysias the commander took him away from us by force. Then Lysias ordered us to bring our charges against this man in your court.

10:30am
45. Acts 25:15 - ...and the Jewish leaders came and asked me to find him guilty. I told them that it isn't the Roman custom to hand a man over to people who are bringing charges against him. He must first have the chance to meet them face to face and to defend himself against their charges.
46. Acts 25:17 - So when they came here with me, I wasted no time.
46. Acts 25:23 - The next day they made a big show as they came into the meeting room. High ranking army officials and leading citizens of the town were also there.
46. Acts 25:24 - "King Agrippa and other guests, look at this man. Every Jew from Jerusalem and Caesarea has come to me, demanding for him to be put to death. I have not found him guilty of any crime deserving death. But because he has asked to be judged by the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome."
46. Acts 25:26 - I have to write some facts about this man to the Emperor. So I have brought him before all of you, but especially before you, King. After we have talked about his case, I will then have something to write. It makes no sense to send a prisoner to the Emperor without stating the charges against him.
46. Acts 26:20 - "Stop sinning and turn to God. Then prove what you have done by the way you live."
47. Acts 26:21 - That is why some men grabbed me in the temple and tried to kill me. But all this time God has helped me, and I have preached both to the rich and to the poor.

4/1/2025 - 8:00am:
48. Acts 27:39 - The Shipwreck - But they did not see a cove with a beach. So they decided to try to run the ship aground on the beach. They cut the anchors loose and let them sink into the sea.
49. Acts 28:16 - We arrived in Rome, and Paul was allowed to live in a house by himself with a soldier to guard him.
50. Acts 28:26 - He said, "Go to these people and tell them:
You will listen and listen, but never understand.
You will look and look, but never see."

1. Acts 28.28,29 - And they will listen: Some manuscripts add, "After Paul said this, the people left, but they got into a fierce argument among themselves."
2. Romans - Paul reminds his readers, "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory," but how can we be made acceptable to God?
3. Romans - ...and because of Jesus Christ, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
4. Romans 1.17 - but only those who have faith: Or "and faith is all that matters."
5. Romans 2:4 - You surely don't think much of God's wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you.
6. Romans 2:5 - ...[he] will judge the world with fairness. God will reward each of us for what we have done. He will give eternal life to everyone who has patiently done what is good in the hope of receiving glory, honor and life that lasts forever.
7. Romans 2:10 - But all who do right will be rewarded with glory, honor, and peace, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. God doesn't have any favorites!
8. Romans 2:12 - Those people who don't know about God's law will still be punished for what they do wrong.
9. Romans 2:14 - Some people naturally obey the Laws's commands, even though they don't have the Law. This proves that the conscience is like a law written in the human heart.
10. Romans 3:3 - But does this mean that God cannot be trusted, just because they did not have faith? No, indeed God tells the truth, even if everyone else is a liar. The Scriptures say about God,
"Your words will be proven true...
11. Romans 3:3 - In many ways, life involves only man's relationship with God.
12. Romans 3:7 - You might as well say, "Let's do something evil, so that something good will come of it...But God is fair and will judge them as well."
13. Romans 3:10 - The Scriptures tell us...
Their words are like an open pit,
and their tongues are good only for telling lies.
Each word is as deadly as the fangs of a snake...
They don't know how to live in peace.
They don't even fear God.
14. Romans 3:19 - We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power.
15. Romans 3:21 - Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn't by obeying the Law of Moses.
16. Romans 3:29 - Does God only belong to the Jews? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, he is. There is only one God, and he accepts Gentiles as well as Jews, simply because of their faith.
17. Romans 3:31 - Do we destroy the Law because of our faith? Not at all. We make it even more powerful.
18. Romans 3.21 - The Law and the Prophets: The Jewish Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament.
19. Romans 4:4 - Money paid to workers isn't a gift. It is something they earn by working.
20. Romans 4:5 - But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him.
21. Romans 4:6 - In the Scriptures David talks about the blessings that come to people who are acceptable to God...
22. Romans 4:7 - David says,
"God blesses people whose sins are forgiven and whose evil deeds are forgotten.
The Lord blesses people whose sins are erased from his book."
23. Romans 4:15 - God becomes angry when his Law is broken. But where there isn't a law, it cannot be broken. Everything depends on having faith in God, so that God's promise is assured by his great kindness.
24. Romans 4:18 - God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations.


