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The Shorter Bible
CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED
BEING
THE HOLY BIBLE
ABRIDGED AND WITH ITS WRITINGS SYNCHRONIZED
FOR POPULAR READING
LUCY RIDER MEYER, A.M., M.D., Editor
AiTHOR OF "Deaconesses," " Fairv Land of Chemistry," "The Jewish Offer-
ings," "Children's Meetings," etc.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
BISHOP JOHN H. VINCENT
NEW YORK : HUNT & EATON
CINCINNATI: CRANSTON & CURTS
Copyright by
HUNT & EATON,
1895.
Composition, clcclrotyping,
printing, and binding by
Hunt & Eaton,
ISO Fifth Ave, New York.
EDITOR'S NOTE,
Not to divert from, but to attract toward, the whole Bible has
The Shorter Bible been prepared ; not to ignore the more difficult
things, except for the moment, and in order that by so doing the way
may be prepared for more intelligent study.
The chronological argument of this book will, I hope, make it of
some value, or at least of some convenience, to students. It is
almost the only arrangement of the kind in print. The words of
historian, psalmist, prophet, or letter writer are brought together,
following, as nearly as possible, the order in which they were written
or spoken.
There has been also an abridgment of nearly two thirds.
Questions of the greatest difficulty and delicacy have constantly
met me. I have been keenly aware that I have been standing on
holy ground. At times the feeling of insufficiency has been so over-
powering that I must have abandoned my task but for a deep con-
viction that there was a need of the book — that its publication would
lead to more study, and more intelligent study, of that written word
which contains the history of the Living Word, and that so, men
" believing," might "have life in his name."
Phillips Brooks, in his " Principle of the Crust," speaks of the
" crust of staleness "' that has gathered over the Bible, from " count-
less repetitions," and adds, " Have not you readers of the Bible
wished you could rise up some morning and find the Bible a new
book, fresh and strong, as if you had never seen it before ? " Does
not this " crust " gather over the Bible, especially as it is popularly
read ? in family worship } or upon retiring for the night } The
Shorter Bible is an attempt to break through this crust, by present-
ing the book to the eye as books of to-day are presented, and divest-
iv Editor's Note.
ing it of repetitions and of those parts which by reason of the great
change of circumstances and the vast lapse of time since its compo-
sition need the assistance of a commentary to be understood.
That the book is free from error of judgment, as well as slip of
pen, I cannot hope, though great care and attention to detail have
most properly been given to a work so sacred. It has occupied what
time I could command from other pressing duties during years of
blessed study.
That Jesus Christ, the Divine Word, the expression in human form
of the Father's love, may find in this arrangement of the other word
the expression in written form of the Father's love, some things that
he can bless and use, is my highest wish and my most earnest
prayer. L. R. M.
Chicago Training School for Missions.
November i, 1895.
INTRODUCTION.
BY BISHOP JOHN H. VINCENT.
The Bible never grows old. Men write incessantly, and "of
making many books there is no end." The press rolls off its wealth
of literature of every class. Human genius startles the world with
its new and varied productions. The books of a single week make
an immense library. But in this multitude of books the Bible still
holds preeminence. More men are engaged in its critical study than
in that of any other book. From it are taken lessons and texts for
the Sunday sermons througliout Christendom. Orators and essayists
find it the richest treasure house from which to select allusions, ref-
erences, and illustrations by which to illuminate and enforce the
truth. Out of the book gvow volumes of polemic, ethic, and poetic
literature. It is still the sun among the planets, the one book abov^e
all books commanding the faith and the thought of the most pro-
gressive and aggressive civilization on the planet. The story is very
old, but it will never cease to be told : Walter Scott was dying. He
said to his son-in-law, " Read." Turning to the library of twenty
thousand volumes in Abbotsford, Lockhart asked, " What book ? "
Scott replied, "There is but One."
Of all the figures by which the power of the Bible is expressed
within the word itself one of the most effective is that of the " sword " —
vi Introduction. - -
the "sword of the Spirit," the true " ExcaHbur," mightier than that
which Bedivere drew forth, and which under the winter moon,
" Sparkled keen with frost against tlie liilt,
For all the haft twinkled with diamond sparks,
Myriads of topaz lights -and jacinth work
Of suhtlest jewelry."
More glorious than the magic sword of Tennyson's poem is the
word of God, " living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both
joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of
the heart." ' Shine, O sun, among all the lights of literature ! Wave
and flash, O living sword, in the right hand of One who in his divine
might wields it, and who by it shall subdue the hearts of men to his
dominion !
A little girl once said concerning the Bible, " I am so glad that
when God made a book he made a children's book." The little
critic said a wiser thing than she herself understood, for it is a fact
that the Bible, which is a record of God's dealings with men, in biog-
raphy and history, and which records the conduct and character of men
in all the relations of life, is like all histories which embrace the heart
— a book of incidents, of character study, tragedy, heroism, failure,
and success. It tells things about human hearts in the early ages
which human hearts in this age well understand, and with which they
sympathize. There is scarcely a page of the Holy Scriptures on w^hich
may not be found some fact, illustration, simile, metaphor, parable,
or ethical teaching in which a child may easily be interested. Amidst
the driest historical recitals of kings, armies, conquests, there is al-
ways to be found some little touch of human nature which kindles
an interest in the whole scene described, and in the people who take
' Hcb. iv, 12 (R. v.).
Introduction. vii
part in it. The characters of the Bible become familiar as the names
of neighljors or the well-known characters of our present age. Cain
and Abel, Enoch and Noah, Abraham and Joseph, Moses and
Joshua, Samuel and Samson, Ruth and David, Solomon and Absa-
lom, Elijah and Elisha, all the prophets, all the apostles, the Christ
himself — from his babyhood in Bethlehem to the day that a cloud
received him from the sight of his disciples who stood on Olivet —
these are but a part of the great portrait gallery of the Holy Scrip-
tures. In this book are found stories of pathetic tenderness, of dra-
matic power, of deep ethical significance — stones sublime beyond the
power of human genius to produce ; stories which have furnished
material to the great artists in marble, in color, and in literature
through the centuries.
It would be a sad thing if in the multitudinous products of modern
culture, and in the enthusiasm by these begotten, the childhood of
the age should lose the old-time knowledge of this venerable and
divine volume. No literature, ancient or modern, can provide such
creations to inhabit silently but with impressive power the homes of
youth and age. No history can transcend in splendor and value the
records of the Holy Scriptures. No characters in all biography, an-
cient and modern, are worthy of comparison with the characters
which stand forth on the pages of Revelation.
What is true of children is equally true of adults. The Bible is
not only a book for childhood, but it is a bonk for mature life, and
for the scholar as well as for the peasant. The study of the book in
childhood is valuable for its contribution to the strength of manhood.
The orator, the poet, the philosopher have all been grateful a thou-
sand times for the aid which the study of the Holy Scriptures in
youth has given to their professional productions. Men and women
of all classes and degrees of culture and power find the teachings of
the Holy Scriptures profitable not merely " for doctrine, for reproof,
viii Introduction.
for correction, for instruction in righteousness," but also for consola-
tion in the time of affliction and in that iiour when earthly things
vanish from their grasp. The word of God holds the seed of im-
mortal life. The dying Perrine said at midnight to his sorrowing
wife, "My dear, I have swept on and on through the universe until
I seem to have reached the very limit of creation, and yet even here
I see on the blackness of the sky beyond, shining in golden light, the
'exceeding great and precious promises' of God."
This condensation by Mrs. Lucy Rider Meyer of the biography and
history and teachings of the Holy Scriptures is commended to every
home, to every child, to every parent, to every writer, and to every
student with the hope that it may allure them to the more critical
and spiritual study of this great book of which Professor Emslie said,
" The Bible contains a message from God's heart to man's heart,"
and concerning which a dying saint to his brothers and sisters said,
" I do not say read the Bible, but learn it, learn it."
TABLE OF CONTENTS,
THE OLD TESTAMENT.
GENESI S.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
The Creation i
CHAPTER H.
Adam in Eden : The Fall 3
CHAPTER HI.
The World Before the Flood 6
CHAPTER IV.
The P'lood : The Covenant with Noah : The Confusion
OF Tongues 9
CHAPTER V.
The Call and Journeys of Abram : Lot ; his Separa-
tion ^ROM Abram ; his Captivity and Rescue 13
CHAPTER VI.
The Birth of Ishmael : The Promise of Isaac : The
Destruction of the Cities of the Plain 16
CHAPTER VII.
The Birth of Isaac : Abraham's Faith Tested: The
Death of Sarah : Finding a Wife for Isaac 22
X Table of Contents.
CHAPTER VIII.
PAGE
The Death of Abraham : History of Isaac : Early Life
OF Jacob and Esau 29
CHAPTER IX.
Jacob in Paddan-aram 34
CHAPTER X.
Jacob Meeting Esau 39
CHAPTER XI.
Jacob Settling in Canaan: Joseph's Dreams: Joseph
- Sold into Egypt 42
CHAPTER XII.
Joseph in Egypt ; the Slave and the Prince 46
CHAPTER XIII.
Joseph and his Brethren in Egypt 51
CHAPTER XIV.
Jacob's Descent into Egypt; his Death and Burial:
Joseph's Last Days ; 59
EXODUS.
CHAPTER I.
The Oppression of the Israelites: Early Days and
Call of Moses 65
CHAPTER II.
Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh : The Ten Plagues:
The Passover 71
CHAPTER III.
The Exodus: The Destruction df hie Egyptians 80
Table of Contents. xi
CHAPTER IV.
PAGE
From the Red Sea to Sinai 84
CHAPTER V.
The Covenant Between God and Israel 88
CHAPTER VI.
Moses in the Mountain with God : Directions for
Building THE Tent OF Meeting 93
CHAPTER VII.
Israel's Backsliding, Punishment, and Restoration :
The Tent of Meeting Erected 98
LEVITICUS.
CHAPTER I.
The Jewish Offerings 104
CHAPTER II.
The Consecration of the Priests: The Beginning of
Worship in the Tent of Meeting: Sunday Laws. 106
CHAPTER III.
The Jewish Feasts and Sacred Times: Promises and
Warnings no
NUMBERS.
CHAPTER I.
Preparations for the Journey : From Sinai to Ka-
desh-barnea 114
CHAPTER II.
The Great Rebellion : " The Forty Years " 119
CHAPTER III.
Balaam 1 26
8
xii Taule of Contents.
CHAPTER IV. PAGE
Israel's Idolatry; The Plague: The Holy War:
The Second Numbering : Women as Landowners :
The Cities of Refuge: Joshua Charged 132
DEUTERONOMY.
CHAPTER I.
Moses' Parting Address to the People 137
CHAPTER II.
Arrangements for the Law : Moses' Song, Blessing,
and Death 145
JOSHUA.
CHAPTER I.
Joshua Succeeding Moses and Leading the People
over Jordan 148
CHAPTER II.
Keeping the Passover: Conquest of Jericho and Ai :
Worship at Mount Ebal 152
CHAPTER III.
Conquest of the Land : Establishment of the Na-
tional Sanctuary at Shiloh: The Return of
Reuben, Gad, and the Half Tribe of Manasseh. 157
CHAPTER IV.
Joshua's Last Days 162
JUDGES.
CHAPTER I.
The Defection of the Israelites and their Oppres-
sions : Their Deliverance by the Early Judges;
liv DF'.borah and Barak 164
Table of Contents. xiii
PAGE
CHAPTER II.
Gideon and his Sons : Minor Judges 169
CHAPTER III.
Jephthah: Minor Judges: Samson: Dan Acquiring
Land 177
RUTH.
CHAPTER I.
Ruth's Moabite Origin, Loyalty to Naomi, Mar-
riage and Motherhood 188
parts of the books of
SAMUEL, KINGS, AND CHRONICLES,
WITH SELECTIONS FROM POETICAL AND PROPHETICAL BOOKS.
CHAPTER I. •
Samuel, his Birth and Early Years 193
CHAPTER II.
The Struggle of Israel with the Philistines: Sam-
uel's Judgeship 198
CHAPTER HI.
Saul Chosen King ; his Early Reign 204
CHAPTER IV.
David; Anointed by Samuel; Playing before Saul;
Victorious over Goliath 215
CHAPTER V.
David at Court; Beloved by Jonathan; Hated by
Saul; David's Marriage to Saul's Daughter;
Danger and Escape 222
xiv Table of Contents.
CHAPTER VI.
David's Persecutions and Wanderings : Slaughter of
THE Priests of Nob : Covenant with Jonathan Re-
newed : David Spares Saul's Life 228
CHAPTER Vn.
Death of Samuel: David, and Nabal and Abigail:
David again Spares Saul's Life : Battle with the
Philistines : Death of Saul 236
CHAPTER VHL
David's Lamentation Over Saul and Jonathan : David
made King over all Israel: Removal of the Ark
to Jerusalem : Organization of Worship 244
CHAPTER IX.
The Temple Planned for : Successful Wars : David's
Sin and Repentance 255
CHAPTER X.
Successful Wars : Rebellion of Absalom 263
CHAPTER XI.
Events of the Last Years of David's Reign 274
CHAPTER XII.
Preparations for ihk Temple: Organization of the
Levites 279
CHAPTER XIII.
Last Days of David : Early Years of Solomon : Prov-
erbs 283
CHAPTER XIV.
The Temple Built and Dedicated 293
Table of Contents. xv
CHAPTER XV. PAGE
Solomon's Prosperity : The Queen of Sheba 298
THE PROVERBS.
CHAPTER I.
Proverbs: Other Writings: The Virtuous Woman. . . 301
PARTS of the books OF
SAMUEL, KINGS, AND CHRONICLES,
with selections from PROPHETICAL AND POETICAL BOOKS —
CONTINUED.
CHAPTER XVI.
Solomon's Defection and Death : Rehoboam : The
Kingdom Divided 309
CHAPTER XVII.
History of Judah. History of Israel.
Reign of Rehoboam: Reign of Jeroboam : Na-
Egyptian Invasion : tional Idolatry :
Reign of Abijah : Messages from the
War with Israel 314 Lord 314
CHAPTER XVIII.
Reign of Asa; his Dis- Reign of Nadab ; of
EASE and Death: Je- Baasha; of Elah :
hoshaphat 321 Civil War: Reign of
Omri 321
CHAPTER XIX.
Elijah; his Life and Ministry in Israel: Elisha
Anointed 327
CHAPTER XX.
War with Syria: Naboth's Vineyard 334
xvi Table of Contents.
CHAPTER XXI. PAGE
Alliance between Judah and Israel against Syria. . . 339
JEHOSHAPHAT Reproved; Death of Ahab: Reign
HIS Ships Wrecked: of Ahaziah : Joram
Judges Appointed: King : Translation of
The MoABiTESAND Am- Elijah: Elisha.. 339
monites Repelled — 339
CHAPTER XXII.
Alliance between Judah and Israel against Moab:
A Great Victory 347
Death of Jehoshaphat : Ministry of Elisha : Ge-
Reign OF Jehoram 347 HAZi Punished 347
CHAPTER XXI 1 1.
Elisha and the Syrians: Samaria Besieged: Flight
OF THE Syrians: Elisha and the Rulers of Syria.. 355
CHAPTER XXIV.
Jehu Anointed King; Destroys All the House of
Ahab, with Ahaziah King of Judah 361
CHAI'TER XXV.
Athaliah THE Usurper: Jehu's Rkicn; Death:
Joash Saved; Made Reign of King Jeho-
King: The Temple Re- ash 3^5
paired: Joash's De-
fection, Distresses,
Death 365
CHAPTER XXVI.
Reign of Amaziah^: Uz- Death of Elisha: Je-
ziAii on the Throne. . 370 hoash'sVictoriesover
Syria and Judah :
Death of Jehoash:
Jeroboam II: Hosf.a
Prophesies 370
Table of Contents. xvii
CHAPTER XXVII. pace
Prophecy of Joel : A Jonah : Prophecy of
Prophecy of Hosea : Amos : Death of Jero-
Reign of Uzziah : Jo- boam : Reign of Zach-
THAM 374 ariah ; of Shallum;
OF Menahem : Hosea
Prophesies : Reign of
Pekahiah 374
CHAPTER XXVin.
ReignofJotham : Reign Death of Pekahiah:
OF Ahaz : Jerusalem Reign of Pekah : Ho-
Besieged : The Imman- shea's Reign : Captiv-
UEL Prophecy : Ahaz ity of Israel : Repeo-
AND Assyria : Ahaz' pling the Land with
Death 385 Strangers 385
CHAPTER XXIX.
Hezekiah's Reign : The Temple Repaired and Rededi-
cated: Keeping the Passover: Destroying Idols:
Reorganization of the Temple Service : Volun-
tary Offerings 392
CHAPTER XXX.
Hezekiah's Prosperity : Prophecy of Micah : Heze-
kiah's Illness, Restoration, and Song : The Baby-
lonian Embassy 398
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Assyrian Invasion : Isaiah's Messages : An Angel
Slays the Assyrians : Songs of Exultation 403
CHAPTER XXXII.
Death of Hezekiah: Reign of Manasseh; of Amon:
Prophecy of Zephaniah : King Josiah: Restoring
the Temple: Finding the Book of the Law: The
Great Reformation : Passover Kept : Death of
Josiah 410
xviii Table of Contents.
CHAPTER XXXIII. page
JOAHAz' Short Reign : King Jehoiakim and Nebuchad-
nezzar: Prophecies OF Jeremiah: First Captivity
OF Judah: Jehoiakim's Rebellion and Death:
Coniah's Brief Reign: King Zedekiah: Messages
FROM Jeremiah 417
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Jeremiah's Letter to the Captive Jews: Ezekiel's Sign
and Prophecy: Jerusalem Besieged: Zedekiah and
Jeremiah: Destruction of Jerusalem: Final Cap-
tivity OF King and People: Flight to Egypt:
Final Prophecies of Jeremiah 424
JOB.
CHAPTER I.
Introduction 430
CHAPTER II.
First Round of Discussion 433
CHAPTER III.
Second Round of Discussion 439
CHAPTER IV.
Third Round of Discussion 443
CHAPTER V.
Job's Monologue 445
CHAPTER VI.
Elihu's Monologue 449
CHAPTER VII.
God's Revelation of Himself 454
CHAPTER VIII.
Conclusion 457
Table of Contents. xix
ISAIAH.
CHAPTER I.
General Messages : Woes 458
CHAPTER II.
Isaiah's Call : Messianic Prophecies : Rejoicings 462
CHAPTER III.
Comforting Messages : The Folly of Idolatry 466
CHAPTER IV.
Comforting Messages : Return from Captivity Fore-
told : Messianic Prophecies 469
CHAPTER V.
Wide Invitations : Practical Exhortations : Glo-
rious Prophecies 474
writings of the prophet
HABAKKUK.
CHAPTER I.
Various Messages : A Prayer 477
writings of the prophet
ZEPHANIAH.
CHAPTER I.
Warnings : Promises 479
writings of the prophet
JEREMIAH.
CHAPTER I.
Jeremiah's Call: Exhortations and Warnings 481
XX Table of Contents.
CHAPTER II. PACE
Object Lessons: Concerning False Prophets: Jere-
miah Persecuted 486
CHAPTER III.
Object Lesson, the Rechabites : Jeremiah's Roll 491
CHAPTER IV.
Prophecies Uttered Just Before the Captivity : Jere-
miah Imprisoned, Released, Carried to Egypt:
Gracious Promises 495
writings of the prophet
EZEKIEL.
CHAPTER I.
The Prophet's Call: Object Lessons 501
CHAPTER 11.
An Encouraging Vision: God's Equal Ways : The Un-
faithful Shepherds : The Good Shepherd 505
writings of the prophet
DANIEL.
CHAPTER I.
Daniel in Babylon: Daniel Telling Nebuchadnez-
zar's Dream 509
CHAPTER II.
The Golden Image and the Fiery Furnace: Nebu-
chadnezzar's Pride and Punishment 514
CHAPTER III.
Belshazzar's Feast : Belshazzar's Downfall 518
CHAPTER IV.
Daniel in the Lions' Den : Daniel's Prayer 521
Table of Contents. xxi
EZRA.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
The Decree of Cyrus: The Return of the Jews: The
Building of the Altar 525
CHAPTER n.
Rebuilding and Rededicating of the Temple 533
CHAPTER HI.
Ezra Returns to Jerusalem : A Reform 544
ESTHER.
CHAPTER I.
The Royal Feast: Esther made Queen: Haman's Pro-
motion AND Plot against thI; Jews 548
CHAPTER n.
The Distress of the Jews: Esther's Petition: The
Jews' Deliverance: The Feast of Purim 552
NEHEMIAH.
Nehemiah's Return to Jerusalem: The Wall Re-
built AND Dedicated: Ezra's Later Reforms 559
MALACHL
CHAPTER L
Messages to Priests and People 568
PSALMS.
Selections from the Hymn Book of the Jewish Church. 571
xxii Table of Contents.
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST TOLD BY
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
The Birth and Childhood of John the Baptist : Birth
AND Childhood of Jesus Christ 591
CHAPTER n.
The Ministry of John: Jesus Christ; his Genealogy,
Early Ministry: Imprisonment of John 600
CHAPTER HI.
Jesus in Galilee, Working Miracles and Teaching:
Disciples Called 611
CHAPTER IV.
Jesus Heals Diseases on the Sabbath Day; is Criti-
cised, Persecuted: The Apostles Chosen 619
CHAPTER V.
The Sermon on the Mount ; Concerning the King-
dom of Heaven, The Privileges and Duties of
ITS Citizens 624
CHAPTER VI.
Miracles of Mercy : John's Messengers : Jesus'
Mother and Brethren : Blasphemous Accusation
OF the Pharisees 631
CHAPTER VII.
Parables: Miracles: Jesus Rejected 638
Table of Contents. xxiii
CHAPTER VIII.
PAGE
Teaching and Healing in Galilee : The Bread of
Life: Concerning Jewish Ceremonies 644
CHAPTER IX.
Mighty Miracles and Wondrous Teachings: The
Transfiguration : More Miracles and Teachings. 653
CHAPTER X.
Jesus at the Feast : The Man Born Blind: The Good
Shepherd 662
CHAPTER XI.
Mission of the Seventy: Parable of the Good Samar-
itan : Other Teachings 669
CHAPTER XII.
Short Teachings: A Miracle: At the Feast of Dedi-
cation: Jesus Beyond Jordan : Teachings 669
CHAPTER XIII.
A Group of Parables 680
CHAPTER XIV.
Lazarus Raised from the Dead : A Plot and a Proph-
ecy: Ten Lepers Cleansed: Teachings and Parables 685
CHAPTER XV.
The Rich Young Ruler: Parables and Teachings.
The Triumphal Entry 692
CHAPTER XVI.
The Temple Cleansed: The Inquiring Greeks: The
Voice from Heaven: Parables and Teachings:
Efforts to Entangle Jesus 700
xxiv Table of Contents.
CHAPTER XVII. PAGE
Last Teachings, in the Temple and on the Hillside. . 707
CHAPTER XVIH.
The Anointment of Love : The Plot ofCovetousness:
Passovfr Preparations: The Last Passover: Insti-
tution OF the Lord's Supper 715
CHAPTER XIX.
Jesus' Last Comforting Discourse with his Disciples:
Prayer of Jesus 721
CHAPTER XX.
Jesus IN Gethsemane : Betrayed and Arrested: The
Mock Trial; Before the Jewish Authorities;
Before the Civil Power 728
CHAPTER XXI.
Crucifixion of Jesus: The Penitent Thief: Death
and Burial OF Jesus: The Sepulcher Sealed 737
CHAPTER XXII.
Jesus' Resurrection : Jesus' Appearances: The Great
Commission : The Ascension 742
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.
CHAI'TER I.
The Ascension of Christ: Tin: Descent of the Holy
Spirit : A Great Revival : The Church Organized. 750
CHAPTER II.
The Lame Man Hp:aled and the Gospel Preached:
Persecution Overruled: The Church Prosperous. 755
Table of Contents. xxv
CHAPTER III. PAGE
Ananias and Sapphira : Rapid Growth of the Church :
Persecution of the Apostles: Appointment of
Deacons 760
CHAPTER IV.
Stephen Arraigned ; Defending Himself; Martyred:
The Church Persecuted 764
CHAPTER V.
The Gospel in Samaria: Philip and the Ethiopian 768
CHAPTER VI.
Conversion of Saul; his Early Ministry 771
CHAPTER VII.
Peter Itinerating ; Carrying the Gospel to Corne-
lius and the Gentiles 773
CHAPTER VIII.
The Gospel at Antioch : Martyrdom of James : Im-
prisonment and Release of Peter: Death of
Herod 778
CHAPTER IX.
Paul's First Missionary Journey 781
CHAPTER X.
The Council at Jerusalem 787
CHAPTER XI.
Paul's Second Missionary Journey, as far as to
Corinth 790
xxvi Table of Contents.
FROM THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
THESSALONIANS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
Loving Words: Comfort Concerning those Asleep.. . 797
from the second epistle of paul to the
THESSALONIANS.
CHAPTER L
Admonitions TO Order AND Patience 801
THE ACTS— Continued.
CHAPTER XH.
Paul's Second Missionary Journey— Concluded 802
CHAPTER XHL
Paul's Third Missionary Journey, as far as to Eph-
esus 803
from the first epistle of PAUL TO THE
CORINTHIANS.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory: Warning, Exhortation, Instruction.. 805
CHAPTER II.
Personal Words: Various Teachings 811
CHAPTEF HI.
Concerning Spiritual Gifts and Love 814
Table of Contents. xxvii
CHAPTER IV. PAGE
Concerning the Resurrection; the Collection: Con-
clusion 817
THE ACTS— Continued.
CHAPTER XIV.
Paul's Third Missionary Journey — Continued 821
from the second epistle of PAUL to the
CORINTHIANS.
CHAPTER I.
Personal Words : Exhortations 824
CHAPTER II.
Concerning Giving: Personal Words : Conclusion 828
from the epistle of PAUL TO THE
GALATIANS.
CHAPTER I.
Warnings: Justification by Faith: Exhortations 833
from the epistle of PAUL TO THE
ROMANS.
CHAPTER I.
Universal Ruin by Sin 838
CHAPTER II.
Perfect Salvation by Faith 841
CHAPTER III.
Glorious Results; Adaptation to Israel. .. 845
3
xxviii Table of Contents.
CHAPTER IV. PAGE
Exhortations : Salutations : Conclusion 849
THE ACTS— Continued.
CHAPTER XV.
Paul's Third Missionary Journey, from Ephesus to
Jerusalem 855
CHAPTER XVI.
Paul at Jerusalem; his Arrest and Self-defense 859
CHAPTER XVII.
Paul a Prisoner, in Jerusalem and C/ESarea 863
CHAPTER XVIII.
Paul Before Festus ; Before a Noble Company 868
CHAPTER XIX.
Paul's Journey to Rome: Paul at Rome 872
from the general epistle of
JAMES.
CHAPTER I.
Works as Related to a Christian Life 877
from the epistle of PAUL TO THE
PHILIPPIANS.
CHAPTER I.
Loving Personal Words : Exhortations 883
Table of Contents. xxix
FROM THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
COLOSSIANS.
CHAPTER I.
Personal Words : Exhortations 889
FROM THE epistle OF PAUL TO THE
EPHESIANS.
CHAPTER I.
Teachings : Exhortations: The Gospel Armor 893
FROM the epistle OF PAUL TO
PH I LEMON.
' CHAPTER I.
Concerning Onesimus, the Converted Slave 899
FROM THE first EPISTLE OF PAUL TO
TI MOTH Y.
CHAPTER I.
Timothy in his Relations to the Church 901
FROM the epistle OF PAUL TO
TITUS.
CHAPTER I.
Titus in his Relations to the Church 906
FROM the second EPISTLE OF PAUL TO
TI MOTH Y.
CHAPTER I.
Loving Admonitions : A Grand Testimony : Last
Words of Paul ; 908
XXX Table of Contents.
FROM THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF
PETER.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
Exhortations and Warnings 912
from the epistle to the
HEBREWS.
CHAPTER 1.
Jesus, the Better Messenger 919
CHAPTER H.
Jesus, the Better High Priest 923
CHAPTER HI.
Jesus, the Mediator of a Better Covenant 927
CHAPTER IV.
Better Living: Saints Believing for Better Things. 931
CHAPTER V.
Better Living 935
from
THE REVELATION
OF JOHN THE DIVINE.
CHAPTER I.
John's Vision of Jesus : Messages to the Churches — 938
CHAPTER II.
The Slain Lamb: Wonderful Visions 943
Table of CoNTENTsr xxxi
FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF
JUDE.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
Earnest Warning and Adivkjnition 950
from the second epistle general of
PETER.
CHAPTER I.
Exhortations and Warnings 952
FROM THE second EPISTLE OF
JOHN.
CHAPTER I.
Personal Words : Concerning Wise Hospitality. 956
FROM the third EPISTLE OF
JOHN.
CHAPTER I.
Personal Words : Concerning Hospitality. , 957
from the first epistle general of
JOHN.
CHAPTER I.
God AS Light and Love : Christians Walking in Light
and Love 958
FROM
THE OLD TESTAMENT.
EXPLANATION.
The words of this book are those of the Revised Version of the
Holy Bible. Those added — but they are very few — are indicated by
interspaced letters, thus.
The references and notes by letter, at the bottom of the pages, are
mostly from the marginal notes of the Revised Version (indicated by
" R. V. marg."). Those added consist of dates, with a few explana-
tory suggestions.
The references by figure, at the bottom of the page, indicate
where the passage is to be found in the Bible. Omissions are not
indicated unless they are of sufficient length to give the reader diffi-
culty in following. All inversions are indicated, however, excepting
inversions of words in a single verse.
Inasmuch as scholars are not yet agreed upon precise dates in Old
Testament history the familiar chronology of Archbishop Usher is
used in that portion of the book. In the New Testament dates have
been fixed with greater accuracy.
The word Lord is printed in small capitals, thus, LORD, when it is
a translation. of the Hebrew proper name Jehovah, the peculiar
name by which God made himself known to his ancient people.
THE SHORTER BIBLE.
GENESIS.
CHAPTER I.
THE CREATION.
* In the beginning God created the heaven and the
earth.
And the earth was waste and void ; and darkness was
upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit
of God moved upon the face of the waters. ^^^ ^^'
And God said, " Let there be hght," and there was light.
And God saw the light that it was good; and God divided
the light from the darkness. And God called the light
Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was
evening and there was morning, one day.
And God said, " Let there be a '' firmament and let it
divide the waters from the waters." And
God called the firmament Heaven. And ®''°" ^^*
there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
And God said, " Let the waters under the heaven be
gathered together unto one place, and let
the dry land appear." And it was so. And ^^ ^^'
God called the dry land Earth; and the waters called he
Seas. And God saw that it was good.
And God said, " Let the earth put forth grass, herb
yielding seed, and tree bearing fruit, upon the earth."
And the earth brought forth grass, herb, and tree.
And God saw that it was good. And there was evening
and there was morning, a third day.
And God said, " Let there be lights in the heaven to
divide the day from the night." And God made the
two great lights ; the greater light to rule the day, and
the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars
"John i, I. ^ R. V. marg., Heb. expanse.
2 The Shorter Bible [Gen. i. i6.
also. And God set them in the heaven to give light
upon the earth. And God saw that it was
ay. gQQ^j^ And there was evening and there
was morning, a fourth day.
And God said, " Let the waters bring forth abundantly
the moving creature that hath life, and let
^^* fowl fly above the earth in the open * firma-
ment of heaven." And God created the great sea-
monsters, and every living creature that moveth, which
the waters brought forth, and every winged fowl. And
God saw that it was good. And God blessed them.
And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
And God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living
creature, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast
ay. ^^ ^j^^ earth." And God made the beast of
the earth, and the cattle, and everything that creepeth
upon the ground. And God saw that it was good.
And God said, " Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness ; and let them have dominion over the fish
of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the
cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth." And God created
man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him ; male and female created he them. And God
blessed them.
And God said, " Behold, I have given you every herb
yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and
every tree, in which is fruit ; to you it shall be for meat.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of
the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth,
I have given every green herb for meat."
And God saw everything that he had made, and, be-
hold, it was very good. And there was evening and
there was morning, the sixth day.
And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all
Seventh the host of them. On the seventh day God
^^y- finished his work, and he rested on the
seventh day from all his work. And God blessed the
seventh day and hallowed it, because that in it he
rested from all his work.
" R. V. marg., Heb. expanse.
Gen. 2. 8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
CHAPTER 11.
ADAM IN EDEN: THE FALL.
And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden ; and
there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of
the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight, and good for food ; the tree of life
also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowl-
edge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to
water the garden. And the LORD God took the man and
put him into the garden to dress it and to keep it. And
the Lord God commanded the man, saying, " Of every
tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat ; rpj^g ^^.g^
but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, prohibition,
thou shalt not eat. In the day that thou eatest thereof
thou shalt surely die,"
'And out of the ground the LORD God formed every
beast of the field and fowl of the air, and brought them
unto the man to see what he would call them ; and that
was the name thereof. '^ And the Lord God said, " It is
not good that the man should be alone ; I will make him
an helpmeet for him." ^And the Lord God caused a
deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept. And he
took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh woman
thereof. And the rib, which the LORD God created,
had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought
her unto the man. And the man said, "This is now
bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She shall be
called ^ Woman, because she was taken out of ^Man."
(Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,
and shall cleave unto his wife ; and they shall be one flesh.)
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and
were not ashamed.
' Gen. ii, 19. ^ Gen. ii, 21. I " R. V. niarg., Heb. Isshah.
'■' Gen. ii. 18. | *■ R. V. marg., Heb. /s/i.
4 The Shorter Bnu,E [<^en. 3. i.
Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of
the field. And he said unto the woman,
emp a ion. uj^^|.|^ Qq^j sai-d, ' Ye shall not eat of any tree
of the garden ? ' "
And the woman said unto the serpent, " Of the fruit
of the trees of the garden we may eat. But of the fruit
of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath
said, ' Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest
ye die.' "
And the serpent said unto the woman, "^ "Ye shall not
surely die. For God doth know that in the day ye eat
thereof your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as
God, knowing good and evil."
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for
food, and a delight to the eyes, and to be desired to
make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof,
and did eat ; and she gave also unto her hus-
band, and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were
opened, and they knew that they were naked ; and ^ they
sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in
the garden in the cool of the day; and the man and his
wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God
amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God
called unto the man, and said unto him, " Where art
thou?"
And he said, " I heard thy voice in the gar-
den, and I was afraid and hid myself."
And he said, " Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I
commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat ? "
And the man said, " The woman whom thou
Excuses. gavcst to be with me, she gave me of the tree,
and I did eat."
And the Lord God said unto the woman, " What is
this thou hast done ? "
And the woman said, " The serpent beguiled me and
I did eat."
And the Lord God said unto the serpent, " Because
thou hast done this, cursed art thou above all cattle, and
above every beast of the field. Upon thy belly shalt
"John viii, 44. ''Gen. iii, 21,
Gen. 3. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 5
thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life ;
and I will put enmity between thee and The great
the woman, and between thy seed and her promise,
seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his
heel."
Unto the woman he said, " I will greatly multiply thy
sorrow. In sorrow shalt thou bring forth
children. Thy desire shall be to thy husband ment.
and he shall rule over thee."
And unto Adam he said, " Because thou hast hearkened
unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, cursed
is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all
the days of thy life. Thorns also and thistles shall it
bring forth to thee ; and thou shalt eat the herb of the
field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till
thou return unto the ground ; for out of it wast thou
taken. For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
return."
And the man called his wife's name * Eve ; because she
was the mother of all living.
^ And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife coats
of skins, and clothed them.
And the LORD God said, " Behold, the man has be-
come as one of us, to know good and evil. And now,
lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
life, and eat, and live forever — "
Therefore the LoRD God sent him forth from the gar-
den of Eden, to till the ground from whence Expulsion
he came. And he placed at the east of the [^"^ffe'e
garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the erected.
*= flame of a sword which turned every way, ^ to keep
the way of the tree of life.
" R. V. marg., Heb. Havvah, that is, Living, ox Life. ''Gen. iii, 7.
' Probably a spot, a tongue (or "sword") of flame. ^ Rev. xxii, 2.
The Shorter Bible L<^'en. 4. i.
CHAPTER III.
THE WORLD BEFORE THE FLOOD.
And Eve bare * Cain, and said, " I have gotten a man
The first from the Lord ! " And again she bare his
children. brother ^ Abel. And Abel was a keeper of
sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
'^And it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit
of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he
also brought of the firstlings of his flock and
corded offer- of the fat thereof. And the LORD had re-
^^^' spect unto Abel and to his offering ; but unto
Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain
was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the
Lord said unto Cain,
"Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance
fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?
And if thou doest not well — Sin coucheth at the door,
and unto thee* ''is its desire. But thou shouldest
rule over i t."
The first ^^^^ Cain told Abel, his brother. And
murder. jj- came to pass, when they were in the
field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and
slew him.
And the LORD said unto Cain, "Where is Abel, thy
brother? "
And he said, " I know not. Am I my brother's
keeper? "
And he said, " What hast thou done ? The voice of
thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
And now cursed art thou from the ground, which hath
opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from
thy hand. When thou tillest the ground, it shall not
» Hcb. Kanah, CJolten. "" 'I'liat is, A breath. Disappointment. ^First
mention of sacrifices. •' From R. V. niarg. * Words printed in tiiis style
are interpolated. So always in this book.
Gen. 4. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 7
henceforth yield unto thee her strength ; a fugitive and a
wanderer shalt thou be in the earth."
And Cain said unto the Lord, " My punishment is
greater than I can bear. Thou has driven me out, and
from thy face shall I be hid. Whosoever findeth me
shall slay me."
And the LORD said unto him, " Whosoever slayeth
Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And
the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him
should smite him.
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord,
and dwelt in the land of '-^ Nod on the east of Eden.
And he builded a city, and called the name of the city
after the name of his son, Enoch. And of the seed
of Cain in the fifth generation was born
Lamech. Lamech took unto him two wives ; the
name of the one was Adah, and of the other Zillah.
And Adah bare Jabal ; he was the father of such as
dwell in tents and have cattle. His brother's name was
Jubal ; he was the father of such as handle
the harp and pipe. And Zillah, she bare ^^^" ^°^^"
Tubal-cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of
'' brass and 'iron.
And Lamech, '^w h e n he saw the sword his
son had made, said unto his wives :
" Adah and Zillah, hear my voice ;
Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech :
For I will ''slay a man for wounding me.
And a young man for bruising me:
If Cain shall be avenged 'sevenfold,' of^t^e^Bfbfe^
Surely Lamech seventy and sevenfold."
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and be-
gat a son in his own likeness, and called his rp^^g ^^^
name ^ Seth. And the days of Adam after he seed.
begat Seth were eight hundred years; and he begat sons
and daughters. And all the days that Adam
lived were nine hundred and thirty years ; and Adam. °^
he died.
And Seth begat Enosh ; and Enosh begat Kenan ; and
"■ R. V. marg., That is, JVandering. ^ R. V. niarg., Or, copper, and so
elsewhere. "= Probably. '^ From R. V. marg. '' That is, Appointed.
8 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 5. 6.
Kenan, Mahalalel ; and Mahalalel, Jared; and Jared,
Enoch ; and Enoch, Methuselah, and other sons and
daughters.
And Enoch walked with God three hundred years.
Translation ^"^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^"^^t, for God took him. And
of Enoch. Methuselah begat Lamech, and other sons
and daughters. All the days of Methuselah were nine
hundred and sixty-nine years ; and he died. And
Lamech begat a son, and called his name ^ Noah, say-
ing, " This same shall comfort us." And Noah was five
hundred years old; and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and
Japheth.
* R. V. maig., Heb. Nahem, To comfort.
Gen. 6. 5.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
CHAPTER IV.
THE FLOOD : THE COVENANT WITH NOAH : THE CON-
FUSION OF TONGUES.
And the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was
great in the earth, and that every thought of his heart
was only evil continually ; and it grieved him ^he earth
at his heart. ' And God saw the earth, and, corrupt,
behold, it was corrupt. ^And the LORD said, "I will
destroy man from the face of the ground ; both man,
and beast, and creeping thing, and fowl of the air; for it
repenteth me that I have made them."
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Noah
was a righteous man, and perfect ; Noah walked with
God.
And God said unto Noah, " Make thee an ark of
gopher wood ; rooms shalt thou make in the
ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with ® ^^ *
pitch. The length of the ark three hundred cubits, the
breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty
cubits. A light shalt thou make to the ark, and the door
shalt thou set in the side thereof. With lower, second,
and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I do
bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all
flesh from under heaven ; everything that is in the earth
shall die. But I will establish my covenant with thee.
Thou shalt come into the ark, thou and thy sons, and
thy wife and thy sons' wives with thee. And of every
living thing, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the
ark, to keep them alive ; they shall be male and female.
Of fowl and cattle, of every creeping thing, two of every
sort shall come unto thee. B u t of every clean beast
thou shalt take to thee seven and seven, the male and
his female. And take thou unto thee of all food that is
eaten, and it shall be food for thee and for them."
' Gen. vi, 12. '^ Gen. vi, 7.
10 The vShorter Bible [<^'en. 6. 22.
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded
him, so did he.
And the Lord said unto Noah, " Come thou and all
thy house into the ark. For yet seven days and I will
cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty
nights, and every living thing that I have made will I
destroy from off the face of the earth."
And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.
„, ^ , Noah was six hundred years old '* when the
The flood. a ^ c 4. 4-u ^i
rlood ot waters was upon the earth.
And after the seven days, the fountains of the great
deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were
opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days
and forty nights. And the waters increased and bare up
the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth and went
upon the face of the waters. And all the high mountains
that were under the whole heaven were covered. And
all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both fowl and
cattle and beast and every creeping thing, and every
man. All that was in the dry land died. Noah only
was left, and they that were with him in the ark. And
the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty
days.
And God remembered Noah and every living thing
with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass
over the earth; the fountains also of the deep and the
windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from
heaven was restrained. And the waters returned from
off the earth; and after an hundred and fifty days the
waters were decreased. And the ark rested upon the
mountains of Ararat. And in the tenth month, on the
first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains
seen.
And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that
Leaving the Noah opened the window of the ark and
^^^- sent forth a raven ; and it went forth to and
fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the
waters were abated ; but the dove found no rest for the
* B. C. 2348, according to the commonly received chronology, whicli
will be used throughout this book.
Gen. 8. 9-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 11
sole of her foot, and she returned unto hun to the ark,
for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. And
he put forth his hand and took her, and brought her in
unto him.
And he stayed yet other seven days ; and again he
sent forth the dove. And the dove came in to him at
eventide ; and, lo, in her mouth an olive leaf plucked off.
So Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the
•earth. And he stayed yet other seven days, and sent
forth the dove, and she returned not again unto him any
more. And Noah removed the covering of the ark, and
looked, and, behold, the face of the earth was dried.
And God spake unto Noah, saying, " Go forth from
the ark." And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his
wife, and his sons' wives with him ; every beast, every
creeping thing, and every fowl.
And Noah builded. an altar unto the LORD ; and
took of every c^ean beast, and of every clean fowl, and
offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Noah's sac-
LORD smelled the sweet savor. And God "fice.
blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them,
" Multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you
shall be upon every beast of the earth and ,j,^^ cove-
every fowl of the air and upon all the fishes nant with
r 1 • 111 11- 1 Noah.
of -the sea ; mto your hand are they delivered.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you ;
as the green herb have I given you all. But flesh with
the life thereof, which is the blood, shall ye not eat.
" And surely your blood, the blood of your lives will I
require. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall
his blood be shed." For in the image of God made he
man.
And God spake unto Noah and to his sons with him,
saying, " I will establish my covenant with'you ; neither
shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
* While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and
cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and
night shall not cease. ^ And this is the token of the
covenant which I make between me and you : I do set
my bow in the cloud. It shall come to pass, when I
' Gen. viii, 22. '^ Gen. ix, I2.
12 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 9. 14.
bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen
in the cloud, and I will remember my covenant, which
is between me and you and every living creature ; and
the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all
flesh."
And the sons of Noah, that went forth out of the ark,
were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, these three; and
of these was the whole earth overspread.
And the whole earth was of one "- language and of one
speech.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they
Men plan- ^O"'"'*^ ^ plain in the land of Shinar ; and they
ning a great dwelt there. And they said one to another,
godlesscity. .. q^ ^^^ j^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^.-^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^j^^^^
thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and ''slime
had they for mortar.
And they said, " Go to, let us build us a city, and a
tower, whose top may reach unto heaven ; and let us
make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the
face of the whole earth."
And the Lord came down to see the city and the
Language tower, which the children of men builded.
confounded. And the LORD said, " Behold, they are one
people, and have all one language ; and this they begin
to do. And now nothing will be withholden from them
which they purpose to do. Go to, let us go down, and
there confound their language, that they may not under-
stand one another's speech."
So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon
the face of all the earth ; and they left off to build the
city. Therefore was the name of it called '^Babel, be-
cause the Lord did there confound the language of all
the earth.
'R. V. maig., Heb. /i/>. '' R. V. marg., That is, bitumen. "^ R. V.
marg., Heb. Balal, To confound.
Gen. II.26.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 13
CHAPTER V.
THE CALL AND JOURNEYS OF ABRAM : LOT ; HIS SEPA-
RATION FROM ABRAM, HIS CAPTIVITY AND RESCUE.
And Terah, of the seed of Shem, begat Abram,
Nahor, and Haran ; and Haran bespat Lot.
And Haran died in the presence of his father, family and
in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chal- JQ^^^^^y^-
dees. And Abram and Nahor took them wives ; the
name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Na-
hor's wife Milcah, the daughter of Haran.
And Terah took Abram and Lot and Sarai, and went
forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the
land of Canaan. And they came to Haran and dwelt
there. And the days of Terah were two hundred and
five years. And Terah died in Haran.
^ Now the Lord said unto Abram, " Get thee out of
thy country, and from thy kindred, and from Abram
thy father's house, unto the land that I will blessed.
show thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and
I will bless thee, and make thy name great ; and be thou
a blessing; and in thee shall all the families of the earth
be blessed."
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's
son, and all their substance that they had gathered, '' and
they went forth to go into the land of Canaan ; and into
the land of Canaan they came. ' Abram was seventy
and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
And Abram passed through the land unto Shechem,
And the Canaanite was then in the land.
And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said,
" Unto thy seed will 1 give this land." And An altar
there builded he an altar unto the Lord, buiided.
who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence
unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched
'Gen. xii, 4. | * Acts vii, 2, 3. '' B. C. 1921.
14 The Shorter Bhjle [Gen. 12.8.
his tent ; and there he builded an altar unto the Lord,
and called upon the name of the LORD.
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in
gold. Lot also had flocks and herds and tents.
And there was a strife between the herdmen of
Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's
of^brlun"^ cattlc. And Abram said unto Lot, " Let
and Lot. there be no strife, I pray thee, between me
and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen ;
for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee?
Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me. If thou wilt
take the left hand, then I will go to the right ; or if thou
take the right hand, then I will go to the left."
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain
of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere. So Lot
chose all the Plain of Jordan ; and Lot journeyed east.
They separated themselves the one from the other.
Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in
the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent as far as
Sodom.
Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners be-
fore the Lord exceedingly.
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was
separated from him, " Lift up now thine eyes, and look
from the place where thou art, northward
i^ndp^^m^ and southward and eastward and westward,
ised Abram. Pq^ ^\\ the land which thou seest, to thee
will I give it, and to thy seed forever. And I will
make thy seed as the dust of the earth ; if a man can
number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed
also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the
length of it and in the breadth of it ; for unto thee will I
give it."
Antl Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by
Abramat the oaks of Mamre, which are in "■ Hebron,
Hebron. ^ud bujlt there an altar unto the LORD.
And it came to pass that kings from the east
made war with the king of Sodom and the king of
Gomorrah. And the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah
fled. And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomor-
" Now always called after Abram FJ-Kha-lll, Tlie friend.
Gen. 14. II.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 15
rah, and all their victuals, and went their way. And
they took Lot, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods.
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram
the Hebrew. And when Abram heard that
his brother was taken captive, he led forth his tured^es-
trained men, born in his house, three hundred ^^^ed.
and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan. And he di-
vided himself against them by night, he and his servants,
and brought back all the goods, and his brother Lot,
and the women also, and the people.
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after
his return.
And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread
and wine ; and he was priest of God Most
High. And he blessed him, and said, give^"tithes
" Blessed be Abram of God Most High, pos- ^°k^®^''^^''^'
sessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be
God Most High, which hath delivered thine enemies into
thy hand."
And Abram gave him a ^ tenth of all.
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, " Give me
the persons, and take the goods to thyself."
And Abram said, " I will not take a thread nor a shoe-
latchet, lest thou shouldst say, ' I have made Abram
rich.' Save only that which the young men have eaten,
and the portion of the men which went with me ; let
them take their portion."
* First mention of tithe. See Lev. xxvii, 30.
16 The Shorter Bible [<^'e'i. 15. i.
CHAPTER VI.
the birth of ISHMAEL; the promise of ISAAC;
DESTRUCTION OF THE CITIES OF THE PLAIN.
After these things the word of the LORD came
unto Abram in a vision, saying, " Fear not,
promised Abram ; I am thy shield and thy exceeding
Abram. ^^^^^ reward."
And Abram said, " Lord God, what wilt thou give me,
seeing I go childless?"
And the Lord brought him forth abroad, and
said, " Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars,
if thou be able to number them. So shall thy seed
be."
And he believed in the LORD ; and he counted it to
him for righteousness.
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bare him no children ; and
she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose
Hagar. name was Hagar. And Sarai took Hagar
and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife.
And when Hagar saw that she had conceived, her
mistress was despised in her eyes.
And Sarai dealt hardly with her, and she fled. And
the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water
in the wilderness. And he said, " Hagar, whence
camest thou ? and whither goest thou ? "
And she said, " I flee from the face of my mistress,
Sarai."
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, " Return
to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Behold, thou shalt bear a son ; and thou shalt call his
name Ishmael, because the Lord hath heard thy afflic-
tion. And he shall be as a wild ass among men; his
hand shall be against every man, and every man's
hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence
of all his brethren."
Gen. i6. 13.] ChRONOLOGTCALLY ARRANGED. 17
And she called the name of the I.ORD that spake
unto her, ^ " Thou art a God that seeth."
And Hagar bare Abram a son. And Abram called
the name of his son '' Ishmael. And Abram ishmaei
was fourscore and six years old when Hagar bom.
bare Ishmael to Abram.
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine,
the Lord ° appeared to Abram, and said unto him,
" I am God Almighty ; walk before me, and be thou
perfect."
And Abram fell on his face ; and God talked with
him, saying, " Behold, my covenant is with thee. Thou
shalt be the father of a multitude of nations. Neither
shall thy name any more be called Abram, but Abra-
ham ; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee,
the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of
Canaan, for an everlasting possession. And I will be
their God."
And God said unto Abraham, " This is my covenant,
which ye shall keep : Every male among you
shall be circumcised. It shall be a token cisionestab-
of a covenant betwixt me and you. He
that is eight days old shall be circumcised among
you."
And God said unto Abraham, "As for Sarai thy
wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but '^ Sarah
shall her name be. And I will bless her, and more-
over I will give thee a son also of her. And she
shall be a mother of nations ; kings of people shall be
of her."
Then Abraham fell upon his face and laughed, and
said in his heart, " Shall a child be born unto him that
is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety
years old, bear?"
And Abraham said unto God, " Oh that Ishmael might
live before thee ! "
And God said, " Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear
" R. v. niarg., Or, T/um God seest me, '' R. V. marg., Tliat is, Cod
hcareth. " Thirteen years after birth of Ishmael. ^ R. V. marg., That
is, Princess.
18 The vShorter Bible [Gen. 17. 19.
thee a son, and thou shalt call his name ^ Isaac. And I
Isaac prom- '^^'^^ establish my covenant with him for an
ised. everlasting covenant. And as for Ishmael, I
have heard thee. Behold, I have blessed him, and will
make him a great nation ; but my covenant will I establish
with Isaac."
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were
born in his house, and all that were bought with his
money, every male, and circumcised them the selfsame
day, as God had said unto him. Abraham was ninety
years old and nine, when he was circumcised, and Ishmael
his son was thirteen years old.
And the Lord appeared unto him by the oaks of
Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the
day. And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo,
three men stood over against him. And when he saw
them, he ran to meet them, and bowed himself toward
the earth, and said, " My lord, if now I have found favor
in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant.
Let a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and
rest yourselves under the tree ; and I will fetch a morsel
of bread, and comfort ye your heart. After that ye shall
pass on,"
And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah,
and said, " Make ready quickly three measures of fine
meal, knead it, and make cakes."
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf
tender and good, and gave it unto the servant ;
entertains and he hasted to dress it. And he took but-
angeis. ^^^^ ,^^^^ milk, and the calf which he had
dressed, and set it before them. And he stood by them
under the tree, and they did eat.
And they said unto him, " Where is Sarah, thy
wife ?"
And he said, "Behold, in the tent."
And he said, " Lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son !"
And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind
him. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself.
And the Lord said unto Abraham, " Wherefore
did Sarah laugh ? Is anything too hard for the LoRD?"
" R. V. marg. , From llcb. word mcaniiijj; /<> /aiis^h.
(..en. i8. 15.] Cm<ONf)I,(K;iCALLY AkRANfiKI). 19
llicn Sarah denied, saying, " I laughed not ; " for she
was afraid.
And he said, " Nay; but thou didst laugh."
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward
Sodom. And Abraham went with them to bring them
on the way.
And the LORD said, " Shall I hide from Abraham that
thing which I do, seeing that Abraham shall surely be-
come a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of
the earth shall be blessed in him ? For I have known
him, to the end that he may command his children after
him, that they may keep the way of the Lord, to do
justice and judgment; to the end that the Lord may
bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of
him."
And the Lord said, "Because the cry of Sodom and
Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grievous, I will
go down now and see whether they have done altogether
according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and
if not, 1 will know."
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went
toward Sodom ; but Abraham stood yet before the
Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said,
" Wilt thou consume the righteous with the intercedes
wicked? Pcradventure there be fifty right- ^^^-Sodom.
eous within the city; wilt thou not spare the place?
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay
the righteous with the wicked. Shall not the Judge of
all the earth do right?"
And the Lord said, " If I find fifty righteous within
the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake."
And Abraham answered and .said, " l^ehold now, I
which am but dust and ashes have taken upon me to
speak unto the LORD. Pcradventure there shall lack
five of the fifty righteous; wilt thou destroy all the city
for lack of five? "
And he said, " If I find there forty and five, I will not
destroy it."
And he spake unto him yet again, and said, " Pcrad-
venture there shall be forty found there."
And he said, " I will not do it for forty's sake."
20 The Shorter Bh^le [Gen. i8. 30.
And he said, " Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I
will speak. Peradventure there shall be thirty found
there."
And the Lord said, "I will not do it, if I find
thirty there."
And he said, " Behold now, I have taken upon me to
speak unto the LoRD. Peradventure there shall be
twenty found there?"
And he said, " I will not destroy it for twenty's sake."
And Abraham said, "Oh let not the LoRD be
angry, and I will speak yet but this once. Peradven-
ture ten shall be found there."
And he said, " I will not destroy it for ten's sake."
And the LORD went his wa}% and Abraham returned
unto his place.
And the two angels came to Sodom at even, and Lot
sat in the gate of Sodom. And Lot saw them, and rose
up to meet them. And he bowed himself with his face
to tlie earth, and said, " Behold now, my
The angels , i . -it • <-
visit anci lords, turn aside, 1 pray you, into your serv-
save ot. ant's house, and tarry all night, and wash
your feet. And ye shall rise up early, and go on your
ways."
And they said, " Nay ; but we will abide in the street
all night." And he urged them greatly; and they turned
in unto him, and entered into his house ; and he made
them a feast, and they did eat.
But before they lay down, the men of the city, even
the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both
young and old, all the people from every quarter. And
they called unto Lot, and said unto him, " Where are the
men that came in to thee this night? Bring them out
unto us."
'^ And Lot went out and shut the door after him, and
said, " I pray you, my brethren, do not so wickedly."
And they said, " Stand ijack." And they pressed sore
upon Lot, and drew near to break the door. But ''the
men put forth their hand, and brought Lot into the
house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote
the men that were at the dooi of the house with blind-
"2 Peter ii, 7. '' Tliat is, llie angels.
Gen. 19- II.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 21
ness, both small and great ; so that they wearied them-
selves to find the door.
And the men said unto Lot, " Hast thou here any be-
sides? Son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and
whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of the
place; for we will destroy this place, because the cry of
them is waxen great before the LORD."
And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, and
said, " Up, get you out of this place, for the Lord will
destroy this city."
But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-
law.
And when the morning arose, the angels hastened Lot,
saying, "Arise, lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of
the city."
But he lingered ; and the men laid hold upon his hand,
and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his
two daughters, the LORD being merciful unto him. And
they brought him forth without the city, and said, " Es-
cape for thy life. Look not behind thee, neither stay
thou in all the Plain. Escape to the mountain, lest
thou be consumed."
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she
became a pillar of salt.
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah
brimstone and fire. And he overthrew those ^
cities, and all the inhabitants, and that which the Plain
, , , destroyed.
grew upon the ground.
And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the
place where he had stood before the LORD. And he
looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah. And, lo, the smoke
of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace !
And when God destroyed the cities of the Plain in the
which Lot dwelt, God remembered Abraham, and sent
Lot out of the midst of the overthrow.
22 The Shorter Bhjle l^'cn.
CHAPTER VII.
the Bn<TH OF ISAAC: ABRAHAM'S FAITH TESTED:
DEATH OF SARAH: FINDING A WIFE FOR ISAAC.
And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said ; and Sarah
bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of
which God had spoken to him. And Abra-
ham called the name of his son ^ Isaac. And
Abraham circumcised his son when he was eight days
old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was
an hundred years old when his son Isaac was born.
And Sarah said, " God hath made me to laugh.
Everyone that heareth will laugh with me. Who
would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have
borne him a son in his old age?"
And the child grew, and was weaned ; and Abraham
made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which
she had borne unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she
said unto Abraham, "Cast out this bondwoman and her
son ; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir
with my son." And the thing was very grievous in
Abraham's sight.
And God said unto Abraham, " Let it not be grievous
in thy sight because of the lad. In all that Sarah hath
said, hearken unto her voice ; for in Isaac shall thy seed
be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will
I make a nation, because he is thy seed."
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took
bread and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar,
putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her
away. And she departed, and wandered in
ishm^aei^'^ thc wilderness of Becr-sheba. And the
away, -yy^^er in the bottle was spent, and she cast
thc child under one of the shrubs, and went and sat her
•* Tliat is, LatiglUer.
Gen. 21. i6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 23
down a good way off. For she said, " Let me not look
upon the death of the child." And she lifted up her
voice and wept.
And God heard the voice of the lad ; and the angel of
God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her,
"What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not; for God hath
heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the
lad, and hold him in thine hand ; for I will make him a
great nation."
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of
water ; and she went, and filled the bottle with water,
and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad, and
he grew, and became an archer. And he dwelt in the
wilderness of Paran ; and his mother took him a wife
out of the land of Egypt.
And it came to pass after these things, that God did
prove Abraham, and said unto him, " Abra- ^^ ^
f^ , ,, ' Abraham
ham I tested.
And he said, " Here am I."
And he said, " Take now thy son, thine only son,
whom thou lovest, even ^ Isaac, and get thee into the
land of Moriah ; and offer him there for a burnt offering
upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."
And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled
his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and
Igaac his son. He clave the wood for the burnt offering,
and rose up, and went.
On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw
the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young
men, " Abide here with the ass, and I and the lad will
go yonder ; and we will worship, and come again to you."
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering,
and laid it upon Isaac his son ; and he took in his hand
the fire and the knife ; and they went both of them
together.
And Isaac spake unto his father, and said, " My
father ! "
And he said, " Here am I, my son."
And he said, " Behold the fire and the wood, but
where is the lamb for a burnt offering ? "
"No "laughter" now, but weeping.
24 The Shorter Bible l^en. 22. 8.
And Abraham said, " God will provide himself the
lamb, my son."
And they came to the place. And Abraham built
the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound
Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the
knife to slay his son.
And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of
heaven, and said, " Abraham, Abraham ! "
And he said, " Here am I."
And he said, " Lay not thine hand upon the lad ; for
now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not
withheld thy son, thine only son, from me."
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and be-
hold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns.
And Abraham took the ram, and offered him for a burnt
offering in the stead of his son.
And Abraham called the name of that place ^Je-
hovah-jireh.
And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham a
second time out of heaven, and said, " By myself have I
sworn, saith the LoRD, because thou hast not withheld
Abraham thy son, thine only son, that in blessing I
blessed. y^[\\ bless thee, and in multiplying I will mul-
tiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the
sand which is upon the seashore. And in thy seed shall
all the nations of the earth be blessed ; because thou
hast obeyed my voice."
So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they
rose up and went together to Beer-sheba ; and Abiaham
dwelt at Beer-sheba.
And the life of Sarah was an hundred and seven and
Deathof twenty years; and Sarah died in Hebron,
Sarah. jn the land of Canaan. And Abraham came
to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and
spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
" I am a stranger and a sojourner with you. Give me
a burying place, that I may bury my dead."
And tiie children of Heth answered Abraham, saying,
» R. V. marg., That is, TAe Lord 'mi II provide.
Gen. 23. 6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 25
" Hear us, my lord. Thou art a mighty prince among us.
In the choice of our sepulchers bury thy dead. None
of us shall withhold from thee his sepulcher."
And Abraham bowed himself, and communed with
them, saying: " Intreat forme to Ephron, the son of
Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah,
which he hath ; for the full price let him give it to me
for a burying place."
Now Ephron was sitting in the midst of the children
of Heth. And Ephron answered,
" Nay, my lord, hear me. The field give I thee, and
the cave that is therein. Bury thy dead."
And Abraham spake unto Ephron, saying,
" But if thou wilt, I pray thee, hear me. I will give
thee the price of the field ; take it of me, and I will bury
my dead there."
And Ephron answered Abraham, " My lord, hearken
unto me. A piece of land worth ^four hun-
dred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt Machpelah.^
me and thee ?"
And Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which
he had named, four hundred shekels of silver. So the
field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, the field and
the cave, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession.
And Abraham buried Sarah, his wife, in the cave.
And Abraham was old an'd well stricken in age. And
Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house,
that ruled over all that he had, " Put, I pray thee, thy
hand under my thigh, and I will make thee
swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and w^efof ^
earth, that thou shalt not take a wife for my Isaac,
son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I
dwell ; but thou shalt go unto my country, and to my
kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac."
And the servant said unto him, " Peradventure the
woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land ;
must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from
whence thou camest?"
And Abraham said unto him, " Beware that thou
bring not my son thither again. The Lord shall send
" An exorbitant price.
5
26 The Shorter Bhjle [Gen. 24. 7.
his angel before thee. If the woman be not wilhng to
follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath;
only thou shalt not bring my son thither again."
And the servant took ten camels and departed, hav-
ing all goodly things of his master's in his hand. And
he went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. And
he made the camels to kneel down without the city by
the well of water at the time of evening, the time that
women go out to draw water.
And he said, " O LoRD, the God of my master Abra-
ham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and
show kindness unto my master Abraham."
And behold, Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, came
out with her pitcheruponhershoulder. Thedam-
Rebekah. ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^j^. ^^ ^^^^^ upon. And she went
down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, " Give me,
I pray thee, a little water."
And she said, " Drink, my lord ; and I will draw
water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking."
And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the
trough, and ran again unto the well, and drew for all his
camels. And the man looked steadfastly on her, holding
his peace.
And as the camels had done drinking, the man took a
golden ring, and two bracelets for her hands, and said,
" Whose daughter art thou ? Is there room in thy
father's house for us to lodge in ? "
And she said unto him, " I am the daughter of
Bethuel, the son of Nahor. We have both straw and
provender enough, and room to lodge in."
And the man bowed his head, and worshiped the
Lord, and said, " Blessed be the Lord, the God of my
master Abraham. The LoRD hath led me to the house
of my master's brethren."
And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house. And
Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban; and
when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon his sister's
hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah, his sis-
ter, saying, " Thus spake the man unto me," he ' ran out
' Gen. xxiv, 29.
Gen. 24. 29.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 27
unto the man, and said, " Come in, thou blessed of the
Lord ; wherefore standest thou without ? For I have
prepared the house, and room for the camels,"
And the man came into the house ; and he ungirded his
camels, and he gave straw and provender for the camels,
and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were
with him. And there was set meat before him to eat.
But he said,
" I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. I am
Abraham's servant. The Lord hath blessed my master
greatly, and hath given him flcjcks and herds, and silver
and gold, and menservants and maidservants, and camels
and asses; and he is become great. And Sarah, my mas-
ter's wife, bare a son to my master when she was old ; and
unto him hath he given all that he hath. And my master
made me swear, saying, ' Thou shalt not take a wife for
my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land
I dwell ; but thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to
my kindred, and take a wife for my son.' And I came
this day unto the fountain, and said, ' O LORD, God of my
master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I
go : behold, I stand by the fountain of water ; and let it
come to pass, that the maiden which cometh forth to draw,
to whom I shall say, " Give me, I pray thee, a little water
of thy pitcher to drink ; " and she shall say to me, " Both
drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: " let the
same be the woman whom the Lord hath appointed for
my master's son.' And before I had done speaking in mine
heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on
her shoulder ! And she went down unto the fountain,
and drew. And I said unto her, ' Let me drink, I pray
thee.' And she made haste, and let down her pitcher
from her shoulder, and said, ' Drink, and I will give thy
camels drink also.' And I asked her, and said, ' Whose
daughter art thou.?' And she said, ' The daughter of
Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him.'
And I bowed my head, and worshiped the LORD, and
blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham,
which had led me in the right way to take my mas-
ter's brother's daughter for his son. And now, if ye
will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me ; and
28 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 24. 49.
if not, tell me ; that I may turn to the right hand, or to
the left."
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, " The
thing proceedeth from the LORD. We cannot speak
unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee.
Take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife,
as the Lord hath spoken."
And it came to pass that, when Abraham's servant
heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth
unto the LORD. And the servant brought forth jewels
of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them
to Rebekah. He gave also to her brother and to her
mother precious things. And they did eat and drink, he
and the men that weie with him, and tarried all night.
And in the morning he said, " Send me away unto my
master."
And her brother and her mother said, " Let the dam-
sel abide with us a few days, at the least ten ; after that
she shall go."
And he said unto them, " Hinder me not, seeing the
Lord hath prospered my way. Send me away that I
may go to my master."
And they said, "We will call the damsel, and inquire
at her mouth."
And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, " Wilt
thou go with this man ? "
And she said, "I will go."
And Rebekah arose, and her nurse, and her damsels,
and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man.
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the
eventide ; and he lifted up his eyes, and, behold, there
were camels coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes.
The meet- ^"*^ when she saw Isaac, she lighted off tlie
ine of Isaac camel. And she said unto the servant, " What
and Rebek- . , . , , , i •,,/-, , in
ah. nrian is this that walketh in the field to meet us.''
And the servant said, " It is my master." And she
took her veil, and covered herself.
And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
And Isaac took Rebekah, and brought her into his
mother Sarah's tent, and she became his wife; and he loved
her. And Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Gen. 25. 5. J Chronologically Arranged. 29
CHAPTER VIII.
DEATH OF ABRAHAM : HISTORY OF ISAAC : EARLY LIFE
OF JACOB AND ESAU.
And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.
And these are the days of the years of Abraham's Hfe
which he hved, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
And Abraham gave up the ghost, and died, an Death of
old man, and full of years ; and was gathered Abraham,
to his people. And Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, ^ buried
him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron
the Hittite, which is before Mamre ; the field which
Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth. There was
Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that
God blessed Isaac, his son. ' And the man waxed great,
and grew more and more ; and he had flocks and herds,
and a great household.
^ Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to be
his wife. And Isaac intreatcd the LORD for his wife,
because she was barren. And Rebekah bare twins,
''Jacob and Esau.
And the boys grew; and Esau was a cunning hunter,
a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain jacob and
man, dwelling in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau.
Esau, because he did eat of his venison ; and Rebekah
loved Jacob.
And Jacob sod pottage ; and Esau came in from the
field, and he was faint. And Esau said unto Jacob,
" Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pot-
tage ; for I am faint." Therefore was his name called
^ Edom.
' Gen. xxvi, 13,
^ Gen. XXV, 20.
" Gen. xlix, 29-32. ^ R. V. maig.,
That is, One who supplants. ' R. V.
marg., That is, /^ed.
30 The Shorter Bh^le [Gen. 25. 31.
And Jacob said, " Sell me this day thy birthright."
And Esau said, "Behold, I am at the
gains for the point to die, and what profit shall the birth-
Birthright. j.jgj^^ dome?" And he sold his birthright
unto Jacob. So Esau despised his birthright.
And when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so
that he could not see, he called Esau, his elder son, and
said unto him, " My son ! "
Jacob se- ^"'^ Esau Said, " Here am I."
cures the And he said, " Behold now, I am old, I
firstborn's , , . - i i ^t^ i i
blessing by kuow uot the day oi my death, lake thy
bow, and go out to the field, and take me
venison; and make me savory meat, such as I love, and
bring it to me, that I may eat ; that my soul may bless
thee before I die."
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau, his son.
And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison. And
Rebekah spake unto Jacob, her son, saying, " Behold, I
heard thy father speak unto Esau, saying, ' Bring me
venison, that I may eat, and bless thee.' Now there-
fore, my son, fetch me two good kids of the goats. I
will make savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth ;
and thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat,
and bless thee before his death."
And Jacob said to his mother, " Behold, Esau is a
hairy man, and I am a smooth man. My father will
feel me, and I shall seem to him a deceiver."
And his mother said unto him, " Only obey my voice,
and go fetch me them."
And he went, and brought them to liis mother ; and
s h c made savory meat, such as his father loved. i\nd
Rebekah took the goodly raiment of Esau, and put them
upon Jacob ; and she put the skins of the kids upon his
hands, and upon the smooth of his neck ; and she gave
the savory meat and bread, which she had prepared, into
the hand of Jacob. And he came unto his father, and
said, " My father ! "
And Isaac said, " Here am I. Who art thou, my son?''
And Jacob said, " I am Esau, thy firstborn. I have
done according as thou badest me. Arise, I pray thee,
and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me."
Gen. 27. 21.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 31
And Isaac said unto Jacob, " Come near, I pray thee,
that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very
son Esau or not."
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father, and he
felt him, and said, " The voice is Jacob's voice, but the
hands are the hands of Esau." And he discerned him
not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's
hands.
And his father Isaac said unto him, " Come near now,
and kiss me, my son."
And he came near, and kissed him. And he smelled
the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said,
" See ! The smell of my son
Is as the smell of a field which the LORU hath blessed.
God give thee of the dew of heaven,
And of the fatness of the earth.
And plenty of corn and wine.
Let peoples serve thee,
And nations bow down to thee."
And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an
end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone
out from the presence of his father, that Esau, his brother,
came in from his hunting. He also made savory meat,
and brought it unto his father, and said, " Let my father
arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may
bless me."
And his father said unto him, " Who art thou ? "
And he said, "I am thy son, thy firstborn, Esau."
And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, " Who
then is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and
I have eaten before thou camest, and have blessed hirnr? "
And when Esau heard the words of his father, he
cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said,
" Bless me, even me also, O my father."
And he said, " Thy brother came with guile, and hath
taken away thy blessing."
And Esau said, " Is not he rightly named ^ Jacob?
for he hath supplanted me these two times. He took
away my birthright, and, behold, now he hath taken
away my blessing."
" yacoh means in Heb. Supplanter,
32 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 27. 38.
And Esau said unto his father, " Hast thou but one
blessing, niy father? Bless me, even me also, O my
father." And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
And Isaac, his father, answered and said unto him,
" Behold, of the fatness of the earth shall be thy
dwelling,
And of the dew from heaven above ;
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve
thy brother ;
And it shall come to pass when thou shalt break
loose.
That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck."
Esau's And Esau hated Jacob, and said in his
hatred. heart, " The days of mourning for my father
are at hand ; then will I slay Jacob."
And the words of Esau were told to Rebekah. And
she sent and called Jacob, and said unto him, " Behold,
thy brother Esau doth comfort himself, purposing to kill
thee. Now therefore, my son, arise, flee thou to Laban,
my brother, to Haran, and tarry with him a few days,
until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he
forget that which thou hast done to him. Then will I
send, and fetch thee from thence. Why should I be be-
reaved of you both in one day?"
And Rebekah said imto Isaac, " I am weary of my life
* because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob take a
wife of the daughters of Heth, the daughters of the land,
what good shall my life do me ? "
And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged
him, and said unto him, "Thou shalt not take a wife of
the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Paddan-aram.
and take thee a wife from the daughters of '' Laban, thy
mother's brother. And God bless thee."
And Jacob went out from Becr-sheba toward Haran.
Jacob's -^'i<^l ^^c lighted upon a certain place, and
flight. tarried there all night, because the sun was
set. And he took one of the stones of the place, and
Jacob's P"^ '^ under his head, and lay down in that
ladder. place to slccp. And he dreamed, and behold
a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached
" Gen. xxvi. 34, 35. '' Gen. xxiv, 29.
Gen. 28. 12,] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 33
to heaven ; and behold the angels of God ascendhig and
descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above
it, and said,
" I am the LORU, the God of Abraham thy father, and
the God of Isaac, The land whereon thou liest, to thee
will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be
as the dust of the earth ; and thou shalt spread abroad
to the west and the east, to the north and the south ;
and in thee and thy seed shall all the families of the
earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will
keep thee whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee
again into this land, 1 will not leave thee,"
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said,
" Surely the LORD is in this place, and I knew it not."
And he was afraid, and said, " How dreadful is this
place ! This is none other but the house of God, and
this is the gate of heaven."
And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the
stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a
pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called
the name of that place ■' Beth-el. But the name of the
city was Luz at the first.
And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, " If God will be with
me, and wnll keep me in this way that I go, and will give
me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so
T '. /- . 1 > 1 • Jacob prom-
that I come agam to my lathers house in isesthe
peace, then shall the LORD be my God, and
this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be
God's house. And of all that thou shalt give me I will
surely give ^ the tenth unto thee,"
" R. V. marg., That is, The house of God. ^ Gen. xiv, 20 ; Lev, xxvii, 30.
34 The Shorter Bible [Cen. 29. i.
CHAPTER IX.
JACOB IN PADDAN-ARAM.
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the
land of the children of the east. And he "looked, and
behold a well in the field, and, lo, three flocks of sheep
lying by it ; for out of that well they watered the flocks.
And the stone upon the well's mouth was great.
And he said unto them, " My brethren, whence be
ye?"
And they said, " Of Haran,"
And he said, " Know ye Laban?"
And they said, "We know him ; and, behold, Rachel,
his daughter, cometh."
While he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her
Jacob meet- father's sheep ; for she kept them. And when
ing Rachel. Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his
mother's brother, and the sheep, Jacob went near, and
rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the
flock. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice,
and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was Rcbck-
ah's son ; and she ran and told her father. And Laban
ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him,
and brought him to his house, and said unto him,
" Surely thou art my bone and my flesh." And he
abode with him the space of a month.
And Laban said unto Jacob, " J^ccause thou art my
brother, shouldst thou therefore serve me for naught?
Tell me, what shall thy wages be ? "
And Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel.
Leah's eyes were tender, but Rachel was beautiful and
well favored.
And Jacob said, " I will serve thee seven years for
Rachel, thy younger daughter."
And Laban said, "It is better that I give her to thee
than to another. Abide with me."
Gen. 29. 20.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 35
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel ; and they
seemed unto him but a few days, for the love
he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, for^Richef.
"Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled."
And Laban gathered together all the men of the place,
and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening,
that he took Leah, his daughter, and brought her to
Jacob.
And Laban gave unto Leah Zilpah for an
handmaid. SBIh
And it came to pass that in the morning, ^^'^ Rachel,
behold, it was Leah !
And he said to Laban, ^ '* What is this thou hast
done ? Did not I serve with thee for Rachel ? Where-
fore then hast thou beguiled me ? "
And Laban said, " It is not so done in our place, to
give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfill the week
of this one, and we will give thee the other also for the
service which thou shalt serve me with yet seven other
years."
And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week ; and he gave
him Rachel his daughter to wife. And Laban gave
Rachel Bilhah to be her handmaid.
And Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, and
served with him yet other seven years.
'Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: the sons of
Leah, Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon and Levi
and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun, ^and Jacob's chii-
afterward she bare a daughter and called her ^^®"-
name Dinah ; ^ the sons of Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin ;
the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, Dan and Naph-
tali ; the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid. Gad and
Asher.
And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph,
that Jacob said to Laban, " Send me away, that I may
go unto mine own country. Give me my wives and
my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me
go."
And Laban said unto him, " Tarry n o w, for the LORD
'Gen. XXXV, 23. ^Gen. xxxv, 24. I "Retribution. See chap, xxvii.
' Gen. xxx, 21.
36 The vSiioktkr Bible [Gen. 30. 27.
hath blessed me for thy sake. Appoint me thy wages,
and I will give it."
And Jacob said unto him, "Thou knowest how I
have served thee, and how thy cattle hath fared with
me. It was little wliich thou hadst before I came, and
it hath increased into a multitude. And now when shall
I provide for mine own house also? "
And he said, " What shall I give thee? "
Jacob gain- •^•''cl Jacob Said, " If thou wilt do this thing
ing riches. for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.
I will pass through all thy flock to-day, and all the brown
cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled
among the goats; of such shall be my hire."
And Laban said, "Let it be according to thy word."
And Laban removed that day the goats that were
streaked and spotted, and everyone that had white in it,
and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them
into the hand of liis sons. And he set three days' jour-
ney betwixt himself and Jacob. And Jacob fed the rest
of Laban's flocks.
And Jacob increased exceedingly, and the flocks
brought forth cattle, streaked and spotted. The man
had large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and
camels and asses.
And he heard Laban's sons saying, " Jacob hath
taken away all that was our father's. Of that which was
our father's hath he gotten all this glory." And Jacob
beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not
toward him as beforetime.
And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the
field unto his flock, and said unto them, " I see your
father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before-
time. But the God of my father hath been with me.
And ye know that with all my power I have served your
father. And your father hath deceived me, and changed
my wages ten times ; but God suffered him not to hurt
me. And the angel of God said unto me in a dream,
'Arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the
land of thy nativity.' "
And Rachel and Leah said unto him, " Whatsoever
God hath said unto thee, do."
Gen.3i.i7-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 37
Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives
upon camels ; and he carried away all his cat-
tle, and all his substance which he had gath- cape from"
ered, to go to Isaac, his father, unto the land ^^^'^''•
of Canaan.
Now Laban was gone to shear his sheep. And it was
told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. And
he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him
seven days' journey, and overtook him in the mountain
of Gilead. And God came to Laban in a dream of the
night, and said unto him, " Take heed that thou speak
not to Jacob either good or bad."
And Laban came up with Jacob, and said, " "What
hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares,
and carried away my daughters as captives of the sword?
Wherefore didst thou not tell me, that I might have sent
thee away with mirth and with songs, with tabret and
with harp ; and hast not suffered me to kiss my sons
and my daughters? Now hast thou done foolishly. It
is in the power of my hand to do you hurt ; but the God
of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, ' Take
heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.' "
And Jacob answered and said to Laban, " Because I
was afraid, lest thou shouldst take thy daughters from
me by force."
And Jacob was wroth, and said to Laban, " What is
my trespass? What is my sin, that thou hast hotly
pursued after me? This twenty years have I been with
thee. Thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their
young, and the rams of thy flocks have I not eaten.
That which was torn of beasts, I bare the loss of it. Of
my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day or
stolen by night. In the day the drought consumed me,
and the frost by night ; and my sleep fled from mine
eyes. These twenty years have I served thee, fourteen
years for thy two daughters, and six for thy flock ; and
thou hast changed my wages ten times. Except the
God of my father had been with me, surely now hadst
thou sent me away empty. God hath seen mine afflic-
tion and the labor of my hands, and rebuked thee yester-
night."
38 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 31. 43.
And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, " The
daughters are my daughters, and the children are my
children, and the flocks are my flocks, and all that thou
Covenant seest is mine. And what can I do this day
between unto tlicsc my daughters, or unto their
Laban. children which they have borne ? Now
come, let us make a covenant, I and thou ; and let it be
for a witness between me and thee."
And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar,
and said unto his brethren, " Gather stones." And they
took stones, and made an heap.
And Laban said, " This heap is a witness between me
and thee this day." Therefore was the name of it called
''Galeed; and ^ Mizpah, for he said, "The Lord watch
between me and thee, when we are absent one from
another."
And Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and
called his brethren to eat bread. And they did eat
bread, and tarried all night in the mountain. And early
in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and
his daughters, and blessed them. And Laban departed,
and returned unto his place.
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God
met him. And Jacob said, when he saw them, " This is
God's host." And he called the name of that place
<= Mahanaim.
» R. V. mai-g., That is, T/ie heap of -ivitness, in Heb. '• R.,V. marg.,
That is, The zuatchtozver. " R. V. marg., That is, Two hosts.
Gen. 32. 3.J Chronologically Arranged. 39
CHAPTER X.
JACOB MEETING ESAU.
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau, his
brother, unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom, saying,
" Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau, ' Thus saith
thy servant Jacob, " I have sojourned with j^cob meet-
Laban, and stayed until now; and I have ingEsau.
oxen, and asses and flocks, and menservants and maid-
servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may
find grace in thy sight." ' "
And the messengers returned, saying, " We came to
thy brother Esau, and moreover he cometh to meet thee,
and four hundred men with him."
Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. And
he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks,
and the herds, and the camels, into two companies, and
said, " If Esau come to the one company, and smite it,
then the company which is left shall escape."
And Jacob said, " O God of my father Abraham, and
God of my father Isaac, O LORD, which saidst Jacob's
unto me, ' Return unto thy country, and to prayer,
thy kindred, and I will do thee good,' I am not worthy
of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which
thou hast showed unto thy servant ; for with my staff I
passed over this Jordan ; and now I am become two
companies. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of
my brother Esau ; for I fear him, lest he come and
smite me, and the mother with the children. And
thou saidst, 'T will surely do thee good, and make thy
seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered
for multitude.' "
And he took a present for Esau, his brother; two hun-
dred and twenty goats, two hundred ewes and twenty
rams, thirty milch camels with their colts, fifty cattle,
and t h i r t y a s s e s. And he delivered them into the
40 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 32. 16.
hand of his servants, every drove by itself; and said
unto his servants, " Pass over before nie, and put a space
betwixt drove and drove."
And he commanded the foremost, saying, " When
Esau, my brother, meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying,
' Whose art thou ? Whither goest thou ? Whose are
these before thee ? ' then thou shalt say, ' They be ^ thy
servant Jacob's; it is a present unto my lord Esau. And,
behold, also he is behind us.' " And so commanded he the
second, and the third, and all that followed the droves ;
for he said, " I will appease him with the present that
goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face ; per-
adventure he will accept of me."
So the present passed over before him. And he rose
up that night, and took his two wives, and his two
handmaids and his eleven children, and sent them over
the brook.
And Jacob was left alone ; and there wrestled a man
Jacob with him until the breaking of the day. And
wrestling when he saw that he prevailed not against
with the 111111 r 1 • 1 • 1 1
angel. him, he touched the hollow ot his thigh ; and
the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled
with him.
And the m a n said, " Let me go, for the day
breaketh."
And Jacob said, "I will not let thee go, except
thou bless me."
And he said unto him, " What is thy name? "
And he said, " Jacob."
And he said, " Thy name shall be called no more
Jacob, but ^ Israel ; for as a prince hast thou power with
God and with men, and hast prevailed."
And Jacob asked him, and said, "Tell me, I pray thee,
thy name."
And he said, " Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after
my name?" And he blessed him there.
And Jacob called the name of the place " Peniel. "For"
said he, " I have seen God face to face, and my life is pre-
served."
" Jacol) relinquishes the birtliright. '' R. V. niarg., Th.-it is, //^ 7a/ii> striv-
eth with Cod. " R. V. marg., That is, The face of God.
Gen. 32. 31. J Chronologically Arranged. 41
And the sun rose upon him as he passed over Peniel,
and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of
Israel eat not the sinew of the hip which is upon the
hollow of the thigh, unto this day.
And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and, behold, Esau came,
and with him four hundred men. And he divided the
children unto Leah and Rachel, and unto the two hand-
maids. And he put Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
And he himself passed over before them, and
bowed himself to the ground seven times, un- submission
til he came near to his brother. And Esau ran ^° ^^"'
to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and
kissed him ; and they wept.
And Esau lifted up his eyes, and saw the women
and the children, and said, " Who are these with thee?"
And lie said, " The children which God hath graciously
given thy servant."
And the handmaids came near, they and their chil-
dren, and they bowed themselves. And Leah also and
her children came near, and bowed themselves ; and
after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed
themselves.
And Esau said, ''What meanest thou by all this
company which I met?"
And he said, " To find grace in the sight of my lord."
And Esau said, " I have enough ; my brother, let that
thou hast be thine."
And Jacob said, " Nay, I pray thee, take my gift."
And he urged him, and he took it.
And Esau said, " Let us take our journey, and I will go
before thee."
And he said unto him, " My lord knoweth that the
children are tender, and the flocks and herds. If they
overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die. I>et my
lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant ; and I
will lead on softly, according to the pace of the cattle
and children, until I come unto my lord unto Scir."
'So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
42 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 33. 17.
CHAPTER XL
JACOB SETTLING IN CANAAN: JOSEPH'S DREAMS:
JOSEPH SOLD INTO EGYPT.
And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an
house, and made booths for his cattle. Therefore the
name of the place is called '"^ Succoth.
And God said unto Jacob, " Arise, go up to Beth-el,
and dwell there ; and make there an altar unto God,
who appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the
face of Esau, thy brother."
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that
were with him, " Put away the strange gods that are
among you, and purif}^ yourselves, and change your gar-
ments. And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el ; and I
, . will make there an altar unto God, who an-
Jacobjour- , • ^i i r j • *. j
neyingin swcrcd me lu the day 01 my distress, and
Canaan. .^, . ., i • i t <- "
was With me m the way which 1 went.
And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which
were in their hand, and the rings which were in their
cars; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by
Shechem.
So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan
(the same is Bcth-el), he and all the people that were
with him.
y\nd h.c built there an altar, and called the place*' El-
beth-el; because there God was revealed unto him, when
he fled from the face of his brother.