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The Dead Sea Scrolls,


1. In the spring of 1947 a young Arab shepherd climbed into a cave in the Judean desert and stumbled on the first Dead Sea Scrolls. The cave was located close to the Dead Sea, near Jerusalem.
1-A. Written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, the scrolls have transformed our understanding of the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism and the origins of Christianity.
2. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain prescriptions for operating a church or congregation.
3. II. The Community - We all live in a community. People have symbolic roles or jobs in the community. People also have certain responsibilities in the community.
4. These are, as may be seen, mostly the sort of recommendations to be expected of men devoting themselves to contemplation. A point to bear in mind, however, is that the contemplative life is not a regular feature of Judaism.
5. The hierarchy at Qumran was strict and formal, from the highest level to the lowest.
6. The highest office was vested in the person of the Guardian, known also, it would seem, as the 'Master'. The Community was to be taught by him how to live in conformity with the 'Book of the Community Rule', and to be instructed by him in the doctrine of the 'two spirits'. He was to preside over assemblies, giving leave to speak to those wishing to do so. He was to assess, in concert with the brethren, the spiritual progress of the men in his charge and rank them accordingly. And negatively, he was not to dispute with 'the men of the Pit' and not to transmit to them the sect's teachings.
7. In Judaism as represented by the Mishnah, the priest is superior to the Levite, the Levite to the Israelite, and the Israelite to the 'ruffian.' But the priestly precedence is conditional. If the 'ruffian' is a man of learning, we are told, and the High Priest an uneducated 'boor', 'the ruffian...precedes the High Priest.'
8. The purpose of the meetings of the twelve tribes and three Levitical clans is clear. It was to debate the Law, to discuss their current business, to select or reject newcomers under the guidance of the Guardian, to hear charges against offenders and to conduct a yearly inquiry into the progress of every sectary, promoting or demoting them in rank, again under the Guardian's supervision.
9. During their sessions, order and quiet were to prevail.
10. Omitted.

11. There were laws against a Jew stealing from a non-Jew.
12. The history of religions furnishes scores of examples of sister sects which turned into mortal enemies.
13. Determine the reasons why the sister sects split from the main branch.
14. Drawing the threads of these various arguments together, there would seem to be little doubt not only that the desert and town sectaries were united in doctrine and organization, but that they remained in actual and regular touch with each other, under the ultimate administrative and spiritual authority of the shadowy figure of the Priest, of whom we hear so little...
15. Determine the differences between the different sister sects of a religion.
16. Many people have tried to record history, but for some, the focus is not on historical events themselves, but on their religious significance.
17. As may be remembered, the superior at Qumran was required to be expert in recognizing’the nature of all the children of men according to the kind of spirit which they possess.’

1. At the last judgement, predicts the Commentary, the Wicked Priest will empty 'the cup of wrath of God.' His successors, the 'last Priests of Jerusalem', are also charged with amassing 'money and wealth by plundering the peoples,' i.e. foreigners.
2. It seems to designate here as in rabbinic literature ritually pure food, as well as the vessels and utensils in which it is contained or cooked.
3. "He was not, in effect, to attend the common table and had to eat elsewhere."
4. Many historians focus less on the dates and specific locations of historical events, and more on the meaning and symbolism of the events.
5. During one event in Qumran history "...in Daniel, they humiliate the enemy of the Jews."
6. In the Habakkuk Commentary, "Feared and admired by all, they are seen to be on the point of defeating the 'last Priests of Jerusalem' and confiscating their wealth, as they have done to many others before. Such a representation of a victorious and advancing might would hardly apply to the Greek Seleucids of Syria, who by the second half of the second century BCE were in grave decline."
7. It is also worth noting that the 'Kittim' of the War Scroll, the final opponents of the eschatological Israel, are subject to a king or emperor (melekh).
8. eschatology - the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind.
9. "For although biblical names are often used symbolically, including that of 'Israel,' the actions attributed to the 'Wicked Priest' make little sense if the person in question did not exercise both pontifical and secular power."
10. "The war with the Romans tried their souls through and through by every variety of test. Racked and twisted, burned and broken...they refused to yield to either demand, nor ever once did they cringe to their persecutors or shed a tear."

11. View religion as "a path to holiness walked in obedience to God's commandments."
12. ...persuaded them to remember their Covenant with God with solemn vows of repentance and national rededication; but the promises were usually short-lived.
13. Cautions congregations against sliding into "mere religious formalism."
14. Election and Holy Life in the Community of the Covenant
15. "The aim of a holy life lived within the Covenant was to seek out the secrets of heaven in this world and to stand before God for ever in the next."
16. To judge from the many references to it, the time element both calendric and horary was crucial.
17. The laws of purity were also assuredly essential to the sect, and some practical guidance is given. The dietary laws are dealt with in the Damascus Document and the Temple Scroll. For instance, the eating of 'live creatures' (e.g. larvae of bees, fish and locusts) is declared to be prohibited.
18. Omitted.
19. Omitted.
20. Perfume in excess violates hygeine standards.

21. Priests had to adhere to a strict moral code.
22. Certain activities between husband and wife were prohibited.
23. Using biblical models as vehicles for their own convictions, the Teacher of Righteousness and the Community's sages projected an image of the future which is elaborate and colorful, but which cannot always be fully comprehended by us, partly because some of the associations escape us, and partly because of gaps in the extant texts. They foresaw in their Community's story the fulfilment of the prophetic expectations concerning the salvation of the righteous.
24. Omitted.
25. The Priest was to be the final teacher, he was also to preside over battle liturgy and the eschatological banquet.
26. This is the rule for an Assembly of the Congregation - Each man shall sit in his place: the Priests shall sit first, and the elders second, and all the rest of the people according to their rank. No man shall interrupt a companion before his speech has ended, nor speak before a man of higher rank; each man shall speak in his turn. And no man shall speak without the consent of the Congregation. If they let him speak after he asks, he shall speak.
27. These are the Rules by which they shall judge at a Community (Court of) Inquiry according to the cases.
28. Entry into the Covenant - And the Guardian will come, and the elders with him until...and they shall enter by geneology.
29. The Priests are converts of Israel who departed from the land of Judah, and (the Levites are) those who joined them.
30. No man that approaches them shall be free from guilt; the more he does so, the guiltier shall he be.
31. God remembered the Covenant, and he raised men of discernment and men of wisdom.

1. “Marriage was according to the customs of the law.”
2. “Some behavior is inappropriate for a church.”
3. “You discuss your life — your goals and challenges with your priest.”
4. The priest shall examine every man entering his Congregation with regard to his deeds, understanding, strength, and ability.
5. The priest ensures that the sick members are visited in the hospital.
6. A man shall be given a job in proportion to his strength.
7. No child or woman shall enter the army, nor shall anyone who is disabled.

1. A man shall not take his father’s wife or wives, for this is immoral.
2. Self defense - you can defend yourself, but you can’t use self defense as an excuse to cause excessive harm to someone.
3. If a dog bites a man by accident, then it’s okay, but if it’s a vicious dog, then it’s a problem.
4. It’s immoral for family members to sleep with each other.
5. The strong shall not harm the weak.

1. The calendar of the congregation is unremarkable and similar to a normal annual calendar.
2. “Don’t be silly, or vain, or foolish, and be respectful.”
3. Learn to put a lock on your lips and don’t talk so much.
4. One biblical scholar wrote over 1,000 hymns, and published over 100 essays.
5. “Do not rush to answer a question, but patiently wait your turn and consider an understanding response.”
6. “A twisted man thinks in a twisted way.”
7. There are public health standards that a congregation must follow.
8. When the woman is pregnant, the couple must refrain from certain behaviors.

1. As children of the Lord, we should only think good thoughts.
2. It is our duty to share our knowledge with the world.
3. "He has circumcised the foreskin of their heart, And has delivered them because of his kindness."
4. He has placed before you two paths, one which is good and one which is evil. If you choose the good path, you will be blessed, but if you choose the evil path, you will be cursed.
5. My goal is to establish the righteous way of life.
6. And God has placed in my heart, the spirit of knowledge and understanding, truth and righteousness.
7. Out of a shape of clay I was moulded and from darkness I was kneaded.
8. Do not go to the abysses and the dark places of the earth.
9. They shall be his priests, his righteous people, his host, servants, the angels of his glory.

1. Blessed is...with a pure heart
and does not slander with his tongue.
He directs his heart towards her ways,
and restrains himself by her corrections,
and always takes delight in her chastisements.
2. He will fill your days with good and you will walk in great peace...
you will inherit glory.
And you will end up in the eternal resting place.
3. Do not pour out your thoughts before you have
heard their words...greatly.
First listen to their utterance and afterwards answer
With long-suffering express them and answer correctly among princes.
4. Indicates the presence of a saviour, who has come to help the people.
5. God heard the voice of Job and forgave them their sins because of him.
6. Some foods are forbidden according to Scripture; some foods should not be eaten.
7. And that which you did see, namely that part of their branch of the first, I explained to him the mystery...And that you did see all of them...they will go around, the majority of them will be wicked. And that which you did see, namely that a man came from the south of the land.
8. Some things on earth are the acts of God.
9. I journeyed along the Euphrates until I came to the Red Sea (Persian Gulf) in the east, and I travelled along the coast of the Red Sea until I came to the tongue of the Sea of Reeds (the modern Red Sea) which flows out from the Red Sea.
10. The Dead Sea Scrolls includes biblical interpretation, or passages from the Bible that are read and then interpreted so that they can be understood for symbolic and moral value.