And Deborah, Rcbckah's nurse, died, and she was
buried below Beth-el under the oak; and the name of
it was called ° Allon-baculli.
And God appeared unto Jacob again, and blessed him.
And God said unto him. " I am God Almighty. Thy
"R. V. maig., That is, Booths. '' R. V. marg., Tliat is, The God of
Jh-th-cl. "iC V. marg., That is, The oak of zveeping.
Gen. 35. 10.] Chronologically Arranged. 43
name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel. A
nation shall be of thee ; and the land which I gave unto
Abraham and Isaac, to thee will I give it, and to thy
seed after thee."
• And God went up from him. And Jacob set up a
pillar in the place where he spake with him, a pillar of
stone ; and he poured out a drink offering and oil
thereon.
And they journeyed from Beth-el.
And Rachel bare another son, and his father called
him ^ Benjamin, And Rachel died, and was Rachel's
buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is death.
Bethlehem). And Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave ;
the same is the " Pillar of Rachel's grave " unto this day.
And Israel journeyed, and came unto Isaac, his father,
to Mamre, to Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac so-
journed. And the days of Isaac were an Isaac's
hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac death.
gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his
people, old and full of days. And Esau and Jacob, his
sons, buried him.
And Jacob dwelt in the land of Canaan. These are
the generations of Jacob. Joseph, ^' being seventeen
years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren ; and
he was a lad with the sons of his father's wives. And
Joseph brought the evil report of them unto his father.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children,
because he was the son of his old age. And he made
him a coat of many colors. And his brethren saw that
their father loved him more than all his brethren ; and
they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his
brethren. And he said unto them, " Hear, I Joseph's
pray you, this dream which I have dreamed. dreams.
We were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf
arose, and stood upright ; and your sheaves stood round
about, and made obeisance to my sheaf."
And his brethren said to him, " Shalt thou indeed
" R. V. marg., That is, The son of the right hand. ^ Isaac was one
hundred and sixty-eight years old, Jacob one hundred and eight, Benjamin
ten or eleven.
44 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 37. 8.
reign over us?" And they hated him yet the more for
his dreams, and for his words.
And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his
brethren, and said, " I have dreamed yet a dream. Be-
hold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made
obeisance to me."
And he told it to his father. And his f^ither rebuked
him, and said unto hitn, " What is this dream that
thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy
bVethrcn indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to
the earth ? "
And his brethren envied him ; but his father kept the
saying in mind.
And Israel said unto Joseph, " Do not thy brethren
feed the flock in Shechem ? Go now, see whether it be
well with thy brethren and the flocks ; and bring me
word again."
So he went after his brethren. And they saw him
Plot to kill afar off. And they said one to another, " Be-
Joseph. hold, this dreamer comcth. Come now there-
fore, let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits,
and we will say, 'An evil .beast hath devoured him!'
And we shall see what will become of his dreams."
And '"^ Reuben heard it, and said, " Let us not take his
life. Cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness,
but lay no hand upon him ; " that he might deliver him
out of their hand, to restore him to his father.
And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his
brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat
of many colors, and took him, and cast him into the
pit. The pit was empty, there was no water in it. 7\nd
they sat down to cat bread. And they lifted up their
eyes and looked, and, behold, a traveling company of
Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing
spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to
Egypt.
And Judah said unto his brethren, '' What profit is it
if we slay our brother? Come, lot us sell him to the
Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him ; for he
is our brother."
"The firstborn.
Gen. 37. 27.] Chronologically Arranged. 45
And his brethren hearkened unto liim. And they
drew up Joseph out of the pit, and ^ sold him
to the IshmaeHtes for twenty pieces of silver. °^®^
And they brought Joseph into Egypt.
And Reuben returned unto the pit, and, behold, Jo-
seph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. And
he returned unto his brethren, and said, " The child is
not ! And I, whither shall I go ? "
And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a goat, and
dipped the coat in the blood, and brought it to their
father, and said, " This have we found. Know now
whether it be thy son's coat or not."
And he knew it, and said, " It is my son's coat. An
evil beast hath devoured him. Joseph is without doubt
torn in pieces." And Jacob rent his gar- Jacob's
ments, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and snef.
mourned many days. And all his sons and daughters
rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.
And he said, " I will go down to the grave to my son
mourning."
» Gen. xlii, 21.
46 The Shorter Bible L^^^en. 37. 36.
CHAPTER XII.
JOSEPH IN EGYPT: THE SLAVE AND THE PRINCE.
And tlie Midianites sold J oseph unto Potiphar, the
captain of the guard, an officer of Pharaoh's. 'And the
Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man.
And his master saw that the LORD was with him ; and
Joseph Joseph found grace in his sight, and he made
prospering, hjm overseer over his house. And the LORD
blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and he
left all that he had in Joseph's hand. He knew, not
aught he had, save the bread which he did eat. And
Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored.
And it came to pass after these things, that his mas-
ter's wife tempted Joseph. But he refused, and said
unto his master's wife, " Behold, my master knoweth
not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all
that he hath into my hand; neither hath he kept back
anything from me. How then can I do this great
wickedness, and sin against God ? "
And as she spake to Joseph day by day, he hearkened
not unto her. And it came to pass about
Joseph ... . , . . , ,
resisting this time, that he went mto the house to do
temptation, j^ .^ ^^^j^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ caught him by his garment.
And he loft his garment in her hand, and fled. And she
laid up his garment by her, until his master came home;
and she spake unto him, saying, " The Hebrew servant
came in unto mc to mock me ! "
And when his master heard the words of his wife, his
wrath was kindled, and h e took him and put him into
the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and gave
Joseph ^^^'"^ favor in the sight of the keeper of the
in prison. prison. And the keeper of the prison com-
mitted to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the
prison ; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer
' Gen. xxxix, 2.
Gen. 39. 22.] Chronologically Arranged. 47
of it. H e looked not to anything that was under his
hand; because the LORD was with Joseph, and that
which he did, /the Lord made it to prosper.
And it came to pass after these things, that the butler
of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord,
the king. And Pharaoh was wroth, and put them in the
ward in the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them.
And they dreamed a dream, both of 'them interpret-
in one night, ing dreams.
And Joseph came in in the morning, and saw them,
and, behold, they were sad. And he asked, " Where-
fore look ye so sadly to-day ? "
And they said unto him, " We have dreamed a dream,
and there is no interpreter of it."
And Joseph said, " Do not interpretations belong to
God? Tell me it, I pray you."
And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and
said to him, " In my dream, behold, a vine was before
mc ; and in the vine were three branches ; and it budded,
and its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters thereof
brought forth ripe grapes. And Pharaoh's cup was in
my hand ; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into
Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand."
And Joseph said unto him, "This is the interpretation
of it : The three branches are three days. Within three
days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee
unto thine office ; and thou shalt give Pharaoh's cup into
his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his
butler. But have mc in thy remembrance when it shall
be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto
me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring
me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away out
of the land of the Hebrews; and here also have I done
nothing that they should put me into the dungeon."
When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was
good, he said unto Joseph, " I also was in my dream,
and, behold, three baskets of white bread were on my
head."
And Joseph answered and said, " The three baskets
are three days. Yet within three days shall Pharaoh
48 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 40. 19-
lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a
tree."
And the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he
made a feast unto all his servants ; and he restored the
chief butler unto his butlership again, but he hanged the
chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did
not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
And it came to pass at the end of two full years,
Pharaoh that Pharaoh dreamed. And he slept and
dreams. dreamed the second time. And in the morn-
ing his spirit was troubled ; and he sent and called for
all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, and told them
his dream ; but there was none that could interpret them
unto Pharaoh.
Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, " I
do remember my faults this day. Pharaoh was wroth
with his servants, and put me in ward in the house of the
captain of the guard, me and the chief baker; and we
dreamed a dream in one night, I and he. And there was
with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the cap-
tain of the guard ; and we told him, and he interpreted
to us our dreams. And it came to pass, as he inter-
preted, so it was."
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they
brought him hastily out of the dungeon. And he shaved
himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto
Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, " I have dreamed a
dream, and there is none that can interpret
belong it. I have heard say of thee, that when thou
Pharaoh. hearest a dream thou canst interpret it."
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, " It is not in
me. God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace."
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, " In my dream, be-
hold, I stood upon the brink of the =' river ; and there
came up out of the river seven fat kine, fatfleshed and
Avell favored ; and they fed in the reed grass. And, be-
hold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and
very ill favored, such as I never saw in all the land of
Egypt for badness. And the lean kine did cat up the
"R. V. maig., That is, Ihe Nile.
Gen. 41. 20.] Chronologically Arranged. 49
first seven fat kine ; and when they had eaten them up, it
could not be known that they had eaten them ; but they
were still ill favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came
up upon one stalk, full and good. And, behold, seven
ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind,
sprung up after them. And the thin ears swallowed up
the seven good ears."
And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, " What God is about
to do he hath declared unto Pharaoh. The seven good
kine are seven years, and the seven good ears are
seven years ; the dream is one. And the seven lean
kine, and the seven empty ears blasted with rpj^g famine
the east wind, they shall be seven years of foretold,
famine. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty
throughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise
after them seven years of, famine; and all the plenty
shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine
shall consume the land. And the dream was doubled
unto Pharaoh, because the thing is established, and God
will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh
look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the
land of Egypt ; and let him appoint overseers over the
land ; and let them gather all the food of those good
years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of
Pharaoh. And that food shall be for store against the
seven years of famine, that the land perish not through
the famine."
And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and
in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto
his servants, " Can we find such a one as this, a man in
whom the Spirit of God is?"
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, " Forasmuch as God
hath showed thee all this, there is none so wise as thou
art. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto
thy word shall all my people be ruled. Only in the
throne will I be greater than thou."
And Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand,
and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed Joseph
him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold exalted,
chain about his neck, and made him to ride in the
50 The Shorter Bible. [Gen. 41.43.
second chariot which he had. And they cried before
him, "Bow the knee!" And he set him over all the
land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh gave him to wife Asenath, the daughter
of Poti-pherah, priest of On, And Joseph went out over
the land of Egypt. Joseph was •'^thirty years old when
he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt,
And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought
Laying up fortli by handfuls. And he gathered up all
food. |.}-jg food of the seven years, and laid it up
in the cities, Joseph laid up corn as the sand of the
sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was with-
out number.
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the
years of famine came. And Joseph called the name of
the firstborn ^ Manasseh. " P^or God," said he, "hath
made me forget all my toil, a,nd all my father's house,"
And the name of the second called he "^ Ephraim. " P"or
God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
And the seven years of plenty came to an end ; and the
seven years of famine began to come, according as Joseph
had said. And there was famine in all lands; but in all
the land of Egypt there was bread.
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the
people cried to Pharaoh for bread. And Pharaoh said
unto all the Egyptians, " Go unto Joseph."
And Joseph opened the storehouses, and sold unto
the Egyptians,
And the famine was sore in all the earth, and all
countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn.
"Luke iii, 23. '' 1\. \'. nuirt^., That is, j\faking to forget. '-' R. \'. m:irg.,
]'"r()ni a Ilch. woixl, Making to be fruilfiil.
Gen. 42. I.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 51
CHAPTER XIII.
JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN IN EGYPT.
Now Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt. And
Jacob said unto his sons, " Why do ye look one upon
another? Behold, I have heard that there is corn in
Egypt. Get you down thither and buy, that we may
live, and not die."
But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with
his brethren ; for he said, " Lest mischief befall him."
And Joseph was the governor over the land ; he it was
that sold to all people. And Joseph's breth-
ran came, and bowed down themselves to brethren
him with their faces to the earth. And Jo- ^^^^ ^^^ '
seph saw his brethren, and knew them, ' and remem-
bered the dreams which he had dreamed of them ;
''but he made himself strange unto them, and spake
roughly, and said, "Whence come ye?"
And they said, " From the land of Canaan to buy
food."
And Joseph said, " Ye are spies. To see the naked-
ness of the land ye are come."
And they said unto him, " Nay, my lord, but to buy
food are thy servants come. We are twelve brethren, the
sons of one man in the land of Canaan. And, behold,
the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not."
And Joseph said unto them, " By the life of Pharaoh
surely ye are spies," And he put them all together into
ward three days.
And Joseph said unto them the third day, " This do,
and live ; for I fear God. If ye be true men, let one of
your brethren be bound ; but go ye, carry corn for the
famine of your houses ; and bring your youngest brother
unto me. So shall your words be verified, and ye shall
not die."
'Gen. xlii, 9. -'Gen. xlii, 7.
52 The Shorter Bibee [Gen. 42. 21.
And they said one to another, " We are verily guilty
concerning our brother Joseph, in that
Joseph's we saw the distress of his soul, when he be-
sought us, and we would not hear. Therefore
is this distress come upon us."
And Reuben answered them, saying, " Spake I not
unto you, saying, ' Do not sin against the child ; ' and ye
would not hear ? Therefore, behold, his blood is re-
quired."
And they knew not that Joseph understood them ; for
there was an interpreter between them. And Joseph
turned himself about from them, and wept; and he re-
turned to them, and took Simeon from among them, and
bound him before their eyes.
Then Joseph commanded to fill their vessels with
corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and
to give them provision for the way.
And they laded their asses with their corn, and departed.
And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass
provender in the lodging place, he espied his money ;
and, behold, it was in the mouth of his s.ack. And he
said unto his brethren, " My money is restored. Lo, it is
even in my sack."
And their heart failed them, and they turned trembling
one to another, saying, " What is this that God hath
done unto us? "
And they came unto Jacob, their father, unto the land
Return of °^ Canaan, and told him all that had befallen
Joseph's them, sayinsf, " The man, the lord of the
land, spake roughly with us, and took us for
spies, and said unto us, ' Bring your youngest brother
unto me. Then shall I know that ye are no spies, but
that ye are true men ; so will I deliver you your brother,
and ye shall traffic in the land.' "
And as they emptied their sacks, behold, every man's
bundle of money was in his sack ! And when they saw
their bundles of money, they were afraid.
And Jacob, their father, said unto them, " Me have ye
bereaved of my children. Joseph is not, and Simeon is
not, and ye will take Benjamin away. All these things
are ajjainst me."
Gen. 42. 37.] Chronologically Arranged. 53
And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, " Slay my
two sons, if I bring him not to thee. Deliver him into
my hand, and I will bring him to thee again,"
And Jacob said, " My son shall not go down with
you ; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If
mischief befall him by the way, then shall ye bring down
my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave."
And the famine was sore in the land. And when they
had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of
Egypt, their father said unto them, "Go again, buy us a
little food."
And Judah spake unto him, saying, "The man did
solemnly protest unto us, saying, 'Ye shall not see my
face, except your brother be with you.' If thou wilt
send our brother Benjamin with us, we will go
down and buy thee food ; but if thou wilt not send
him, we will not go down."
And Israel said, " Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me,
as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brotlier? "
And they said, " The man asked straitly concerning
ourselves and our kindred, saying, ' Is your father yet
alive? Have ye another brother ? ' And we told him.
Could we in anywise know that he would say, ' Bring
your brother down ? ' "
And Judah said unto Israel, his father, " Send the
lad with me, and we will arise and go ; that we may
live, and not die, we and thou and our little ones. I
will be surety for him ; of my hand shalt thou require
him. If I bring him not unto thee, and set him before
thee, then let me 'bear the blame forever. For except
we had lingered, surely we had now returned a second
time."
And their father Israel said unto them, " If it be so
now, do this : Take of the choice fruits of the land in
your vessels, and carry the man a present, a little balm,
and honey, spicery and myrrh, nuts, and almonds. And
take double money in your hand; and the money that
was returned in the mouth of your sacks'carry again in
your hand ; peradventure it was an oversight. Take also
your brother, and arise, go again ; and God Almighty
give you mercy before the man, that he may release unto
54 The Sii()RTp:r Bible [Gen. 43. 14.
you your other brother and Benjamin. And if I be be-
reaved of my children, I am bereaved."
And the men took that present, and double money in
their hand, and Benjamin ; and rose up, and
visft to v/ent down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
gypt. And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them,
he said to the steward of his house, " Make ready, for
the men shall dine with me at noon."
And the man did as Joseph bade, and brought the
men into Joseph's house. And they were
Joseph's* afraid, and said, " Because of the money that
house. ^^^g returned in our sacks at the first time are
we brought in ; that he may seek occasion against us,
and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen."
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house,
and said, " Oh my lord, we came down the first
time to iDuy food. And when we came to the lodging
place, we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's
money was in the mouth of his sack ! And we have
brought it again in our hand. And other money have
we brought to buy food. We know not who put our
money in our sacks."
And he said, " Peace be to you ; fear not. Your
God, and the God of your father, hath given you treas-
ure in your sacks. I had your money."
And he brought Simeon out unto them. And they
made ready the present against Joseph came at noon ; for
they heard that they should eat bread there. And when
Joseph came they brought him the present, and bowed
down themselves to him to the earth. •
And he asked them of their welfare, and said, " Is
your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he
yet alive ? "
And they said, " Thy servant our father is well."
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother,
his mother's son, and said, " Is this your youngest
brother, of whom ye spake unto me? God be gracious
unto thee, my son."
And Joseph made haslc, and sought where to weep;
and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And
he washed his face, and came out; and refrained himself.
Gen. 43- 31-1 CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 55
and said, '^ Set on bread." And they set on for him by
himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyp-
tians, which did eat with him, by themselves ; because the
Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for
that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. And they
sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright,
and the youngest according to his youth; and the men
marveled one with another. And he sent messes unto
them from before him ; but Benjamin's mess was five
times so much as any of theirs.
And he commanded the steward of his house, saying,
"Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can
carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of
the youngest, and his corn money."
And he did according to the word that Joseph had
spoken. As soon as the morning was light, .^
4-1 i- 4-1 J ^1 • Departure
the men were sent away, they and their and pur-
•' ^ suit.
asses.
And when they were not yet far off, Joseph said unto
his steward, " Up, follow after the men ; and when thou
dost overtake them, say unto them, ' Wherefore have ye
rewarded evil for good ? Is not this it in which my
lord drinketh ? Ye have done evil in so doing.' "
And he overtook them, and he spake unto them
these words.
And they said unto him, " Wherefore speaketh my
lord such words as these ? God forbid that thy servants
should do such a thing. Behold, the money, which we
found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee
out of the land of Canaan ; how then should we steal out
of thy lord's house silver or gold ? With whomsoever
of thy servants it be found, let him die, and vv^e also will
be my lord's bondmen."
Then they hasted, and took down every man his sack
to the ground, and opened every man his sack. And he
searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the young-
est; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack;
Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his
ass, and returned to the city, and came to Joseph's
house; and they fell before him on the ground.
56 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 44. 15.
And Joseph said unto them, " What deed is this that
ye have done? "
And Judah said, "What shall we say unto my lord?
How shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the
iniquity of thy servants. Behold, we are my lord's bond-
men, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is
found."
And J oseph said, " God forbid that I should do so.
The man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be
my bondman ; but as for you, get you up in peace unto
your father."
Then Judah came near unto him, and said, " Oh my
Jadah's lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word,
expiana? '^"d let not thine anger burn against thy servant,
tion. yiy }qi-j asked his servants, saying, ' Have
ye a father, or a brother? ' And we said unto my lord,
' We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old
age, a little one ; and his brother is dead, and he alone
is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.' And
thou saidst unto thy servants, ' Bring him down unto
me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.' And we
said unto my lord, ' The lad cannot leave his father ;
for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'
And thou saidst unto thy servants, ' Except your
youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see
my face no more.' And it came to pass when we came
up unto my father, we told him the words of my lord.
And our father said, ' Go again, buy us a little food.'
And we said, ' We cannot go down. For we may
not see the man's face, except our youngest brother
be with us.' And my father said unto us, ' Ye know
that my wife bare me two sons; and the one went
out from me, and I said, " Surely he is torn in pieces; "
and if ye take this one also from me, and mischief be-
fall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow
to the grave.' Now therefore when I come to my
father, and he seeth that the lad be not with us, *he will
die, "seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life.
Now therefore, let me, I pray thee, abide instead of the
hid a bondman to my lord ; and let the lad go up with
'Gen. xliv, 31. 'Gen. xliv, 30.
Gen. 44. 33.] Chronologically Arranged. 57
his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and
the lad be not with me ? "
Then Joseph could not refrain himself And he cried,
" Cause every man to go out from me." And he wept
aloud ; and the Egyptians heard, and the house of
Pharaoh heard.
And Joseph said unto his brethren, " I am Joseph !
Doth my father yet live ? " Joseph
And his brethren could not answer him ; for ^ffknovm'
they were troubled.
And Joseph said, " Come near to me, I pray you."
And they came near.
And he said, " I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye
sold into Egypt. And now be not grieved, nor angry
with yourselves, that ye sold me hither ; for God did send
me before you to preserve life. For these two years
hath the famine been in the land ; and there are yet five
years in the which there shall be neither plowing nor
harvest. And God sent me before you to save you alive
by a great deliverance. It was not you that sent me
hither, but God ; and he hath made me a father to
Pharaoh, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Haste
ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, 'Thus
saith thy son Joseph, " God hath made me lord of all
Egypt. Come down unto me, tarry not ; and thou shalt
dwell in the land of Goshen, and be near unto me, and
there will I nourish thee ; for there are yet five years of
famine ; lest thou come to poverty, thou and thy house-
hold, and all that thou hast." ' And, behold, your eyes
see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my
mouth that speaketh unto you. And ye shall tell my
father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have
seen ; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither."
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and
wept ; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed
all his brethren ; and after that his brethren talked with
him.
And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house,
saying, "Joseph's brethren are come;" and it pleased
Pharaoh well, and his servants.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, " Say unto thy breth-
7
58 The vShorter Bible [Gen. 45. 17.
ren, ' This do yc : Lade your beasts, and go, get you unto
■Di o^-ui,, the land of Canaan ; and take your father
Pharaoh's , , , , ^
kind and your households, and come unto me ;
and I will give you the good of the land of
Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Take you
wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and
for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Also
regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of
Egypt is yours.' "
And Joseph gave them wagons, and provision for the
way. To each man he gave changes of raiment; but to
Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five
changes of raiment. And to his father he sent ten asses
laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten asses laden
with corn and bread and victual for the way. So he
sent his brethren away, and they departed. And he said
unto them, " See that ye fall not out by the way."
And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the
Carryincr land of Canaan unto Jacob, their father. And
good news they told him, saying, "Joseph is yet alive,
and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt."
And his heart fainted, for he believed them not. And
they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had
said unto them. And when he saw the wagons which
Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their
father, revived ; and h e said, " It is enough; Joseph my
son is yet alive. I will go and see him before I die."
Gen. 46. I.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 59
CHAPTER XIV.
JACOB'S DESCENT INTO EGYPT: HIS DEATH AND
BURIAL: JOSEPH'S LAST DAYS.
And Israel took his journey with all he had, and came
to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the Jacob's
God of his father Isaac. And God spake sacrifice
T ,. 1 .. r 1 -1 1 ^1^^ vision.
unto Israel m the visions ot the night, and
said, " Jacob, Jacob I I am God, the God of thy father.
Fear not to go down into Egypt ; for ^ I will there make
of thee a great nation. I will go down with thee into
Egypt, and I will also surely bring thee up again ; and
Joseph shall put his hands upon thine eyes."
And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba. And h i s sons
carried Jacob, their father, and their little ones, and their
wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent. And
they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had
gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt,
Jacob, and all his seed ; his sons, and his sons' sons, his
daughters, and his sons' daughters. All the souls of the
house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore
and ten.
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and j^ggtin
went up to meet his father. 7\nd he fell on withjoseph.
his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
And Israel said unto Joseph, " Now let me die, since
I have seen thy face, that thou art yet alive."
And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his
father's house, " I will go up, and tell Pharaoh. And it
shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and
shall say, ' What is your occupation ?' that ye shall say,
' Thy servants have been keepers of cattle from our
youth even until now, both we, and our fathers ; ' that
ye may dwell in the land of Goshen."
" The reason for the stay in Egypt.
60 The Shorter Bible [Gen. 46. 34.
"* For every shepherd is an abomination unto the
Egyptians.
Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, "My
father and my brethren are come out of the land of
Canaan ; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen."
And from among his brethren he took five men, and
presented them unto Pharaoh.
T 4 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, " What
Intervie'ws , '
with Pha- IS your occupation ?
And they said unto Pharaoh, " Thy servants
are shepherds, both we, and our fathers."
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, " The land
of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make
thy father and thy brethren to dwell ; in the land of
Goshen let them dwell. And if thou knowest any ''able
men among them, then make them rulers over my
cattle."
And Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him
before Piiaraoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, " How
many are the days of the }ears of thy life ? "
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, " The days of the years
of my ^ pilgrimage arc an hundred and thirty years. Few
and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and
they have not attained unto the days of the years of the
life of my fathers in the days of their '' pilgrimage." And
Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence
of Pharaoh.
And Joseph gave his father and brethren a possession
in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in Rame-
ses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph nour-
ished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's
household, with bread, according to their families.
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of
Goshen ; and they gat them possessions therein, and were
fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly.
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years ;
so the years of his life were an hundred forty and seven
years.
" Not to this king, one of the usiuping " Kyksos," or shepherd kings,
but to the people. '' K. V. marg. , Or, men of activity. "^ R. V. marg.,
Or, sojournings.
Gen. 48. I.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 61
And one said to Joseph, " Behold, thy father is
sick." And Joseph took with hinn his two j^cob
sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And one told ^Q^^I^Hof,^-
Jacob, "Behold, thy son Joseph cometh."
And he strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
And Jacob said unto Joseph, " God Almighty appeared
unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
and said unto me, ' Behold, I will make of thee a com-
pany of peoples, and will give this land to thy seed after
thee for an everlasting possession.' And now thy two
sons, which were born unto thee in the. land of Egypt
before I came unto thee, are mine. Ephraim and Ma-
nasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, shall be mine. And
as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died in the
land of Canaan in the way, and I buried her there in the
way to Bethlehem."
And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, "Who are
these ? " ' Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age.
° And Joseph said, "They are my sons, whom God
hath given me here."
And he said, " Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I
will bless them." And he kissed them, and embraced
them, and said unto Joseph," I had not thought to see
thy face, and, lo, God hath let me see thy seed also."
And Joseph took them both, and brought them near.
And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon
Ephraim 's head, who was the younger, and his left hand
upon Manasseh's head, "■guiding his hand wittingly; for
Manasseh was the firstborn, ^ And it displeased Joseph;
and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from
Ephraim's unto Manasseh's head. And Joseph said,
" Not so, my father. This is the firstborn ; put thy right
hand upon his head,"
And his father refused, and said, " I know it, my son, I
know it. He also shall be great ; howbeit his younger
brother shall be greater than he."
■* And he blessed Joseph, and said, " The God before
whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God
which hath fed me all my life long unto this day, the
' Gen. xlviii, lo. ■'Gen. xlviii, 17. I " R. V. marg., Or, crossing his hands.
^Gen, xlviii, 9, ■* Gen. xlviii, 15. |
62 The Shorter Bible [<^'en. 48. 16.
ancjel which hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the
lads! And let my name be named on them, and the
name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac ; and let them
grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." And
he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
And Israel said unto Joseph, " Behold, I die ; but God
shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of
your fathers."
And Jacob called his sons together, and blessed them,
every one according to his blessing. And he charged
them, and said unto them^ " I am to be gathered unto
my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave of
Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of
Canaan, which Abraham bought from Ephron, the Hit-
tite, for a burying place. '* There they buried Abraham
and Sarah, his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah,
his wife; and there I buried Leah."
And when Jacob had made an end of charging his
Death of SOUS, he gathered up his feet into the bed,
Jacob. antj yielded up the ghost, and was gathered
unto his people.
And Joseph fell upon his f^vthcr's face, and wept upon
him, and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his
servants, the physicians, to embalm his father. And forty
days were fulfilled for him ; for so are fulfilled the days
of embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him three-
score and ten days.
And when the days of weeping for him were past,
Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, " If now
I have found grace in your eyes, speak in the ears of
Pharaoh, saying, ' My father made me swear, saying, " Lo,
I die. In my grave which I ^ have digged for me in the
land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me." Now there-
fore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I
will come again.' "
And Pharaoh said, " Go."
And Joseph went to bury his father; and with him
went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his
house and of the land of Egypt, and all the house of
"There is a strong probability tliat tliis cave has never been disturbed.
'' R. V. marg., Or, bought.
Gen. 50. 8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 63
Joseph, and his brethren, and hjs father's house; only
their Httle ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they
left in the land of Goshen. And there went
up with him both chariots and horsemen, a bur?aiin
very great company. And they came to the ^^chpeiah.
threshing-floor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and
there they lamented with a very great and sore lamen-
tation. And he made a mourning for his father seven
days.
And his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and
buried him in the cave of Machpelah.
And Joseph returned into Egypt, he and his brethren,
and all that went up with him, after he had buried his
father.
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was
dead, they said, " It may be that Joseph will hate us, and
will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him."
And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying, "Thy
father did command before he died, saying, ' Say unto
Joseph, " Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of
thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee
evil." ' And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression
of the servants of the God of thy father." And his
brethren also went and fell down before his face ; and
they said, " Behold, Vv^e be thy servants."
And Joseph wept, and said unto them, " Fear not.
Am I in the place of God? As for you, ye meant evil
against me ; but God meant it for good, to Joseph's
save much people alive. Now therefore fear kindness.
ye not. I will nourish you, and your little ones."
And he comforted them, and spake ^kindly unto them.
And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's
house. And Joseph lived an hundred and ten years,
and saw Ephraim's children of the third generation.
The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were
born upon Joseph's knees.
And Joseph said unto his brethren, "I die; but God
will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land
unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and
to Jacob."
" R. V. marg., Heb. io their heart.
64 The Shorter Bh^le [Gen. 50. 25.
And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel,
saying, " God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry
Death of "^P ^Y bones from hence. "
Joseph. 5q Joseph died, being an hundred and ten
years old ; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a
coffin in Egypt.
Exod. I. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 65
EXODUS.
CHAPTER I.
THE OPPRESSION OF THE ISRAELITES: EARLY DAYS
AND CALL OF MOSES.
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased
abundantly, and waxed exceeding mighty;
and the land was filled with them. , rapid L-
Now there, arose a ^ new king over Egypt, crease,
which knew not Joseph ; and he said unto his people,
"Behold, the people of the children of Israel a hostile
are more and mightier than we. Come, let us ^*^s-
deal wisely with them ; lest they multiply, and it come to
pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join
themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and
get them up out of the land."
Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict
them with their burdens. And they built
for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. tm-l^over'
But the more they afflicted them, the more Israel.
they multiplied and spread abroad. And the Egyptians
made the children of Israel to serve with rigor ; and they
made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and
in brick, and in all manner of service in the field.
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives
t o kill all the men children of the
Hebrew women ; but the midwives feared maf^chif-
God, and did not as the king of Egypt com- '^^®^^'
manded them, but saved the men children alive. And
the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, " Every
son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every
daughter ye shall save alive."
* Rameses the Great.
66
The vShorter Bible
[Exod.
And there went a man of the liouse of Levi, and took
to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman bare a
son. And when she saw him that he was a goodly
child, she hid him three months. And when she could
not longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes, and
daubed it with ^ pitch ; and she put the child therein,
Moses' ^''"^' l^i<^^ it in the flags by the river's brink,
childhood. ^ii^ \^\^ sister stood afar off, to know what
would be done to him.
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe
at the river ; and she saw the ark among the flags, and
she sent her handmaid to fetch it. And she opened it,
and saw the child ; and, behold, the babe wept.
And she had compassion on him, and said, "This is
one of the Hebrews' children."
Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, " Shall I
go and call thee a nurse, that she may nurse the child
for thee? "
And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, " Go."
And the maid went and called the child's mother.
And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, " Take this
child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy
wages."
And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And
the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's
Moses' daughter, and he became her son. And she
education. called his name '' Moses, and said, "Because
I drew him out of the water."
* And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and works.
'■'And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was
grown up, ^well-nigh forty years old, ''that he went out
unto his brethren and looked on their bur-
dens. And he saw an Egyptian smiting an
Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked
this way and that, and when he saw that there
was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the
sand. ^ And he supposed that his brethren understood
'■ R. V. marg., That is, bi lumen.
'' That is, Draiun out.
Moses'
premature
attempt to
dehver
Israel.
' Acts vii, 22.
•• Exoil. ii, II.
"^ Exod. ii, 11.
•'Acts vii, 25.
'Acts vii, 23.
Acts 7. 25.] Chronologically Arranged. 67
how that God by his hand was giving them dehvcrance ;
but they understood not.
' And he went out the second day, and, behold, two
men of the Hebrews strove together. And he said to
him that did the wrong, " Wherefore smitest thou thy
fehow?"
'^ But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away,
saying, ' " Who made thee a prince and a judge over us ?
Thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ?"
And Moses feared, and said, " Surely the thing is
known."
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to
slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh,
and dwelt in the land of Midian. Moses'
And he sat down by a well. Now the priest flight,
of Midian had seven daughters ; and they came and drew
water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
And the shepherds came and drove them away ; but
Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their
flock.
And when they came to their father, he said, " How
is it that ye are come so soon to-day?"
And they said, " An Egyptian delivered us out of the
hand of the shepherds, and moreover he drew water for
us, and watered the flock."
And he said unto his daughters, " Where is he ? Call
him that he may eat bread."
And Moses was content to dwell with the man ; and he
gave Moses Zipporah, his daughter. And Moses'
she bare a son, and he called his name marriage.
^ Gershom ; for he said, " I have been a sojourner in a
strange land."
And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the
bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto
God. And God heard their groaning, and remembered
his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And God
saw the children of Israel, and took knowledge of them.
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-
in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to
' Exod. ii, 13. " Exod. ii, 14. I " That is, A sojourner.
^ Acts vii, 27.
68 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 3. i.
the back of the wilderness, and came unto Horeb. And
the angel of the LoRD appeared unto him in a flame of
fire out of the midst of a bush. And he looked, and,
behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not
consumed.
And Moses said, " I will turn aside now, and see this
great sight, why the bush is not burnt."
And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see,
God called unto him out of the midst of
the bush, and said, " Moses, Moses!"
And he said, '* Here am I."
And he said, " I am the God of thy fathers, the God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ' Draw not nigh hither.
Put thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon
thou standest is holy ground."
And Moses hid his face ; for he was afraid to look upon
God.
And the LORD said, " I have surely seen the affliction
of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their
cry by reason of their taskmasters. I know their sor-
rows, and am come down to deliver them, and to bring
them up out of that land unto a good land and a large,
a land flowing with milk and honey. Come now there-
fore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou may-
est bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of
Egypt.."
And Moses said unto God, "Who am I, that I shcnild
go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the chil-
dren of Israel out of Egypt?"
And God said, " Certainly I will be with thee. And
this shall be the token unto thee, that I have sent thee:
When tiiou hast brought forth the people out of Eg}'pt,
ye shall serve God upon this mountain."
And Moses said unto God, " Behold, when I come
unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, ' Tlie
God of your fathers hath sent me unto you,' and they
shall say to me, ' What is his name?' what shall I say
unto them ? "
And God said unto Moses, '^ " I AM THAT I Al\T. Thus
' Exod. iii, 5. I "From the same root in Hcb. as
I yehovah.
Exod. 3- I5-] Chronologically Arranged. 69
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, ^'Jehovah,
the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac,
and of Jacob, hath sent me unto you.' This is my name
forever. Go, and gather the children of Israel together,
and say unto them, ' The Lord, the God of your fathers,
hath appeared unto me, saying, " I have surely visited
you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. I will
bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto a land
flowing with milk and honey." ' And they shall hearken
to thy voice. And thou shalt come, thou and the elders
of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto
him, 'The LoRD, the God of the Hebrews, hath met
with us. Now let us go, we pray thee, three days* jour-
ney into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the
Lord our God.' And the king of Egypt will not give
you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will
put forth my hand, and smite Egypt ; and after that he
will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the
sight of the Egyptians. And when ye go, ye shall not
go empty ; but every woman shall ask of her neighbor
jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment. And
ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your
daughters ; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians."
And Moses answered and said, " But, behold, they will
not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice."
And the Lord said unto him, "What is that in thine
hand ?"
And he said, " A rod."
And God said, "Cast it on the ground." ig»s given.
And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent ;
and Moses fled from before it.
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Put forth thine
hand, and take it by the tail."
And he laid hold of it, and it became a rod in his
hand.
The Lord said furthermore unto him, " Put now thine
hand into thy bosom."
And he put his hand into his bosom ; and when he
took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as
snow.
"^ From the same root as / am.
70 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 4. 7.
And he said, " Put thine hand into thy bosom again."
And he put his hand into his bosom again ; and when
he took it out of his bosom, behold, it was turned again
as his other flesh.
And God said, "If they will not believe even these
two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, thou shalt take
of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land :
and the water which thou takest out of the river shall
become blood upon the dry land."
And Moses said, " Oh Lord, I am not eloquent, neither
heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant.
I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue."
And the LORD said unto him, '' Who hath made man's
mouth ? Is it not I the LORD ? Now therefore go, and
I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou
shalt speak."
And Moses said, "Oh Lord, send, I pray thee, by
the hand of some o t h er , him whom thou wilt send."
And the Lord said, " Is there not Aaron thy brother
the Levite? He can speak well. Behold, he cometh
forth to meet thee. Thou shalt speak unto him, and put
the words in his mouth, and he shall be thy spokesman
unto the people. And thou shalt take in thy hand this
rod, wherewith thou shalt do the signs."
And the Lord said to Aaron, " Go into the wilder-
ness to meet Moses."
And he went, and met him in the mountain of God,
and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words
of the Lord, and all the signs wherewith he had charged
him.
Exod. 4. 29.J Chronologically Arranged. 71
CHAPTER II.
MOSES AND AARON BEFORE PHARAOH: THE TEN
PLAGUES: THE PASSOVER.
And Moses and Aaron gathered together all the
elders of the children of Israel. And Aaron
spake all the words which the Lord had with the
spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the wlth^'
sight of the people. And. the people be- ^^araoh.
lieved : and when they heard that the LORD had visited
the children of Israel, and that he had seen their afflic-
tion, they bowed their heads and worshiped.
And afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said unto
Pharaoh, " Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, ',Let
my people go, that they ma}' hold a feast unto me in tlie
wilderness.' "
And Pharaoh said, " Who is the LORD, that I should
hearken unto his voice to let Israel go? I know not the
Lord, and moreover I will not let Israel go. Where-
fore do ye loose the people from their works ? Get 3'ou
unto your burdens."
And the same day Pharaoh commanded the task-
masters of the people, and their officers, saying, " Ye
shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as
heretofore ; let them go and gather straw for themselves.
For they be idle, therefore they cry, saying, ' Let us go
and sacrifice to our God.' "
And the taskmasters went out, and spake to the
people, saying, " Thus saith Pharaoh, ' I will Brick with-
not give you straw. Go yourselves, get you °^^* straw,
straw Avhere ye can find it : naught of your work shall be
diminished.' "
So the people Avere scattered abroad throughout all
the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. And the
taskmasters were urgent, saying, " Fulfill your works,
your daily tasks, as when there was straw."
72 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 5. 14.
And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pha-
raoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and
demanded, " Wherefore have you not fulfilled your task
both yesterday and to-da}', in making brick as hereto-
fore ? "
And the officers did see that they were in evil case.
And they met Moses and Aaron, and said unto them,
" The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have
made us to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in
the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to
slay us."
And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, " Lord,
since I Came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath
evil entreated this people; neither hast thou clcHvered
thy people at all."
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Now shalt thou see
what I will do to Pharaoh ; for by a strong hand shall he
let them go, and by a strong hand shall he drive them
out of his land. Say unto the children of Israel, ' I will
redeem you with a stretched out arm and with great
judgments, and I will take you to me for a people, and
I will be to you a God.' "
And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel ; but
they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and
for cruel bondage.
'And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron four-
score and three years old, when they spake unto- Pha-
raoh.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh. And
Signs before Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and
Pharaoh. [^ became a serpent. Then Pharaoh called
for the magicians of Egypt, and they also did in like
manner with their '■' enchantments. For they cast down
every man his rod, and they became serpents; but
Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. And Pharaoh's
heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them.
And the Lord said unto Moses, "Get thee unto
Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the
water. And thou shalt stand by the river's brink to
meet him. And say unto Aaron, ' Take thy rod, and
' Exod. vii, 7. I " R. V. niarg., Or, si'cnt arts.
Exod. 7. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 73
stretch out thine hand over the waters of Egypt, their
rivers, '"^streams, and pools, that they may be- jpjj.g^
come blood ; and there shall be blood plague,
throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of
wood and in vessels of stone,' "
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded.
He lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in
the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his
servants ; and all the waters that were in the river were
turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died,
and the Egyptians could not drink the water.
And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner ''with
their enchantments : and Pharaoh's heart '^ was hardened,
and he hearkened not unto them. And Pharaoh turned
and went into his house, neither did he lay even this
to heart. And all the Egyptians digged round about the
river for water to drink. And seven days were fulfilled.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, " Go in unto Pha-
raoh, and say unto him, ' Thus saith the LoRD, *' Let my
people go, that they may serve me. And if thou refuse
to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with
frogs. The river shall swarm with frogs, second
which shall come into thine house, and into plague,
thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house
of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine
ovens, and thy kneading troughs."
- And the LORD said unto Moses, "Say unto Aaron,
' Stretch forth thy rod over the waters, the ^ streams,
and the pools, and cause frogs to come up upon the
land of Egypt.' "
And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of
Egypt ; and the frogs came up, and covered the land.
''And the magicians did in like manner with their en-
chantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of
Egypt.
And Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said,
" Litreat the LORD, that he take away the frogs, and I
will let the people go."
" R. V. marg., Or, canals. *' A fair test would have been turning the
blood back to wnter. <^ R. V. marg., Heb. was strong. ^ A fair test would
have been driving away the frogs.
T4 The vShorter Buile [Exod. 8. 9.
And Moses said unto Pharaoh, " ]^c it according to thy
word ; that thou mayest know that there is none Hke
unto the LORD our God."
And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And
Moses cried unto the Lord concerning the frogs, and
the frogs died out of the houses and fields. And they
gathered them together in heaps.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he
hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them.
And the LORD said unto Moses, *' Say unto Aaron,
' Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the earth,
that it may become ^ Hce throughout all the land of
Third ^gypt-' " And Aarou stretched out his hand
Faifu^eof with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth,
magicians. and there were lice upon man, and upon
beast. And the magicians did so with their enchant-
ments to bring forth lice, but they could not.
Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, " This is the
finger of God."
And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened
not unto them ; as the LuRD had spoken.
And the LoRd said unto Moses, " Rise up early in the
morning, and stand before Pharaoh ; lo, he com,eth forth
to the water; and say unto him, ' Thus saith the Lord,
" Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, I will
Fourth send swarms of flies upon thee, and the houses
plague. Qf the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of
flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I
will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which
my people dwell, that no swarms of flics shall be
there ; to the end thou mayest know that I am the
Lord in the midst of the earth. To-morrow shall this
sign be."
And the Lord did so; there came grievous swarms of
flies.
And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and
said, " Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land."
And Moses said, " It is not meet so to do. We will
go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice
to the LoivD our God, as he sliall command us."
" R. \'. niarg.. Or, Sand Jlics ov Jlcas.
Exod. 8. 29.] Chronologically Arranged. 75
And Pharaoh said, " I will let you go, only ye shall not
go very far away. Intreat for me."
And Moses said, " Behold, 1 go out from thee, and I
will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart
to-morrow ; only let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any
more in not letting the people go."
And Moses went out from Pharaoh and intreated the
Lord. And the Lord removed the swarms of flies ;
there remained not one.
And Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and
he did not let the people go.
Then the Lord said unto Moses, " Go in unto Pha-
raoh, and tell him, ' Thus saith the LORD, the God of the
Hebrews, " Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For if thou refuse to let them go, behold, the hand of
the Lord is upon thy cattle, upon the horses, asses,
camels, herds, and flocks ; there shall be a very Fifth
grievous murrain. And the LORD shall sever plague,
between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt ; and
there shall nothing die of all that belongeth to the chil-
dren of Israel. To-morrow the LORD shall do this thing
in the land." ' "
And the Lord did that thing on the morrow, and
all the cattle of Egypt died ; but of the cattle of the
children of Israel died not one. And Pharaoh sent, and,
behold, there was not so much as one of the cattle of
the Israelites dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was stub-
born, and he did not let the people go.
And the LoRD said unto Moses and Aaron, " Take
handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and sprinkle sixth
it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. plague.
And it shall become a boil breaking forth upon man
and beast, throughout all the land of Egypt."
And Moses did so. And the magicians could not
stand before Moses because of the boils ; for the boils
were upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
And the LORD said unto Moses, " Rise up early in the
morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say Seventh
unto him, 'Thus saith the LORD, the God of plague.
the Hebrews, " Exaltest thou thyself against my people,
that thou wilt not let them go ? Behold, to-morrow about
76 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 9. 18.
this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such
as hath not been in Egypt until now. Now therefore
send, hasten in thy cattle and all that thou hast in the
field; for every man and beast which shall be found in
the field the hail shall come down upon them and they
shall die."
He that feared the word of the LORD among the serv-
ants of Pharaoh m.ade his servants and his cattle flee
into the houses : and he that regarded not the word of
the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Stretch forth thine
hand toward heaven."
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven ;
and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran doAvn
unto the earth. So there was hail and fire mingled, very
grievous. And the hail smote all that was in the field,
both man and beast ; and smote every herb, and brake
every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen,
where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron,
and said unto them, " I have sinned this time. The
Lord is rigliteous, and I and my people arc wicked.
Intreat the Lord; for there hath been enough of these
^ mighty thunderings and hail, and I will let you go, and
ye shall stay no longer."
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and
spread abroad his hands unto the Lord ; and the thun-
ders and hail ceased, and the rain was'not poured upon
the earth.
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and
the thunders were ceased, he sinned )'et more, and hard-
ened his heart, and did not let the children of Lsrael go.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and
Eighth said unto him, " Thus saith the Lord, the
plague. God of the Hebrews, ' How long wilt thou
refuse to humble thyself before me? Behold, if thou re-
fuse to let my people go, to-morrow will I bring locusts
into thy border: and they shall cover the face of the
earth, and shall cat the residue of that which remaincth
unto you from the hail. And tin' houses shall be filled,
" R. V. maig., Ilcb. -oict's (or t/itiiideriiigs) of God.
Exod. lo. 6.] Chronologically Arranged. 77
and the houses of all the Egyptians ; as neither thy
fathers nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day
that they were upon the earth unto this day* "
And he turned and went out from Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, " How long
shall this man be a snare unto us ? Let the men go, that
-they may serve the LORD their God. Knowest thou not
yet that Egypt is destroyed?"
And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pha-
raoh : and he said unto them, " Go, serve the Lord your
God: but who arc they that shall go?"
And Moses said, " We will go with our }'oung and
with our old, with our sons and with our daughters ;
with our flocks and with our herds ; for we must hold a
feast unto the LORD."
And he said unto them, " Not so : go now ye that are
men, and serve the LORD ; for that is what ye desire."
And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
And the LORD said unto Moses, " Stretch out thine
hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts." And
Moses stretched forth his rod, and the LORD brought an
east wind upon the land all that day, and all the night ;
and when it was morning, the east wind brought the
locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of
Egypt, very grievous were they. They covered the face
of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened ; and
they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of
the trees which the hail had left : and there remained not
any green thing through all the land of Egypt.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste ;
and he said, " I have sinned against the LORD your God,
and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee,
my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God,
that he may take away from me this death only."
And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the
Lord. And the Lord turned an exceeding strong
west wind, which took up the locusts, and drove them
into the Red Sea; there remained not one locust in all
the border of Egypt.
But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did
not let the children of Lsrael fjo.
78 The Shorter Bible [Exod. lo. 21.
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Stretch out thine
hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness
over the land of Egypt, •'' even darkness which may be
felt."
And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven ;
Ninth' ^^'^^ there was a thick darkness in all the land
plague. of Egypt three days. They saw not one an-
other, neither rose any from his place for three days ; but
all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, " Go ye,
serve the LORD ; only let your flocks and your herds be
stayed. Let your little ones also go with you."
And Moses said, "Our cattle also shall go with us;
there shall not an hoof be left behind ; for thereof must
we take to serve the LoRD our God ; and '' we know
not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come
thither."
And Pharaoh said, " Get thee from me, take heed to
thyself, see my face no more ; for in the day thou seest
my face thou shalt die."
And Moses said, " Thou hast spoken well ; I will see
thy face again no more."
And the Lord said unto Moses, "Yet one plague
more will I bring upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt ; after-
ward he shall let you go: he shall surely thrust you out.
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask
every one of his neighbor jewels of silver, and jewels
of gold."
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " This
^^^g *= month shall be the first month of the year
passover. ^^q you. Speak ye unto all the congregation
of Israel, that in the tenth day of this month they shall
take, every man for an household, '' a lamb without
blemish. And if the household be too little for a lamb,
then shall he and his neighbor next unto his house take
one. And ye shall keep it until the fourteenth day of
the same month ; and the whole assembly of the congre-
gation of Israel shall kill it at even. And they shall take
of the blood, and put it on the two side posts and on the
" R. V. inarg., Or, so that men shall grope in darkness. "^ 2 Sam. .\jciv, 24.
"^Abib or Nisan 'J John i, 29.
Exod. 12. 7.] Chronologically Arranged,
79
lintel, upon the houses wherein they shall eat it. ' And
none of you shall go out of the door of his house until
morning. ^ And they shall eat the flesh in that night,
roast with fire, and unleavened bread ; with bitter herbs
they shall eat it. And thus shall ye eat it ; with your
loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in
your hand. Ye shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's
passover. For I will go through the land of Egypt in
that night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of
Egypt, both man and beast ; and the °- blood shall be
to you for a token upon the houses where ye are : and
when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there
shall no plague be upon you to destroy you, when I smite
the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for
a memorial ; ^ and when ye be come to the land which
the Lord will give you, ''ye shall keep it a feast to the
Lord."
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and
spake unto them.
And the people bowed the head and worshiped.
And the children of Israel did as the LORD had com-
manded.
And it came to pass at midnight, that tlie LoRD
smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, Tenth
from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on piagiie.
his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in
the dungeon ; and all the firstborn of cattle.
' Exod. xii
2 Exod. xii
^ Exod. xii, 25.
■* Exod. xii, 14.
I John
80 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 12. 30.
CHAPTER III.
THE EXODUS: DESTRUCTION OF THE EGYPTIANS.
And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all the
Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt ; for
there was not a house where there was not one dead.
And he called for Moses and Aaron, and said, " Get you
forth from among my people, both ye and the children
of Israel ; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.
Take your flocks and your herds, and begone; and bless
me also."
And the Egyptians were urgent to send them out of
Ahasty the land in haste; for they said, "We be all
departure. (jeaj men."
And the people took their dough before it was leavened,
their kneading troughs being bound upon their shoulders.
And the children of Israel asked of the Egyptians jewels
of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, according to the
word of Moses ; and the LORD gave the people favor,
so they let them have what they asked. And they
spoiled the Egyptians.
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to
Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were
men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up
also with them ; and flocks, and herds, even very much
cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough
which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not
leavened ; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and
could not tarry, n&ither had they prepared for themselves
any victuals.
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel in Egypt
was four hundred and thirty years. ='At the end of four
hundred and thirty years all the hosts of the LoRD went
out from the land of Egj'pt.
" B. C. 1491.
Exod. 13. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 81
•And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, " Sanctify
unto me all the firstborn among the children r^he first-
of Israel, both of man and beast : it is mine. gfven to^^
*And it shall be for a sign. ' When thy son G-od.
asketh thee in time to come, saying, ' What is this ? '
thou shalt say unto him, ' By strength of hand the Lord
brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage;
and when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, the Lord slew
all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn
of man, and the firstborn of beast : therefore all the
firstborn are the Lord's; ^ but all the
firstborn of thy sons shalt thou redeem.' "
And when Pharaoh let the people go, God led them not
by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was
near; for God said, "Lest the people repent when they
see war, and they return to Egypt." But God led the
people about, by the way of the wilderness by the Red
Sea: and the children of Israel went up armed out of
the land of Egypt.
^And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him.
And they took their journey. And the LORD went
before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to Divine
lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of guidance,
fire, to give them light. The pillar of cloud by day, and
fire by night, departed not from before the people.
And the Lord s'pake unto Moses, saying, " Speak
unto the children of Israel, that they turn back and
encamp by the sea. And Pharaoh will say of the chil-
dren of Israel, ' They are entangled.' And the Egyptians
shall M<now that I am the LORD."
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people
were fled. And the heart of Pharaoh and his servants
was changed, and they said, " What is this we have done,
that we have let Israel go from serving us?" And he
made ready his chariot, and took his people Israel pur-
with him ; he took all the chariots of Egypt, sued,
and captains over all of them, and pursued after the
children of Israel, and overtook them encamping by the
sea.
' Exod. xiii, i. ^ Exod. xiii, 14. I " Luke ii, 22-24. ''Gen. 1, 25, 26,
** Exod. xiii, 16. "^ Exod. v, 2.
82 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 14. 10.
And the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and,
behold, the Egyptians ! And they were sore afraid, and
cried unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses,
" Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us ? It were
better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should
die in the wilderness."
And Moses said unto the people, " Fear ye not, stand
still, and see the salvation of the Lord. For the
Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them
no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you."
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Speak unto the
children of Israel that they go forward. Lift thou up
thy rod and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and
divide it ; and the children of Israel shall go into the
midst of the sea on dry ground."
And the angel of God, which went before tlie camp
of Israel, removed and went behind them ; and the pillar
of cloud removed from before them, and stood behind
them: and it came between the camp of Egypt and
the camp of Israel; the one came not near the other all
the night.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea ; and
the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east
Theseadi- wind all the night, and the waters were
vided. divided. And the children of Israel went
into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground. The
waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and
on their left.
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them,
all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and horsemen.
And in the morning watch the Lord looked forth
upon the host of the Eg\'ptians through the pillar of fiic
and of cloud, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians.
He took off their chaj-iot wheels, that they drave heavily ;
so that the Egyptians' said, " Let us flee from the face
of Israel ; for the LoRD fighteth for them."
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Stretch oul thine
hand over the sea."
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and
the sea returned to its ''strength when the rnorning
" R. V. marg., Or, zvoiitcd flc^u.
Exod. 14. 27.] Chronologically Arranged. 83
appeared. And the Egyptians fled. And the Lord
overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. The
waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the
horsemen, even all the host of Pharaoh.
There remained not so much as one of them, tians de-
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of ^^^^y®'^-
the hand of the Egyptians. And Israel saw the great
work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians, and the
people feared the LoRD : and they believed in the LORD,
and in his servant Moses.
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel The Song of
this song unto the LORD, Moses.
" I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed
gloriously :
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The enemy said,
* I will pursue !
I will overtake !
I will draw my sword !
My hand shall destroy them ! '
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered
them :
They sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto thee, O LORD?
Who is like thee.
Glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises.
Doing wonders?
The Lord shall reign forever and ever."
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took
a timbrel in her hand ; and all the women went out after
her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered
them,
"Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed
gloriously ;
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea."
84 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 15. 22.
CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE RED SEA TO SINAI,
And Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and
they went out into the wilderness of Shur. They
went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of
the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore the
name of it was called ''"■ Marah. And the
Murmuring , , • i. T\/r • ~
-waters people murmured agamst Moses, saying,
sweetened. « ^yj^^^ ^,^^,j ^^^ ^^.j^^j^, p ., ^^^j j^^ ^^.j^j ^^^^^
the Lord ; and the LORD showed him a tree, and he
cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet.
And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs
of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they
encamped there by the waters.
And they took their journey from Elim, and came unto
the wilderness of Sin, on the fifteenth day of the second
month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
And the whole congregation murmured against Moses
and against Aaron, and said unto them, " Would that
we had died in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the
flcshpots, when we did cat bread to the full,
-ibod^""^ For ye have brought us forth into this wildcr-
^^''^^- ness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger."
And Moses said, "Your murmurings are not against
us, but against the LoRD; he hath heard your murmur-
ings." And they lookcxl toward the wilderness, and, be-
hold, the glory of the LoRD appeared in the cloud.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "I have
heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Speak
unto them, saying, ' At even ye shall eat flesh, and in
the morning ye shall be filled with bread ; and ye shall
know that 1 am the LORD your God.' "
" R. V. marg., That \^' Bitterness.
Exod. i6. 13.] Chronologically Arranged. 85
- And it came to pass at even, that quails came up, and
covered the camp. And in the morning the dew lay-
round about the camp.
And when the dew was gone up, behold, upon the face
of the wilderness a small ^ round thing, small as the hoar
frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel
saw it, they said one to another, '^ " What is it ? " For
they wist not what it was.
And Moses said unto them, "It is the bread which the
Lord hath given you to eat. Gather ye of it."
And the children of Israel did so ; they gathered it
morning by morniiig. And when the sun waxed hot it
melted.
And on the sixth day they gathered twice as much,
and all the rulers of the congregation came and told
Moses. And he said unto them, " This is that which
the Lord hath spoken, ' To-morrow is a solemn rest, a
holy sabbath unto the LORD. Six days ye shall gather
it ; but on the seventh day is the sabbath, in it there
shall be none.' "
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that there
went out some of the people to gather, and they found
none. So the people rested on the seventh day. And
the house of Israel called the name thereof ° Manna ; and
it was like coriander seed, white ; and the taste of it was
like wafers made with honey.
And Moses said unto Aaron, " Take a pot, and put
manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept
for your generations, that they may see the bread where-
with I fed you in the wilderness." So Aaron laid it up
before the testimony.
And the children of Israel did eat the manna forty
years, until they came unto the borders of the land of
Canaan.
And all the congregation of the children of Israel
journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, accord-
■ ^ \^ 1 ^ r ^1 T ^^^ 1 Murmuring
mg to the commandment 01 the LORD, and -water
pitched in Rephidim : and there was no water s^"^®'^'
for the people to drink. Wherefore the people strove
* R. V. marg., Ov, flake. *> R. V. marg., Or, It is manna. Heb. Man hti.
"= R. V. mare., Heb. Man.
86 " The vSiiorter Bible [Exod. 17. 2.
with Moses, and said, " Give us water,- that we may
drink."
And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, " What shall
I do unto this people ? They be almost ready to stone
me."
And the LORD said unto Moses, " Pass on before the
people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel ; and
thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine
hand. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the
rock in Horeb ; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there
shall come water out of it, that the people may drink."
And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephi-
dim. And Moses said unto Joshua, " Choose out men,
and go, fight with Amalek. I will stand on the top of
the hill with the rod of God in mine hand."
So Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the
T, .., x-u hill. And when Moses *held up his hand, Israel
Battle witn -i i 11 i 1 1 1 ■ 1 1
the Amalek- prevailed; and when he let down his hand,
Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were
heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him,
and he sat thereon ; and Aaron and Hur stayed u[) his
hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the
other side ; and his hands were steady until the going
down of the sun. y\nd Joshua discomfited Amalek and
his people with the edge of the sword.
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Write this for a
memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua ;
that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek
from under heaven."
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it
^ Jehovah-nissi.
Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God
had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how the
Lord had broufjht Israel out of Egypt. And
Visit and -
counsel of Jetliro took Zipporah, Moses wife, and her
®^ ^°- two sons, ^ Gershom and ** Eliezer, and came
unto Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped.
And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did
" Tlic attitude of prayer. '' R. V. marg., That is, 77ic' Lord is my bauncr.
'^ That is, a sojourner. '' That is, God my help.
Exod. i8. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 87
obeisance, and kissed him, and they came into the tent.
And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had
done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's
sake, and how the Lord delivered them. And Jethro
rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done
to Israel. And Jethro took a burnt offering and sacrifices
for God. And Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel,
to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to
judge the people ; and the people stood about Moses
from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses'
father-in-law saw all, he said, " What is this?"
And Moses said unto his father-in-law, " Because the
people come unto me to inquire of God ; and I judge
between a man and his neighbor, and make them know
the laws of God."
And Moses' father-in-law said unto him, " The thing
that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear
away. The thing is too heavy for thee. Hearken now
unto my voice, I will give thee counsel. Provide out
of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth,
hating unjust gain, and place such over them, to be rulers
of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers
of tens, and let them judge the people at all seasons. Every
great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small
matter they shall judge themselves."
So Moses liearkened to the voice of his father-in-law,
and did all that he had said.
And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went
his way into his own land.
38 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 19. i.
CHAPTER V.
THE COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND ISRAEL.
In the third month after the children of Israel were
gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came
they into the wilderness of Sinai. And Israel camped
before the mount.
And Moses went up unto God, and the LoRD called
The cove- unto him out of the mountain, saying, " Thus
poslcfby ^^■'^It ^^■'O" ^^y ^o ^^^^ children of Israel, ' Ye
G^od. have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and
how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto
myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed,
and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar
treasure unto me '^ from among all peoples. Ye shall be
unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.' "
And Moses came and called for the elders of the
people, and set before them all these words which the
Lord commanded him. And all the people answered
Accepted together, and said, " All that the LORD hath
by the spoken we will do." And Moses reported the
words of the people unto the Lord.
And Moses went down from the mount, and sanctified
the people ; and they washed their garments. And he
said unto the people, " Be ready against the third day."
And it came to pass on the third day, Avhen it was
morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and
a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of a trum-
pet exceeding loud ; and all the people that were in the
camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people
out of the camp to meet God. And Mount Sinai was
altogether on smoke, because the LORD descended upon
it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke
of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And
" R. V. marg., Or, above.
Exod. 19. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 89
when the voice of the trumpet waxed louder and louder,
Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And
the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai.
And God spake, saying,
" I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of
the land of Egypt, out of the house of The "words
bondage. °^^^^,^RY^'
" Thou shalt have no other gods before me. command-
" Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven
image, nor the likeness of any form that is in heaven
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the
water under the earth : thou shalt not bow down thyself
unto them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God am
a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon
the children, upon the third and upon the fourth gen-
eration of them that hate me ; and showing mercy unto
^ thousands of them that love me and keep my command-
ments.
'* Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God
^in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that
taketh his name in vain.
" Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days
shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : but the seventh
day is a sabbath unto the LORD thy God : in it thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daugh-
ter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle,
nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days
the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that
in them is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore the
Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
" Honor thy father and thy mother : that thy days may
be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee.
" Thou shalt do no murder.
"Thou shalt not commit adultery.
" Thou shalt not steal.
" Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neigh-
bor.
" Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt
" R. V. marg., Or, a thousand generations. See Deut. vii. 9. ^ R. V.
marg., Or, for vanitv ox falsehood.
9
90 The vSiiorter Bible ^ [Exod. 20. 17.
not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor
his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything
that is thy neighbor's."
And all the people saw the thundcrings, and the light-
nings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain
smoking ; and they trembled, and stood afar off. And
they said unto Moses, " Speak thou with us, and we will
hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die."
And Moses said unto the people, " Fear not : for God
is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before
you, that ye sin not."
And Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where
God was.
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Thus thou shalt say
Additional unto the children of Israel, 'Ye yourselves
Book of ^he have seen that I have talked with you from
Covenant"), heavcn. Ye shall not make other gods with
me ; gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make
unto you. . . .
" ' He that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall surely
be put to death.
" ' He that curscth his father, or his mother, shall surely
be put to death. . . .
" ' ' He that stcaleth a man, and selleth him, shall surely
be put to death. . . .
"'''If one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then
shall they sell the live ox, and divide the price of it ; and
the dead ox also they shall divide. Or if it be known
that the ox was wont to gore in time past, and his owner
hath not kept him in ; he shall surely pay ox for ox, and
the dead beast shall be his own.
'" If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or
sell it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep
for a sheep. . . .
'" He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the
Lord only, shall be utterly destroyed.
" ' A stranger shalt thou not oppress ; for ye know the
heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land
of Egypt.
" ' Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If
' Exod. xxi, 16. -Exod. xxi, 35.
Exod. 22.23.] CfIRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 91
thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me,
I will surely hear their cry ; and my wrath shall wax hot,
and I will kill you with the sword ; and your wives shall
be widows, and your children fatherless. . . .
*' ' The firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy
sheep ; seven days it shall be with its dam ; on the
eighth day thou shalt give it me.
" 'Ye shall be holy men unto me. . . .
" ' Thou shalt not take up a false report. Thou shalt
not follow a multitude to do evil. . . .
" ' If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying
under his burden, and wouldst forbear to help him, thou
shalt surely help him.
" ' ' Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or sheep go
astray, and hide thyself from them ; thou shalt surely
bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother
be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then
thou shalt bring it home to thine house, and it shall be
with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt
restore it to him again. And so shalt thou do with his
ass, and his garment, and every lost thing. . . .
" ' Keep thee far from a false matter. . . .
" ' ^ Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk. . . .
" ' " Ye shall not kill cow or ewe and her young both in
one day.'
'And God said unto Moses, "Come up unto the
Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy
of the elders of Israel ; and worship ye afar off. And
Moses alone shall come near."
And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose
up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the
mount, and twelve pillars, according to the
twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young nantfoTm-
men of the children of Israel, which offered ^^^^ ^atifie'i-
*• offerings of oxen unto the LORD. '^And Moses took
half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the
blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book
' Deut. xxii, i.
'■'Lev. xxii, 28.
^ Exod. xxiv, I.
* To inculcate mercifulness. ^ The
beginning of national sacrifice.
= Heb. ix. 18-21.
92 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 24. 7.
of the covenant, and * read in the audience of the
people.
And they said, " All that the Lord hath spoken will
we do, and be obedient."
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the
people, and said, " Behold the blood of the covenant,
which the LORD hath made with you."
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu,
and seventy of the elders of Lsrael ; and they saw the
God of Israel. And there was under his feet as it were
a paved work of sapphire stone, as it were the very
heaven for clearness. And upon the nobles of the chil-
dren of Israel he laid not his hand. And they beheld
God and did eat and drink.
''Neh. viii, 23.
Exod. 24.12.] Chronologically Arranged. 93
CHAPTER VI.
MOSES IN THE MOUNTAIN WITH GOD: DIRECTIONS
FOR BUILDING THE TENT OF MEETING.
And the Lord said unto Moses, "Come up to me
into the mount, and I will give thee the tables
of stone, and the law and the commandment, God in the
which I have written, that thou mayest teach
them."
"And Moses said unto the elders, "Tarry ye here
until we come again unto you."
"And Moses and Joshua his minister went up into the
mount of God. And the Glory of the LORD abode
upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days.
And the appearance of the Glory was like devouring fire
on the top of the mount.
'And the seventh day God called unto Moses out of
the midst of the cloud, and Moses entered into the midst
of the cloud, and was in the mount forty days and forty
nights.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Speak
unto the children of Israel, that they take for me an
offering, of every man whose heart maketh him willing.
And this is the offering which ye shall take of Q.ojijiesir-
them ; gold, and silver, and brass ; blue, and ing to dwell
, ' ° , ' , .' - , . , , . with Israel.
purple, and scarlet, and fine hnen ; sealskms,
and acacia wood ; oil for the light, spices for the anoint-
ing oil and for the sweet incense ; and precious
stones to be set. And let them make me a sanctuary
that I may dwell among them.
" They shall make an ark of acacia wood, and overlay
it with pure gold, within and without shalt ^^
, ^ , P ' The ark.
thou overlay it.
" And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold. And
' Exod. xxiv, 14. ■■' Exod. xxiv, 13. ^ Exod. xxiv, 16.
94 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 25. 18.
thou shalt make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work
„, shalt thou make them, at the two ends of
The mercy . ^ . ' . -^i .1
seat. the mercy seat, of one piece with the mercy
seat shall ye make the cherubim. And the cherubim
shall spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy
seat with their wings, with their faces one to another,
toward the mercy seat. And thou shalt put the mercy
seat upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the
testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet
with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the
mercy seat.
" * And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make unto
it a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt put it
The altar for before the veil, before the mercy seat where
incense. I xYJll meet with thee. And every morning
when Aaron dresseth the lamps, and when h e lighteth
the lamps at even, he shall burn incense of sweet spices
thereon ; a perpetual incense before the LORD. Ye shall
offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt offering, nor
meal offering; and ye shall pour no drink offering thereon.
It is most holy unto the LORD.
"*And thou shalt make a table of acacia wood, and
overlay it with pure gold. And thou shalt make the
dishes and spoons and bowls thereof of pure
The table. ^^^jj_ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^j^^jj. ^^.^ ^jp^,^ ^.j^^ ^^^^^
showbread before me alway.
"And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold, of
beaten work. There shall be six branches going out of
The candle- ^hc sides thereof, three out of the one side
stick. ^iitj three out of the other. And thou shalt
make the lamps thereof, seven, to give light. And
the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes shall be of pure
gold. 'And thou shalt command the children of Israel
that they bring pure olive oil for the light, to cause a
lamp to burn continually. In the tent of meeting, with-
out the veil, Aaron and his sons shall order it from
evening to morning before the LoRD.
""Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten
curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and
' Exod. XXX, 1. '^ Exod. xxv, 23. ^ Exod. xxvii, 20. ■• Exod. xxvi, i.
Exod. 26. 1.] Chronologically Arran(;ed. 95
scarlet, with cherubim the work of the cunning work-
man shalt thou make them. And thou shalt
Tlie "tent
make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over
the tabernacle. And thou shalt make a covering for the
tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of sealskins
above.
" And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle of
acacia wood. And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold.
" And thou shalt make a ^ veil of blue, and purple, and
scarlet, and fine twined linen ; with cherubim the work
of the cunning workman shall it be made. And thou
shalt hang it upon four pillars of acacia
overlaid with gold, and shalt bring in thither
within the veil the ark of the testimony. And the veil
shall divide between the holy place and the most holy.
And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the
testimony in the most holy place. And thou shalt set
the table and candlestick without the veil.
" And thou shalt make a screen for the door of the tent,
of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine
twined linen, the work of the embroiderer. ® scieen.
And thou shalt make for the screen five pillars of acacia,
and overlay them with gold.
" And thou shalt make the altar of acacia
wood. And thou shalt overlay it with brass. burnt^oflbi°/
And all the vessels thereof thou shalt make "^^"
of brass.
"And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle, of
fine twined linen, '' an hundred cubits long for
one side. And the pillars thereof shall be ^e court.
of brass, the hooks and fillets of silver.
" ' Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and thou shalt
put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and
thou shalt put water therein. And Aaron
and his sons shall wash their hands and their
feet thereat, when they go into the tent of meeting, or
when they come near to the altar to minister, that they
die not."
Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Take
^ Exod. XXX, i8. I "Matt, xxvii, 51. '^ About a liuii-
I dred and fifty feet.
96 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 30. 23.
thou also unto thee spices ; myrrh, sweet cinnamon,
The holy oil "^weet calamus, cassia, and olive oil, and
and incense, niake it an holy anointing oil. And thou
shalt anoint therewith the tent of meeting, and the ark,
and table, and candlestick, and the altar of incense, and
the altar of burnt offering, and the laver. And thou shalt
anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they
may minister unto me in the priest's office. And take
unto thee sweet spices, and make incense, seasoned with
salt, pure and holy, and put of it before the testimony
in the tent of meeting."
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " See, I
have called by name Bezalel, of the tribe of Judah, and
I have filled him with the Spirit of God to work in gold,
and silver, and brass, and in cutting of stones for setting,
and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of work-
manship. And in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted
The work- I h3.ve put wisdom, that they may make all
men called. ]_\y^^^ J ^^ve commanded thee; the tent of
meeting, and the ark, and the mercy seat, and all the fur-
niture of the tent, and the holy garments for Aaron and
his sons, and the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet
spices; according to all that I have commanded thee
shall they do."
' And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " When
thou takest the sum of the children of Lsrael, then shall
they give every man ''a ransom for his soul, half a shekel
for an offering to the LoRD. The rich shall
ThepoUtax. ^^^^ ^j^^ more, the poor shall not give less.
And thou shalt take the money for the service of the
tent of meeting.
" "And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother,
and his sons, tliat he may minister unto me in the priest's
office, even Aaron, an d Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and
Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy
garments for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty.
The priests' ^nd these are the garments : a breastplate, an
arments. ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a miter,
and a girdle.
"And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and
' Exod. XXX, II. '^ Exod. xxviii, i. | "Matt, xvii, 24-27.
Lxod. 28. 6.] Chronologically ArranCxEd. 97
purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the
cunning workman. And thou shalt take two onyx
stones, and grave on them the names of the children of
Israel ; six of their names on one stone, and six on the
other. And thou shalt put the two stones upon the
shoulder pieces of the ephod to be stones of memorial
for the children of Israel ; and '^ Aaron shall bear their
names before the LORD upon his two ^ shoulders.
" And thou shalt make a breastplate, like the work of
the ephod. Foursquare it shall be. ' And bind the
breastplate to the ephod with a lace of blue. * And thou
shalt set in it four rows of stones, according to the names
of the children of Israel, twelve. They shall be for the
twelve tribes. And Aaron shall bear the names of the
children of Israel in the breastplate upon his '^ heart when
he goeth in unto the holy place.
"And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave
upon it, Holy to the Lord.' And thou shalt put it on
a lace of blue, on the forefront of the miter. And it shall
be upon Aaron's forehead."
^Andhegave unto Moses, when he had The tables
made an end of communing with him upon gfvlnto Mo-
Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, ses.
tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
' Exod. xxviii, 28.
'•* Exod. xxviii, 17.
■' Exod. xxxi, 18.
* Aaron is here a type of Christ.
'' A symbol of strength. ^' A symbol
of love.
98 The Shorter Bible [Kxod. 32. i.
CHAPTER VII.
ISRAEL'S BACKSLIDING, PUNISHMENT, AND RESTORA-
TION : THE TENT OF MEETING ERECTED.
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come
down from the mount, the people gathered themselves
together unto Aaron, and said unto him, " Up, make us
gods, which shall go before us ; for as for this Moses, the
man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we
know not what is become of him."
And Aaron said unto them, " Break off the golden rings,
which are in the ears of your wives, your sons and daugh-
ters, and bring them unto me."
And all the people brake off the golden rings \\hich
were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron, And
he received it at their hand, and fashioned it with a
The golden graving tool, and made it a molten calf And
^^^^- they said, " These be thy gods, O Israel,
which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."
And when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it;
and Aaron made proclamation, and said, " To-morrow
shall be a feast to the LORD."
And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered
burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings ; and the
people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to pla}'.
And the LoRl) spake unto Moses, " Go, get thee down ;
for thy people, which thou broughtest up out of the land
of Egypt, have turned aside quickly out of the way.
They have made them a molten calf, and they have wor-
shiped it."
And Moses turned and went down from the mount, with
the two tabUs of tlie testimony in his hand written on
both their sides. .\nd the tables were the work of God,
and the writings were the writing of God, graven upon
the tables.
Exod. 32. i7l Chronologically Arranged. 99
■ And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they
shouted, he said unto Moses, "There is a noise of war
in the camp,"
But Moses said, " It is not the voice of them that
shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that
cry for being overcome, but the voice of them that
sing."
And as soon as he came nigh unto the camp he saw
the calf and the dancing. And Moses' anger waxed hot,
and he cast the tables out of his hands, and rj,j^g tables
brake them. And he took the calf which they broken,
had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to
powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the
children of Israel drink of it.
And Moses said unto Aaron, " What did this people
unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon
them ? "
And Aaron said, " Let not thine anger wax hot.
Thou knowcst the people that they are set on evil.
They said unto me, ' Make us gods which shall go before
us ; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up
out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become
of him.' And I said unto them, 'Whosoever hath any
gold, let them break it off.' So they gave it to me,
and I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf!"
And when Moses saw that the people were broken
loose, h e stood in the gate of the camp, and said,
" Whoso is on the Lord's side, let him come unto me ! "
And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together
unto him. And he said unto them, " Thus saith the
Lord, the God of Israel, ' Put ye every man his sword
upon his thigh, and go to and fro from gate to gate
throughout the camp and slay.' "
And the sons of Levi did so ; and there xhree thou-
fell of the people that day about ''three thou- sand slain,
sand men.
And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses re-
turned unto the LORl), and said, "Oh, this Mosesinter-
people have sinned a great sin, and have made ceding.
them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their
"About one thousandth of the people.
100 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 32. 32.
sin — ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book
which thou hast written."
And the LORD said unto Moses, " Whosoever hath
sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Go,
lead the people unto the place of which 1 have spoken
unto thee ; behold, mine angel shall go before thee, for
I will not go up in the midst of thee, lest I consume thee
in the way. Therefore, now say unto the children of
Israel, ' Put off thy ornaments from thee, that 1 may
know what to do unto thee.' "
' And when the people heard these evil tidings they
mourned, and no man did put on him his ornaments.
Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it with-
out the camp, afar off. And he called it. The tent of
meeting. And every one which sought the LORD went
out unto the tent of meeting. And when Moses went
out unto the tent, all the people rose up,
epen ance. ^^^^ stood, every man at his tent door and
looked after Moses. And when Moses entered into the
tent the pillar of cloud descended, and stood at the
door of the tent, and the LORD spake with Moses. And
Restora- ^^^ ^^^^ people saw the pillar of cloud, and all
tion- the people rose up and worshiped, every man
at his tent door.
And the LORU spake unto Moses face to face, as a
man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into
the camp; but his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a
young man, departed not out of the tent.
And Moses said unto the LoRl), "See, thou sayest
unto me, 'Bring up this people;' and thou hast not let
me know whom thou wilt send with me."
And God said, " "" My presence shall go with thee, and
I will give thee rest."
And Moses said unto him, "If thy presence go
not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein now
shall it be known that I have found grace in thy sight,
I and thy people? Is it not in that thou goest with us,
so that we be separated, I and thy people, from all
the people that are upon the face of the earth ? "
And the Lord said unto Moses, " I will do this thing
' Exod. xxxhi, 4. | " Matt, xxviii, 20.
Exod. 33-I7-] Chronologically Arranged. 101
also that thou hast spoken ; for thou hast found grace in
my sight, and I know thee by name." Moses'
And Moses said, "Show me, I pray thee, prayer for
thy glory." ^^^^^i'-
And God said, " I will make all my goodness pass
before thee, and will proclaim the name of the Lord be-
fore thee." And he said, " Thou canst not see my face,
for man shall not see me and live. Behold, I will put
thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my
hand until I have passed by; and I will take away mine
hand, and thou shalt see my back, but my face shall not
be seen."
And Moses hewed two tables of stone like unto the
first ; and rose up early in the morning, and Moses'
went up unto Mount Sinai, as the LORD had dty°s^on°the
commanded him. And the I.ORD descended "^o^nt.
in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed
the name of the LORD. The LORD passed by him, and
proclaimed, "The LORD, the Lord, a God full of com-
passion and gracious, slow to anger, and plen- jyieaning of
teous in mercy and truth; '^keeping mercy ^e sacred
for thousands, forgiving iniquity and trans-
gression and sin ; and that will by no means clear the
guilty."
And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward
the earth, and worshiped.
And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty
nights ; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And
he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the
ten commandments.
And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with
the two tables of the testimony in h i s hand, h e wist
not that the skin of his face shone. And when
jVLosgs
Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, shining
behold, the skin of his face shone ; and they
were afraid to come nigh him. And Moses called unto
them ; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation
returned, and afterward all the children of Israel came
nigh. And he gave them in commandment all that the
Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when
"Deut. vii, 9.
102 The Shorter Bible [Exod. 34. 33.
Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on
his face. But when Moses went in before the Lord to
speak with him he took the veil off.
And Moses assembled all the congregation of the chil-
dren of Israel, and said unto them, " Take ye from among
you an offering unto the LoRD ; whosoever is of a willing
The willing heart, let him bring the Lord's offering ; and
offering. j^.^. gygry wisc-liearted man from among you
come and make the tabernacle."
And all the children of Lsrael, both men and women,
came, every one whom his spirit made willing, and
brought the Lord's offering, brooches, and earrings, and
signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold. And blue,
and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen ; and goats' hair,
and rams' skins, and sealskins, and silver, and brass, and
c o s t 1 y wood. And all the women that were wise-
hearted did spin with their hands the blue, and the pur-
ple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, and goats' hair. And
the rulers brought precious stones, and spice, and oil.
The children of Israel brought a freewill offering unto
the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made
them willing.
And they brought yet freewill offerings every morn-
ing. And the wise men that wrought the work of the
sanctuary came and spake unto Moses, saying, " The
people bring much more than enough."
And Moses caused it to be proclaimed throughout the
camp, saying, " Let neither man nor woman make any
more work for the offering of the sanctuary." So the
people were restrained from bringing.
And every wise-hearted man among them made the
tabernacle with ten curtains; and they made fifty
clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one
made^and to anotheV with the clasps, so the tabernacle
erected. ^^^ ^^^ j^^^ they made curtains of goats'
hair for a tent over the tabernacle, and a covering for
the tent, of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of seal-
skins above. And Bezalel made the ark w i t h its
mercy seat of pure gold. He made two cherubim of
gold, of beaten work, at the two ends thereof He
made the table and candlestick, the altar of incense,
Exod. 38. I.J ClIRONOLOr.ICALLY ARRANGED. 103
the altar of burnt offering, 'and the court ^ round about."
■'And he made the laver of brass, and the base thereof
of brass, of the mirrors of the serving women which
served at the door of the tent of meeting.
And of the blue and purple and scarlet, they made
finely wrought garments for ministering in the holy
place, and the holy garments for Aaron.
Thus was finished all the work of the tabernacle. And
they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, and he saw all
the work. And Moses blessed them.
And in the second year, on the first day of the month,
Moses reared up the tabernacle as the Lord com-
manded.
^ Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and
the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle, Godenter-
and Moses was not able to enter into the ing the tent,
tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and
the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tab-
ernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout
all their journeys ; but if the cloud were not taken up,
then they journeyed not. " So it was alway. And in the
place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel
encamped. Sometimes the cloud was a few days upon
the tabernacle, and sometimes from evening unto morn-
ing. Whether it were two days or a month or a year
that the cloud tarried, the children of Israel remained
encamped, and journeyed not, but when it was taken up
they journeyed. ^ F'or the cloud of the LORD was upon
the tabernacle by day, and there was fire therein by
night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout
all their journeys.
"And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to
speak with God, then he heard the Voice speaking unto
him from between the two cherubim, above the mercy
seat that was upon the ark.
' Exo<l. xxxviii, g. * Num. ix, 16. I
^ Exod. xxxviii, 20. ^ Exod. xl, 38. "• 2 Chron. vii, I ; Acts ii, 2.
"* Exod xxxviii, 8. '' Num. vii, 8g. |
104 The Shorter Bible [Lev. 1. 1.
LEVITICUS.
CHAPTER I.
THE JEWISH OFFERINGS.
And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him
out of the tent of meeting, saying, " Speak unto the
The burnt children of Israel, and say unto them, ' When
offering. any of you ofifereth a burnt offering of the herd
o r ' of the flock, ^ he shall offer it a male without blemish,
at the door of the tent of meeting. And he shall lay his
hand upon the head of the burnt offering ; and it shall be
accepted for him to make atonement for him. And he
shall kill the bullock before the LORD, and the priests
shall sprinkle the blood round about the altar. And if
his burnt offering be of fowls, then he shall offer turtle
doves or young pigeons. ^And the priest shall burn the
whole upon the altar. It is an offering made by fire, of
sweet savor unto the LORD. * The burnt offering shall
be upon the altar all night, and the fire upon the altar shall
be kept burning thereon continually ; it shall not go out.
The meal '" ^And when anyone offereth a meal offering
offering. ^^^o ^\^q Lord, i t shall be of fine flour, and
oil, and frankincense. Me shall bring it to the priests.
And ® the priest 'shall take out his handful, of the fine
flour and oil, with all the frankincense, and shall burn it
upon the altar. And that which is left shall be Aaron's
and liis sous ; it is a thing most holy.
The peace " 'And if his sacrifice be a peace offering of
offering. ^i^^ i^^^^d, o t * of the flock, ' he shall offer it
without blemish before the LoKl). He shall lay his hand
upon i ts head, and kill it at the door of the tent of meet-
' T.ev. i, lo. ^ Lev. i, 13. ^ Lev. ii, i. ■" Lev. ii, 2. 'Lev. iii, i.
'■' Lev. i, 3. ■'Lev. vi, 9. * Lev. ii, 9. ** Lev. iii, 6.
Lev. 3. 2.] Chronologically Arranged. 105
ing. And Aaron's sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the
blood upon the altar round about. And the priest shall
burn ' all the fat ^ on the altar, ^ it is an offering of sweet
savor unto the Lord. * But the breast shall be Aaron's
and his sons'. And he among the sons of Aaron that
offereth the peace offering, shall have the right thigh for
a portion. ^ If he offer it for a thanksgiving, the rest he
shall eat, ^every one that is clean, ' with cakes of bread.
" * And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God,
thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant,
and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy
gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow,
that are in the midst of thee.' "
" And the LoRD spake unto Moses, saying, " If anyone
shall sin in any of the things which the LORD „, „ ^
11 11 • r 1 ^ ^® ^'^ anu
hath commanded not to be done — 11 the guilt offer-
anointed priest shall sin, or "if the whole ^"^'
congregation of Israel shall err, o r " when a ruler sinneth,
o r '^ one of the common people sin " in the holy things
of the Lord ; o r "if anyone sin against the LORD, and
deal falsely with his neighbor in a matter of bargain ; or
have found that which was lost, and deal falsely therein —
in all these that a man doeth he shall restore that which
he took in full, and add more thereto. *^ And he shall
confess that wherein he hath sinned, and "^ make restitu-
tion. "And he shall bring his sin offering, '^ a young
bullock, " a goat, o r '° a lamb ; or " his guilt offering,
unto the LoRD, " a ram, o r *' a lamb, or a goat, two turtle
doves, or two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and
the other for a burnt offering, and the priest shall make
atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.
" But if his means suffice not for two turtle doves or two
young pigeons, then he shall bring fine flour for a sin
offering. He shall put no oil upon it, neither any frank-
incense. It is a sin offering."
' Lev. iii, 3. ^ Lev. vii, 13. *^ Lev. v, 15. " Lev. iv, 23.
'^ Lev. iii, 16. ^Deut. xvi, 11. '•* Lev. vi, 2. -"Lev. iv, 32.
^ Lev. iii, 5. 'Lev. iv, T. '^ Lev. v, 5. -' Lev. v, 6.
''Lev. vii, 31. '"Lev. iv, 13. "• Lev. v, 16. -'■'Lev. vi, 6.
^ Lev. vii, 12. " Lev. iv, 22. ''' Lev. iv, 32. ■-'■* Lev. v, 6.
* Lev. vii, 19. '- Lev, iv, 27. '^ Lev. iv, 3.
10
IOC) The vSiioRTER Bible [Lev. 8. i.
CHAPTER II.
THE CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS: THE BEGINNING
OF WORSHIP IN THE TENT OF MEETING : SUNDRY LAWS.
' And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Take
Aaron and his sons, and the garments, and the anoint-
ing oil, and the bullock of the sin offering, and the two
rams, and the basket of unleavened bread ; and assemble
thou all the congregation at the door of the tent of
meeting."
And Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and all
the congregation was assembled. And Moses brought
Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water, and
. put upon them the holy garments,
conse- And Moses took the anointing oil, and
anointed the tabernacle and all that was
therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof
upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and
the laver, to sanctify them. And he poured of the
anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to
sanctify him. And he brought the bullock of the sin
offering; and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon
the head of the bullock, and he slew it. And Moses
took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar
round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and
poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and sancti-
fied it. And he took all the fat and burned it upon the
altar; but all the rest of the bullock he burnt with
fire without the camp.
And he presented the ram of the burnt offering, and
Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon i t s head, and
he killed it and burnt the whole ram upon the altar.
And he presented the other ram fo r a peace offer-
ing. And Aaron and liis sons laid their hands upon i t s
head. And he slew it, and took of the blood and put it
Lev. 8. 23.J Chronologically Arranged. 107
upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the
thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his
right foot. And he brought Aaron's sons and put of the
blood on the tip of their right ear and thumb and toe,
and sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood
which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron
and his sons, and upon their garments, and sanctified
Aaron and his sons, and their garments.
And Moses said unto Aaron and his sons, " Boil the
flesh at the door of the tent of meeting, and there eat it,
and the bread that is in the basket. And that which
remaineth of the flesh and bread shall ye burn with fire.
And ye shall not go out from the door of the tent of
meeting seven days, until the days of your consecration
be fulfilled."
And on the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his
sons, and the elders of Israel, And he said Public wor-
unto Aaron, " Offer a sin offering, a burnt t?nt Jfmelt-
offering; and let the children of Israel offer ^"g-
a sin offering, a burnt offering, and peace offerings before
the Lord. For to-day the LORD appeareth unto you."
And all the congregation drew near and stood before
the Lord. * So Aaron ^ and Aaron's sons Mrew near
unto the altar * and offered ^offerings "as Moses com-
manded. And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the
people and blessed them, and he came down from offer-
ing the offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the
tent of meeting, and came out and blessed the people ;
and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
And there came forth fire from before the Miraculous
Lord, and consumed upon the altar the fi^e.
burnt offering and the fat ; and when all the people saw
it they shouted, and fell on their faces.
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each
of them his censer, and put fire therein, and Death of
laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire ^K^hu ^"^
before the LORD, which he had not com-
manded them. And there came forth fire from before
' Lev. ix, 8. 2 Lev. ix, 8. ' Lev. ix, i8.
^ Lev. ix, 18. '•Lev. ix, 15. * Lev. ix, 21.
108 The Shorter Bible [Lev. lo. 2.
the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before
tlie Lord. And Aaron held his peace.
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, " Drink no
wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee,
when ye go into the tent of meeting, that ye die not. It
shall be a statute forever throughout your generations."
' And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Speak
Sundry unto all the congregation of the children of
laws. Israel, and say thou unto them, ' Ye shall be
holy ; for I the Lord your God am holy. Ye shall fear
every man his mother and his father; and ye shall keep
my sabbaths. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to
yourselves molten images; I am the LORD your God.
" ' And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt
not wholly reap the coriiers of thy field, neither shalt
thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest. And thou
shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather
the fallen fruit of thy vineyard ; thou shalt leave them
for the poor and for the stranger.
" ' Ye shall not steal ; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor
He one to another.
" ' Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him.
The wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee
all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the
deaf nor put a stumbling-block before the blind, but
thou shalt fear thy God; I am the LoRD.
" ' Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor
honor the person of the mighty ; but in righteousness
shalt thou judge thy neighbor.
" ' Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer
among thy people.
" ' Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart.
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge
against the children of thy people, but '■' thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself; I am the Lord.
" ' Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence m)- sanctu-
ary.
" ' Turn ye not unto them that have familiar spirits, nor
unto wizards. Seek them not out to be defiled by them.
I am the Lord your God.
' Lev. xix, I. 1 " Mark xii, 31 ; Deut. vi, 4.
Lev. 19. 32.] Chronologically Arranged. 109
" ' Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor
the face of the old man.
*' ' If a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall
not do him wrong. Thou shalt love him as thyself; for
ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
" ' Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in
weight, or in measure ; just balances, just weights shall ye
have. And ye shall observe all my statutes, and all my
judgments, and do them ; I am the LORD.
" ' ' All the tithe of the land, whether of seed or of
fruit, is the Lord's. It is holy unto the Lord. And
all the tithes of the flock shall be holy unto the Lord.
He shallnot search it whether it be good or bad, neither
shall he change it. It shall not be redeemed.' "
' Lev. xxvii, 30.
110
The Shorter Bible
[Lev. 23. I.
CHAPTER III.
THE JEWISH FEASTS AND SACRED TIMES: PROMISES
AND WARNINGS.
' And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " These
are the set feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim
to be holy convocations.
The sab- "Six days shall work be done, but on the
bath. seventh day is a sabbath of holy rest. Ye
shall do no work ; it is a sabbath unto the Lord in all
your dwellings.
" And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the
The pass- month at even, is the Lord's passover, the
over. feast of unleavened bread. Seven days shall
ye eat unleavened bread. In the first and 'seventh
day ^ ye shall have an holy convocation ; ye shall do no
servile work. And when ye be come into the land
which I give unto you, ye shall bring the sheaf of the
* first fruits of your harvest unto the priest, and ye shall
wave the sheaf before the LORD. ^ On the morrow after
the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall eat
neither parched corn nor fresh ears until ye have
brought the oblation of your God.
" And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after
The feast of ^^^ sabbath, from the day that ye brought the
weeks (pen- sheaf, " fifty days ; ' seven sabbaths shall be
complete, and ye shall offer a new meal offer-
ing unto the Lord. Ye shall bring out of your habita-
tions two loaves, of fine flour baken with leaven ; and
they shall be an offering with offerings of the herd and
flock. And there shall be an holy convocation, ye shall
do no servile work.
' Lev. xxiii, i. ■* Lev. xxiii, 16.
* Lev. xxiii, 8. ' Lev. xxiii, 15.
^ Lev. xxiii, 7.
" I Cor. XV, 20. '' Matt, xxviii, i.
Lev. 23. 24.] Chronologically Arranged. ill
" And in the seventh month, in the first day of the
month, shall be a solemn rest, a memorial of Thefeast of
blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation, tr^i^pets.
Ye shall do no servile work ; and ye shall offer an offer-
ing made by fire unto the LORD.
" And on the tenth day of this seventh month is the
day of atonement. Ye shall offer an offering The day of
made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall atonement.
do no manner of work in that same day. It shall be unto
you a sabbath of solemn rest, and ye shall afflict your souls.
' And the anointed priest '' shall bathe his flesh in water
and put on the holy garments and ^ come into the holy
place, with a young bullock for a sin offering and a ram
for a burnt offering. "And Aaron shall present the bul-
lock, and make atonement for himself and for his house.
^And he shall take a censer of fire from off the altar and
put incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the
cloud may cover the mercy seat that he die not. " For
I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. ' And he
shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it be-
fore the mercy seat seven times.
"*'And he shall take of the children of Israel two
goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
"Then shall he kill one goat and bring his blood within
the veil and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat. And
Aaron shall lay both hands upon the head of the live
goat, and confess over him all the sins and transgressions
of the children of Israel, and put them on the goat, and
send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness,
and the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities into
a solitary land. And the bullock and goat of the sin
offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement
in the holy place, shall be carried forth without the camp,
and they shall burn them in the fire.
" '"And on the fifteenth day of this seventh month, when
ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye rj,j^g feast of
shall keep the feast of the LORD seven days. *f-^g®™''^'
On the first day and on the eighth day shall
be a solemn rest. And ye shall take, on the first day,
' Lev. xvi, 32. 2 Lev. xvi, 3. 'Lev. xvi, 12. ''Lev. xvi, 14. ''Lev. xvi, 15.
* Lev. xvi, 4. ""Lev. xvi, 6. •'Lev. xvi, 2. * Lev. xvi, 5. '" Lev. xxiii^ 34.
112 The Shorter Bible [Lev. 23. 40.
the fruit of goodly trees, branches of pahn trees and
boughs of thick trees and willows, and ye shall rejoice
before the Lord your God seven days. Ye shall dwell
in booths seven days, that your generations may know
that I made Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought
them out of the land of Egypt."
And Moses declared unto Israel the set feasts of the
Lord.
' And the Lord spake unto Moses in Mount Sinai,
saying, " When ye come unto the land which I give you,
The sabbatic then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the
year. LoRD. Six years thou shalt sow thy field,
prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruits thereof; but
in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for
the land. Thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune
thy vineyard. That which groweth of itself thou shalt
not reap, and the grapes of thy vine thou shalt not
gather, ^ that the poor of thy people may eat, and what
they leave the beast of the field shall eat. ^And if ye
shall say, 'What shall we eat the seventh year?' I
will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year,
and the land shall bring forth fruit for the three years,
until the fruits o f the ninth year come in.
" * And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto
thee, even forty and nine years. Then shalt thou send
abroad the loud trumpet, and )'c shall hallow the fiftieth
The yearof year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land
jubilee. ynto all the inhabitants thereof. It shall be a
jubilee unto you ; and ye shall return every man unto his
possession, and every man unto his family. Ye shall not
sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself, nor gather
the grapes of the undressed vine ; it is a jubilee ; it shall
be holy unto you. And the land shall yield her fruit,
and yc shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.
" ' If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my command-
ments, and do them, then I will give rains in
and warn- thcir season, and ye shall cat bread to the
ings. ^^jj^ ^^^^j dwell in your land safely. And I will
give peace in the land ; ye shall lie down, and none shall
make you afraid. And I will set my tabernacle among
' Lev. XXV, I. ^ Lev. xxiii, ii. ^ Lev. xxv, 20. ^ Lev. xxv, 8. •' Lev. xxvi, 3.
Lev. 26. II.] Chronologically Arranged. 113
you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God,
and ye shall be my people.
" But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do
all my commandments, I also will do this unto you ; I
will appoint terror over you, even consumption and fever.
And ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies
shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye
shall be smitten before your enemies ; they that hate you
shall rule over }^ou. Ye shall flee when none pursueth
you. And if ye will not yet for these things hearken
unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for
your sins. I will make your heaven as iron and your
earth as brass. And I will send the beast of the field
among you, which shall rob you of your children, and
destroy your cattle, and make you few in number. And
you will I scatter among the nations, and your land shall
be a desolation, and your cities a waste. Then shall the
land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and
ye be in your enemies' land. And as for them that are
left in the lands of their enemies, I will send faintness
into their heart, and the sound of a driven leaf shall chase
them.
" ' Yet ° if their heart be humbled, ' I will not destroy
them utterly, but I will remember the covenant of their
ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt
in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I
am the Lord,"
' Lev. xxvi, 44. ^ Lev. xxvi, 41. ^Lev. xxvi, 44.
114 The Shorter Bible LNum. i. i.
NUMBERS.
CHAPTER I.
PREPARATIONS FOR TILE JOURNEY: FROM SINAI TO
KADESH-BARNEA.
And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of
Thefirst Sinai, in the tent of meeting, the second
census. month of the second year after they were
come out of the land of Egypt, saying, " Take ye the
sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel,
thou and Aaron."
And they assembled all the congregation together
and numbered them, every male from twenty years old
and upward. * And they were six hundred and three
thousand five hundred and fifty, ''all able to go forth to war.
^ But the Levites were not numbered among them.
* And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Behold, I
. ^ have taken the Levites from among the
Appoint- , •, , /- T 1 • 1 r 1 /-I
ment, cen- children oi Isracl instead ot the firstborn;
sus.andcon- ,,. . ini • /-r^ ^i i
secrationof the Levites sliall be mine, (ror on the day
Levites. ^j^^^ ^ smote all the firstborn in the land
of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel,
both man and beast.) ' Bring the tribe of Levi near, and
set them before Aaron, that they may minister untcj him.
And they shall do the service of the tabernacle. And
thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, ;uul they shall
keep their priesthood ; and the stranger that cometh
nigh shall be put to death. " Number the children of
Levi."
And Moses numbered them 'from thirty years old
'Num. i, 46. 2 Num. i, 47. 'Num. iii, 6. ''Num. iv, 47.
*Num. i, 45. * Num. iii, IT. •'Num. iii, 15.
Num. 4- 47-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 115
unto fifty years old, even eight thousand four hundred
and fourscore.
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Take the
Levites and cleanse them. Sprinkle the water of expia-
tion upon them, and let them wash their clothes and
cleanse themselves. Then let them take two bullocks,
and present the Levites before the tent of meeting. And
assemble the whole congregation ; and the children of
Israel shall lay their hand upon the Levites, and Aaron
shall offer the Levites on behalf of the children of Israel,
that they may do the service of the LORD. And the
Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bul-
locks, ^ and offer thou the one for a sin offering and the
other for a burnt offering unto the LORD. And the Le-
vites shall be mine. They are wholly given unto me in-
stead of the firstborn."
^Thus did Moses and Aaron and all the congregation
of the children of Israel unto them. And the Levites
purified themselves from sin, and after that went the Le-
vites in to do the service in the tent of meeting.
' And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Speak
unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, ' On this wise ye
shall bless the children of Israel ; ye shall say unto
them,
" * " The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : r^^^^ priestly
" ' " The Lord make his face to shine upon benedic-
111- 1 ■'■lo^^-
thee, and be gracious unto thee :
** ' " The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and
give thee peace." '
" So shall they put my name upon the children of Is-
rael ; and I will bless them."
And it came to pass in the day that Moses had made
an end of setting up the tabernacle that the .
princes of Israel offered : they brought
wagons and oxen, with ^silver vessels, and meal
and burnt and sin and peace offerings. ° And Moses
gave the wagons and the oxen unto the Levites, to do
the service of the tent of meeting.
'And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, " Let the
'Num. viii, 5. ^Num. viii, 20. 'Num. vii, 13. ''Num. ix, r.
* Num. viii, 12. ''Num. vi, 22. ''Num. vii, 6.
116 The vShortkr Bible [Num. 9. 2.
children of Israel keep the passover in its appointed sea-
Thepass- son." And they kept the passover, in the
over. f^j-st month, on the fourteenth day, at even,
in the wilderness of Sinai.
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Make
thee two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shalt thou
make them. And thou shalt use them for the calling of
the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps.
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the
trumpets. And when ye go to war in your land against
the adversary that oppresseth you, then ye shall sound
an alarm with the trumpets ; and ye shall be remembered
before the Lord your God, and saved from your ene-
mies. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set
feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall
blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and
over the sacrifices of }'our peace offerings ; and they
shall be to you for a memorial before your (jod."
And it came to pass in the second year, in the second
March from month, on the twentieth day of the month,
Sinai begun, ^j^^^ ^.j^^ ^j^^^ ^^^^ taken up from over the
tabernacle. And the children of Israel set forward out
of the wilderness of Sinai.
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Moses'
father-in-law, " We are journeying unto the place of
which the Lord said, ' I will give it you.' Come thou
with us and we will do thee good."
And Hobab said unto him, " I will not go. I will
„ ^ ^ depart to mine own land, antl to my kin-
Hobata con- '■ ,, ' ■^
strained to drcd.
join Israel. a i tv t • i ii t .. t
And M OSes said, ' Leave us not, 1 pra\'
thee. Thou knowest how we are in the wilderness, and
thou shalt be to us instead of eyes. Yea, what good
soever the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do
unto thee."
And they set forward from the mount of the Lord
three days' journey. And the ark of the Lord went be-
fore them to seek out a resting place for them. And the
cloud of the Lord was over them.
And the* mixed multitude that was among them com-
' Num. X, 1. I "Exod. xii, 38.
Num. II. 4.] Chronologically Arranged. ' 117
plained; the children of Israel also wept, and said," Who
shall give us flesh to eat ? We remember the
fish, which we did eat in Egypt, the cucum- ^^^^luring.
bers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and
the garlic. But now our soul is dried away. There is
nothing at all save this manna."
And Moses was displeased, and said unto the Lord,
" Wherefore have I not found favor in thy sight, that
thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? I
am not able to bear all this people alone, it is too heavy
for me."
And the LuRD said unto Moses, " Gather
unto me seventy of the elders of Israel and frTIp-^*'^'^'
bring them unto the, tent of meeting, that they po"^*^^.
may stand there with thee."
' And Moses gathered seventy men of the elders of the
people and set them round about the tent. And the
Lord came down in a cloud and took of the spirit that
was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders ; and
when the spirit rested upon them they prophesied. But
there remained two men that were of them that were
written, but had not gone out unto the tent. And the
spirit rested upon them, and they prophesied in the camp.
And Joshua, the son of Nun, the '' minister of Moses,
answered and said, " My lord Moses, forbid them."
And Moses said unto him, "Art thou jealous for my
sake? Would God that all the Lord's people were
prophets."
And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders
of Israel.
'And the Lord said unto Moses, "'Say thou unto
the people, ' Ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, say-
ing, " Who shall give us flesh to eat ? " therefore, the
Lord will give you flesh. Ye shall not eat one day, nor
two, nor twenty days ; but a whole month, until it be
loathsome unto you ; because ye have rejected the
Lord, saying, " Why came we forth out of Egypt ? " ' "
And Moses said, " The people are six hundred thou-
sand footmen. Shall flocks and herds be slain for them ?
'Num. xi, 24. ^ Num. xi, i8. 1 ^ .
^Num. xi, i6. I '^Ox^ servant.
118 The Shorter Bible [Num. 11.22.
Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together to
sufifice them ? "
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Is the Lord's hand
waxed short ? "
And Moses went out and told the people the words of
the Lord.
r„.r,ucrrur^^ Aud thcTc wcnt forth a wind from the Lord,
and brought quails from the sea, and let them
fall by the camp. And the people rose up all that day
and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the
quails. And they spread them all abroad for themselves
round about the camp. But while the flesh was yet be-
tween their teeth, the LORD smote the people with a
very great plague.
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses, because
_ , ^ he had married a Cushite woman. And the
Jealousy of ^ ... ,^j , -_
Miriam and LORD heard it. (JNow the man Moses was
very meek, above all the men which were
upon the face of the earth.)
And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud, and
stood at the door of the tent, and called Aaron and
Miriam ; and they came forth. And he said, " Hear now
my words. If there be a prophet among you, I the
Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, I
will speak with him in a dream. B u t with my servant
Moses, faithful in all mine house, will I speak mouth to
mouth, and not in dark speeches, and the form of the
Lord shall he behold. Wherefore then were ye not
afraid to speak against Moses, my servant?"
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them ;
and he departed. And behold, Miriam was leprous, as
white as snow !
And Aaron said unto Moses, "Oh, my lord, we havedone
foolishly, we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead."
And Moses cried unto the Lord, and the Lord said,
" Let her be shut up without the camp seven days, and
after that she shall be brought in again."
And the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought
in again.
'And they came to Kadesh-barnea.
' Dcut. i, 19.
Num. 13. 3.] Chronologically Arranged. 119
CHAPTER 11.
THE GREAT REBELLION : THE " FORTY YEARS."
'And Moses sent^ men to spy out the land of
Canaan, and said unto them, " Go, see the land, what it
is ; and the people, whether they be strong or weak, few
or many; and what cities they dwell in. And bring of
the fruit of the land." Now the time was the time of
the first ripe grapes.
So they went up and spied out the land ; and they
cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes, and bare
it upon a staff between two; they brought also pome-
granates, and figs. And they returned at the end of
forty days, and came to Kadesh, to ail the congregation
of the children of Israel, and showed them the fruit of
the land.
And they said, "We came unto the land, and surely it
floweth with milk and honey. Hovvbeit the EvU report
people that dwell in the land are stronger ^^'^^^ spies,
than we. The cities are fenced and very great, ^ and all
the people are men of great stature. And there we saw
'^giants, the sons of Anak : and we were in our own
sight as grasshoppers."
But ■'Caleb stilled the people, and said, " Let us go
up at once, and possess it ; for we are well able to over-
come it."
But the men that went up with him said, " We be not
able to go up against the people ; they are stronger than
we." And they brought up an evil report of the land.
And all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried
that night, and murmured against Moses and p . ,
Aaron, and said, " Would God that we had mutiny.
died in Egypt ! Wherefore doth the LoRD bring us into
' Num. xiii, 3. ^ Num. xiii. 32. I „ ,. • i, -.r
'^ Num. xiii, 2. 4 Num. xiii, 30. | ^° "' ^- ^- '"^'S'
120 The Shorter Bible [Num. 14. 3.
this land, to fall by the sword ? Our wives and our little
ones shall be a prey. Were it not better to return into
^gypt ^ Let us make a captain and return into Egypt."
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces. And
Joshua and Caleb, which were of them that spied out the
land, rent their clothes, saying, " The land is an exceed-
ing good land. If the LORD delight in us, he will bring
us into this land, and give it unto us ; a land which flow-
eth with milk and honey. Only rebel not against the
Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land. The LORD
is with us; fear them not."
But all the congregation bade stone them with stones.
And the Glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of
meeting. And the LoRD said unto Moses, " How long
will this people despise me? How long will they not
believe in me ? "
And Moses said unto the Lord, " ' Thou hast spoken,
Moses' in- s^yi"g7 ' The LORD is slow to anger, and
tercession. plenteous in mercy.' Pardon, I pray thee,
the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness
of thy mercy."
And the Lord said, " I have pardoned according to
thy word. But because those men have seen my Glory
and signs, yet have tempted me these ten times, and
have not hearkened to my voice, surely they shall not
see the land which I sware unto their fathers. But my
servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him,
and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the
land whereinto he went, and his seed shall possess it.
To-morrow turn ye, and get you into the wilderness."
And the Lord spake unto Moses, sa\'ing, " Say
The sen- unto them, ' Your whole number from twenty
tence. )-cars old and upward, which have murmured
against me, shall not come into the land, except Caleb
and Joshua. But your little ones, which ye said would
be a pre)-, them will I bring in, and they shall know the
land which ye have rejected. But as for you, ye ''shall
die in this wilderness. 'And your children shall be
wanderers in the wilderness " forty years, a year for every
' Num. xiv, 17. ^Xum. xiv, 33. I "But this included the wliolc jour-
'■' Num. xiv, 35. I ney from Egypt to Canaan.
Num. 14. 34.] Chronologically Arranged. 121
day in which ye spied out the land, ' until y e be con-
sumed."
*And Moses told these words unto all the children
of Israel, and the people mourned greatly.
'And the men which Moses sent to spy out the land,
who returned bringing up an evil report, died by the
plague before the Lord. But Joshua and Caleb re-
mained alive.
^And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak
unto the children of Israel, and bid them make fringes
in the borders of their garments, and that they put upon
the fringe of each border a cord of blue : that ye may
look upon it, and remember all the commandments of
the Lord, and do them."
Now Korah, oft he seed of Levi, with Dathan
and Abiram and On, and with two hundred and fifty
princes of the congregation, assembled them- sedition
selves together against Moses and against pffesthool-
Aaron, and said unto them, " Ye take too Punishment,
much upon you. Is it a small thing that thou hast
brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey,
but thou must needs make thyself a prince over us ? "
And Korah assembled all the congregation against
them unto the door of the tent of meeting.
'And Moses said unto Korah, " Seemeth it but a small
thing unto you that God hath separated you from the
congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to
do the service of the tabernacle? And seek ye the
priesthood also ? What is Aaron that ye murmur against
him ? Thou and thy company are gathered together
against the LORD."
* And Moses spake unto the congregation, saying,
" Depart from the tents of these wicked men, and touch
nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in their sins."
So they gat up them from Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
on every side. And the ground clave asunder that was
under them, and the earth opened her mouth and swal-
lowed them up. And the earth closed upon them, and
they perished from among the assembly. And all Israel
' Num. xiv, 33. ^ Num. xiv, 36. ^ Num. xvi, 8.
^ Num. xiv, 39. ■* Num. xv, 37. "Num. xvi, 25.
122 The Shorter Bible [Num. i6. 34.
that were round about them fled, for they said, " Lest
the earth swallow us up."
'And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak
unto the children of Israel, and take of them rods, one
for each father's house, twelve rods. Write thou every
Aaron's rod HTan's name upon his rod ; and write Aaron's
budding. name upon the rod of Levi, and lay them up
in the tent of meeting. And it shall come to pass that
the man whom I shall choose, his rod shall bud. And I
will make to cease the murmurings of the children of Is-
rael, which they murmur against you."
And all their princes gave Moses rods, and Moses laid
up the rods before the Lord in the tent ; and on the
morrow, behold, the rod of Aaron was budded, and put
forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and bare ripe almonds.
And Moses brought out all the rods unto all the children
of Israel. And they looked and took every man his rod.
And the Lord said unto Moses, " Put back the rod of
Aaron before the testimony, to be kept for a token."
''And the children of Israel, even tlie whole congrega-
Deathof tion, came into the wilderness of Zin. And
Mmam. ^}^g people abode in Kadesh ; and Miriam died
and was buried there.
And there was no water for the congrega-
Murmuring. .. o o
tion.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Take the
rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron
thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their
eyes, that it give forth its water. And thou shalt bring
forth to them water out of the rock."
And Moses took the rod and gathered the assembly
together before the rock, and said unto them, " Hear
now, ye rebels ; shall we bring you forth water
Moses' sin ^ c ^\ ■ i "^ "
and punish- OUt ot this rock .''
ment. And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote
the rock with his rod twice. And water came forth
abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their
cattle.
And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, " Because
ye believed iiDt in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the
' Num. xvii, i. ''Num. xx, i.
Num. 20. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 123
children of Israel, therefore ^ ye shall not bring this as-
sembly into the land which I have given them."
And Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom,
" Thus saith thy brother, Israel, ' Let us pass through thy
land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, we
will go along the king's highway, we will not turn
aside to the right hand nor to the left until we have
passed thy border. And if we drink of thy water, I
and my cattle, then will I give thee the price thereof.
Let me only pass through on my feet.' "
'And Edom said, " Thou shalt not pass through."
^ Wherefore Israel turned away from him.
And the children of Israel journeyed from Kadesh
and came unto Mount Hon And the Lord spake unto
Moses, saying, "Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and
bring them up unto Mount Hor. Aaron shall be gath-
ered unto his people, and shall die there ! "
And Moses did as the Lord commanded. They went
up into Mount Hor in the sight of all the Death of
congregation ; and Moses stripped Aaron of Aaron,
his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son, and
Aaron died there in the top of the mount. And Moses
and Eleazar came down from the mount. And all the
congregation wept for Aaron thirty days.
A prayer of MOSES THE MAN OF GOD.
^ Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place
In all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.
Thou turnest man to ^ destruction ;
And sayest, " Return, ye children of men."
For a thousand years in thy sight
Are but as yesterday when it is past,
And as a watch in the night.
Thou carriest them away as with a flood ; they are as
a sleep.
'Num. XX, i8. -^ Psalm xc. I " Deut. iii, 23-26. '' R. V. marg.,
^ Num. XX, 21. I Or, dusi.
124 - The Shorter Bh^le [Psalm 90. 5.
In the morning they are like grass vvliich grovveth up.
In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up •
In the evening it is cut down and withereth.
For we are consumed in thine anger,
And in thy wrath are we troubled.
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee.
Our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath ;
We bring our years to an end as ^a tale that is told.
The days of our years are threescore years and ten,
Or even by reason of strength fourscore years;
Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow ;
For it is soon gone, and we fly away.
Who knoweth the power of thine anger,
And thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto
thee ?
So teach us to number our days.
That we may get us an heart of wisdom.
Return, O LORD; how long?
And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
O satisfy us in the morning with thy mercy;
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast
afflicted us,
And the years wherein we have seen evil.
Let thy works appear unto thy servants.
And thy glory upon their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us ;
And establish thou the work of our hands upon us;
Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
* And they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way to
the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom. And the
soul of the people was much discouraged because of the
way, and they spake against God, and against Moses.
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people,
and they bit the people ; and much people of Israel
died.
' Num. xxi, 4. I " R. V. marg., Or, a sound or sigh.
Num. 21. 7-] Chronologically Arranged. 125
And the people came to Moses, and said, " We have
sinned. Pray unto the LORD, that he take Fiery ser-
away the serpents from us." brazen ser-
And Moses prayed for the people. And pent,
the Lord said unto Moses, " Make thee a fiery ser-
pent, and set it upon a standard. And it shall come to
pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it shall
live."
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and "■ set it upon a
standard. And if a serpent had bitten any man, when
he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.
And the children of Israel journeyed. And Israel
sent messengers unto Sihon, king of the Amorites, say-
ing, " Let me pass through thy land. We will not turn
aside into field or vineyard ; we will not drink of the
water of the wells. We will go by the king's highway
till we have passed thy borders."
But Sihon gathered all his people together and went
out and fought against Israel. And Israel
smote him with the edge of the sword, and sihon^nd
possessed his land, and dwelt in h i s cities. ^^'
And they turned and went up by 'the way of Bashan.
And Og, the king of Bashan, went out against them, he
and his people, to battle. And the Lord said unto
Moses, " Fear him not ; I have delivered him into thy
hand."
So they smote him, and possessed his land.
And the children of Israel journeyed and pitched in
the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
" John iii, 14.
126 The Shorter Bible [Num. 22. 2.
CHAPTER III.
BALAAM.
And Balak, ' king of Moab, * was sore afraid and dis-
tressed because of the children of Israel ; because they
were many. And the peopleof Moab said unto the
elders of ^ Midian, " Now shall this multitude lick up all
that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of
the field."
And Balak sent messengers unto Balaam to call him, say-
T ,, ing, " Behold, there is a people come out from
miessend Egypt. Beliold, they cover the face of the
for S^ldi^m 0/1 'J
earth, and they abide over against me and
are too mighty for me. Come now therefore, I pray
thee, curse me this people, that we may smite them, and
drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom
thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is
cursed."
And the elders of Moab and Midian came unto Balaam,
with rewards in their hand, and spake unto him the
words of Balak.
And he said unto them, " Lodge here this night, and
I will bring you word, as the LoRD shall speak unto
me."
And the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
And God came unto Balaam and said, " What men are
these with thee .'* "
And Balaam said, " Balak, king of Moab, hath sent
unto me, saying, ' Behold, the people that is come out of
Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth. Now come,
curse me them. Peradventurc I shall be able to fight
against them, and drive them out.' "
And God said unto Balaam, " Thou shalt not go with
'Num. xxii, 4. I „ v • 1 1 • n- 1 .■ „
t, T. T .. ^ "A iieitrhbonnc allied iiaUon.
' Num. xxn, 3. t> t>
Num. 22. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 127
them. Thou shalt not curse the people, for they are
blessed."
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto
the princes of Balak, " Get you into your land, for the
Lord refuseth to give me leave to go ^ith you."
And the princes of Moab rose up and went unto Ba-
lak, and said, " Balaam refuseth to come with us."
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more
honorable than they. And they came to Balaam and
said to him, " Thus saith Balak, ' Let nothing, I pray
thee, hinder thee from coming unto me ; for I will pro-
mote thee unto very great honor, and whatsoever thou
sayest unto me I will do. Come therefore, I pray thee,
curse me this people.' "
Balaam answered and said, " If Balak would give me
his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the
word of the LORD my God. Now therefore, I pray you,
tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the
Lord will speak unto me more."
And God saw that ' Balaam loved the hire of wrong-
doing, and ''came unto Balaam at night, and said unto
him, " Rise up, go with them ; but only the word which
I speak unto thee, that shalt thou do."
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and went with
the princes of Moab. And God's anger was kindled.
And the angel of the Lord placed himself in the way
against him.
Now he was riding upon his ass. And the ass saw the
angel of the Lord standing in the way, with The oppos-
his sword drawn in his hand, and the ass The^s^eat
turned aside out of the way, and went into the mgass.
field ; and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
Then the angel stood in a hollow way between the vine-
yards, a fence being on this side, and a fence on that
side. And the ass saw the angel, and she thrust her-
self unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot; and
he smote her again. And the angel went further,
and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to
turn either to the right hand or to the left. And the ass
saw the angel, and she lay down under Balaam. And
' 2 Peter ii, 15. ^ Num. xxii, 20.
128 The Shorter Bible [Num. 22. 27.
Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with
his staff.
And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she
said unto Balaam, " What have I done unto thee, that
thou hast smitteg me these three times?"
And Balaam said unto the ass, " Because thou hast
mocked me. I would there were a sword in mine hand,
for now I had killed thee."
And the ass said unto Balaam, "Am not I thine ass,
upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this
day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee ? "
And he said, " Nay."
Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he
saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his
sword drawn in his hand ; and he bowed his head, and
fell on his face.
And the angel said unto him, " Thy way is ^ perverse
before me. Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these
three times? Behold, unless she had turned aside from
me, surely now I had even slain thee."
And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, " I have
sinned. Now therefore if it displease thee, I will get
me back again." And the angel of the Lord said unto
Balaam, " Go with the men ; but only the word that I
shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak."
So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. And when
Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet
him, and said unto Balaam, " Did I not earnestly send
unto thee to call thee ? Wherefore camest thou not unto
me ? Am I not able to promote thee to honor ? "
And Balaam said, " Lo, I am come unto thee. The
word that God putteth in my mouth that shall I speak."
And Balaam went with Balak. And Balak sacrificed
oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam and to the princes
that were with him.
And in the morning Balak took Balaam, and brought
him up into the high places of ^ Baal, and he saw from
thence the utmost part of the people. And Balak and
Balaam built seven altars, and offered on every altar a
bullock and a ram.
" R. \'. maig. , Hcb. Iwadlon;^-. ''Num. xxv, 3.
Num. 23. 3.] Chronologically Arranged. 129
And Balaam said unto Balak, " Stand by thy burnt
offering, and I will go; peradventure the Lord will come
to meet me, and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell
thee."
And he went to a bare height.
And God met Balaam and put a word in Balaam's
mouth, and said, " Return unto Balak, and thus thou
shalt speak."
And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his
burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.
And Balaam took up his parable and said,
" From Aram hath Balak brought me,
The king of Moab from the mountains of the East,
saying,
, /— T 1 Balaam's
'Lome, curse me Jacob, first proph-
And come, defy Israel ! ' ^°^'
How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed?
And how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not
defied ?
^ Let me die the death of the righteous.
And let my last end be like his ! "
And Balak said unto Balaam, " What hast thou done
unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and be-
hold, thou hast blessed them altogether."
And Balaam answered and said, "Must I not speak
that which the Lord putteth in my mouth ? "
And Balak said unto him, " Come with me unto
another place, and curse them from thence." And he
took him to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars,
and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.
And Balaam said unto Balak, " Stand here by thy
burnt offering, while I meet the LORD up yonder."
And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his
mouth. And he came to Balak, and, lo, he stood by
his burnt offering and the princes, of Moab were with
him. And Balak said unto him, " What hath the LORD
spoken ? "
And Balaam took up his parable and said, second
" Rise up, Balak, and hear ; prophecy.
Hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor ;
" Num. xxxi, 8.
130 The Shorter Bible [Num. 23. 19.
God is not a man, that he should lie,
Neither the son of man, that he should repent.
Hath he said, and shall he not do it?
Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good ?
Behold, I have received commandment to bless ;
And he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.
He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob,
Neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel.
The Lord his God is with him ;
And the shout of a king is among them.
There is no enchantment "against Jacob,
N^ither^is there any divination '^against Israel."
And Balak said unto Balaam, " Neither curse them at
all, nor bless them at all."
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, " Told
not I thee, saying, ' All that the LORD speaketh, that I
must do ? '
And Balak said unto Balaam, "Come now, I will take
thee unto another place ; peradventure it will please God
that thou mayest curse me them from thence."
And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor.
And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel ; and the
spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his para-
ble and said,
" How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob,
Thy tabernacles, O Israel !
Third As valleys are they spread forth,
prop ecy. ^^ gardens by the river side.
His king shall be higher than ^ Agag,
And his kingdom shall be exalted.
Blessed be everyone that blesseth thee.
And cursed be everyone that curseth thee."
And Balak 's anger was kindled against Balaam, and
he smote his hands together. And Balak said unto
Balaam, " I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, be-
hold, thou hast blessed them these three times. There-
" Thus in the R. V. maig. ''The king of the ncighboiing Anialekites.
See Exod. xvii, 8-16.
Num. 24. II.] Chronologically Arranged. 131
fore now flee thou to thy place. I thought to promote
thee unto great honor, but ''' the LORD hath kept thee
back from honor."
And Balaam said unto Balak, " Spake I not to thy
messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, ' If
Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I
cannot go beyond the word of the LORD ? ' What the
Lord speaketh, that will I speak. And now, behold, I
go unto my people. Come, and I will tell thee what
this people shall do to thy people in the latter days."
And he took up his parable and said,
" I see him, but not now; Fourth
I behold him, but not nigh; prophecy.
There shall come forth a star out of Jacob,
And a scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And shall smite through the corners of Moab,
And break down all the sons of tumult."
And Balaam rose up, and returned to his place ; and
Balak also went his way.
" Uttered sneeringly.
132
The Shorter Bible
[Num. 25. I.
CHAPTER IV.
ISRAEL'S IDOLATRY: THE PLAGUES: THE HOLY WAR:
THE SECOND NUMBERING: WOMEN AS HEIRS: THE
CITIES OF REFUGE: JOSHUA CHARGED.
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to
Israel be- commit s i n with the daughters of Moab.
guiied into 'For Balaam taught Balak to cast a stum-
bling-block before the children of Israel, to
eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
^ And the people bowed down to their gods. And the
anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. ^ And
those that died by the plague were twenty and four
thousand.
■* And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, " Slay ye
the men that have joined themselves unto
-The'hoiy^ Baal-peor." And the congregation were
^^^' weeping at the door of the tent of meeting.
So the plague was stayed.
^And the LORD spake unto Moses, saj'ing, "Avenge
the children of Israel of the ^ Midianites, for they vex you
with their wiles wherewith they have beguiled you in the
matter of ^' Peor."
"And Moses sent a thousand of every tribe to the war,
them and Phinchas, the son of Eleazar the priest, with
the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for alarm
in his hand, and they warred against Midian, as the LORD
commanded Moses. And they slew every male, and the
kings of Midian with the rest, and took captive the
women and their little ones. And all their cattle and
flocks and goods they took for a prey, and all their cities
' Rev. ii, 14. '•Num. xxv, 5.
■■'Num. xxv, 2. 'Num. xxv, 16.
■'Num. xxv, 9. * Num. xxxi, 6.
" Evidently allied witli Moab.
'' Num. xxv, 3.
Num. 31. 10.] Chronologically Arranged.
133
and encampments they burnt with fire. ''' ' Balaam also,
the son of Beor, they slew with the sword.
" And after the plague the LORI) spake unto Moses
and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
" Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of
Israel, from twenty years old and upward, all that are
able to go forth to war in Israel."
'And they that were numbered were ^ six hundred
thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
■* But among these there was not a man of them that
were numbered by Moses and Aaron in the ^, ,
•11 r (-• • r IT 1 , • 1 ^ The second
Wilderness 01 bmai ; for the LORD had said 01 munbenng.
them, " They shall surely die in the wilderness," There
was not left a man of them, save Caleb and Joshua.
^And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Unto
these the land shall be divided for an inheritance ac-
cording to the number of names. To the more thou
shalt give the more inheritance, and to the fewer thou
shaltgive the less inheritance. The land shall be divided
by lot."
^ Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad ; Mah-
lah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood
before Moses and Eleazar, and before the princes, and all
the congregation, at the door of the tent of „^
• ^-\ r 1 1- 1 • •! Women as
meeting, saying, " Our father died in the wil- landown-
derness, and he had no sons. Why should
the name of our father be taken away from among his
family, because he had no son ? Give unto us a pos-
session among the brethren of our father."
And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "■ The daugh-
ters of Zelophehad speak right ; thou shalt surely give
them a possession among their father's brethren, and
cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying,
' If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause h'is
inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have
.no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his
' Num. xxxi, 8. •* Num. xxvi, 64.
'^ Num. xxvi, I. * Num. xxvi, 52.
^ Num. xxvi, 51. *Num. xxvii, i.
"■ Num. xxiii, 10. '' Less than
they wave nearly forty years before.
See Num. ii, 32.
13-t The Shorter Bible [Num. 27. n.
kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall
possess it.'
' Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad
had a very great multitude of cattle; and when they
„ , \, saw the land of Gilead, that the place was
Reuben and ^ r 11 11
Gadchoos- a place for cattle, they came and spake
mg Gilead. fTv/r jt-i j ^.i-i-
unto Moses and bleazar and unto the prin-
ces of the congregation, saying, " Let this land be given
unto thy servants for a possession ; bring us not over
Jordan."
And Moses said, " Shall your brethren go to the war,
and shall ye sit here? Wherefore discourage ye the
heart of the children of Israel from going over into the
land which the LORD hath given them ? "
^ And they said, " We will build sheepfolds here for
our cattle, and cities for our little ones; but we our-
selves will be ready armed to go before the children of
Israel, until we have brought them unto their place.
We will not return unto our houses until they have in-
herited every man his inheritance."
And Moses said unto them, " If ye will do this,
ye shall be guiltless toward the LORD, and toward
Israel ; and this land shall be unto you for a possession.
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned
against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you
out."
So Moses gave charge concerning them to Eleazar
and Joshua.
'And the LoRD spake unto Moses, saying, " Command
The cities of the children of Israel, that they give unto the
refuge. Lcvitcs citics to dwcU in, and suburbs round
about for their cattle and all their beasts. The cities
which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and
eight, with their '' suburbs, ■* the six cities of refuge and
forty and two citics beside them."
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Say unto
the children of Israel, ' When ye pass over Jordan into
the land of Canaan, then ye shall appoint you six cities
of refuge ; that one that killeth any person unwittingly
• Num. xxxii. I 3 Num. xxxv, 1. I „ j,_ ^r Or,J^asturr lands.
''Num. xxxu, lO. ••Num. xxxv, 0. | ax
Num. 35. 16.] Chronologically Arranged. 135
may flee thither ; ' that h e die not, until he stand before
the congregation for judgment. ^ And he shall flee unto
one of those cities, and shall stand at the entering of the
gate of the city, and declare his cause in the ears of the
elders of that city. ' If he thrust him whom h e k i 1 1 e d
of hatred, or hurled at him lying in wait so that he died,
or in enmity smote him, he shall surely be put to death.
But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or seeing
him not ; and he vv'as not his enemy, neither sought his
harm : * as when a man goeth into the forest with his
neighbor to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke
with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth
from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbor, that he
die; *the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out
of the hand of the avenger of blood, and he shall dwell
in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest.
But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall
return into the land of his possession.
" But one witness shall not testify against any person
that he die. *At the mouth of two witnesses, or of three,
shall he that is to die be put to death.' "
' And the Lord said unto Moses, " Get thee up into
this mountain and behold the land which I have given
unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen
it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron
thy brother was gathered. Because ye rebelled against
my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the
congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their
eyes."
And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, " Let the
Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, ap- joshua
point a man over the congregation, which charged,
may lead them out and bring them in."
And the LORD said unto Moses, " Take thee Joshua
the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay
thine hand upon him ; and set him before Eleazar the
priest, and before all the congregation ; and give him a
charge in their sight. And thou shalt put of thine
' Num, XXXV, 12. '•Deut. xix, 5. 'Num. xxvii, 12.
^Josh. XX, 4. ^ Num. xxxv, 25.
^ Num. xxxv, 20. * Deut. xvii, 6.
136 The Shortp:r Bible [Num. 27. 20.
honor upon him, that all the congregation of the chil-
dren of Israel may obey. At his word shall they go
out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and
all the children of Israel with him, even all the con-
gregation."
And Moses did as the Lord commanded him.
Deut. I. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 137
DEUTERONOMY.
CHAPTER I.
MOSES' PARTING ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.
These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel
beyond Jordan, ' in the land of Moab.
" In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the
first day of the month, Moses spake unto the children
of Israel, according unto all that the Lord had given
him in commandment. And Moses said,
" ' I besought the Lord at one time, saying, 'O Lord
God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness,
and thy strong hand ; for what god is there in heaven or
in earth that can do according to thy works, Personal
and thy mighty acts? Let me go over, I pray words,
thee, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan.' But
the Lord was wroth with me for your sakes. And the
Lord said unto me, ' Let it suffice thee ; speak no more
unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of
Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward,
and southward, and eastward, and behold with thine
eyes ; for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. But charge
Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him ; for he shall
go over before this people, and cause them to inherit
the land which thou shalt see.' S o M must die in this
land ; I must not go over Jordan. But ye shall go over
and possess that good land.
"'And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and
unto the judgments which I teach you, for Exhorta-
to do them ; that ye may live, and go in and tions.
possess the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers,
' Deut. i, 5. "^ Deut. i, 3. ^ Deut. iii, 23. ■* Deut. iv, 22. ' Deut. iv, i.
12
I'SS Tpie vShorter Bible [Deut. 4. i.
giveth you. Yc shall not add unto the word which I
command you, neither shall ye diminish from it. Be-
hold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as
the Lord my God commanded me. Keep therefore and
do them. For this is your wisdom and your under-
standing in the sight of the peoples, which shall hear all
these statutes, and say, ' Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people.' For what nation is there
that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this
law which I set before you this day? Take heed to thy-
self lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, the
day that thou ^ stoodest before the LoRD in Horeb, and
the mountain burned with fire unto the heart of heaven.
And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the
fire. Ye heard the voice of words, but ye saw no ' man-
ner of form, lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a
graven image. ''And he declared unto you his covenant,
even the ten commandments ; and he wrote them upon
two tables of stone.
" nVhen thou shalt beget children, and children's
children, and have been long in the land, and shall make
a graven image in the form of anything, and shall do
that which is evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, I
. call heaven and earth to witness against you
armngs. ^j^j^ ^^^^ ^j^^^ ^^ shall soon utterly perish.
The Lord shall scatter you among the peoples. But if
from thence ye shall seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt
find him, if thou search after him with all thy heart and
with all thy soul. ' The LORD thy God will turn thy
captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will re-
turn and gather thee from all the peoples, whither h e
hath scattered thee. And the Lord will bring thee into
the land which thy fathers possessed, and will do thee
good, and rejoice over thee and multiply thee above thy
fathers. And the Lord will circumcise thine heart, to
love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all
thy soul. " Thy God is a merciful God ; he will not fail
thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy
Deut. iv, 15. ■* Dcut. xxx, 3.
Deut. iv, 13. ^ Deut. iv, 31.
' Deut. iv, 25.
"Exod. xix, 18.
Deut.4. 3I-] Chronologically Arranged. 139
fathers. For ask, now, since the day that God created
man, did ever people hear the voice of God speaking
out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and
hve? Out of heaven he made thee hear his voice, and
upon earth he made thee see his great fire. ' Unto thee
•it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord
he is God ; there is none else beside him."
And Moses said, " 'Hear, O Israel. ^ The LORD
our God is one Lord ; and thou shalt love the LoRD
thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy urgent ex-
soul, and with all thy might. And these |'^J*t|'^°^f
words, which I command thee this day, shall tions.
be upon thine heart. And thou shalt teach them dili-
gently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when
thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by
the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou
risest up.
" And when the LORD thy God shall bring thee into
the land, great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst
not, and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst
not, and cisterns hewn out, which thou hewedst not,
vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not, and
thou shalt eat and be full ; then beware lest thou forget
the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of
Egypt.
" ^ Thou shalt make no covenant with the people,
neither shalt thou make marriages with them ; for he will
turn away thy son from following me, that they may
serve other gods. But ye shall break down their altars,
and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their graven
images with fire. For thou art an holy people, the LoRD
thy God hath chosen thee. The LORD did not set his
love upon you because ye were more in number than
any people, but because the LORD loveth you. The
Lord thy God is the faithful God, which keepeth cove-
nant and mercy with them that love him to a thousand
generations.
"■ * Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord
thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilder-
9 TA J •' d T^ ^' ••'• ' " Mark xii, 20, 30; Lev. xix, 18.
^ Deut. VI, 4. * Deut. viii, 2. | > v. j .
140 The vShorter Bible [Deut. 8. 2.
ness ; that he might prove thee, to know what was in
thine heart. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee
to hunger, and fed thee with manna, that he might
make thee know that •'' man doth not hve by bread
alone, but by every word that proceedcth out of the
mouth of the Lord. Thy raiment 'and shoe ^ waxed
not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty
years.
" Beware lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast
built goodly houses, and when thy herds and thy flocks
and thy silver and thy gold multiply, and all that thou
hast is multiplied ; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou
forget God, and say in thine heart, ' My power and the
might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.' But
thou shalt remember the LORD thy God, for it is he that
giveth thee power to get wealth. And if thou shalt forget
the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve
them, and worship them, I testify against you this day
that ye shall surely perish.
" ^ If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a
dreamer of dreams, and he give thee a sign or wonder, and
the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof
false teach? he spakc unto thee, saying, ' Let us go after
^^^' other gods, and serve them,' thou shalt not
hearken unto the words of that prophet or dreamer of
dreams. For the Lord proveth you, to know whether
ye love the Lord with all your heart and with all your
soul. And that prophet or that dreamer of dreams
shall be put to death ; because he hath spoken rebellion
against the Lord.
" ■* Thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine
hand from thy poor brother; but thou shalt surely open
„ thine hand unto him, and shalt surely lend
Concerning r-^ . r i • i t^i • i i .1
the poor. him sufficient for his need. 1 nine heart shall
not be grieved when thou givest unto him ; because that
for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all
thy work. For the poor shall never cease out of the
land, therefore thou shalt surely open thine hand unto
thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor.
• Deut. xxix, 5. ' Deut. xiii, i. I ^ ^^ ■
' Deut. viu, 4. * Deut. xv, 7. |
Deut. 17. 8.] Chronologically Arranged. 141
" ' If there arise a matter in judgment too hard for
thee, thou shalt arise and come unto the priests and
unto the judge that shall be in those days. And accord-
ing to the judgment which they shall tell thee thou shalt
do. Thou shalt not turn aside to the right hand, nor
to the left.
"And the man that doeth presumptuously, in not
hearkening unto the priest that standeth to minister
there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even
that man shall die; and thou shalt put away the evil
from Israel. And all the people shall hear, and fear, and
do no more presumptuously.
" When thou art come unto the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and dwell
therein ; and shalt say, ' I will set a king over me, like
all the nations that are round about me; ' thou shalt in
anywise set him king over thee, whom the concerning
Lord thy God shall choose ; one from among a king,
thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee ; thou mayest
not put a foreigner over thee, which is not thy brother.
'^ Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause
the people to return to Egypt.' '' Neither shall he
multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away ;
neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and
gold. And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne
of his kingdom, then he shall write him a copy of this
law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the
Levites; and it shall be with him, and he shall read
therein all the days of his life ; that he may learn to fear
the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law to
do them ; that his heart be not lifted up above his
brethren, and that he turn not aside from the com-
mandment, to the right hand, or to the left ; to the end
that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his
children, in the midst of Israel.
"All the tribe of Levi shall have no portion nor in-
heritance with Israel. The LORD ^ is their concerning
inheritance ; ^ they shall eat the offerings of *^® Levites.
the Lord made by fire.
' Deut. xvii, 8. ^ Deut. xviii, i. I „ „ ,-i • ^. ., , ir-
., Tx . ■•• "2Cnron. i, 14. '' i Kines xi, i.
■ Deut. xviu, 2. e. '
142 The Shorter Bible [Deut. 14. 22.
" * Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed,
year by year. ^ And unto the children of Levi I have
given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return
for their service, even the service of the tent of meet-
ing. ° And from them that offer a sacrifice, whether ox
or sheep, apart shall be the priest's due. The first
fruits of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the
first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him. For
the Lord thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes,
to stand to minister in the name of the Lord, him and
his sons forever.
" When thou art come into the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the
abominations of those nations. There shall not be
found with thee anyone that maketh his son or his
daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divina-
tion, one that practiceth augury, or an enchanter, or a
sorcerer, or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
Concerning spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For
sorcery. whosoever doeth these things is an abomi-
nation unto the LORD ; and because of these abomi-
nations the Lord thy God doth drive these nations out
before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy
God.
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet
from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me;
unto him ye shall hearken.
" " When thou goest forth to battle against thine ene-
^ . mies, and scest horses, and chariots, and peo-
military pie more than thou, thou shalt not be afraid
^ ^' of them, for the Lord thy God is with thee.
" And when ye draw nigh unto the battle the officers
shall speak unto the people, saying, * What man is there
that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it?
Let him go and return unto his house. And what man
is tliere that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not used
the fruit thereof? Let him go and return unto his
house. And what man is there that hath betrothed a
wife, and hath not taken her? Let him go and return
unto his house.'
'Deut. xiv, 22. '^ Num. xviii, 21. ^ Dent, xviii, 3. ■'Deut. xx, i.
Deut. 20. 8.] Chronologically Arranged. 143
" And the officers shall speak further unto the people,
and they shall say, ' What man is there that is fearful
and faint-hearted ? Let him return unto his house, lest
his brethren's heart melt as his heart,'
" ' If one be found slain in the land, lying in the field,
and it be not known who hath smitten him, concerning
thy judges and elders shall come forth and secret mur-
shall measure unto the city which is nearest
unto the slain man ; and the elders of the city shall take
an heifer and bring it unto a valley with running water,
and shall break the heifer's neck there in the valley.
And the priests shall come near. And the elders shall
wash their hands over the heifer, and say, * Our hands
have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.
Forgive, O LORD, thy people whom thou hast redeemed,
and suffer not innocent blood to remain in the midst.'
So shalt thou put away the innocent blood from the
midst of thee.
" '^ Mf brethren dwell together, and one of them die and
have no son, the wife of the dead shall not marry a stranger.
Her husband's brother shall take her to him to wife, and
the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the
name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not
blotted out of Israel. ^ And if the man like not to take
h e r, then shall his brother's wife go up to the gate unto
the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot. And his
name shall be called, ' The house of him that hath his
shoe loosed.'
" ^ And it shall be when thou art come in unto the land,
that thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the
gro«nd, and put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the
priest that shall be in those days, and say, offering the
' A Syrian ready to perish was my father, ^^^t fruits.
and he went down into Egypt and he became there a
great nation. And the Egyptians afflicted us, and laid
upon us hard bondage ; and we cried unto the LORD,
and the LORD heard our voice, and brought us forth out
of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with signs and won-
ders. And he hath brought us into this land flowing
'Deut. xxi, I. ^ Deut. xxvi, i. I „ ,t ... > n .i, •
ii -r, , ' Matt. XXII, 24. '' Ruth iv, 7.
' Deut. XXV, 5. ' ^ ' '
144 The Shorter Bible [Deut. 26.9.
with milk and honey. And now, behold, I have brought
the first of the fruit of the ground.'
"And thou shalt set it down and worship, and thou
shalt rejoice in all the good which the LORD hath given
unto thee."
Deut. 17. 2.] Chronologically Arranged. 145
CHAPTER II.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LAW: MOSES' SONG, BLESS-
ING, AND DEATH.
' And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the
peopl^, saying, "On the day when ye shall The law on
pass over Jordan into the land, thou shalt Mount Ebai.
set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister.
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this
law. And ye shall set up these stones in Mount Ebal.
And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy
God, and offer offerings thereon, and rejoice before the
Lord. And thou shalt write upon the stones the words
of this law, very plainly."
" And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the
priests and elders, saying, "At the end of The law to
every seven years, in the feast of tabernacles ^® ^®^^-
when all Israel is come to appear before the Lord, thou
shalt read this law. '"^ Assemble the people, the men, and
women, and little ones, and thy stranger that is within
thy gates, that they may hear and learn, and fear the
Lord as long as ye live."
' And when Moses made an end of writing this
law in a book, Moses commanded the Levites which
bare the ark of the LORD, saying, "Take The law in
this book of the law and put it by the ark of *^® ^r^-
the covenant of the Lord, that it may be there for a
witness."
* And Moses spake unto all Israel, " I am an hun-
dred and twenty years old this day, and the LoRD hath
said unto me, 'Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.'
Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the Lord hath
spoken."
' Deut. xxvii, i. ^ Deut. xxxi, 24. I „ -m i.
«Deut. xxxi, 9. ^Deut. xxxi, i | ^^^- ^••'' ^-
146 The Shorter Bible [Deut. 31. 30.
' And Moses spake in the ears of all the
Moses' song. , , ^ ^ ^ , , r i •
assembly of Israel the words ot this song,
" Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak ;
And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
My doctrine shall drop as the rain.
My speech shall distill as the dew ;
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD ;
Ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
The Lord's portion is his people ;
Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. •
He found him in a desert land,
And in the waste howling wilderness ;
He compassed him about, he cared for him,
He kept him as the apple of his eye ;
As an eagle that stirreth up her nest,
That fluttereth over her young,
He spread abroad his wings, he took them,
He bare them on his pinions ;
The Lord alone did lead him.
And there was no strange god with him.
Then he forsook God which made him.
And lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation.
And the Lord saw it and abhorred them,
Because of the provocation of his sons and daughters.
And he said, ' I will hide my face from them,
I will see what their end shall be.'
Oh that they were wise, that they understood this,
That they would consider their latter end ! "
And Moses came and spake all the words of this song
in the cars of the people, he and "" Hoshea the son of
Nun.
jyioggg, ''And Moses blessed the children of Israel
blessing. before his death. He said,
"The Lord came from Sinai,
He shined forth from Mount Paran.
The beloved of the LoRD shall dwell in safety by him,
He covereth him all the day long.
' Deut. xxxi, 30. '^ Deut. xxxiii, i. | "Or, Joshua.
Deut. 33. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 147
Thy bars shall be iron and brass ;
And as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
There is none like unto God,
Who rideth upon the heaven for thy help.
The eternal God is thy dwelling place,
And underneath are the everlasting arms.
Israel dwelleth in safety.
In a land of corn and wine.
Happy art thou, O Israel ;
Who is like unto thee, a people saved by the
Lord ! "
' And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Get thee
up into Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, over
against Jericho ; and behold the land of Canaan, which
I give unto the children of Israel for a possession, and
die in the mount, as Aaron thy brother died in Mount
Hor."
^ And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto
Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against
Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land.
So Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there accord-
ing to the word of the LORD. And he buried Moses'
him in the valley, but no man knoweth of death,
his sepulcher unto this day. Moses was an hundred and
twenty years old. His eye was not dim, nor his natural
force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses
in the plains of Moab thirty days ; so the days of mourn-
ing for Moses were ended.
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of
wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him ; and
the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as
the Lord commanded Moses.
And there hath not arisen a prophet since in Israel
like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.
' Deut. xxxii, 48. '•' Deut. xxxiv, i.
148 The Shorter Bible [Josh. i. i.
JOSHUA.
CHAPTER I.
JOSHUA SUCCEEDING MOSES, AND LEADING THE PEOPLE
OVER JORDAN.
Now after the death of Moses, the servant of the
Lord, the Lord spake unto Joshua, the son of Nun,
saying,
" Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore, arise,
go over this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the
land which I do give to them. Every place that the
Joshua sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you
encouraged. \iQ^yQ J given it. There shall not any man be
able to stand before thee all the days of thy life. As I
was with Moses, so I will be with thee ; I will not fail
thee nor forsake thee. Only be strong, and very cour-
ageous, to observe to do according to all the law which
Moses my servant commanded thee. Turn not from it
to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have
good success. This book of the law shall not depart out
of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and
night, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and
then thou shalt ■' have good success. Have not I com-
manded thee ? Be strong and of a good courage ; be not
affrighted, neither be thou dismayed ; for the LoRD thy
God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men as spies
The two secretly, saying, "Go view the land, and
spiesaud Tericho." And they went and came into the
Rahab. r' r t) i u
house oi Rahab.
And the woman took the two men and hid them. .She
" R. V. niarg. , Or, <•/(■«/ 7ciist'ly.
Josh. 2. 6.] Chronologically Arranged. 149
brought them up to the roof and hid them with stalks of
flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And
she said unto the men, " I know that the Lord hath
given you the land, and your terror hath fallen upon us.
For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of
the Red Sea before you, when ye came out of Egypt,
and what ye did unto the two kings, Sihon and Og. And
as soon as we had heard it our hearts did melt, for the
Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and on
earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, since I have
dealt kindly with you, deal kindly with my father's
house, and save alive my father and mother, my breth-
ren and sisters, and all that they have."
And the men said unto her, " If ye utter not this our
business, when the Lord giveth us the land we will deal
kindly and truly with thee. 'Thou shalt bind this line
of scarlet in the window, and thou shalt gather into the
house all thy father's household. And whosoever shall
go out into the street, his blood shall be upon his head."
And she said, "According unto your words, so be it."
^ Then she let theni down by a cord through the win-
dow ; for her house was upon the town wall. And she
said unto them, " Get you to the mountain, lest the pur-
suers light upon you ; and hide yourself there three days.
Afterward may ye go your way."
And they departed, and she bound the scarlet line
in the window.
Then the two men returned and came to Joshua, and
told him all that had befallen them. And they said unto
Joshua, " Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands
all the land ; the inhabitants of the land do melt away
before us."
And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and removed
and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel ;
and they lodged there before they passed over. And
Joshua said unto the people, " Sanctify yourselves, for
to-morrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying,
" Take up the ark of the covenant and pass the!iordaii.
over before the people."
'Josh, ii, i8. *Josh. ii, 15.
150 The Shorter Bible [Josh. 3. 14.
And it came to pass, when the people removed from
their tents to pass over Jordan, the priests that bare the
ark being before the people ; and when the feet of the
priests were dipped in the brink of the water, (for Jordan
overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,) that the
waters which came down from above stood, and rose up
in one heap, a great way off! And those that went
down toward the sea were wholly cut off, and the people
passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that
bare the ark stood firm on dry ground in the midst of
Jordan. And all Israel passed over on dry ground,
until all the nation were passed clean over Jordan.
And when all were clean passed over Jordan, the
Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, " Take you twelve men
out of the people, out of every tribe a man, and com-
mand ye them, saying, * Take you hence out of the midst
of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood
The twelve firm, twelve stones, and carry them over
stones. with you, and lay them down in the lodging
place where ye shall lodge this night.' "
Then Joshua called twelve men, and said unto them,
" Pass over into the midst of Jordan, 'and take you up
every man a stone upon his shoulder."
And the children of Israel did as Joshua commanded.
And Joshua set up twelve other stones in the midst
of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which
bare the ark of the covenant stood.
And when all the people were clean passed over, the
ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the
presence of the people. And when the priests that
bare the ark were come up out of the midst of Jordan,
the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and
went over all its banks, as aforetime.
' And the children of Reuben and Gad, and the half
tribe of Manassch, passed over armed before the children
of Israel, as Moses spake unto them.
On that day the LoRI) magnified Joshua in the sight
of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses,
all the days of his life.
^ And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth
' Josh, iv, 12. '•' Josh, iv, kj.
Josh. 4. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 151
day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the
east border of Jericho.
And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jor-
dan, did Joshua set up in Gilgal. And he spake unto
the children of Israel, saying, " When your children shall
ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ' What mean
these stones?' then ye shall let your children know, say-
ing, * Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.' The
Lord dried up the waters of Jordan as he did the Red
Sea, until ye were passed over. That all the peoples of
the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it
is mighty; that they may fear the LORD your God for-
ever."
152 The Shorter Bible [Josh. 5. i.
CHAPTER II.
keeping the PASSOVER: CONQUEST OF JERICHO AND
AI : WORSHIP AT MOUNT EBAL.
And it came to pass when all the kings beyond Jor-
dan westward heard how that the LORD had dried up
the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel,
their heart melted, neither was their spirit in them any
more. »
' And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal ; and
Keeping the they kept the passover on the fourteenth day
passover. of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
And they did eat of the corn of the land on the mor-
row after the passover, unleavened cakes and parched
corn, in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on
the morrow, after they had eaten of the corn of the
land.
Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the
children of Israel ; none went out and none came in.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, " See, I have given unto
thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty
, ., , men of valor. Ye shall compass the city, all the
Jericho be- . / . -^ '
sieged and men oi War, gonig about the city once. 1 hus
shalt thou do six days. And seven priests
shall bear seven ^ trumpets of rams' horns before the ark.
And the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven
times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn,
all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the
wall of the city shall fall down flat."
And Joshua said unto the people, " Let the armed
men pass on before the ark of the LoRD and compass
the city."
And seven priests bearing the seven ^trumpets of
' Josh. V, 10. I " R. V. marg. , Ox,julnlc trumpets.
Josh. 6. 8.] Chronologically Arranged. 153
rams' horns before the LORD passed on, and the ark of
the covenant of the LORD followed them, the priests
blowing with the trumpets as they went. And the
armed men went before the priests.
And Joshua commanded the people, saying, "Ye
shall not shout, nor let your voice be heard, neither shall
any word proceed out of your "mouth until the day I
bid you shout ; then shall ye shout."
So he caused the ark of the LORD to compass the
city, going about it once ; and they came into the camp,
and lodged in the camp.
And the second day they compassed the city once,
and returned unto the camp ; so they did six days. And
on the seventh day they rose early at the dawning of
the day, and compassed the city after the same manner
seven times ; and at the seventh time, when the priests
blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people,
"Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city."
So the people shouted with a great shout, and the
priests blew with the trumpets, and the wall fell down
flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man
straight before him, and took the city. And they
utterly destroyed all that was in the city. For Joshua
had said, '"The city shall be devoted, even it, and
all that is therein, to the LORD. Only Rahab shall live,
she and all that are with her in the house, because she
hid the messengers that we sent. And keep yourselves
from the devoted thing, lest ye make the camp of Israel
accursed. All the silver and gold, and vessels of brass,
and iron, are holy unto the LORD; they shall come into
the treasury of the LORD."
° And the young men, the spies, went in and brought
out Rahab and all her kindred, and set them without the
camp of Israel. ^ And ^ she dwelt in the midst of Israel.
* And they burnt the city, and all that was therein ;
only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and
iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
'Josh, vi, 17. I "She married Salmon, the father
'''Josh, vi, 23. I of Boaz, Ruth's husband. See Ruth
^Josh. vi, 25. I iv, 21. Tradition says Salmon was
''Josh, vi, 24. I one of the two spies.
13
154 The Shorter Bible [Josh. 6. 26.
And Joshua charged them with an oath, saying,
" Cursed be * the man before the LORD, that riseth up
and buildeth this city Jericho. With the loss of his
firstborn shall he lay the foundation thereof, and with
the loss of his youngest son shall he set up the gates of
it."
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the
devoted thing, and the anger of the Lord was kindled
against them.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, saying, " Go up
and spy out the land."
And the men went up and spied out Ai. And they
returned to Joshua, and said unto him, " Let about two
or three thousand men go up and smite Ai. Make
not all the people to toil thither; for they are but
few."
So there went up thither of the people about three
D f t tA' thousand men ; and the men of Ai smote
them and chased them from before the gate.
' And they fled before the men of Ai.
And the hearts of the people melted, and became as
water. And Joshua rent his clothes and fell to the earth
upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the even-
ing, he and the elders of Israel ; and they put dust upon
their heads. And Joshua said, "Alas, O LORD God!
what shall I say, after that Israel hath turned their backs
before their enemies ! For all the inhabitants of the
land shall hear of it, and shall compass us round, and cut
off our name from the earth. And what wilt thou do for
thy great name? "
And the Lord said unto Joshua, "Get thee up;
wherefore art thou thus fallen upon thy face? Israel
hath sinned ; yea, they have even taken of the devoted
thing, and have stolen and dissembled ; therefore the
children of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. I
will not be with you any more except ye destroy the de-
voted thing from among you."
So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought
Israel near, and Achan, the son of Carmi, was taken.
And Joshua said unto Achan, " My son, make con-
'Josli. vii, 4. - I "I Kings xvi, 34.
Josh. 7. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 155
fession unto the Lord. Tell me now what thou hast
done ; hide it not from me."
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, " Of a truth I
have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. When
I saw among the spoil a goodly Babylonish mantle, and
two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of ^ ,
gold of fifty shekels weight, I coveted them,
and took them. Behold, they are hid in the earth in the
midst of my tent, and the silver under it."
So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent ;
and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under
it. And they took them from the midst of the tent, and
brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of
Israel ; and they laid them down before the LoRD.
And Joshua, and aU Israel with him, took Achan and
the silver, and the mantle, and the wedge of gold ; and
his tent, and all that he had, and brought them unto the
valley of Achor. And all Israel stoned them with stones,
and burned them with fire. And they raised over him a
great heap of stones, unto this day ; and the LORD turned
from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name
of that place was called the valley of '^ Achor.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, " Fear not, neither
be thou dismayed. Take all the people of war with thee,
and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given the city into
thy hand."
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go to Ai.
And he set men in ambush on the west side of the city.
'And Joshua and all the people drew nigh and pitched
on the north side of Ai.
°And when the king of Ai saw it, he hasted and
went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people ;
but he wist not that there was an ambush against him
behind the city. And Joshua and all Israel conquest
made as if they were beaten, and fled by the of Ai.
way of the wilderness. And all the people that were in
the city pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from
the city. There was not a man left. They left the city
open. And the ambush arose quickly, and ran into the
city, and took it and set it on fire. And when the men
' Josh, viii, 10. ^ Josh, viii, 14. | " R. V. marg., That is, Troubling.
156 The Shorter Bible [Josh. 8. 20.
of Ai looked behind them, behold, the smoke of the city-
ascended up to heaven. And when Joshua and all Israel
saw that the ambush had taken the city, they turned
again and smote them ; they let none escape. So Joshua
burnt Ai, and made it an heap forever, even a desolation.
Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD in Mount
Ebal, as Moses commanded, an altar of unhewn stones,
upon which no man had lift up any iron. And they
offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORl), and sac-
rificed peace offerings. And he wrote there upon the
stones a copy of the law of Moses, in the
read on presence of the children of Israel. And all
Mount Ebal. j^^^q]^ ^nd their elders and officers, and their
judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side, be-
fore the priests, as well the stranger as the homeborn ;
half of them in front of Mount Gerizim, and half of them
in front of Mount Ebal. And Joshua read all the
words of the law, the blessing and the curse. There was
not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua
read not before all the assembly of Israel, and the
women and the little ones, and the strangers among
them.
Josh. 9- I-] Chronologically Arranged. 157
CHAPTER III.
CONQUEST OF THE LAND : ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NA-
TIONAL SANCTUARY : THE RETURN OF THE TWO
AND A HALF TRIBES.
' And when all the kings which were beyond Jordan, in
the hill country, and in the lowland, and on all the shore
of the great sea, heard thereof, they gathered themselves
together to fight with Joshua and with Israel.
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua
had done unto Jericho and Ai, they did work wilily, and
went and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine skins,
old and rent and bound up ; and old shoes upon their
feet, and old garments ; and all the bread of their pro-
vision was dry and moldy. And they went
to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said with the
unto him, " We are come from a far country ; G-ibeomtes.
now therefore, make ye a covenant with us."
And Joshua said unto them, " Who are ye, and from
whence came ye?"
And they said unto him, " From a very far country
thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord
thy God ; for we have heard the fame of him. And our
elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us,
saying, ' Take provision in your hand for the journey,
and go to meet them, and say unto them, " We are your
servants." ' Now make ye a covenant with us. This our
bread we took hot out of our houses on the day u^e came
forth to go unto you ; but now, behold, it is dry and
moldy; and these wine skins, which we filled, were new;
and behold, they be rent ; and these our garments and
our shoes are become old by reason of the very long
journey."
And the men took of their provision, and asked not
' Josh, ix, I.
158 The Shorter Bible [Josh. 9. 14.
counsel of the LORD ; and Joshua made peace with them,
and the princes of the congregation svvare unto them.
And at the end of three days they heard that they were
their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them. And
Joshua called for them, and spake unto them, saying,
" Wherefore have ye beguiled us ? "
And they answered, " Because we were sore afraid. It
was told thy servants how the LORD thy God com-
manded Moses to destroy all the inhabitants of the land."
'And Joshua said, " Now therefore ye are cursed.
There shall never fail to be of you bondmen, hewers
of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God."
And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and
drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar
of the Lord.
Now when the king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua
had taken Ai and Jericho, and utterly destroyed the m ,
and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with
Israel, h e feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city,
and all the men thereof were mighty. Wherefore the
king of Jerusalem sent unto the four other 'kings of
the Amorites, " saying, " Come up unto me, and help me,
and let us smite Gibeon ; for it hath made peace with
Joshua."
And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua, saying,
" Come up to us quickly and save us."
So Joshua went up, he, and all the people of war with
him. And the Lord said unto Joshua, " Fear them not,
for I have delivered them into thine hands." Joshua
therefore came upon them suddenly, for he went up from
-r> ^ * <• Gilijal all the night. And the LoRD discom-
Defeat of /- i i i r t
the Amorite fited them beiore Israel, and J o s h u a slew
them and chased them and smote them. And
as they fled before Israel the LORD cast down great
stones from heaven upon them, and they died ; they were
more which died with the hailstones than they whom the
children of Israel slew with the sword.
Then said Joshua in the sight of Israel,
" Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon ;
And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon."
' Jush. ix, 22. *Josh. X, 5. ^Jo^h. x, 3.
Josh. lo. 13.] Chronologically Arranged. 159
And the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and
hasted not to go down about a whole day. ' And the
moon stayed. And there was no day like that before it
or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of
man. For the Lord fought for Israel.
''Joshua made war a long time. 'So Joshua took all
the land, the hill country, and all the south, and the low-
land. ^ And the land had rest from war. Joshua took
the whole land, and gave it for an inheritance possessing
unto Lsrael according to their tribes. ^Only the land,
unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance ; the
offerings of the LoRD, the God of Israel, are his in-
heritance.
° And the children of Israel gave an inheritance to
Joshua, Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim.
And he built the city and dwelt therein.
' And the whole congregation of the children of Israel
assembled themselves together at Shiloh, and ^he sanctu-
set up the tent of meeting there. ^'■y erected.
* The children of Judah drew nigh unto Joshua, and
Caleb said,
" Thou knowest the thing that the Lord spake unto
Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Ka-
desh-barnea. Forty years old was I ^ when Moses sent
me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land ; and I
brought him word again as it was in mine heart. And
Moses sware on that day, saying, ' Surely the land
whereon, thy foot hath trodden shall be an Caleb's pos-
inheritance to thee and to thy children for- session,
ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD.'
And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he
spake, these forty and five years, and lo, I am this day
fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong as I
was in the day that Moses sent me. Now therefore give
me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day ;
for thou heardest in that day how the Anakim were there,
and cities great and fenced. It may be that the LORD
'Josh. X, 13. ^Josh. xiii, 14.
'^"josh. xi, 18. ^Josh. xix, 49.
^Josh. xi, 16. ''Josh, xviii, i.
*Josh. xi, 23. *Josh. xiv, 6.
* Num. xiv, 30.
160 The Shorter Bible [Josh. 14. 12.
will be with me, and I shall drive them out as the
Lord spake."
And Joshua blessed him ; and he gave Hebron unto
Caleb for an inheritance, because that he wholly '^ fol-
lowed the Lord.
' ' And Caleb drove out thence the three sons of Anak.
And he went up against the inhabitants of Kiriath-
sepher. And Caleb said, " He that taketh Kiriath-sepher,
to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife." And
Othniel took it, and he gave him Achsah his daughter to
wife.
And she moved him to ask of her father a field.
And Caleb said unto her, " What wouldest thou ^ "
And she said, " Give me a ^ blessing. Thou hast "^set
me in the land of the south, give me also springs of
water."
And he gave her the upper springs and the nether
springs.
^ Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites,
and the half tribe of Manasseh, and said unto them,
Reuben, "Ye have not left your brethren these many
El^ilifif'^ days. And now the LORD hath given rest,
nasseh^r^-^" turn ye, and get you into the land of your
turned. possession, which Moses gave you, beyond
Jordan. Only take diligent heed to love the LORD
your God, and to keep his commandments, and serve him
with all your heart and with all your soul."
So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away, with
much wealth, with cattle, with silver, and with gold, with
brass, and iron, and with very much raiment.
And the children of Reuben and Gad and Manasseh
returned to the land of their possession.
And they built a great altar by Jordan. And when
The altar thc children of Israel heard of it, the whole
of witness. congregation gathered themselves together at
''Shiloh to go up against them to war. And they sent
unto them Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and
I " Caleh in Heb. means (io^. Dogs
I " wliolly follow." '' R. V. marg., Or,
' Josh. XV, 14. '' Josli. xxii, I. I /•resell/ " R. V. niarg.. Or, ^i'ty/i f/ie
the /iiiiJ. '' The national sanctuary at
I that lime. See Josh, xviii, i.
Josh. 22. 13.] Chronologically Arranged. 161
with him ten princes. And they spake with them, say-
ing, " What trespass is this ye have committed in that
ye have builded you an altar, to rebel this day against
the Lord? If the land of your possession be unclean,
then pass ye over, unto the land wherein the Lord's
tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us; but
rebel not against tiie LORD."
Then the children of Reuben and Gad and Manasseh
answered, " The LORD, the God of gods, he knoweth,
and Israel shall know. If it be in rebellion, or in tres-
pass against the Lord, that we have built this altar,
or if to offer offerings thereon, let the LORD himself re-
quire it. We have rather out of carefulness done this.
In time to come your children might speak unto our
children, saying, ' What have ye to do with the Lord,
the God of Israel? For the Lord hath made Jordan a
border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and
children of Gad; ye have no portion in the LORD,'
Therefore we said, ' Let us now build us an altar.' It
shall be a witness between us and you. God forbid that
we should rebel, and turn away this day from following
the Lord."
And when Phinehas and the princes heard these
words it pleased them well, and they returned unto
the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought
them word again. And the thing pleased the children
of Israel ; and they blessed God, and spake no more
of war.
And the children of Reuben and Gad called the altar
^ Ed ; "■ For," said they, " it is a witness between us that
the Lord is God."
' So the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he
sware to give unto their fathers ; and they possessed it,
and dwelt therein. And the LoRD gave them rest round
about. There stood not a man of all their enemies be-
fore them. There failed not aught of any good thing
which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel ;
all came to pass.
'Josh, xxi, 43. I »R. V. marg., That is, witness.
162 The Shorter Bible LJosh. 23. i.
CHAPTER IV.
JOSHUA'S LAST DAYS.
' And after many days, when Joshua was old and well
stricken in years, Joshua ^ gathered all the tribes of Israel
to Shechem, and called for the elders and judges and
officers ; and they presented themselves before God.
^ And Joshua said unto them, "I am old and well
Joshua's ex- Stricken in years ; and ye have seen all that
hortatiou. ti-ie Lord hath done. He 'brought your
fathers out of Egypt ^and ye went over Jordan, And
h e gave you a land whereon y e had not labored, cities
which ye built not and vineyards which ye planted not.
" The Lord your God, he it is that hath fought for
you. Behold, I have allotted unto you these nations
that remain. And the LORD your God, he shall thrust
them out from before you, and ye shall possess their
land. ' One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the
Lord fighteth for you. * Therefore be ye very coura-
geous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of
the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the
right hand or to the left ; that ye come not among these
nations that remain among you ; neither make mention
of the name of their gods, nor bow down yourselves unto
them. Take good heed that ye love the LoKD your God.
Else if ye do in anywise go back, and cleave unto the
remnant of these nations that remain among you, and
make marriages with them, know for a certainty that the
Lord your God will no more drive out these nations.
They shall be for a snare and a trap unto you, and a
scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye
perish from off this good land.
" Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth.
' josh, xxiii, i. ''• Josli. xxiii, 2. ''Josh, xxiv, ii. 'Josh, xxiii, lO.
^ josh, xxiv, I. •• Josli. xxiv, 6. "josli. xxiii, 3. ''Josh, xxiii, 6.
Josh. 23. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 163
And ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls,
that not one thing hath failed of all the good things
which the Lord spake concerning you, all are come to
pass. And as all the good things are come upon you of
which the LORD spake unto you, so shall the Lord bring
upon you all the evil things, until he have destroyed you,
when ye transgress the covenant of the Lord and go
and serve other gods,
" ' And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,
choose you this day whom ye will serve ; but as for me
and my house, we will serve the LORD."
And the people answered and said, " God forbid that
we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods. We
also will serve the LORD ; for he is our God."
''And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law
of God. And he took a great stone, and set it up there
under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.
And Joshua said unto all the people, " Behold, this
stone shall be a witness against you, lest ye deny your
God."
So Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his
inheritance.
And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua
the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, Death of
being an hundred and ten years old. And they Joshua,
buried him in the border of his inheritance in the hill
country of Ephraim.
And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua,
and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and
had known all the work of the LoRD, that he had
wrought for Israel.
And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel
brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in the
parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Ha-
mor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of
money. And they became the inheritance of the chil-
dren of Joseph.
And Eleazar the son of Aaron died ; and they buried
him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him
in the hill country of Ephraim.
'Josh, xxiv, 15. ■■'Josh, xxiv, 26.
164 The Shorter Bible [Judg. i. i.
JUDGES.
CHAPTER I.
the defection of the ISRAELITES AND THEIR OP-
PRESSION: THEIR DELIVERANCE BY THE EARLY
JUDGES ; BY DEBORAH AND BARAK.
* And after the death of Joshua, ^ and after all that
generation were gathered unto their fathers, there arose
another generation which knew not the LORD, nor yet
the work which he had wrought for Israeh
And the children of Israel did that which was evil in
the sight of the LORD. They forsook the LoRD, the
God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land
Idolatry of o^ E^YP^ ^i"^ followed the gods of the peo-
israei. pj^s that were round about them, and bowed
themselves down unto them. And the anger of the
Lord was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them
into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold
them into the hands of their enemies round about, so
that they could not any longer stand before their ene-
mies. 'And they were sore distressed.
'Andnhc angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal
and said, "Why' have ye done this?" And the people
lifted up their voice and wept. And they sacrificed
there unto the LORD.
'And the LoRD raised up judges, and the LORD was
with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of those
that spoiled them. Yet they hearkened not unto their
judges. They turned aside quickly out of the way.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel ;
" R. V. maig., Or, a »iessen«fr.
'Judg. i, I.
■•Judg. ii, I.
'^ Judg. ii, lo.
'Judg. ii, 16.
" Judg. ii, 15.
judg. 2. 20.] Chronologically Arranged. 165
and he said, " Because this nation have transgressed my
covenant and have not hearkened unto my voice ; I also
will not henceforth drive out from before them the
nations which Joshua left when he died ; that by them I
may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the
Lord to walk therein, or not."
' And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaan-
ites ; and they took their daughters to be their wives,
and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served
their gods.
And the children of Israel did that which was evil in
the sight of the Lord, and he sold them into the hand
of the king of Mesopotamia. And the children of
Israel served h i m eight years. And when .
they cried unto the LORD, the Lord raised iivererand
up a saviour, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, "'^ ^
Caleb's younger brother. The spirit of the Lord came
upon him, and he went out to war, and the Lord de-
livered the king of Mesopotamia into his hand. * He
judged Israel, and the land had rest forty years. And
Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
And the children of Israel again did that which was
evil in the sight of the Lord. And the LORD strength-
ened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel. And he
gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek,
and went and smote Israel, And the children of Israel
served the king of Moab eighteen years.
But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD,
the Lord raised them up a saviour, Ehud,
the Benjamite, a man lefthanded. The chil-
dren of Israel sent a present by him unto Eglon. And
Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, and he
girded it under his raiment upon his right thigh. And
he offered the present unto Eglon, king of Moab. And
when he had made an end of offering the present, he
said, " I have a secret errand unto thee, O king."
And the king said, " Keep silence." And all that
stood by him went out from him. And he was sitting
by himself alone in his summer parlor.
And Ehud rose out of his seat, and put forth his left
' Judg. iii, 5. ''Judg. iii, lo.
16n The Shortp:r Bible [judg. 3. 21.
hand and took the sword from his right thigh and slew
h i m. Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut
the doors and locked them.
Now the servants came ; and behold, the doors of
the parlor were locked ; and they tarried. And Ehud
escaped. And he blew a trumpet in the hill country of
Ephraim, and said unto the children of Israel, "Follow me,
for the Lord hath delivered your enemies into your hand."
And they went down after him, and took the fords of
Jordan, and smote of Moab at that time about ten thou-
sand men. So Moab was subdued that day under the
hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.
And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which
smote of the Philistines six hundred men
amgar. -^vJth an oxgoad. He also saved Israel.
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight
of the Lord. And the LORD sold them into the hand
of Jabin king of Canaan, the captain of whose host was
Sisera. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD ;
for he had nine hundred chariots of iron ; and twenty
years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth,
Deborah judged Israel at that time. She dwelt under
and Barak. ^he palm tree of Deborah in the hill country
of Ephraim ; and the children of Israel came up to her
for judgment. And she sent and called Barak out of
Kedesh, and said unto him, " The Lord, the God of Is-
rael, hath commanded, saying, 'Go unto Mount Tabor,
and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of
Naphtali and Zebulun. And I will draw unto thee
Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and
his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.'"
And Barak said unto her, "If thou wilt go with me,
then I will go."
And she said, " I will surely go with thee ; notwith-
standing the journey that thou takest shall not be for
thine honor ; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the
hand of a woman." And Deborah arose, and went with
Barak.
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together, and
there went up ten thousand men at his feet.
jLidg. 4. 12.] CiiRONOLOGiCALLY Arranged. 167
And they told Sisera that Barak was gone up to
Mount Tabor. And Sisera gathered together all his
chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the
people that were with him, unto the river Kishon.
And Deborah said unto Barak, " Up ; for this is the
day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine
hand. Is not the LORD gone out before thee?"
So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thou-
sand men after him. And the Lord discomfited Sisera,
and all his chariots, and all his host, before Barak.
And Sisera lighted down from his chariot, and fled away
on his feet.
' Now Heber the Kenite had severed himself from the
children of Hobab, the brother-in-law of Moses, and had
pitched his tent as far as the oak which is by Kedesh.
And Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the
wife of Heber, And he said unto her, " Stand in the
door of the tent, and when any man doth come and
inquire of thee, and say, ' Is there any man here ? ' thou
shalt say, ' No.' "
Then Jael took a tent pin, and an hammer in her
hand, and went softly unto him, and smote his temples;
for he was in a deep sleep. So he swooned and died.
And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out
to meet him, and said unto him, " Come, and I will show
thee the man whom thou seekest."
And behold, Sisera lay dead !
So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan
before the children of Israel.
Then sang Deborah and Barak on that day, saying,
Deborah.
" For that the leaders took the lead in Israel,
For that the people offered themselves will- gong of
ingly.
Bless ye the Lord.
Hear, O ye kings ; give ear, O ye princes ;
I, even I, will sing unto the Lord.
In the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied,
And the travelers walked through byways.
' Jiidg- iv, II.
168 The Shorter Bible [judg. 5. 7.
The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased,
Until that I, Deborah, arose.
That I arose, a mother in Israel.
My heart is toward the governors of Israel,
That offered themselves willingly among the people:
Bless ye the Lord.
Tell of it, ye that ride on white asses,
Ye that sit on rich carpets,
And ye that walk by the way.
Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing
water.
There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD.
Awake, awake, Deborah,
Awake, awake, utter a song;
Arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive.
By the water courses of Reuben
There were great resolves of heart.
Why satest thou among the sheepfolds,
To hear the pipings for the flock?
At the water courses of Reuben
There were great searchings of heart.
The kings came and fought ;
Then fought the kings of Canaan,
In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo;
They took no gain of money.
They fought from heaven,
The stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
The river Kishon swept them away.
That ancient river, the river Kishon.
So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD,
But let them that love thee be as the sun, when he
gocth forth in his might."
And the land had rest forty years.
Jik1^^6. 1.] ClIROXOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 169
CHAPTER II.
GIDEON AND HIS SONS: MINOR JUDGES.
And the children of Israel did that which was evil in
the sight of the Lord; and the LORD delivered them
into the hand of Midian seven years. And because of
Midian the children of Israel made them dens in the
mountains, and caves, and strongholds. And
when Israel had sown, the Midianites came uSW^er^the
up and encamped against them, and destroyed Midiamtes.
the increase of the earth ; and left no sustenance in Israel,
neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with
their cattle and their tents, as* locusts for multitude,
without number. And Israel was brought very low be-
cause of Midian.
And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
And the angel of the Lord came and sat under the
oak which was in Ophrah that pertained unto Joash.
And his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine
press, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel
said unto him, "The LoRD is with thee, thou mighty
man of valor."
And Gideon said unto him, " Oh my lord, if the LORD
be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where
be all his wondrous works? But now the LoRD hath
cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian."
And the Lord looked upon him, and said, G.i<jeon's
" Go in this thy might, and save Israel from the ^^^^^ ^^'^
hand of Midian. Have not I sent thee?"
And he said unto him, "Oh Lord, wherewith shall I
save Israel? Behold, my family is the poorest in Ma-
nasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
And the Lord said unto him, " Surely I will be with
thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites."
And he said unto him, "If now I have found grace in
14
170 Tiif: Shorter Bihle [jLuig. 6. 17.
thy sight, then show me a sign that it is than that talk-
est with me. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I
come and bring forth my ''present, and lay it before thee."
And he said, " I will tarry until thou come again."
And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and un-
leavened cakes, and broth, and brought it out unto him
under the oak.
And the angel said, " Take the flesh and cakes, and lay
them upon this rock, and pour out the broth." And he
did so.
Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the
staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and
cakes ; and there went up fire out of the rock, and con-
sumed the flesh and cakes. And the angel departed out
of his sight.
And Gideon saw that he was the angel of the Lord.
And Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord God! forasmucli as
I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face."
And the Lord said unto him, " Peace be unto thee.
Fear not ; thou shalt not die."
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and
called it ^ Jehovah-shalom.
And the same night the LORD said unto him, " Throw
down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut
down the idol that is by it ; and build an altar unto the
Lord upon the top of this stronghold. And take a
bullock, and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the
idol which thou shalt cut down."
Then Gideon took ten of his servants, and did as the
Lord had spoken unto him. And because he feared
his father's household and the men of the city, he did it
by night.
And when the men of the city arose in the morning,
they said one to another, " Who hath done this thing?"
And one said, " Gideon the son of Joash hath done
this thing."
Then the men of the city said unto Joash, " Bring out
thy son, that he may die. Because he hath broken
down the altar of Baal, and cut down the idol that
was by it."
" R. v. marg., Or, offering. '■ R. V. marg., That is, The Lord is peace.
Judg. 6. 3r.| ClIKONOLOGICALLV ARRANGED. 171
And Joash said unto all that stood against him, " Will
ye plead for Baal? Will ye save him ? If he be a god
let him plead for himself."
Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the
children of the east assembled themselves together, and
pitched in the valley of Jczreel. But the spirit of the
Lord ""came upon Gideon ; and he blew a trumpet, and
sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and Asher,
and Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they also were gathered
together after him.
And Gideon said unto God, " Behold, I will put a
fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there be dew
on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground,
then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine
hand, as thou hast spoken."
And it was so, for he rose up early on the morrow,
and pressed the fleece together, and wringed the dew
out of the fleece, a bowlful of water.
And Gideon said unto God, " Let not thine anger be
kindled against me, and I will speak but this once. Let
me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece.
Let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the
ground let there be dew."
_ And God did so that night ; for it was dry upon the
fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
Then Gideon, and all the people that were with him,
rose up early and pitched beside the spring of ^ Harod.
And the camp of Midian was on the north side of them,
in the valley.
And the, LORD said unto Gideon, " The people that
are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites
into their hand, lest. Israel vaunt themselves against me,
saying, ' Mine own hand hath saved me.' Now therefore
go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ' Who-
soever is fearful and trembling, let him return and de-
part.' "
And there returned of the people twenty and two
thousand ; and there remained ten thousand.
And the Lord said unto Gideon, " The people are
yet too many ; bring them down unto the water, and I
" Heb. clothed itself with. *> R. V. marg. , That is, Trembling.
172 The vShortkr Bible [Judg. 7-4-
will try them for thee there. Every one that lappeth of
the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt
thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth
down upon his knees to drink."
And the number of them that lapped, putting their
hand to their mouth, was three hundred men ; but all
the rest of the people bowed down upon their kn^es to
drink water.
And the Lord said unto Gideon, " By the three hun-
dred men will I save you."
And he sent all the men of Israel every man unto his
tent, but retained the three hundred men. And the
camp of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD
said unto him, " Arise, get thee down into the camp;
for I have delivered it into thine hand. But if thou
fear, go thou with Purah thy servant down to the camp ;
and thou shalt hear what they say."
Then went he down with his servant unto the outer-
most part of the armed men that were in the g^j^g .^^ ^^^
camp. And the Midianites and the Amal- camp of
ekites and all the children of the east lay
along in the valley like locusts for multitude ; and their
camels were without number, as the sand which is upon
the seashore for multitude.
And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man
that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, " Behold, I
dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled
into the camp of Midian, and came unto the tent and
smote it that it fell."
And his fellow answered and said, " This is nothing
else save the sword of Gideon. Into his hand God hath
delivered Midian, and all the host."
And when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and
the interpretation thereof, he worshiped. And he re-
turned into the camp of Israel, and said, "Arise; for
the Lord . hath delivered into your hand the host of
Midian."
And he divided the three hundred men into three
companies, and he put into the hands of all of them
trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the
judg. 7. 16.] Chronologically Arranged. 173
pitchers. And he said unto them, " Behold, when I
come to the outermost part of the camp, it shall be that,
as I do, so shall ye do. When I blow the trumpet, then
blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp,
and say, ' For the Lord and for Gideon ! ' "
So Gideon, and the men that were with him, came unto
the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the
middle watch. And they blew the trumpets, and brake
the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and
the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal ; and
they cried, " The sword of the LoRD and of Gideon,"
and stood every man in his place round about the
camp. And all the host ran. And they shouted, and
put them to flight. And the Lord set every Midianites
man's sword against his fellow, and against overthrown.
all the host. And there fell an hundred and twenty
thousand men that drew sword. And Gideon took the"
two kings of Midian, and discomfited all the host. And
Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle.
Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, " Rule thou
over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son ; for
thou hast saved us out of the hand of Midian."
And Gideon said unto them, " I will not rule over you,
neither shall my son rule over you ; the Lord shall rule
over you."
So Midian was subdued before the children of Isra(^l,
and they lifted up their heads no more. And the land
had rest forty years.
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons, for he had
many wives. And his concubine that was in Shechem,
she also bare him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.
And Gideon died in a good old age, and was buried in
the sepulcher of Joash his father.
And as soon as Gideon v.'as dead the children of Israel
turned again and made Baal their god, and remembered
not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of
the hand of all their enemies. Neither showed they
kindness to the house of Gideon.
And Abimelech the son of Gideon went
to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and i"ie ec .
spake with them, saying, " Speak, I pray you, in the
174 The Shorter Bible [Judg. 9-2.
ears of all the men of Shechcm, ' Whether is better for
you, that all the sons of Gideon, threescore and ten
persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you ? ' Re-
member also that I am your bone and your flesh."
And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of
all the men of Shechem. And their hearts inclined to
follow Abimelech ; for they said, " He is our brother."
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver,
wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, which
followed him,. And he went unto his father's house at
Ophrah, and slew his brethren, threescore and ten persons,
upon one stone. But Jotham, the youngest, was left ;
for he hid himself.*
And all the men of Shechem assembled themselves
together, and made Abimelech king. And Jotham went
and stood in the top of Mount Gerizim,and lifted up his
voice, and cried, and said unto them, " Hearken unto me,
ye men of Shechem. The trees went forth on a time to
Jotham's anoint a king over them. And they said unto
parable. ^\^q olive tree, ' Reign thou over us.' But the
olive tree said unto them, ' Should I leave my fatness,
wherewith they honor God and man, and go to wave to
and fro over the trees?' And the trees said to the fig
tree, ' Come thou, and reign over us.' But the fig tree
said unto them, ' Should 1 leave my sweetness, and my
good fruit, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?'
And the trees said unto the vine, ' Come thou, and reign
over us.' And the vine said unto them, ' Should I leave
my wine and go to wave to and fro over the trees?'
Then said all the trees unto the =" bramble, ' Come thou,
and reign over us.' And the bramble said unto the
trees, 'If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then
come and put your trust in my shadow ; and if not, let
fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of
Lebanon.'
" My father fought for you, and adventured his life,
and delivered you out of the hand of Midian ; and ye are
risen up against my father's house this day, and have
slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone,
and have made Abimelech king. If ye then have dealt
" R. V. marg., Or, ihpr)i.
judg. 9. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 175
truly with Gideon and with his house this day, then
rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour
the men of Shechem, and let fire come out from the men
of Shechem and devour Abimelech."
And Jotham fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there,
for fear of Abimelech his brother.
And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
And the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with
Abimelech ; that the violence done to the threescore
and ten sons of Gideon might come upon Abimelech
their brother, which slew them ; and upon the men of
Shechem, which strengthened his hands to slay his breth-
ren. And the men of Shechem set Hers in wait for
Abimelech on the tops of the mountains, and they
robbed all that came along that way by them. And they
went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink
and cursed Abimelech.
And Abimelech fought against the city ; and he took
i t and slew the people that was therein. And he beat
down the city, and sowed it with salt.
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard
thereof, they entered into the hold. And it was told
Abimelech. And Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and
cut down a bough from the trees, and laid it on his
shoulder. And all the people likewise cut down every
man his bough, and followed Abimelech. And they
put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire, so that
all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a
thousand men and women.
Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped
against Thebez, and took it. But there was a strong
tower within the city, and thither fled the men and
women and shut themselves in and gat them up to the
roof. And Abimelech came unto the tower, and went
hard unto the door to burn it with fire. And a certain
woman cast an upper millstone upon Abimelech's head,
and brake his skull.
Then he called hastily unto the young man his armor-
bearer, and said unto him, " Draw thy sword, and kill
me, that men say not of me, ' A woman slew him.' "'
176 The Shorter Bible [Judg. 9. 54.
Death of And liis young man thrust him through,
Abimeiech. ^nd he died.
And when the men of Israel saw that Abimeiech was
dead, they departed every man unto his place. Thus
God requited the wickedness of Abimeiech, which he did
unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren. And all
the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God requite
upon their heads ; and upon them came the curse of
Jotham, the son of Gideon.
And after Abimeiech there arose to save Israel Tola,
a man of Issachar. And he dwelt in the hill country of
Ephraim. He judged Israel twenty and three years, and
died, and was buried.
. And after him arose Jair, the Gileadite. He judged
other Israel twenty and two years. He had thirty
judges. sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they
had thirty cities in the land of Gilead. And Jair died,
and was buried.
judg. I0.6.] Chronologically Arranged. 177
CHAPTER III.
JEPHTHAH: MINOR JUDGES: SAMSON: DAN ACQUIRING
LAND.
And the children of Israel again did that which was
evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the gods of
Syria and Moab and Amnion, and the gods of the Philis-
tines. They forsook the Lord, and served him not.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel,
and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and
into the hand of the children of Ammon. And they
vexed and oppressed the children of Israel that were be-
yond Jordan in Gilead, and passed over Jordan to fight
also against Judah and Benjamin, and against the house
of Ephraim ; so that Israel was sore distressed.
And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, say-
ing, " We have sinned against thee, we have forsaken
our God."
And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, " Did
not I save you from the Egyptians, and from the chil-
dren of Ammon, and from the Philistines? Yet ye have
forsaken me and served other gods. Go and cry unto
the gods which ye have chosen ; let them save you in the
time of your distress."
And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, " We
have sinned. Only deliver us, we pray thee, this day."
And they put away the strange gods from among
them, and served the LoRD. And his soul was grieved
for the misery of Israel.
Then the children of Ammon were gathered together,
and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel as-
sembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpah.
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of
valor, and the spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah,
and he led Israel over unto the children of Ammon.
178 The Shorter Bible [judg. u. 30.
And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said,
" If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into
mine hand, whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my
house to meet me, when I return, it shall be the
Lord's."
So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon
Jephthah to fight against them ; and the Lord deliv-
peopfefrcnn ^^^^ them into his hand. And he smote
Ammon. them cvcu twenty cities. The children of
Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.
And Jephthah came unto his house, and, behold, his
daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with
dances. And she was his only child ; beside her he had
neither son nor daughter. And when he saw her he
rent his clothes, and said, "Alas, my daughter! Thou
hast brought me very low. I have opened my mouth
unto the Lord, and I cannot go back."
And she said unto him, " My father, thou hast opened
Jephthah's ^^^Y ^outh unto the Lord. Do unto me
daughter. according to that which hath proceeded out
of thy mouth ; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken venge-
ance for thee of thine enemies."
And she said unto her father, " Let this thing be done
for me ; let me alone two months, that I may depart and
go down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity,
I and my companions."
And he said, "Go." And she departed, she and her
companions. And at the end of two months she re-
turned unto her father, who did with her according to his
vow. And it was a custom in Israel, that the daughters
of Israel went yearly to •' celebrate the daughter of Jeph-
thah four days in a year.
And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died
Jephthah, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.
And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel seven
years. He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters. And
Ibzan died, and was buried at Bethlehem.
Lesser A"<^ '^^^er him Elon judged Israel ten years,
judges. yviicl Elon died and was buried.
And after him Abdon judged Israel. He had forty sons
" R. v. marg., Or, lament.
Judg. 12. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 179
and thirty sons' sons, that rode on threescore and ten
ass colts. He judged Israel eight years. And Abdon
died and was buried.
And the children of Israel again did that which was
evil in the sight of the Lord ; and the Lord delivered
them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.
And there was a certain man of the family of the Dan-
ites, whose name was Manoah. And the angel of the
Lord appeared unto ' his wife, and said unto her, " Be-
hold, thou shalt bear a son. Now therefore, drink no
wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.
For, lo, the child shall be a Nazarite unto God, no razor
shall come upon his head. And he shall begin to save
Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying,
" A man came unto me, and his countenance was like
the countenance of the angel of God, very terrible. And
I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his
name ; but he said unto me, ' Behold, thou
, , , , ,, Samson's
shalt bear a son. birth fore-
Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and ^°^'^'
said, " Oh LoRD, I pray thee, let the man of God come
again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the
child that shall be born."
And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah ; and the
angel came again unto the woman as she sat in the field.
And the woman made haste, and ran, and told her hus-
band. And Manoah arose and came to the man, and
said, "Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman?"
And he said, "I am."
And Manoah said, " Now let thy words come to pass.
What shall be the manner of the child, and what shall be
his work? "
And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, " Of all
that I said unto the woman let her beware. She may
not eat of anything that cometh of the vine, neither let
her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean
thing."
And Manoah said, " I pray thee, let us detain thee,
that we may make ready a kid for thee."
' Judg. xiii, 2.
180 The Shorter Bible [Judg. 13. i6.
And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah,
" Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread.
If thou wilt make ready a burnt offering, thou must offer
it unto the LORD."
For Manoah knew not that he was the angel of the
Lord.
And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, " What
is thy name, that when thy words come to pass we may
do thee honor? "
And the angel of the Lord said unto him, " Where-
fore askest thou after my name, seeing it is ''wonder-
ful?"
So Manoah took the kid with the meal offering, and
offered it upon the rock unto the LORD. And the angel
did wondrously, and Manoah and his wife looked on.
For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward
heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord
ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and
his wife fell on their faces to the ground. Then Manoah
knew that he was the angel of the LORD.
And Manoah said unto his wife, " We shall surely die,
because we have seen God."
But his wife said, " If the LORD were pleased to kill
us, he would not have received an offering at our hand,
neither would he have told us all these things."
And the woman bare a son and called his name
'' Samson. And the child grew and the Lord blessed
him. And the spirit of the LORD began to move him.
' Now at that time the Philistines had rule over Israel.
^And Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a
Samson's woman of the daughters of the Philistines.
PMistme ^^^j j^^ ^^^^^ ^^p^ ^^^^ ^^j^j j^j^ j-,^^j^^j. ^,^j j^j^
mother, and said, " Now therefore get her for me to wife."
Then his father and his mother said unto him, " Is
there never a woman among the daughters of thy peo-
ple, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised
Philistines?" " But they knew not that it was of the
Lord, for he sought an occasion against the Piiilistincs.
' Judg. xiv, 4.
'■' Judg. xiv, I.
'judg. xiv, 4.
" R. V. marg., Or, j<r;W. '■ Date un-
known. lUil probably while Jcphtliah
was judge over the eastern tribes.
judg. 14. 3.] Chronologically Arranged. 181
' And Samson said unto his father, " Get her for me ;
for she pleaseth me well."
Then went Samson down, and his father and mother,
and came to the vineyards of Timnah.
And, behold, a young lion roared against him. And
the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he
rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had
nothing in his hand. But he told not his father or his
mother what he had done. And he went down, and
talked with the woman ; and she pleased Samson well.
And after a while he returned to take her, and he turned
aside to see the carcass of the lion ; and, behold, there was
a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. And
he took it into his hands, and went on, eating as he went.
And Samson made there a feast ; for so used the
young men to do. And they brought thirty companions
to be with him.
And Samson said unto them, " Let me now put forth
a riddle unto you. If ye can find it out within the seven
days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen gar-
ments and thirty changes of raiment ; but if ye cannot,
then shall ye give me thirty linen garments and thirty
changes of raiment."
And they said unto him, " Put forth thy riddle."
And he said unto them,
" Out of the eater came forth meat, Samson's
And out of the strong came forth sweet- nddie.
ness."
And they could not declare the riddle. And they
said unto Samson's wife, " Entice thy husband, that he
may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and
thy father's house with fire. Have ye called us to im-
poverish us? "
And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, " Thou
dost but hate me, and lovest me not. Thou hast put
forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast
not told it me."
And he said unto her, " Behold, I have-not told it my
father nor my mother, and shall I tell thee?"
And she wept before him the seven days, while their
' J^i*^lg- xi'^i 3-
182 The vShorter Bible (Judg. 14. 17.
feast lasted, and on the seventh day he told her, because
she pressed him sore. And she told the riddle to the
children of her people.
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh
day before the sun went down, " What is sweeter than
honey? and what is stronger than a lion? "
And he said unto them,
" If ye had not plowed with my heifer,
Ye had not found out my riddle."
And the spirit of the LoRD came mightily upon him,
and he went down to Ashkelon, and smote thirty men
of them, and took their ''spoil, and gave the changes of
raiment unto them that declared the riddle. And his
anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.
But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom
he had used as his friend.
But it came to pass after a while, in the time of wheat
harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid. But
her father would not suffer him, and said, " I verily
thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I
gave her to thy companion. Is not her younger sister
fairer than she? Take her, I pray thee, instead of her."
And Samson said unto them, " This time shall I be
blameless in regard of the Philistines, when I do them a
mischief."
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes,
and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail,
The foxes • •
and fire- and put a firebrand in the midst between
brands. every two tails. And when he had set the
brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of
the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the
standing corn, and also the oliveyards.
Then the Philistines said, " Who hath done this ?"
And they said, "Samson, the son-in-law of the Tim-
nite, because he lias taken his wife, and given her to his
companion."
And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her
father with fire.
And Samson said unto them, "If ye do after this
manner, surely I will be avenged of you." And he
" R. V. niarg., Or, apparel.
Judg. 15. 8.] Chronologically Arranged. 183
smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter.
And he went down and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of
Etam.
Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah.
And the men of Judah said, "Why are ye come up
against us? "
And they said, " To bind Samson are we come up, to
do to him as he hath done to us."
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the
cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, " Know-
est thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us?
What then is this that thou hast done unto us? "
And he said unto them, "As they did unto me, so
have I done unto them."
And they said unto him, " We are come down to bind
thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the
Philistines."
And Samson said unto them, "Ye will not fall upon
me yourselves? "
And they spake unto him, saying, " No; we will bind
thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand ; but surely
we will not kill thee."
And they bound him with two new ropes, and brought
him up from the rock. When he came, the samson
Philistines shouted as they met him. And man'yPhiUs-
the spirit of the LoRD came mightily upon tines.,
him, and the ropes that were upon his arms became as
flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands dropped
from off his hands. And he found a new jawbone of an
ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and smote a
thousand men therewith.
And Samson said,
" With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps,
With the jawbone of an ass have I smitten a thou-
sand men."
And he cast away the jawbone out of his hand.
And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and
said, "Thou hast given this great deliverance by the
hand of thy servant ; and now shall I die for thirst ? "
But God clave the hollow place that is in Lehi, and
there came water thereout ; and when he had drunk.
184 The Shorter Bible [Judg. 15. 19.
his spirit came again, and he revived. And he judged
Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
And Samson went to Gaza. And it was told the Ga-
zites, saying, " Samson is come hither." And they com-
passed him in, and laid wait for him, and were quiet all
the night, saying, " Let be till morning light, then we
will kill him." And Samson arose at midnight, and laid
hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two
posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them
upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of
the mountain that is before Hebron.
And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman
whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philis-
tines came up unto her, and said unto her, " Entice him,
and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what
means we may prevail against him, that we may bind
him ; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hun-
dred pieces of silver."
And Delilah said to Samson, " Tell me, I pray thee,
wherein thy great strength lieth."
And Samson said unto her, " If they bind me with
seven green withes that were never dried, then shall I
Samson and become weak, and be as another man."
Delilah. Then the lords of the Philistines brought
up to her seven green withes which had not been dried,
and she bound him with them. (Now she had Hers in
wait abiding in the inner chamber.) And she said unto
him, " The Philistines be upon thee, Samson." And he
brake the withes as a string of tow is broken when it
toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
And Delilah said unto Samson, " Behold, thou hast
mocked me, and told me lies. Now tell me, I pray thee,
wherewith thou mightest be bound."
And he said unto her, " If they onh' bind me with
new ropes wherewith no work hath been done, then shall
I become weak, and be as another man."
So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith,
and said unto him, " The Philistines.be upon thee, Sam-
son." And he brake them from off his arms like a
thread.
And Delilah said unto Samson, " Hitherto thou hast
judg. i6. i>] Chronologically Arranged. 185
mocked me, and told me lies. Tell me wherewith thou
mightest be bound."
And he said unto her, "If thou weavest the seven
locks of my head with the web."
And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him,
" The Philistines be upon thee, Samson."
And he awaked out of his sleep, and plucked away
the pin of the beam, and the web.
And she said unto him, " How canst thou say, ' I love
thee,,' when thine heart is not with me? Thou hast
mocked me these three times, and hast not told me
wherein thy great strength lieth."
And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with
her words, and urged him, that his soul was vexed unto
death. And he told her all his heart, and said unto her,
" There hath not come a razor upon mine head ; for I
have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's
womb. If I be shaven, then my strength will go from
me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other
man."
And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his
heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines,
saying, " Come up this once, for he hath told me all his
heart."
Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her,
and brought the money in their hand. And she made
him sleep upon her knees ; and she shaved off the seven
locks of his head. And she began to afflict him, and his
strength went from him. And she said, " The Philis-
tines be upon thee, Samson."
And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, " I will go
out as at other times, and shake myself." But he wist
not that the Lord was departed from him.
And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his
eyes. And they brought him down to Gaza, gj^j^g^^
and bound him with fetters of brass ; and he ^i^^ded and
... . , . • TT 1 • 1 bound.
did grmd in the prison house. Howbeit the
hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
And the lords of the Philistines gathered together to
offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to re-
joice. For they said, " Our god hath delivered Samson
15
186 The Shorter Bible [Judg. 16.23.
our enemy into our hand." And when the people saw
him, they praised their god ; for they said, " Our god
hath dehvered into our hand our enemy, and the de-
stroyer of our country, whicli hath slain many of us."
And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry,
that they said, " Call for Samson, that he may make us
sport." And they called Samson out of the prison
house ; and he made sport before them ; and they set
him between the pillars.
And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the
hand, " Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon
the house resteth, that I may lean upon them."
Now the house was full of men and women ; and all
the lords of the Philistines were there ; and there were
upon the roof about three thousand men and women,
that beheld while .Samson made sport.
And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, " O
Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen
me, I pray thee, only this once, O God."
And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon
which the house rested, and leaned upon them, the one
Death of with his right hand, and the other with his
Samson. jef|-_ And Samsou said, " Let me die with
the Philistines." And he bowed himself with all his
might ; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all
the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew
at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came
down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried
him in the burying place of his father. "■ And he judged
Israel twenty years.
'^ In those days the tribe of the Danitcs sought them
an inheritance to dwell in f for unto that day their in-
heritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of
Israel. And the children of Dan sent five men of valor
to spy out the land, and to search it. And they said
unto them, " Go search the land."
Judg. xviii, I.
" Samson's judgeship was doubtless
local. Kli was judge at same time
oversoutliern tribes. '' Probably soon
after the death of Joshua.
jucig. i8. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 187
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and
saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt quiet
and secure. And they came unto their brethren and
said, " Arise. We have seen the land, and
behold, it is very good. Be not slothful to acquiring ^^
go and to enter in to possess the land, for ^^ '
God hath given it into your hand ; a place where there
is no want of anything that is in the earth."
And there set forth from thence of the family of the
Danites six hundred men girt with weapons of war.
And they went up and ' came unto Laish, and smote the
people, and burnt the city with fire. And they built the
city, and dwelt therein. And they called the name of
the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father. How-
beit the name of the city was Laish at the first.
And the children of Dan set up for themselves a
graven image ; and Jonathan, the son of Ger- idolatry,
shom, the son of Moses, he and his sons ils'g?a^d-
were priests to the tribe of the Danites, until son.
the day of the captivity of the land.
" In those days there was no king in Israel ; every man
did that which was right in his own eyes.
' Judg. xviii, 27. ^Judg. xxi, 25.
188 The Shorter Bh^le [I'^uth i. i.
RUTH.
CHAPTER I.
ruth's MOABITE origin: loyalty to NAOMI: MAR-
RIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD.
And it came to pass in the days when the judges
judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a
certain man of Bethlehem went to sojourn in the coun-
try of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two
Naomi's •' a i ^i r ^.u rrv
going to sons. And the name oi the man was Khme-
^°^^* lech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and
the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion. And
Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two
sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab ;
the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the
other Ruth ; and they dwelt there about ten years.
And Mahlon and Chilion died both of them.
Then Naomi arose that she might return from the
country of Moab ; for she had heard how that
The return, ^^iq Lord had visited his people in giving
them bread. And she went forth, and her two daughters-
in-law with her.
And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, " Go,
return each of you to your mother's house. The Lord
deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead,
and with me."
Then she kissed them ; and they lifted up their voice,
and wept, and said unto her, " Nay, but we will return
with thee unto thy people."
And Naomi said, " Turn again my daughters ; why will
ye go with me? Nay, my daughters. It grieveth me
much for your sakes, for the hand of the Lord is gone
forth against me."
Ruthi.i4.J Chronologically Arranged. 189
And they lifted up their voice and wept again ; and
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clave unto
her.
And Naomi said unto Ruth," Behold thy sister-
in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her god.
Return thou after thy sister-in-law."
And Ruth said, " Intreat me not to leave thee, and to
return from following after thee. For whither Ruth's
thou goest, I will go ; and where thou lodgest, choice.
I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there
will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more
also, if aught but death part thee and me."
And when Naomi saw that she was steadfastly
minded to go with her, she left speaking unto her. So
they two went to Bethlehem.
And when they were come to Bethlehem, all the city
was moved about them, and the women said, " Is this
Naomi ? "
And she said unto them, " Call me not =* Naomi, call
me ^ Mara, for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly
with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought
me home again empty."
And they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of
barley harvest. And Naomi had a kinsman of her hus-
band's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elime-
lech ; and his name was Boaz.
And Ruth said unto Naomi, " Let me now -^^^^ giean-
go to the field, and glean among the ears of i^s-
corn."
And Naomi said unto her, " Go, my daughter."
And she went and gleaned in the field after the reap-
ers ; and her hap was to light on the portion of the field
belonging unto Boaz.
And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said
unto the reapers, " The Lord be with you ! "
And they answered him, " The LORD bless Boaz.
thee ! "
Then Boaz said unto his servant that was set over the
reapers, "Whose damsel is this?"
» R. V. marg., That is, Pleasant. ^ R. V. marg., That is, Bitter.
190 The Shorter Bible [Ruth 2. 6.
And the servant answered, " It is the Moabitish dam-
sel that came back with Naomi out of the country of
Moab."
Then said Boaz unto Ruth, " Hearest thou not, my
daughter? Go not to glean in another field, but abide
here fast by my maidens. Go thou after them. Have I
not charged the young men that they shall not touch
thee? And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels,
and drink of that which the young men have drawn."
Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the
ground, and said unto him, " Why have I found grace in
thy sight, seeing I am a stranger? "
And Boaz answered and said unto her, " It hath fully
been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy
mother-in-law since the death of thine husband ; and
how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the
land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which
thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense
thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord,
the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to
take refuge."
Then she said, " Let me find grace in thy sight, my
lord ; for thou hast comforted me, thou hast spoken
•'kindly unto thine handmaid, though I be not as one of
thine handmaidens."
And at mealtime Boaz said unto her, " Come hither,
and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar."
And she sat beside the reapers, and ^ they readied her
parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed.
And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded
his young men, saying, " Let her glean even among the
sheaves, and reproach her not. And also [)ull out some
for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean,
and rebuke her not."
So she gleaned in the field until even ; and she went
into the city, and gave to her mother-in-law.
And her mother-in-law said, " Where hast thou gleaned
to-day ? "
And she said, "The man's name with whom I wrought
to-day is Boaz."
" R. V. mar"., Heb. fo tlw heart of. '' R. V. inarg., Or, he.
Ruth 2. 20.] Chronologically Arranged. 191
And Naomi said, " Blessed be he of the Lord, who
hath not left off his kindness to the living Naomi's
and to the dead. The man is '"^ nigh of kin plans,
unto us."
And Ruth said, "Yea, he said unto me, 'Thou shalt
keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all
my harvest.' "
And Naomi said unto Ruth, " It is good, my daughter,
that thou go out with his maidens, and that they meet
thee not in any other field."
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto
the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest ; and she
dwelt with her mother-in-law.
And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, " My
daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be
well with thee? And now is there not Boaz our kins-
man, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he
winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing floor. Put
thy raiment upon thee, therefore, and get thee down
to the threshing floor; but make not thyself known
unto the man, until he shall have done eating and
drinking."
And she said unto her, " All that thou sayest I will
do." And she went down unto the threshing floor.
And Boaz turned himself; and, behold, a woman !
And he said, "Who art thou? "
And she answered, " I am Ruth thine handmaid."
And he said, " Blessed be thou of the LoRD, my
daughter ; thou hast showed more kindness in the latter
end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst
not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my
daughter, fear not. I am a near kinsman ; howbeit there
is a nearer. If he will perform unto thee the ''part of
a kinsman, well ; but if not, then will I do the part of a
kinsman to thee."
And he said, " Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and
hold it."
And she held it ; and he measured six measures of
barley, and laid it on her.
And she came to her mother-in-law, and told her all.
" Deut. XXV, 5. ^ Deut. xxv, 5, 6.
192 The Shorter Bible [Ruth 3. 17.
And she said, " These six measures of barley gave he me ;
for he said, ' Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.' "
Then said Naomi, "Sit still, my daughter, until
thou know how the matter will fall ; for the man will not
rest, until he have finished the thing this day."
Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there.
The nearer And behold, the near kinsman of whom
kinsman. Boaz spake came by ; unto whom he said,
" Ho, such a one ! turn aside, sit down here."
And he turned aside, and sat down.
And Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city,
and said, " Sit ye down here."
And he said u nto the near kinsman," Naomi, that is come
again outof the country of Moab, selleththe parcel of land,
which was our brother Elimelech's. If thou wilt redeem
it, redeem it ; but if not, tell me, that I may redeem it."
And the near kinsman said, " I cannot redeem it, take
thou my right of redemption."
" Now this was the custom in former time in Israel
concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm all
things; a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neigh-
bor. So the near kinsman drew off his shoe.
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people,
"Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that
was Elimelech's. Moreover, Ruth have I purchased to
be my wife ; ye are witnesses this day."
And all the people that were in the gate, and the
elders, said, " We are witnesses."
Ruth's mar- on ^ i n ,_i j i i i •
riage and So Boaz took Kuth, and she became his
motherhood, ^jf^^ ^^^j ^^^^ L^^p^j^ g.^^^ j^^^ ^ ^^^^
And the women said unto Naomi, " Blessed be the
Lord, which hath not left thee this day. Let his name
be famous in Israel. He shall be unto thee a restorer of
life, and a nourisher of thine old age. Thy daughter-in-
law, which lovcth thee, is better to thee than seven sons."
And Naomi took the child and laid it in her bosom,
and became nurse unto it.
And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying,
" There is a son born to Naomi ! " They called his name
Obcd. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
" Deut. XXV, 7, 10.
I Sam. 1. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 193
THE BOOKS OF
SAMUEL, KINGS, AND CHRONICLES,
WITH SELECTIONS FROM THE PROPHETICAL AND
POETICAL BOOKS.
CHAPTER I.
SAMUEL: HIS BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS.
* Now there was a certain man of the hill country of
Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah. And he had a
wife whose name was Hannah, and Hannah had no
children.
^nd this man went up out of his city from year to
year to worship and to sacrifice unto the Hannah at
Lord in Shiloh. And he gave to Hannah a Shiioh.
double portion ; for he loved Hannah. And he did so
year by year, when she went up to the house of the
Lord. But she wept, and did not eat.
And Elkanah her husband said unto her, " Hannah,
why weepest thou ? And why eatest thou not ? Am
not I better to thee than ten sons?"
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto
the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and
said, " O Lord, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction
of thine handmaid, and remember me, and wilt give
unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him
unto the LORD all the days of his life. And there shall
no razor come upon his head."
Now Eli the priest sat upon his seat by the door-
post of the temple of the Lord. And it came to pass
as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli
' I Sam. i, I.
194 The vShorter Bible [i Sam. i. 12.
marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her
heart ; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard ;
therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
And Eli said unto her, " How long wilt thou be
drunken? Put away thy wine from thee."
And Hannah answered and said, " No, my lord, I am
a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither
wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before
the Lord."
Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace; and the
God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of
him."
And she said, " Let thy servant find grace in thy
sight."
So the woman went her way and did eat, and her
countenance was no more sad. And they rose up in the
morning early, and worshiped before the LoRD, and
came to their house, to Ramah.
And the LORD remembered Hannah, and she bare a
Birth of ^^'^- "^'^*^ ^^^^ called his name Samuel, say-
Samuei. fng, " Because I have asked him of the Lord."
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to
offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
But Hannah went not up. For she said unto her hus-
band, " I will not go up until the child be weaned, and
then I will bring him, that he may appear before the
Lord, and there abide forever."
And Elkanah her husband said unto her, " Do what
seemeth thee good."
So the woman tarried. And when she had weaned
him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and
one ephah of meal, and brought him unto the house of
the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. And
they slew the bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
And she said, "Oh mv lord, I am the woman
Hannah's , , , , ,' • i^ ^^■
song. that stood by thee here, praymg. ror this
child I prayed ; and the Lord hath given me my peti-
tion which I asked of him. Therefore I also have
"granted him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he is
granted to the Lord."
" K. V. marg., Or, /<■«/.
I Sam. 2. r.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 195
And Hannah prayed, and said,
" ^ My heart exulteth in the Lord,
Mine horn is exalted in the LORD;
The Lord killeth and maketh alive:
He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich;
He bringeth low, he also lifteth up.
Hb will keep the feet of his holy ones.
For by strength shall no man prevail."
And Elkanah went to his house. And the child did
minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.
Now the sons of Eli knew not the LORD. And the
sin of the young men was very great before the LORD ;
for men abhorred the offering of the LoRD.
But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child,
girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made
him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to
year, when she came up with her husband to offer the
yearly sacrifice.
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, "The
Lord give thee seed of this woman, for the loan which
was lent to the Lord."
And they went unto their own home. And the Lord
visited Hannah, and she bare three sons and two daugh-
ters.
And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
Now Eli was very old ; and he heard all that his sons
did. And he said unto them, " Nay, my sons, eu's wicked
it is no good report that I hear ; why do ye ^°^^-
such things ? Ye make the Lord's people to transgress.
If one man sin against another, God shall judge him ; but if
a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him ?"
Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice
of their father.
And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both
with the Lord, and also with men. He ministered unto
the Lord before Eli.
And the word of the Lord was ^precious in those
days ; there was no *^ open vision.
" Luke i, 46. '' R. V. marg., Or, rare. <= R. V. marg., Or, frequent.
196 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 3. 2.
' And it came to pass at that time, when EH was
God's call to laid down in his place, and Samuel was laid
Samuel. dovvn to sleep, in the temple of the LORD,
where the ark of God was; that the Lord called
Samuel.
And he said, " Here am I."
And he ran unto E 1 i, and said, " Here am I ; for thou
calledst me."
And Eli said, " I called not ; lie down again." And he
went and lay down.
And the Lord called yet again, " Samuel ! "
And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, " Here
am I ; for thou calledst me."
And E 1 i answered, " I called not, my son ; lie down
again."
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was
the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And
the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And
he arose and went to Eli, and said, " Here am I ; for
thou calledst me."
And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, " Go, lie down ; and if
he call thee, thou shalt say, ' Speak, Lord ; for thy serv-
ant heareth.' "
So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the
Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times,
"Samuel ! Samuel ! "
Then Samuel said, "Speak ; for thy servant heareth."
And the Lord said to Samuel, " Behold, I have told
E 1 i that I will judge his house for the iniquity which he
knew. Because his sons did bring a curse upon them-
selves, and he restrained them not."
And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the
doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to
show Eli the vision.
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, " Samuel, my son ? "
And he said, " Here am L"
And E 1 i said, " What is the thing that the Lord
hath spoken unto thee ? I pray thee hide it not from
me."
' I Sam. iii, 2.
iSam. 3- l8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 197
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing
from him.
And he said, '* It is the LORD ; let him do what seem-
eth him good."
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and
did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all
Israel knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet
of the Lord. The Lord revealed himself to Samuel,
and the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
198 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 4. i.
CHAPTER II.
THE STRUGGLE OF ISRAEL WITH THE PHILISTINES:
SAMUEL'S JUDGESHIP.
' Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle,
and the Philistines put themselves in array against
Israel. And when they joined battle Israel was smitten
Battle with before the Philistines.
tiife^^he' And when the people were come into the
arkincamp. camp, the elders of Israel said, " Wherefore
hath the LORD smitten us to-day before the Philistines?
Let us fetch the ark of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us,
that it may save us out of the hand of our enemies."
So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from thence
the ark of the LORD. And the two sons of Eli were
with the ark. And when the ark came into the camp,
all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth
rang again.
And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout,
they said, " What meaneth the noise of this great shout
in the camp of the Ilcbrcws?"
And they understood that the ark of the Lord was
come into the camp. And the Philistines were afraid,
for they said, " God is come into the camp. There hath
not been such a thing heretofore. Woe unto us! Who
shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?
These are the gods that smote the Egyptians with all
manner of plagues in the wilderness. Be strong, O ye Phi-
listines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they
have been to you. Quit yourselves like men, and fight."
And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and
they fled every man to his tent ; there was a
very great slaughter. And the ark of God
Avas taken ; and the two sons of Eli were slain.
' I Sam. iv, i.
I Sam. 4-13.] Chronologically Arranged. 199
And there ran a man out of the army, and came to
Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth
upon his head. And when he came, lo, Eh sat upon his
seat by the wayside watching ; for his heart trembled
for the ark of God. And when the man came into the
city, and told it, all the city cried out.
And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said,
"What meaneth the noise of this tumult?" Now Eli
was ninety and eight years old ; and his eyes were set,
that he could not see.
And the man said unto Eli, " I am he that came out
of the army; I fled to-day out of the army."
And E 1 i said, " How went the matter, my son ?"
And he that brought the tidings answered and said,
" Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been
also a great slaughter among the people ; and thy two
sons also are dead, and the ark of God is taken."
And it came to pass when he made mention of the ark
of God that E 1 i fell from off his seat back- DeathofEii
ward by the side of the gate, and his neck
brake, and he died ; for he was an old man and heavy.
And he had judged Israel forty years.
Now the Philistines brought the ark to Ashdod and set
it in the house of their god Dagon. And when they
arose early on the morrow, behold Dagon was fallen
upon his face to the ground before the ark of xhe ark in
the Lord. And they took Dagon and set P^iiistia.
him in his place again. And when they arose early on
the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his
face to the ground before the ark of the LORD ; and the
head of Dagon and both his hands lay cut off upon the
threshold ; only the stump of Dagon was left to them.
The hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ash-
dod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with
"■tumors. And the men of Ashdod said, "The ark of
the God of Israel shall not abide with us ; for his hand is
sore upon us, and upon Dagon, our god."
They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the
Philistines, and carried the ark to Gath. And the hand
of the Lord was against that city, and he smote the
* R. v. marg.. Ox, plague boils.
200 The Shorter Bible [iSam. 5. 9.
men of the city, both small and great, and tumors brake
out upon them. So they sent the ark to Ekron.
And it came to pass as the ark came to Ekron, that
the Ekronites cried out, saying, " They have brought the
ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go
again to its own place, that it slay us not."
And the Philistines called for the diviners, saying,
"What shall we do?"
And they said, " Send away the ark of the God of
Israel. And see ; if it goeth up by the way of its own
border to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great
evil ; but if not, then ye shall know that it is not his hand
that smote us ; it was a chance that happened to us.
Send it not empty, but return him a guilt offering ; then
ye shall be healed. And ye shall give glory unto the
God of Israel ; peradventure he will lighten his hand
from off you, and your gods, and your land."
And the men took two milch kine and tied them to
the cart, and shut up their calves at home. And they
put the ark of the LORD upon the cart and the coffer
with jewels of gold ' for a guilt offering. ^ And the kine
took the straight way to Bethshemesh ; they went along
the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside
to the right hand or to the left ; and the lords of the
Philistines went after them. And the Israelites of
Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the
The ark Valley ; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw
sent back. ^\-^q ^,-]^^ ^,-,(j rejoiced to see it. And the cart
came into the field and stood there, where there was a
great stone ; and they clave the wood of the cart, and
offered up the kine for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
And the Levites took down the ark of the LoRD, and
the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold
were, and put them on the great stone ; and the men of
Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings the same day unto
the Lord. And when the lords of the Philistines had
seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
^ The ark was in the country of the Philistines seven
months.
' I Sam. vi, 8. ^i Sam. vi, 12. ^i Sam. vi, i.
I Sam. 6.19.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 201
' And the Lord smote of the men of Bethshemesh,
because they had looked into the ark. And the people
mourned, and said, " Who is able to stand before the
Lord, this holy God ? "
And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of
Kiriath-jearim, saying, " The Philistines have brought
again the ark of the Lord ; come down and fetch it up
to you."
And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and brought it
into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified
Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. ' And the
ark abode in Kiriath-jearim twenty years.
And all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
And Samuel spake unto all the house of Reformation
Israel, saying, " If ye do return unto the f^^'^imi'^cf/^^'
Lord with all your heart, put away the Israel,
strange gods from among you, and serve the LORD
only. And he will deliver you out of the hand of the
Philistines."
Then the children of Israel did put away the strange
gods and served the LoRD only.
And Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and
I will pray for you unto the LoRD."
And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew
water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted
on that day, and said, "We have sinned against the
Lord."
And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.
And when the Philistines heard that the children of
Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the Philistines
went up against Israel. And the children of Israel were
afraid of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said
to Samuel, " Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God
for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Phi-
listines."
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a
whole burnt offering unto the LoRD. And Samuel cried
unto the LoRD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.
And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the
Philistines drew near to batde, but the LORD thundered
' I Sam. vi, 19. "^ i Sam. vii, 2.
16
202 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 7. 10.
with a great =" thunder upon the Philistines, and discom-
fited them ; and they were smitten down be-
over°tife fore Israel. ' So the Philistines were sub-
Phiiistmes. ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^j^^^ ^^^^ ^^ j^^^g within the bor-
der of Israel. And the cities which they had taken
from Israel were restored.
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah
and Shen, and called the name of it '^ Ebenezer, saying,
" Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And
A circuit he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel,
judge. ^j-^^ Gilgal, and Mizpah ; and he judged Israel
in all those places. And his return was to Ramah, for
there was his house; and there he judged Israel. And
he built there an altar unto the LORD.
* And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he
made his sons judges over Israel. And his sons walked
not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took
bribes, and perverted judgment.
Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves to-
gether, and came to Samuel unto Ramah. And they
A kingde- said unto him, " Behold thou art old, and thy
sired. sons walk not in thy ways ; now make us a
king to judge us like all the nations."
But the thing displeased Samuel. And Samuel prayed
unto the LORD.
And the Lord said unto Samuel, " Hearken unto the
voice of the people in all that they say unto thee, ^ and
make them a king. Howbeit thou shalt protest solemnly
unto them, and shalt show them the manner of the king
that shall reign over them."
And Samuel told all the words of the LoRD unto the
people that asked of him a king. He said, "This will
be the manner of the king that shall reign over you;
he will take your sons to be his horsemen ; and they
shall run before his chariots. And he will set some to
plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make
his instruments of war. And he will take your daughters
to be cooks and bakers. And he will take your fields,
' I Sam. vii, 13. ■' I Sam. viii, 22. | " R. V. maig., Heb. 7'oice. ''That
'^ I Sam. viii, i. | is, The stone of help.
I Sam. 8. 14-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 203
and your vineyards, even the best of them, and give
them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your
seed ' and flocks. And he will take your goodliest young
men and put them to his work, and ye shall be his
servants."
But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of
Samuel ; and they said, " Nay ; but we will have a king
over us; that we also may be like all the nations ; and
that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and
fight our battles."
And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, " Go ye every
man unto his city."
' I Sam. viii, 17.
204 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 9. i.
CHAPTER III.
SAUL CHOSEN KING ; HIS EARLY REIGN.
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was
Kish, a mighty man of valor. And he had a son, whose
name was Saul, a ^ young man and a goodly.
There was not among the children of Israel
a goodlier person than he ; from his shoulders and up-
ward he was higher than any of the people.
And the asses of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And
Kish said to Saul his son, " Take now one of the servants
with thee, and arise, go seek the asses."
And he passed through the country, but found them
not. And Saul said to his servant, "Come and let us
return ; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take
thought for us."
And h i s servant said unto him, " Behold now, there
is in this city a man of God held in honor; all that he
saith Cometh surely to pass. Now let us go thither ;
peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey."
Then said Saul to his servant, " But, behold, there is
not a present to bring to the man of God."
And the servant answered Saul again, and said, " Be-
hold I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of
silver; that will I give."
Then said Saul to his servant, " Well said. Come, let
us go." So they went unto the city where the man of
God was.
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of
God, he said, " Come and let us go to the seer." For he
that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a
Seer.)
Now the Lord had revealed unto Samuel a day be-
fore Saul came, saying, "To-morrow about this time I
" R. \'. marg. , Or, choice.
I Sam. 9. 16.] Chronologically Arranged. 205
will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamni, and
thou shalt anoint him to be prince over my people Israel."
And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him,
" Behold the man of whom I spake to thee ! "
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said,
" Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is."
And Samuel answered, " I am the seer; go up before
me, for ye shall eat with me to-day. And in the morning
I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine
heart."
And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought
them into the guest chamber, and made them sit in the
chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were
about thirty persons. So Saul did eat with Samuel
that day. And Samuel communed with Saul upon
the housetop.
And they arose early ; and about the spring of the
day, Samuel called to Saul, saying, " Up, that I may
send thee away."
And Saul arose, and they went out both of them. As
they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel
said to Saul, " Bid the servant pass on before us, but
stand thou still at this time, that I may cause thee to
hear the word of God."
'^ Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it upon
his head, and kissed him, and said, " Is it not saui anoint-
that the Lord hath anointed thee to be prince ^d king.
over his inheritance ? When thou art departed from me
to-day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepul-
cher, and they will say unto thee, * The asses which
thou wentest to seek are found ; and, lo, thy father hath
left the care of the asses, and taketh thought for you,
saying, " What shall I do for my son ? " ' Then shalt thou
go on to the oak of Tabor, and there shall meet thee
there three men ; and they will salute thee, and give
thee two loaves of bread. After that thou shalt come to
the hill where is the garrison of the Philistines ; and thou
shalt meet a band of prophets coming down from the
high place with a psaltery, timbrel, and a harp before
them ; and they shall be prophesying. And the spirit
"B. c. 1095.
206 The Shorter Bible [iSam. io. 7.
of the Lord will come mightily upon thee, and thou shalt
prophesy with them, and be turned into another man."
And it was so, that when he had turned his back to
go from Samuel, God gave him another heart ; and all
those signs came to pass that day.
And Samuel called the people together unto the
Lord to Mizpah ; and he said unto the children of Ls-
rael, " Ye have said, ' Set a king over us.' Now there-
fore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes
and by your thousands."
So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and
Saul the son of Kish was taken ; but when they sought
him he could not be found.
Therefore they asked of the LORD further, and the
Public rati- LORD answered, "Behold, he hath hid him-
fication. self among the Stuff."
And they ran and fetched him thence; and when he
stood among the people, he was higher than any of the
people from his shoulders and upward.
And Samuel said to all the people, " See ye him whom
the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among
all the people?"
And all the people shouted, and said, "God save the
king ! "
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the king-
dom, and he wrote it in '■'■ a book, and laid it before the
Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every
man to his house. And Saul also went to his house ;
and there went with him the '' host, whose hearts God
had touched.
But certain sons of Belial said, " How shall this man
save us?" And they despised him, and brought him
no present. But he held his peace.
' Then Nahash the Ammonite came up to war
War with against Jabesh. And all the men of Jabesh
Ammonites, ^^jj ^^^^^ Nahash, " Make a covenant with
us and we will serve thee."
And Nahash said unto them, " On this condition will
I make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out."
, ^ . I "R. V. maig., Or, f/n: »■ R. V.
I bam. XI, I. I _^^^^.g^ Qj. ^^^^^^ oiiuilor.
I Sam. 1 1. 3.] Chronologically Arranged. 207
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, " Give us
seven days, that we may send messengers unto all the
borders of Israel. Then, if there be none to save us, we
will come out to thee."
Then came the messenger to the city of Saul, and
spake these words in the ears of the people ; and all the
people lifted up their voice and wept.
And, behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the
field.
And Saul said," What aileth the people that they weep?"
And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
And the spirit of God came mightily upon Saul. And
he took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent
them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of
messengers, saying, "Whosoever cometh not forth after
Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen."
And ^ the dread of the LORD fell on the people, and
they came out as one man. And he numbered them in
Bezek ; of Israel three hundred thousand, and of Judah
thirty thousand. And they said unto the messengers
that came, " To-morrow, by the time the sun is hot, ye
shall have deliverance."
And the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh ;
and they were glad.
And on the morrow Saul put the people in three com-
panies ; and they came into the midst of the
camp in the morning watch, and smote the Victory.
Ammonites until the heat of the day ; and they which
remained v/ere scattered, so that two of them were not
left together.
And the people said unto Samuel, " Who is he that
said, ' Shall Saul reign over us ? ' Bring the men, that
we may put them to death."
But Saul said, " There shall not a man be put to
death this day ; for the LORD hath wrought deliverance
in Israel."
Then said Samuel to the people, " Come, let us go to
Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there." -pj^g king-
And all the people went to Gilgal ; and newetf."
there they made Saul king before the LORD.
" R. V. marg. , Or, a terror from th-e Lorl.
208 The Shorter Bible [iSam. 11.15.
And they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before
the Lord, and rejoiced greatly.
And Samuel said unto all Israel, " Behold, the king
whom ye have asked for. The Lord hath set a
king over you. If ye will fear the Lord and serve
him, and both ye and the king be followers of the
Lord, well. But if ye will not hearken unto the voice
of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against
you. Now therefore stand still and see this great thing,
which the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not
wheat harvest to-day? I will call unto the LORD, that
he may send thunder and rain ; and ye shall know that
your wickedness is great, in asking you a king."
So Samuel called unto the LoRD ; and the Lord sent
thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly
feared the LORD and Samuel. And all the people said
unto Samuel, " Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy
God, that we die not ; for we have added unto all our
sins this evil, to ask us a king."
And Samuel said unto the people, " Fear not. Ye
have indeed done all this evil, }'et turn not aside from
following the Lord, but serve h i m witli all your heart.
For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great
name's sake. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I
should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you ;
but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all
your heart. For consider how great things he hath
done for )'ou."
^'^Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign.
" And the Philistines assembled themselves together to
fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thou-
-„ ... sand horsemen, and people as the sand which
War with . ' F '^ , . , ,,t, ,
thePhihs- is ou the seashore in multitude. \v lien the
tines. /- T 1 11
men 01 Israel saw that tiiey were in a strait,
(for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide
themselves in caves and in thickets, and in rocks, and in
^ holds, and in '^ pits. Now some of the Hebrews had
gone over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead, but as
' I Sam. xiii, I. I "15. C. IO95. '' R. V. marg., Or,
■' I Sam. .\iii, 5. /loU-s. '^ R. V. mars'., Or, iisterns.
iSam. 12. 7-] Chronologically Arranged. 209
for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, And all the people
followed him trembling.
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time
that Samuel had appointed. But Samuel came not to
Gilgal, and the people were scattered from him. And
Saul said, " Bring hither the burnt offering to me."
And he offered the burnt offering. And behold,
Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him.
And Samuel said, " What hast thou done?"
And Saul said, " Because I saw that the people were
scattered from me, and that thou camest not, and that
the Philistines assembled themselves together, therefore
I forced myself and offered the burnt offering."
^ And Samuel said to Saul, "Thou hast done foolishly.
Thou hast not kept the commandment of the gaui's sin
Lord thy God. Thy kingdom shall not con- andrejec-
tinue. The Lord hath sought him a man
after his own heart, and hath appointed him to be prince
over his people, because thou hast not kept that which
the Lord commanded thee."
And Samuel arose and gat him away.
And Saul numbered the people that were present with
him, about six hundred men. And the spoilers came
out of the camp of the Philistines.
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land
of Israel ; for the Philistines said, " Lest the Hebrews
make them swords or spears." But all the Israelites
went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his
share. So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there
was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of
the people except Saul and Jonathan his son.
Now it fell upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul
said unto the young man that bare his armor, " Come
and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on
yonder side." But he told not his father. And the peo-
ple knew not that Jonathan was gone. And Jonathan's
between the passes, by which Jonathan sought prowess.
to go over, there was a rocky crag on the one side, and
a rocky crag on the other side.
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his
* About B. C. 1093.
210 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 14. i.
armor, " Come and let us go over. It may be that the
Lord will work for us. For there is no restraint to the
Lord to save by many or by few."
And his armor-bearer said unto him, " Do all that is in
thine heart. Behold I am with thee."
Then said Jonathan, " Behold, we will pass over unto
the men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. If
they say thus unto us, * Tarry until we come to you ; ' then
we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto
them. But if they say thus, 'Come up unto us;' then
we will go up ; for the LORD hath delivered them into
our hand ; and this shall be the sign unto us."
And both of .them discovered themselves unto the
Philistines. And the Philistines said, " Behold, the He-
brews come forth out of the holes where they had hid
themselves."
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and
his armor-bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will
show you a thing."
And Jonathan said unto his armor-bearer, " Come up
after n;e, for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand
of Israel."
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and feet,
and his armor-bearer after him ; and they fell before Jona-
than, and his armor-bearer slew them after him.
And there was a trembling in the camp, and the earth
. quaked; there was '^an exceeding great trem-
amongthe bling. And the watchman of Saul looked;
FsrSTic^ and, behold, every man's sword was against
*°^y' his fellow, and there was a great discomfi-
ture. The multitude melted away.
Then said Saul unto the people that were with him,
"Number now, and see who is gone from us." And
when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his
armor-bearer were not there.
'And Saul and all the people that were with him gath-
ered together, and came to the battle ; and the Hebrews
that were with the Philistines, they also turned to be
with the Israelites. Likewise all the men of Israel
' I Sam. xiv, 20. I » R. V. marg. , Heb. a trembling of
Cod.
I Sam. 14. 22.] Chronologically Arranged. 211
which had hid themselves, when they heard that the
PhiHstines fled, they also followed hard after them in
the battle. So the Lord saved Israel that day.
And the men of Israel were distressed for f o o d that
day; but Saul adjured the people, saying, "Cursed be
the man that eateth any food until it be evening, and I
be avenged on mine enemies." So none of the people
tasted food.
And all the people came into the forest ; and behold,
^ the honey dropped ; but no man put his hand to his
mouth ; for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan
heard not when his father charged the people with the
oath ; wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that
was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and
put his hand to his mouth. Then an.swered one of the
people, and said, " Thy father straitly charged the
people with an oath, saying, ' Cursed be the man that
eateth food this day.' "
And the people were faint.
Then said Jonathan, " My father hath troubled the
land. How much better if haply the people had eaten
freely to-day of the spoil of their enemies which they
found."
And Saul built an altar unto the Lord ; the same
was the first altar that he built.
And Saul said, " Let us go down after the Philistines
by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and
let us not leave a man of them."
And they said, " Do whatsoever seemeth good unto
thee."
Then said the priest, " Let us draw near hither unto
God."
And Saul asked counsel of God, " Shall I go down
after the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into the
hand of Israel ? "
But God answered him not that day.
And Saul said, " Draw nigh hither, all ye chiefs of the
people, and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it
be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die."
" R. W marg., Or, a sh'c'am of ho7iey.
212 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 14. 39.
But there was not a man among all the people that
answered him.
Then said he unto all Israel, " Be ye on one side, and
I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side,"
And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot; but the
people escaped.
And Saul said, " Cast lots between me and Jonathan
my son." And Jonathan was taken.
Then Saul said to Jonathan, " Tell me what thou hast
done."
And Jonathan told him and said, " I did certainly
taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in
mine hand. And lo, I must die."
Jonathan's And Saul Said, " Thou shalt surely die,
danger and Jonathan."
TGSCU.G
And the people said unto Saul, " Shall
Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in
Israel ? God forbid. As the Lord liveth, there .shall
not one hair of his head fall to the ground."
So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died
not.
Then Saul went up from following the Philistines.
' Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel,
he fought against all his enemies on every side. He did
valiantly, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them
that spoiled them. And there was sore war against the
Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw
any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him unto
him.
And Samuel said unto Saul, "The Lord sent me to
anoint thee to be king over his people. Now, therefore,
thus saith the Lord, I have marked that which Amalek
did to Israel, when he came up out of Egypt. Now go
and smite Amalek, and utterly -'destroy all that they
have, and spare them not."
against And Saul summoned the people, two hun-
"^^ ® ■ dred thousand footmen, and ten thousand
men of Judah. And Saul came to the city of Amalek,
and smote the Amalekites, but Saul spared the best of
the sheep and oxen and fatlings and lambs, and all that
' I Sam. xiv, 47. | " R. V. marg., Heb. devote.
iSam. 15. 9-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 213
was good, and would not utterly destroy them. But
every thing that was vile and refuse, that saui's
they destroyed utterly. failure.
Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, say-
ing, " It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be
king. For he is turned back from following me, and
hath not performed my commandments."
And Samuel cried unto the Lord all night. And
Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And
Saul said unto him, " Blessed be thou of the LORD. I
have performed the commandment of the LORD."
And Samuel said, " What meaneth then this bleating
of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen
which I hear? "
And Saul said, " They have brought them from the
Amalekites. The people spared the best of the sheep
and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD ; and the
rest we have utterly destroyed."
Then Samuel said unto Saul, " Stay, and I will tell
thee what the LORD hath said to me this night."
And he said unto him, " Say on."
And Samuel said, " Though thou wast little in thine
own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of
Israel ? The LORD anointed thee king over Israel. And
the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, 'Go and
utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight
against them until they be consumed.' Wherefore then
didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly
upon the spoil, and didst that which was evil in the sight
of the Lord? "
And Saul said unto Samuel, "Yea, I have obeyed the
voice of the LORD. But the people took of the spoil,
sheep and oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God."
And Samuel said, " Hath the LORD as great delight
in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice
of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.
Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he
hath also rejected thee from being king."
And Saul said unto Samuel, " I have sinned. I have
transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy
words, because I feared the people and obeyed their
214 The Shorter Bible [iSam. 15. 24.
voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin and
turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord."
And Samuel said unto Saul, " I will not return with
J, .. thee ; for thou hast rejected the word of the
rejection. LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from
being king over Israel."
And as Samuel turned about to go away Saul laid hold
upon the skirt of his robe, and it rent. And Samuel said
unto him, " The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel
from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of
thine, that is better than thou."
Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Yet honor me
now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and be-
fore Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship
the Lord."
So Samuel turned again, and Saul worshiped the
Lord.
Then Samuel went to Ramah ; and Saul went up to
his house. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until
the day of his death ; ''but Samuel mourned for Saul.
" So in R. V. marg.
iSam. i6. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 215
CHAPTER IV.
DAVID ; ANOINTED BY SAMUEL, PLAYING BEFORE
SAUL, VICTORIOUS OVER GOLIATH.
' And the Lord said unto Samuel, " How long wilt
thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from
being king? Fill thine horn with oil, and go, David
I will send thee to Jesse, the Bethlehemite. anointed.
For I have provided me a king among his sons."
And Samuel came to Bethlehem, and called Jesse and
his sons. And when they were come he looked on
Eliab, and said, " Surely the Lord's anointed is before
him."
But the Lord said unto Samuel, " Look not on his
countenance, or on the height of his stature ; because I
have rejected him. For the LORD seeth not as man
seeth. Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the
Lord looketh on the heart."
Then Jesse made seven of his sons pass before
Samuel.
And Samuel said unto Jesse, " The Lord hath not
chosen these. Are here all thy children ? "
And he said, " There remaineth yet the youngest, be-
hold, he keepeth the sheep."
And Samuel said unto Jesse, "Send and fetch him ;
for we will not sit down till he come hither."
And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy,
and withal * of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to
look upon. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him;
for this is he."
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him
in the midst of his brethren. And the spirit of the
Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.
' Now the spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul,
' I Sam. xvi, i. '^ i Sam. xvi, 14. | " R. V. marg., Heb. /air of eyes.
216 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. i6. 14.
and an evil spirit ^ troubled him. And Saul's servants
said unto him, " Behold now, let our lord seek out a man
who is a cunning player on the harp. And when the
evil spirit is upon thee he shall play with his hand, and
thou shalt be well."
And Saul said unto his servants, " Provide me now a
man that can play well, and bring him to me."
Then answered one of the young men, and said, " Be-
hold, I have seen a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, that
is cunning in playing, and ''prudent in "^speech, a
comely person, and the LORD is with him."
Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said,
" Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep."
And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle
of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto
Saul. And David came to Saul, and stood before him ;
and he loved him greatly. And Saul sent to Jesse, say-
ing, " Let David, I pray thee, stand before me ; for he
hath found favor in my sight."
^ . , . And it came to pass, when David took the
David sing- , , , , • , i • , i r- i
ing before harp, and played with his hand, Saul was re-
freshed and was well.
' A PSALM OF DAVID.
Nature and Revelation.
The heavens declare the glory of God ;
And the firmament shovveth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
And night unto night showeth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language ;
Their voice cannot be heard, yet
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them hath he set a '' tabernacle for the sun.
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of liis chamber,
And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.
I " R. V. marg., Or, terrified.
,„ , h-K. V. maig..Or, jX'///////. ■= R. V.
^ Tsalm x.x. , ^^^^^^ ^^ business. <• R. V. marg.,
Hcb. tent.
Psalm 19. 6.J Chronologically Arranged. 217
His going forth is from the end of the heaven,
And his circuit unto the ends of it ;
And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the
simple.
The precepts of the LoRD are right, rejoicing the heart ;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening
the eyes.
The fear of the L(jRD is clean, enduring forever:
The judgments of the LORD are true, and righteous al-
together.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much
fine gold ;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned ;
In keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors ?
Clear thou me from hidden faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ;
Let them not have dominion over me ; then shall I be
perfect,
And I shall be clear from great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.
'a psalm of DAVID.
A Storm Song.
Give unto the Lord, O ye sons of the mighty,
Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name ;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters ;
The God of glory thundereth.
The voice of the Lord is powerful ;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
' Psalm xxix.
17
218 The Shorter Bible [Psalm 29. 5.
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars ;
Yea, the Lord breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
The voice of the LORD cleaveth the flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness ;
The Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh ;
The voice of the LORD strippeth the forests bare;
And in his temple everything saith, Glory!
The Lord sat as king at the Flood ;
Yea, the LORD sitteth as king forever.
The Lord will give strength unto his people;
The Lord will bless his people with peace.
' Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to
battle at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah. And Saul
and the men of Israel were gathered together, and set
the battle in array against the Philistines. And there
The giant ^^^^ ^ Valley between them. And there went
Goliath. out a champion out of the camp of the
Philistines, named Goliath, whose height was six
cubits and a span. He had an helmet of brass upon
his head. He was clad with a coat of mail, and the
weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
And he had greaves of brass upon his legs. And the
staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam ; and his
spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And
his shield-bearer went before him. And he stood and
cried unto the ^armies of Israel, and said unto them,
"Why are ye come out to set your battle in array?
Choose you a man and let him come down to me. If he
be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be
your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him,
then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. I ^ defy the
armies of Israel this day. Give me a man that we may
fight together."
And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the
Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
' And the Philistine drew near, morning and evening, and
presented himself forty days.
' I Sam. xvii, i. I ■» R.V. marg. , Heb. ranks. ^ R.V.
*I Sam. xvii, i6. | marg., Or, reproach.
iSam. 17. 13-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 219
' And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after
Saul to the battle. And David went to and fro to feed
his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
And Jesse said unto David his son, " Take now for
thy brethren this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and
carry them quickly to the camp to thy brethren. And
brjng these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thou-
sand, and look how thy brethren fare."
And David rose up early in the morning, and left the
sheep with a keeper, and ran to the army, and came and
saluted his brethren. And as he talked with David in the
them, behold, Goliath came up out of the camp,
ranks of the Philistines, and spake according to the same
words ; and David heard them. And all the men of
Israel, when they saw the man, were sore afraid.
And the men of Israel said, " Have )'e seen this man ?
Surely to •''defy Israel is he come up. And the king will
enrich the man who killeth him, with great riches, and
will give him his daughter."
And David spake to the men that stood by him, say-
ing, " Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he
should -^ defy the armies of the living God ?"
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake
unto the men, and he said, " Why art thou come down ?
And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the
wilderness ? "
And David said, " What have I now done?" And he
turned away from him toward another, and spake after
the same manner.
And when the words were heard which David spake,
they rehearsed them before Saul ; and he sent for him.
And David said to Saul, " Let no man's heart fail ;
thy servant will go and flight with this Philistine."
And Saul said to David, " Thou art not able to go
against this Philistine. Thou art but a youth, and he a
man of war."
And David said to Saul, " Thy servant kept his father's
sheep ; ^ and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took
' I Sam. xvii, 13.
" R.V. marg., Or, rep7-oach. •> R.V.
marg.. Or, and thei-e came out a lion
and a bear, . . . and I went out, etc.
220 The Shorter Bible [iSam. 17. 34.
a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him, and smote
him, and deHvered it out of his mouth. And when he
arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote
him, and slew him. Thy servant smote both the lion
and the bear; and this Philistine shall be as one of them,
seeing he hath -Mefied the armies of the living God.
The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion
and bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this
Philistine."
And Saul said unto David, " Go, and the LORD shall
be with thee."
And Saul clad David with his apparel, and he put an
helmet of brass upon his head, and clad him with a coat
of mail.
And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and
assayed to go. And David said unto Saul, " I cannot
go with these, for 1 have not proved them."
And David put them off him. And he took his staff
in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the
David and brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag
mers^^^at' which he had. And his sling was in his
victory. hand ; and he drew near to the Philistine.
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David ;
and the man that bare the shield went before him.
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David,
he disdained him. l-^or he was but a youth, and ruddy,
and witlial of a fair countenance.
And the Philistine said unto David, " Am I a dog,
that thou comest to me with staves? " And the Philis-
tine cursed David by his gods, and said, '' Come to me
and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to
the beasts of the field."
Then said David to the Philistine, "Thou comest
to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a jave-
lin. But I come to thee in the name of the LORD of
hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, which thou hast
■' defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into
mine hand ; and I will smite thee, and take thine head
from off thee ; that all the earth may know that there is
a God in Israel ; and that all this assembly may know
"■ R. V. marg., Or, reproached.
I Sam. 17. 47.] Chronologically Arranged. 221
that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear. For
the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our
hand."
And when the Philistine drew nigh to meet David,
David hastened, and ran to meet the Philistine. And
David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone,
and slang it, and smote the Philistine ; and the stone
sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the
earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a
sling and with a stone. Then David ran, and stood
over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out
of the sheath and slew him, and cut off his head.
' A PSALM.
The Lord reigneth; he is appareled with majesty;
The Lord is appareled, he hath girded himself with
strength.
Thy throne is established of old ;
Thou art from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
The floods have lifted up their voice ;
The floods lift up their waves.
Above the voices of many waters,
The mighty breakers of the sea.
The Lord on high is mighty.
Thy testimonies are very sure ;
Holiness becometh thine house,
O Lord, for evermore.
And when the Philistines saw that their ^ champion
was dead they fled. And the men of Israel and of
Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines.
And the children of Israel returned from chasing after
the Philistines, and they spoiled their camp.
And as David returned from the slaughter of the
Philistines, Abner took him, and brought him before
Saul. ^ And Saul took him and would let him go no
more home to his father's house.
' Psalm xciii. "^ i Sam. xviii, 2. | " R. V. marg., Or, 7nighty man.
222 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. i8. i.
CHAPTER V.
DAVID AT COURT; BELOVED BY JONATHAN, HATED BY
SAUL: DAVID'S MARRIAGE TO SAUL'S DAUGHTER;
DANGER AND ESCAPE.
' And it came to pass that the soul of Jonathan was
knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as
his own soul. 'Then Jonathan and David
Jonathan's , , i t . i , • i i •
covenant. made a covenant, and Jonathan stripped hmi-
-David ^ self of the robe that was upon him, and gave
promote . j^. ^^ David, and his apparel, even to his
sword, and to his bow and girdle.
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him,
and behaved himself wisely. And Saul set him over the
men of war, and it was good in the sight of all.
And it came to pass as they returned from battle
that the women came out of all the cities of Lsrael, sing-
ing and dancing, with timbrels, with joy, and with "" in-
struments of music. And the women sang one to
another in their play, and said,
" Saul hath slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands."
And Saul was very wroth, and this saying displeased
Saul's jeai- '^''i^- And he said, " They have ascribed
ousy. ^,^t.(^ David ten thousands, and to me they
have ascribed but thousands. What can he have more
but the kingdom ? " And Saul eyed David from that
day and forward.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit
came mightily ui)on Saul, and he ^'raved in the midst
of the house. And David played with his hand, as he
(lid (layby day; and Saul had his spear in his hand.
' I Sam. xviii, i.
'^ I Sam. xviii, 3.
" R. V. marg., Oi\ triaiii^'le-s, or
three-striui^ed instriimoits. '' So in
R. V. marir.
iSam. i8.ii.] Chronologically Arranged. 223
And Saul cast the spear ; for he said, " 1 will smite Da-
vid even to the wall." And David avoided out of his
presence twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because
the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.
And David '^behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and
the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he
behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.
But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out
and came in before them.
And Saul said to David, " Behold, my elder daugh-
ter Merab, her will I give thee to wife; only David's
be thou valiant for me, and fight the Lord's marriage,
battles."
For Saul said, " Let not mine hand be upon him, but
let the hand of the Philistines be upon him."
And David said unto Saul, " Who am I, and what is
my father's family, that I should be son-in-law to the
king ? "
But at the time when Merab should have been given
to David, she was given unto another.
And Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. And they
told Saul, and the thing pleased him. And Saul said,
" I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and
that the hand of the Philistines may be against him."
Wherefore Saul said to David, " Thou shalt indeed
be my son-in-law." Now Saul thought to make David
fall by the hand of the Philistines.
And David arose, he and his men, and slew of the
Philistines two hundred men. And Saul gave him
Michal his daughter to wife, and Michal loved him.
And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David ;
and Saul was yet the more afraid of David, and was
David's enemy continually.
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his
servants, that they should slay David.
But Jonathan delighted much in David. And Jona-
than told David, saying, " Saul my father seeketh to
slay thee ; now therefore, I pray thee, hide thyself.
And I will go and will commune with my father of
thee, and if I see aught, I will tell thee."
* R. V. marg., 0\\ prospered.
224 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 19. 4.
And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his
Jonathanin- father, and said unto him, " Let not the king
Davrd.*^^ ^°^ sin against his servant David; because he
hath not sinned against thee, and because his
works have been to thee-ward very good. For he put
his life in his hand, and smote the Philistine, and the
Lord wrought a great '^ victory for all Israel. Thou
sawest it, and didst rejoice. Wherefore then wilt thou sin
against ijinocent bloo'd, to slay David without a cause ? "
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan, and
sware, " He shall not be put to death."
And Jonathan called David, and showed him all those
things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he
was in his presence, as beforetime.
And there was war again ; and David went out, and
fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great
slaughter ; and they fled before him.
And an evil spirit was upon Saul, as he sat in his
house with his spear in his hand. And Saul sought to
smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he
slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the
spear into the wall. And David fled, and escaped that
night.
New danger And Saul Sent messengers unto David's
Flight. house, to watch him, and to slay him in the
morning; and Michal David's wife let David down
through the window, and he fled.
'A PSALM OF DAVH).
I waited patiently for the LoRD ;
And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the
miry clay ;
And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my
goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise
unto our God ;
Many shall see it, and fear,
And shall trust in the LoRD.
Blessed is the man that makcth the L(~)RD his trust.
' Psalm xl. I " K. V. niarg., Heb. sahatiou.
Psaiin 40. 5.] Chronologically Arranged. 225
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which
thou hast done.
And thy thoughts which are to usward ;
They caiyiot be set in order unto thee ;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering thou hast no delight in ;
Burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Then said I, " Lo, 1 am come ;
In the roll of the book it is written of me:
I delight to do thy will, O my God ;
Yea, thy law is within my heart.
I have published righteousness in the great congrega-
tion ;
Lo, I will not refrain my lips.
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O
Lord ;
Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually pre-
serve me.
For innumerable evils have compassed me about.
Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not
able to look up.
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me ;
Make haste to help me, O LORD.
I am poor and needy ;
Yet the LORD thinketh upon me:
Thou art my help and my deliverer;
Make no tarrying, O my God.
' And Michal took the teraphim, and laid it in the bed,
and put a pillow at the head thereof, and covered it with
the clothes. And when Saul sent messengers to take
David, she said, " He is sick."
And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying,
" ^end him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him."
And when the messengers came in, behold, the tera-
phim was in the bed, with the pillow at the head thereof.
And Saul said unto Michal, " Why hast thou deceived
me thus, and let mine enemy go, that he is escaped?"
' I Sam. xix, 13.
220 The Shorter Bh^le [i Sam. 19. 17.
And Michal answered Saul, " He said unto me, ' Let
me go. Why should I kill thee?' "
Now David fled, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and
told him all that Saul had done. And Saul sent mes-
sengers to take David. And David fled from Ramah,
David and ^'"'^ Came and said before Jonathan, "What
Jonathan. 1^^^^ J done? What is my sin before thy
father, that he secketh my life? "
And Jonathan said unto him, " God forbid ! Thou
shalt not die. Behold, my father doeth nothing either
great or small but he ''^ discloseth it unto me. Why
should my father hide this thing from me ? It is not so."
And David said, " Thy father knoweth well that I have
found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, 'Let not Jon-
athan know this, lest he be grieved.' But truly as the
Lord liveth, there is but a step between me and death."
Then said Jonathan unto David, " If I should at all
know that evil were determined by my father to come
upon thee, then would not I tell thee? Come, let us go
out into the field."
And they went out both of them into the fteld. And
Jonathan said unto David, " The LORD, the God of
Israel, be witness. When I have sounded my father,
behold, if it please my father to do thee evil, shall I not
disclose it unto thee? The LORD do so to Jonathan,
and more also, if I disclose it not unto thee, and send
thee away, that thou mayest go in peace."
So Jonathan made a covenant with David, for the love
that he had to him ; for Jonathan loved him as his own
soul.
Then Jonathan said, " To-morrow is the new moon ;
and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
And when thou hast stayed three days, thou shalt come
to the stone Ezel. And I will shoot three arrows on the
side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. And, behold,
I will send the lad, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I
say unto the lad, ' Behold, the arrows are on this sitle of
thee ; ' there is peace to thee and no luirt. But if I say,
' Behold, the arrows are beyond thee ; ' go thy way ; for
the Lord hath sent thee away."
" R. y. maiir. , Hcb. tiiicovereth ntine ear.
I Sam. 20.24.J Chronologically Arranged. 227
So David hid himself in the field. And when the new
moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
But David's place was empty. Nevertheless Saul spake
not anything that day; for he thought, " Something
hath befallen him." And David's place was empty on
the second day; and Saul said unto Jonathan, "Where-
fore Cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yes-
terday nor to-day? "
And Jonathan answered Saul, " David earnestly asked
leave of me to go a w ^ y ."
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and
he said unto him, "Thou son of a perverse woman, thou
hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame. For
as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou
shalt not be stablished, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore
now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die."
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto
him, "Wherefore should he be put to death? What
hath he done? "
And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him. So
Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did
eat no meat ; for he was grieved for David.
And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan
went out into the field at the time appointed, and a little
lad with him. And he said unto his lad, " Run, find
now the arrows which I shoot." And as the lad ran,
Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, "Is not the arrow
beyond thee ? Make speed, haste, stay not." And
Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, -and came to his
master. But the lad knew not anything; only Jonathan
and David knew the matter.
And Jonathan gave his weapons unto his lad, and
said unto him, "Go, carry them to the city." And as
soon as the lad was gone, David arose and fell on his
face to the ground, and bowed himself three times ; and
they kissed one another, and wept one with another.
And Jonathan said to David, " Go in peace, forasmuch
as we have sworn bQ,th of us in the name of the LoRD,
saying, ' The LoRD shall be between me and thee, and
between my seed and thy seed forever.' "
And he departed, and Jonathan went into the city.
228 • The Shorter Bible [iSam. 21.1.
CHAPTER VI.
DAVID'S PERSECUTIONS AND WANDERINGS: SLAUGHTER
OF THE PRIESTS OF NOB: COVENANT WITH JONA-
THAN RENEWED : DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE.
' Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest,
and said, " Give me bread."
Then the priest said, " There is no common bread,
David's ^^'^ there is holy bread." ^So the priest gave
wanderings, him holy bread.
And David said, " Is there not here spear or sword ?
For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons
with me."
And the priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Phil-
istine whom thou slewest, behold, it is here wrapped in
a cloth."
And David said, " There is none like that ; give
it me."
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there
that day, and his name was Doeg.
And David arose, and fled for fear of Saul, and went
to Achish the king of Gath.
And the servants of Achish said unto him, "Is not
this David the king of the land ? Did they not sing one
to another of him in dances, saying,
' Saul hath slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands?'"
And David laid up these words in his heart, and was
sore afraid. And he changed his behavior before them,
and feigned himself mad in their hands.
Then said Achish unto his servants, " Lo, ye see the
man is mad ; wherefore have ye brought him to me ? Do
I lack mad men, that ye iiave brought this fellow to play
the mad man in my presence?"
' I Sam. xxi, I.
Psalm 34. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 229
'a ^ psalm of DAVID ;
When he ^changed his behavior before Alniiielech^ who drove him away,
and he departed.
I will bless the LORD at all times ;
His praise shall continuall)' be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord ;
The meek shall hear thereof, and be glad.
0 magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt his name together.
1 sought the Lord, and he answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him.
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that
fear him.
And delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good ;
Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
0 fear the LORD, ye his saints ;
For there is no want to theni that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger ;
But they that seek the LORD shall not want any good
thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me ;
1 will teach you the fear of the Lord.
What man is he that desireth life,
And loveth many days, that he may see good?
Keep thy tongue from evil,
And thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good ;
Seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And his ears are open unto their cry.
' Psalm xxxiv.
" See Psalm Ixi for anotlier psalm
referring to this episode. ^ R. V.
marg. , Or, feigned madness.
230 The Shorter Bible [Psalm 34. 16.
The face of the LORD is against .them that do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cried, and the LORD heard,
And deHvered them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken
heart,
And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous ;
But the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
' David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the
cave of Adullam ; and when his bretiiren and all his
father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
And everyone that was in distress, and discontented,
gathered themselves unto him ; and he became captain
over them. And there were with him about four hundred
men.
"" A PSALM OF DAVH) ;
JVIii'ii he JJed froDt Saul, in tlw cave.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me ;
For my soul taketh refuge in thee ;
Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge.
Until these calamities be overpast.
^ And David went thence to Mizpah of Moab. And
he said unto the king of Moab, "Let my father and niy
mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I
know what God will do for me." And he brought them
before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all
the while that David was in his hold.
■"And three mighty men * went down, and came to
David in the harvest time, unto the cave of Adullam.
And the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethle-
hem. And David longed, and said, " Oh that one
would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-
lehem, which is by the gate ! "
' I Sam. xxii, i. •' i Sam. xxii, 3. '2 Sam. xxiii, 13.
'Psalm Ivii, i. ''2 Sam. xxiii, 16.
2Sam. 23- l6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 231
And the three mighty men brake through the host of
the -Philistines, and drew water out of the well
of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took th^ee°^
it, and brought it to David. But he would "^^^ ymen.
not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.
And he said, " Be it far from me, O LoRD, that I should
do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men that went
^ in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not
drink of it.
'And the prophet Gad said unto David, "Abide not
in the hold ; depart, and get thee into the land of
Judah." Then David departed, and came unto the for-
est of Hereth.
Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk
tree, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were
standing about him. And Saul said unto his servants,
"Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give
every one of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all
captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, that'all
of you have conspired against me, and there is none that
discloseth to me when my son maketh a league with the
son of Jesse ? Is there none of you that is sorry for me ? "
Then answered Doeg and said, " I saw the son of
Jesse coming to Nob to Ahimelech, t h e ^,
priest. And he gave him victuals and the betrayed
sword of Goliath the Philistine."
Then the king sent to call the priest, and all the
priests that were in Nob ; and they came all of them to
the king.
And Saul said, " Hear now, why have ye conspired
against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast
given him bread, and a sword, that he should rise
against me as at this day?"
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, " And
who among all thy servants is so faithful as David, which
is the king's son-in-law ? Let not the king impute any-
thing unto u s, for thy servant knoweth nothing of all
this, less or more."
And the king said, " Thou shalt surely die, thou, and
all thy father's house."
' I Sam. xxii, 5. | " R. V. marg., Heb. with their lives.
282 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 22. 17.
And the king said unto the guard that stood about
him, " Turn and slay the priests of the LORD." But
the servants of the king would not put forth their hand
to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
And the king said to Doeg, " Turn thou and fall upon
the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned and fell
upon the priests, and he slew on that day fourscore and
five persons. And Nob, the city of the priests, smote
he with the sword, both men and women, children and
sucklings, and oxen and asses and sheep, with the edge
of the sword.
And one of the sons of Ahimelech, named Abiathar,
escaped and fled after David, and told David that Saul
had slain the Lord's priests.
And David said unto Abiathar, "I knew on that day,
when Doeg was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I
have occasioned the death of all thy father's house.
Abide thou with me, fear not."
And they told David, " Behold, the Philistines are
fighting against Keilah, and they rob the threshing
floors." Therefore David inquired of the LoRD, saying,
" Shall I go and smite these Philistines? "
And the LORD said, "Go, and save Keilah."
Then David and his men went, and fought with the
Philistines, and slew them, and saved the inhabitants of
Keilah.
And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah.
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down
to Keilah to besiege David. Then David and his men,
David pur- which were about six hundred, arose and dc-
sued. parted, and '^ went whithersoever they could
go. And David abode in the wilderness in the strong-
holds, and Saul souglit him every day. But Jonathan
arose, and went to David, into the wood, and strength-
ened his hand in God. And he said unto him, " Fear
not ; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee.
Thou shalt be king over Lsrael, and I shall be next unto
thee ; and that also Saul my father knoweth." And
tliey two made a covenant before the Lord ; and Da-
vid abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
"See Psalm xxxi for a psalm written possibly at this time.