11. Commentaries on Hosea - Interpreted, this means that he smote them with hunger and nakedness that they might be shamed and disgraced in the sight of the nations on which they relied. They will not deliver them from their miseries.
12. For I will be like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. - Its intepretation concerns the last Priest who shall stretch out his hand to strike Ephraim.
13. But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. - Its intepretation, they have forsaken God and walked according to the decrees of the Gentiles.
14. Sometimes life is not as smooth as we want it to be.
15. The bible cites several instances of man's nakedness and woman's nakedness.
16. There is quarrelling and contention.
17. They scoff at kings, and princes are their laughing-stock. - Interpreted, this means that they mock the great and despise the venerable; they ridicule kings and princes and scoff at the mighty host.
18. The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill. And their goods shall be plundered and their houses laid waste.
19. The lord knows the days of the perfect and their portion shall be for ever. In evil times they shall not be shamed.
20. And those who love the Lord shall be like the pride of pastures. Interpreted, this concerns the congregation of His elect, who shall be leaders and princes...of the flock among their herds.

21. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. The law of God is in his heart.
22. My heart is astir with a good word. My heart wants to do good.
23. Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the man of peace.
24. This is the time of which it is written in the book of Daniel the Prophet: But the wicked shall do wickedly and shall not understand, but the righteous shall purify themselves and make themselves white. The people who know God shall be strong.
25. Let no man's garment be worn by a woman, and let no woman's garment be worn by a man.
26. Creditors should be kind toward their debtors.
27. The pseude...known prior to Qumran from a complete Ethiopic and partial Greek, Latin and Syrian translations, has for the first time surfaced in a large number of mostly small nearly extant fragments in its Hebrew original in five Qumran caves.
28. For I know the mysteries of the Lord which the holy ones have explained and showed me and which I read in the heavenly tablets. And I saw written in them that one generation after another will do evil in this way, and evil will last until generations of righteousness arise and evil and wickedness shall end and violence shall cease from the earth and good shall come on the earth.
29. The sun rises and darkness comes and then there is night. Then the sun rises and darkness comes and this is the second night....Then the sun rises and darkness comes and this is the seventh night, and the earth proceeds in this way.
30. Behold the Ruler of heaven descended to earth and thrones were set and the Holy One sat. Thousands and thousands stood before Him. And behold, books were opened and judgement signed. And the Great one reigns over all the living and all those who rule.

31. Words of the Archangel Michael - The dream...Words of the book which Michael addressed to the angels...He said: I found there divisions of fire, and I saw there nine mountains: two to the east, and two to the west, and two to the north and two to the south. I saw there the angel Gabriel...like a vision. Then I showed him the vision. And he said to me, in the books of my Master, the Lord of the world, it is written: Behold, between the sons of Ham and the sons of Shem.
32. The Testament of Levi - Then I raised my eyes and face towards heaven and opened my mouth and spoke, and I prayed and said, Lord, Thou knowest every heart, Thou alone knowest all the thoughts of the heart...
33. The chief of all your deeds shall be truth, and it shall be with you for ever. Righteousness and truth...you will bring in a blessed harvest.
34. Sprinkle the blood of a sacrifice on your body. Then wash your hands of it, then wash your neck of it, then wash your legs of it, then wash your feet of it.
35. His word is like a word of heaven, and his teaching is according to the will of God.
36. Humour is okay, but don't be so foolish that people despise you.
37. 'You are thirty years old.' And he gave a banquet lasting seven days...Then, when the days of the wedding feast came to an end, everything returned to normal.
38. Gather together all the congregation and go up to Mount Nebo and stand there, you and Eleazar son of Aaron. Interpret to the heads of family of the Levites and to all the Priests, the words of the law which I proclaimed to you on Mount Sinai.
39. "Partying is okay, but too much partying is bad." --The Words of Moses
40. You will do all that your God has commanded you from the mouth of the prophet.
41. Let them be gathered, to Thy people and be a help to it and raise it, and deliver their feet from muddy clay and establish for them a rock from of old, for Thy praise is over all the peoples.
42. An Elisha Apocryphon - And Elisha went up. The spirit of Elijah rests over Elisha.
43. A Zedekiah Apocryphon - ...Michael...Zedekiah shall enter into a covenant on that day...to practise and to cause all the Torah to be practised.

1. With your heart and with all your soul do righteousness.
Then he will turn to you.
2. And the Lord said to me, 'I will not turn away your face, Ezekiel. Behold, I will shorten the days and the years, a little, as you have said to me. For the Lord has spoken these words.'
3. List of False Prophets - The lying prophets who arose in Israel: Balaam son of Beor; the elder from Bethel; Zedekiah son of Kenaanah; Ahab son of Koliah; Zedekiah son of Maaseiah; Shemiaah the Nehlemite.
4. Come together, a bone to its bone, a bit to its bit. Prophesy, and let sinews come on them, and let skin spread over above them.
5. And he Raphael ascended, and they saw him no more. And they were blessing and extolling God and giving thanks for his great deed and wondered how an angel of God had appeared to them.
6. There is peace and quiet. The earth is as it was in the days of old.
7. The end.


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