I Sam. 23- 1 8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 233
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul, saying, " Doth
not David hide himself with us in the strongholds
in the wood ? Now therefore, O king, come down ;
and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's
hand."
And Saul said, " If he be in the land, I will search him
out among all the thousands of Judah."
'a psalm of DAVID.
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?
Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the
words of my roaring?
0 my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest
not ;
And in the night season, "" and am not silent.
Our fathers trusted in thee;
They trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
They cried unto thee, and were delivered ;
They trusted in thee, and were not ashamed.
But I am a worm, and no man ;
A reproach of men, and despised of the people.
All they that see me laugh me to scorn ;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
Commit thyself unto the LORD. Let him deliver him ;
Let him deliver him, seeing he delighteth in him.
For the assembly of evil doers have inclosed me ;
They pierced my hands and my feet.
1 may tell all my bones ;
They look and stare upon me ;
They part my garments among them,
And upon my vesture do they cast lots.
But be not thou far off, O Lord ;
O thou my succor, haste thee to help me.
Deliver my soul from the sword ;
Save me from the lion's mouth.
' Psalm xxii. | " R. V. marg. , Or, but find no rest.
18
23i The vShorter Bible [iSam. 23. 24.
And the Ziphites arose and went before Saul.
But David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon,
and Saul and his men went to seek him. And Saul
went on this side of the mountain, and David and his
men on that side. And David made haste to get away,
for Saul and his men compassed David round about.
But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, " Haste
thee, and come ; for the Philistines have made a raid
upon the land." So Saul returned from pursuing after
David, and went against the Philistines.
And David went up from thence, and dwelt in the
strongholds of En-gedi.
And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from
following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying,
"Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi." Then
Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel,
and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of
the wild goats. And he came where was a cave ; and
Saul went in to cover his feet.
Now David and his men were abiding in the inner-
most parts of the cave. And the men of David said
unto him, " Behold, the LORD will deliver thine enemy
T^ ., into thine hand." Then David arose, and cut
David spar- -- , , . r <- i - i • • i a i •
ing Saul's off the skirt 01 Sauls robe privily. And it
came to pass afterward, that David's heart
smote him, and he said, " The LORD forbid that I should
put forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed." So
David checked his men with these words, and suffered
them not to rise against Saul.
And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his
way. David also arose afterward, and went out of the
cave, and cried after Saul, saying, " My lord, the king ! "
And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with
his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
And David said to Saul, "Wherefore hearkenest thou
to men's words, saying, ' Behold, David seeketh thy
hurt ? ' Behold, this day the LORD hath delivered thee
into mine hand in the cave. And some bade me kill
thee; but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not
put forth mine hand against my lord ; for he is the
Lord's anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see
iSam. 23- II.] Chronologically Arranged. 235
the skirt of thy robe in my hand ; for in that I cut off the
skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and
see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine
hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou
huntest after my soul to take it. The LORD judge be-
tween me and thee. After whom is the king of Israel
come out ? After whom dost thou pursue ? After a
dead dog, after a flea? The LORD therefore be judge,
and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand."
And Saul lifted up his voice and wept, and said, " Is
this thy voice, my son David ? Thou art more righteous
than I. The Lord reward thee good for that thou hast
done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know that
thou shalt surely be king. Swear now therefore unto me
by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after
me, and destroy my name out of my father's house."
And David sware unto Saul.
And Saul went home ; but David and his men gat
them up unto the hold.
' A PSALM OF DAVID.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside the ■' still waters.
He restoreth my soul ;
He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his
name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of ^ the shadow
of death,
I will fear no evil ; for thou art with me ;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies ;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil ; my cup runneth
over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life ;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord '^ forever.
I * R. V. marg., Heb. waters of
\ x> ^ ••• rest. '' R. V. marg., Or, deep dark-
ness. ■= R. V. marg., Heb. jor
I length of days.
236 The vShorter Bible [iSam.25. i.
CHAPTER VII.
DEATH OF SAMUEL : DAVHJ, AND NABAL, AND ABIGAIL :
DAVID AGAIN SPARES SAUL'S LIFE ; BATTLE WITH
THE PHILISTINES: DEATH OF SAUL.
_j , ^^ ' And Samuel died ; and all Israel gathered
Samuel. themselves together, and lamented him, and
buried him.
And David arose and went down to the wilderness
of Paran.
And there was a man in Carmel ; and the man was
very great. He had three thousand sheep, and a thou-
sand goats ; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Now the name of the man was Nabal ; and the name of
his wife Abigail. The woman was of good understand-
ing, and of a beautiful countenance, but the man was
churlish and evil in his doings. And David heard in the
wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep. And David
sent ten young men, and said unto the young men,
T^ . ■, J " Get vou up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and
David and ' . .^ ' , ^, i i,
Nabal. greet him m my name ; and thus shall ye say
to him, * Peace be unto thee and thine house. Thy
shepherds have now been with us, and we did them no
hurt, neither was there aught missing unto them, all the
while. Wherefore let the young men find favor in thine
eyes. And now I have heard that thou hast shearers.
Give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand,
unto thy servants, and to thy son David.' "
And when David's young men came, they spake to
Nabal according to all those words.
And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, " Who
is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There be
many servants nowadays that break away every man
from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my
' I Sam. XXV, i.
I Sam. 25- II. 1 Chronologically Arranged. 237
water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers,
and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they
be?"
So David's young men turned on their way, and went
back, and came and told him according to all these
words.
And Dav'd said unto his men, " Gird ye on every man
his sword." And David also girded on his sword. And
there went up after David about four hundred men ; and
two hundred abode by the stuff.
But one of N a b a 1' s young men told Abigail, Nabal's
wife, saying, " Behold, David sent messengers out of the
wilderness to '"^salute our master; and he '^ flew upon
them. But the men were very good unto us, and we
were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as
we were with them in the fields. They were a wall unto
us by night and by day, all the while we were with them
keeping the sheep. Now therefore consider what thou
wilt do ; for evil is determined against our master, and
against all his house ; for he is such a '^ son of '' Belial,
that one cannot speak to him."
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves,
and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready Abigail
dressed, and five measures of parched corn,
and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred
cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. And she said unto
her young men, "Go on before me; behold, I come
after you." But she told not her husband Nabal.
And as she rode on her ass, and came down the moun-
tain, behold, David and his men came, and she met them.
And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted
off her ass and fell at his feet, and said, " Upon me, my
lord, upon me be the iniquity; let thine handmaid, I
pray thee, speak in thine ears. Let not my lord regard
this man ; but I thine handmaid saw not the young men
whom thou didst send. Now therefore, my lord, let this
present which thy servant hath brought be given unto
the young men. Forgive, I pray thee, the trespass of
thine handmaid ; for the LORD will certainly make my
* R. V. marg., d/ess. ^ R. V. marg., Or, raikii on. "= R. V. marg.,
Or, base fellow. ^ R. V. marg., That is, worthless.
238 The Shorter Bible [i Sam. 25.28.
lord a sure house, because thou fightest the battles of the
Lord, and evil shall not be found in thee all thy days.
And though man be risen up to pursue thee and seek
thy soul, yet the soul of my lord shall be bound in the
bundle of ^ life with the LORD thy God. And it shall
come to pass when the LORD shall have done all the
good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall
have appointed thee prince over Israel ; that this shall
be no grief unto thee, that thou hast shed blood cause-
less. And when the LORD shall have dealt well with my
lord, then remember thine handmaid."
And David said to Abigail, " Blessed be the LORD,
the God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me.
Thou hast kept me from bloodguiltiness and from aveng-
ing myself with mine own hand."
So David received of her hand that which she had
brought liim. And he said unto her, " Go up in peace
to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and
have accepted thy person."
And Abigail came to Nabal ; and, behold, he held a
,., , , feast in his house, and he was verv drunken ;
Nabal , - , , , , • i • , '
drunken- wherelore she told hmi nothing, less or more,
until the morning light.
And it came to pass in the morning, when the wine
was gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these
things, and his heart died within him, and he became as
a stone. And about ten days after, the LoRD smote
Nabal, that he died.
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he sent
and spake concerning Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the
David mar- earth, and rode upon an ass, with five dam-
ries Abigail, ggig of hers that followed her; and she- went
after the messengers of David, and became his wife.
Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife,
to Palti the son of Laish.
'And the Ziphites came unto Saul, saying,"Doth not Da-
vid hide himself in the hill which is before the desert?"
Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of
Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with
' I Sam. xxvi, i. | " R. V. marg., Or, t/te living.
I Sam. 26. 2.] Chronologically Arranged. 239
him to seek David. And Saul pitched in the hill. But
David abode in the wilderness, and he sent David
out spies, and understood that Saul was come spares
r '■ , . , Saul's life.
01 a certainty.
Then said David, "Who will go down with me to Saul
to the camp ? "
And Abishai said, " I will go. down with thee."
So David and Abishai came to the people by night ;
and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the ^ place of the
wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head ;
and Abner and the people lay round about him.
Then said Abishai to David, "God hath delivered up
thine enemy into thine hand this day. Now therefore
let me smite him to the earth at one stroke ; I will not
smite him the second time."
And David said to Abishai, " Destroy him not ; for
who can put forth his hand against the Lord's anointed,
and be guiltless? The LORD shall smite him, "^ or his
day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle,
and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put forth
mine hand against the Lord's anointed. But now take,
I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse
of water, and let us go."
So they gat them away ; and no man saw it, nor knew
it, for they were all asleep ; a deep sleep from the LORD
was fallen upon them.
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on
the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being be-
tween them. And David cried to the people, and to Abner
the son of Ner, saying, " Answereth thou not, Abner? "
Then Abner answered and said, " Who art thou that
criest to the king ? "
And David said to Abner, " Art not thou a valiant
man? And who is like to thee in Israel? Wherefore
then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king?
And now, see, where the king's spear is, and the cruse of
water that was at his head."
And Saul knew David's voice, and said, " Is this thy
voice, my son David ? "
And David said, " It is my voice, my lord, O king.
"• R. V. marg. , Or, barricade. *" R. V. marg. , Or, either.
'^■iu The Shorter Bible [i Sain.26. i8.
Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant ? What
have I done, or what is evil in mine hand? For the
king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as one doth
hunt a partridge in the mountains. '"^
Then said Saul, " I have sinned. Return my son
David. I will no more do thee harm, because my life
was precious in thine eyes this day. I have played the
fool, and have erred exceedingly."
And David answered, and said, " Behold the spear, O
king ! Let one of the young men come over and fetch
it. And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in
mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of
the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation."
Then Saul said to David, " Blessed be thou, my son
David; thou shalt do mightily."
So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
'a psalm of DAVID.
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all the earth !
Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou es-
tablished strength.
Because of thine adversaries.
That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained ;
What is man, that thoa art mindful of him ?
And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him but little lower than God,
And crownest him vv'ith glory and honor.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of
thy hands ;
Thou hast put all things under his feet ; ,
All sheep and oxen,
Yea, and the beasts of the field ;
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,
Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all the earth !
' Psalm viii.
iSam. 27. I.] ChRONOLOGICALLtY ARRANGED. 241
' And David said in his heart, " I shall now perish one
day by the hand of Saul ; there is nothing better for me
than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines ;
and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in all
the bcM'ders of Israel ; so shall I escape out of his hand."
And David arose, and passed over, he and David in
the six hundred men that were with him. And Phiiistia.
it was told Saul that David was fled. And he sought no
more again for him.
And David said unto Achish, " If now I have found
grace in thine eyes, give me one of thy cities to dwell
in."- And Achish gave him Ziklag ; wherefore Ziklag
pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
^ And at one time, when David and his men were
away, the Amalekites made a raid upon Ziklag, and
burned it with fire, and took captive the women and all
that were therein, both small and great. They slew not
any, but carried them off. And when David and his
men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire ;
and their wives and their sons and daughters were taken
captive.
Then David, and the people that were with him, lifted
up their voice and wept, until they had no more power
to weep, and David was greatly distressed. But David
strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, " If I pursue
after this troop shall I overtake them ? "
And he answered him, " Pursue, for thou shalt surely
overtake them, and recover all."
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were
with him, and came to the brook Besor, where ■□ ,, „ ^
1 11 1 1 1 • 1 1 • 1 r • Raids and
two hundred stayed behmd w^hich were lamt. counter-
•^ ra,icls.
But David pursued, he and four hundred men.
And behold t h e ^ troop were spread abroad over all the
ground, drinking and feasting, because of the great spoil
that they had taken. And David smote them, and re-
covered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his
two wives. There was nothing lacking to them, neither
small nor great, neither sons nor daughters ; David
brought back all. And David took flocks and herds.
'l Sam. xxvii, i. -i Sam. xxx, i. ^i Sam. xxx, 15.
242 The Shorter Bible [iSam. 30. 21.
And David came to the two hundred men, which were
so faint that they could not follow.
Then said the wicked men that went with David, " Be-
cause they went not with us, we will not give them aught
of the spoil ; save to every man his wife and children."
Then said David, " Ye shall not do so, my brethren,
with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath pre-
served us, and delivered the troop that came against us
into our hand. As his share is that goeth down to the
battle, so shall his share be that tarrieth by
JUS aw. ^^^ stuff; they shall share alike."
And from that day forward, he made it a statute and
an ordinance for Israel.
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil
unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, ' to all the
places David and his men were wont to haunt, '\saying,
" Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies
of the Lord."
^And it came to pass in those days that the Philis-
War with tines gathered their hosts together to fight
Philistines. ^^,{^1^ jg,.,^^.i_ ^,^^1 s^^^jI gathered all Israel to-
gether, and they pitched in Gilboa. And when Saul saw
the hosts of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart
trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord,
the Lord answered him not.
■* Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the
men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell
down ''' slain in Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines fol-
lowed hard upon Saul and his sons, and slew Jonathan,
and the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against
Saul; the archers overtook him, and he was greatly dis-
tressed.
Then said Saul to his armor-bearer, " Draw thy sword
and thrust me through therewith ; lest these men come
and thrust me through, and ''abuse me."
Suicide of ^^^'^ '"''•'^ armor-bearer would not, for he was
Saul. ^QYQ afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword,
and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that
V. marg., Or, li'otiiiJeJ.
marg., Or, make a viock
' I San^. XXX, 31.
^
Sam. xxxi,
I.
" K.
■^ I Sam. XXX, 26.
'■ R. \
■^ I Sam. xxviii, i.
of me
I Sam. 31. 5-] Chronologically Arranged. 243
Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died
with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his
armor-bearer, and all his men, that same day together.
And when the men of Israel that were on the other
side of the valley, and they that were beyond Jordan,
saw that Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were
dead, they forsook the cities, and fled ; and the Philis-
tines came and dwelt in them.
And on the morrow, when the Philistines came to
strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen
in Mount Gilboa. And they cut off his head, and
stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the
Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the
house of their idols, and to the people. And they put
his armor in the house of the idol, and they fastened
his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh heard that which
the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men
arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and
the bodies of his sons from the wall, and they came to
Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their
bones, and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Ja-
besh, and fasted seven days.
So Saul died for his trespass which he committed
against the LORD, because h e obeyed not the voice of
the Lord.
24-i The Shorter Bible [2Sam. i.i.
CHAPTER VIII.
DAVID'S LAMENTATION OVER SAUL AND JONATHAN :
DAVID MADE KING OVER ALL ISRAEL : REMOVAL OF
THE ARK TO JERUSALEM : ORGANIZATION OF WOR-
SHIP.
' And it came to pass after the death of Saul that,
behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with
his clothes rent, and earth upon his head. And when
he came to David, he fell to the earth, and did obei-
sance.
And David said unto him, " Whence comest thou ?"
And he said unto him, " Out of the camp of Israel am
I escaped."
And David said unto him, " How went the matter?
I pray thee tell me."
And he answered, " The people are fled
News lor ~ '11
David- from the battle, and mauy of the people also
Mourning. ^^^ f^jj^j^ ^^^^ ^g^^l_ ^,^^1 Saul and Jonathan
his son are dead also."
And David said, " How knowcst thou that Saul and
Jonathan be dead?"
And the young man said, " I happened by chance upon
Mount Gilboa. And I took the crown that was upon
his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and
have brought them hither unto my lord."
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them ;
and likewise all the men that were with him. And they
mourned, and wept, and fasted until even for Saul, and
for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord,
and for the house of Israel ; because they were fallen by
the sword.
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul
and over Jonathan his son,
' 2 Sam. i, I.
2Sam.i.i9.J Chronologically Arranged. 245
" How are the mighty fallen !
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their
lives,
And in their death they were not divided ;
They were swifter than eagles,
They were stronger than lions.
How are the mighty fallen !
Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan ;
Very pleasant hast thou been unto me ;
Thy love to me was wonderful,
Passing the love of women.
How are the mighty fallen,
And the weapons of war perished ! "
^ And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of
the Lord, saying, " Shall I go into any of the cities of
Judah?"
And the Lord said unto him, " Go up unto Hebron."
So David went up thither, and his two wives also.
And his men that were with him did David bring up,
every man with his household ; and they dwelt in the
cities of Hebron.
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointeci
David king over the house of Judah. ^And David king
unto David were sons born. of Judah.
^And they told David, saying, "The men of Jabesh
were they that buried Saul." And David sent mes-
sengers and said unto them, " Blessed be ye of the
Lord, that ye have showed this kindness unto your
Lord, even unto Saul. And now the Lord show kind-
ness and truth unto you. I also will requite you this
kindness, because ye have done this tiling."
Now Abner, the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host,
had taken Lsh-bosheth the son of Saul, and made him
king. But the house of Judah followed David,
* Now there was long war between the house of Saul
and the house of David, and David waxed Factional
stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul '^^^^
waxed weaker.
'2 Sam. ii, i. '-'2 Sam. iii, 2. ^2 Sam. ii, 4. ''2 Sam. iii, i.
246 . The Shorter Bible [2 Sam. 3. 6.
And it came to pass, while there was war, that Abner
made himself strong in the house of Saul. And Ish-
bosheth c h o d e with Abner,
Then was Abner very wroth, and sent messengers to
David, saying, " Make thy league wath me, and behold,
my hand shall be with thee to bring all Israel unto thee."
And David said, " Thou shalt not see my face except
thou first bring Michal, Saul's daughter."
And David sent messengers to Saul's son, saying,
" Deliver me my wife, Michal."
And h e sent and took her.
So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men
with him. And Abner said unto David, " I will gather
all Israel unto my lord the king."
And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
And behold, Joab came from a foray. Then Joab
said to the king, " What hast thou done? Abner came
to deceive thee ; ' why hast thou sent him away ? "
And Joab sent messengers after Abner, and they
brought him back from the well of Sirah. But Joab
knew it not. And when Abner was returned, Joab took
liim aside as if to speak with him quietly, and smote
him there that he died. " So Joab and his brother slew
Abner, because he had killed their brother in battle.
' And when David heard it, he said, " I and my king-
dom are guiltless from the blood of Abner. Let it fall
upon the head of Joab and his house."
. And David said to Joab, and to all the people, " Rend
your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth and mourn."
And king David followed the bier. They buried Abner
in Hebron, and the king wept at the grave, and all the
people wept.
And all the people came to cause David to eat bread
while it was yet day. But David swarc, saying, " God
do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught else,
till the sun be down."
And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased
them ; as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
So all the peo])le and all Israel understood that day that
it was not of the king to slay Abner.
'2 Sam. iii, 24. "^ 7. Sam. iii, 30. ^2 Sam. iii, 28.
2 Sam. 3. 38-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 247
And the king said unto his servants, " Know ye not
that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in
Israel ?
"And I am this day weak, though anointed king.
These men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me ; the
Lord shall reward the wicked doer according to his
o
wickedness."
And when Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner
was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all
the Israelites were troubled.
And Saul's son had two men that were captains of
bands. And they went to the house of Ish-bosheth, as
he took his rest at noon, and came into the midst of the
house and smote him as he lay on his bed. And they
brought the head of Tsh-bosheth unto David.
And David said unto them, "When one told me, say-
ing, ' Saul is dead,' thinking to have brought good tid-
ings, I slew him. How much more when wicked men
have slain a righteous person in his own house upon
his bed, shall I not now require his blood at you-r
hand ? "
And David commanded his young men, and they
slew them. But they buried the head of Ish-bosheth in
the grave of Abner.
' Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto
Hebron, and spake, saying, " Behold, we are thy bone
and thy flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king
over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest
in Israel ; and the LORD said to thee, ' Thou shalt feed
my people Israel, and thou shalt be a prince over
Israel,' "
So king David made a covenant with them in Hebron
before the LORD. And they anointed David David king
king over Israel. 'And they were there with o^e^ Israel.
David three days, eating and drinking : for their brethren
had made preparation for them. Moreover they that
were ntgh unto them brought bread on asses, and on
camels, on mules, and on oxen, victual of meal, cakes of
figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen,
and sheep in abundance : for there was joy in Israel.
' 2 Sam. V, I. '^ 1 Chvon. xii, 39.
248 The Shorter Bible [2 Sam. 4.1.
' A PSALM OF DAVID.
Preserve me, O God : for in thee do I put my trust.
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my
cup :
Thou maintainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ;
Yea, I have a goodly heritage.
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel •
Yea, my reins instruct me in the night seasons.
I have set tlie LORD always before me :
Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be
moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth •
My flesh also shall dwell in safety.
For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol ;
Neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corrup-
tion.
Thou wilt show me the path of life :
In thy presence is fullness of joy;
In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
'" David was thirty years old when he began to reign,
and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over
Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem
he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and
Judah.
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem. 'The
Capture of Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were
Zion. there, and they said to David, "Thou shalt
not come in hither." Nevertheless David took the
stronghold of Zion ; the same is the city of David.
And David said, " Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites
first shall be chief and captain." And Joab went up first;
and was made chief
And David dwelt in the stronghold ; therefore they
called it The City of David. And he built the city round
about from Millo, and Joab repaired the rest of the
city.
' Psalm xvi. -'2 Sam. v, 4. " i Chron. xi, 4.
iChron. II.9.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 249
And David waxed greater and greater; for the LORD
of hosts was with him.
'And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David,
and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons ; and they
built David an house. And David perceived David's
that the Lord had established him king over house.
Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his
people Israel's sake.
And there were sons and daughters born to David.
And when the Philistines heard that they had anointed
David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek
David.
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go
up against the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver .,,.. ^
1 ^ • . , 1 -s M Victory
them into mme hand.'' over the
A11T •! T^-i.</^ Phihstmes.
And the LORD said unto David, Cjo up ;
for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thine
hand."
And David came and smote them. And they left
their images there, ''and David gave commandment and
they were burned with fire.
^ And the fame of David went out into all lands; the
Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.
* And David consulted with the captains of thousands
and of hundreds, even with every leader. And David
said unto all the assembly of Israel, " If it Removal of
seem good unto you, and if it be of the LORD tiieark.
our God, let us send abroad everywhere unto our breth-
ren in all the land of Israel, and let us bring again the
ark of God to us; for we sought not unto it in the days
of Saul."
And the assembly said that they would do so ; for the
thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
'^ And David prepared a place for the ark of God, and
pitched for it a tent. "And David gathered together all
the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand ; and arose, and
went with all the people to bring up the ark of God. And
they set the ark upon a new cart, and brought it out of
the house of Abinadab ; and Uzzah and Ahio drave the
' 2 Sam. V, ir. ^ i Chron. xiv, 17. = i Chron. xv, i.
*I Chron. xiv, 12. '' i Chron. xiii, i. ''2 Sam. vi, i.
19
250
The Shorter Bible
[2 Sam. 6. 3._
cart, and David and all the house of Israel played before
the Lord with all manner of instruments, and with harps,
and timbrels, and with cymbals.
And Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and
took hold of it, for the oxen '^stumbled. And the anger
of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote
him there for his ^ error, and he died.
And David was afraid of the LORD that day ; and
he said, " How shall the ark of the LORD come unto
me? "
So David would not remove the ark, but carried it
aside into the house of Obed-edom. And the ark re-
mained in the house of Obed-edom three months, and
the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his house.
And it was told king David, saying, "The LORD hath
blessed the house of Obed-edom because of the ark."
' Then David said, " None ought to carry the ark of
God but the Levites ; for them hath the LORD chosen."
And David gathered together the sons of Aaron, and
the Levites, and said unto them, " Sanctify yourselves,
both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up
the ark. ^ For. because ye br.re it not at first, accord-
ing to the ordinance, the LoRD made a breach upon
us."
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to
bring up the ark.
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to ap-
point their brethren the singers, with instruments of mu-
sic, harps and C)'mbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the
voice with joy. ^ And David was clothed with a robe
of fine linen, and all the Levites and the singers also.
* And the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoul-
ders, with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded. 'And
when God helped the Levites that bare the ark, they
sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams.
"So David and all the house of Israel brought up the
ark of the LORD with joy, with shouting, and with the
sound of the trumpet.
' I Chion. XV, 2. ■* I Chnjii. xv, 15.
'■' I Chron. xv, 13. •' i Chion. xv, 26.
•' I Chron. xv, 27. ''2 Sam. vi. 15.
"R. V. marg. , Or, icere restive.
R. V. marg., Or, ras/incss.
Psalm 24. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 251
A PSALM OF DAVID.
[Su/i^ at the bringing up of the ark to Jerusakin.'\
Part I.
[Sung as the great procession walked through the pleasant country, leaving
the house of Obed-edom.]
First toiupany of singers :
' The earth is the LORD'S, and the fuHness thereof;
Second company of singers :
The world, and they that dwell therein.
First company :
For he hath founded it upon the seas,
Second company :
And established it upon the floods.
Part II.
[Sung as the procession swings into sight of the glorious city, built on the
distant hills.]
First company :
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place .-^
Second CO inpany :
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.
All together :
He shall receive a blessing from the LoRD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
[.\ long interlude of instrumental music — the sound of the cornet with
trumpets and cymbals and psalteries and harps.]
Part III. v
[Sung as the procession paused under the great gates of the city]
Singers outside the gate :
Lift up your heads, O ye gates ;
And be ye lift up, )'e everlasting doors:
And the King of glory shall come in.
Singers inside the city :
Who is the King of glory ?
' PNalni .\,\iv.
252 The Shorter Bible [I'saim 24. 9.
Singers outside :
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates ;
Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors :
And the King of glory shall come in.
Singers inside :
Who is this King of glory?
Singers outside :
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
[The massive gates swing wide open, and witii a great burst of cornet
and trumpet and cymbal and harp the ark is borne within.]
' And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it
in its place, in the midst of the tent that
brougS, to David had pitched for it ; and David offered
Zion. burnt offerings and peace offerings before the
Lord. And when David had made an end of offering,
he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. And
he dealt, both to men and women, even the whole mul-
titude, to every one a cake of bread, and a portion of
flesh, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed
every one to his house. Then David returned to bless
his household.
^ And it came to pass, as the ark of the LORD came into
the city of David, that Michal the daughter
^id^^unilh^ of Saul lookcd out at the window, and saw
ment. king David leaping and dancing before the
Lord ; and she despised him in her heart. ' And Michal
came out to meet David, and said, " How glorious was
the king of Israel to-day, in the eyes of his servants ! "
And David said unto Michal, " It was before the
Lord, which chose me prince over the people of the
Lord. Therefore will I play before the LokdI"
And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child until
the day of her death.
'And David appointed certain Levites to minister
before the Lord, and celebrate and thank and pi'aise
the Lord: Asaph the chief, with psalteries and harps
' 2 Sam. vi, 17. -' I CJiron. xv, 29. ■' 2 Sam. vi, 20. ■• i Chron. xvi, 4.
iChron.i6. 5.] Chronologically Arranged. 253
and cymbals sounding aloud, and with trumpets con-
tinually before the ark of the covenant of God.
On that day did David first ordain to give
thanks unto the LORD, by the hand of Asaph mmfSr
and his brethren. ^°^^^^p-
'< a Q gi^.g thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name ;
Make known his doings among the peoples.
Sing unto him, sing praises unto him ;
^ Talk ye of all his marvelous works.
Seek ye the LoRD and his strength;
Seek his face evermore.
He is the LORD our God ;
His judgments are in all the earth,
" Sing unto the Lord, all the earth,
Show forth his salvation from day to day.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised :
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are '' idols:
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him :
Strength and gladness are in his place.
Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the peoples.
Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name:
Bring an offering, and come before him :
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Tremble before him, all the earth :
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.
Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof;
Let the field exult, and all that is therein ;
Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for jo)' before
the Lord,
For he cometh to judge the earth.
" O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good ;
For his mercy endureth forever.
* Found also in Psalin cv, 1-7. '^ R. V. marg. , Or, vieditati'. "= Found
also in Psalm xcvi. '' R. V. marg., Or, things of naught. '' I'"()und also
in Psalm cvi, i and 48.
'ii54 The Shorter Bible [i Chron. 16.36.
Blessed be the LORU, the God of Israel,
From everlasting even to everlasting."
And all the people said, " Amen ! " and praised the
Lord. •
So David left there, before the ark of the covenant
of the Lord, Asaph and his brethren, to minister before
the ai'k continually, as every day's work required. But
he left Zadok the priest and his brethren the priests
before the tabernacle of the LoRD in the high place that
was at Gibeon, to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord
upon the altar morning and evening, even according to
all that is written in the law of the LORD.
2Sam. 7. 1.] Chronologically Arranged.
CHAPTER IX.
THE TEMPLE PLANNED FOR: SUCCESSFUL WARS:
DAVID'S SIN AND REPENTANCE.
'And it came to pass, when the king dwelt in his
house, and the LORD had given him rest from
all his enemies round about, that the king Fo^bulid^h"
said unto Nathan the prophet, " See now, I t'^^P^®.
dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dvvelleth
within curtains."
And Nathan said to the king, " Go, do all that is in
thine heart."
And the same night the word of the LoRD came unto
Nathan, saying, " Go and tell my servant
David, ' Shalt thou build me an house ? I have ?t^| x^Js-^^"
not dwelt in an house since the day that I ^^^®'
brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, but have
walked in a tent and tabernacle. Spake I a word with any
of the tribes of Israel, saying, " Why have ye not built
me an house of cedar?"' Now therefore thus shalt thou say
unto my servant David, ' I took thee from following the
sheep, that thou shouldest be ^ prince over my people Is-
rael ; and I have been with thee whithersoever thou
wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies from before
thee. I will appoint a place for my people, and will
plant them, that they may be moved no more ; neither
shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more;
and I ''will cause thee to rest from all thine enemies.
Moreover, the LORD will make thee an house. When
thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy
fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, and I will es-
tablish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my
, e- •• I *R. V. mar?., Or, /eadt'r. ^R. Y.
' 2 Sam. Vll, I. r\ r J
marg., Or, Aave catisici.
256 The Shorter Bible [2Sam. 7. 12.
name, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be
his father and he shall be my son. If he commit in-
iquity, I will chasten him, but my mercy shall not de-
part from him. And thine house and thy kingdom shall
be made sure forever.' "
According to all these words, and according to all this
vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Then David the king went in, and sat before the LORD ;
and he said, " Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my
house, that thou hast brought me thus far? And thou
hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while
to come. "Thou art great, O LORD God ; there is none
like thee. And what nation in the earth is like thy peo-
ple Israel ? And now, O Lord God, the word that thou
hast spoken concerning thy servant, and his house, con-
firm thou it forever; and do as thou hast spoken. And
let thy name be magnified forever."
' And after this it came to pass that David smote the
Victory in Philistines, and took Gath and her towns,
■war. And he smote Moab and the Syrians. And
the Syrians became servants to David and brought
presents. ^ And David took a thousand chariots and
seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand footmen ;
and ^shields of gold and very much brass, wherewith
Solomon made the brazen sea and the pillars ; and all
manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass; these
did king David dedicate unto the Lord. And the
Lord * gave victory to David whithersoever he went.
And David reigned over all Israel, and executed judg-
ment and justice unto all his people. And Joab was
over the ^' host, and Jehoshaphat was "^ recorder, and
Zadok and Abimelech were priests, and Shavsha was
''scribe, and the sons of David were chief about the
king.
^ And David said, " Is there yet any that is left of the
house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jona-
than's sake ? "
' I Chron. xviii, i. I " R. V. marg., Or, savfii David.
'■' I Chron. xviii, 4. | •• Tiiat is, the army. "^ K. V. marg.,
*i Chron. xviii, 7. Or, chronicler. "'R. V. marg. , Or,
* 2 Sam. ix, i. | secretary.
2 Sam. 9-2.] Chronologically Arranged. 257
And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose
name was Ziba, and they called him unto ^^. ^
.,-,., ■' Kindness to
David. Jonathan's
And the king said unto him, " Is there not ^"^^ y-
yet any of the house of Saul ? "
And Ziba said unto the king, "Jonathan hath yet a
son, which is lame on both his feet."
Then king David sent and fetched him. And Mephib-
osheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came unto
David, and fell on his face and did obeisance, and an-
swered, " Behold thy servant ! "
And David said unto him, "Fear not; for I will
surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake,
and will restore thee all the land of thy father ; and
thou shalt eat bread at my table continually."
And he did obeisance, and said, " What is thy serv-
ant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I
am ?"
Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said
unto him, "All that pertained to Saul and all his house
have I given unto thy master's son. And thou shalt
till the land for him, thou, and thy sons, and thy serv-
ants ; but Mephibosheth, thy master's son, shall eat
bread alway at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons
and twenty servants.)
Then said Ziba unto the king, "According to all
that my lord the king commandeth, so shall thy servant
do."
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem ; for he did eat
continually at the king's table.
'And David went and took the bones of Saul and the
bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-
gilead, which had stolen them from the "" street of Beth-
shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, in the day
that the Philistines slew Saul in Gilboa. And he brought
up and buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan in the
sepulcher of Kish his father.
^And the king of the children of Ammon died, and
Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
And David said, " I will show kindness unto Hanun,
' 2 Sam. xxi, 12. -2 Sam. x, l. 1 "R.V. marg., Or, broad place.
258 The Shorter Bible [aSam. io. 2.
as his father showed kindness unto me." So David sent
by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his
father.
But the princes of the children of Ammon said unto
Hanun, " Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy
father? Hath not David sent his servants to spy out
the city and to overthrow it ? "
So Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off one
half their beards, and cut off their garments in the mid-
dle, and sent them away.
David sent to meet them, for the men were greatly
ashamed, and said, "Tarry at Jericho until your beards
be grown, and then return."
* And at the return of the year, when kings go out to
battle, David sent Joab and all Israel ; and they destroyed
Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at
Jerusalem.
And it came to pass at eventide that David arose
and walked upon the roof of the king's house.
Batn-sneba. Air A r i
And from the root he saw a woman very
beautiful to look upon. And David inquired after the
woman ; and one said, " Is not this Bath-sheba, the wife
of Uriah?"
And David sent and took her; and she came in unto
him.
Now Uriah was with Joab.
^ And David wrote a letter to Joab, saying, " Set ye
Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire
from him, that he may be smitten, and die."
And Joab assigned Uriah unto the place where he
Murder of knew that valiant men were. And the men
Uriah. Qf ^Yiq (-[^y went out, and fought with Joab;
and there fell some of the servants of David ; and Uriah
the Hittite died also.
Then Joab sent and told David all the things con-
cerning the war. And he charged the messenger, say-
ing, " If the king's wrath arise, and he say, ' Wherefore
went ye so nigh unto the city to fight ? ' thou shalt say,
' Uriah is dead also.'"
So the messenger came and showed Da\icl all.
' 2 Sam. xi, I. * 2 Sam. xi, 14.
2 Sam. 11.26.] Chronologically Arranged. 259
And when the wife of Uriah heard that he^ husband
was dead, she made lamentation for her husband. And
when the mourning was past, David sent and took her
home to his house, and she became his wife, and bare
him a son.
But the thing that David had done displeased the
Lord.
And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he
came unto him, and said unto him,
" There were two men in one city ; the one rich, and
the other poor. The rich man had exceeding jj^^i^an's
many flocks and herds ; but the poor man parable and
had nothing, save one little lamb, which he
had bought and nourished up. And it grew up with
him and his children ; it did eat of his own morsel, and
drank of his own cup. And there came a traveler unto
the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock to
dress for the man that was come unto him, but took the
poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was
come unto him."
And David's anger was greatly kindled against the
man ; and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD liveth, the
man that hath done this is worthy to die ; and he shall
restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and
because he had no pity."
And Nathan said to David, " Thou art the man ! Thus
saith the Lord, the God of Israel, ' I anointed thee king
over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul ;
and I gave thee thy master's house, and the house of
Israel and of Judah. And if that had been too little, I
would have added unto thee such and such things.
Wherefore hast thou despised the word of the LORD, to
do that which is evil in his sight? Thou hast smitten
Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife
to be thy wife. Now therefore, the sword shall never
depart from thine house.' "
And David said unto Nathan, " I have David's re-
sinned against the LORD." SlathoTtke
And Nathan said unto David, " The LORD child,
also hath put away thy sin ; thou shalt not die. How-
beit, because by this deed thou hast given great occa-
260 The Shorter Bible [2 Sam. 12. 14.
sion to i\}^ enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child
also that is born unto thee shall surely die."
And Nathan departed unto his house.
I. ' A PSALM OF DAVID,
IV hen N'athan tJie prophet came unto him.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-
kindness :
According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot
out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions :
And my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.
And done that which is evil in thy sight :
That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest,
And be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
And in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts :
And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know
wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean :
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness;
That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins.
And blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God ;
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence ;
And take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation:
And uphold me with a free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors th\- wa)'s ;
And sinners shall be converted unto thee,
' I'salin li.
Psalm 51. I4-] Chronologically Arranged. 261
Deliver. me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of
my salvation ;
And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips;
And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
For thou delightest not in sacrifice ; else would I give it:
Thou hast no pleasure in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit :
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not
despise.
IL 'A PSALM OF DAVID.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose
sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not
iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no guile.
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old
Through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me :
My moisture was changed '' as with the drought of
summer.
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity
have I not hid :
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD ;
And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Thou art my hiding place ; thou wilt preserve me from
trouble ;
Thou wilt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked,
But he that trusteth in the LoRD, mercy shall compass
him about.
' And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare
unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore be-
sought God for the child, and fasted, and lay all night
upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose,
• Psalm xxxii, '^ 2 Sam. xii, 15. | " R. V. marg., Or, into.
262 The Shorter Bible [2 Sam. 12. 17.
and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth;
but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child
died. And the servants of David feared to tell him, for
they said, " Behold, while the child was yet alive, we
spake unto him, and he hearkened not unto our voice.
How will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the
child is dead ? "
But when David saw that his servants whispered to-
gether, David said, " Is the child dead ?"
And they said, " He is dead."
Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and
changed his apparel. And he came into the house of
the Lord, and worshiped ; then he came to his own
house; and they set bread before him, and he did eat.
Then said his servants unto him, " What is this that
thou hast done? Thou didst fast and weep for the child,
while it was alive ; but when the child was dead, thou
didst rise and eat bread ! "
And he said, " While the child was yet alive, I fasted
andwept ; for I said, ' Who knoweth whether the Lord
will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?'
But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast ? Can I
bring him back again ? I shall go to him, but he shall
not return to me."
Birth of And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife,
Solomon. j^^^^ ^j^^ j^^,.^, ^ ^^^^^ ^,^j a j^^ Called his name
Solomon. And the Lord loved him.
" R. V. maig. , Another reading is, s/ie called.
2 Sam. 12. 26.] Chronologically Arranged. 263
CHAPTER X.
SUCCESSFUL WARS: REBELLION OF ABSALOM.
Now Joab fought against Rabbah. And Joab sent to
David, and said, " Gather the rest of the peo- victoryover
pie together and encamp against the city, and ^^^^^'^•
taive it, lest I take the city and it be called after my name."
And David went to Rabbah and fought against it, and
took it. And he took the crown of their king from off
his head ; the weight thereof was a talent of gold, and
in it were precious stones ; and it was set on David's
head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city, ex-
ceeding much. And David and all the people returned
unto Jerusalem.
' Now in all Israel there was none so much praised as
Absalom for his beauty ; from the sole of his
foot even to the crown of his head there was his^rebei-
no blemish in him. And when he polled his ^^°^'
head, at every year's end, (because the hair was heavy
on him, therefore he polled it,) he weighed the hair at
two hundred shekels.
And Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and
fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up
early, and stood beside the gate. And when any man
had a suit which would come to the king for judgment,
Absalom called unto him, and said, " See thy matters are
good and right ; but there is no man to hear thee. Oh
that I were made judge in the land, that every man which
hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would
do him justice ! "
And when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he
put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed
him. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
And at the end of years Absalom said unto the kin.g,
' 2 Sam. xiv, 25.
264 The Shorter Bible [2 Sam. 15. ;•
" I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have
vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron."
And the king said unto him, " Go in peace."
So he arose, and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent
spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, " As soon
as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say,
' Absalom is king in Hebron.' " And with Absalom went
two hundred men out of Jerusalem. And Absalom sent
for Ahithophcl, David's counselor. And the conspiracy
was strong ; for the people increased continually with
Absalom.
And there came a messenger to David, saying, " The
hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom."
And David said unto all his servants that were with
him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee from Absalom.
Flight of Make speed to depart, lest he overtake us
David. quickly, and smite the city with the edge of
the sword."
And the king went forth, and the people and his serv-
ants, over the brook Kidron toward the wilderness. And
all the country wept with a loud voice. And, lo, Zadok
also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark
of the covenant of God.
And the king said unto Zadok, '" Carry back the ark
into the city. If I shall find favor in the eyes of the
Lord, he will bring me again. Return into the city in
peace, and your two sons with you. See, I will tarry at the
fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you."
Zadok therefore carried the ark of God again to Jeru-
salem, and abode there.
And David went up by the Mount of Olives, and wept
as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went
barefoot. And all the people that were with him covered
every man his head, weeping as they went up.
And one told David, saying, "Ahithophcl isamongthe
conspirators with Absalom/'
And David said, " O Lord, I pray thee, turn the
counsel of Ahithophcl into foolishness."
And it came to pass, that when David was come to
the top of the ascent, behold, Hushai, ' David's friend,
' 2 Sam. XV, 37.
2Sam. 1 5- 32. J Chronologically Arranged. 265
' came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon
his head. And David said unto him, " If
thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be Hushai.
a burden unto me ; but if thou return to the city, hast
thou not there the priests ? Therefore what thing soever
thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell to
their two sons, and by them ye shall send me everything
ye shall hear."
So Hushai r e t u r n e d .
And when David was a little past the top of the ascent,
behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met „ , ^,
' i Ziba s
him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon kindness.
them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clus-
ters of raisins, and summer fruits.
And the king said unto Ziba, " What meanest thou by
these? "
And Ziba said " The asses be for the king's household
to ride on; and the bread and fruit to eat."
And the king said, "And where is thy master's son ? "
And Ziba said unto the king, " Behold, he abideth at
Jerusalem ; for he said, ' To-day shall the house of Israel
restore me the kingdom of my father.' "
Then said the king to Ziba, " Behold, thine is all that
pertaineth unto Mephibosheth."
And behold, there came out a man of the house of
Saul, whose name was Shimei. He came out, and cursed
as he came. And he cast stones at David, shimei's
and at all the servants. And thus said Shimei, cursmg.
" Begone, begone, thou man of blood, and man of
Belial I The Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the
hand of Absalom ! Behold, thou art taken in thine own
mischief, thou man of blood ! "
Then said Abishai unto the king, " Why should this
dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take
off his head ! "
And the king said, " Behold, my son seeketh my life ;
how much more may this Benjamite now do it?
Let him alone, let him curse. It may be that the
Lord will look on tlie "•wrong done unto me, and that
i„ c ^„ I " R. V. marg., Some ancient versions
' 2 Sam. XV, 32. J ^- ^- *
I read, ajffitction^
20
266 The Shorter Bible [2 Sam. 16. 12.
the Lord will requite mc good for his cursing this
day."
So David and his men went by the way, and Shimei
went along on the hillside over against him, and cursed
and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
And Absalom, and all the men of Israel, came to Je-
rusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
And when Hushai, David's friend, was come unto
Absalom, Hushai said unto Absalom, "God save the
king ! God save the king ! "
Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, " Give your coun-
Differing sel what we shall do."
counsels. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, " Let
me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will
arise and pursue after David this night ; and I will come
upon him while he is weary and will make him afraid ;
and all the people that are with him shall flee. And I
will smite the king only, and I will bring back all the
people unto thee."
And the saying pleased Absalom well.
Then said Absalom, " Call now Hushai also, and let
us hear likewise what he saith."
And Hushai said unto Absalom, " The counsel that
Ahithophel hath given this time is not good. Thou
knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty
men, and they be ^chafed in their minds, as a bear
robbed of her whelps in the field. Thy father is a man
of war, and will not lodge with the people. Behold, he
is hid now in some pit, or other place. I counsel that
all Israel be gathered together as the sand that is by the
sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine
own person, and of him and all the men that are with
him we will not leave so much as one. Moreover, if he
^' be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes
to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there
be not one small stone found there."
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said. " The
counsel of Hushai is better than the counsel t)f Ahitho-
phel."
" R. V. niarg., Hch. />^//tV o/ m>hI. '' I\. \'. iiiarg.. Or, ii<ithdraw
hiinsilj .
2Sam. 17.23.J Chronologically x\rranged. 267
' And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not
followed, he saddled his ass, and arose and suicide of
gat him home, and set his house in order, Ahithophel.
and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried.
*Then Hushai told everything secretly to
the priests, and they sent and told king David. Then
David arose, and all the people that were with him, and
by the morning light there lacked not one of them that
was not gone over Jordan. And the peopleof the
land brought beds and basins and much food for David
and the people, for they said, " The people is hungry,
and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness."
'a psalm of DAVID,
IV hill lie Jled from Absalom his son.
Lord, how are mine adversaries increased!
Many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say '' of my soul,
There is no ^' help for him in God.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me;
My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cry unto the LoRD with my voice,
And he answereth me out of his holy hill.
I laid me down and slept ;
I awaked ; for the LORD sustaineth me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people,
That have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O Lord ;
Save me, O my God.
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD ;
Thy blessing be upon thy people.
'And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and the men of
Israel with him, and pitched in the land of Gilead.
'And David numbered the people that were with him,
and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds
• 2 Sam. xvii, 23. ^2 Sam. xvii, 24. , j. y_ ^^ q^. ^,, b r. V.
■-•2 Sam. xvii, 15. ^2 Sam. xviu, i. ^^ q^. ,„i.^,^,tion.
■• Psalm ill.
268 The Shorter Bible L2Sam. i8. i.
over them. And the king said unto the people, " I will
surely go forth with you myself also."
But the people said, " Thou shalt not go forth ; for if
we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half
of us die, will they care. But thou art worth ten thou-
sand of us. Therefore it is better that thou be ready to
succor us out of the city."
And the king said unto them, " What seemeth you
best I will do."
And the king stood by the gate side, and all the peo-
ple went out by hundreds and by thousands. And the
king commanded the captains saying, " Deal
gently for my sake with Absalom." And all the peo-
ple heard.
So the people went out, and the battle was
in the forest of Ephraim. And the people of
Israel were smitten before the servants of David, and
there was a great slaughter. For the battle was spread
over the face of all the country ; and the forest devoured
more people than the sword.
And Absalom rode upon his muk, and the mule went
under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head
caught hold of the oak, and he \\a.s taken up between
the heaven and the earth ; and the mule that was
under him went on. And a certain man saw it, and told
Joab, and said, " B.chold, I saw Absalom hanging in an
oak."
And Joab said, "Why didst thou not smite him
thereto the ground? And I would have given thee ten
pieces of silver, and a girdle."
And the man said unto Joab, " Though I should re-
ceive a thousand pieces of silver, )'et would I not put
forth mine hand against the king's son ; for in our hear-
ing the king charged thee, saying, ' Beware that none
touch the young man.' "
Then said Joab, " I may not tarry thus with thee."
And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them
Death of through the heart of Absalom. And ten
Absalom. young men that bare Joab's armcjr compassed
about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned
2Sam.i8. i6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 269
from pursuing after Israel. And they took Absalom,
and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised
over him a very great heap of stones.
And all Israel fled every one to his tent.
Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up
for himself a pillar, for he said, " I have no son to keep
my name in remembrance." And he called the pillar
after his own name; and it is called Absalom's monu-
ment, unto this day.
Then said Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, " Let me now
run and bear the king tidings, how the LoRD hath
avenged him of his enemies."
And Joab said unto him, " Thou shalt not be the
bearer of tidings this day, because the king's son is dead."
Then said Joab to the Cushite, " Go tell the king what
thou hast seen."
And the Cushite bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
Then said Ahimaaz yet again to Joab, "Come what
may, let me also, I pray thee, run after the Cushite."
And Joab said, " Wherefore wilt thou run, my son ?
Thou wilt have no reward for the tidings." _,.,.
" But come what may," said he, " I will
run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and
overran the Cushite.
Now David sat between the two gates. And the
watchman went up to the roof of the gate unto the wall,
and lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, a man
running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the
king. And the watchman saw another man running ;
and the watchman called unto the porter, and said,
" Behold, another man running alone."
And the king said, " He also bringeth tidings."
And the watchman said, " The running of the fore-
most is like the running of Ahimaaz, the son of Za-
dok."
And the king said, " He is a good man, and cometli
with good tidings."
And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, " ^All is
well." And he bowed himself before the king with his
face to the earth, and said, " Blessed be the LORD thy
"R. V. marw Heb. Peace.
270 The Shorter Bible f2Sam. 18.22.
God, which hath deUvered up the men that hfted up
their hand against the king."
And the king said, " Is it well with Absalom ?"
And the young man answered, "When Joab sent thy
servant I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what
it was.".
And the king said, " Turn aside and stand here."
And behold, the Cushite came ; and the Cushite said.
" Tidings for my lord the king. The LORD hath avenged
thee this day of all them that rose up against thee."
And the king .said unto the Cushite, " Is it well with
Absalom?"
And the Cushite answered, " The enemies of my lord
the king, and all that rise up against thee, be as that
young man is ! "
And the king was much moved, and went up to the
chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, thus
he said, " O my son, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom !
Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son.
my son ! "
And the victory that day was turned into mourning
unto all the people ; for the people heard say
mourning that day, " The king grieveth for his son."
-Jotb'f ^""^ And the people gat them by stealth into the
reproof. city, as people that are ashamed steal away
when they flee in battle. And the king covered his face
and cried with a loud voice, *' O my son Absalom, O
Absalom, my son, my son ! "
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said,
" Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants,
which have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and
daughters, and the lives of thy wives. For I perceive
that, if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day,
then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore, arise, go
forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants, or there
will not tarry a man with thee this night."
Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And all the
people came before the king.
Now Israel had fled every man to his tent. And all
the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of
Israel, saying, "The king delivered us out of the hand
:?Sam. 19- 9vl CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 271
of our enemies, and saved us out of the hand of the
Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land from
Absalom. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is
dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word
of bringing the king back ? "
And David sent to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests,
saying, " Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, 'Ye are
the king's brethren, his bone and flesh; wherefore
then are ye the last to bring back the king? ' And say
ye to Amasa, * Thou shalt be captain of the David at-
host in the room of Joab.' " supl'i^sljde
And the men of Judah sent unto the king, Joab.
saying, " Return thou, and all thy servants." And Judah
came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king
over Jordan.
So the king returned, and came to Jordan.
And Shimci the Benjamite hasted and came down
with the men of Judah to meet king David. ^ .,
All 1 1 r" 11 • ■ David rem-
And there were a thousand men oi Benjamin stated on
with him. And Shimci fell down before the
king, and said, " Let not my lord remember that which
thy servant did the day that the king went out of Jeru-
salem. I have sinned ; therefore, behold, I am come
this day the first of all the house of Joseph to meet my
lord the king."
And the king said unto Shimei, " Thou shalt not die."
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to
meet the king ; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor
trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day
the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
And the king said unto him, " Wherefore wentest thou
not with me, Mephibosheth?"
And he answered, " My lord, O king, thy servant said,
' I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go
with the king ; ' because thy servant is lame. But my
servant deceived me. And he hath slandered thy serv-
ant urtto my lord the king ; but do what is good in thine
eyes."
And the king said unto him, " Thou and Ziba divide
the land."
And Mephibosheth said unto the king, " Yea, let him
272 The Shorter Bn3LE [2Sam. 19. 30.
take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come in peace
unto his own house."
And Barzillai the Gileadite came down to conduct
the king over Jordan. Barzillai was a very aged man,
^ .„ . even fourscore years old. He had provided
Barzillai. ... . , -^ , , ^
the king with sustenance, tor he was a very
great man.
And the king said to Barzillai, " Come thou over with
me, and I will sustain thee w^ith me in Jerusalem."
And Barzillai said, " How many are the days of the
years of my life, that I should go up with the king to
Jerusalem ? Can thy servant taste what I eat or drink ?
Wherefore then should thy servant be a burden, unto the
king? Thy servant would but just go over Jordan with
the king, and why should the king recompense it me
with such a reward ? Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn
back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the
grave of my father and of my mother. But behold, thy
servant Chimham ; let him go over with my lord the
king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee."
And the king answered, " Chimham shall go over with
me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good
unto thee."
And all the people went over Jordan. And the king
kissed Barzillai, and blessed him ; and he returned unto
his own place.
And there happened to be there a man of ^ Belial,
whose name was Shcba, a Benjamite. And he blew a
trumpet, and said, " We have no portion in David, neither
have we inheritance in the son of Jesse ; every man to
his tents, O Israel."
So all the men of Israel went up from following Da-
vid, and followed Sheba ; but the men of Judah clave
unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
Then said the king to Amasa, " Call me the men of
Judah together within three days, and be thou here
present."
So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah ; but lie
tarried long.
And David said to Abishai, brother o f J o a b .
" R. \. inaiii., 'rii.nt is, 'u<orl/iless>iess.
2Sam.20.6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 273
" Now shall Sheba do us more harm than did Absalom.
Pursue thou after him."
And there went out after him Joab's men, and all the
mighty men. When they were at the great stone which
is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them.
And Joab said to Amasa, " Is it well with thee, my
brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the sheba's
beard to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed rebeiiion-
, , , • T 1 > 1 1 1 Amasa's
to the sword that was ni Joabs hand, so he slowness
, . , . , -' , 1 1 • and death,
smote huTi therewith, and struck him not
again ; and he died.
And Joab and Abishai pursued after Sheba. And
they besieged him in Abel.
Then cried a wise woman unto Joab, " Hear, hear!
Art thou Joab? "
And he answered, " I am."
Then she said unto him, " Thou seekest to destroy a
city. Why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the
Lord?"
And Joab answered, " Far be it, far be it from me that
I should swallow up or destroy? But Sheba sheba's
hath lifted up his hand against the king, death.
even against David. Deliver him only, and I will de-
part."
Then the people cut off the head of Sheba, and
threw it out to Joab. And he blew the trumpet, and
they were dispersed from the city.
And Joab returned to Jerusalem. Joab was over the
host.
274 The Shorter Bible [2 Sam. 21.15.
CHAPTER XI.
events of the last years of David's reign.
'And the Philistines had war again with Israel; and
David went down, and his servants with him, and fought
Incidents of against the Philistines. And David waxed
battle. faint, and the son of a giant, the weight of
whose spear was three hundred shekels of brass, thought
to have slain David with a new sword. But Abishai
succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed
him.
Then the men of David said unto him, "Thou
shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench
not the lamp of Israel."
And after this there was again war with the Philis-
tines, and Elhanan the Bethlehcmite slew "^ the brother
of ^ Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like
a weaver's beam.
And there was again war at Gath, where was a man
of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and
on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number. And
when he "defied Israel, Jonathan the son of David's
brother slew him. These fell by the hand of David,
and by the hand of his servants.
And David spake unto the Lord the words of this
song in the day that the LoRD delivered him out of the
hand of all his enemies :
'"' The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliv-
David's erer ;
song. -j-j^g Qq(^| of my rock, in him will I trust;
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised ;
So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
' 2 Sam. xxi, 15. ■'2 Sam. xxi, 19. I » R. V. marg., Or, reproached.
'•' I Chron. XX, 5. | ''Found also in I'salni xviii.
2 Sam. 22. 5.] ChRONOLOCJICALLV ARRANGED. 275
For the waves of death compassed me,
The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
In my distress I called upon the LORD,
And my cry came into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled,
The foundations of heaven moved.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down ;
And thick darkness was under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly ;
Yea, he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
' He made darkness his pavilion round about him,
Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
*At the brightness before him,
Coals of fire were kindled.
The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered his voice.
He sent out arrows, and scattered them ;
Lightning, and discomfited them.
He sent from on high, he took me;
He drew me out of '•' many waters ;
He delivered me from my strong enemy.
From them that hated me.
They came upon me in the day of my calamity;
But the Lord was my stay.
He brought me forth also into a large place ;
He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
For thou art my lamp, O LORD ;
And the Lord will lighten my darkness.
As for God, his way is perfect ;
The word of the LORD is tried.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation ;
And thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle ;
Thou deliverest me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord,
And will sing praises unto thy name."
' And '' Satan stood up against Israel, and moved
'Psalm xviii, 11. "i Chron. xxi, i. I » R. V. marg., Or, great. ''Or,
'•'2 Sam. xxii, 13. | an adversary.
276 The Shorter Bible [i chron.21. i.
David to number Israel. And David said to Joab, and
Numbering ^^ ^^^^ princcs of the people, " Go, number
Israel. Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan ; and bring
me word, that I may know the sum of them,"
And Joab said, "The LORD make his people an hun-
dred times so many more as they be, and may the eyes
of my king see it. But, my lord, are they not all my
lord's servants? Why will he be a cause of guilt unto
Israel? "
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab.
'And Joab and the captains uf the host went out from
the presence of the king to number the people of Israel.
So when they had gone to and fro through all the
land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months
and twenty days. And Joab gave the sum of the num-
bering of the people unto the king ; and there were in
Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew
the sword ; and the men of Judah were five hundred
thousand men.
And David's heart smote him after that he had num-
bered the people. And David said unto the LoRD, " I
have sinned greatly in that I have done. But now, O
Lord, put away, I beseech thee, the iniquity of thy serv-
ant ; for I have done very foolishly."
And when David rose up in the morning, the word of
the Lo]<i) came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, say-
ing, " Thus saith the LORD, ' I ^ offer thee three things;
choose ye one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land ?
Or wilt thou flee three months before thy foes, while
„ . they pursue thee? Or shall there be three
Gad-The days pcstilcnce in thy land, the angel ot the
pestilence. j ,),,-j) ^lestroying throughout all the coasts of
Israel ? ' "
And David said unto Gad, "I am in a great strait;
let me now fall into the hand of the LoRD; for very
** great are his mercies; and let me not fall into the hand
of man."
So the Lord sent a pcstilcnce upon Israel. And
' 2 Sam. xxiv, 4. I " K. V. iiiaig.. Or, /nr tipou. '• R. V.
'^ I Chroii. xxi, 12. | luaii,'., Or, many.
lChron.2i. 14.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 277
there fell of Israel seventy thousand men. And God
sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it ; and as he
was about to destroy, the LORD beheld, and he repented
him of the evil, and said to the destroying angel, " It is
enough ; now stay thine hand."
And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshing
floor of Oman. ' Now Oman was threshing wheat. And
Oman turned and saw the angel ; and his four sons that
were with him hid themselves.
^ And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of
the Lord stand between earth and the heaven, having
a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem.
Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell
upon their faces. And David said unto God, " Is it not
I that commanded the people to be numbered? Even
I it is that have sinned and done very wickedly; but
these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I
pray thee, O LORD, be against me, and against my
father's house ; but not against thy people."
Then the angel of the LORD commanded that David
should go up and rear an altar unto the LOKD in the
threshing floor of Oman. And as David Theaitaron
came to Oman, Oman went out of the thresh- ^"e^hfng
ing floor, and bowed himself to David with his floor-
face to the ground.
Then David said to Oman, " Give me the place of
this threshing floor, that I may build thereon an altar
unto the Lord. For the full price shalt thou give it
me: that the plague may be stayed from the people."
And Oman said unto David, "Take it. Lo, I give
thee the oxen for burnt offcrinecs, and the threshing in-
struments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering;
I give it all."
And king David said to Oman, " Nay, but I will verily
buy it for the full price ; I will not take that which is
thine for the LORD, nor offer ' unto the LORD burnt
offerings which cost me nothing."
■• So David gave to Oman for the place six hundred
shekels of gold by weight. And David built there an
altar unto the LORD, and offered offerings, and called
' I Chron. xxi, 20. ^ i Chron. xxi, i6. ^ 2 Sam. xxiv, 24. "• i Chron. xxi, 25.
278 The Shorter Bible [i chron.21.26.
upon the Lord ; and he answered him from heaven by
fire upon the altar.
And the LoRD commanded the angel ; and he put up
his sword again into the sheath thereof.
For the tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses made in
the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering, were at
that time in the high place at Gibeon. But David could
not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid be-
cause of the sword of the angel of the LoRD. Then
David said, " This is the house of the LORD God, and
this is the altar of burnt offerins for Israel."
lChron.22.3.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 279
CHAPTER XII.
PREPARATION FOR THE TEMPLE : ORGANIZATION OF THE
LEVITES.
'And David prepared * to build the house of God.
^And David said, "Solomon my son is young and
tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD
must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory
throughout all countries. I will therefore make prepara-
tion for it."
* And David set masons to hew wrought stones to
build the house of God. And David prepared David's
iron in abundance for the nails and couplings ; ^oTg^for
and brass without weight, and cedar trees ^^^ temple,
without number. For the Zidonians and they of Tyre
brought cedar trees in abundance to David.
Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him
to build an house for the LORD, the God of Israel.
David said to Solomon, " It was in mine heart to build
an house unto the Lord my God. But the word of the
Lord came to me, saying, ' Thou hast shed
blood abundantly, and hast made great wars; charge to
thou shalt not build an house unto my name.
Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man
of rest ; his name shall be '^ Solomon, and I will give
peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall
build an house for my name ; and I will establish the
throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.' Now, my
son, build the house of the Lord, as he hath spoken.
Only the Lord give thee understanding, so thou mayest
keep the law of the LORD thy God ; then shalt thou
prosper. Be strong and of good courage ; fear not,
neither be dismayed. Now, behold, in my '' affliction I
' I Chron. xxii, 3. ' i Chron. xxii, 5. I "■ R. V. marg.. That is, Peaceful.
* I Chron. xxii, 2. ■* l Chron. xxii, 2. | ^ R. V. marg., Or, loio estate.
280 The Shorter Bhjlk [i Chron.22. 14.
have prepared for the house gold and silver and brass
and iron in abundance ; timber also and stone have I
prepared, and thou mayest add thereto. Moreover there
are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers
of stone and timber, and 'every willing man that hath
skill for any manner of service. And the captains and
all the people will be wholly at thy commandment."
"And David assembled unto Jerusalem all the princes
of Israel, and the captains and rulers, with the officers,
and mighty men.
Then David the king stood up and said,
" Hear me, my brethren, and my people. The Lord,
the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my
father to be king over Israel ; and of all my sons, (for
the Lord hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen
Chareeto Solomon to sit upon the throne. And he
all Israel. said unto me, 'Solomon shall build my house,
for I have chosen him. And I will establish his kingdom
forever, if he be constant to do my commandments.' Now
therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of
the Lord, and in the audience of our God, observe and
seek out all the commandments of the LoRD your God ;
that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an
inheritance to your children after you forever.
** And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy
father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a
willing mind ; for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and
understandeth all thoughts. If thou seek him, he will
be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast
thee off forever."
Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of
the porch of the temple, and of the houses and treasuries
thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, and for all
the vessels of silver and gold.
•' And David the king said unto all the congregation,
^_ . " The work is great ; for the palace is not for
Offerings: , /- , t /- i -nt t i
the king's, man, but for the Lord God. Mow 1 have
thlp^'eo-^' prepared with all my might for the house of
pies'. ^^y God, gold and silver and brass, iron and
wood, precious stones, and marble in abundance,
'i Chron. xxviii, 21. '^ I Chron. xxviii, I. •' i Chron. xxix, i.
I Chron. 29- 3] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 281
Moreover also, because I have set my affection to
the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of
mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of
my God, over and above all that I have prepared. Who
then offereth willingly this day unto the LORD ? "
Then the princes, and captains, with the rulers, offered
willingly ; they gave gold and silver and brass and iron.
And they with whom precious stones were found gave
them.
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly ;
because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the
Lord ; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the con-
gregation. And David said,
"Blessed be thou, O Lord, the God of Israel, our father,
forever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the great- T,^.„,,,4„n-
11 111 11' ■'^^J oicing.
ness, and the power, and the glory, and the vic-
tory, and the majesty ; for all that is in the heaven and in
the earth is thine. Both riches and honor come of thee, and
thou rulest over all ; and in thine hand is power and might ;
and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength
unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and
praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my
people, that we should be able to offer so willingly ? For
all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given
thee. ' All this store that we have prepared cometh of
thine hand, and is all thine own. 'For we are strangers
before thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our
days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.
O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, prepare
the heart of thy people unto thee, and give Solomon my
sen a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, and to
build the palace."
And David said to all the congregation, " Now bless
the Lord your God."
And all the congregation blessed the Lord, the God
of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and wor-
shiped. And they offered burnt offerings unto the LORD,
and did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with
great gladness.
' I Chron. xxix, i6. '^ i Chron. xxix, 15.
21
282 The Shorter Bible [i chron. 23. i.
' Now David gathered together all the princes of Is-
^ rael, with the priests and Levites. And the
Organiza- _ '. i i i • i • i
tionofthe Levites were numbered, thirty and eight
thousand from twenty years old and upward.
Of these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the
work of the house of the LORD, and six thousand were
officers and judges, and four thousand were doorkeepers,
and four thousand praised the LORD with instruments
and* to stand every morning to thank and praise the
Lord, and likewise at even.
' And David divided them into courses.
^ Moreover David separated for service certain of the
sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, who should
prophesy with harps, and psalteries, and cymbals.
And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three
daughters. All these were under the hands of their father
for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, psal-
teries, and harps.
' I Chron. xxiii, i. 'i Chron. xxiii, 6.
* I Chron. xxiii, 30. •* i Chron. xxv, i.
I Kings I. I.J Chronologically Arranged. 283
CHAPTER XIII.
LAST DAYS OF DAVID : EARLY YEARS OF SOLOMON :
PROVERBS.
' Now king David was old and stricken in years.
Then Adonijah the son of David exalted himself,
saying, " I will be king." And he prepared him chariots
and horsemen, and fifty men to run before Adonijah's
him. He was a very goodly man ; he was rebellion.
born after Solomon. And he conferred with J cab, and
with Abiathar the priest, and they helped him.
And Bath-sheba, " the mother of Solomon, ^ went in
unto the king into the chamber; and the king was very
old. And Bath-sheba bowed, and said urlto him, " My
lord, thou swarest unto thine handmaid, 'Assuredly
Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit
upon my throne.' And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth ;
and thou, my lord the king, knovvest it not."
And lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the
prophet came in. And he bowed himself before the
king with his face to the ground, and said, " My lord, O
king, hast thou said, 'Adonijah shall sit upon my throne ? '
For he is gone down this day, and hath called the king's
sons, and the captains of the hosts ; and, behold, they
eat and drink before him, and say, ' God save king Ado-
nijah ! ' But me, and Zadok the priest, and thy serv-
ant Solomon, hath he not called. Is this thing done by
my lord the king? "
Then king David said, " Call me Zadok the priest,
and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the captain."
And the king said unto them, " Take with you the
servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my Solomon's
son to ride upon mine own mule ; and let coronation.
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him
'l Kings i, I. *l Kings i, II. ^jj^j^ggj ig_
284 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 1.34.
king over Israel ; and blow ye with the trumpet, and
say, 'God save king Solomon.' Then he shall come
and sit upon my throne ; for he shall be king in my
stead."
So Zadok and Nathan and Benaiah went down and
caused Solomon to ride on king David's mule. And
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tent,
and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet,
and all the people said, " God save king Solomon ! "
And all the people came up after him, and rejoiced
with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of
them.
And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him
heard it as they had made an end of eating, and
said, " Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an
uproar?"
While he yet spake, behold, one came and said,
" Verily, our lord king David hath made Solomon
king ! "
And all the guests of Adonijah were afraid, and
rose up, and went every man his way. And Adoni-
jah feared because of Solomon. And it was told Sol-
omon.
And Solomon said, " If he shall show himself a
worthy man, there shall not be an hair of him fall to
the earth: but if wickedness be found in him, he shall
die."
And he came and did obeisance to king Solomon ;
and Solomon said unto him, " Go to thine house."
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die.
David's ' ^^^^ time that he reigned over Israel was
death. forty ycars ; seven years reigned he in
Hebron, and thirty and three years in Jerusalem. And
he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor,
and was buried in the city of David. And Solomon his
son reigned in his stead.
^ Now king Solomon loved the daughter of
te/of^^^ " Pharaoh. 'And Solomon made affinity with
Pharaoh. pharaoh, king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's
daughter to wife.
' I Clivon. xxix, 27. '-' I Kings xi, i. ^ i Kings iii, I.
s.of Songs 2.8.] Chronologically Arranged. 285
FROM THE ^SONG OF SONGS, WHICH IS SOLOMON'S.
The beloved lady says: ,
' The voice of my beloved ! behold, he cometh,
Leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a ^ roe or a young hart:
Behold, he standeth behind our wall,
He showeth himself through the lattice.
The lo V e }■ 's serenade :
My beloved spake, and said unto me,
" Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past.
The rain is over and gone ;
The flowers appear on the earth ;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land ;
The fig tree ripeneth her green figs.
And the vines are in blossom.
They give forth their fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the
covert of the steep place.
Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice ;
For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely."
Beloved lady.'
^ I *= was asleep, but my heart waked.
It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying,
" Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my '' undefiled :
For my head is filled with dew,
My locks with the drops of the night."
Cone In si on — the divine natii?-e of love.
"Many waters cannot quench love.
Neither can the floods drown it ;
' Song of Songs ii, 8.
"^ Song of Songs v, 2.
* ^ Song of Songs viii, 7.
^ This book is an elaborate drama.
See any recent commentary. '' R.V.
marg., Or, gazelle. <= R. V. marg.,
Or, / sleep, but my heart waketli.
'' R. V. marg., Ileb. perfect.
286 The Shorter Bible [S. of Songs 8. 6.
* For love is strong as death ;
A very flame of '■the Lord.
"And Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter into the
city of David, until he had made an end of building his
own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of
Jerusalem round about. Only the people sacrificed in
the high places, because there was no house built for
the name of the LORD until those days. And Solomon
loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his
father; only he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high
places.
^And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in
Worship at his kingdom, and the Lord his God was
Solomon's with him, and magnified him exceedingly,
vision. And Solomon, and all the congregation with
him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon ; for
there was the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the
servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. (But
the ark of God had David brought up to Jerusalem.)
Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezalel had made, was
there before the tabernacle of the LORD. And Solomon
went up thither and offered a thousand burnt offerings.
In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said
unto him, " Ask what I shall give thee."
And Solomon said, " Thou hast showed great kind-
ness unto David my father, and hast made me king in
his stead. And now, O LoRD my God, ' I am but a little
child ; I know not how to go out or come in. And thy
servant is in the midst of thy people, a great people,
that cannot be numbered for multitude. Give thy serv-
ant therefore an ''understanding heart to judge thy peo-
ple, that I may discern between good and evil; for who
is able to judge this thy "^^ great people?"
And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had
asked this thincf. And God said unto him, " Because
' Song of Songs viii, 6.
" I Kings iii, i.
' 2 Chron. i, i.
■* I Kings iii, 7.
" See Psalm xlv. Belonging to Solo-
mon's time, anQ perhaps referring
to bis marriage with Pharaoh's
daughter, though strongly typical.
'' R. V. marg., Heb. hearing. • ' R.
V. marg., Heb. luai'y.
I Kings 3. II.] Chronologically Arranged. 287
thou hast asked this thing, and not long Hfe, neither
riches, behold, I have done according to thy word. I
have given thee a wise and an "" understanding heart ;
so that there hath been none before thee, neither after
thee shall any arise, like unto thee. And I have also
given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches
and honor, so that there ^ shall not be any among the
kings like unto thee, all thy days. And if thou wilt
walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my com-
mandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will
lengthen thy days."
And Solomon awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of
the Lord, and offered up offerings, and made a feast to
all his servants.
Then came there two women unto the king, and
stood before him.
And the one woman said, " Oh my lord, I and this
woman dwell in one house. We were together ; there
was no stranger with us In the house. And goioi^o^ ^s
this woman's child died in the night ; and she judge-De-
arose at midnight, and took my son from be- whosl
• side me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid
it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
And when I rose in the morning, behold, it was dead.
But it was not my son."
And the other woman said, " Nay, but the living is my
son, and the dead is thy son."
And this said, " No ; but the dead is thy son, and the
living is my son." Thus they spake before the king.
Then said the king, " Fetch me a sword." And they
brought a sword before the king.
And the king said, " Divide the living child in two,
and give half to the one and half to the other."
Then spake the woman whose the living child was
unto the king, for her heart yearned upon her son, and
she said, " Oh my lord, give her the living child, and in
no wise slay it."
But the other said, " It shall be neither mine nor
thine; divide it."
" R. V. marg. , Heb. /tearing. ^ R. V. marg. , Or, AatA not been.
288 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 3. 27.
Then the king answered and said, " Give her the hving
child, and in no wise slay it. She is the mother thereof."
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king
had judged ; and they feared the king ; for they saw
that the wisdom of God was in him,
Peace-Wis- ' And Solomon was king over all Israel,
^°^- ^ and he had peace on all sides round about
him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man
under his vine and fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba,
all the days of Solomon.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding
exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand
Literary on the seashore. And Solomon's wisdom
work. excelled the wisdom of all the children of the
east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than
all men ; and his fame was in all the nations round
about. And he spake three thousand proverbs; and his
songs were a thousand and five. He spake of trees, of
beasts, and of fowl, of creeping things, and of fishes.
And there came of all peoples from all the kings of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
PROVERBS OF SOLOMON, KING OF ISRAEL.
^ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom :
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
* My son, if sinners entice thee,
Consent thou not.
' The way of the wicked is as darkness :
They know not at what they stumble.
" But the path of the righteous is as '' the shining light,
That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
' Doth not wisdom cry.
And understanding put forth her voice?
" I love them that love me;
And those that seek me '' diligently shall find me.
' I Kings iv, l. ^ Piov. iv, 19. I
-I Kings iv, 24. •'■ Trov. iv, 18. \ " R. V. maig., Or, //le lig/it of
M'rov. ix, 10. ■" I'rov. viii.i. 1 da-am. ' R. V. niarg., Or, ccirly.
" I'rov.. i, 10, ' •
Prov. 8. i8.] Chronologically Arranged. 289
Riches and honor are with me ;
Yea, durable riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold ;
And my ^revenue than choice silver."
' A wise son maketh a glad father :
But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing :
But righteousness delivereth from death.
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand :
But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Hatred stirreth up strifes :
But love covereth all transgressions.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not trans-
gression :
But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich,
And ^ he addeth no sorrow therewith.
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord :
But a just weight is his delight.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame :
But with the lowly is wisdom.
He that is surety for a stranger '^ shall smart for it :
But he that hateth suretyship is sure.
^ A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast ■.
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord :
But they that deal truly are his delight.
^ Wealth gotten '' by vanity shall be diminished :
But he that gathereth *" by labor shall have increase.
Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise :
But the companion of fools shall '" smart for it.
°- R. V. maig., Or, increase.
^R. V. marg., Or, ioi/. « R. V.
' Pi-ov. X, I. marg., Heb. s/ia/l be sore broken.
** Prov. xii, lo. "^ R. V. marg., The Sept. and Vul.
^ Pi'ov. xiii, II. have, in haste. * R. V. marg., Heb.
7vith the hand. * R. V. marg., Or,
be broken. - ■
290 The Shorter Bible [Prov. 14. 10.
' The heart knoweth its own bitterness ;
And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker :
But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.
* A soft answer turneth away wrath :
But a grievous word stirreth up anger, ^
Better is Httle with the fear of the LORD,
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
^ A merry heart is a good medicine :
But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
'Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
And obtaineth favor of the Lord.
^A false witness shall not be unpunished;
And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord,
And his good deed will he pay him again.
" A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
And loving favor rather than silver and gold.
' Weary not thyself to be rich ;
Cease from thine own wisdom.
^ Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings,
Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.
"Who hath ^woe? who hath '^ sorrow ? who hath con-
tentions?
Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without
cause ?
Who hath redness of eyes ?
They that tarry long at the wine ;
' Prov. xiv, 10. ' I'lov. xix, 5. I " R. V. marg. , Or, ]l'ill thou set
^ Prov. XV, I. ''Prov. xxii, i. Ihitif evfs upon it? It is gone.
^ Prov. xvii, 22. ''Prov. xxiii, 4. M* R. V. marg., Heb. 0)i ! '^^ R. V.
■•Prov. xviii, 22. ^ Prov. xxiii, 29. | marg., Heb. Alas!
Prov. 23. 30.] Chronologically Arranged. 291
They that go to *seek out mixed wine.
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,
When it giveth its color in the cup,
When it ^ goeth down smoothly;
At the last it biteth like a serpent,
And stingeth like an adder.
' A word fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house ;
Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat ;
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink :
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
And the Lord shall reward thee.
As cold water is to a thirsty soul.
So is good news from a far country.
^ He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper ;
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain
mercy.
^ " Dark Sayings " or Riddles.
I.
^ There be six things which the Lord hateth ;
Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him.
What are they?
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue.
And hands that shed innocent blood;
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
Feet that be swift in running to mischief;
A false witness that uttereth lies,
And he that soweth discord among brethren.
II.
'There be four things which are little upon the earth,
But they are exceeding wise.
What are they?
The ants are a people not strong.
Yet they provide their meat in the summer;
'Prov. XXV, II. 3p,.yy vi^ i5 I a R. V. marg., Or, try. '' R. V.
^ Prov. xxviii, 13. •* Prov. xxx, 24. | marg. .Or, moveth itself arigJit.
292 The Shorter Bible [Prov. 30. 26.
The '^ conies are but a feeble folk,
Yet make they their houses in the rocks ;
The locusts have no king,
Yet go they forth all of them by bands ;
The lizard ^ taketh hold with her hands,
Yet is she in king's palaces. '^
* R. V. marg. , rock-badger. *" R. V. marg. , Or, thou canst seize with
thy hands. '^ For beautiful picture of the virtuous woman, see Prov. xxxi.
2Chron. 2. I.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 293
CHAPTER XIV.
THE TEMPLE BUILT AND DEDICATED.
' Now Solomon purposed to build an house for the
name of the LORD. And Solomon sent to ^ Hiram ^the
king of Tyre, saying, "As thou didst deal with David
my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an
house to dwell in, even so deal with me. Behold, I build
an house for the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and
to burn incense before him, and for the offerings. And
the house which I am about to build is great ; for great
is our God above all gods. Who is able to build him an
house, seeing the heaven of heavens cannot contain him ?
Who am I then, that I should build him an house save
only to burn incense before him ? Now there-
fore send me a man cunning to work in gold, tion^^fm-'the
and silver, and brass, and all manner of grav- *®"^Pi®-
ings, to be with the cunning men that are with me in
Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide. Send
me also trees out of Lebanon ; timber in abundance.
And, behold, I will give thee hire for thy servants accord-
ing to all that thou shalt say."
'And it came to pass when Hiram heard the words of
Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, " Blessed be
the Lord this day, which hath given unto David a wise
son over this great people." ^ For Hiram was ever a
lover of David.
* And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, " I will do all
thy desire concerning timber of cedar and fir. My serv-
ants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea;
and I will make them into rafts to go by sea unto the
place that thou shalt appoint me."
So Hiram gave Solomon timber of cedar and timber
' 2 Chron. ii, i. ^2 Chron. ii, 3. ^ i Kings v, i.
^ I Kings V, I. ■* I Kings v, 7. •* i Kings v, 8.
294
The Shorter Bible
[i Kings 5. 10.
of fir according to all his desire. And Solomon gave
Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food for
his household, and twenty thousand measures of pure
oil. And they two made a league together.
And Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel, thirty
thousand men. And he sent them to Lebanon, ten
thousand a month by courses; a month they were in
Lebanon, and two months at home. ' And Solomon
numbered all the strangers that were in the land, and he
set threescore and ten thousand of them to bear bur-
dens, and fourscore thousand were hewers in the moun-
tains; and three thousand six hundred overseers to set
the people a work.
* Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord
The temple ^^ Jerusalem in Mount Moriah, where the
built. Lord appeared unto David his father, in the
threshing floor of Oman the Jebusite, ' in the fourth year
of Solomon's reign, in the four hundred and eightieth
year after the children of Israel were come out of the
land of Egypt. "And the king commanded, and they
hewed out great stones, costly stones, to lay the founda-
tion of the house. And Solomon's builders and Hi-
ram's builders did fashion them, and prepared the timber
and the stones to build the house.
'And the house, when it was in building, was built of
stone made ready at the quarry : there was neither
hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house,
while it was in building.
So he built the house and finished it ; and he covered
the house with beams and planks of cedar. And he
prepared an ^^ oracle in the midst of the house, to set
there the ark of the LoRD, and he drew chains of gold
across before the oracle, and overlaid it with gold. And
in the oracle he made two cherubim of olive wood, and
the wings of the cherubim were stretched forth, their
wings touched one another. And he overlaid the cheru-
bim with gold. And he carved all the walls with carved
figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers
' 2 Chron. ii, 17. •* i Kings v, 17.
'•'2 Chron. iii, i. *i Kings vi, 7.
2 I Kings vi, i.
That is, the most holy place.
I Kings 6. 29-] Chronologically Arranged. 295
within and without. And the whole house, ' the beams,
the thresholds, the walls, the doors, ^ the floor, he over-
laid with gold, ' and graved cherubim on the walls.
* And he garnished the house with precious stones for
beauty. ^ He was seven years in building it.
* Also he made before the house two high pillars
' of brass ; and he set the pillars at the porch of the tem-
ple. Upon the top of the pillars was lily work. And
he made the molten sea ® for the priests to wash in.
'The brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup,
like the flower of a lily. " It stood upon twelve oxen,
" cast when it was cast. '^ Moreover, he made an altar
of brass, " and pots and shovels and basins of burnished
brass, exceeding many. " And he made ten candlesticks
of gold, and ten tables, and placed them in the temple ;
the golden altar also, and the lamps and tongs of perfect
gold, the basins and spoons and firepans of pure gold.
Thus all the work that king Solomon wrought in the
house of the LORD was finished.
And Solomon brought in the things which David his
father had dedicated, even the silver, and the gold, and
the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of the house
of the Lord.
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all
the princes unto Jerusalem. And the Levites Thetempie
brought up the ark of the LORD '' out of the dedicated,
city of David, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy
vessels that were in the tent. And king Solomon and
all the congregation of Israel were before the ark, sacri-
ficing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor num-
bered for multitude. And the priests brought the ark
of the Lord unto the most holy place, '^ the oracle of
the house, "even under the wings of the cherubim.
'* There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of
stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord
made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they
came out of the land of Egypt.
' I Chvon. iii, 7. *2 Chron. iii, 15. " 2 Chron. iv, 3. "= i Kings viii, 6.
^ I Kings vi, 30. ' l Kings vii, 15. ''^2 Chron. iv, i. "2 Chron. v, 7.
^2 Chron. iii, 7. * 2 Chron. iv, 6. '^ i Kings vii, 45. '^ i Kings viii, 9.
^2 Chron. iii, 6. ^i Kings vii, 26. '^2 Chron. iv, 7.
^ I Kings vi, 38. ^'^ I Kings vii, 25. '^ i Kings viii, i.
296 The vShorter Bible [i Kings 8. lo.
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out
of the holy place, (' for all the priests had sanctified them-
selves, also the singers, arrayed in fine linen, stood, and
with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with
trumpets:) it came even to pass, when the trumpet-
ers and singers were as one, praising and thanking the
Lord, saying,
" For he is good ;
For his mercy endureth forever: "
that then the Glory of the Lord filled the house of
„, „, God, so that the priests could not stand to
The Glory. . .' i
mmister.
^ Then spake Solomon, *' The LORD hath said that he
would dwell in the thick darkness, but I have surely
built thee an house, a place for thee to dwell in forever."
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in
the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread
forth his hands toward heaven, ^ and kneeled down upon
Solomon's ^is knees. ' And he said, " O LORD, the God
prayer. q( Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven
above, or on the earth beneath ; who keepest covenant
and mercy with thy servants, that walk before thee with
all their heart. But will God in very deed dwell in the
earth? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain
thee, how much less this house that I have buildcd !
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant,
that mine eyes may be open toward this house night and
day, and hearken thou to the prayer of thy servant,
and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward
this place. Yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place ;
and when thou hearcst, forgive. When thy people have
sinned against thee, if they turn again to thee, and pray
unto thee in this house : then hear thou in heaven, and
forgive. When thy people be smitten before the enemy,
when heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because
they have sinned against thee ; if there be famine, if there
be pestilence, whatsoever plague or sickness there be,
what prayer soever be made by any man, or by thy peo-
ple '' which shall know every man his own sorrow, and
'2 Chron. v, ii. -'2 C'liron. vi, 13. '■'2 Cliron. vi, 29.
'' I Kint^s viii, 12. ' i Kiiii;s viii, 23.
2Chron.6.29.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 297
spread forth his hands toward this place, then hear thou
from heaven thy dwelhng place, and forgive. For thou,
thou only, knowest the hearts of men. Moreover con-
cerning the stranger, when he shall come from a far
country for thy great name's sake, and pray toward this
house, then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place,
that all the peoples of the earth may know thy name
and fear thee. Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into
thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength."
Now when Solomon made an end of praying, the fire
came down from heaven and consumed the
sacrifices ; and the Glory of the LORD filled
the house. And the children of Israel looked on, and
they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground,
and worshiped the LORD, saying,
" For he is good ;
For his mercy endureth forever."
And the priests stood according to their offices, the
Levites also with instruments ^ of music which David
the king had made, to give thanks unto the LORD, and
the priests sounded trumpets.
' Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel
with him, a great congregation, seven days a great
and seven days, even fourteen days. -And feast.
he sent the people away, and they blessed the king and
went, joyful and glad of heart, for the goodness the
Lord had shown. ^ So the king and all the children of
Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.
' I Kings viii, 65. I " R. V. marg., Or, for the song of
^ I Kings viii, 63. j i/ie Lord.
23
298 The Shorter Bible* [i Kings 9. 2.
CHAPTER XV.
SOLOMON'S PROSPERITY : THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.
And the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time,
and said unto him, "I have heard thy prayer; I have
hallowed this house, and mine eyes shall be there per-
A gracious petually. And as for thee, if thou wilt do all
promise. ^j^^^ j have Commanded thee, then I will es-
tablish thy throne forever. But if ye shall turn away
from following me, and keep not my commandments,
then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have
given them ; and this house will I cast out of my sight."
' And Solomon was building his own house thirteen
years, and he finished all his house. He made also an
Various housc for Pharaoli's daughter, whom h e had
enterprises, taken to wife. ^ And Solomon brought up
the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto
the house that he had built for her.
'And king Solomon made a navy of ships on the
shore of the Red Sea. And Hiram sent him servants
that had knowledge of the sea. And they came to
Ophir, and fetched thence gold to king Solomon.
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of
Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to
Jerusalem to prove him with hard questions. She came
The queen with a very great train, with camels that bare
of Sheba. spiccs, and very much gold, and precious
stones. And when she was come to Solomon, she com-
muned with him of all that was in her heart. And
Solomon told her all her questions ; there was not any-
thing hid from the king. And when the queen of Sheba
had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that
he had built, and the meat of his table, and the servants
and ministers, and their apparel, there was no more spirit
' I Kings vii, i. '^2 Ciiron. viii, ii. ^i Kings ix, 26.
I Kings lo. 5.] Chronologically Arranged. 299
in her. And she said to the king, " It was a true report
that I heard in mine own land, and, behold, the half was
not told me. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy
servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear
thy wisdom. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which de-
lighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel ; be-
cause the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore made he
thee king, to do judgment and justice."
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents
of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious
stones. There came no more such abundance of spices
as those which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solo-
mon. And king Solomon gave the queen of Sheba
whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave
her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her
own land, she and her servants.
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one
-year was six hundred threescore and six tal- Solomon's
ents, beside that which the traffic of the mer- riches,
chants and the kings and the governors brought.
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and
overlaid it with the finest gold. There were ''arms on
either side, and two lions standing beside. There were
six steps to the throne, ' with a footstool of gold. ''And
twelve lions stood there, on the one side and on the
other, upon the six steps. There was not the like made
in any kingdom. And all king Solomon's drinking ves-
sels were of gold, none were of silver ; it was nothing ac-
counted of in the days of Solomon. For the king had
at sea a navy that went to Tarshish with the navy of
Hiram ; once every three years came the navy, bringing
gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. So king
Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and
in wisdom.
And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to
hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. And
they brought every man his present, vessels of silver
and vessels of gold, and raiment and armor and spices,
horses and mules. And Solomon '' gathered together
, „, . o 'i 1^- „ I " So in R. V. marg. ''Deut.
' 2 Chron. ix, i8. ' i Kings x, 20. •• ^ ^^
^ XVll, ID.
300 The Shorter Bible U Kings io. 26.
chariots and horsemen. ' Solomon had four thousand
stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horse-
men ; * he had a thousand and four hundred chariots.
' The horses which Solomon had were brought out of
Egypt ; the king's merchants received them in droves.
■"And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones,
and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are
in the lowland for abundance. ^ He ruled over all the
kings from the river even to the border of Egypt.
'2 Clnon. ix, 25. ^2 Chron. i, 16. ^2Chron. ix, 26.
'i Kings X, 26. ^2 Chron. ix, 27.
Prov. I. I] Chronologically Arranged.
301
THE PROVERBS.
CHAPTER I.
PROVERBS : OTHER WRITINGS : THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN.
Miscellaneous Proverbs.
' The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of
Israel ;
To know wisdom and instruction ;
To discern the words of understanding ;
To receive instruction in wise dealing,
In righteousness and judgment and equity ;
To give ^ subtilty to the simple.
To the young man knowledge and discretion :
That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning ;
And that the man of understanding may attain unto
sound counsels :
To understand a proverb, and a figure ;
The words of the wise, and their ^ dark sayings.
"^ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom :
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
^ My son, hear the instruction of thy father,
And forsake not the '' law of thy mother ;
For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head.
And chains about thy neck.
* My son, forget not my law ;
But let thine heart keep my commandments ;
For length of days, and years of life.
And peace, shall they add to thee.
' Prov. i, I.
^ Prov. ix, lo.
■• Prov. iii, i.
" Prov. i, 8.
"R.V. marg. , Ox, prudence. '' R.V.
marg. , Or, riddles. '' R. V. marg.,
Or, teachim;.
302 The vShorter Bible [P'ov. 3. 3.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee ;
Bind them about thy neck;
Write them upon the table of thine heart ;
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
And lean not upon thine own understanding:
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
And he shall ^ direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes ;
Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Honor the Lord with thy substance,
And with the first fruits of all thine increase;
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
And thy ^ fats shall overflow with new wine.
My son, despise not the '^ chastening of the Lord ;
Neither be weary of his reproof:
For whom the Lord loveth he reproveth ;
Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
And the man that getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise
of silver,
And the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies ;
And none of the things thou canst desire are to be com-
pared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand ;
In her left hand arc riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
And all her paths are peace.
' Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Say not unto thy neighbor, " Go, and come again.
And to-morrow I will give; "
When thou hast it by thee.
" R. V. maig. , Or, »iaie slraigfit or
' Pruv. iii, 27. phiiii. ^ Or, vats. "^^ R. V. marg., Or,
instritction.
Prov. 4. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 303
' Enter not into the path of the wicked,
And walk not in the way of evil men.
^ Go to the ant, thou sluggard ;
Consider her ways, and be wise :
Which having no chief,
Overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer.
And gathereth her food in the harvest.
How long wilt thou ^ sleep, O sluggard ?
When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep ?
"Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to ^ sleep."
So shall thy poverty come as a robber.
And thy want as an armed man.
'There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more;
And there is that withholdeth "^more than is meet, but
it tendeth only to want.
The liberal soul shall be made fat ;
And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Whoso loveth ^ correction loveth knowledge :
But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
The lip of truth shall be established forever :
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop ;
But a good word maketh it glad.
* When a man's ways please the LORD,
He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great revenues with injustice.
Pride goeth before destruction.
And an haughty spirit before a fall.
The hoary head is a crown of '' glory,
•^ It shall be found in the way of righteousness.
' Prov. iv, 14. "■ R.V. marg.,Heb. lie down. ^ R.V.
'•* Prov. vi, 6. niarg., Or, ivhat is justly due. '^ R.V.
^ Prov. xi, 24. marg. ,Or, instruction. ''R.V. niarg.,
'•Prov. xvi, 7. 0\\ beanty. ''RY . \r\arg., If it i'l' /cinid.
304 The Shorter Bible [Piov. i6. 32.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty ;
And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith,
Than an house full of feasting with strife.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love:
But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
' He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own de-
struction :
But there is a '•' friend that sticketh closer than a
brother.
^ House and riches are an inheritance from fathers :
But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep ;
And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul:
But he that '' is careless of his ways shall die.
He that hath pity upon the poorlendeth unto the LORD,
And his good deed will he pay him again.
Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope;
And set not thy heart on '^ his destruction.
^ Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler;
And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
Even a child maketh himself known by his doings,
Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
The hearing car, and the seeing eye.
The Lord hath made even both of them.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty ;
Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
" It is naught, it is naught," saith the buyer:
But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
There is gold, and abundance of rubies :
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
I'lov. xviii, 24.
Prov. xix, 14.
' Prov. XX, I.
" R. V. maig., Heb. /ovi-y. '' R. V.
marg., Heh. despiscth. '■ R. V. niarg.,
Hcl). caushii^ him to die.
Prov. 20. i;.] Chronologically Arranged. 305
Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man ;
But afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Say not thou, " I will recompense evil ; "
Wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
' The rich and the poor meet together :
The Lord is the maker of them all.
A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself:
But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
Is riches, and honor, and life.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward :
He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And even when he is old he will not depart from it.
He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity:
And the rod of his wrath shall fail.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child ;
But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Rob not the poor, ^ because he is poor.
Neither ^ oppress the afflicted in the gate :
For the Lord will plead their cause.
And despoil of life those that despoil them.
Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger;
And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go :
Lest thou learn his ways.
And get a snare to thy soul.
^ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit ?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
The sluggard saith, " There is a lion in the way ;
A lion is in the streets."
For lack of wood the fire goeth out :
And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire;
So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
' Prov. xxii, 2. I " R. V. marg., Or, /or. ^ K. V.
■•^ Prov. xxvi, 12. I marg., Oi\ criish.
306 The vShorter Bible [Prov. 26. 27.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein :
And he that roUeth a stone, it shall return upon him.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath * wounded ;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Boast not thyself of to-morrow ;
For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth ;
A stranger, and not thine own lips.
Better is open rebuke
Than love that is hidden.
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:
So doth the sweetness of a man's friend that cometh of
hearty counsel.
' A fool uttereth all his ^ anger :
But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Tke IVise Man's Rrqiirst.
^ Two things have I asked of thee ;
Deny me them not before I die :
Remove far from me vanity and lies:
Give me neither poverty nor riches ;
Feed me with the food that is needful for me:
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, " Who is the
Lord ? "
Or lest I be poor, and steal,
And use profanely the name of my God.
A ''Dark Saying," or Riddlf.
' There are three things that are never satisfied.
Yea, four that say not, " Enough :"
What are they?
The grave ; and the barren woman;
The earth that is not satisfied with water;
And the fire.
'Prov. xxix, II. -'I'lov. XXX, 15. I " k.\'. mars;., Ileb. f;//J-//c</. '' R.V.
2 I'lov. XXX, 7. I iiiarg., Ileb. spirit.
Prov.3i.io.] Chronologically Arranged. 307
The Virtuous Woman.
' A virtuous woman who can find?
For her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
And he shall have no lack of gain.
She doeth him good and not evil
AH the days of her life.
She seeketh wool and flax,
And worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships ;
She bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night,
And giveth meat to her household,
And their * task to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it ;
With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength,
And maketh strong her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable :
Her lamp goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle.
She spreadeth out her hand to the poor;
Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household ;
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh for herself '' carpets of tapestry ;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them ;
And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing;
And she laugheth at the time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom ;
And the °law of kindness is on her tongue.
She looketh well to the ways of her household.
And eateth not the bread of idleness.
"R. V. marg., 0\\ portion. ''R. V.
' Prov. xxxi, lO. niarg., Or, ciisliions. ' R. V. marg.,
Or, teaching.
308 The Shorter Bible [Prov. 31. 28.
Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying :
" Many daughters have done virtuously,
But thou excellest them all."
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain :
But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be
praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands ;
And let her works praise her in the gates.
I Kings II. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 309
THE BOOKS OF
SAMUEL, KINGS, AND CHRONICLES,
WITH SELECTIONS FROM THE PROPHETICAL AND
POETICAL BOOKS— Continued.
CHAPTER XVI.
SOLOMON'S DEFECTION AND DEATH; REHOBOAM: THE
KINGDOM DIVIDED.
But' king Solomon loved many strange women of the
nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children
of Israel, " Ye shall not go among them, neither shall
they come among you : for surely they will turn away
your heart after their gods." And he had Solomon's
seven hundred wives, princesses, and three sin-God's
hundred concubines. His wives turned away ^®p^°° •
his heart after other gods when Solomon was old ; and
his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as
was the heart of David his father. Then did Solomon
build an high place for Molech, the abomination of the
children of Ammon. So did he for all his strange wives.
And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his
heart was turned away from the LORD, which had ap-
peared unto him twice, and had commanded him that he
should not go after other gods. Wherefore the LORD said
unto Solomon, " Forasmuch as thou has not kept my cov-
enant, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will
give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I
will not do it, for David thy father's sake ; but I will
rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit I will not
rend away all the kingdom ; but I will give one tribe
to thy son, for David my servant's sake."
' I Kings xi, I.
310 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 11.26.
And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, a servant of Solo-
mon, lifted up his hand against the king. Jeroboam was
a mighty man of valor, and industrious, and Solomon
gave him charge over the labor. And the prophet Ahi-
jah found him in the way. Now Ahijah had clad him-
self with a new garment ; and they two were alone in
the field. And Ahijah laid hold of the new
Jeroboam. garment that was on him, and rent it in
twelve pieces. And he said to Jeroboam, " Take ten
pieces; for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, ' Be-
hold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of
Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee ; because they
have forsaken me, and have worshiped idols, and have
not walked in my ways. Howbeit I will not take the
whole kingdom out of his hand, for David my servant's
sake, ^because he l^ept my commandments. And I will
take thee, and thou shalt be king over Israel. And if
thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and
wilt do that which is right, as David did, I will be with
thee, and will give Israel unto thee.' "
Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam ; but Jero-
boam arose, and fled into Egypt, and was in Egypt until
the death of Solomon.
Now the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over
Solomon ^^^ Israel was forty years. And Solomon
dies-Reho- glept with his fathers, and was buried in the
reigns. city of David his father : and ^ Rchoboam his
son reigned in his stead.
Some words of the 'Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.
' Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher ; all is vanity.
(And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still
taught the people knowledge ; yea, he pondered and
sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The
Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and
that which was written uprightl}'.)
' Whatsoever thy hand findcth to do, do it with ihy
' Eccles. xii, 8.
' Eccles. ix, 10.
» R. V. marg., Or, who kept.
•'B.C. 975. "^ " The Preacher " may
have been Solomon iu his old age.
Eccles. 9. 10.] Chronologically Arranged. 311
might ; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge,
nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth ; and let thy heart
cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the
ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes ; but
know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee
into judgment.
' Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth,
or ever the evil days come, and the years draw nigh,
when thou shalt say, " I have no pleasure in them ; " or
ever the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, be
darkened, and the clouds return after the rain ; in the
day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the
strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease
because they are few, and those that look out of the
windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the
street ; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one
shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters
of music shall be brought low ; yea, they shall be afraid
of that which is high, and terrors shall be in the way ;
and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper
shall be a burden, and ^ the caperberry shall fail; be-
cause man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go
about the streets; or ever the silver cord be '^loosed, or
the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at
the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern ; and the
dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit return
unto God who gave it.
"•^This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard;
fear God, and keep his commandments ; for this is the
whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work
into judgment, '^ with every hidden thing, whether it be
good or whether it be evil.
A protest And Rehoboam went to Shechem ; for all
unheeded. Israel were come to Shechem to make him
king. And they spake unto Rehoboam, saying, "Thy
a R. V. maig., Or, desire. ^ R. V.
\ -c ■, ■■ razxg-.,Ov, snapped asunder. "^R.V.
' Lccles. xn, I. r>. t 'C ; ji /
2 p. , ' ji marg. , Or, Let ns near the conclii-
' sion of the whole matter. ^ R. V.
marg., Or, concerning.
312 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 12.4.
father made our yoke grievous, now therefore make
thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy
yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve
thee."
And he said unto them, " Depart for three days, then
come again to me."
And king Rehoboam* took counsel with the old men,
that had stood before Solomon while he yet lived, and
they spake unto him, saying, "If thou wilt speak good
words to this people this day, then they will be thy serv-
ants forever," But the young men that were grown up
with him spake unto him, saying, " Thus shalt thou say
unto this people, ' My little finger is thicker than my
father's loins. My father did lade you with a heavy yoke,
I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with
whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.' "
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam
the third day, as the king bade. (' For they had called
Jeroboam from Egypt.) ^ And the king answered the
people roughly, saying, " My father made your yoke
heavy, but I will add to your yoke ; my father chas-
tised you with whips, but I will chastise you with
scorpions."
And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not
unto them, the people answered the king, say-
Rebeiiion. j^^^^ a ^j^^^ portion have we in David? To
your tents, O Israel ! Now see to thine own house,
David."
So Israel departed unto their tents.
Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram who was over the
levy; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died.
And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his
chariot to Jerusalem.
And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was returned,
they sent and called him and made him king. ' So Israel
rebelled against the house of David. There was none
that followed the house of David but the house of
=* Judah.
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he
' I Kings xii, 2. ■■^ I Kings xii, 19. I , j^^^^^- .. ume Benjamin " also.
* I Kings xu, 13. I
I Kings 12. 21.] Chronologically Arranged. 313
assembled all the warriors of Judah and Benjamin to fight
against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again
to him.
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man
of God, saying, " Speak unto Rehoboam ^^^ ^^^_
king of Judah, saying, ' Thus saith the LORD, bidden.
" Ye shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the
children of Israel : return every man to his house."
So they hearkened unto the word of the LORD, and
returned.
23
314
The vShorter Bii;le
[2 Chron. It. 5.
[i Kings 12. 25.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE REIGN OF REHOBOAM:
EGYPTIAN INVASION:
REIGN OF ABIJAH: WAR
WITH ISRAEL.
History of Judah.
' "" And Rehoboam dwelt
in Jerusalem. And Judah
and Benjamin belonged to
him. And the priests and
the Levites that were in all
Israel left their suburbs and
Worshipers their possession,
fo^it^°"^ ^^"^^ came to Ju-
judah. dah and Jerusa-
lem : for Jeroboam and his
sons cast them off, that
they should not execute
the priest's office. And
after them such as set their
hearts to seek the Lord,
out of all the tribes of Is-
rael, came to Jerusalem to
sacrifice unto the LORD,
the God of their fathers.
So they strengthened the
kingdom of Judah, and
made Rehoboam the son
of Solomon strong.
^And itcame to pass when
'2Chroii.xi, 5. '^ 2 Chron. xii, i.
B. C. 975.
THE REIGN OF JEROBOAM :
NATIONAL IDOLATRY:
MESSAGES FROM THE
LORD.
History of Israel.
'Then =* Jeroboam built
Shechem in the hill country
of Ephraim.anddweltthere-
in. And he said in his heart,
" Now if this people go up
to offer sacrifices in the
house of the Lord at Jeru-
salem, then shall the heart
of this people turn again
unto Rehoboam, and they
shall kill me, Jeroboam's
and 'the king- golden
, 1 11 ° calves.
domshallreturn
to the house of David."
Whereupon the king made
two calves of gold, and he
said, "''It is too much for
you to go up to Jerusalem ;
behold thy gods, O Israel,
which brought thee up out
of the land of Egypt."
And he set the one in
Beth-el and the other in
Dan.
' I Kings xii, 25. ^ i Kings xii, 26.
» Reign liegan B.C. 975- •• R- V.
marg., Or, Ve have gone up long
enough.
2 Chron. 12. i.]
I Kings 12. 30.]
Chronologically Arranged.
315
the kingdom of Rehoboam
was established,
Idolatry- 1 1
and he was
strong, that he forsook the
law of the Lord, and all
Israel with him. 'They also
built them high places, and
•'■ pillars, on every high hill
and under every green tree.
They did according to the
abomination of the nations
which the Lord dravc out
before Israel. ^ And ^' Shi-
shak king of Egypt came
up against Jerusalem, be-
cause they had trespassed
against the Lord, with
twelve hundred chariots,
and threescore thousand
horsemen, and people
T f without num-
Invasion of
Shishak ber. And he
took the fenced cities which
pertained to Judah, and
came to Jerusalem.
Now a prophet came to
Rehoboam, and the princes
of Judah, that weregathered
together to Jerusalem be-
cause of Shishak, and said
unto them, "Thus saith the
Lord, ' Ye have forsaken
me, therefore have I left you
in the hand of Shishak.' "
Then the princes of Israel
and the king humbled
themselves; and they said,
"The Lord is righteous."
' I Kings xiv, 23. ^ 2 Chron. xii, 2.
'^ R. V. marg. , Or, obelisks.
b B. C. 970.
And this thing became a
sin : for the people went
to worship before them.
And he made priests from
among all the people which
were not of the sons of
Levi.
And Jeroboam ordained
a feast in the eighth month,
like the feast that is in Ju-
dah, and * went up unto the
altar which he had made
in Beth-el, 'sacrificing un-
to the calves that he had
made.
" And, behold, there came
a man of God out of Judah
unto Beth-el; and Jeroboam
was standing by the altar
to burn incense. And the
man of God cried against
the altar, and said, " O al-
tar, altar, thus saith the
Lord, ' Behold, ^' a child
shall be born . , ^,
A prophet's
unto the house message.
of David, Josiah by
name ; and upon thee
shall he sacrifice the
priests that burn incense
upon thee, and men's
bones shall they burn upon
thee.' "
And he gave a sign the
same day, saying, "This is
the sign which the LORD
hath spoken: 'Behold, the
altar shall be rent, and the
' I Kings xii, 32. ^ i Kings xiii, I.
" R. V. marg. , Or, offered upon.
^ 2 Kings xxiii, 15-20.
316
The Shorter Bible
[2 Chron. 12. 7.
[i Kings 13. 3.
And when the LORD saw
National that they hum-
repentance, bled themselves,
the word of the Lord came,
saying, " They have hum-
bled themselves ; I will not
destroy them. Neverthe-
less they shall be servants,
that they may know my
serviceand tlie service of the
kingdom of the countries."
So Shishak king of Egypt
came up against Jerusalem,
and took away the treasures
of the house of the LORD
and of the king's house.
ashes that are upon it shall
be poured out.' "
And when the king heard
the saying of the man of
God, h c put forth his hand
front the altar, saying, "Lay
hold on him ! " And his
hand, which he put forth
against him, dried up, so
that he could not draw it
back. The altar also was
rent, and the ashes poured
out from the altar, ac-
cording to the sign which
the man of God had
given.
And the king answered
and said unto the
man of God, " In-
treat now the favor
of the Lord thy
God, and pray for
nie, that my hand
may be restored."
And the man of
God intreated the
Lord, and the king's
hand was restored
him again, and be-
came as it was be-
fore.
And the king said
unto the man of
God, " Come home
with me, and re-
fresh thyself, and I
will give thee a re-
ward."
And the man of
God said unto the
king, " If thou wilt
I Kings 13.8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 317
give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee,
neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place ;
for it was charged me by the LORD, ' Thou shalt eat no
bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that
thou earnest.' "
Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el ; and one
of his sons came and told him what the man of God
had done that day in Beth-el. And their father said
unto them, " What way went he ? Saddle me the ass."
So they saddled him the ass; and he went after
the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak.
Then he said unto him, " Come home with me, and eat
bread."
And he said, " I may not return with thee. Neither
will I eat bread nor drink water with thee ; for it was
said to me by the word of the LORD, ' Thou shalt eat no
bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the
way that thou camest.' "
And he said unto him, " I am also a prophet as thou
art ; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the
Lord, saying, ' Bring him back with thee into thine
house, that he may eat bread and drink water.' " But
he lied unto him.
So he went back with him. And it came to pass, as
they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord d i d
come unto the prophet that brought him back ; and he
cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, say-
ing, " Thus saith the LORD, ' Forasmuch as t^- v,
11 1 1- , I- 1 Disobe-
thou hast been disobedient unto the com- dience-
1 r 1 T 1 11 Death,
mandment oi the LORD, but camest back,
and hast eaten bread and drunk water, thou shalt not
come unto the sepulcher of thy fathers.' "
And he saddled the ass for the prophet whom he had
brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him
by the way, and slew him. And his body was cast in
the way, and the ass stood by it ; the lion also stood
by it. And, behold, men passed by and saw, and they
came and told it in the city. And when the prophet
that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he
went and found the body cast in the way, and the ass
and the hon standing by. The lion had not eaten i t
318
The Shorter Bible [i Kings 13. 28.
nor torn the ass. And the
God, and came to the city
History of Judah — Continued.
' King Relioboam was
forty and one years old
when he began to reign,
and he reigned seventeen
years in Jerusalem. And he
did not set his heart to seek
the Lord. And there were
Wars with ^^'ai's between
Israel. Rehoboam and
Jeroboam continually.
And Rehoboam slept
DeathofRe- with his fathers,
hotaoam- ^,^j ^^,^3 buried
Abijah. ill the city of
David. And Abijah his
son reigned in his stead.
" In the eighteenth year
of king Jeroboam began
^Abijah to reign over Judah.
And there was war between
Abijah and Jeroboam. Abi-
jah joined battle with four
hundred thousand chosen
men, and Jeroboam set the
battle in array against him
Battle with ^vith eight hun-
Israei. drcd thousand
chosen men, mighty men of
valor.
And Abijah stood upon
a mount, and said, "Hear,
me, O Jeroboam and Israel!
Ought ye not to know that
the Lord gave the kingdom
' 2 Chron. xii, 13. ^ 2 Chron. xiii, i.
^"BrC.'gs?.
prophet took up the man of
to mourn, and to bury him.
And he laid h i m in his
own grave ; and they
mourned over him, saying,
" Alas, my brother ! "
And he spake to his sons,
saying, " When I am dead,
bury me in the sepulcher
wherein the man of God is
buried ; lay my bones be-
side his bones. For the
saying which he cried by
the word of the LORD
against the altar in Beth-el
shall surely come to pass."
After this Jeroboam re-
turned not from his evil
way.
'At that time the son of
Jeroboam fell sick. And
Jeroboam said to his wife,
" Arise, I pray Jeroboam's
thee, and dis- ^°^-
guise thyself, that thou be
not known, and get thee to
Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the
prophet, which spake con-
cerning me that I should be
king over this people is
there. And take with thee
ten loaves, and cracknels, antl
a •' cruse of honey, and go to
him ; he shall tell thee what
shall become of the child."
And Jeroboam's wife
arose, and went to Shiloh,
and came to the house of
Ahijah.
' I Kings xiv, i.
"U. V. marg., Or, bottle.
2 Chron. 13. 5.]
I Kings 14. 4.]
Chronologically Arranged.
319
to David forever ? And
now think ye to withstand
the kingdom of the LORD ?
Have ye not driven out
the priests of the LORD?
But as for us, the Lord is
our God. There are with
you the golden calves which
Jeroboam made for gods;
and with us, behold, God at
our head. O, children of
Israel, fight ye not against
the Lord, the God of your
fathers, for ye shall not
prosper."
But Jeroboam caused an
ambushment to come be-
hind them, and, behold, the
battle was before and be-
hind. And they cried unto
the Lord, and the priests
sounded with trumpets.
Then the men of Judah
gave a shout, and as they
shouted God smote Jero-
boam and all Israel before
Abijah and Judah, and they
fled. Thus the children of
Israel were brought under
at that time, and the chil-
dren of Judah prevailed,
because they relied upon
the Lord, the God of their
fathers. Neither did Jero-
boam recover strength again
in the days of Abijah.
'Abijah reigned three
years in Jerusalem. His
heart was not perfect with
the Lord ; he walked in all
Now Ahijah could not
see ; for his eyes were set
by reason of his age. And
the Lord said unto Ahi-
jah, " Behold, the wife of
Jeroboam cometh to in-
quire of thee- concerning
her son ; for he is sick.
When she cometh in, she
shall feign herself to be
another woman. Thus and
thus shalt thou say unto
her."
And when Ahijah heard
the sound of her feet, as
she came in at the door, he
said, " Come in, thou wife
of Jeroboam, Avhy feignest
thou thyself to be another?
I am sent to thee with
heavy tidings. Go, tell
Jeroboam, 'Thus saith the
Lord, the God of Israel,
"I exalted thee from among
the people, and made thee
prince over my people Is-
rael, and rent the kingdom
away from the house of
David, and gave it thee ;
and yet thou has not kept
my commandments, but
hast done evil above all
that were before thee, and
hast gone and made thee
other gods, to provoke me
to anger; therefore, behold,
I will bring evil upon, and
utterly sweep away, the
house of Jeroboam. Arise
thou therefore, get thee to
' I Kings XV, I.
320 The Shorter Bible f'Ki'T.'^-^'
[i Kings 14. 12.
the sins of his father. Never- thine house; and when thy
theless for David's sake did feet enter into the city, the
the Lord give him a lamp child shall die. And all Is-
in Jerusalem to set up his rael shall mourn for him,
son after him. and bury him."
And Abijahslept with his And Jeroboam's wife
fathers; and they buried arose and departed; and
him in the city of David; as she came to the thresh-
and Asa his son reigned in old of the house the child
his stead. died. And all Israel buried
him, and mourned for him ;
according to the word of
the Lord, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the
prophet.
Death of 'And the days which Jeroboam reigned
King^Na^" were two and twenty years; and he slept
'iab. with his fathers, and ^ Nadab his son reigned
in his stead.
• I Kings xiv, 20. | * B. C. 954.
iKinls/s^tl Chronologically Arranged.
321
CHAPTER XVIII.
REIGN OF ASA; HIS DIS-
EASE AND DEATH : JE-
HOSHAPHAT:
REIGN OF NADAB : OF BAA-
SHA : OF ELAH : CIVIL
WAR: REIGN OF OMRI.
History of Judah — Continued. History of Israel — Continued.
' In the twentieth year of ' Nadab began to reign
Jeroboam king of Israel over Israel in the second
began ^ Asa to reign over year of Asa king of Judah,
King Asa Judah. Forty and he reigned two years
and one years
reigned he in Jerusalem.
Asa did that which was right
in the eyes of the LORD, as
did David his father. He
put away out of the land all
the idols that his father had
made, and also removed his
mother from being ^ queen,
because she had made an
abominable image. Asa cut
down her image and burnt
it at the brook Kidron. The
heart of Asa was perfect
with the Lord all his days.
*And he built fenced cities in Judah, and had an
army o f mighty men of valor.
And there came out against them Zerah, the Ethi-
opian, with an army of a thousand thousand. ^^^^ Ethio-
Then Asa went out to meet him, and they plans.
set the battle in array.
And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said,
He did that which was evil
in the sight of the Lord,
and walked in the way of
his father, and in his sin,
wherewith he made Israel
to sin. And Baasha, of the
house of Issachar, conspir-
ed against him, -p, ,, ^^
^ ' Death of Na-
and smote him. dab-King
T-, . , 1 . , Baasha.
Evenmthethird
year of Asa king of Judah
did '^ Baasha slay him, and
reisrned in his stead.
' I Kings XV, g. - 2 Chron. xiv, 6.
"B. C. 955. ^R. V. marg., Or,
queen tn other.
' I Kings XV, 25.
"B. C. 953.
322 The Shorter Bible [2Chron. 14. n.
" Lord, there is none beside thee to help. Help us,
Prayer- O LoRD our God ; for we rely on thee,
Victory. and in thy name are we come against this
multitude."
So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and
they fled. And the people pursued them, and there fell
so many that they could not recover themselves ; they
were ^destroyed before the LORD. And Asa carried
away very much booty.
And the spirit of God came upon Azariah the p r o p h -
Agracious ^^' ^"*^ ^^^ went out to meet Asa, and said
prophecy. unto him, " Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah
and Benjamin. The Lord is with you, while ye be with
him. If ye seek him he will be found of. you ; but if ye
forsake him, he will forsake you. Be ye strong. Let not
your hands be slack, for your work shall be rewarded."
And when Asa heard these words, he took courage,
and put away the abominations out of all the land of
Asa's good Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities
works. which he had taken. And he renewed the
altar of the Lord. And he gathered all Judah and
Benjamin, and them that sojourned with them ; for they
fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw
that the Lord was with him. And they sacrificed unto
the Lord of the spoil they had brought, and entered
into the covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart.
And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice and
with shoutings, and trumpets, and cornets, and all Judah
rejoiced.
' A PSALM OF ASAPH.
God even God, the Lord, hath spoken,
And called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the
going down thereof.
Out of Zion, tlie perfection of beauty,
God hath shined forth.
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence.
Hear, O my people, and I will speak ;
0 Israel, and I will testify unto thee:
1 am God, even thy God.
' Psalm 1. I » R. V. martj., Heb. broken.
Psalm 50. 9.] Chronologically Arranged.
323
I will take no bullock out of thy house,
Nor he goats out of thy folds.
For every beast of the forest is mine,
And the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains :
And the wild beasts of the field are mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee :
For the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.
Will I eat the flesh of bulls,
Or drink the blood of goats?
Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving ;
And pay thy vows unto the Most High :
And call upon me in the day of trouble ;
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
And Asa brought into the
and gold and vessels. ' And
round about.
But in the six and thir-
tieth year of the king-
dom, Asa being king,
Baasha king of Israel went
up against Judah, and built
Ramah, that he might not
suffer any to go out or come
in to Asa king of Judah.
Then Asa brought silver
and gold out of the treas-
ures of the house of the
Alliance LORD, and sent
with Syria, ^o Ben-hadad
king of Syria, at Damascus,
saying,
" * There is a league be-
tween me and thee. Be-
hold, I have sent thee silver
and gold ! Go, break thy
league with Baasha king of
' 2 Chron. xv, 15.
house of the LORD silver
the Lord gave them rest
History of Israel— Continued.
' And as soon as Baasha
was king he smote all the
house of Jeroboam ; he left
not any that
breathed, ac-
cording to the
saying of the LORD, for the
sins of Jeroboam ; because
he provoked the Lord, the
God of Israel, to anger.
And there was war between
Asa and Baasha king of
Israel all their days.
And Baasha did that
which was evil in the sight
of the LpRD, and walked
in the way of Jeroboam,
House of
Jeroboam
slain.
R. V. marg., Or, Let there be.
' I Kings XV, 29.
324
The Shorter Bible
L2 Chron. 16. 3.
[i Kings 15. 34.
Israel, that he may depart
from me."
And Ben-hadad hearken-
ed unto king Asa, and sent
his armies against the cities
of Israel. And when Baa-
sha heard thereof he left off
building Ramah, and let his
work cease.
' Then king Asa made a
proclamation unto all Ju-
dah,none was exempt ; ''and
they carried away the stones
of Ramah, and the timber
thereof, wherewith Baasha
had builded, and built
therewith Gebaand Mizpah.
And at that time Hanani
the seer came to Asa king
Theproph- of Judah, and
et's rebuke, gaid unto him,
" Were not the Ethiopians
and the Lubim a huge host,
with chariots and horsemen
exceeding many ? Yet, be-
cause thou didst rely on the
Lord, he delivered them
into thine hand. For the
eyes of the LORD run to
and fro throughout the
whole earth, to show him-
self strong in behalf of them
whose heart is perfect
toward him. ^Because thou
hast relied on the king of
Syria, and not on the Lord,
herein thou hast done fool-
ishly. From henceforth
thou shalt have wars."
' Kings XV, 22. -'2 Chron. xvi, 7. I
"^ 2 Chron. xvi, 6. |
and in his sin wherewith
he made Israel to sin.
And the word of the
Lord came against Baasha,
saying, " Forasmuch as I
exalted thee out of the dust,
and made thee prince over
my people Israel ; and thou
hast walked in the way of
Jeroboam, and hast made
my people to sin, behold, I
will utterly sweep away thy
house."
And Baasha slept with
his fathers, and Death of
was buried, and Baasha.
'' Elah his son reigned in
his stead.
In the twenty and sixth
year of Asa king of Judah
began Elah to ^lah-
reign over Is- Drunken,
rael, and he byZimn.
reigned two years.
Now Elah was in Tir-
zah, drinking himself drunk.
And his servant Zimri, cap-
tain of half his chariots,
conspired against him, and
went in and smote him,
and killed him, and ''reigned
in his stead. And as soon
as he sat on his throne, he
smote all the house of
Baasha ; he left him not a
single man child, neither
kinsfolks nor friends. Thus
did Zimri destroy all the
house of liaasha, according
" B. C. 930. '' R. C. 929.
2 Chron. t6. io.]
I Kings i6. 12.]
Chronologically Arranged.
325
Then Asa was wroth, and
, , . put the seer in
Asa's sm. ^, . ,
theprisonhouse;
for he was in a rage with
him. And Asa oppressed
some of the people the same
time.
And in the thirty and
ninth year of his reign Asa
Disease and ^as diseased in
death. his feet. His
disease was exceeding great,
yet he sought not to the
LORD,but tothephysicians.
And Asa slept with his
fathers, and died in the
one and fortieth year of
his reign. And they buried
him in his own sepulchers,
which he had hewn out for
himself in the city of David,
and laid him in the bed
which was filled with sweet
odors and divers kinds of
spices prepared by the
apothecaries' art. And they
made a very great burning
for him. And "' Jehosha-
phat his son reigned in his
stead.
And the LoRD was with
Jehoshaphat, because he
walked in the ways of his
T r. 1- father David,
KingJehosn- , ,
aphat-His and sought not
prosperity. , • i i
unto idols;
but sought the God of his
father, and walked in his
"B. C. 914.
to the word of the Lord,
for all the sins of Baasha
and of Elah his son. And
Zimri did reign in Tirzah
seven days.
But when the people
that were encamped heard
say, " Zimri hath smitten
the king," they made
Omri, captain of ^ ...
, ^ . . Omri king—
the host, kmg Zimri's
, ' , .^ death.
over Israel m
the camp. And Omri went
up and besieged Tirzah.
And the city was taken ;
and Zimri went into the
castle of the king's house,
and burnt the king's house
over him with fire, and
died.
^ Then were the people
divided, half followed Tibni
to make him
king, and half
followed Omri. But Omri
prevailed. So Tibni died
and ^ Omri reigned.
Omri reigned ° twelve
years. He bought the hill
of Shemer for two talents
of silver, and built a city
on the hill, and Samaria the
called the name capital.
Samaria, after Shemer, the
owner of the hill.
And Omri did that which
was evil in the sight of the
Lord above all that were
" During a civil war lasting six years.
*• B. C. 925. '^^ Including the six years
he was fighting for the crown.
Civil -war.
326
The Shorter Bible
[2 Chron. 17. 4.
[i Kings 16, 25.
commandments. There-
fore the Lord stablished
the kingdom in his hand,
and he had riches and hon-
or in abundance. Also in
the third year of his reign
he sent his princes, and with
them the Levites and
priests ; and having the
book of the law of the
Lord with them, they went
about throughout all the
cities of Judah, and taught
the people.
And the fear of the LORD
fell upon all the kingdoms
round about Judah, so that
they made no war against
Jehoshaphat. And Jehosh-
aphat waxed great exceed-
ingly; and he built in Judah
castles and cities of store.
And he had many works in
the cities of Judah; and
men of war, mighty men of
valor in Jerusalem.
before him. Omri slept
with his fathers; and '' Ahab
his son reigned in his stead.
And in the thirty and
eighth year of Asa king of
Judah began Ahab to reign
over Israel, and Ahab-Jeze-
reigned in Sa- ^®^-
maria twenty and two years.
And Ahab did that which
was evil in the sight of the
Lord above all that were
before him. He took to
wife Jezebel the daughter
of the king of the Zido-
nians, and went and served
Baal, and worshiped him.
And he built the house of
Baal in Samaria, and reared
up an altar for Baal, and did
more to provoke the Lord
to anger than all the kings
of Israel that were before
him.
In his days did Hiel the
Beth-elite build Jericho ;
^ he laid the foundation
thereof with the loss of his
firstborn, and set up the gates thereof with the loss of
his youngest son ; according to the word of the LORD,
which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.
''13. C. 918. bjosh. vi, 26.
1 1 .ags 17. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 327
CHAPTER XIX.
ELIJAH ; HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY IN ISRAEL : ELISHA
ANOINTED.
Ministry of Elisha.
And Elijah the Tishbite said unto Ahab, " As the
Lord, the God of Israel, liveth, before whom Elijah be-
I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these foreAhab-
, ,, Drought.
years, but according to my word.
And the word of the Lord came unto Elijah, saying,
** Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thy-
self by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And
thou shalt drink of the brook ; and I have Elijah fed
commanded the ravens to feed thee there." by ravens.
So he went and dwelt by the brook, and the ravens
brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread
and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried
up, because there was no rain in the land. And the word
of the Lord came unto him, saying, " Arise, get thee to
Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there.
Behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to
sustain thee."
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he
came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there
gathering sticks ; and he called to her, and said, " Fetch
me, I pray thee, a little water, that I may drink."
And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and
said, " Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine
hand."
And she said, " I have not a cake, only a handful of
meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse : and,
behold, I am gathering sticks, that I may go in and dress
it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die."
And Elijah said unto her, " Fear not. Go and do as
828 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 17. 13.
thou hast said, but make me thereof a httle cake first,
and bring it forth unto me, and afterward make for thee
and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD, the God of
The un- Israel, ' The barrel of meal shall not waste,
bS-ref^ neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day
that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.' "
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah.
And she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. The
barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil
fail, according to the word of the LORD.
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of
the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick ; and his
sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
And Elijah said unto her, " Give me thy son." And
he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into
the chamber, where he abode, and laid him upon his own
bed. And he stretched himself upon the
The •
widow's child three times, and cried unto the LORD,
^°"' and said, " O LORD, my God, I pray thee, let
this child's soul come into him again." And the LORD
hearkened unto the voice of Elijah ; and the soul of the
child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah
took the child, and brought him down, and delivered
him unto his mother. And Elijah said, " See, thy son
liveth."
And the woman said to Elijah, " Now I know that
thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD
in thy mouth is truth."
And it came to pass that the word of the LoRD came
Promise of ^^ Elijah in the third year, saying, " Go, show
ram. thyself to Ahab ; and I will send rain upon
the earth."
And the famine was sore in Samaria. And Ahab
called Obadiah, which was over the household. (Now
(3badiah feared the LORD greatly; for when Jezebel cut
off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took an hundred,
and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them.) And
Ahab said unto Obadiah, " Go through the land, unto all
the fountains of water, and unto all the brooks: perad-
venturc wc may find grass and save the horses and mules
alive, that we lose not all the beasts."
lKingsi8.6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 329
So they divided the land between them. Ahab went
one way and Obadiah another. And as Oba- Elijah and
diah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him. Obadiah.
And he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, " Is it
thou, my lord Elijah ? "
And he answered him, " It is I. Go tell thy lord, ' Be-
hold, Elijah is here.' "
And he said, "Wherein have I sinned, that thou
wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab to
slay me? There is no nation or kingdom, whither my
lord hath not sent to seek thee. And now thou sayest,
' Go tell thy lord, " Behold, Elijah is here." ' B u t as soon
as I am gone, the spirit of the LORD shall carry thee
whither I know not ; and when Ahab cannot find thee,
he shall slay me. I thy servant fear the LORD from my
youth."
And Elijah said, " As the LORD of hosts liveth, be-
fore whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him
to-day."
So Obadiah went and told Ahab, and Ahab went to
meet Elijah. And when Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said
unto him, " Is it thou, thou troubler of Israel?"
And he answered, " I have not troubled Israel ; but
thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken
the commandments of the LORD, and fol- Elijah be-
lowed the Baalim. Now therefore send, and foreAhab.
gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel, and the
prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the proph-
ets of the idols four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's
table."
So Ahab sent and gathered the prophets together unto
Mount Carmel.
And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said,
"How long halt ye between two opinions? If the
Lord be God, follow him ; but if Baal, then follow him."
And the people answered him not a word.
Then said Elijah unto the people, " I, even I only, am
left a prophet of the LORD ; but Baal's prophets are
four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give
us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for
themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood,
24
330 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 18.23.
and put no fire under ; and I will dress the other bul-
lock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under.
And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on
the name of the LORD ; and the God that answereth by
fire, let him be God."
And all the people answered and said, " It is well
spoken."
And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, "Choose
you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first ; for ye
are many ; and call on the name of your god, but put no
fire under."
And they took the bullock which was given them, and
The great they dressed it, and called on the name of
test. Baal from morning even until noon, saying,
"O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice, nor any
that answered. And they leaped about the altar which
was made.
And at noon Elijah mocked them, and said, " Cry
aloud; for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is
gone aside, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he
sleepeth, and must be awaked."
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their
manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out
upon them, until the time of the evening oblation.
But there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any
that regarded.
And Elijah said unto all the people, " Come near."
And all the people came near unto him.
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the num-
ber of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, and with the
stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. And
he made a trench about the altar, as great as would con-
tain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in
order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the
wood. And he said, " Fill four barrels with water, and
pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood." And
he said, " Do it the second time." And they did it the
second time. And he said, "Do it the third time."
And they did it the third time. And the water ran
round about the altar ; and he filled the trench also with
water.
I Kings 18.36.] Chronologically Arranged. 331
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the
evening oblation, that Elijah came near, and said, "O
Lord, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let
it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and
that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these
things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, that this people
may know that thou, LORD, art God."
Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the
burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones,
and the dust, and licked up the water that heaven-
was in the trench. And when all the people prophets
saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ^^^^^'
" The Lord he is God ! The Lord he is God ! "
And Elijah said unto them, " Take the prophets of
Baal; let not one of them escape."
And they took them ; and Elijah brought them down
to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
And Elisha said unto Ahab, " Get thee up, eat and
drink ; for there is the sound of abundance of rain."
So Ahab went up to eat and to drink.
And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel ; prayingfor
and he bowed himself down upon the earth, ^^^"•
and put his face between his knees.
And he said to his servant, " Go up now and look
toward the sea."
And he went up, and looked, and said, " There is
nothing."
And he said, " Go again seven times."
And it came to pass at the seventh time, that the
servant said, " Behold, there ariseth a cloud out of
the sea, as small as a man's hand."
And Elijah said, " Go, say unto Ahab, ' Make ready
thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee
not.' "
And it came to pass in a little while, that the heaven
grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great
rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. Rain.
And the hand of the LoRD was on Elijah ;
and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the
entrance of Jezreel.
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and
332 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 19. i.
withal how he had slain all her prophets with the
sword.
Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying,
" So let the gods do to me and more also, if I make not
thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about
this time."
And Elijah arose and went for his life, and came
to Beer-shqba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his
servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into
the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper
^,.. , ^ tree. And he requested for himself that he
Elijah nee- .... i ■ t ,, t . • ^ /-%
ingfrom misrht die; and said, ' It is enough ; now, (J
Jezebel. t ^ i it "
Lord, take away my lite.
And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree ; and,
behold, an angel touched him, and said, "Arise and
eat."
And he looked, and, behold, there was at his head a
cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water. And he
did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
And the angel of the Lord came again the second
time, and touched him, and said, " Arise and eat, because
the journey is too great for thee."
And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the
strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto
Horeb the mount of God. And he came unto a cave
and lodged there.
And, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and
said, " Go forth, and stand upon the mount."
And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and
strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the
rocks, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the
wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earth-
quake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LoRD
The still was not in the fire. And after the fire ■' a still
small voice. ^^^^^^ ^^j^^^ ;^,.,^j ^^,1^^.,., pijj.j]^ j^^^rd it, he
wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood
in the entering in of the cave.
And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said,
" What doest thou here, Elijah ? "
And he said, " I have been very jealous for the LORD,
" R. V. marg., Heb. a sound of gentle stillness.
I Kings 19. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 333
the God of hosts ; for the children of Israel have for-
saken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain
thy prophets with the sword ; and I, even I only, am
left ; and they seek my life, to take it away."
And the LORD said unto him, " Go, return : and when
thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael king over Syria ;
and Jehu shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel ; and
Elisha shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room."
So he departed thence and found Elisha plowing,
with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the
twelfth ; and Elijah passed over unto him, EUsha
and cast his mantle upon him. anointed.
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said,
" Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother,
and then I will follow thee."
And he returned, and took the yoke of oxen, and slew
them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the
oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then
he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
334 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 20. j.
CHAPTER XX.
WAR WITH SYRIA: NABOTH'S VINEYARD.
History of Israel — Continued.
And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his
host together. There were thirty and two kings with
him, and horses and chariots. He went up and besieged
Samaria, and fought against it. And he sent messengers
to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said unto him,
. " Thus saith Ben-hadad, ' Thy silver and
besiege thy gold is mine ; thy wives also and thv
Samaria. , ■:, ,=' , <... . ,,, '
children, even the goodhest, are mine.
And the king of Isrqel answered and said, " It is ac-
cording to thy saying, my lord, O king. I am thine and
all that I have."
And the messengers came again and said, " Thus
speaketh Ben-hadad, saying, ' I sent indeed unto thee,
saying, " Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold,
and thy wives, and thy children." But I will send my
servants unto thee to-morrow about this time, and they
shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants ;
whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it
in their hand, and take it away.' "
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the
land, and said, " Sec how this man secketh mischief!"
And all the elders and all the people said unto him,
" Hearken thou not, neither consent."
Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad,
"Tell the king, this thing I may not do."
And the messengers departed.
And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said, " The gods
do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria
shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow
me."
And the king of Israel answered and said, " Tell him,
I Kings 20. II.] Chronologically Arranged. 335
' Let not him that girdeth on his armor boast himself as
he that putteth it off.' "
And Ben-hadad was drinking, he and the kings, in the
paviHons.
And, behold, a prophet came near unto Agracious
Ahab king of Israel, and said, " Thus saith the prophecy.
Lord, ' Hast thou seen all this great multitude? Behold,
I will deliver it into thine hand this day ; and thou shalt
know that I am the LORD.' "
Then Ahab mustered the young men, and after them
all the children of Lsrael, seven thousand. And they
went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drink- a drunken
ing himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the ^^^s-
thirty and two kings that helped him. And the young
men went out first.
And they told Ben-hadad, saying, " There are men
come out from Samaria."
And he said, " Whether they be come out for peace
or for war, take them alive."
But the young men slew every one his man ; and
the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued. And Israel's vic-
Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on an tories.
horse. And the king of Israel smote the horses and
chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.
And the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and
said unto him, " Go, strengthen thyself; for at the return
of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee
again."
And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him,
" Their god is a god of the hills ; therefore they were
stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the
plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. Do this
thing; take the kings away, and put captains in their
room. And number thee an army, like the army that
thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot.
And we will fight against them in the plain, and surely
we shall be stronger than they." And he did so.
And at the return of the year Ben-hadad mustered
the Syrians, and went up to fight against Israel. And
the children of Israel encamped before them like two
little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.
336 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 20. 28.
And a man of God came near and spake unto the
king of Israel, and said, " Thus saith the LORD, ' Be-
cause the Syrians have said, "The Lord is a god of the
hills, but not a god of the valleys ;" therefore will I deliver
all this great multitude into thine hand. And ye shall
know that I am the LORD.' "
And they encamped one over against the other seven
days. And in the seventh day the battle was joined ;
and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred
thousand footmen in one day. But the rest fled. And
Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner
chamber.
And his servants girded sackcloth on their loins, and
put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel,
and said, " Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, ' I pray thee,
let me live ! ' "
Ahab's And Ahab said, "Is he yet alive? He is
weakness. jy^y brother. Go ye, bring him."
Then Ben-hadad came forth to him ; and he caused
him to come up into the chariot.
And Ben-hadad said unto him, "The cities which my
father took from thy father I will restore."
So Ahab made a covenant with him, and let him go.
And a certain man of the sons of the prophets dis-
guised himself with his headband over his eyes. And
as the king passed by, he cried unto the king, and said,
" Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle ; and,
behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me,
and said, ' Keep this man ; if by any means he be missing,
then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay
a talent of silver.'- And as thy servant was busy here
and there, he was gone."
And the king of Israel said unto him, "Thyself hast
decided thy judgment."
And he hasted, and took the headband away from his
eyes ; and the king of Israel discerned that he was of the
Ahab re- prophets. And he said. " Thus saith the
})uked. Lord, ' Because thou hast let go out of thy
hand the man whom 1 had devoted to destruction,
therefore th)- life shall go for his life, and thy people
for his people." "
I Kings 20. 43-] Chronologically Arranged. 337
And the king of Israel came to Samaria, and went to
his house heavy and displeased.
And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth
had a vineyard, hard by the palace of Ahab. Naboth's
And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, " Give vineyard.
me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of
herbs, because it is near unto my house. And I will
give thee a better vineyard ; or, if it seem good to thee,
I will give thee the worth of it in money."
And Naboth said to Ahab, " The LORD forbid that
I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto
thee."
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased,
and laid down upon his bed, and turned away his face,
and would eat no bread.
But Jezebel his wife came and said unto him, " Why is
thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?"
And he said unto her, " Because I said unto Naboth
the Jezreelite, ' Give me thy vineyard,' and he answered,
' I will not give thee my vineyard.' "
And Jezebel said unto him, " Dost thou now gov-
ern the kingdom of Israel? Arise and eat, and let thine
heart be merry. I will give thee the vineyard."
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed
them with his seal. And she wrote in the letters,
" Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the
people. And set two men before him, and let them
bear witness against him, saying, ' Thou didst curse
God and the king.' And then carry him out, and stone
him, that he die."
And the men of his city, even the elders and the
nobles, did as Jezebel had written. Then they sent
to Jezebel, saying, " Naboth is stoned, and is dead."
And Jezebel said to Ahab, " Arise, take possession
of the vineyard of Naboth which he refused to give thee,
for Naboth is not alive, but dead."
And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, h e
rose up to go down to the vineyard.
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah, saying,
" Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel. Behold,
he is in the vineyard of Naboth."
338 The Shorter Bible [i Kings 21. 20.
And Ahab said to Elijah, " Hast thou found me,
O mine enemy? "
And he answered, " I have found thee. Because
Terrible thou hast sold thyself to do that which is
prophecies, gvil in the sight of the LORD, 'Behold,'
saith the LORD, 'I will bring evil upon thee, and
will utterly sweep thee away, and I will make thine
house like the house of Jeroboam, because thou
hast provoked me to anger, and hast made Israel to
sin.' " (But there was none like unto Ahab which did
sell himself to do that which was evil, whom Jezebel,
his wife, stirred up. He did very abominably in follow-
ing idols.)
And it came to pass when Ahab heard those words.
Repentance ^^'^^^ he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth
an5respite. ypon his flesh, and fasted. And the word
of the Lord came to Elijah, saying, " Seest thou how
Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he hum-
bleth himself, I will not bring the evil in his days: but
in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house."
I Kings 22. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 339
CHAPTER XXI.
ALLIANCE BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL AGAINST SYRIA.
JEHOSHAPHAT REPROVED ; DEATH OF AHAB : REIGN
HIS SHIPS WRECKED: OF AHAZIAH : JORAM
JUDGES APPOINTED : EN- KING : TRANSLATION OF
EMIES REPELLED. ELIJAH : ELISHA.
History of Judah and IsraeL
And they continued three years without war be-
tween Syria and Israel. But ^ in the third year, Je-
hoshaphat king of Judah came down to the king of
Israel. ' And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him,
and the people that were with him. ^ And he said
to Jehoshaphat, " Wilt thou go with me to battle to
Ramoth ? "
And Jehoshaphat said, " I am as thou art, my people
as thy people, my horses as thy horses. But inquire, I
pray thee, at the word of the Lord to-day."
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets to-
gether, about four hundred men, and said unto them,
" Shall I go against Ramoth to battle, or shall I for-
bear?"
And they said, " Go up ; for the Lord shall deliver
it into the hand of the king."
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here, besides,
a prophet of the Lord, that we might inquire of
him? "
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, " There
is yet one man, Micaiah, but I hate him, for he doth
not prophesy good concerning me, but evil."
And Jehoshaphat said, " Let not the king say so."
Then the king of Israel called Micaiah. Now Ahab
' 2 Chron. xviii, 2. '■' i Kings xxii, 4. | »B. C. 897.
340 The Shorter Bible [i Kings22. io.
the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah
The false sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes,
prophets. [^ ^n Open place at the entrance of the gate
of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
And Zedekiah made him horns of iron, and said, "Thus
saith the LORD, ' With these shalt thou push the Syrians,
until they be consumed.' " And all the prophets proph-
esied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth, and prosper: for
the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king."
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake
unto him, saying, " Behold now, the prophets declare
The true good unto the king with one mouth; let
prophet. thy word be like the word of one of them,
and speak thou good."
And Micaiah said, " As the LORD liveth, what the
Lord saith unto me, that will I speak."
And the king said unto him, " Micaiah, shall we go to
Ramoth to battle, or shall we forbear?"
And he answered, " I saw all Israel scattered upon the
mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd."
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, " Did I
not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concern-
ing me, but evil ? "
Then Zedekiah came near, and smote Micaiah on the
cheek, and said, " Which way went the spirit of the LORD
from me to speak unto thee ? "
And Micaiah said, " Behold thou shalt see on that day,
when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself."
And the king of Israel said, " Take Micaiah, and
carry him back unto the governor of the city, and say,
'Thus saith the king; put this fellow in the prison, and
feed him with bread of affliction and with water of
affliction, until I come in peace.' "
And Micaiah said, " If thou return at all in peace, the
Lord hath not spoken by me. Hear, ye peoples,all of you."
So Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the
king of Judah went up to Ramoth. And the
The battle. ^-^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^,^-^^ ^^^^^^ Jehoshaphat, " I will
disguise myself, and go into the battle ; but put thou on
thy robes."
Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains
I Kings 22. 31.] Chronologically Arranged. 341
of his chariots, saying, " Fight neither with small nor
great, save only with the king of Israel." And when the
captains saw Jehoshaphat, they said, " Surely it is the king
of Israel," and they turned aside to fight against him.
And Jehoshaphat cried out, ' and the Lord helped him,
and moved them to depart from him. And when the
captains saw that it was not the king of Israel, they
turned back from pursuing him.
And a certain man drew his bow at a venture and
smote Ahab the king of Israel between _ ^
the joints of the armor; wherefore he said
unto the driver of his chariot, " Turn thine hand and
carry me out of the host ; for I am sore wounded."
And the battle increased that day. And about the
time of the going down of the sun the king died. '' And
there went a cry throughout the host, saying, " Every
man to his city, and every man to his country."
So the king died, and was brought to Samaria, and
buried in Samaria.
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah re- death,
turned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
And Jehu the seer went out to meet him, and
^aid, " Shouldest thou help the wicked, and
love them that hate the LORD ? For this phat re-"
thing wrath is upon thee from the LORD. provea.
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in
that thou hast put away the idols out of the land,
and hast set thine heart to seek God."
So Ahab slept with his
... , rTJur-i.- J fathers ; and ^ Ahaziah his
History of Judah — Continued. . ' , . , . ^ ,
son reigned m his stead.
'And Jehoshaphat king ^Ahaziah began to reign
of Judah did over Israel in Samaria in
phat 's ships joinhimselfwith the seventeenth year of
es roye . Aliaziah king of Jehoshaphat king of Ju-
Israel ; the same did very dah, and he reigned two
wickedly. He joined him- years in Samaria over Is-
' 2 Chron. xx, 35.
' 2 Chron. xviii, 31.
'^ I Kings xxii, 36.
* I Kings xxii, 51.
*B. C. 897.
342
The Shorter Bible
[2 Chron. 20. 36.
[i Kings 22. 51.
self with him to make ships
to go to Tarshish.
Then EHezer prophesied
against Jehoshaphat, say-
ing, " Because thou hast
joined thyself with Aha-
ziah, the LORD hath de-
stroyed thy works."
And the ships were bro-
ken, that they were not able
to go to Tarshish.
' And Jehoshaphat dwelt
at Jerusalem. And he went
out again among the peo-
ple, and brought them back
unto the LORD, the God of
their fathers. And he set
Judges ap- judges in the
pointed. land throughout
all the fenced cities, and
said to the judges," Consider
what ye do; for ye judge not
for man, but for the Lord.
Let the fear of the Lord
be upon you. There is no
iniquity with the LORD our
God, nor respect of persons,
nor taking of gifts."
And it came to pass after
this that the children of
Moab, and the children of
Ammon, a 'great multi-
tude, ■' came against Jc-
jndahin- hoshaphat to
vaded. battle. And Je-
hoshaphat feared, and set
himself to seek the Lord ;
Fasting and and he pro-
prayer. claimed a fast
throughout all Judah.
' 2 Chron. xix, 4. '2 Cliion
rael. He did that which
was evil in the Ahaziah
sight of the ^"^e-
Lord, and walked in the
way of his father, and in
the way of his mother, and
in the way of Jeroboam,
wherein he made Lsrael to
sin.
And Ahaziah fell down
through the lattice in his
upper chamber that was in
Samaria, and was sick. And
he sent messengers, and said
unto them, " Go, inquire of
the god of Ekron whether
I shall recover of this sick-
ness."
But the angel of the Lord
said to Elijah, " Arise, go
up to meet the messengers
of the king of Samaria, and
say unto them,' Is it because
there is no God in Israel,
that ye go to inquire of the
god of Ekron ? Now there-
fore, thus saith the Lord,
"Thou shalt not come down
from the bed whither thou
art gone up, but shalt surely
die."
And the messengers re-
turned and said unto him,
"There came up a man to
meet us, and said unto us,
' Go, turn again unto the
king that sent you. Thus
saith the LoRD, " Is it be-
cause there is no God in
Israel, that thou scndcst to
. XX, 2. •'2 Chron. xx, I.
8 Chron. 20. 4.]
2 Kings I. 6.]
Chronologically Arranged.
343
And Judah gathered to-
gether, out of all the cit-
ies, to seek help of the
Lord. And Jehoshaphat
stood in the congregation
of Judah and Jerusalem, in
the house of the Lord, and
said,
" O Lord, the God of our
fathers, art not thou God
in heaven ? And art not
thou ruler over all the king-
doms of the nations? And
in thine hand is power and
might, so that none is able
to withstand thee. Didst
not thou, O our God, drive
out the inhabitants of this
land before thy people Is-
rael, and gavest it to the
seed of Abraham thy friend
forever? And they dwelt
therein, and have built thee
a sanctuary therein for thy
name, saying, ' If evil come
upon us, the sword, judg-
ment, or pestilence, or fam-
ine, we will stand before
this house, and before thee,
(for thy name is in this
house,) and cry unto thee
in our affliction, and thou
wilt hear and save.' And
now, behold, the children
of Ammon and Moab come
to cast us out of thy pos-
session, which thou hast
given us. O our God, wilt
thou not judge them ? For
inquire of the god of Ek-
ron ? Therefore thou shalt
not come down from the
bed whither thou art gone
up, but shalt surely die." ' "
And he said unto them,
" What manner of man was
he which came up to meet
you, and told you these
words ? "
And they answered him,
" He was ^ an hairy man,
and girt with a girdle of
leather about his loins."
And he said, " It is Eli-
jah."
So he died according to
the word of the ^^ ^, ^
_ I • 1 T- 1 • Death of
Lord which Eh- Ahazlah-
• 1 , , , King Joram.
jah had spoken.
And ^ Joram his broth-
e r began to reign in his
stead, because he had no
son.
And it came to pass
'^ when the Lord would
take up Elijah by a whirl-
wind into heaven, that Eli-
jah went with Elisha.
And Elijah said unto
Elisha, " Tarry here, I pray
thee ; for the LoRD hath
sent me as far as Beth-el."
And Elisha said, " As the
Lord livetli, and as thy
soul liveth, I will not leave
thee." So they went down
to Beth-el.
And the sons of the
" R. v. marg., Or, a man with a garment of hair.
B. C. 896.
B. C.
About
344
The vShorter Btbt,e
[2 Chron.2o. 12.
I2 Kings 2. 3.
we have no might against
this great company that
Cometh against us ; neither
know we what to do, but
our eyes are upon thee."
And all Judah stood be-
fore the Lord, with their
Httle ones, their wives, and
their children.
Then upon Jahaziel the
A gracious Levite came
prophecy. ^]^^ ^pi^jt of the
Lord in the midst of the
congregation. And he said,
" Hearken ye, all Judah,
and ye inhabitants of Jeru-
salem, and thou king Jc-
hoshaphat. Thus saith the
Lord unto you, ' Fear not,
neither be dismayed by
reason of this great multi-
tude ; for the battle is not
yours, but God's. Ye shall
not need to fight in this
battle; stand ye still, and
see the salvation of the
Lord. Fear not, nor be
dismayed. To-morrow go
out against them ; for the
Lord is with you.' "
And Jehoshaphat bowed
his head with his face to
the ground, and all Judah
and the inhabitants of Jeru-
salem fell down
worshiping be-
fore the Lord. And the
Levites stood up to praise
the Lord, the God of Is-
rael, with an exceeding
loud voice.
Praise.
prophets that were at Beth-
el came forth to Elisha, and
said unto him, " Knowest
thou that the LoRD will
take away thy master from
thy head to-day ? "
And he said, "Yea, I
know it ; hold ye your
peace."
And Elijah said unto
him, " Elisha, tarry here, I
pray thee ; for the LoRD
hath sent me to Jericho."
And he said, " As the
Lord liveth, and as thy
soul liveth, I will not leave
thee." So tliey came to
Jericho.
And the sons of the
prophets that were at Jeri-
cho came near to Elisha,
and said unto him, " Know-
est thou that the Lord
will take away thy master
from thy head to-day? "
And lie answered, " Yea,
I know it ; hold ye your
peace."
And Elijah said unto
him, "Tarry here, I pray
thee ; for the LoRD hath
sent me to Jordan."
And he said, " As the
. Lord liveth, and as thy
soul liveth, I will not leave
thee." And they two went
on.
And fifty men of the sons
of the prdphets went, and
stood over against them
afar off; and they two stood
2Chron.2o.2o.]
2 Kings 2. 7.]
ChK()N(JLOGICALLY i^RRANGED.
345
And they rose early in
the morning, and went
forth, and as they went,
Jehoshaphat stood and
said, " Hear me, O Judah,
Exhorta- ^nd yc inhabit-
tion. ants of Jerusa-
lem ; believe in the LORD
your God, so shall ye be
established ; believe his
prophets, so shall ye pros-
per."
And when he had taken
counsel with the people, he
appointed them that they
should sing unto the LORD,
as they went out before
the army, and say,
" Give thanks unto the
Lord ;
For his mercy endureth
forever."
And when they began to
sing andto praise the LoRD,
he set their enemies
Great vie- each against
^°^y- the other,
every one helped to de-
stroy another. And when
Jehoshaphat and his people
came to take the spoil, they
found among them in
abundance riches and pre-
cious jewels, more than
they could carry away ;
they were three days tak-
ing the spoil, it was so
much. And on the fourth
day they assembled them-
selves in the valley of Bera-
* R. V. marg., That is, the portion
25
by Jordan. And Elijah
took his mantle, and
wrapped it together, and
smote the waters. And
they were divided hither
and thither, so that they
two went over on dry
ground.
And when they were
gone over, Elijah said unto
Elisha, " Ask what I shall
do for thee, before I be
taken from thee."
And Elisha said, " I pray
thee, let ^ a double portion
of thy spirit be upon me."
And he saicl, " Thou
hast asked a hard thing :
nevertheless, if thou see
me when I am taken from
thee, it shall be so unto
thee."
And it came to pass, as
they still went on, and
talked, that, behold, there
appeared a chariot of fire,
and horses of fire, which
parted them both asunder;
and Elijah went up by a
whirlwind into heaven.
And Elisha saw it, and he
cried, " My father, my fa-
ther ! The chariots of Is-
rael and the horsemen
thereof!" And he saw
him no more.
And he took hold of his
own clothes, and rent them
in two pieces. He took up
also the mantle of Elijah
of the firstborn. See Deut, xxi, 17.
546
The Shorter Bible
[2 Chron. 20. 26.
[2 Kings 2. 13.
call ; there they blessed the
Lord ; therefore the name
The valley of that place
of blessing. ^^,^3 called The
Valley of ^ Beracah, unto
this day. Then they re-
turned, Jehoshaphat in the
forefront of them, to go
again to Jerusalem with
joy; for the LORD had
made them to rejoice over
their enemies. And they
came to Jerusalem with
harps and trumpets unto
the house of the LORD.
And the fear of God was on
all the countries, when they
heard that the LORD fought
against the enemies of Is-
rael. So the realm of Je-
hoshaphat was quiet ; for
his God gave him rest
round about.
that fell from him, and went
back, and stood by the
bank of Jordan. The mantle
And he took of Elijah,
the mantle, and smote the
waters, and said, " Where
is the Lord, the God
of Elijah ? " And when he
also had smitten the wa-
ters, they were divided
hither and thither, and
Elisha went over.
And when the sons of
the prophets which were at
Jericho over against him
saw him, they said, " The
spirit of Elijah doth rest on
Elisha." And they came
to meet him, and bowed
themselves to the ground
before him.
And the men of Jericho
said unto Elisha, " Behold,
we pray thee, the situation
of this city is pleasant, as
my lord seeth ; but the water is naught."
And he said, " Bring me a new cruse, and put salt
Waters therein."
healed. j\^^(^ they brought it to him.
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters,
and cast salt therein, and said, " Thus saith the LORD,
' I have healed these waters.' " So the waters were healed
unto this day.
And he went up from thence unto Beth-el. And as
ho was going up by the way, there came forth ' little
children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto
him, " Go up, thou bald head ; go up, thou bald head."
And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood,
and tare forty and two children of them.
" R. V. marg., Tliat is, Blessing. \ " R. V. marg., Or, young lads.
2 Kings 3- 4] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 347
CHAPTER XXII.
ALLIANCE BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL AGAINST
MOAB: A GREAT VICTORY.
DEATH OF JEHOSHAPHAT : MINISTRY OF ELISHA :
REIGN OF JEFIORAM. GEHAZI PUNISHED.
History of Judah and Israel — Continued.
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster ; and he
rendered unto the king of Israel the wool Moab's
of an hundred thousand lambs, and an hun- rebellion.
dred thousand rams. But it came to pass, when Ahab
was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled.
And king Joram mustered all Israel; and he sent to
Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, "The AiUanceof
king of Moab hath rebelled against me. Wilt S^ ^""^
thou go with me against Moab to battle?" Ifolbf
And he said, " I will."
So they went seven days' journey. And there was
no water for the host, nor for the beasts that followed
them. And the king of Israel said, " Alas ! " But Jehosha-
phat said, " Is there not here a prophet of the LORD ? "
And one of the servants answered, " Elisha is here."
So they went down to him.
And Elisha said to the king of Israel, " What have I
to do with thee ? Get thee to the prophets of thy
father and mother. Were it not that I regard the pres-
ence of Jehoshaphat, I would not look toward thee.
But make this valley full of trenches. For thus saith
the Lord, ' Ye shall not see rain, yet the valley shall be
filled with water: and ye shall drink, both ye and your
cattle. 'And this is but a light thing in the sight of the
Lord ; he will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.' "
And it came to pass in the morning, that, behold, there
came water by the way of Edom, and the country was
filled with water.
348
The Shorter Bible [2 Kings 3. 21,
Now when the Moabites heard that the kings were
come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves
together. And in the morning the sun shone upon the
water, and the Moabites saw the water red as blood.
And they said, " This is blood. They have smitten each
man his fellow. Now therefore to the spoil! "
And when they came to the camp, the Israelites rose
A great ^-'P '^"*^ smote the Moabites, so that they fled
victory. before them. And they went forward, smit-
ing the Moabites. And they beat down the cities, and
stopped the fountains, and felled all the good trees.
And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was
too sore for him, he took seven hundred men to break
through, but they could not. Then he took his oldest
son and offered him on the wall.
And Israel departed from him, and returned to their
own land.
History of Judah — Continued. Ministry of Elisha — Continued.
* Jehoshaphat was thirty
and five years when he be-
gan to reign, and he reigned
twenty and five years in
Jerusalem. And he walked
in the way of Asa his father,
and turned not aside from
it, doing that which was
right in the eyes of the
Lord. Howbeit, the high
places were not taken away,
neither had the people set
their hearts unto the God
of their fathers.
And Jehoshaphat slept
Death of Je- ^^''t'^ his fathers,
hoshaphat. ^nd was buried
with his fathers in the city
of David ; and ^Joram his
son reigned in his stead.
' 2 Chion. XX, 31.
Now there cried a cer-
tain woman of . , .,
. , A prophet's
the wives 01 the widow
prophets unto relieved.
Elisha, saying, "Thy serv-
ant my husband is dead ;
and thou knowest that thy
servant did fear the LORD.
And the creditor is come to
take unto him my two
children to be bondmen."
And Elisha said unto
her, " What shall I do for
thee? What hast thou in
the house? "
And she said, " Thine
handmaid hath not any-
thing in the house save a
pot of oil."
Then he said, " Go, bor-
I »B. C. 889.
2 Kings 4. 3-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 349
row vessels abroad of all thy neighbors ; even empty
vessels ; borrow not a few. And go in, and shut the
door upon thee and thy sons, and pour out into all those
vessels."
So she went from him, and shut the door upon her
and upon her sons ; they brought the vessels to her, and
she poured out. And when the vessels were full, she
said unto her son, " Bring me yet a vessel."
And he said unto her, " There is not a vessel more."
And the oil stayed.
Then she came and told the man of God. And he
said, " Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou
and thy sons of the rest."
And it fell on a day that Elisha passed to Shunem,
where was a great woman ; and she con- Loving
strained him to eat bread. And so it was, hospitality,
that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat
bread.
And she said unto her husband, " Behold now, I per-
ceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by
us continually. Let us make a little chamber, and let
us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool,
and a candlestick, and when he cometh to us, he shall
turn in thither."
And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and turned
into the chamber and lay there. And he said to Gehazi
his servant, "Call this Shunammite."
And she stood before him.
And he said, " Behold, thou hast been careful for us
with all this care ; what is to be done for thee ? Would-
est thou be spoken for to the king ? "
And she answered, " I dwell among mine own people."
And Gehazi answered, "Verily she hath no son."
And she stood in the door, and he said, "At this
season, when a year cometh around, thou shalt embrace
a son."
And she said, " Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do
not lie unto thine handmaid."
And the woman bare a son at that season, Thetwice-
as Elisha had said unto her. given son.
And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that
350 The Shorter Bible [2 Kings 4.18.
he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said
unto his father, " My head ! my head ! " And h i s
father said to his servant, " Carry him to his mother."
And when he had brought him to his mother, he sat
on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went
up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut
the door upon him, and went out.
And she called unto her husband, and said, " Send me,
I pray thee, one of the servants, and one of the asses,
that I may run to the man of God, and come again."
And he said, " Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day?"
And she said, ^" It shall be well."
Then she said to her servant, " Drive, and go forward ;
slacken not the riding except I bid thee." So she came
unto the man of God to Mount Carmel.
And when E 1 i s h a saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi
his servant, " Behold, yonder is the Shunammite ! Run
now to meet her, and say unto her, * Is it well with thee?
Is it well with thy husband ? Is it well with the child ? ' "
And she answered, " It is well."
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she
caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust
her away; but the man of God said, "Let her alone:
for her soul is ^' vexed within her; and the Lord hath
hid it from me,"
Then she said, " Did I desire a son of my lord ? Did
I not say, * Do not deceive me ? ' "
Then he said to Gehazi, " Gird up thy loins, and take
my staff, and go, and lay my staff upon the face of the
child."
And the mother of the child said, "As the Lord liveth,
and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee."
And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed
on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the
child ; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Where-
fore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying,
" The child is not awaked."
And when Elisha was come into the house, behold,
the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in
therefore, and shut the door, and prayed unto the LoRD.
" R. V. marg., llth. Peace. ^ R. V. marg., Heb. l>ii/er.
2 Kings 4. 34.] Chronologically Arranged. 351
And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his
mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and
his hands upon his hands, and stretched himself upon
him ; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he
returned, and walked in the house once to and fro ;
and went up, and * stretched himself upon him.
And the child sneezed seven times, and the child
opened his eyes.
And he called Gehazi, and said, " Call this Shunam-
mite." So he called her.
And when she was come in unto him, he said, "Take
up thy son."
Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself
to the ground. And she took up her son, and went out.
And Elisha came to Gilgal, and the sons of the proph-
ets were sitting before him.
And he said unto his servants, " Set on the great pot
and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets."
And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and
found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild ^ .
11-1 r 11 1 11 1 ii Poisonous
gourds his lap luU, and came and shred tnem pottage
into the pot of pottage : for they knew them Sealed,
not. So they poured out for the men to eat.
And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pot-
tage, that they cried out, and said, " O man of God,
there is death in the pot ! " And they could not eat
thereof.
But he said, "Then bring meal." And he cast it into
the pot ; and he said, " Pour out for the people, that
they may eat." And there was no harm in the pot.
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria,
was a great man with his master, and honorable, because
by him the LORD had given victory unto Syria. He was
also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
And the Syrians had brought away captive out of the
land of Israel a little maid ; and she waited
on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her tifeTttfe^'"'^
mistress, " Would God my lord were with "^^*^-
the prophet that is in Samaria ! Then would he recover
him of his leprosy."
^ R. V. marg. , Or, and embraced the child.
352 The Shorter Bible [2 Kings 5. 5.
And the king of Syria said, " Go to, go, and I will send
a letter unto the king of Israel."
And N a a m a n departed, and took with him ten talents
of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes
of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of
Israel, saying, " And now when this letter is come unto
thee, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to thee,
that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy."
And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he
rent his clothes, and said, " Am I God, to kill and to
make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover
a man of his leprosy? See how he seeketh a quarrel
against me."
And when Elisha the man of God heard that the king
Naaman and ^^ Israel had rent his clothes, he sent to the
Elisha. king, saying, " Wherefore hast thou rent thy
clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know
that there is a prophet in Israel."
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots,
and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And
Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, " Go and wash
in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to
thee, and thou shalt be clean,"
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said,
" Behold, I thought, ' He will surely come out to me, and
stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and
wave his hand over the place, and recover the leper.'
Are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the
waters of Israel ? May I not wash in them and be clean ? "
So he turned and went away in a rage.
And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and
said, " My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some
great thing, wouldest thou not have done it ? How much
rather then, when he saith to thee. ' Wash, and be
clean ? ' "
Then went Naaman down and dipped himself seven
times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man
T-T of God. And his flesh came again like
Naaman r, , r- i- i i -i i 11
healed. unto the flesh of a little child, and lie was
clean. And he returned unto the man of God, he and
all his company, and stood before him, and said, " Be-
2 Kings 5- 1 5-] Chronologically Arranged. 353
hold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth,
but in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, take a pres-
ent of thy servant."
But Elisha said, " I will receive none."
And he urged him to take it ; but he refused.
And Naaman said, " Let there be given to thy servant
two mules' burden of earth. For thy servant will hence-
forth offer neither burnt offerings nor sacrifice unto other
gods, but unto the LORD."
And Elisha said unto him, " Go in peace,"
But Gehazi,the servant of Elisha,said, "Behold, my mas-
ter hath spared this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands
that which he brought. I will run after him, and take
somewhat of him." So Gehazi followed after Naaman.
And when Naaman saw one running after him, he
lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said,
"Is all well.?"
And he said, "All is well. My master hath sent me,
saying, ' Behold, even now there be come to Gehazi's
me from the hill country of Ephraim two lying,
young men of the sons of the prophets. Give them, I
pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of raiment.' "
And Naaman said, " Be content. Take two talents."
And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in
two bags, with two changes of raiment, and laid them
upon two of his servants*. And when Gehazi came to
the hill he took them from their hand, and bestowed
them in the house. And he let the men go, and they
departed, but he went in and stood before his master.
And Elisha said, "Whence comest thou, Gehazi?"
And he said, " Thy serv-
ant went no whither."
History of Judah— Continued. And Elisha said unto him,
" Went not mine heart with
' In the fifth year of Jo- thee when the man turned
ram king of Israel, Je- again from his chariot to
hoshaphat being then king meet thee ? Is it a time to
of Judah, Jehoram began receive money Gehazi
to ^ reign. He was thirty and garments ? punished,
and two years old when he The le[)rosy therefore of
' 2 Kings viii, i6. | " With his father, Jehoshaphat.
354
The Shorter Bible
[2 Kings 8. 17.
[2 Kings 5. 27.
began to reign, and he
Kingjeho- reigned eight
wi'^ke^-^ y^''^^^ "^ Jerusa-
ness. Icin. ' He had
s i X brethren, the sons of Je-
hoshaphat. And theirfather
gave them great gifts, of
silver and gold and precious
things, with fenced cities in
Judah ; but the kingdom
gave he to Jehoram, because
he was the firstborn.
Now when Jehoram was
risen up over the kingdom
of his father, and had
strengthened himself, he
slew all his brethren with
the sword, and divers also
of the princesof Israel. And
he walked in the way of the
kings of Israel, as did the
house of Ahab ; for he had
the daughter of Ahab to
wife. He did that which
was evil in the sight of the
Lord, and led Judah
astray.
^ In his days Edom re-
Revoit of volted from un-
Judah, and made a king
over themselves, because
he had forsaken the LORD,
the God of his fathers.
' Howbeit the Lord would
not destroy the house of
David, because of the cove-
nant that he had made.
Naaman shall cleave unto
thee, and unto thy seed
forever ! " And Gehazi
went out from his presence
a leper as white as snow.
And the sons of the
prophets said unto Elisha,
" Behold now, the place
where we dwell is too strait
for us. Let us go, we pray
thee, unto Jordan, and take
thence every man a beam,
and let us make a place
where we may dwell."
And he answered, " Go
ye."
And one said, " I pray
thee, go with thy servants."
And he answered, " I
will go."
And when they came to
Jordan they cut iron swim-
down wood. But ^^"^s-
as one was felling a beam,
the ax-head fell into the
water. And he cried, and
said, " Alas, my master !
for it was borrowed."
And the man of God
said, " Where fell it ? "
And he showed him the
place.
And he cut down a stick,
and cast it in thither, and
made the iron to swim.
And he said, " Take it up to
thee." So he put out his
hand and took it.
' 2 Chron. xxi, 2.
■■' 2 Chron. xxi, S.
2 Clnon. xxi, 7.
2 Kings 6. 8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 355
CHAPTER XXIIL
ELISHA AND THE SYRIANS: SAMARIA BESIEGED : FLIGHT
OF THE SYRIANS: ELISHA AND THE RULERS OF SYRIA.
History of Israel — Continued.
Now the king of Syria warred against Israel ; and he
took counsel with his servants, saying, " In such and such
a place shall be my camp." And the man of God sent
unto the king of Israel, saying, " Beware that thou pass
not such a place; for thither the Syrians are coming
down."
And the king of Israel saved himself there, not once
nor twice.
And the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled
for this thing, and he called his servants, and said unto
them, " Will ye not show me which of us is for the king
of Israel? " And one of his servants said, " Nay, my
lord, O king. But Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel,
telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in
thy bedchamber."
And he said, " Go, and see where he is, that I may
send and fetch him."
And it was told him, saying, " Behold, he is in Dothan."
Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great
host ; and they came by night, and compassed the city
about.
And when the servant of the man of God was risen
early, and gone forth, behold, an host with horses and
chariots was round about the city. And his servant said
unto him, "Alas, my master! how shall we Eiisha in
do ? " danger.
And he answered, " Fear not ! For they that be with
us are more than they that be with them."
And Elisha prayed, and said, " LORD, I pray thee,
open his eyes, that he may see."
35(3 The Shorter Bible [2Kings6. 17.
And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man ;
and he saw : and, behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto
the Lord, and said, " Smite this people, I
defenses. pray thee, with blindness." And he smote
them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And Elisha led them to Samaria.
And it came to pass, when they were come into Sa-
maria, that Elisha said, " Lord, open the eyes of these
men, that they may see."
And the Lord opened their eyes and they saw ; and,
behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw
them, "My father, shall I smite them? Shall I smite
them ? "
And he answered, " Thou shalt not smite them. Set
bread and water before them, that they may eat and
drink, and go to their master."
And he prepared great provision for theni. And. when
they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they
went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no
more into the land of Israel.
And it came to pass after this, that Bcn-hadad king of
. Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and
sieged- besieged Samaria. And there was a great
"^"^ ■ famine in Samaria; they besieged it, until
an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver.
And as J o r a m the king of Israel was passing by upon
the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, " Help,
my lord, O king."
And the king said, " What aileth thee ? "
And she answered, " This woman said unto me, ' Give
thy son that we ma)' eat him to-day, and we will eat my
son to-morrow.' So we boiled my son, and did eat him.
And I said unto her on the next day, 'Give thy son, that
we may eat him,' and she hath hid her son ! "
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words
of the woman, that he rent his clothes ; then he said,
" God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha
shall stand on him this day."
2Kings6. 33.] Chronologically Arranged. 357
But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders witli him.
And the king sent a man from before him. But ere the
messenger came to him, he said to the elders, "See ye
how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine
head? Look! When the messenger cometh, hold the
door fast against him. Is not the sound of his master's
feet behind him ? "
And while he yet talked with them, behold, the mes-
senger came, and the king behind.
And the king said, " Why should I wait for the
Lord any longer ? ' "
And Elisha said, " Hear ye the word of the Prophecy of
Lord. Thus saith the Lord, ' To-morrow plenty,
about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for
a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the
gate of Samaria.' "
Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned an-
swered the man of God, and said, " Behold, if the LORD
should make windows in heaven, nn'ght this thing be."
And Elisha said, " Behold, thou shalt see it w^ith thine
eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."
Now there were four leprous men at the entering in of
the gate ; and they said one to another, rj<-^Q f^^j,
" Why sit we here until we die ? If we enter lepers.
into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we
shall die there, and if we sit still here, we die also. Now
therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syr-
ians. If they save us alive, we shall live ; and if they
kill us, we shall but die."
And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp
of the Syrians.
And when they were come to the outermost part of
the camp, behold, there was no man there. For the
Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise
of chariots and horses, even the noise of a great host ;
and they said one to another, " Lo, the king of Israel
hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the
kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us." Wherefore
they arose ad fled in the twilight, and left their tents,
and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was,
and fled for their life. And when these lepers came to
358 The vShorter Bible [2 Kings 7. 8.
the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and
drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment,
and hid it ; and they came back, and entered into
another tent, and carried thence also, and hid it.
Then they said one to another, " We do nat well.
This day is a day of good tidings, and we
00 news. j-jqJ^j q^j. peace. If we tarry till the morning
light, punishment will overtake us ; now therefore come,
let us go and tell the king's household."
So they came and called unto the porter of the city ;
and they told it to the king's household within.
And Joram the king arose in the night, and said unto
his servants, " I will now show you what the Syrians
have done. They know that we be hungry ; therefore
are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the
field, saying, ' When they come out of the city, we shall
take them alive, and get into the city.'"
And one of his servants answered and said, " Let us
send and see."
They took therefore two chariots with horses, and went
after them unto Jordan ; and, lo, all the way was full of
garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away
in their haste. And the messengers returned and told
the king.
And the people went out, and spoiled the camp of the
Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel,
and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the
word of the LoRD.
And the king appointed the captain on whose hand he
leaned to have the charge of the gate ; and the people
trode upon him in the gate, and he died as the man of
God had said.
And Elisha came to Damascus. And Ben-hadad the
king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying.
" The man of God is come hither." And the king said
unto Hazael, "Take a present in thine hand,
fhi^'mieAfof and go meet the man of God, and inquire of
Syria. |-|,^ LoRi) by him, if I shall recover of this
sickness ? " So Hazael took a present of every good thing
of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood
before him and said, " Thy son Ben-hadad king of
Kings 8. 9.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
359
Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, ' Shall I recover of
this sickness.' "
And Elisha said unto
History of Judah — Continued.
' And the LORD stirred up
against Jehoram the Philis-
Judahin- tines and Ara-
vaded. bians, and they
came up against Judah, and
brake into it, and carried
away all the substance that
was found in the king's
house, and his sons also, and
his wives ; so that there
was never a son left him,
save the youngest.
And after all this the
Lord smote him with an
Death of incurable dis-
Klng'iha- ease, and at the
=2iah. end of two years
he died of sore diseases.
And his people made no
burning for him, like the
burning of his fathers. He
departed without being de-
sired ; and they buried him
in the city of David, but
not in the sepulchers of the
kings.
And the inhabitants of
Jerusalem made * Ahaziah
his youngest son king in
his stead ; for the Arabians
had slain'all the eldest. So
Ahaziah the son of Jeho-
ram king of Judah reigned.
' 2 Chron. xxi, i6. I
him, " Go, say unto him,
* Thou shalt surely recover.'
Howbeit the Lord hath
showed me that he shall
surely die."
And the man of God
wept.
And Hazael said, " Why
weepeth my lord ? "
And he answered, " Be-
cause I know the evil that
thou wilt do unto the chil-
dren of Israel. Theirstrong-
holds wilt thou set on fire,
and their young men wilt
thou slay with the sword,
and wilt dash in pieces their
little ones."
And Hazael said, " But
what is thy servant, which
is but a dog, that he should
do this great thing?"
And Elisha answered,
" The Lord hath showed
me that thou shalt be king
over Syria? "
Then he departed from
Elisha and came to his
master, who said to him,
" What said Elisha to
thee?"
And he answered, " He
told me that thou shouldest
surely recover."
And it came to pass on the
morrow that he a murder in
took a coverlet, Syria,
and dipped it in water,
«B. C. 88";.
360 The Shorter Bhjle f' S.J'iT.' f •.='
L2 Mnj;s 8. 15.
Forty and two years old and spread it on his face,
was h e when he began to so that he died. And Ha-
reign ; and he reigned one zael reigned in his stead,
year in Jerusalem. His
mother's name was Atha-
liah the gran d -daughter of Omri. He also walked
in the ways of the house of Ahab ; for his mother was
his counselor to do wickedly. He did that which was
evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab ;
for they were his counselors to his destruction.
2Kings8.29.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 361
CHAPTER XXIV.
JEHU ANOINTED KING; DESTROYS ALL THE HOUSE OF
AHAB, WITH AHAZIAH, KING OF JUDAH.
History of Judah and Israel — Continued.
' And Ahaziah king of Judah went down Ahaziah's
to see *Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, jjfram?
because he was sick.
And EHsha the prophet called one of the sons of the
prophets, and said unto him, " Gird up thy loins, and take
this vial of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth, And
when thou comest thither, look out Jehu the son of
Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among
his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber. Then
take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, jehu
and say, ' Thus saith the LORD, " I have anointed,
anointed thee king over Israel." ' Then open the door,
and flee, and tarry not."
So the young prophet went to Ramoth. And when
he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting.
And he said, " I have an errand to thee, O captain."
And Jehu arose and went into the house. And he
poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, "Thus
saith the LORD, the God of Israel, ' I have anointed thee
king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel.
And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that
I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and
the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand
of Jezebel.' "
And he opened the door and fled.
Then Jehu came forth. And one said unto him, " Is
all well? Wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? "
And he said unto them, "He spake to me, saying,
' 2 Kings viii, 29. | * His mother's brother.
26
362 The Sh()RTp:r Bible [2 Kings 9. 12.
' Thus saith the LORD, " I have anointed thee king over
Israel."
Then they hasted and blew the trumpet, saying, "-'Jehu
is king."
So Jehu conspired against Joram.
Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel ; for Joram
lay there sick. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come
down to see Joram.
Now the watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and
he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, " I
see a company."
And Joram said, "Take a horseman and send to meet
them, and let him say, ' Is it peace ? ' "
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said,
" Thus saith the king, ' Is it peace ? ' "
And Jehu said, " What hast thou to do with peace?
Turn thee behind me."
And the watchman told, saying, " The messenger
came to them, but he cometh not again."
Then he sent out a second on horseback.
And the watchman told, saying, " He came even unto
Jehu'sfuri- them, and cometh not again. And the driv-
ous driving. j,^g j^ jjj^^ ^j^^ driving of Jehu the son of
Nimshi ; for he driveth furiously."
And Joram said, " Make ready my chariot."
And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah,
each in his chariot, went out to meet Jehu, and found
him in the field Naboth.
And when Joram saw Jehu he said, " Is it peace,
Jehu?"
And he answered, " What peace so long as the sins
of thy mother Jezebel are so many ? "
And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to
Ahaziah, " There is treachery, O Ahaziah."
And Tehu drew his bow with his full
Joram slam. , , , , , , , .
strength, and smote Joram, and the arrow
went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
Then said Jehu to his captain, " Take up, and cast
him in the field of Naboth. For remerriber how, when I
an5 thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LoRD
" Reign began B. C. 884.
2 Kings 9. 25.] Chronologically Arranged. 363
'"^ laid this burden upon him, 'Surely I have seen
the blood of Naboth, and I will requite thee in this
plat.'"
But the king of Judah fled by the way of the garden
house. And Jehu followed after, and smote Ahaziah
him and he died. And his servants carried slain,
him, in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his
sepulcher with his fathers in the city of David. * For they
said, " He is the son of Jchoshaphat, who sought the
Lord with all his heart."
And the house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the
kingdom.
^ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard
of it ; she was t h e w i f e o f A h a b jezebei
andthemotherofking Jo ram. And ^^^^^•
she painted her eyes, and tired her head, and looked out
at the window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she
said, " Is it peace, thou Zimri, thy master's murderer?"
And he lifted up his face to the window and said,
" Who is on my side ? Who ? "
And there looked out to him two or three.
And he said, " Throw her down."
So they threw her down, and she died, as the LORD
spake by his servant Elijah.
Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria, and Jehu
wrote letters unto the rulers, saying, " If ye be Ahab's sons
on my side take the heads of your master's ^^^^"•
sons."
And they took the king's sons and slew them.
So Jehu smote all the house of Ahab. ^And he said
to all the people, " Know now that there shall fall unto
the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which h e
spake concerning the house of Ahab. The LORD hath
done that which he spake by his servant Elijah."
And he arose and went to Samaria, and smote all
that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, and all the proph-
ets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests.
And they brought forth the pillars that were in the
house of Baal, and burned them, and brake down the
' 2 Chron. xxii, 9. ^2 Kings x, 9. I " R. V. marg., Or, uttered this
^2 Kings ix, 30. | oracle against him.
364 The Shorter Bible [i Kings lo. 27.
house of Baal. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam, Jehu departed not,
to wit, ^ the golden calves in Beth-el and Dan.
And the Lord said to Jehu, " Thy sons to the fourth
generation shall sit on the throne of Israel,"
* I Kings xii, 26-28.
2 Chron. 22. 10
2 Kings 10. 36.
1 Chronologically Arranged.
365
CHAPTER XXV.
ATHALIAH THE USURPER : JEHU S REIGN ; DEATH
JOASH SAVED ; MADE
KING: THE TEMPLE RE-
PAIRED : JOASH'S DE-
FECTION, DISTRESSES,
DEATH.
REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ:
KING JEHOASH.
History of Judah — Continued. History of Israel— Continued.
' And the time that Jehu
reigned over Is- j^^,^ ^^ .^.^
rael in Samaria throne,
was twenty and eight years,
* But Jehu took no heed to
walk in the law of the
Lord, the God of Israel,
with all his heart ; he de-
parted not from the sins of
Jeroboam, wherewith he
made Israel to sin.
' Now when Athaliah the
Athaiiah mother of Aha-
usurping . , .1^1
the throne, ziah saw that her
son was dead, she arose and
destroyed all the seed royal
of the house of Judah.
But Jehosheba, ^ daughter
of king Joram, and sister
of Ahaziah, ^ wife also of
Jehoiada the priest, took
Joash the son of Ahaziah,
and stole him away from
among the king's sons that
were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedchamber.
So Jehosheba hid him from Athaliah that she
slew him not. And he was with them hid in
the house of God six years. And Athaliah reigned over
the land.
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself,
and took the captains into covenant with him, and " took
an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and showed
them the king's son. ""And they went about in Judah,
and gathered the Levites, and the heads of houses, and
Joash hid.
' 2 Chron. xxii,io. ^2 Kings xi, 4.
"^2 Kings xi, 2. '•'2 Chron. xxiii, 2.
^ 2 Cliron. xxii, II.
' 2 Kings X, 36.
' 2 Kings X, 31.
366 The Shorter Bh^le [2 chron. 23. 2.
they came to Jerusalem. And all the congregation
made a covenant in the house of God.
And J e h o i a d a said unto them, " Behold, J o a s h ,
the king's son, shall reign, as the LORD hath
setsjoashon spoken concerning the sons of David. This
is the thing that ye shall do : a third part
of you shall be a t the doors, and a third part at the
king's house, and a third part at the gate ; and all the
people shall be in the courts of the house of the LoRU.
And the Levites shall compass the king round about,
every man with his weapons in his hand."
So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that
Jehoiadathe priest commanded. And Jehoiada delivered
to the captains the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that
had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
And he set all the people by the king round about, every
man with his weapon in his hand. Then they brought
out the king's son and put the crown upon him, and
gave him the testimony, and made him king. And
Jehoiada and his sons anointed him. And they clapped
their hands and said, " God save the king."
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the people run-
ning and praising the king, she came to the people into the
house of the LoRl). And she looked, and, behold, the king
stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the
trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land re-
joiced, and blew with trumpets; the singers also played
on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise.
Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, "Treason!
treason ! "
And Jehoiada tlie priest brought out the captains and
said to them, " Slay her not in the house of the LoRD."
Athaliah And she went to the gate, and they slew her
slain. there.
' And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD
and the king and the people, that they should be the
A solemn Lord's people. And all the people went to
covenant. the liouse of l^aal, and brake it down, his al-
tars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly.
'■'And Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of
' 2 Kings xi, 17. '•'2 Chroii. xxiii, 18.
2Chron.23. i8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 367
the Lord, under the hand of the priests the Levites,
whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD,
to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written
in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing.
And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the
Lord. And he took the captains and nobles and govern-
ors, and all the people, and brought down the king from
the house of the LoRD unto the king's house, and set
the king upon the throne. So all the people of the land
rejoiced, and the city was quiet.
^ Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.
' In the seventh year of Jehu began Joash to reign, and
he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. And Joash did
that which was right in the eyes of the Lord all the
days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. "And
Jehoiada took for him two wives ; and he begat sons and
daughters.
And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded
to restore the house of the Lord. For the sons of
Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house
of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house
of the Lord did they bestow upon idols.
^ And he gathered together the priests and the Levites,
and said to them, " Go out unto the cities of The temple
Judah, and gather of all Lsrael money to re- repaired.
pair the house of your God from year to year, and see
that ye hasten the matter."
And "Jehoiada took a
chest and bored a hole in the History of Israel— Continued,
lid of it, and set it beside
the altar on the right hand, * And Jehu slept with
as one cometh into the his fathers ; and
house of the Lord. 'And they buried him jehu-King
they made a proclamation in Samaria. And
through Judah and Jerusa- ^Jehoahaz his son reigned
lem, to bring in for the in his stead.
'2 Kings xii, i.
* 2 Cliron. xxiv, 3.
'2 Chion. xxiv, 5. ' 2 Kings x, 35.
*2 Kings xii, 9. Tb. C. 856.
= 2 Chron. xxiv, 9.
" B. C.~878.
368
The Shorter Bible
[2 Chron. 24. g.
[2 Kings 13. I.
Lord the tax that Moses
laid upon Israel in the
wilderness. And all the
princes and people re-
joiced and brought in, and
cast into the chest. And
the chest was brought un-
to the king's office, and
when they saw that there
was much money, the
king's ^ scribe and the
priest's officer came and
emptied the chest, and took
it, and carried it to its place
again. Thus they did day
by day, and gathered
money in abundance. And
the king and Jehoiada gave
it to such as did the work,
and they hired masons and
carpenters. So the work-
men wrought and the work
was perfected ; and they
set up the house of God in
its state, and strengthened
it. And when they had
made an end, they brought
the rest of the money a n d
made vessels for the house
of the Lord, spoons, and
vessels of gold, and silver.
And they offered burnt of-
ferings in the house of the
Lord all the days of Je-
hoiada.
But Jehoiada waxed old
Death of ''"■'^J full of days,
Jehoiada. ^^,-,j j^^. died; an
hundred and thirty years
old was he when he died.
■' 1\. \'. niciifj.. Or, srcirldiv.
' In the three and twenti-
eth year of Joash king of
Judah, Jehoajiaz, the son
of Jehu, began to reign
over Israel in Samaria, and
reigned seventeen years.
He did that which was evil
in the sight of the LORD,
and followed the sins of
Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
wherewith he made Israel
to sin ; he departed not
therefrom. And the anger
of the Lord was kindled
against Israel, and he de-
livered them into the hand
of Hazael king of Syria,
and into the hand of Ben-
hadad, his son, continually.
He left not to Jehoahaz of
the people save fifty horse-
men, and ten chariots, and
ten thousand Distressed
footmen ; for -Delivered,
the king of Syria destroyed
them, and made them like
the dust in threshing.
And Jehoahaz besought
the Lord, and the LORD
hearkened unto him, for he
saw how the king of Syria
oppressed Israel. And the
Lord gave Israel a sav-
iour, so that they went
out from under the hand
of the Syrians, and dwelt
as bcforetime. Neverthe-
less they departed not from
the sins of the house of
Jeroboam.
' 2 Kiiiqs xiii, I.
2Chron. 24. i6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED,
3G9
And they buried him in the city of David among the
kings, because he had done good in Israel.
Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of
Judah and made obeisance to the king. Then the king
hearkened unto them, and they forsook the joash serves
Lord, the God of their fathers, and served ^^^o^s-
idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem forthis.
And the spirit of God '■• came upon Zechariah the son of
Jehoiada the priest ; he stood above the people, and said
unto them, " Thus saith God, ' Why transgress ye the com-
mandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? Be-
cause ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath forsaken you.' "
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with
stones at the commandment of the king in the court of
the house of the LORD. Thus Joash the king remem-
bered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had
done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he
said, "The LORD look upon it, and require it."
And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the
Syrians came with a small company of men, and de-
stroyed the princes; the LORD delivered a very great host
into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord
the God of their fathers.
So they executed judg-
ment upon Jo-
Joash's dis- , a i i
tress and ash. And when
death. ^j^^y ^^,.g ^^_
parted from him, (for they
left him in great diseases,)
his own servants conspired
against him for the blood
of Z e c h a r i a h the priest,
and slew him on his bed,
and he died. And they
buried him in the city of
David, but they buried him
not in the sepulchers of the
kings. And ^Amaziah his
son reigned in his stead.
* R. V. marg., Heb. clothed itself
with. ^ B. C. 830.
History of Israel — Continued.
And Jehoahaz slept with
his fathers ; and Death of Je-
they buried him ^°i^^%o-
in Samaria. And ^^'^•
^ Jehoash his son reigned
in his stead.
In the thirty and seventh
)'ear of Joash king of Ju-
dah began Jehoash to
reign over Israel in Sama-
ria, and he reigned sixteen
years. He did that which
was evil in the sight of the
Lord.
''B. C. 841.
370
The Shorter Bible
[2 Chron. 25. I.
[2 Kings 13. 14.
CHAPTER XXVI.
REIGN OF AMAZIAH: UZ- ELISHAS DEATH: JEHOASH
ZIAH ON THE THRONE. VICTORIOUS OVER SYRIA
AND JUDAH : DEATH OF
JEHOASH : JEROBOAM II :
HOSEA PROPHESIES.
History of Judah — Continued. History of Israel— Continued.
King Ama-
ziah.
Amaziah was twenty
and five years
old when he be-
gan to reign ; and he
reigned twenty and nine
years in Jerusalem. He
did that which was right in
the eyes of the LORD, but
not with a perfect heart.
Now when the kingdom
was established unto him,
he slew his servants which
had killed the king his
father. But he put not
their children to death, but
did according to the law of
Moses, saying, " The fa-
thers shall not die for the
children, neither shall the
children die for the fa-
thers."
Moreover Amaziah gath-
„ cred Judah to-
Prepara- ^ , ■'
tionsfor getlier, to go
"war. r i-1 i-
forth to war.
He hired also an hundred
' 2 Chron. xxv, i.
Now Elisha was fallen
sick of his sickness whereof
he died ; and Jehoash the
king of Israel jehoashand
came down unto Ehsha.
him, and wept over him,
and said, " ■' My father !
My father ! The chariots
of Israel and the horsemen
thereof! "
And Elisha said unto
him, '• Take bow and ar-
rows. Open the window
eastward, and shoot."
And Elisha laid his
hands upon the king's
hands, and he shot.
And E 1 ish a said, "The
Lord's arrow of victory,
even the arrow of victory
over Syria ! For thou
shalt smite the Syrians till
thou have consumed them."
And Elisha said, " Take
the arrows, and smite upon
the ground."
" 2 Kings ii, 12
2 Chron. 25. 6.]
2 Kings 13. 18.]
Chronologically Arranged.
371
thousand mighty men of
valor out of Israel for an
hundred talents of silver.
But there came a man of
God to him, saying, "Oking,
let not the army of Israel
go with thee, for the LORD
is not with Israel. For
God hath power to help."
And Amaziah said to the
man of God, " But what
shall we do for the hundred
talents which I have given
to the army of Israel?"
And the man of God an-
swered, " The Lord is
able to give thee much
more than this."
Then Amaziah separated
the army that was come to
him, to go home again.
And Amaziah took cour-
Seir smitten age, and led
-Idolatry. foj-th his peo-
ple, and went to the Val-
ley of Salt, and smote the
children of Seir.
Now Amaziah brought
the gods of the children of
Seir, and set them up to
be his gods, and bowed
down himself before them,
and burned incense unto
them. Wherefore the an-
ger of the Lord was kin-
dled against Amaziah, and
he sent unto him a proph-
et, which said unto him,
"Why hast thou sought the gods of the people, which
have not delivered their own people out of thine hand ? "
' 2 Kings xiii, 23.
And the king smote
thrice, and stayed.
And the man of God
was wroth with him and
said, " Thou shouldest have
smitten five or six times.
Then hadst thou smitten
Syria till thou hadst con-
sumed it. Now thou shalt
smite Syria but thrice."
Elisha died, and Death of
they buried him. Eiisha.
Now bands of Moabites
invaded the land at the
coming in of the year. And
as they were burying a man
they spied a band. And
they cast the man into the
sepulcher of Elisha ; and
as soon as the man touched
the bones of Elisha, he re-
vived, and stood on his feet.
And Jehoash took again
out of the hand of Ben-
hadad the cities which he
had taken out the hand of
his father by war. The Syrians
Three times did smitten.
Jehoash smite him. ' The
Lord was gracious unto I s-
rael and had compassion,
becauseof his covenant with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and would not destroy
them, neither cast them
from his presence as yet.
372 The Shorter Bible [2Chton.25. i6.
And the king said, " Have we made thee of the king's
A prophet Counsel? Forbear; why shouldest thou be
rejected. smitten ? "
Then the prophet forbare, and said, " I know that God
hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done
this, and hast not hearkened to my counsel."
' But the men of the army which Amaziah sent back
''returned home in fierce anger, and fell upon the cities
of Judah, and took much spoil.
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent
to Jehoash king of Israel, saying, " Come let us look one
„r V, another in the face."
tween Israel And Tehoasli sent to the king of Judah,
and Judah. . •' „ ry-i i • i , • t i
saymg, "Ihe thistle that was in Leba-
non sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying,
* Give thy daughter to my son to wife. And there
passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode
down the thistle. Thine heart hath lifted thee up.
Abide at home. Why shouldest thou meddle to
thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, thou and Judah with
thee ? ' "
But Amaziah would not hear. For it was of God,
that he might deliver them into the hand of their ene-
mies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom.
So Jehoash king of Israel went up ; and he and Ama-
ziah king of Judah looked one another in the face. And
Judah was put to the worse before Israel ; and they fled
every man to his tent.
And Jehoash took Amaziah and came to Jerusalem,
and brake dowai the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of
Ephraim unto the corner gate. And he took all the
gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in
the house of the Lord, and in the king's house, and re-
turned to Samaria.
Now from the time that ... , ,, , --. ^- j
« . , 1-1^ History of Israel— Continued.
Amaziah did turn away
from following the Lord, And Jehoash slept with
they made a conspiracy his fathers, and was buried
against him in Jerusalem, in Samaria with the kings
And he fled to Lachish ; of Israel; and •' Jerobo-
' 2 Chion. XXV, 13. - 2 Cliron. xxv, 10. | " B. C. S25.
2 Chron. 25. 27.]
2 Kings 14. 16.]
Chronologically Arranged.
373
but they sent after him to
Lachish, and slew him
there. And they brought
him upon horses, and buried
him with his fathers.
Amaziah And all the
slam— King , r t 1 1
Uzziah. people 01 J udah
took ^ Uzziah, who was six-
teen years old, and made
him king in the room of
his father Amaziah, ' in the
twenty and seventh year of
Jeroboam king of Israel.
He reigned two and fifty
years in Jerusalem, ^ and he
did that which was right in
the eyes of the LORD.
am his son reigned in his
stead.
' In the fifteenth year of
Amaziah king of _, ,, ^ ,
T , , T 1 Death of Je-
J udah Jeroboam hoash-King
began to reign Jeroboam II.
in Samaria, and reigned
forty and one years. He did
that which was evil in the
sight of the LORD.
^The word of the Lord that
came unto Hosea, in the days
of Jeroboam king of Israel.
" ' When Israel was a
child, then I loved him,
and called my son out of
Egypt. I taught Ephraim
to go. I took him on my
arms. I drew him with bands of love.
"■•My people are bent to backsliding from me. ^The
Assyrian shall be his king, the sword shall consume.
" How shall I give thee up, Ephraim ? How shall I de-
liver thee, Israel ? Mine heart is turned within me, my
compassions are kindled together. I will not execute
the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy
Ephraim ; for I am God, and not man ; the Holy One in
the midst of thee.
" They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and
as a dove out of the land of Assyria, and I shall make
them to dwell in their houses," saith the LORD.
Relief for
Israel.
" But the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was
very bitter, for there was no helper for Israel.
And the Lord would blot out the name of
Israel from under heaven ; but he saved them by the
hand of Jeroboam. He warred and recovered Damascus
and Hamath for Israel.
' 2 Kings XV, I . ^2 Chron. xxvi. 4.
»B. C. 810.
' 2 Kings V, 14, 23. ■* Hosea xi, 7.
^ Hosea i, I. * Hosea xi, 5.
^ Hosea xi, i. ^2 Kings xiv, 26.
374
The Shorter Bible
[Joel I. 6.
Qonah 1. I.
CHAPTER XXVII.
A PROPHECY OF JOEL: A
PROPHECY OF HOSEA :
REIGN OF UZZIAH : JO-
THAM.
JONAH : PROPHECY OF
AMOS: DEATH OF JERO-
BOAM : REIGN OF ZACH-
ARIAH: OF SHALLUM: OF
MINAHEM: HOSEA PROPH-
ESIES : REIGN OF PEKAH-
lAH.
History of Judah — Continued. History of Israel— Continued.
'The word of the Lord that
came to Joel the son of Pe-
thuel.
"A nation is come up
An army of "pO" my land,
locusts. strong, and with-
out number ; his teeth are
the teeth of a lion, and
he hath the j"aw teeth of
a great lion. He hath
laid my vine waste, and
* barked my fig tree ; he
hath made it clean bare,
and cast it away ; the
branches thereof are made
white. They run like
mighty men; they climb
the wall like men of war ;
and they march every one
on his ways, and they
break not their r.mks. ' The
land before them is as
the garden of Eden, and
behind them a desolate
' Joel i, I. "Joel ii, 3.
*R. V. marg., Or, broken.
' Now the word of the
Lord came unto Jonah,
saying, " Arise, go to Nine-
veh, that great city, and
cry against it ;
c . 1 • -I Jonah, the
tor their wick- disobedient
edness is come P^op^^*-
up before me."
But Jonah rose up and
went down to Joppa, and
found a ship going to Tar-
shish. So he paid the fare
thereof, and went down
into it, to go with them
unto Tarshish from the
presence of the LoRD.
But the Lord •'' sent out
a great wind, and there was
a mighty tempest in the
sea, so that the ship was
like to be broken. Then
the mariners were afraid,
and cried every man unto
' Jouah i, I.
" R. V. marg., Or, hurled.
Joel 2. 3.]
Jonah I. 5.]
Chronologically Arranged.
375
wilderness. They burst
through the weapons, and
■'■break not off their course.
They leap upon the city ;
they run upon the wall ;
they climb up into the
houses; they enter in at
the windows like a thief.
The Lord uttereth his
voice before his army ; for
• his camp is very great ; for
he is strong that executeth
his word ; for the day of
the Lord is great and very
terrible ; and who can
abide it?
" Yet even now," saith
the Lord, " turn ye unto
me with all your heart,
and with fasting, and with
weeping, and with mourn-
ing : and rend your heart,
and not your garments,
and turn unto the LORD
your God ; for he is gra-
cious and full of compas-
sion, slow to anger, and
plenteous in mercy, and re-
penteth him of the evil."
^' Blow the trumpet in
Fasting and Ziou, sauctify a
prayer. f^^^.^ ^,^11 ^ Sq1_
cmn assembly; gather the
people, sanctify the con-
gregation, assemble the old
men, gather the children.
Let the priests, the minis-
ters of the Lord, weep be-
tween the porch and the
altar, and let them say,
" R. V. niarg.,Or, are not wounded.
his god; and they cast forth
the wares that were in the
ship into the sea, to lighten
it unto them. But Jonah
was gone down into the in-
nermost parts of the ship ;
and he was fast asleep. So
the shipmaster came to
him, and said unto him,
" What meanest thou, O
sleeper? Arise, call upon
thy God, if so be that God
will think upon us, that we
perish not."
And they said every one
to his fellow, " Come, and
let us cast lots, that we may
know for whose cause this
evil is upon us." So they
cast lots, and the lot fell
upon Jonah.
Then said they unto him,
" Tell us, we pray thee,
what is thine occupation ?
Of what people art thou?"
And he said unto them,
" I am an Hebrew. I fear
the Lord, the God of heav-
en, which hath made the
sea and the dry land."
Then were the men exceed-
ingly afraid, and said unto
him, " What is this that
thou hast done?" For the
men knew that he fled from
the presence of the LORD,
because he had told them.
Then said they unto him,
" What shall we do unto
thee, that the sea may be
'' Num. X, 1-3.
376
The Shorter Bible
[Joel 2. 17.
[Jonah I. 12.
Relief.
"Spare thy people, OLORD,
and give not thine heritage
to reproach."
Then was the Lord jeal-
ous for his land, and had
pity on his people. And
the Lord answered and
said unto his people, " Be-
hold, I will send you corn,
and wine, and oil, and ye
shall be satisfied therewith ;
and I will no more make
you a reproach among the
nations ; but I \vill remove
far off from you the north-
ern army, and will drive
him into a land barren and
desolate. And I
will restore to
you the years that the lo-
custhatheaten, the ^canker-
worm, and the caterpillar,
and the palmerworm, my
great army which I sent
among you. And ye shall
eat in plenty and be satis-
fied.
"And it shall come to pass
^afterward, that I will pour
out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your
Gracious daughters shall
promises. p.-ophcS)', your
old men shalldreain dreams,
your young men shall see
visions ; and also upon the
servants and upon the hand-
maids in those days will I
pour out my spirit. And
calm unto us?" For the sea
grew more and more tern,
pestuous. And he said
unto them, " Take me up,
and cast me forth into the
sea, so shall the sea be
calm unto you ; for I know
that for my sake this great
tempest is upon you."
Nevertheless the men
rowed hard to get them
back to the land ; but they
could not. Wherefore they
cried unto the Lord, and
said, " We beseech thee,
O Lord, we beseech thee-
let us not perish for this
man's life, and lay not upon
us innocent blood." So
they took up Jonah, and
cast him forth into the sea ;
and the sea ceased from
her raging. Then the men
feared the LORD exceed-
ingly ; and they offered a
sacrifice unto the LORD,
and made vows.
And the Lord prepared
a great fish to The obe-
SWallovV up Jo- dientfish.
nah ; and Jonah was in the
belly of the fish three days
and three nights. Then
Jonah prayed unto the
Lord, and the Lord
spake unto the fish, and it
vomited out Jonah upon
the dry land.
And the word of the
» R. V. marg., Probably different kinds of locusts, or locusts in difil'crent
stages of growth. ''Acts ii, 16.
Joel 2. 32.]
Jonah 3. 1.]
Chronologically Arranged.
377
whosoever shall call on the
name of the LORD shall be
delivered.
" ' And it shall come to
pass in that day, that the
mountains shall drop down
sweet wine, and the hills
shall flow with milk, and all
the brooks of Judah shall
flow with waters; and a
fountain shall come forth
of the house of the Lord,
and shall water the valley
of Shittim. Egypt shall be
a desolation, and Edom
shall be a desolate wilder-
ness, for the violence done
to the children of Judah,
because they have shed in-
nocent blood in their land.
But Judah shall abide for-
ever, and Jerusalem from
generation to generation."
'The word of the Lord that
came unto Hosea.
"'Behold, I will allure
m i n e o w n nation, and
bring her into the wilder-
ness, and speak "• comfort-
ably unto her. And I will
give her her vineyards from
thence, and the valley of
^ Achor for a door of hope ;
and she shall '^ make answer
there, as in the days of
' Joeliii.iS. *Hoseai,i. ^Hosea ii,i4.
" R. V. marg., Heb. to her heart.
'' R. V. marg., That is, Troubling.
See Josh, vii, 26. "■ R. V. Marg., Or,
sing.
27
Lord came unto Jonah the
second time, saying, ''Arise,
go unto Nineveh, that great
city, and preach unto it the
preaching that I bid thee."
So Jonah arose, and went
unto Nineveh, according to
the word of the LORD.
Now Nineveh was an ex-
ceeding great city, and Jo-
nah began to Jonah at
enter into the Nineveh,
city, and he cried and said,
" Yet forty days, and Nine-
veh shall be overthrown."
And the people of Nine-
veh believed God ; and
they proclaimed a fast, and
put on sackcloth, from the
greatest even to the least.
^ And the tidings reached
the king of Nineveh, and
he arose from his throne,
and laid his robe from him,
and covered him with sack-
cloth, and sat in ashes.
And he made decree, say-
ing, " Let neither man nor
beast, herd nor flock, taste
anything; let them not
feed, nor drink water ; but
let them be covered with
sackcloth, both man and
beast, and let them cry
mightily unto God. Yea,
let them turn every one
■^ R. V. marg., Or, For word came
unto the king, etc.
378
The Shorter Bible
[Hosea 2. 15.
[Jonah 3. 8.
her youth, and as in the
The love of ^'^y ^^en she
God. came up out of
the land of Egypt.
" And in that day will I
make a covenant for them
with the beasts of the field,
and with the fowls of heav-
en, and with the creeping
things of the ground ; and
I will break the bow and
the sword and the battle
out of the land, and will
make them to lie down
safely. And I will betroth
thee unto me forever ; yea,
I will betroth thee unto me
in righteousness, and in
judgment, and in loving
kindness, and in mercies. I
will even betroth thee unto
me in faithfuhiess ; and
thou shalt know the LORD.
" The children of Israel
shall abide many days with-
out king and without sacri-
fice; afterward in the hitter
days, shall they return
and seek the Lord, and
shall come with fear unto
his goodness.
"' O Ephraim, what shall
I do unto thee? O Judah,
what shall I do unto thee ?
For your goodness is as a
morning cloud, and as the
dew that goeth early away.
Therefore have I hewed
them by the prophets ; I
have slain them by the
' Hosca vi, 4.
from his evil way. Who
knoweth whether God will
not turn away from his
fierce anger, that we perish
not?"
And God saw their works,
that they turned from their
evil way; and God repented
of the evil which he said
he would do unto them ;
and he did it not.
But it displeased Jonah
exceedingly, and he was
angry. And he prayed un-
to the Lord, and said, " O
Lord, take, I beseech thee,
my life from me ; for it is
better for me to die than to
live."
And the Lord said,
" Doest thou well to be an-
gry?"
Then Jonah went out of
the city, and sat on the east
side of the city, and there
made him a booth, and sat
under it in the shadow, till
he might see what would
become of the city. And
the Lord God prepared a
" gourd, and made it to
come up over Jonah, that
it might be a shadow over
his head. So Jonah was
exceeding glad because of
the gourd. But God pre-
pared a worm when the
morning rose the next day,
and it smote the gourd, that
it withered. And it came
" 1\. V. mar^. , Or, Pcrhna Christi.
"on'ahti] Chronologically Arranged. 379
words of my mouth. For to pass, when the sun arose,
I desire mercy, and not that God prepared a sultry
sacrifice; and the knovvl- east wind; and the sun beat
edge of God more than upon the head of Jonah,
burnt offerings." that he fainted, and re-
quested for himself that he
might die, and said, "It is
better for me to die than to live."
And God said to Jonah, " Doest thou well to be angry
for the gourd ? "
And he said, " I do well to be angry even The lesson
unto death." ofthegourd.
And the Lord said, " Thou hast had pity on the gourd,
for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it
grow ; which came up in a night, and perished in a night ;
and should not I have pity on Nineveh, that great city ;
wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that
cannot discern between their right hand and their left
hand ; and also much cattle? "
'The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which
he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake.
^ Thus saith the Lord : " For three transgressions of
Israel, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment
thereof; because they have sold the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a ptiir of shoes.
"'Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the peo-
ple not be afraid ? Shall evil befall a city, and solemn
the Lord hath not done it? 'O Israel, warnings.
prepare to meet thy God ; he that formeth the moun-
tains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man
what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness,
and treadeth upon the high places of the earth ; the
Lord, the God of hosts, is his name.
" ^ I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no
delight in your solemn assemblies. Yea, though ye
offer me your burnt offerings and meal offerings, I will
not accept them ; neither will I regard the peace offer-
ings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the
' Amos i, I. ''Amos iii, 6. * Amos v, 21.
'•'Amos ii, 6. ■* Amos iv, I2.
380 The Shorter Bh^le [Amos 5. 23.
noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of
thy viols. But let judgment roll down as waters, and
righteousness as a mighty stream.
" ' Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and to them
that are secure in the mountain of Samaria.
'"I will cause you to go into captivity beyond Da-
mascus," saith the Lord, whose name is the God of
hosts.
^ Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam
king of Israel, saying, " Amos hath conspired against thee
in the midst of the house of Israel ; the land is not able
to bear all his words."
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, " O thou seer, go, flee
thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread,
and prophesy there ; but prophesy not again anymore
at Beth-el ; for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal
house."
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, " I was
no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son ; but I was an
herdman, and a dresser of sycamore trees; and the Lord
„ took me from following the flock, and the LORD
The idol - , , < /- i \ i
priest re- Said unto me, (jro, prophesy unto my people
Israel.' Now therefore hear thou the word of
the Lord, ' Thou thyself shalt die in a land that is unclean,
and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of this land.'
" ' Behold, the days come," saith the Lord GOD, " that I
will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor
a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.
*' ^ For, lo, I will sift the house of Israel, yet shall not
the least grain fall upon the earth. The sinners shall die,
which say, ' Evil shall not overtake us.'
" In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David
Gracious that is fallen, and close up the breaches
promises. thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will
build it as in the days of old ; and the mountains shall
drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will
bring again the cai)tivity of my people Israel, and they shall
build the waste cities, and inhabit them ; and they shall
plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall
' Amos vi, I. ■'Amos vii, lo. 'Amos ix, 9.
'^ Amos V, 27. ■'Amos viii, 11.
Amos 9. 14.] Chronologically Arranged.
381
also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will
plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be
plucked up out of their land
which I have eiven them."
History of Judah — Continued.
' Uzziah set himself to
* And Jeroboam slept
with his fathers, Death of
seek God in the days of even with the i^ifj-'zl^.
Zechariah, who had under- kinoes of Israel ; "ah.
Uzziah's
prosperity-
standing in the
vision of God.
And as long as he sought
the Lord, God made him
to prosper. He went forth
and warred against the Phi-
listines, and brake down the
wall of Gath and Ashdod,
and built cities among the
Philistines. And God help-
ed him, and his name spread
and '' Zechariah his son
reigned in his stead.
^ In the thirty and eighth
year of Uzziah king of
J udah did Zechariah the son
of Jeroboam reign over Is-
rael in Samaria six months.
He did that which was evil
in the sight of the LORD
as his fathers had done.
And ^ Shallum the son of
Zechariah
slain— King
Shallum.
abroad even to the entering Jabesh conspired against
in of Egypt ; for he waxed him, and smote him before
exceeding strong.
Moreover Uzziah built
towers in Jerusalem, and
Jerusalem fortified them,
fortified. And he built
towers in the wilderness,
and hewed out many cis-
terns, for he had much cat-
tle ; in the lowland also,
and in the ^ plain. And
he had husbandmen and
vinedressers in the moun-
tains and in the fruitful
fields ; for he loved hus-
bandry.
' 2 Chron. xxvi, 3.
" R. V. marg. , Or, tableland.
the people, and
slew him, and
reigned in his
stead. This was the word
of the Lord which he
spake unto Jehu, saying,
" "^ Thy sons to the fourth
generation shall sit upon
the throne of Israel." And
so it came to pass.
Shallum the son of Ja-
besh began to ^^ „
"7 . Shallum
reign in tlie nine siain-King
, , 1 ■ , • , 1 Menahem.
and thirtieth
year of Uzziah king of
' 2 Kings xiv, 29.
- 2 Kings XV, 8.
*B. C. 772. "B.C. 772.
X, 30.
2 Kinsfs
382
The Shorter Bible
i2 Chron. 26. II.
2 Kings 15. 13.
Moreover Uzziah had an
army of fighting men, that
made war with mighty pow-
er. And Uzziah prepared
Engines of ^OJ" them shields,
"^^^- and spears, and
helmets, and coats of
mail, and bows, and stones
for slinging. And he made
in Jerusalem engines, in-
vented by cunning men, to
be on the towers and ^ bat-
tlements, to shoot arrows
and great stones with. And
his name spread far abroad ;
for he was marvelously
helped, till he was strong.
Jiidah; and he reigned a
month in Samaria. And
•'Menahem the son of Gadi
came to Samaria and smote
Shallum, and slew him, and
reigned in his stead.
Menahem reigned ten
years in Samaria. He did
that which was evil in the
sight of the LoRD. He
departed not all his days
from the sins of Jeroboam
the son of Nebat, where-
with he made Israel to rin.
There came against the
land ''Pul, the Tribute to
king of Assyria ; Assyria,
and Menahem exacted
money of Israel, even of all
the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of
silver, and he gave Pul a thousand talents of silver.
So the king of Assyria turned back.
' The word of the Lord unto Hosea.
" ^ Hear the word of the LoRD, ye children of Israel ;
the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the
land. There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of
God in the land. There is nought but swearing and break-
ing faith, and killing, and stealing; they break out, and
blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn.
" My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ; be-
cause thou hast rejected knowledge. I will also reject
thee."
'He hath cast off thy 'calf, O Samaria. The work-
man made it, and it is no God. The calf of Samaria shall
be broken in pieces. For they sow the wind, and they
shall reap the whirlwind.
Hosca i, I.
] losca iv, I.
•' Ilosca viii, 5.
" R. V. marg., Or, corner towers.
" B. C. 772. '■ That is, Tiglalli-
pileser. " i Kings xii, 28-30.
Hosea 13. i.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
383
'When Ephraim spake, there was trembling; he ex-
alted himself in Israel ; but when he offended in Baal,
he died. And now they sin more and more, and have
made them molten images of their silver, even idols ac-
cording to their own understanding, all of them the work
of the craftsmen ; they say of them, " Let the men that
sacrifice kiss the calves."
Therefore they shall be as
the morning cloud, and as
the dew that passeth early
away, as the chaff that is
driven with the whirlwind
out of the threshing floor,
and as the smoke out of
the chimney.
" Sow to yourselves in
righteousness, reap accord-
ing to mercy; break up
your fallow ground; for it
is time to seek the Lord,
till he come and "" rain
righteousness upon you.
" ' I will ransom them
from the power of the
grave ; I will redeem them
from death ; O death, where
are thy plagues ? O grave,
where is thy destruction ? "
History of Judah— Continued.
' But when he was strong,
his heart was lifted up, and
he trespassed against the
Lord. He went into the
temple of the LORD to burn
incense upon the altar of
incense. And the priests
Uzziah's went in after
t^^^passand him^ and with
ment. him fourscore
priests of the Lord ; and
they said unto him, " It
pertaineth not unto thee,
Uzziah, to burn incense
unto the LORD, but to the
priests the sons of Aaron.
Go out of the sanctuary, for
thou hast trespassed."
Then Uzziah was wroth ;
and while he was wroth
with the priests the leprosy
*brake forth in his forehead.
And all the priests thrust
him out quickly, yea him-
self hasted also to go out,
because the LORD had
' 2 Chron. xxvi. 16.
* R.V. marg., Heb. rose (as tlie sun)-
'And Menahem slept
with his fathers ;
and ^Pekahiah ^IfXf^n-
his son reigned &^^^^-
in his stead.
In the fiftieth year of
Uzziah king of Judah Pe-
' Ilosea xiii, i. ^ Tloseaxiii, 14.
'^ Ilosea X, 12. ■* 2 Kings xv, 22.
a R. V. marg., Or, feac/i you
riirhteousness. '' B. C. 761.
384
The Shorter Bible
[2 Chron. 26. 20.
[2 Kings 15. 23.
smitten him. y\nd Uzziah kaliiah began to reign over
was a leper, and dwelt in a Israel in Samaria, and
several house. And Jo- reigned two years. And
tham his son was over the he did that which was evil
king's house, judging the in the sight of the LORD,
people of the land.
And Uzziah slept with
his fathers ; and they buried him with his fa-
ziah-Kmg^' thers in the field of burial which belonged
jotham. ^^ ^j^g kings; for they said, " He is a leper."
And =* Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
»B. C. 758.
2 kings 15. 32.]
2 Kings 15. 25.]
Chronologically Arranged.
385
CHAPTER XXVIII.
REIGN OF JOTHAM : REIGN
OF AHAZ : JERUSALEM
BESIEGED : THE IMMAN-
UEL PROPHECY : AHAZ
AND ASSYRIA : AHAZ'S
DEATH.
DEATH OF PEKAHIAH :
REIGN OF PEKAH : HO-
SHEA'S REIGN : CAPTIV-
ITY OF ISRAEL: REPEO-
PLING THE LAND WITH
STRANGERS.
History of Judah— Continued. History of Israel — Continued.
In the second year of
Pekah king of Israel be-
gan Jotham king of Juchih
to reign. Five and twenty
years old was he when he
began to reign, ' and he
reigned sixteen years in
Jotham's Jerusalem. He
prosperity. ^j^ ^j^^^ ^^^l^j^,}^
was right in the e}-es
of the Lord. ' How-
beit the high places were
not taken away, ^ and the
people did yet corruptly.
He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD ;
moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah,
and castles and towers in the forests. He fought also
with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed
ao-ainst them. So Totham became mighty,
r^ y ' Deatli of
because he ordered his ways before the LORD jotham-
his God. And Jotham slept with his fathers, ^ingAhaz.
and they buried him in the city of David ; and ''^Ahaz
his son reisfned in his stead.
And ^ Pekah the son of
Remaliah, his ^ , ^
' . Death of
Captam, COnspn'- Pekahiah-
1 • .1) King Pekah.
ed against r e -
k a h i a h , and smote him
in Samaria, in the castle of
the king's house, and
reigned in his stead.
Pekah reigned twenty
years in Samaria. He did
that which was evil in the
sight of the LORD.
' 2 Chron. xxvii,
- 2 Kings XV, 35.
" B. C. 742.
2 Chron. xxvii, 2.
B. C. 759-
386 The Shorter Bible [2Chron.28. i.
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign ;
and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not
that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, like David
his father; but he walked in the ways of the kings of
Israel, and made also molten images. Moreover he
burnt his children in the fire, according to the abom-
inations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out
before the children of Israel. And ' because they
had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, 'the
Lord delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of
- , , Syria. And h e smote him, and carried away
Syriasmite of his a great multitude of captives, and
brought them to Damascus. And he was also
delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote
him with a great slaughter. And a mighty man slew
the king's son.
And the children of Israel carried away captive two
hundred thousand, women, sons, and daugh-
expos?ufa-^ tcrs, and took also much spoil from them,
^^°^' and brought the spoil to Samaria. But a
prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Obed ;
and he went out to meet the host that came to Samaria,
and said unto them, " Behold, because the Lord, the
God of your fathers, was wroth with Judah, he hath
delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them
in a rage which hath reached up unto heaven. And
now ye purpose to keep the children of Judah and Jeru-
salem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you. But are
there not even with you trespasses of your own against
the Lord ? Hear me therefore, and send back the caj)-
tives, which ye have taken captive of your brethren ; for
the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon )-ou."
Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraini
stood up against them that came from the war, and said
unto them, "Ye shall not bring in the captives thither.
For ye purpose to add unto our sins and trespass."
So the armed men left the captives and
taacfkits" ^ the s[)()il. And the men rose up, and took
captives. ji^^ captives, and clothed all that were naked
among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave
' 2 Cliron. xxviii, f). '2 Chron. xxviii, 5.
2Chron.28. 15.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
38'i
them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried
all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to
Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto their brethren. Then
they returned to Samaria.
* Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel
came up to Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz. Jerusalem
■'And it was told the Miouse of David, say- besieged.
ing, "Syria is confederate with ^ Ephraim." ^ And his
heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees
of the forest, are moved with the wind.
Then said the Lord unto Isaiah the prophet,
" Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and ' Shear-jashub
thy son, in the highway; and say unto him, 'Take
heed, and be quiet ; fear not, neither let thine heart be
faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands,
Rezin and the son of Remaliah. Thus saith isaiahand
the Lord GOD, "Their counsel shall not -^^^z.
stand. Within threescore and five years shall Israel
be broken to pieces that it be not a people. '' If ye will
not believe ye shall not be established."' "
And the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, "Ask
ye a sign of the Lord ; ask it cither in the depth, or in
the height above."
But Ahaz said, " I will not ask."
And Isaiah said, " Hear ye now, O house of David ; is it
a small thing for j-ou to weary God ? Therefore the Lord
himself shall give }"ou a sign; behold, '^ a ^virgin s shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his The sign of
name '' Immanuel. ' Butter and honey shall immanuei.
he eat, J when he knovveth to refuse the evil, and choose
the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the
evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou
abhorrest shall be forsaken. But the LORD shall brinsj
* 2 Kings xvi,
* Isa. vii, 2.
^ Isa. vii, 2.
" Poetic name for Ahaz. '• Poetic
name for Israel. '^ R. V. niarg. ,
That is, A remnant shall return.
'' Abrupt change, seeing Ahaz's un-
belief. " R. V. marg., Or, the.
'' R. V. marg., Or, maiden. ? R. V.
marg.. Or, is with child and beareth.
^ R. V. marg.. That is, God is ivilh
us. ' R. V. marg., Or, curds. ' R.\'.
marg., Or, that he may hnmc.
388
The SiiORTKR Bip.lk
[Isa. 7. i;
upon thee the king of Assyri
come."
' Then Rezin and Pckah
could not overcome him.
'At that time did Ahaz
send unto the king of As-
syria to help
Ahaz seek- u:,., 17^,- <-l-.^
ingheip i^iin. roi the
from Syria. Edomites a 1 S O
had come and smitten
Judah, and carried away
captives. The Philistines
also had invaded the cities
of the lowland. For the
Lord brought Judah low
because of Ahaz king of
Israel ; for he had tres-
passed sore against the
Lord. '■* So Ahaz sent mes-
sengers to Tiglath-pileser
king of Assyria, saying, " I
am thy servant and thy son ;
come up and save mc."
*And the king of As-
syria went up against Da-
mascus and took it, and car-
ried the people of it cap-
tive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
^ And Tiglath-pileser
king of Assyria came unto
Aha z, but distressed him
The temple ^ud streUgtll-
fi^iiiss '-^ned him not.
idolatry. For Ahaz took
" the silver and gold that
was in the house of the
' 2 Kings xvi, 5.
* 2 Chron. xxviii, 16.
* 2 Kings xvi, 7.
■* 2 Ciiron. xvi, 9.
* 2 Cliron. xxviii, 20.
' 2 Kings xvi, 8.
a, a n d days that have not
besieged Ahaz, but they
History of Israel — Continued.
' Rezin king of S\'ria
and Pekah king of Israel
came up to Jerusalem to
war, and they besieged
Ahaz, but could not over-
come him. F o r Ahaz sent
messengers to Tiglath-pile-
ser king of Assyria, and
took the silver and gold in
the house of the Lord and
sent it to the king of As-
syria. And "^ Tiglath-pile-
ser came and took Ijon,
and Kcdesh, and Hazor,
and Gilead, and Galilee, all
the land of Naphtali, and
carried them captive to
Assyria.
And •' Iloshea the son
of Elah made a conspiracy
a";ainst Pekah,
^ , , , • Death of
and smote hnn, Pekah-King
and slew him, ^''''^^^■
and reigned in his stead.
■' In the twelfth year of
Ahaz king of Judah be-
gan 1 loshea the son of
Klah to reign in Samaria
over Israel, and reigned
2 Kings xvi, 5.
2 Kings XV, 29.
2 Kings xvii, i.
" li. C.730.
2Kin|si7:9 Chronologically Arranged.
389
Lord and the king's house,
and sent it for a present to
the king of Assyria, ' but it
helped him not.
And in the time of his
distress did he trespass yet
more against the LORD,
this same king Ahaz. For
he ^ went to Damascus to
meet Tiglath-pileser, and
saw the altar that was at
Damascus. And king Ahaz
™, T^ sent Uriiah the
The Damas- . J
cene altar. priest the pat-
tern of the altar, and he
built an altar according to
all that Ahaz had sent.
And when the king was
come from Damascus he
saw the altar, and drew near,
and offered thereon. And
the brazen altar which was
before the house o f t h e
Lord, he brought and put
on the side of his altar.
^And he sacrificed unto
the gods of Damascus,
which smote him ; and he
said, " Because the gods of
the kings of Syria helped
them, therefore will I sac-
rifice to them, that they
may help me." But they
were the ruin of him, and
of all Israel.
And Ahaz gathered to-
gether, and cut in pieces
the vessels of the house of
' 2 Chron. xxviii, 20.
'■' 2 Kings XX i, lo.
3 2 Chron. xxviii, 23.
nine years. He did that
which was evil in the sight
of the Lord, yet not as the
kings of Israel that were
before him. Against him
came up Shalmaneser king
of Assyria ; and Hoshea
became his servant, and
brought him presents.
And afterward the king
of Assyria found conspiracy
in Hoshea, for „. ,
' Siege and
he sent messen- capture of
„ . c 1 • „ Samaria,
gers to bo king
of Egypt. Then the king
of Assyria came up through-
out all the land, and be-
sieged Samaria three years.
' The word of the Lord that
came to Micah.
"" Hear, ye peoples, all of
you :
Hearken, O earth, and all
that therein is :
Let the Lord be witness
against you,
The Lord from his holy
temple.
Behold the Lord cometh,
And will tread upon the
high places, and say,
' I will make Samaria as an
heap of the field,
I will pour down the stones
thereof;
All her graven images shall
be beaten to pieces,
' Micali i, I.
- Micali i, 2.
390
The vSiiokter Bible
[2 chron.28.24.
[Micah I. 7.
God, and shut up tlie doors
of the house of the LoRD.
Ahaz'swick- 'And took down
edness. thg ^ga from off
the brazen oxen that were
under it, and put it on a
pavement of stone. '' He
made him altars in every
corner of Jerusalem, and
provoked the LoRD to
anger.
And Ahaz slept with his
fathers, and
Ahlz-King t h ey b u r i e d h i m
Hezekiah. j,^ ^j^^ ^jj.y^ g^^,^
in Jerusalem ; they brought
him not into the sepulchers
of the kings of Israel. And
^ Hezekiah his son reigned
in his stead.
through the fire, and sold
was evil in the sight of the
was very angry with Israel
his sight. So Israel was ca
Assyria unto this da}-.
All her idols will
desolate.'
I 1
ay
' In the ninth year of
Hoshea the king of Assyria
■' took Samaria, and carried
Israel away into Israel all
Assyria. And it carried
-' away cap-
was SO, because tive.
the children of Israel had
sinned against the LORD,
and did secretly things that
were not right, and wrought
wicked things, and served
idols, whereof the LoRD
had said unto them, *' Ye
shall not do this thing."
They forsook all the com-
mandments of the Lord,
and made them molten
images, and caused their
sons and daughters to pass
themselves to do that which
Lord. Therefore the LORD
[, and removed them out of
rried out of their own land to
The word of the Lord that came to Hosea.
'"O Israel, return unto the LoKD thy (iod ; for thou
hast fallen by thine iniquity.
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely;
for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as
the dew unto Israel ; he shall blossom as the lily, and
cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall
spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his
smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow
2 Kings xvi, I 7.
2 Chron. xxviii, 24.
li. C. 726.
' 2 Kings xvii, 6.
- Hosca xiv, i.
"B. C. 721.
Hosea 14. 7.] CHRONOJ.OGICALLY ARRANGED. 391
shall return ; they shall revive as the corn, and blossom
as the vine ; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of
Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, ' What have I to do any
more with idols?
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things ?
prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the
Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them ; but
transgressors shall fall therein.
' And *Esar-h addon the king of Assyria brought
men and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of
the children of Israel ; and they possessed Samaria, and
dwelt in the cities thereof.
And at the beginning of their dwelling there they
feared not the LORD; therefore the Lord sent lions
among them. Wherefore the king of Assyria samaria
commanded, saying, "Carry thither one of the pfiuglous"
priests whom ye brought from thence ; and state.
let him teach them."
So one of the priests whom they had carried away
from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and taught
them how they should fear the LORD. Howbeit they
made gods of their own, and put them in the high places
in the cities where they dwelt. They feared the LORD,
and served their graven images; and burnt their children
in the fire to idols; their children likewise, and their
children's children. As did their fathers, so do they
unto ^ this day.
" But not till forty years later,
' 2 Kings xvii, 24. B. C. 678. Ezra iv, 2. •> The time of
final revision. Perhaps by Ezra,
B. C. 450.
392 The Shorter Bible L- '^'ngsiS. i.
CHAPTER XXIX.
HEZEKIAH'S REIGN: THE TEMPLE REPAIRED AND RE-
DEDICATED : KEEPING THE PASSOVER : DESTROYING
IDOLS: REORGANIZATION OF THE TEMPLE SERVICE:
VOLUNTARY OFFERINGS.
' Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty
years old, ^ in the third year of Hoslica king of Israel ;
and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem.
His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.
He did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD,
according to all that David his father had done.
' In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he
Repairing opened the doors of the house of the Lord,
the temple, ^iid repaired them. And he gathered the
priests and Levites together, and said unto them, " Hear
me, ye Levites. Now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify
the house of the Lord. For our fathers have done
that which was evil in the sight of the LORD our God,
and have forsaken him. Also they have shut up the
doors of the porch of the Lord's house, and
put out the lamps, and have not offered offerings in the
holy place unto the God of Israel. Wherefore the wrath
of the Lord was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath
delivered them to be tossed to and fro, as ye see with
your eyes. For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword,
and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in
captivity for this. Now it is in mine heart to make a
covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, that his
fierce anger may turn away from us. My sons, be not
now negligent ; for the Lord hath chosen you to stand
before him, to minister unto him."
Then the Levites arose, and gathered their brethren,
and sanctified themselves, and went in to cleanse the
house of the LORD.
'2 Kings xviii, i. '■^ 2 Kings xviii, i. ''2 Chron. xxix, 2.
2Chron.29. i8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 393
Then they went in to Hezckiah the king within the
palace, and said, " We have cleansed all the house of the
Lord, and the altar, and table. Moreover all the ves-
sels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away, have
we prepared and sanctified ; and, behold, they are before
the altar of the LORD."
Then Hezekiah the king arose early, and gathered the
princes of the city, and went up to the house of the
Lord, And they brought bullocks and lambs, for a sin
offering, for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for
Judah. And he set the Levites in the house of the
Lord with cymbals and harps, according to the com-
mandment of David, and the priests with trumpets.
And when the burnt offering began the song of the
Lord began also. And all the congregation worshiped,
and the singers sang, and the trumpeters joyous
sounded. And when they had made an end worship.
of offering, the king and all present bowed themselves
and worshiped. And they sang praises with gladness,
with the words of Asaph and David.
A PSALM OF DAVID, A SONG.
' Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered ;
Let them also that hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away ;
As wax melteth before the fire.
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad ; let them exult before
God;
Yea, let them rejoice with gladness.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name;
Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the
deserts ;
His name is JAH ; and exult ye before him.
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows,
Is God in his holy habitation.
God setteth the solitary in families;
He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity;
But the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
' Psalm Ixviii.
38
394 The Shorter Bible [Fsaim68. 7.
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people,
When thou didst march through the wilderness;
The earth trembled,
The heavens also dropped at the presence of God ;
Even yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the
God of Israel.
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain.
Thou, O God, didst prepare of thy goodness for the poor.
The Lord giveth the word :
The women that publish the tidings are a great host.
Kings of armies flee, they flee:
And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.
A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan ;
An high mountain is the mountain of Bashan.
Why look ye askance, ye high mountains,
At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode ?
Yea, the Lord will dwell in it forever.
The chariots of God are twenty thousand.
Even thousands upon thousands.
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led thy captivity
captive ;
Thou hast received gifts among men.
Yea, among the rebellious also, that the LORD God
might dwell with them.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden,
Even the God who is our salvation.
' Then Hezekiah said, "Now ye have consecrated your-
selves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and
thank offerings. "
And the conc^reoration brought in sacrifices and thank
Voluntary offerings, and as many as were of a willmg
offerings. heart brought burnt offerings in abundance.
So the service of the house of the LoRD was set in order.
And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of
that which God had prepared for the people ; for the
thing was done suddenly.
And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote
' 2 Chron. xxix, 31.
2Chron. 30. 1. 1 Chronologically Arranged. 395
letters also, that they should come to the house of the
Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD.
For they had not kept it ''in great numbers in such sort
as it is written. So the posts went with the a call to
letters from the king and his princes through- Israel,
out all Israel and Judah, saying, " Ye children of Israel,
turn again unto the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Israel, that he may return to the remnant of you
that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
And be not ye like your feithers, which trespassed against
the Lord, so that he gave them up to desolation, as ye
see, but ^yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into
his sanctuary, and serve the LORD your God, that his
fierce anger may turn away from )-ou. For if ye turn
again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children
shall find compassion before them that led them captive,
and shall come again into this land ; for the LORD your
God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his
face from you, if ye return unto hiuL"
So the posts passed from city to city through the
country. But they laughed them to scorn, and mocked
them. Nevertheless divers of t h e m humbled them-
selves, and came to Jerusalem. Also in Judah was the
hand of God to give them one heart, to do the com-
mandment of the king. And there assembled at Jeru-
salem much people to keep the feast.
And they arose, and took away the strange altars
that were in Jerusalem, and cast them into the brook
Kidron. Then they killed the passover, and the priests
and the Levites stood in their place, according to the
law of Moses.
And a multitude of the people had not cleansed
themselves, yet did they eat the passover. The pass-
For Hezekiah had pra)-cd for them, saying, °^'^^ ^ept.
"The good LORD pardon "^ every one that setteth his
heart to seek the Lord, though he be not cleansed
according to the purification of the sanctuary." And
the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the
people.
* R. V. nmrg., Or, of a long time. '' R. V. niaii^., lleh. give the hand.
•= R. V. m.u-g., Or, liiin that setteth his ivliole Iieart.
396 The vShorter Bible [2Chron.3o. 12.
And the children of Israel that were present at Jeru-
salem kept the feast seven days with great gladness,
' offering sacrifices, and making confession to the LORD ;
and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by
day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.
And the whole congregation took counsel to keep
other seven days, and they kept other seven days with
gladness.
So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the
time of Solomon the son of David there was not the like
in Jerusalem. Then the priests the Levites arose and
blessed the people ; and their voice was heard, and their
prayer came up, even unto heaven.
Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were
present went out to the cities of Judah, and hewed down
Idols de- ^^^^ idols, and brake down the altars, until
stroyed. they had destroyed them all. ' And t h e
king brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had
made ; for the children of Israel did burn incense to it.
And he called it •'• Nehushtan.
° Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to
his possession.
And Hezekiah appointed the priests and Levites to
minister, and to give thanks, and to praise, in the gates
of the camp of the LORD. Moreover he commanded
the people to give the portion of the priests and Levites,
The temple ^^^'^^ they might give themselves to the LORD.
service re- And as soon 38 the Commandment came
abroad, the children of Israel gave in abun-
dance the first fruits of corn, wine, oil, and honey, and of
all the increase of the field; they also brought the tithe
of oxen and sheep ; and the tithe of all things brought
they in abundantly, and laid them in heaps.
And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw
Willing the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his
offerings. people Israel.
Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites
concerning the heaps. And the chief priest answered
' 2 t!hron. xxx, 22. " \k. V. maig., That is, ^1 piece
'^ 1 Kings xviii, 4. of brass.
^2 Ciuon. xxxi, I.
2Chron.3i. lo.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 397
him and said, " Since the people began to bring into the
house of the Lord, we have eaten and had enough, and
have left plenty : for the LORD hath blessed his people ;
and that which is left is this great store." Then Heze-
kiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of
the Lord, and they brought in the things faithfully.
398 The Shorter Bhsle [2Chron.31.20.
CHAPTER XXX.
HEZEKIAH'S prosperity : PROPHECY OF MICAH : HEZ-
EKIAH'S ILLNESS, RESTORATION, AND SONG : THE
BABYLONIAN EMBASSY.
Hezekiah wrought that which was good and right
and faithful before the LORD his God, throughout all
Hezekiah's Judah. And in every work that he began he
prosperity, jjj jt ^yith all his heart and prospered. ' He
rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not,
and smote the Philistines.
^ The -word of the Lord that came to Micah.
^ Zion shall be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall
become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the
high places of a forest.
But in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the
mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the
top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the
hills ; and peoples shall flow unto it. And many nations
shall go and say, " Come yc, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LoRD, and to the house of the God of
Jacob. And he will teach us of his ways, and we will
walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the
law and the word of the LoRD from Jerusalem. And he
shall judge between many peoples, and shall reprove
strong nations afar off. And they shall beat their swords
into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every
man under his vine and under his fig tree ; and none shall
make them afraid."
' But thou, Ik'thlchem Ephrathah, which art little to
be among the thousands of Juclaii, out of ihcc shall one
' 2 Kings xviii, 7. '^ Micah i, i. •' Micali iii, 12. ■■ Micaii v, 2.
Micah 5. 2.\ Chronologically Arranged. 399
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel ; whose
goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. And he
shall stand, and shall feed his flock in the strength of the
Lord, in the majesty of the name of the L.ORD his God ;
for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
And this man shall be our peace.
' Hear ye now what the LORD saith : " Arise, contend
thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy
voice. Hear, O ye mountains, the Lord's controversy,
and ye enduring foundations of the earth." For the LORD
hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead
with Israel. " O my people, what have I done unto thee ?
and wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me."
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow
myself before the high God? Shall I come before him
with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old ? Will the
Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten
thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for
my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my
soul ?
He hath showed thee, O man, what is good ; and what
doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to
love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
^ As for me, I will look unto the LORD ; I will wait for
the God of my salvation. When I fall, I shall arise.
When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto
me.
^ Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity,
and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his
heritage ? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he
dehghteth in mercy. He will turn again and have com-
passion upon us ; he will tread our iniquities under foot ;
and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the
sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the
mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our
fathers from the days of old.
* And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor,
and he provided him treasuries for silver and gold and
' Micah vi, i. * Micah vii, 7. ^ Micah vii, 18, '*2 Chron. xxxii, 27.
400 The Shorter Bible [2Chron. 32.27.
precious stones and spices. Storehouses also for corn
and wine and oil ; and stalls for all manner of beasts,
and flocks and herds in abundance.
' In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And
Hezekiah's Isaiah the prophet came and said unto him,
illness. u xhus saith the LORU, ' Set thine house in
order ; for thou shalt die ; and not live.' "
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto
the Lord, saying, " Remember now, O LoRD, I beseech
thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a
perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy
sight." And Hezekiah wept sore.
And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying,
, . , , . "Turn again, and say to Hezekiah the prince
Isaiah's two , -^-i • i i t i
messages. of my people, ' 1 hus saith the LORD, the
God of David thy father, " I have heard thy prayer, I have
seen thy tears ; behold, I will heal thee. On the third
day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And
I will add unto thy days fifteen years ; and I will deliver
thee and this city out of the hand of the '' king of
Assyria ; and I will defend this city for mine own sake,
and for my servant, David's sake."
And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, " What shall be the
sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up
unto the house of the LoRD the third day ? "
And Isaiah said, " This shall be the sign ; shall the
shadow on the dial of Ahaz go forward ten ^ steps, or go
back ten ^' steps? "
The shadow ^^^^^ Hezekiah answered, "It is a light thing
returning. fQj- ^he shadow to decline ten steps ; nay, but
let the shadow return backward ten steps."
And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LoRD, and he
brought the shadow ten steps backward on the dial of
Ahaz.
" Now Isaiah had said, " Take a cake of figs, and lay it
for a plaister upon the boil."
"And they took and laid it on the boil, and he re-
covered.
' 2 Kings XX, I.
* Isa. xxxviii, 21.
" 2 Kings XXX, 7.
* Already threatening Jerusalem.
See next chapter. '' R. V. marg.,
Or, dt-greis.
isa. 38. 9.] Chronologically Arranged.
401
' The \vriting of Hezekiah, when he had been sick, and was
recovered.
I said, " In the noontide of my days I shall go into the
gates of the grave :
I am deprived of the residue of my years."
Like a swallow or a crane, so did I chatter ;
I did mourn as a dove ; mine eyes fail with looking
upward ;
O Lord, I am oppressed, be thou my surety.
What shall I say? Himself hath done it,
Wherefore recover thou me, make me to live.
Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit
of ^ corruption ;
For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
The grave cannot praise thee,
Death cannot celebrate thee.
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this
day ;
The father to the children shall make known thy truth.
The Lord is ready to save me :
Therefore we will sing
All the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
'At that time the king of Babylon sent letters ^ to
inquire at the wonder that was done, * and a
present unto Hezekiah ; for he had heard fro^m^^'^^^^^
that Hezekiah had been sick. And Hezekiah Babylon,
'was glad of them, ^and showed them all the house of
his precious things, the silver and gold and spices and
oil, and all that was found in his treasures.
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah,
and said unto him, "What said these men? Whence
came they unto thee ? "
And Hezekiah said, " They are come from a far coun-
try, even from Babylon."
And Isaiah said, "What have they seen in thine
house ? "
* Isa. xxxviii, g. *2 Kings xx, 12.
* 2 Kings XX, 12. ^ Isa. xxxix, 2.
^2 Chron. xxxii, 21. *2 Kings xx, 13.
" R. V. marg. , Or, notJnngness.
402 The Shorter Bible [2 Kings 20. 15.
And Hezekiah answered, " All that is in mine house
have they seen."
And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, " Hear the word of
. , ,g the Lord. ' Behold, the days come that all
reproof. that is in thine house shall be carried to
Babylon ; nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And
of thy sons shall they take away, and they shall be
servants in the palace of the king of Babylon.' "
Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, " Good is the word
of the Lord which thou hast spoken,"
2Chion.32. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 403
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE ASSYRIAN INVASION: ISAIAH'S MESSAGES: AN
ANGEL STAYS THE ASSYRIANS: SONGS OF EXULTA-
TION.
'After these things, and this faithfuhiess, the king
of Assyria '^ came and entered into Judah, and Assyrian
encamped against the fenced cities, and invasion,
thought to win them for himself.
^And Hezekiah sent to the king of Assyria, saying,
" I have offended. Return from me. What thou puttest
on me I will bear."
And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found
in the house of the LORD and in the king's house. He
cut off the gold from the doors of the temple and gave
it to the king of Assyria.
*> The word of Isaiah.
" ^ Woe to the rebellious children," saith the LORD,
" that take counsel, but not of me ; that go down into
Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen
themselves in Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of
Egypt. The strength of Egypt shall be your shame,
and the trust in Egypt your confusion.
" Through the ^ land of trouble and anguish, they carry
their riches to a people that shall not profit them."
Thus saith the Lord GOD,
The Holy One of Israel,
" In returning and rest shall ye be saved ;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
The Lord will wait that he may be gracious.
' 2 Chron. xxxii, I.
^ 2 Kings xviii, 14.
^ Isa. XXX, I.
" B. C. 700. *• Against a strong
party that at this crisis were urging
an alliance with Egypt. "^ Tlie wilder-
ness between Judah and Egypt.
404 The Shorter Bible [isa. 30. i8.
He will be exalted, that he may have mercy.
The Lord is a God of judgment ;
Blessed are they that wait for him.
' Behold, the Lord cometh from far.
The Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard.
Through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be
broken in pieces.
The breath of the LORD doth kindle fire.
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help,
That trust in horses and chariots ;
But look not unto the Holy One of Israel,
Neither seek the Lord.
The Egyptians are men, and not God,
Their horses are flesh, and not spirit.
The Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem,
He will protect and deliver it.
Turn ye unto him,
O children of Israel ;
Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of man,
And the sword, not of men, shall devour him.
Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness.
And princes shall rule in judgment.
And a Man shall be as an hiding place from the wind,
And a covert from the tempest ;
As rivers of water in a dry place.
As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
And my people shall abide in a peaceable habitation.
And in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
'' And the king of Assyria sent " Rabsliakch a n d
A boastful other of Miis servants ''from Lachish to
message. Jerusalem, and they came and stood out-
side the city and called to the king. And the
officers of king Hezekiah came out to them,
and Rabshakeh said unto them, "Thus sailh the great
king, the king of 7\ssyria, 'Thou saycst there is strength
for war. They arc vain words. On whom dost thou trust ?
' Isa. XXX, 27. ^ 2 Ohion. xxxii, g. I " R.V. niaig., The title of an
^ 2 Kings xviii, 17. •* 2 Kings xviii, 17. \ .\ssyrian officer.
2Chron. 32. II.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 405
' Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give you over to
die by famine and thirst, saying, "The LORD shall de-
liver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria ? " Who
was there among all the gods of those nations which my
fathers utterly destroyed that could deliver his people out
of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you?'"
^ Then said the officers of king Hezekiah,
" Speak, I pray thee, in the Syrian language, for we un-
derstand it. Speak not in the Jews' language, in the
ears of the people that are on the wall."
But Rabshakeh said unto them, " Hath not my master
sent me to the men which sit on the wall? "
Then Rabshakeh cried with a loud voice in the Jews'
language, saying, " Hear ye the word of the great king,
the Icing of Assyria. Thus saith the king, ' Let not
Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver
you ; neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD,
saying, " The LORD will deliver us." Hearken not unto
Hezekiah. Hath any of the gods of the nations ever
delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria ?
Have they delivered Samaria?' "
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a
word, for the king's commandment was, "Answer him not."
^ So Rabshakeh returned.
* Then came the officers of t h e king to Heze-
kiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rab-
shakeh. And when Hezekiah heard it, he Earnest
rent his clothes, and covered himself with prayer,
sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
And he sent his officers, covered with sackcloth,
unto Isaiah the prophet. And they said unto him,
" Thus saith Hezekiah, ' This day is a day of trouble.
Wherefore lift up thy prayer. It may be the Lord thy
God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the
king of Assyria hath sent to reproach the living God.' "
And Isaiah said unto them, " Thus shall ye say to
your master, ' Thus saith the LoRD, " Be not .
afraid of the words that thou hast heard, comforting
wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria ^ ^
have blasphemed me. Behold, he shall return to his own
' 2 Chron. xxxii, II. '^ 2 Kingsxvii, 26. ^2 Kings xix, S. ''2 Kingsxviii, 37.
406 The vShorter Bible i2Kingsiy.7.
land ; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his
own land."
The writing of Isaiah.
The king of Assyria saith,
'"Ho =^ Ariel! Ariel!
The city where David encamped !
I will camp against thee round about,
And will lay siege against thee with a fort."
But God saith,
" But the multitude of thy foes shall be as small dust.
The multitude of thy terrible ones as chaff that passcth
away.
And the multitude of all nations that fight against Ariel
Shall be as a dream and vision of the night.
I will do a marvelous work ;
A marvelous work and a wonder.
And the wisdom of the wise shall perish,
And the understanding of the prudent shall be hid."
' Then Isaiah sent unto Hezekiah, saying, " Thus saith
the Lord, 'Whereas thou hast prayed to me against
Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word which the
Lord hath spoken concerning the king of Assyrja,
"Whom hast thou reproached, and blasphemed?
Against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted
up thine eyes? Against the Holy One of Lsrael. But
I know thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy raging
against me. Therefore will I put my hook in thy nose,
and my bridle in thy lips, and I will tmn thee back by
the way by which thou camest. Thus saith the Lord,
He shall not come unto this city, nor shoot an arrow there.
For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake,
and for my servant David's sake.
■'And Hezekiah took council with his princes, and they
stopped all the fountains, and tiic brook that flowed
through the midst of the land, saying, " Win' should
the kings of Assyria come, and find much water.-'"
And he took courage, and built up all the wall that
' Isa. xxix, I. "2 Cliron. xxxii, 2. I '' R. V. marg., Thai is, The lion
^ Isa. xxxvii, 2I. ] of Goi/, in. The fu'tirth of God.
2Chron. 32. 5] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. iOT
was broken down, and strengthened the city of David,
and made weapons and shields in abundance. „ ^ ■ -^
• r Hezekian
And he set captauis of war over the people, gathering
11 r 1 1 1 • T-> courage.
and spake comfortably to them, saymg, " Be
strong and of good courage. Be not afraid or dismayed
for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is
with him ; for there is a greater with us than with him.
With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord
our God to help us, and to fight our battles."
And the people rested themselves upon the words of
Hezekiah king of Judah.
Sennacherib king of Assyria ' wrote letters also to
rail on the LORD, the God of Israel, and to spreading a
speak against him. ° And Hezekiah received letter betore
the letter from the hand of the messengers,
and read it. And Hezekiah went up unto the house of
the Lord, and spread it before the LoRD. And Heze-
kiah prayed and said, " O Lord, the God of Israel, thou
art God, even thou alone. Thou hast made heaven and
earth. Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open
thine eyes and see. O Lord our God, save thou us, I
beseech thee, out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of
the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even
thou only."
'And it came to pass "^ that night, that the angel of
the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp TheAssyr-
of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and ians slain.
five thousand * mighty men of valor, and the leaders and
captains. ^ And when men arose early in the morning,
behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib
king of Assyria returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. And
it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of
his god, that his sons smote him with the sword.
"Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and Jerusalem from
the hand of the king of Assyria, and guided them on
every side. And many brought gifts unto the LORD to
Jerusalem, and Hezekiah was exalted in the sight of all
nations.
' 2 Chron. xxxii, 17. •'2 Chron. xxxii, 21.
'■* 2 Kings xix, 14. ' 2 Kings xix, 25.
'2 Kings xix, 35. " 2 Chron. xxxii, 22.
About Vk C. 700.
408 The vSiiorter Bible [Psalm 46. i.
' A rSALM. A SONG.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change,
And though the mountains be moved in the heart of the
seas ;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with the ''' swelling thereof.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city
of God,
The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her ; she shall not be moved ;
God shall help her, and that right early.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved ;
He uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
What desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth ;
He breaketh the bow, and cuttcth the spear in sunder;
He burnetii the chariots in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God ;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in
the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us ;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
" We give thanks unto thee, O God ;
We give thanks, '' for thy name is near ;
Men tell of thy wondrous works.
For neither from the east, nor from the west,
Nor yet from the south, comcth lifting up.
But God is the judge ;
He putteth down one, and lifteth up another.
For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the
wine foamcth ;
' Psalm xlvi.
* I'salni Ixxv.
» R. V. marg., Or, /»-itfr. ^ R. V.
marg. , Or, /"or that t/iv itanifis vcar
thy 'iOondrous 'works dirlare.
Psalm 75- 8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 409
It is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same ;
Surely the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth
shall ^ d ra i n them.
' In Judah is God known ;
His name is great in Israel.
In Salem also is his tabernacle,
And his dwelling place is Zion.
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep ;
And none of the men of might have found their hands.
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.
Thou, even thou, art to be feared ;
And who may stand in thy sight when once thou art
angry?
Thou didst cause sentence to be heard from heaven ;
The earth feared, and was still,
When God arose to judgment,
To save all the meek of the earth.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee ;
The residue of wrath shalt thou ^ gird upon thee.
, ^ , , . I " So in R. V. maig. *> R. V.
' rsalm Ixxvi. ^ . ■ °
I marg. , Or, restrain.
29
410 The vSiiorter Bible [2 chron. 32. 33.
CHAPTER XXXII.
DEATH OF HEZEKIAH: REIGN OF MANASSEH : OF
AMON : PROPHECY OF ZEPHANIAH : KING JOSIAH ;
RESTORING THE TEMPLE; FINDING THE BOOK OF
THE LAW: THE GREAT REFORMATION: PASSOVER
KEPT : DEATH OF JOSIAH.
'And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, ' and all Judah
Death of '^"'^ Jerusalem did him honor at his death.
mnlMa^ And "" Manasseh his son reigned in his
nasseh. stead.
^ Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to
reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem.
He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD,
after the abominations of the heathen. For he built
again the high places which his father had destroyed ;
and made an idol as did y\hab king of Israel. And he
built altars for the stars in the courts of the house of
the Lord, and set up the graven image that he had
made in the house of God. And he made his son to
pass through the fire, and used enchantments and dealt
with wizards. Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood
very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to
another.
* And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets,
saying, "Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done
these abominations, behold, I bring such evil upon Jeru-
salem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his
cars shall tingle. I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth
a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. And I
will cast off the remnant of mine inheritance; and they
shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies, be-
cause they have done that which is evil in my sight, and
have provoked me to anger."
' 2 Chron. xxxii, 33- '2 Kings xxi, i. j , ^ ^ , g
' 2 Kings XXI, I. * 2 Kings xxi, 10. | ^
2 Chron. 33. 10.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
411
' But Manasseh and his people gave no heed. Where-
fore the Lord brought the captains of the host of the
king of Assyria, which took "■ Manasseh ^ in chains, and
bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
And when he was in distress, he besought the Lord,
and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fa-
thers. And the Lord heard his supplica- Manasseh
tion, and brought him again to Jerusalem ^tplJuakt-
into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew restored.
that the Lord he was God.
Now after this he took away the strange gods, and
the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars
that he had built, and cast them out of the city. And
he built up the altar of the LORD, and commanded
Judah to serve the Lord.
So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and
they buried him in * the garden of his own Manasseh-
house ; and ^ Amon his son reigned in his ^"^^ Amon.
stead.
Amon was twenty and two years old when he began
to reign ; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. He
did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did
Manasseh his father ; ^ and he humbled not himself be-
fore the Lord, as his father had humbled himself. * He
worshiped idols and forsook the LORD.
And the servants of Amon conspired, and put the
king to death in his own liouse. And the
people of the land made "^ Josiah his son king
in his stead.
Death of
Amon.
* The word of the Lord which came unto Zephaniah.
I will stretch out my hand upon Judah,
And upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem ;
I will cut off them that are turned back from following
the Lord,
And those that have not sought the Lord.
Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD,
For the day of the LORD is at hand.
' 2 Chron. xxxiii, 10. '' 2 Kings xxi, 22.
'^ 2 Kings xxi, 18. ^Zeph. i, i.
^ 2 Chron. xxxiii, 23.
"^ B. C. 677.
Or, 2uiik hooks.
^ B. C. 639.
>> R. V. marg.,
" B. C. 642.
412 The Shorter Bible [Zt\^h. i. 12
I will search Jerusalem with candles,
I will punish the men that say in their hearts,
" The Lord will not do good,
Neither will he do evil."
The great day of the Lord is near,
It is near and hasteth greatly.
Neither silver nor gold shall deliver,
He shall make a terrible end.
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth.
It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's
anger.
' Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted,
W o e to the oppressing city ;
Her princes are roaring lions,
Her judges are evening wolves.
I have cut off nations,
I have made their streets waste.
But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and
poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the
Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor
speak lies.
Sing, O daughter of Zion,
Be glad and rejoice, O daughter of Jerusalem;
The Lord is in the midst of thee ;
A mighty one who will save.
He will rejoice over thee with joy.
He will rest in his love.
" I will save her that halteth.
And gather her that was driven away."
'Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign;
and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. He
did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and
King Jo- walked in the ways of David his father, and
siah. turned not aside to the right hand or to the
left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was
yet young, he began to seek after the God of David
' Zeph. iii, i. "^2 Chron. xxxiv, i.
2 chron. 34- 3-] Chronologically Arranged. 413
his father ; and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse
Judahand Jerusalem from the graven images. And they
brake down the altars of the idols in his presence ; and
the images he brake in pieces, and made dust of them,
and strewed it upon the graves of them that had sacri-
ficed unto them. And so he did in the cities of Israel
in their ruins round about.
''The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that
were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.
' The word of the LORD came to me, saying, " Go and
cry in the ears of Jerusalem, ' Thus saith the LORD, I
remember thy youth, the love of thine espousals ; how
thou wentest after me in the wilderness. Israel was
holiness unto the Lord.
" ' I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat the fruit
thereof, but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and
made mine heritage an abomination. ^ What unright-
eousness have your fathers found in me that they are
gone far from me? Pass over the isles and see, send and
consider diligently ; hath any nation changed their gods,
which are no gods? But my people have changed
their glory for that which doth not profit.
" ' Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly
afraid. My people have forsaken me, the fountain of
living waters, and have hewed them out cisterns, broken
cisterns that can hold no water.' "
* And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king
Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the scribe to the
house of the LORD, saying, "Go up to Hilkiah the high
priest, that he may sum up the money which the people
have brought into the house of the LORD, and give it to
workmen to repair the house."
^ And when they brought the money, Hilkiah the
priest said unto Shaphan, " I have found the xhebookof
book of the law given by Moses in the house the law
r ^ X >. A , TT-ii • 1 1 1. , , found.
of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the
book to Shaphan.
And Shaphan brought the king word, saying, " All
' Jer. i, I. -Jer. ii, I. ^Jer. ii, 5. "^ 2 Kingsxxii, 3. ^2 Chron. xxxiv, 14.
414 The Shorter Bible [2 chron. 34. 16.
that was committed to thy servants, they do it. They
have emptied out the money that was found in the house,
and have dehvered it into the hand of the overseers and
workmen."
And Shaphan told the king, saying, " Hilkiah the
priest hath dehvered me a book." And Shaphan read
before the king.
And when the king heard the words of the book of the
law he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hil-
kiah and Shaphan, saying, " Go ye, inquire of the LORD
concerning the words of this book. For great is the
wrath of the Lord because our fathers have not kept
the word of the LORD according to all that is written in
this book."
'So they went to Huldah the prophetess. And she
Huidahcoii- said unto them, "Thus saith the LORD, the
suited. God of Israel, 'Behold, I will bring evil upon
this place, even all the words of the book which the king
of Judah hath read, because they have forsaken me. But
unto the king of Judah, thus shall ye say, " Because thine
heart was tender and thou didst humble thyself before the
Lord, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me ; I
also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold, thou shalt
be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine
eyes see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."
And they brought the king word again.
And the king sent and gathered unto him all the
elders of Tudah and Jerusalem. And the
Covenant , •' ,,-' r^iT^.-. i
making. kmg went up to the house 01 the LORD, and
the priests and prophets, and all the people, both small
and great, with him ; and he read in their ears all the
word's of the book which was found in the house of the
Lord. And the king stood by the pillar, and made a
covenant before the LORD, to keep his commandments
with all his heart, and all his soul ; and all the people
stood to the covenant.
And the king commanded the priests to bring forth
The temple out'of the temple of the LORD all the vessels
cleansed. {\^-^yi were made for i d o 1 s, and he burned
them.
' 2 Kings xxii, 14.
2Chron.35-3] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 415
' And the king said unto the Levites that taught all
Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, " Put Temple
the holy ark in the house which Solomon the restored
son of David king of Israel did build."
"And he set the priests in their charges, and encour-
aged them to the service of the house of the LORD.
^ And he put down the idolatrous priests that burned
incense to the sun and moon. And he brought out
the idol from the house of the LORD unto the brook
Kidron, and burned it, and stamped it small with powder,
and cast the powder upon graves. And he defiled the
valley of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or '
his daughter to pass through the fire. And he took
away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the
sun, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. And
the high places which Solomon the king of Israel had
builded did the king defile. Moreover the altar that was
at Beth-el, which Jeroboam who made Israel to sin, had
made, even that altar he brake dow^n.
And as Josiah turned himself he spied the sepulchers
that were there in the mount ; and he sent, idolatry
and took the bones out of the sepulchers, put away,
and burned them upon the altar, and defiled it, accord-
ing to the word of the LORD which the ^ man of God
proclaimed.
Then Josiah said, " What monument is that which
I see?"
And the men of the city told him, " It is the sepulcher
of the man of God, which came from Judah, and pro-
claimed these things that thou hast done against the
altar of Beth-el."
And he said, " Let him be; let no man move his
bones."
And he returned to Jerusalem.
And the king commanded all the people, saying,
'* Keep the passover unto the LORD your Passover
God, as it is written in this book of the ^^p*-
covenant."
* And Josiah gave to the children of the people lambs
' 2 Chron. XXXV, 3. J 2 Kings xxiii. 5. I a ^ Kings xiii, 2.
^ 2 Chron. xxxv. 2. •* 2 Chron. xxxv, 7. | '^
416 The Shorter Bible [2 chron. 35. 7.
and kids for the passover offerings, tliirty thousand, and
three thousand bullocks. So the service was prepared,
and the priests stood in their place. And the singers
were in their place, and the porters at every gate.
' There was not kept such a passover from the days of
the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the
kings.
And there was no king like Josiah that turned to
the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and
with all his might, according to all the law of Moses;
neither after him arose there any like him.
* After all this, ^ Pharaoh-neco king of Egypt went
up against the king of Assyria, * by ^ the river Euphrates ;
"and Josiah went out against him. But he sent to him
saying, " What have I to do with thee, thou king of
Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against
the house wherewith I have war. Forbear from med-
dling ! "
Nevertheless Josiah would not, but disguised himself,
Death of t^'^a.t he might fight with him, and came to
Josiah. figiit in the valley of Megiddo. And the
archers shot at king Josiah ; and the king said to his
servants, "Have me away; for I am sore wounded."
So his servants brought him to Jerusalem ; and he died,
and was buried in the sepulchers of his fathers. And all
Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. And Jere-
miah the prophet lamented for Josiah ; and all the
singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their
lamentations, unto this day; behold, they are written in
the lamentations.
' 2 Kings xxiii, 22. •''2 Kings xxiii, 29. ^2 Kings xxiii, 29.
'^2 Chron. xx.w, 20. •* 2 Chron. xxxv, 20. ^2 Chron. xxxv, 20.
2 Kings 33- 30.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 417
CHAPTER XXXIII.
JOAHAZ' SHORT REIGN : KING JEHOIAKIM AND NEBU-
CHADNEZZAR: PROPHECIES OF JEREMIAH: FIRST
CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH : JEHOIAKIM'S REBELLION AND
DEATH: CONIAH'S BRIEF REIGN : KING ZEDEKIAH :
MESSAGES FROM JEREMIAH.
And the people of the land took ^ Joahaz the son of
Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his
father's stead.
Joahaz was twenty and three years old when he began
to reign ; and he reigned three months in Reign of
Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in Joahaz.
the sight of the LORD. And Pharaoh-neco put him in
bands that he might not reign in Jerusalem ; and put the
land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver and a
talent of gold. And Pharaoh made Eliakim the son of
Josiah king and changed his name to Jehoiakim, and
' took Joahaz his brother and carried him to Egypt.
The lament of Jeremiah.
Weep not for the dead, neither bemoan him ; but
weep sore for him that goeth away ; for he shall return
no more, nor see his native country. For rpj^g words
thus saith the Lord touching the son of Josiah, of Jeremiah.
" He shall not return thither any more : but in the place
whither they have led him captive, there shall he die.
He shall see this land no more."
*And Joahaz died in Egypt.
^^ Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he
began to reign ; and he reigned eleven years ^ing je-
in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil hoiakim.
in the sight of the LORD.
' 2 Chron. xxxvi, 4. ' 2 Chion. xxvi, 5. I ^ ^ , ^ ^ ^^g_
•* 2 Kings xxiii, 34. I
418
The Shorter Bible
[Jen 1 8. I.
' The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord concerning
Jehoiakim, when he oppressed the people to build him a
great house.
" ^ Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unright-
eousness, and his chambers by injustice ; that useth his
neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not
his hire; that saith, 'I will build me a wide house and
spacious chambers, and cutteth him out windows ; and it
is ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. Shalt
thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did
not thy father, Josiah, do judgment and justice?
Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the
poor and needy. Was not this to know me? saith the
Lord. But thine eyes and thine heart are but for ^ cov-
etousness, and to shed innocent blood ; and for oppres-
sion and violence, to do it. Therefore thus saith the
Lord concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of
Judah, They shall not lament for him. He shall be
buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth
beyond the gates of Jerusalem.' "
' In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of
Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto
Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the LORD
gave Jehoiakim into his hand, with part of the
vessels of the house of God. ' Nebuchad-
nezzar carried the vessels to Babylon, and put
them 'into the treasure house of his god. And the
king spake unto his servant that he should bring
certain of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal
and nobles, and teach them the learning and tongue of
the Chaldeans. Among these was i' Daniel.
' Jehoiakim became Nebuchadnezzar's servant
Jehoiakim's three years; then he turned and rebelled
rebellion. against him. And tlie LORD sent against
him bands of Chaldeans and others to destroy Judah,
according to the word which he spake by the hand of his
servants the prophets.
Nebuchad-
nezzar-
First cap-
tivity,
B. C. 605.
'^Jer. xviii, I.
^ Jer. xxii, 13.
^ Dan. i, i.
'2 Chron. xxxvi, '
Dan. i, 2.
' 2 Kings xxiv, i.
" R. V. marg., Or, disliouest gain.
Made captive B. C. 605.
jer. 25. I.J Chronologically Arranged. 419
'The •word that came to Jeremiah in the fourth year of Jehoi-
akim, the same was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king
of Babylon.
These three and twenty years the word of the Lord
hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, but ye
have not hearkened. And the LORD hath sent unto
you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and
sending them, saying, " Return ye now, every one from
his evil way, and dwell in the land that the LoRD hath
given you. Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith
the Lord. Therefore saith the Lord, I will send unto
Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon my servant, and
this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonish-
ment ; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon
seventy years."
^ Thus saith the Lord concerning Jehoiakim, " He shall
have none to sit upon the throne of David. I will pun-
ish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity,
' and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the
heat, and in the night to the frost."
* Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon '^ smote the army
of Pharaoh-neco king of Egypt, at Carche- Death of
mish. Then came Nebuchadrezzar mng^co-"^"
and took Jerusalem, and slew Je- "iah.
h o i a k i m , a n d m a d e ^ C o n i a h king.
* And the king of Egypt came not again any more out
of his land ; for the king of Babylon had taken from the
brook of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that per-
tained to the king of Egypt.
Coniah was eighteen years old when he began to
reign; and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And
he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD,
according to all that his father had done.
The word of the Lord by Jeremiah.
""As I live," saith the Lord, " though Coniah king of
Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I
'Jer. XXV, I. ''Jer. xlvi, 2.
'■^Jer. xxxvi, 30. '-2 Kings xxiv, 7. * B. C. 610. ** B. C. 597.
^Jer. xxxvi, 30. "Jer. xxii, 24,
420 The Shorter Bible [Jer. 22. 24.
pluck thee thence. I will give thee into the hand of
them of whom thou art afraid, even Nebuchadrezzar, and
the Chaldeans, And I will cast thee out, and thy
mother that bare thee, into another country, and there ye
shall die. But to the land whereunto their soul longeth
to return, thither they shall not return. O earth, earth,
earth, hear the word of the LORD. Write ye this man
childless. For no man of his seed shall prosper sit-
ting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in
Judah."
' At that time the servants of Nebuchadrezzar king of
Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
And Coniah the king of Judah went out to the king of
Babylon, he, and his mother, and servants, and princes.
And the king of Babylon carried out all the treasures of
the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and cut in
pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon had made in
^ .. .^ „ the temple of the Lord. And he carried
Captivity of I . , • ,
iiingand away all Jerusalem, all the prmces and mighty
men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and
all the craftsmen and smiths; none remained, save the
poorest people of the land. And he carried away
Coniah, and the king's mother, and wives, and officers,
and the chief men of the land into captivity from Jeru-
salem to Babylon, and made his father's brother king in
his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
* And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year
of the captivity of Coniah king of Judah that Evil-mero-
dach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted
Coniahin ^'P the head of Jehoiachin, and brought him
Babylon. forth out of prison; and he .spake kindly to
him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings
that were with him in Babylon. And he changed his
prison garments, and did eat bread before him continu-
ally all the days of his life. 7\nd there was a continual
allowance given him of the king of Jkibylon, every day a
portion, all the days of his life.
'^Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he
'2 Kings xxiv, lO. ^aClnon. xxxvi, ii. I n u r ' c -r
' 2 Kings XXV, 27. I
2 Chron. 36. II.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 421
began to reign ; and he reigned eleven years in Jeru-
salem. He did that which was evil in the KingZede-
sight of the Lord. He humbled not himself i^iah.
before^ Jeremiah the prophet, speaking from the LORD.
The word of the Lord by Jeremiah.
'In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king
of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD,
saying, " Make thee bands and ^ bars, and put them upon
thy neck ; and send them to the king of , . , ,
Edom, and the king of Moab, and Tyre, and object les-
Zidon. And give a charge, saying, ' Thus saith
the Lord of hosts, " I have given all these lands into the
hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant.
And all the nations shall serve him, and his son, and his
son's son, until the time of his own land come ; and then
many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of
him. And it shall come to pass, that the nation and the
kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under
the yoke, that nation will I punish wath the sword and
Avith the famine, and with the pestilence." '
And Jeremiah spake to Zedekiah king of Judah
according to all these words, saying, " Bring your necks
under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him
and his people, and live. Why will ye die, thou and thy
people? "
And Hananiah the false prophet spake, saying,
"Thus speaketh the LORJ), ' I have broken the yoke of
the king of Babylon.' "
Then Hananiah took the bar from off Jeremiah's
neck and brake it, saying, "Thus saith the a false
Lord, ' Even so will I break the yoke of prophet.
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.' "
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, say-
ing, " Thus saith the LORD, ' Thou hast broken the
bars of wood, but I will make in their stead bars of
iron. For I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of
all these nations that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar.' "
' Jer. xxvii, i. | ■* R. V. marg., See Lev. xxvi, 13.
422 The Shorter Bible [Jer. 28. 15.
" Hananiah, the LORD hath not sent thee. Thou makest
this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the
Lord, ' Behold, I will send thee away from off the face
of the earth ; this year thou shalt die, because thou hast
spoken rebellion against the Lord.* "
So Hananiah died the same year.
jer. 29. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 423
CHAPTER XXXIV.
JEREMIAH'S LETTER TO THE CAPTIVE JEWS : EZEKIEL'S
SIGN AND PROPHECY: JERUSALEM BESIEGED: ZEDE-
KIAH AND JEREMIAH : DESTRUCTION OF JERU-
SALEM : FINAL CAPTIVITY OF KING AND PEOPLE:
FLIGHT TO EGYPT: FINAL PROPHECIES OF JEREMIAH.
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah
the prophet sent unto the elders, and priests, jeremiaVs
and prophets, and all the people, whom Nebu- letter.
chadnezzar had carried away captive to Babylon.
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, " Build ye houses,
and dwell in them ; plant gardens, and eat the fruit of
them. And seek the peace of the city whither I have
caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto
the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have
peace."
For thus saith the Lord, " After seventy years be ac-
complished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform
my good word toward you, in causing you to return
to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and
not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end. And
ye shall call upon me, and pray unto me, and I will
hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I
will be found of you, saith the LORD, and I will turn
again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the
nations, and from all the places whither I have driven
you, and I will bring you again unto the place whence I
caused you to be carried away captive."
Thus saith the Lord concerning the king on the throne
of David, and concerning your brethren that are not
gone forth with you into captivity, " Behold, I will send
upon them the sword, and will deliver them to be tossed
424 The Shorter Bible [Jer. 29. i8.
to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth ; be-
cause they have not hearkened to my words."
Thus saith the LORD concerning Ahab and Zedekiah,
which prophesy a lie unto you in my name, " Behold, I
will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar, and
he shall ^ roast them in the fire ' before your eyes ; be-
cause they have spoken words in my name falsely."
° And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon,
'who had made him swear by the LORD that he
would not r e b e 1 , ^ sending ambassadors into Egypt
that they might give him horses and much people.
The wrord of the Lord by EzekieL
"The word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel the priest,
Ezekiei's the SOU of Buzi, in the land of the Chal-
pn)phecy in deans, by the river Chebar.
captivity. " The word of the Lord came unto me, say-
ing, " Son of man, prepare thee stuff for ^' removing, and
remove from thy place to another place by day in their
sight. And go forth at even in their sight, as when
men go forth into exile. Dig thou through the wall in
their sight, and carry out thereby in the dark. Thou
shalt cover thy face that thou see not the ground. For
I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel."
And I did as I was commanded ; I brought forth my
stuff by day, as stuff for removing, and in the even I
digged through the wall with mine hand ; I brought it
forth in the dark, and bare it upon my shoulder in their
sight. And in the morning came the word of the LoRD
unto me, saying, " Son of man, hath not the house of Is-
rael said unto thee, ' What doest thou ? ' Say unto them,
* This concerneth the prince, and all the house of Israel
in Jerusalem. I am your sign ; like as I have done, so
shall it be done unto them ; they shall go into exile,
into captivity. And the prince that is among them
shall bear his things upon his shoulder in the dark,
and shall go forth; they shall dig through the wall to
' Jer. xxix, 2i. ''Ezek. xvii, 15.
^ 2 Kings xxiv, 20. ^ Ezek. i, 3.
* 2 Chron. xxxvi, 13. ^ Ezek. xii, i.
" Dan. iii, 6. ^ R. V. niarg., Or,
exi/e.
Ezek. 12. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 425
carry out thereby.. He shall cover his face, he shall not
see the ground. But he shall be taken and brought
to Babylon, yet he shall not see it, though he shall die
there. And I will scatter toward every wind all that
are round about him to help him. And they shall know
that I am the Lord.' " "•
' And it came to pass that Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon came, he and all his army, and en- Jerusalem
camped against Jerusalem ; and they built beseiged.
forts against it round about. So the city was besieged.
The famine was sore in the city, so that there was no
bread for the people.
" And Zedekiah the king sent to the prophet Jere-
miah, saying, " Pray now unto the Lord for us."
A n d ^ Zedekiah again sent and said unto h i m , " I
will ask thee a thing ; hide nothing from me."
Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, " If I declare it
unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? If I
give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me."
So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah,
saying, " As the LORD liveth that made
us, I will not put thee to death, neither will blfore^^
I give thee into the hand of these men that Zedekiah.
seek thy life."
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, " Thus saith the
Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, ' If thou wilt
go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy
soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire.
But if thou wilt not go forth,, then shall this city be
given into the hands of the Chaldeans, and they shall
burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their
hand.' "
And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, " I am
afraid of the Jews that are fallen away to the Chaldeans,
lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me."
But Jeremiah said, " They shall not deliver thee.
Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, in that
which I speak unto thee ; so it shall be well with thee,
'2 Kings XXV, I. ^Jer. xxxviii, 14. I Tor other prophecies of Ezekiel,
' Jer. xxxvii, 3. \ see page 501.
30
426 The Shorter Bible [Jer. 38. 20.
and thy soul shall live. But if thou refuse to go forth,
this is the word that the LORD hath showed me, ' Be-
hold, they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children
to the Chaldeans ; and thou shalt not escape out of their
hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king
of Babylon ; and thou shalt cause this city to be burned
by fire.' "
Then said Zedekiah, " Let no man know of these
words, and thou shalt not die."
And it came to pass when a breach was made in the
city, that the princes of the king of Baby-
capture and Ion came in, and when Zedekiah and the men
punishment, ^f ^^^rsaw them they fled, and went forth out of
the city by night, by the way of the king's garden. But
the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them, and
overtook Zedekiah, and brought him to Nebuchadrezzar
king of Babylon.
' And all his army was scattered from him.
And they slew the sons of Zedekiah, before his eyes,
and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in
fetters, and carried him to Babylon. ^ The king of B a b y -
1 o n slew their young men with the sword, and had no
compassion upon young man or maiden, old man or
ancient. And all the vessels of the house of God, great
and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord,
and the treasures of the king and of his princes ; all
these he brought to Babylon. 'And the pillars of brass
that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases and
Final cap- the brazen sea that were in the house of the
rJi^aiW®' Lord, did the Chaldeans break in pieces, and
destroyed. carried the brass of them to Babylon. 'And
they * burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall
of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire,
and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. And them
that had escaped from the sword carried he away to
Babylon ; and they were servants to him and his sons
until the reign of the kingdom of Persia; to fulfill the
word of the Lord, until the land had enjoyed her
sabbaths. For as long as she lay desolate she kept sab-
1 2 Kings XXV, 5. 3 2 Kings XXV, 13. I nJi C k86
'^2 Cliron. xxxvi, 17. *2 Chroa. xxxvi, 19. |
2Chron.36. 2I.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 427
bath, to fulfill threescore and ten years. ' Because
they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his
words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of
the Lord arose against his people, till there was no
remedy.
A PSALM OF THE CAPTIVITY.
' By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept,
When we remembered Zion.
Upon the willows in the midst thereof
We hanged up our harps.
For there they that led us captive required of us songs.
And they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying,
" Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
How shall we sing the Lord's song
In a strange land?
' But the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the
land to be vinedressers and husbandmen, *and he made
Gedaliah governor over them.
And Gedaliah said unto the people, " Fear not ; dwell
in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and , , ,
.^ , ,, , ' 1, ,, ^ ^ Gedaliah.
it shall be well.
But Ishmael came, and ten men with him, and smote
Gedaliah that he died. And all the people, both small
and great, arose and came to Egypt, for they Flight to
were afraid of the Chaldeans. They ^took Egypt.
Jeremiah the prophet and came even to Tahpanhes.
Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in
Tahpanhes, saying, " Take great stones in thine hand,
and hide them in mortar in the brickwork at the
entry of Pharaoh's house, in the sight of the men of
Judah; and say unto them, ' Thus saith the LoRD of
hosts, the God of Israel, " Behold, I will send Jeremiah's
and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Baby- ^^^n.
Ion, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones
that I have hid ; and he shall spread his royal pavilion
over them. And he shall come, and shall smite the
' 2 Chron. xxxvi, i6. ^2 Kings xxv, I2. ^ Jer. xliii, 6.
''■ Psalm cxxxvii. ^ 2 Kings xxv, 22.
428 The Shorter Bible [jer. 43. n.
land of Egypt ; such as are for death shall be given to
death, and such as are for captivity to captivity. And I
will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt ; and
he shall burn them, and earry them away captives: and
he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shep-
herd putteth on his garments." ' " '^
' The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
" Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto
thee in a book. For, lo, the days come," saith the Lord,
" that I will turn again the captivity of my people, and
cause them to return to the land that I gave to their
fathers, and they shall possess it. In that day they shall
serve the Lord their God."
"'At that time," saith the LORD, "will I be the God
of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people."
Thus saith the LORD, " I have loved thee with an ever-
lasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn
thee. Again will I build thee, and thou shalt be
A gracious built, O Israel; again shalt thou make merry,
prophecy. Again shalt thou plant vineyards upon the
mountains of Samaria ; the planters shall plant, and shall
enjoy the fruit thereof. For there shall be a day, that
the watchmen upon the hills of Ephraim shall cry, ' Arise
ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.'
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and
gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, a
great company shall they return hither. They shall come
with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them.
I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a
straight way wherein they shall not stumble ; for I am a
father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn."
' Thus saith the Lord, " Yet again there shall be heard
in Jerusalem the voice of joy and the voice of glad-
ness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the
bride, the voice of them that say, ' Give thanks to the
Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his mercy cn-
dureth forever.'
" In those days will I cause a ^ Branch of righteousness
' Jer. XXX, I. ^ Jer. xxxiii, lo. t " IN ehucliadrczzar overran Egypt in
^ Jer. xxxi, i. j 5S1. '' R.V. marg.,Or, Shoot, o\,Bud.
jer. 33. 15.] Chronologically Arranged. 429
to grow up unto David ; and he shall execute judgment
and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah
be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this is
the name whereby she shall be called, The LORD is our
righteousness." ^
" For other prophecies of Jeremiah, see page 481.
430 The Shorter Bible [Job i. i.
THE BOOK OF JOB,
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was
Job J°^ ' ^^^ ^^^^ '^'^'^ ^^^ perfect and upright,
and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
And there were born unto him seven sons and three
daughters. His substance also was seven thousand
sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke
of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great
household ; so that this man was the greatest of all the
children of the east.
And his sons went and held a feast in the house of
each one upon his day; and they sent and called for
their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And Job
sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morn-
ing, and offered burnt offerings according to the number
of them all ; for Job said, " It may be that my sons have
sinned." Thus did Job continually.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to
present themselves before the LORD, and ^ Satan came
also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan,
" Whence comest thou ? "
Then Satan answered, " From going to and fro in the
earth, and from walking up and down in it."
And the Lord said unto Satan, " Hast thou con-
sidered my servant Job ? There is none like him in the
earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fcarcth
God, and eschcwcth evil."
Then Satan said, "Doth Job fear God for naught?
" R. V. niaig., Tliat is, //te Achu'rsary.
Job I. lo.] Chronologically Arranged. 431
Hast not thou made an hedge about him and his
house, and about all that he hath ? Thou job ac-
hast blessed the work of his hands, and his cused.
substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine
hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will ^ re-
nounce thee to thy face."
And the Lord said unto Satan, " Behold, all that he
hath is in thy power; only upon himself put
, r . 1 j_i • 1 J " Job tested.
not lorth thme hand.
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And it fell on a day when his sons and daughters were
eating and drinking in their eldest brother's house, that
there came a messenger unto Job, and said, "The oxen
were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them ; and
the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away ; yea,
they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword ;
and I only am escaped alone to tell thee."
While he was yet speaking, there came also another,
and said, " The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and
hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and con-
sumed them ; and 1 only am escaped alone to tell thee."
While he was yet speaking, there came also another,
and said, '* The Chaldeans made three bands, and ^ fell
upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and
slain the servants with the edge of the sword ; and I
only am escaped alone to tell thee."
While he was yet speaking, there came also another,
and said, " Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and
drinking in their eldest brother's house ; and, behold,
there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote
the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young
men, and they are dead ; and I only am escaped alone
to tell thee."
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his
head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped.
And he said, " Naked came I out of my mother's womb,
and naked shall I return thither. The LORD gave, and
the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the
Lord."
* This was the great test : will Job forsake God for idols ? He endured
the test.^ '' R. V. marg.. Or, macff a raid.
432 The Shorter Bible [Job i. 22.
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God with fool-
ishness.
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to
])resent themselves before the LORD, and Satan came
also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan,
" From whence comest thou ? "
And Satan answered, " From going to and fro in the
earth, and from walking up and down in it."
And the Lord said unto Satan, " Hast thou con-
sidered my servant Job? He still holdeth fast his in-
tegrity, although thou movedst me against him, to de-
stroy him without cause."
And Satan answered the Lord, and said, " All that a
man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine
Job accused hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh,
further. ^nd he wiU renounce thee to thy face."
And the LORD said unto Satan, " Behold, he is in
thine hand ; only spare his life."
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD,
and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot
unto his crown. And he sat among the ashes.
Then said his wife unto him, " Dost thou still hold
Job tested fast thine integrity? Renounce God, and
further. die."
But he said unto her, " Thou speakest as one of the
•'' foolish women. What? Shall we receive good at the
hand of God, and shall we not receive evil ? "
In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that
was come upon him, — Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad
the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, — they made
an appointment together to come to bemoan him and
to comfort him. And when they lifted up their eyes
afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice,
and wept ; and they rent everyone his mantle, and
sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. So
they sat down with him upon the ground seven days
and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him ; for
they saw that his grief was very great.
" K. V. maig. , Or, impious.
Job 3. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 433
CHAPTER II.
FIRST ROUND OF DISCUSSION.
After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
And Job answered and said :
" Let the day perish wherein I was born, Job's first.
And the nii^ht which said, 'There is a man awful sor-
u*i J • J » row.
child conceived.
Let that day be darkness ;
Let not God regard it from above,
Neither let the hght shine upon it.
Let darkness and ^ the shadow of death claim it for their
own ;
Let a cloud dwell upon it ;
Let all that maketh black the day terrify it.
As for that night, let thick darkness seize upon it ;
Let it not rejoice among the days of the year;
Let it not come into the number of the months.
Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark ;
Let it look for light, but have none ;
Neither let it behold the eyelids of the morning.
Why died I not ?
Why did I not give up the ghost ?
For now should I have lain down and been quiet ;
I should have slept ; then had I been at rest.
There the wicked cease from troubling ;
And there the weary be at rest.
There the prisoners are at ease together;
They hear not the voice of the taskmaster.
The small and great are there ;
And the servant is free from his master.
Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery,
And life unto the bitter in soul ;
* R. V. marg., Or, deep darkness (and so elsewliere).
434 The Shorter Bible [Job 3. 21.
Which long for death, but it cometh not ;
And dig for it more than for hid treasures ;
Which rejoice exceedingly,
And are glad, when then they can find the grave ?
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
_,,. , , " If one assay to commune with thee, wilt thou
Eliphaz's 1 • 1 -^
speech. be grieved r
But who can withhold himself from speaking ?
Behold, thou hast instructed many,
And thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling,
And thou hast confirmed the feeble knees.
But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest ;
It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
Remember, I pray thee, ^ who ever perished, being
innocent ?
J Or where were the upright cut off?
Job's former Accordiup" as I have seen, they that plow
■wickedness. . . . ^ ^ '■
iniquity.
And sow trouble, reap the same.
By the breath of God they perish.
And by the blast of his anger are they consumed.
Now a thing was secretly brought to me,
And mine ear received a whisper thereof.
In thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falleth on men,
Fear came upon me, and trembling.
Which made all iny bones to shake.
Then a spirit passed before my face;
The hair of my flesh stood up.
It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance
thereof;
A form was before mine eyes ;
There was silence, aiul I heard a voice, saying,
' Shall mortal man ''be more just than Gotl ?
Shall a man '' be more pure than his Maker?'
» In tliis life, understood. TIic argument of the Three was: You are
suffering, you must have sinned. '' R. V. marg., Or, de just before God.
' R. V. marg., Or, be pure before his Afaker.
Job 4. 18.] Chronologically Arranged. 435
Behold, he putteth no trust in his servants,
And his angels he chargeth with folly ;
How much more them that dwell in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust.
I have seen the foolish taking root ;
But suddenly I cursed his habitation.
His children are far from safety,
And they are crushed in the gate.
But as forme, I would seek unto God,
AJ i./-"j ijT -i. Exhorts Job.
And unto God would i commit my cause.
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth ;
Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the
Almighty."
Then Job answered and said,
" Oh that my vexation were but weighed, jQ^,g
And my calamity laid in the balances! answer.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of _, , .
Excuses his
the seas ; feverish
Therefore have my words been rash.
To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed
from his friend.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace ;
^ Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
How forcible are words of uprightness !
But what doth your arguing reprove ?
Do ye imagine to reprove words ?
Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are ''as
wind.
Is there not a '^ warfare to man upon earth ?
And are not his days like the days of an hire- Bemoans
liner? his life.
As a servant that earnestly desireth the shadow.
And as an hireling that looketh for his wages ;
So am I made to possess months of vanity.
And wearisome nights are appointed to me.
» Job knows he is suffering, yet he has not lived a corrupt and cruel life.
•> R. V. marg., Or, for the wind. " R. V. mai-g., Or, time of service.
436 The Shorter Bible [Job 7. 4,
When I lie down, I say,
* ^ When shall I arise ? ' but the night is long ;
And I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of
the day.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle,
And are spent without hope.
Oh remember that my life is wind ;
Mine eyes shall no more see good.
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth ;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit.
•^ I loathe my life; I ''would not live alway;
Let me alone ; for my days are '^ vanity."
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
Biidad's " How long wilt thou speak these things?
speech. Aj-,(j \^Q^y ^ong shall the words of thy mouth
belike a mighty wind?
If thy children have sinned against God,
And he have delivered them into the hand of their trans-
gression ;
If thou wouldest seek diligently imto God,
Exhortation. ^^^^ ^^^^^ thy supplication to the Almighty;
If thou wert pure and upright ;
Surely now he would awake for thee.
And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosper-
ous.
And though thy beginning was small.
Yet thy latter end should greatly increase."
Then Job answered and said,
Job's " ^"*- ^^°^^ ^^" ^^^ ^^ j"''^ "^ ^^'^^ God?
answer. If he be pleased to contend with him,
He cannot answer him one of a thousand.
He brcaketh me with a tempest.
And multiplicth my wounds without cause.
He will not suffer me to take my breath,
But filleth me with bitterness.
" R. V. niarg., Or, IV/ien s/ia// I arise, and the 7tight he gofief '' R. V.
marg., Or, I waste aioay. " R. V. marg., Or, s/ialL '' R. V. niarg., Or,
as a breath. " R. V. marg., Or, before.
Job 9. 25.] Chronologically Arranged. 437
Now my days are swifter than a =^ post ;
They flee away, they see no good.
They are passed away as the swift ships ;
As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.
He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him.
That we should come together in judgment. t ^
. J 1 ?^ • ^ J t> Longs for a
1 here is no daysman betwixt us, mediator.
That might lay his hand upon us both."
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
" Should not the multitude of words be an- „ , ,
^ Zophar's
swered ? speech.
And should a man full of talk be justified ?
Should thy boastings make men hold their peace?
And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee
ashamed ?
For thou sayest, ' My doctrine is pure,
And I am clean in thine eyes.'
But O that God would speak, Severe con-
A, 1 • 1- • i. ii I demnation.
nd open his lips against thee !
Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine
iniquity deserveth."
Then Job answered and said,
" No doubt but ye are the people," job's answer.
And wisdom shall die with you !
But I have understanding as well as you ;
I am not inferior to you.
Yea, who knoweth not such things as these ? sarcastic
What ye know, the same do I know also ; retort.
I am not inferior unto you.
Surely I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to reason with God.
But ye are forgers of lies.
Ye are all physicians of no value.
O that ye would altogether hold your peace !
And it should be your wisdom.
Hear now my reasoning,
* R. V. marg., Or, runner.
J:38 The vSiiorter Bible [Job 13. 6.
And hearken to the pleadings of my h'ps.
Will ye speak unrighteously for God,
And talk deceitfully for him ?
Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes,
Your defenses are defenses of clay.
Though he slay me, yet will I wait for him ;
Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
Turns to How many are mine iniquities and sins?
God. Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
Wherefore hidest thou thy face,
And boldest me for thine enemy?
Wilt thou harass a driven leaf?
And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
Man that is born of a woman
Is of few days, and full of trouble.
He Cometh forth like a flower, and ^ is cut down ;
He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Man dieth, and ^ wasteth away ;
Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he ?
If a man die, shall he live again?
All the days of my warfare ° would I wait,
Till my release should come.
''Thou shouldest call, and I would answer thee ;
Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of thine hands."
"R. V. niarg. , Or, withereth. •■ R. V. marg., Or, lieth lo7v. "^ R. V.
marg., Or, will . . . shall come. ^ R. V. marg., Or, Thou shall call, and I
will, etc.
Job 15. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 439
CHAPTER III.
SECOND ROUND OF DISCUSSION.
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
" Thine own mouth condemneth thee; Eiiphaz's
Thine own Hps testify against thee. speech.
Art thou the first man that was born?
Or wast thou brought forth before the hills ?
Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God ?
And dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
What knowest thou, that we know not ?
What understandest thou, w4iich is not in us?
With us are both the grayheaded and the very aged men,
Much elder than thy father. Boasts his
Are the consolations of God too small for own wis-
aom.
thee,
^ And the word that dealeth gently with thee ?
Why doth thine heart carry thee away?
And why do thine eyes wink ?
That thou turnest thy spirit against God, Expostuia-
And lettest such words go out of thy mouth, tion.
What is man, that he should be clean ?
And he which is born of a woman, that he should be
righteous?
Behold, God putteth no trust in his holy ones;
Yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
How much less one that is abominable and corrupt,
A man that drinketh iniquity like water! "
Then Job answered and said,
" I have heard many such things ; i'^sw>
*> Miserable comforters are ye all.
I also could speak as ye do ;
* R. V. marg., Or, 0 is there any secret thing with thee? ^ R. V. marg.,
Or, Wearisome.
ans-wer.
440 The Shorter Bible [Job i6. 4.
If your soul were in my soul's stead,
I could join words together against you,
And shake mine head at you.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth,
And the solace of my lips should assuage your grief.
God delivereth me to the ungodly,
Sad com- And castetli me into the hands of the wicked.
plaints. J ^y^g ^|. Q^gQ^ jii^(-i \^Q brake me asunder;
He hath also set me up for his mark.
His archers compass me round about ;
He runneth upon me like a giant.
My face is foul with weeping.
And on my eyelids is the shadow of death ;
Although there is no violence in mine hands,
And my prayer is pure.
0 earth, cover not thou my blood,
And let my cry have no resting place.
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
And he that voucheth for me is on high. •
My friends scorn me ;
But mine eye poureth out tears unto God;
"• That he would maintain the right of a man with God,
And of a son of man with his neighbor !
For when a few years are come,
1 shall go the way whence I shall not return."
Then answered Bildad the Shuhitc, and said,
"The light of the wicked shall be put out,
Biidad's And the spark of his fire shall not shine.
speech. 'pj^g steps of liis strength shall be straitened,
And his own counsel shall cast him down.
Terrors shall make him afraid on every side.
And shall chase him at his heels,
thr^^aten- His Strength shall be hunger-bitten,
mgs. y^j^^i calamity shall be ready 'Tor his halting.
His remembrance shall perish from the earth-,
And he shall have no name in the street.
" R. V. marg., Or, T/iai one might plead for a man ivith God, as a son of
man pleadeth for his neighbor. *' R. V. marg., Or, at his side.
Job 17. 18.J Chronologically Arranged. 441
He shall be driven from light into darkness,
And chased out of the world.
He shall have neither son nor son's son among his
people,
Nor any remaining where he sojourned.
Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous,
And this is the place of him that knoweth not God."
Then Job answered and said,
" How long will ye vex my soul,
And break me in pieces with words ? answer.
These ten times have ye reproached me ;
Ye are not ashamed that ye deal hardly witli me.
My kinsfolk have failed.
And my familiar friends have forgotten me.
Thev that dwell in mine house count me for e ^
baa retro-
^ stranger; spect.
I am an alien in their sight.
I call unto my servant, and he givcth me no answer,
Though I intreat him with my mouth.
Even young children despise me ;
If I arise, they speak against me.
All my inward friends abhor me ;
And they whom I loved are turned against me.
My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh.
And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my
friends ;
For the hand of God hath touched me.
Oh that my words were now written !
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
That with an iron pen and lead
They were graven in the rock forever !
"" But I know that my ^ redeemer liveth, Triumphant
And that he shall stand up at the last upon trust.
the ° earth ;
And after my skin hath been thus destroyed.
Yet ^ from my flesh shall I see God !
»R. V. marg., Or, For. >> R. V. marg., Or, 7nudicator. Helx goel.
<^ R. V. marg., Heb. dust. '' R. V. marg., Or, ivithout.
31
442 The Shorter Bn5LE [Job 19. 27.
Whom I shall see '^ for myself,
And mine eyes shall behold, and not ^another."
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Zophar's " Knowest thou not this of old time,
speech. Since man was placed upon earth,
That the triumphing of the wicked is short,
And the joy of the godless but for a moment ?
Though his excellency mount up to the heavens,
And his head reach unto the clouds;
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found.
Accusations "^"^a, he shall be chased away as a vision of
and threat- the night.
For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor ;
He hath violently taken away an house.
Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
Terrors are upon him. «
This is the portion of a wicked man from God,
And the heritage appointed unto him by God."
Then Job answered and said,
Job's an- "Suffer me, and I also will speak;
swer. y^,i(j after that I have spoken, mock on.
Wherefore do the wicked live.
Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
Ahardques- Tlieir houses are safe from fear,
tion. Neither is the rod of God upon them.
They send forth their little ones like a flock,
And their children dance.
They sing to the timbrel and harp.
And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
One dieth in his full strength.
Being wholly at ease and quiet ;
And another dieth in bitterness of soul,
And never tastcth of good.
They lie down alike in the dust.
And shall be borne to the grave.
How then comfort ye me in vain,
Seeing in your answers there remaineth only falsehood ?"
" R. V. marir., Or, on »tv .u'i/i\ '' R. V. mai>^.. Or, .is <i strnm^ff.
Job 22. I.J Chronologically Arranged. 443
CHAPTER IV.
THIRD ROUND OF DISCUSSION.
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
" Is not thy wickedness great? Eiiphaz's
Neither is there any end to thine iniquities. speech.
For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for naught,
And stripped the naked of their clotliing. Direct accu-
Thou hast not given water to the weary, sations.
And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
Thou hast sent widows away empt}%
And the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
Therefore snares are round about thee,
And sudden fear troubletli thee.
Is not God in the height of heaven ?
And behold the height of the stars, how high they are !
And thou sayest, 'What doth God know?
Can he judge through the thick darkness ? '
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace;
Thereby good shall come unto thee."
Then Job answered and said,
" Oh that I knew where I might find him, job's an-
That I might come even to his seat ! swer.
I would order my cause before him, Turns from
And fill my mouth with .arguments. man to God.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his
power ?
Nay ; but he would give heed unto me.
But he knoweth the way that I take ;
When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot hath held fast to his steps ;
His wa}^ have I kept, and turned not aside.
444 The vShorter Bible [Job 23. 12.
■^ssertsMs J have not gone back from the command-
ment of his lips ;
I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than
my necessary food."
Biidad's Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
speech.
" How can man be just ''with God?
eniufies" Or how Can lie be clean that is born of a
woman ?
Behold, even the moon hath no brightness,
And the stars are not pure in his sight ;
How much less man, that is a worm !
And the son of man, which is a worm ! "
Then Job answered and said,
Job's an- " How hast thou helped him that is without
swer. I
power !
How hast thou saved the arm that hath no strength !
How hast thou counseled him that hath no wisdom,
And ''plentifully declared sound knowledge !
God stretcheth out the north over empty space,
Thinks of And hangeth the earth "^^ upon nothing.
God's great- He bindcth up the waters in his thick clouds ;
And the cloud is not rent under them.
He hath described a boundary upon the face of the
waters.
Unto the confines of light and darkness.
The pillars of heaven tremble ;
He stirreth up the sea with his power.
By his spirit the heavens are '' garnished ;
His hand hath pierced the swift serpent.
Lo, these are but the outskirts of his ways ;
And how small a whisper do we hear of him !
But the thunder of his '' power who can understand ? " ^
" R. V. marg.. Or, before. ^Sarcasm. Notice the brevity of Biidad's
speech. '■ R. V. marg., Or, over. ■* R. V. niarg., Ileb. beauty. '' R. V.
marg. , Or, mii^Jity (/in/s. ^ Notice the brevity of Biidad's speech, just
precetling this one of Job's, and the utter silence of Zophar, when his turn
comes.
Job 27. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 445
CHAPTER V.
job's monologues.
And Job again took up his parable, and said,
" Surely there is a mine for silver,
And a place for gold which they refine.
Iron is taken out of the earth,
And brass is molten out of the stone.
Man setteth an end to darkness,
And searcheth out to the furthest bound Schlnl'"
The stones of thick darkness and of the for precious
shadow of death.
He breaketh open a shaft away from where men sojourn ;
They are forgotten of the foot that passeth by;
They hang afar from men, they swing to and fro.
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread ;
And underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
The stones thereof are the place of sapphires,
And it hath dust of gold.
That path no bird of prey knoweth.
Neither hath the falcon's eye seen it ;
The proud beasts have not trodden it,
Nor hath the fierce lion passed thereby.
He putteth forth his hand upon the flinty rock ;
He overturneth the mountains by the roots.
He cutteth out ^ channels among the rocks ;
And his eye seeth every precious thing.
lie bindeth the streams ^ that they trickle not;
And the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.
But where shall wisdom be found? B^^^t where
And where is the place of understanding? is wisdom?
Man knoweth not the price thereof;
Neither is it found in the land of the living.
* R. V. marg., Or, passages. •* R. V. marg., Heb. frotn weeping.
446 The Shorter Bible [Job 28. 14.
The deep saith, * It is not in me ; '
And the sea saith, ' It is not with me.'
It cannot be gotten for gold,
Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,
With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
Gold and glass cannot equal it ;
Neither shall the exchange thereof be jewels of fine gold.
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal ;
Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it.
Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Whence then cometh wisdom ?
And where is the place of understanding?
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,
And kept close from the fowls of the air.
God understandeth the way thereof,
And he knoweth the place thereof.
For he looketh to the ends of the earth.
And seeth under the whole heaven ;
To make a weight for the wind ;
Yea, he meteth out the waters by measure.
When he made a decree for the rain,
And a way for the lightning of the thunder;
Then did he see it, and declare it ;
Wisdom I^*^ established it, yea, and searched it out.
defined. And unto man he said,
' Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom ;
And to depart from c\'il is understanding.'
Oh that I were as in the months of old.
As in the days when God watched over me ;
„, ^ When his lamp shined upon my head,
The past. . , . , . ^ . 11,1 1 11
And by his- light I walked through darkness;
As I was in '-' the ripeness of my days.
When the '' secret of God was upon my tent ;
When the Almighty was yet with me,
And my children were about me.
" R. V. marg. , Heb. wy (/ays of autiiDiu. '■ R. \'. maiL;. , Or, couiist-l.
Or, friendship.
Job 29. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 447
When I went forth to the gate unto the city,
When I prepared my seat in the street,
The young men saw me and hid themselves,
And the aged rose up and stood ;
The princes refrained talking.
And laid their hand on their mouth.
For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me ;
And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me ;
Because I delivered the poor that cried,
The fatherless also, that had none to help him.
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon
me ;
And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
I was eyes to the blind.
And feet was I to the lame.
I was a father to the needy ;
And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.
And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous,
And plucked the prey out of his teeth.
Then I said, ' I shall die in my nest.
And I shall multiply my days as "■ the sand.'
But now they that are younger than I have me in de-
rision.
Whose fathers I disdained to set with the ent^
dogs of my flock.
I am become their song,
I am a byword unto them.
They abhor me, they stand aloof from me,
And spare not to spit in my face.
My soul is poured out within me ;
Days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
In the night season my bones are ^ pierced in me,
And the pains that gnaw me take no rest.
When I looked for good, then evil came ;
And when I waited for light, there came darkness.
My skin is black, and falleth from me.
And my bones are burned with heat.
" R. V. marg., Or, (/it- plienix. ^ R. V. marg., Or, corroch-d and drop
away from Die.
•4:48 The vShorter Bible [Job 31. 4.
Doth not God see my ways,
And number all my steps ?
If I have walked with vanity,
And my foot hath hasted to deceit ;
Passionate (I-ct me be weighed in an even balance,
challenge That God may know mine integrity;)
his^purity^ If my Step hath turned out of the way,
of life. And if any spot hath cleaved to mine hands ;
Then let me sow, and let another eat ;
Yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.
If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my
maidservant,
When they contended with me;
What then shall I do when God riseth up ?
And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him ?
If I have withheld the poor from their desire.
Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail ;
Or have eaten my morsel alone.
And the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing,
Or that the needy had no covering ;
If his loins have not blessed me.
And if he were not warmed with the fleece of my
sheep ;
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless.
Because I saw my help in the gate ;
Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade,
And mine arm be broken from the bone.
If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me,
Or lifted up myself when evil found him ;
If ^ like Adam I covered my transgressions,
By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom ;
If my land cry out against me,
And the furrows thereof weep together ;
If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money.
Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life;
Let thistles grow instead of wheat,
And cockle instead of barley."
The words of Job are ended.
" R. V. niarg., Or, afl.'-r ///<■ inainier of men.
Job 3^2. I •] Chronologically Arranged. 449
CHAPTER VI.
ELIHU'S MONOLOGUE.
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he
was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the
wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the
family of Ram ; against Job was his wrath kindled, be-
cause he justified himself rather than God. Also against
his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had
found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now
Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were
elder than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no
answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was
kindled.
And Elihu answered and said,
" I am young, and ye are very old ;
Wherefore I held back, and durst not show }'ou mine
opinion.
I said, ' Days should speak.
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.'
But there is a spirit in man.
And the breath of the Almighty giveth them under-
standing. jj^^3^^ f^^
It is not tlie great that are wise, speakmg.
Nor the aged that understand judgment.
Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened for your reasons.
Whilst ye searched out what to say.
Yea, I attended unto you,
And, behold, there was none that convinced Job,
Or that answered his words, among you.
They are amazed, they answer no more ;
They have not a word to say.
450 The Shorter Bible [Job 32. 16.
And shall I wait because they speak not,
Because they stand still, and answer no more?
I also will answer my part,
I also will show mine opinion.
For I am full of words ;
The spirit within me constraineth me.
Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person ;
Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.
Job, I pray thee, hear my speech,
And hearken to all my words.
Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing.
And I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
' I am clean, without transgression ;
I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
Behold, God findeth occasions against me.
He counteth me for his enemy ;
He putteth my feet in the stocks.
He marketh all my paths.'
Behold, I will answer thee. In this thou art not just ;
For God is greater than man.
Why dost thou strive against him?
For he giveth not account of any of his matters.
•
God speaketh ^ once,
„, , Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.
The three ' o o _
ways God In a dream, in a vision of the night,
teaches men. ■■,,, , , r 11 ^i
vVhcn deep sleep hilleth upon men ;
Then he oj^cneth the ears of men.
And sealeth their instruction.
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed,
And with continual strife in his bones.
If there be with him ^ an angel.
An interpreter, one among a thousand,
To show unto man what is right for him ;
Then he is gracious unto him, and saith,
' Deliver him from going down to the pit,
I have found a ransom.'
His flesh shall be fresher than a child's;
"R. V. marg., Or, /;/ <'//<• ^uny, vt-a, in lioo. '' R. V. niaig., Or, a
inesseiiiscr.
Job 33- 25-1 Chronologically Arranged. 451
He returneth to the days of his youth ;
He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him;
So that he seeth his face with joy.
He singeth before men, and saith, ^ , ^
. RiGSU.l't Ol
' I have sinned, and perverted that which was God's deai-
• 1 . ings.
right,
And it profited me not ;
He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit.
And my life shall behold the light.'
Lo, all these things doth God work,
Twice, yea thrice, with a man,
To bring back his soul from the pit.
That he may be enlightened with the light of '^ the
living.
Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me;
Hold thy peace, and I will speak.
If thou hast anything to say, answer me ;
Speak, for I desire to justify thee."
Moreover Elihu answered and said,
" Hear my words, ye wise men ;
And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
For the ear trieth words.
As the palate tasteth meat.
Let us choose for us that which is right ;
Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Of a surety, God will not do wickedly.
Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Shall even one that hateth right govern ? aited char-
And wilt thou condemn him that is just and
mighty?
Is it fit to say to a king, ' Thou art vile?'
Or to nobles, ' Ye are wicked ? '
How much less to him that respecteth not the persons
of princes,
Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor?
For they are all the work of his hands.
His eyes are upon the ways of a man,
And he seeth all his goings.
"R. V. marg., Or, /i/e.
452 The vShorter Bible [Job 34. 22.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death,
Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn ?
And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him ? "
Moreover Elihu answered and said,
" Thinkest thou this to be thy right?
Man cannot Or sayest thou, 'My righteousness is more
boast. i-han God's? '
Look unto the heavens, and see ;
And behold thou the skies, which arc higher than thou."
Elihu also proceeded, and said,
" Suffer me a little, and I will show thee ;
For I have yet somewhat to say on God's behalf.
I will fetch my knowledge from afar,
And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
God's just Behold, God is mighty, and dcspiscth not any ;
dealings. Hq [^ mighty in strength of understanding.
He preservetli not the life of the wicked ;
But giveth to the afflicted their right.
He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous ;
But with kings upon the throne
He setteth them forever, and they are exalted.
And if they be bound in fetters,
And be taken in the cords of affliction ;
Then he showeth them their work.
And their transgressions, that they have behaved them-
selves proudly.
He openeth also their ear to instruction,
And commandcth that they return from iniquity.
Yea, he would have led thee away out o( distress
Into a broad place, where there is no straitness.
Behold, God doeth loftily in his power.
Who is a teacher like unto him?
Behold, God is great, and we know hiifi not;
The number of his years is unsearchable.
God in He draweth up the drops of water,
nature. Which distill in rain from his vapor.
Can any understand the spreadings of llu: clouds,
Job 36. 29.] Chronologically Arranged. 453
The thunderings of his pavilion?
Behold, he spreadeth his h'ght around him.
Hearken ye unto the noise of his voice;
He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven.
He thundereth with the voice of his majesty ;
God thundereth marvelously with his voice.
He saith to the snow, ' Fall thou on the earth ;*
Likewise to the shower of rain.
Then the beasts go into coverts,
And remain in their dens.
Out of the chamber of the south cometh the storm ;
And cold out of the north. The coming
By the breath of God ice is given ; storm.
And the breadth of the waters is ''straitened.
Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture ;
He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning;
Whether it be for correction, or for his land,
Or for mercy, that he cause it to come.
Heaken unto this, O Job ;
Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Dost thou know how God layeth his charge upon them,
And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?
' Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds,
The wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowl-
edge ?
How thy garments are warm,
When the earth is still by reason of the south wind ?
Out of the north cometh golden splendor; God coming
God hath upon him terrible majesty." inthestorm.
" R. V. marg., Or, congealed.
454 The Shorter Bible [job 38. i.
CHAPTER VII.
god's revelation of himself.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind,
and said,
" Who is this that darkeneth counsel
By words without knowledge?
Gird up now thy loins like a man ;
For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the
earth ?
Declare, if thou hast understanding.
Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest ?
Job's little- O^ ^^'^^o stretched the line upon it?
ness. Whereupon were the foundations thereof fas-
tened ?
Or who laid the corner stone thereof;
When the morning stars sang together,
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Who shut up the sea with doors.
When it brake forth ;
When I made the cloud the garment thereof,
And thick darkness a swaddling band for it.
And said, ' flitherto shalt thou come, but no further;
And here shall thy proud waves be stayed?'
Hast thou commanded the morning, since thy days
began,
And caused the dayspring to know its place?
Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea?
Or hast thou walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee?
Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death ?
Hast thou comprehended the breadth of the earth?
Declare, if thou knowest it at all.
Job 38. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 455
Where is the way to the dwelHng of hght,
And as for darkness, where is the place thereof?
Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow,
Or hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail?
By what way is the light parted,
Or the east wind scattered upon the earth ?
Who hath cleft a channel for the water flood,
Or a way for the lightning of the thunder ;
To cause it to rain on a land where no man is ;
On the wilderness, wherein there is no man ;
To satisfy the waste and desolate ground ;
And to cause the tender grass to spring forth ?
Hath the rain a father? God's great-
Or who hath begotten the drops of dew ? "*'^^-
Out of whose womb came the ice?
And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it ?
Canst thou bind the cluster of the Pleiades,
Or loose the bands of Orion ?
Canst thou lead forth "- the signs of the Zodiac in their
season ?
Or canst thou guide the Bear with her ^ train ?
Who hath put wisdom in the ^inward parts?
Or who hath given understanding to the "^ mind ?
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lioness?
Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions?
Who provideth for the raven his food,
When his young ones cry unto God?
Doth the hawk soar by thy wisdom,
And stretch her wings toward the south ?
Doth the eagle mount up at thy command.
And make her nest on high ? "
Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,
" Shall he that cavileth contend with the Almighty ?
He that argueth with God, let him answer it."
Then Job answered the LoRD, and said,
" Behold, I am of small account ; what shall I answer
thee ?
* So in R. V. maig. '^ R. V. marg. , Or, so;is. '' R. \. maig., Or, ifa/-/,'
clouds. '' R. V. marg., Or, tnetcor.
456 The Shorter Bible [Job 40. 4.
I lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Job is Once have I spoken, and I will not answer;
silenced. Yea twice, but I will proceed no further."
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind,
and said,
" Gird up thy loins now like a man ;
I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Wilt thou even disannul my judgment?
Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be justified?
Or hast thou an arm like God ?
Canst thou thunder with a voice like him ?
' Who then is he that can stand before me ?
Who hath first given unto me, that I should repay him ?
^ Deck thyself now with excellenc}' and dignity,
Array thyself with honor and majesty ;
Then will I also confess of thee
That thine own right hand can save thee."
Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
" I know that thou canst do all things.
And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.
Job repents ^ ^^^^^^^ Uttered that which I understood not,
hisdoubting Thiufis too wouderful for me, which I knew
and feverish ^
words. not.
I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear ;
But now mine eye seeth thee.
Wherefore I " abhor myself, and repent
In dust and ashes."
' Job xli, 10. I " R.V. marg., Or, /i>a(/id my \voril>.
'Job xl, 10. I See Job vi, 3, 26.
Job 42. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 457
CHAPTER VIII.
CONCLUSION.
And- it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these
words unto Job, the LORD said to EHphaz God's dis-
the Temanite, " My wrath is kindled against I'gltnstlhe
thee, and against thy two friends ; for ye have three,
not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job
hath. Now therefore, take unto }'ou seven bullocks and
seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for
yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall
pray for you; for him will I accept, that I deal not with
you after your folly. For ye have not spoken of me the
thing that is right, as my servant Job hath."
So Eliphaz the Teinanite and Bildad the Shuhite and
Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the
Lord commanded them ; and the LORD accepted Job.
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he
prayed for his friends ; and the LORD gave job prays
Job twice as much as he had before. Then forthem,
, . 11 1 • 1 1 and IS nim-
came there unto hmi all his brethren, and ail self blessed.
his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaint-
ance before, and did eat bread with him in his house.
And they bemoaned him, and comforted him concerning
all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him ; every
man also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a
ring of gold. So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job
more than his beginning ; and he had fourteen thousand
sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke
of oxen, and a thousand she-asscs. He had also seven
sons and three daughters. And in all the land were no
women found so fair as the daughters of Job ; and their
father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
And after this Job lived an hundred and forty years,
and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four genera-
tions. So Job died, being old and full of da^^s.
32
458 The Shorter Bible [isa. i. i.
WRITINGS OF THE PROPHET
ISAIAH.-'
CHAPTER I.
GENERAL MESSAGES : A PARABLE : WOES.
'The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw
in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah,
kings of Judah.
Hear, O heavens, and give car, O earth, for the
Lord hath spoken : " I have nourished and brought up
children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox
knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib ; but
Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, children
that deal corruptly ! They have forsaken the
fromJeho- LORD, they have despised the Holy One of
Israel. "^ Thy princes are rebellious, and com-
l)anions of thieves. They judge not the fatherless,
neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
"°Your country is desolate; your cities are burned
with fire ; your land, strangers devour it in your pres-
ence. And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a
vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers.
Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers; give ear unto
the law of our God, ye people. " To what purpose is the
multitude of your sacrifices unto me? ^This people
draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with
their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart
far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of
men which hath been ''taught them. 'Bring no more
" For other extracts from Isai.ih,
see passes 387, 403-6. '' R. V. marg.,
Or, learned by rote.
Isa.
, I-
Msa.
xxix,
IS
Isa.
, 23.
'■Isa.
i, IS-
Isa. i
. 7-
isa. I. 13.] Chronologically Arranged. 459
vain oblations. When ye spread forth your hands, I
will hide mine eyes from you ; yea, when ye make many
prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
Wash you, make you clean ; put away the evil of your
doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil ; learn
to do well. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge
the fatherless, plead for the widow.
" Come now, and let us reason together. Though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though
they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye
be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the
land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured
with the sword ; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
"' Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with
him ; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe
unto the wicked. It shall be ill with him ; for the reward
of his hands shall be given him."
^ Let me sing for my well-beloved a song touching his
vineyard. My well-beloved had a vineyard in a very
fruitful hill ; and he made a trench about it, and gath-
ered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the
choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and
hewed out a wine press therein. And he looked that it
should bring forth grapes, and it brought p bi f
forth wild grapes. "And now judge, I pray thevine-
you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What ^^^
could have been done more to m\' vineyard ? Where-
fore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes,
brought it forth wild grapes ? And now go to ; I will
tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take
away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up ; I will
break down the fence thereof, and it shall be trodden
down. I will lay it waste ; it shall not be pruned nor
hoed ; but there shall come up briers and thorns. I
will also command the clouds that they rain no rain
upon it." The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the
house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant
plant ; and he looked for judgment, but behold oppres-
sion ; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
' Lsa. iii, lo. ' Isa. v, i.
460 The Shorter Bible [isa. 5. 8.
Thus s a i t h the Lord,
" Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay
field to field, till there be no room, and ye be made to
dwell alone in the midst of the land !
" Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning,
that they may follow strong drink ; that tarry late into
the night, till wine inflame them !
" Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ;
that put darkness for light, and light for
darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and
sweet for bitter !
" Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and
men of strength to mingle strong drink; which justify
the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteous-
ness of the rigliteous from him !
" ' Woe to the rebellious children, that take counsel,
but not of me; that go down to Egypt, to strengthen
themselves in the strength of Pharaoh ! For Egypt
helpeth in vain." "Thus saith the Lord,' " In returning
and rest shall ye be saved ; in quietness and in confi-
dence sliall be your strength.
" HVoe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and
stay on horses ; and trust in chariots, because they are
many, and in horsemen, because they are strong ; but
look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the
Lord !
" ^ Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, to
turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away
the right of the poor of my people, that widows may be
their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their
prey ! And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and
in the desolation which shall come from far? To whom
will ye flee for help, and where will ye leave your
glory ?
" ^ Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of
Ephraim, and to the glorious beauty of them that are
overcome with wine ! These have erred through wine,
and through strong drink are gone astray. Priest and
prophet have erred through drink, they are gone astray
' Isa. XXX, I. 'Isa. xxxi, 1. 'Isa. xxviii, I.
' Isa. XXX, 15. * Isa. x, i.
Isa. 28. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 4(11
through strong drink. They err in vision, they stumble
in judgment.
" Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a
tried stone, a precious corner stone of sure foundation.
He that believeth shall not make haste. And I will
make judgment the line, and righteousness the plummet ;
and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies ; and your
covenant with death shall be disannulled."
462 The Shorter Bible [isa. 6. i.
CHAPTER II.
ISAIAH'S CALL : MESSIANIC rUOPHECIES : REJOICINGS.
' In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord
sitting upon a throne, high and Hfted up, and his train
filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim ; each
one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and
with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another, and said, " Holy, holy,
holy is the LORD of hosts ; the whole earth is full of
his glory."
And the foundations of the thresholds were moved at
, . , , ,, the voice of him that cried, and the house
Isaiah's call m i • i i
tothepro- was hlled With smoke.
phetic office. „,, • i t . it^ • i r t
1 hen said I, "Woe is me! tor 1 am un-
done ; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell
in the midst of a people of unclean lips ; for mine eyes
have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."'
Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live
coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs
from off the altar. And he touched my mouth with it,
and said, " Lo, this hath touched thy lips ; and thine in-
iquity is taken away, and thy sin purged."
And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, " Whom
shall I send, and who will go for us ? "
Then I said, " Here am I ; send me."
And he said, " Go."
' In the former time he brought into contempt Galilee
of the Gentiles, but in the latter time hath he made it
glorious. The people that walked in darkness have seen a
great light ; they that dwell in the land of the sh.ndow
of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast
multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy.
They joy before thee according to the jo}- in liarvest, as
' Isa. vi, I. - I>a. i.\, i.
isa. 9. 3-1 Chronologically Arranged, 403
men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the rod of
his oppressor thou liast broken as in the day of Midian.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given ; and
the government shall be upon his shoulder. Messianic
His name shall be called Wonderful, Coun- Prophecies,
selor. Mighty God, ^ Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace
there shall be no end, upon the, throne of David, and
upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with
judgment and with righteousness from henceforth even
forever. The zeal of the LORl) of hosts shall perform
this.
' And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock
of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and
might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the
Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither
^reprove after the hearing of his ears; but with right-
eousness shall he judge the poor. He shall smite the
earth with the rod of his mouth, and w^ith the breath of
his lips shall he slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be
the girdle of his loins, ajid faithfulness the girdle of his
reins. And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the
leopard* shall lie down with the kid; and a little child
shall lead them. The lion shall eat straw like the ox,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the basilisk's
den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain ; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge
of the Lord , as the waters cover the sea.
* And in that day thou shalt say, " I will give thanks
unto thee, O Lord ; for though thou wast angry with
me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me.
Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and will not be
afraid ; for the LoRD JEHOVAII is my strength and song^
and he is become my salvation." There- songs of
fore with joy shall ye draw water out of rejoicing.
the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say,
'Isa. xi, I. I " R. V. marg., Heb. Father of
= Isa. xii, I. 1 Eternity. *• R. V. marg., Or, decide.
4«4 Tin-: vSiiurter Bible [isa. 12. 3.
"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, de-
clare his doings among the peoples, make mention that
his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath
done excellent things ; let this be known in all the earth.
Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion, for great
is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."
* O Lord, thou art my God. I will exalt thee, I will
praise thy name ; for thou hast done wonderful things
in faithfulness and truth. For thou hast been a strong-
hold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his dis-
tress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat,
when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against
the wall. God hath swallowed up death forever ; the
Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. And
it shall be said in that day, " Lo, this is our God ; we
have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the
Lord ; we have waited for him, we will be glad and re-
joice in his salvation."
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of
Judah: "We have a strong city; salvation will he ap-
point for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that
the righteous nation which keepeth truth may enter in."
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee ; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye
in the Lord forever; for in the LoRD jElloVAH is =' an
everlasting rock.
"The wilderness and the ^solitary place shall be glad ;
and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It
shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and
singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it,
the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the
glory of the LORD, the excellency of our God.
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble
knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, " Be
strong, fear not. Behold, your God will come; he will
come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the
ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the
lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of. the dumb
' Isa. XXV, I. I " R. V'. maig.. Or, a rock of atfes.
' Isa. XXXV, I. I '' R. ^'. niarg., Ox, parched land.
isa. 35. 6.] Chronologically Arranged. 405
shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out,
and streams in the desert. And the ^ glowing sand shall
become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall
be called "The way of holiness." The unclean shall not
pass over it ; but it shall be for those. The wayfaring
men, yea fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be
there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon, they
shall not be found there ; but the redeemed shall walk
there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and
come with singing unto Zion ; and everlasting joy shall
be upon their heads ; they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee awa)\
" R. V. marg. , Or, mirage.
466 The Shorter Bible [isa. 40. i.
CHAPTER III.
COMFORTING MESSAGES : THE FOLLY OF IDOLATRY.
" ' Comfort ye, comfort ye my people," saith your God.
" Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem.
Cry unto her,
That her warfare is accomplished,
That her iniquity is pardoned."
The voice of one that crieth,
" Prepare ye in the wilderness
The way of the LORD,
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
Ever}' valley shall be exalted.
Every mountain and hill shall be made low;
The crooked shall be made straight.
The coming ^"^1 the rough places plain ;
King. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together."
The voice of one saying, " Cry ! "
And one said, " What shall 1 cry?"
" The grass withereth,
The flower fadeth ;
Rut the word of our God
Shall staiid forever."
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up
into the high mountain ; O thou that tellest good tidings
to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength. Say unto
the cities of Judah, " l^ehold, your God I "
l^ehold, the Lord GoD will come as a mighty one,
and his arm shall rule for him. Behold, his reward is
with him, and his recompense before him. He shall
feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs
in his arm, and carry them in his bosom.
' La. xl, I.
isa. 40. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 467
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his
hand, and meted out heaven with the span, ^ ^ ^,
' 1111 r 1 1 • Contrast be-
and comprehended the dust oi the eartli m a tween Jeho-
^ , -111 • • '^<^"- ^''^^
measure, and weighed the mountains m idols.
scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed
the spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor hath
taught him? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a
bucket. Behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little
thing. To whom then will ye liken God, or what like-
ness will ye compare unto him ? The graven image, a
workman melted it, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over
with gold, and casteth for it silver chains. He that is
too impoverished for such chooseth a tree that will not
rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to set up
a graven image. * He burnetii part o f t h e t r e e in the
fire ; with part he roasteth roast, he eateth, and is satis-
fied. He warmeth himself, and saith, " Aha, I am
warm ! " And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even
his graven image. He falleth down and prayeth unto it.
And none hath understanding to say, "I have burned
part in the fire, I have baked bread, I have roasted flesh
and eaten it ; and shall I make the residue an abomina-
tion ? Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?"
"^ To whom then will ye liken me?" saith the Holy
One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath cre-
ated the stars, that bringeth out their host by number.
He calleth them all by name ; not one is lacking.
Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard? The
everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of
the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary ; there is no
searching of his understanding. ^ It is he that sitteth
upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof
are as grasshoppers ; that stretcheth out the heavens as
a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
He giveth power to the faint ; and to him that hath no
might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint
and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall ; but
they that wait upon the. Lord shall renew their strength ;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall
run, and not be weary ; they shall walk, and not faint.
' Isa. xliv, l6. '^ Isa. xl, 25. ^ Isa. xl, 22.
4:6.S The vSiiortkr Bible [isa. 46. 4-
" ' Even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will
I carry you. I have made, and I will bear ; yea, I will
carry, and will deliver.
" ^ Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of
the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. By
myself have I sworn, that unto me every knee shall
bow, every tongue shall swear.
'"Why will ye bow down to graven images?
'Produce your cause," saith the Lord; "bring forth
your strong reasons. Let them declare unto us what
shall happen. Declare ye the former things, or show us
things to come, that we may know ye are gods. Yea
do good or do evil* do somethings that we may be-
hold it. Behold, ye are nothing, and your work naught ;
an abomination is he that chooseth you.
"But 'I am the LoRD ; that is my name ; and my
glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto
graven images. Behold, the former things that I told
you are come to pass, and new things do I declare.
Before they spring forth I tell you of them. 'Ye are
my witnesses," saith the LORD. " Before me there was
no God formed, neither shall there be a n y after me.
Beside me there is no saviour. I have saved you;
therefore ye are my witnesses," saith the LORD.
' Is.i. xlvi, 4. ^ Isa. xli, 2i. ' Isa. xliii, lo.
'■' Isa. XV, 22. ■• Isa. xlii, 8.
isa. 41. 10.] Chronologically Arranged. 469
CHAPTER IV.
COMFORTING MESSAGES: RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY
FORETOLD : MESSIANIC PROPHECIES.
Thus saith the Lord,
" ' Fear thou not, for I am with thee ; ^ be not dis-
mayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee ; yea,
I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.
" I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying
unto thee, ' Fear not ; I will help thee.' W h e n the
poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their
tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will answer them, I
the God of Israel will not forsake them. I a„^„^.„ „„^
1-1 1 Safety and
Will open rivers on the bare heights, and comfort
r ■ • 1 • ■ 1 r 1 11 "^ God.
fountains in the midst ot the valleys.
'* ^ Fear not, for I have redeemed thee ; I have called
thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passest
through the waters, I will be with thee ; and through
the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou
walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned ;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the
Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy saviour.
"'Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshu-
run, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon
him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground ; I
will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon
thine offspring.
"' Fear not; thou shalt not be ashamed ; thou shalt
forget the shame of thy youth, and the reproach of thy
widowhood shalt thou remember no more. For thy
Maker is thine husband ; the LORD of hosts is his name.
The Holy One of Israel is thy redeemer ; the God of the
whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath
' Isa. xli, 10. 3isa xliv. 2. 1 " R. V. marg., Or, liwk not around
'^ Isa. xliii, i. * Isa. liv, 4. | t/iee.
J:70 Till-: Shorter Bible U^^- 54- 6.
called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even
a wife of youth, when she is cast off. For a small mo-
ment have I forsaken thee ; but with great mercies will
I gather thee. '^ In overflowing wrath I hid my face
from thee for a moment ; but with everlasting kindness
will I have mercy on thee," saith the Lord thy redeemer.
" For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be re-
moved; but my kindness shall not depart from thee,
neither shall my covenant of peace be removed," saith
the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
" ' I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgres-
sions for mine own sake ; and I will not remember thy
sins."
' Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obey-
eth the voice of his servant ? ^ He that walketh in dark-
ness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of the
Lord, and stay upon his God. ' For thus saith the
high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
is Holy, " I dwell in the high and holy place, with him
also that is of a contrite and humble spirit."
* Zion said, " Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord
hath forgotten me."
"Can a woman forget her little child, that she
should not have compassion on her own son? Yea,
these may forget, yet will not I forget thee."
Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion ; put on
thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. For
thus saith the Lord. "Ye were sold for
Return from , , i 1 1 i i j ■ ^ i «.
captivity naught ; and ye shall be redeemed without
foretold. ,1-ioncy. Ye shall not go out in haste, neither
shall ye go by flight ; for the LoRD will go before you,
and the God of Israel will be your rearward."
'Thus saith the LORD of Jerusalem, " She shall be in-
habited," and of the cities of Judah, "They shall be
built;" of Cyrus, "He is my shepherd, and shall per-
form all my pleasure; even saying of Jerusalem, 'She
' Isa. xliii, 25. Msa. xlix, 14. | " R. \'. niaig.. Or, /n a littL-
•Msa. 1, 10. 'Isa. xliv, 24. \ wrath. >■ R. V. marg., Or, Though
« Isa. Ivii, 15. I he walketh.
isa. 44. 28.] Chronologically Arranc;kd. 471
shall be built,' and to the temple, ' Thy foundation shall
be laid.' "
Thus saith the I.ORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose
right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him,
"I will open the doors before him, and the gates shall
not be shut ; I will go before thee, and make the rugged
places plain. I will break in pieces the doors of brass,
and cut in sunder the bars of iron; and I will give thee
hidden riches, that thou mayest know that I am the
Lord, which call thee by thy name, even the God of
Israel. I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known
me, I am the LORD, and beside me there is no God. I
will gird thee, though thou hast not known me. I have
raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight
all his ways. He shall build my city, and let my exiles
go free, not for price nor reward," saith the LORD of
hosts.
' Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heav-
ens, and stretched them forth ; he that spread abroad
the earth and that which cometh out of it ; he that giv-
eth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them
that walk therein,
" ^ Behold my servant whom I uphold ; my chosen,
in whom my soul delighteth. I have put my spirit upon
him; he shall bring forth judgment to the '"'Gentiles.
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be
heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he Messianic
not break, and the ''smoking flax shall he prophecies,
not quench; he shall bring forth judgment in truth.
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set
judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his
law.
" I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and
will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee
for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles ;
to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from
the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of prison.
"^Behold, my servant shall deal wiseh', he shall be
' Isa. xlii, 5.
' Isa. xlii, I.
^ Isa. Hi, 13.
" R. V. marg. , Or, iiafions (and
elsewhere). ^ R.V. marg., Or, dimly
burning wick.
472 The Shorter Bible [i^a. 52. 13.
lifted up. His visage was so marred more than any man,
and his form more than the sons of men."
Who hath believed our report, and to whom hath the
arm of the LORD been revealed? He was despised, and
rejected of men ; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with
"■'grief; and as one from whom men hide their face he
was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our ^ griefs, and carried our sor-
rows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God,
and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgres-
sions, he was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement
of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are
healed. All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have
turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath
Maid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, yet he humbled himself and opened
not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he
opened not his mouth. For the transgression of my
people was he stricken. And they made his grave with
the wicked, and with the rich in his death ; although he
had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his
mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him ; he hath put
him to grief. When thou shalt make his soul an offering
for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days,
and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.
By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify
many ; and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will
I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall di-
vide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out
his soul unto death, and was numbered with the trans-
gressors; yet he bare the sin of many, and made inter-
cession for the transgressors.
' The Lord God hath given me the tongue of them that
are taught, that I should know how to sustain with words
him that is weary. He wakeneth inoniing by morning,
"R. V. niaig., Heb. sickness.
Msa. 1,4. ^ R V. mart;., Hcb. sicknesses.
" R. V. mart;., Hch. made to light.
isa. 50. 4.] Chronologically Arranged. 473
he wakeneth mine ear to hear. The Lord GOD hath
opened mnie ear, and I was not rebelHous, neither turned
away backward. I gave my back to the smiters, and my
cheeks to them that plucked off the hair ; I hid not my
face from shame and spitting.
' The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me ; because the
Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the
"" meek ; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of
the prison to them that are bound ; to proclaim the ac-
ceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of
our God ; to comfort all that mourn ; to appoint unto
them that mourn in Zion,to give unto them a garland for
ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness ; that they might be called
trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he
might be glorified,
^sa. Ixi, I. I " R. V. marg., Ox, poor.
33
47-1: The vSiioktek Bible [isa. 55. i.
CHAPTER V.
WIDE INVITATIONS: PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS: GLORI-
OUS PROPHECIES.
Thus s a i t h the Lord,
" ^ Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,
and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy, and eat ;
yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and with-
G-racious out price. Wherefore do ye spend money for
invitations. ^]^^^ which is not bread, and your '^ labor for
that which satisfieth not? Hearken dihgently unto me,
and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul deh"ght
itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me;
hear, and your soul shall live ; and I will make an ever-
lasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of
David."
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call
ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake
his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let
him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon
him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
" For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
thoughts tlian your thoughts. For as the rain cometh
down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not
thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring
forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to
the eater ; so shall my word be that gocth forth out of my
moutli ; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall ac-
complish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy,
and be led forth with peace ; the mountains and the hills
shall break forth before you into singing, and all the
' Isa. Iv, I. I " R, V. marg., Or, earnings.
isa. 55. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 475
trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the
thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier
shall come up the myrtle tree ; and it shall be to the
Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not
be cut off."
Thus saith the Lord, " Keep ye judgment, and do
righteousness; for my salvation is near to come, and my
righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that
doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth fast by it ;
that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth
his hand from doing any evil. Also the Exhor-
strangers, that join themselves to the LORD, tations.
to be his servants, even them will I bring to my holy
mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted
upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house
of prayer for all peoples.
" * Cry aloud ; spare not. Declare unto my people their
sins. ' Wherefore have we fasted,' say they, ' and thou
seest not?' Behold, ye fast for strife, and to smite with
the fist of wickedness. Is such the fast that I have
chosen? To bow down his head and spread ashes under
him? Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen:
to loose the bonds of wickedness, to let the oppressed go
free ? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that
thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house ;
when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him ; and
that thou hide not thyself fronj thine own flesh? Then
shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy heal-
ing shall spring forth speedily ; thy righteousness shall go
before thee ; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.
Then shalt thou call, and the LoRD shall answer ; thou
shalt cry, and he shall say, 'Here I am,' The LORD
shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry
places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be
like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose
waters fail not.
" If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from
doing thy pleasure on my holy day ; and call the sabbath
a delight, and the holy of the LORD honorable ; and shalt
^ Isa. Iviii, i.
476 The Shorter Bible [isa. 58. 13.
honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine
own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words ; then shalt
thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will make thee
to ride upon the high places of the earth ; and I will
feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father."
The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
' Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, all ye that love her. Re-
joice for joy with her, all ye that mourn over her. For
thus saith the LORD, " Behold, I will extend peace to
her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an over-
flowing stream. As one whom his mother comforteth,
so will I comfort you ; and ye shall be comforted."
Glorious ' Arise, shine ; for thy light is come,
prophecies. And the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Behold, darkness shall cover the earth.
And gross darkness the peoples ;
But the Lord shall arise upon thee,
His glory shall be seen upon thee. .
Nations shall come to thy light,
And kings to the brightness of thy rising.
The abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee,
The wealth of the nations shall come unto thee.
They shall bring gold and frankincense.
And shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.
Thy gates shall be open continually ;
They shall not be shut day nor night ;
That men may bring wealth unto thee,
And their kings led with them.
The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee,
The fir tree and pine together,
To beautify the place of my sanctuary ;
And I will make the place of my feet glorious.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day.
Neither shall the moon give light unto thee ;
But the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light,
And thy God thy ^ glory.
Thy sun shall no more go down,
Neither shall thy moon withdraw itself;
For the Lord shall be thine everlasting light.
And the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
' Isa. Ixvi, 10. " Isa. Ix, I. | ' R. V. marg., Or, beauty.
Hab. 2. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 477
WRITINGS OF THE PROPHET
HABAKKUK.
CHAPTER I.
VARIOUS MESSAGES: A PRAYER.
I WILL stand upon my watch, and set me upon the
tower, and will look to see what he will speak.
And the LORD answered me, and said, {^g^pYo^phet.
"Write the vision, and make it plain, that he
may run that readeth it. The vision is for the appointed
time ; though it tarry, wait for it ; it will surely come.
"The just shall live by his faith."
Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his !
how long? and that ladeth himself with pledges!
Woe to him that getteth an evil gain for his house,
that he may set his nest on high ! The
stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam Woes.
out of the timber shall answer it.
Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and
stablisheth a city by iniquity ! The earth shall be filled
with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the
waters cover the sea.
Woe to him that giveth his neighbor drink, and
makest him drunken ! The cup of the Lord's right
hand shall be turned unto thee, and foul shame shall be
unto thy glory ; because of men's blood, and the vio-
lence done to the land.
Woe to him that saith to the wood, "Awake ! " tojthe
dumb stone, " Arise ! " Behold, it is laid over wn'th gold
and silver, but there is no breath at all in it. But the
Lord is in his holy temple ; let all the earth keep silence
before him.
478 The Shorter Bible [Hab. 3. i.
A PRAYER OF HABAKKUK, THE PROPHET.
0 Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years ;
In wrath, remember mercy.
A prayer. ^°^ ^^^^ ^^°"^ Teman,
The Holy One from mount Paran.
His glory covered the heavens,
The earth was full of his praise.
He stood, and measured the earth ;
He beheld, and drove asunder the nations.
The eternal mountains were scattered.
The everlastincr hills did bow.
Was thine anger against the rivers.
Or thy wrath against the sea,
That thou didst ride upon thine horses.
Upon thy chariots of salvation ?
The mountains saw thee, and were afraid ;
The tempest of waters passed by.
The deep uttered his voice,
And lifted up his hands on high.
The sun and moon stood still in their habitation ;
At the light of thine arrows as they went,
At the shining of thy glittering spear.
Thou didst march through the land in indignation,
Thou didst thresh the nations in anger.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people,
For the salvation of thine anointed.
Thou didst tread the sea with thine horses.
The lieap of mighty waters.
Though the fig tree shall not blossom.
Neither shall fruit be in the vines ;
The labor of the olive shall fail,
And the fields shall yield no meat;
The flock shall be cut off from the fold.
And there shall be no herd in the stalls ;
Yet will I rejoice in the LORD,
1 will joy in the God of my salvation.
Zeph. I. i.j Chronologically Arranged. 4T9
WRITINGS OF THE PROPHET
ZEPHANIAH.
CHAPTER I.
WARNINGS: PROMISES.
The word of the Lord which came to Zephaniah, in
the days of Josiah king of Judah.
Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD ; for
the day of the LORD is at hand. I wiU search Jerusa-
lem with candles, and I will punish the men that say in
their heart, " The Lord will not do good, neither will he
do evil." The great day of the LORD is near, it is near
and hasteth greatly. I will bring distress upon men, be-
cause they have sinned against the LORD. Neither
their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them
in the day of the Lord's wrath.
Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth ; seek
righteousness, seek meekness. It may be ye shall be hid
in the day of the Lord's anger.
The Lord God shall visit Judah, and bring again
their captivity. He will stretch out his hand against the
north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a
desolation. This is the joyous city that Against Nin-
dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, " I eveh.
am, and there is none else beside me ! " How is she be-
come a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in !
Everyone that passeth by shall hiss, and wag his hand.
Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted, to the op-
pressing city ! She obeyed not the voice ; she received
not correction ; she trusted not in the Lord ; she drew
not near to her God. Her princes in the midst of her
are roaring lions ; her judges are evening wolves. The
480 The Shorter Bible [Zeph. 3. 5.
Lord in the midst of her is righteous ; he will not do
iniquity. Every morning doth he bring his judgment to
hght, he faileth not.
I have cut off nations, their battlements are desolate ;
I have made their streets waste, their cities are de-
stroyed. But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted
and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of
the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity,
nor speak lies.
Sing, O daughter of Zion ; shout, O Lsrael. The king
of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee, a mighty
one who will save, fie will rejoice over thee with joy, he
will rest in his love.
jer. 1. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 481
WRITINGS OF THE PROPHET
JEREMIAH/
CHAPTER I.
JEREMIAH'S CALL: EXHORTATIONS AND WARNINGS.
*The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the
priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin ;
to whom the word of the LORD came, from the days of
Josiah unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive.
The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, " Before
I formed thee I knew thee. I have appointed thee a
prophet unto the nations."
Then said I, " Ah, Lord GOD ! Behold, I cannot speak ;
for I am a child."
But the Lord said unto me, " Say not, I am a child.
For ^ to whomsoever I shall send thee Jeremiah's
thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall com- prophe\^c
mand thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid ; office.
for I am with thee."
Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my
mouth ; and the LORD .said unto me, " Behold, I have
put my words in thy mouth."
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, say-
ing, "Jeremiah, what seest thou?"
And I said, " I see a seething caldron ; and the face
thereof is from the north."
Then the LORD said unto me, " Out of the north evil
shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
For, lo, I will call all the kingdoms of the north, and
they shall come against all the cities of Judah. And I
■'' For other writings of Jeremiah,
'Jer. i, I. see pages 417-429. '' R. V. marg.,
Or, o/i whatsoever errand.
482 The wShorter Bible [Jer. i. i6.
will utter my judgments against Judah touching all
their wickedness ; in that they have forsaken me, and
have burned incense unto other gods, and worshiped
the works of their own hands. Thou therefore gird up
thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I
command thee,"
'Thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jeru-
salem, " Break up your fallow ground. Circumcise )'our-
Exhortation selves to the LORD, lest my fury go forth
ance^wai-n- 1'^^ fire, bccausc of the evil of your doings.
^^s^- I will bring evil from the north, and a great
destruction. A lion is gone up from his thicket, and a
destroyer of nations. He is on his way to make the
land desolate. His chariots shall be as the whirlwind ;
his h-orses are swifter than eagles.
" " Where now are thy gods that thou hast made ? Let
them arise, if they can save thee in thy trouble. 'O Je-
rusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou
mayest be saved. Thy way and thy doings have pro-
cured these things unto thee."
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was waste and void ;
and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the
mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills
moved to and fro. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man,
and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld,
and, lo, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the
cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the
Lord, and before his fierce anger.
■* Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places
thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth
justly, that seeketh truth. Because their transgressions
are many, and their backslidings are increased, a lion
out of the forest shall slay them, a wolf of the evenings
shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities,
everyone that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces,
'Thus saith the Lord, "Let not the wise man glory
in his wisdom, neither the mighty in his might ; let
'Jer. iv, 3. -Jer. ii, 28. "Jer. iv, 14. ''Jer. v, i. ^Jer. ix, 23.
jer. 9. 23.1 Chronologically Arranged. 483
not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that
glorieth glory in this, that he knoweth me, that I am the
Lord which exercise loving-kindness and righteousness
in the earth ; for in these things I delight."
' In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son
of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from the LORD,
saying, " Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and
speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come destruction
to worship in the Lord's house, all the words °f*^gi!^g®^:
that I command thee ; keep not back a word. ened.
It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from
his evil way ; that I may repent me of the evil, which I
purpose to do unto them. And thou shalt say unto them,
' ^ Amend your ways. If ye thoroughly amend your ways
and doings ; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between
a man and his neighbor ; if ye oppress not the stranger,
the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent
blood, neither walk after other gods; then will I cause
you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your
fathers. Behold, ye trust in lying words. Will ye steal,
murder, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and come
and stand before me in this house ? Is this house, which
is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your
eyes ? I have seen it,' saith the LORD. ' Go ye now
unto my place which was in * Shiloh, where I caused my
name to dwell at the first, and see what I did to it, for
the wickedness of my people Israel. And now, ^ if ye
will not hearken to me, *I will do unto this house,
wherein ye trust, as I have done to Shiloh.' "
'And all the priests and prophets and people heard
Jeremiah speaking; and they laid hold on him, saying,
"Thou shalt surely die! Why hast thou prophesied,
saying, ' This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall
be desolate, without inhabitant ? ' " And all Jeremiah's
the people were gathered unto Jeremiah in danger,
the house of the LoRD.
And when the princes of Judah heard these things,
they came up from the king's house unto the house of
'Jer. xxvi, l. ■'Jer. vii, 14.
'Jer. vii, 3. 'Jer. xxvi, 7.
'Jer. xxvi, 4.
" See Josh, xviii, I.
484 The Shorter Bible [Jen 26. 10.
the Lord. Then spake the priests and the prophets
unto the princes, saying, " This man is worthy of death ;
for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard
with your ears."
Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all
the people, saying, "The LoRD sent me to prophesy
against this house and against this city all the words that
ye have heard. Behold, I am in your hand ; only know
ye for certain that, if ye put me to death, ye shall bring
innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city. For
the Lord sent me unto you to speak all these words in
your ears."
Then said the princes and people unto the priests and
prophets, " This man is not worthy of death." And the
hand of Ahikam was with Jeremiah, that they should not
put him to death.
'The word that came to Jeremiah :
" ' Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah
and in the streets of Jerusalem ? ' One cutteth a tree out
of the forest with the ax. They deck it with silver and
gold ; they fasten it with nails and hammers, that it move
ThefoUyof ^^^- They speak not; they must needs be
^doiwor- borne, because they cannot go. They cannot
do evil, neither is it in them to do good. "The
children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the
women knead the dough, to make cakes unto the queen
of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other
gods. Since the day that your fathers came forth out
of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have sent unto you
all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and
sending them; yet ye hearkened not unto me, nor in-
clined your ear."
'The Lord is the true God ; he is the living God, and
an everlasting king; at his wrath the earth trembleth,
and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath estab-
lished the world by his wisdom, and by his understand-
ing hath he stretched out the heavens. When he utter-
eth his voice, there is a tumult in the heavens. He
' Jer. vii, i. '■'Jer. vii, 17. ''Jer. x, 3. •'Jer. vii, 18. ' Jer. x, 10.
jer. lo. 13.] Chronologically Arranged. 485
causeth vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth ; he
maketh Hghtnuigs for the rain, and bringeth forth the
wind out of his treasuries. Every man is brutish and
without knowledge ; every goldsmith is put to shame by
his graven image. For his molten image is falsehood,
and there is no breath in i t. They are vanity, they shall
perish. The portion of Jacob is not like these ; he is the
former of all things; the Lord of hosts is his name.
"'Fear ye not me? " saith the LORD. "Will ye not
tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for
the bound of the sea? Though the waves thereof toss
themselves, they cannot prevail ; though they roar, they
cannot pass over it."
' Jer. V, 22.
4:86 The Shorter Bhsle IJ^r. 13. i.
CHAPTER II.
OBJECT LESSONS: CONCERNING FALSE PROPHETS: JERE-
MLVH PERSECUTED.
' Thus said the Lord unto me, " Go, and * buy thee a
Object les- linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and
son: the put it not in Water." So I bought a girdle
according to the word of the LORD, and put
it upon my loins.
And the word of the Lord came unto mc the second
time, saying, " Take the girdle that thou hast bought,
which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and
hide it there in a hole of the rock." So I went, and hid
it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.
And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD
said unto me, " Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the
girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide
there."
Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the
girdle from the place where I had hid it ; and, behold,
the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, " As
the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I
caused to cleave unto me the house of Israel and Judah,
that they might be unto me for a people, and for praise
and glory; but they would not hear. Therefore, "this
evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk
in the stubbornness of their heart, and are gone after
other gods lo serve them, shall even be as this girdle,
which is profitable for nothing."
'The word of the Lord came also unto me, saying,
" Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neitlier shalt thou liave
' Jer. xiii, i. ^Jer. xvi, i. I "All these object lessons were
" Jer. xiii, lo. | doubtless very public.
jer. i6. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 487
sons or daughters in this place. For the sons and daughters
that are born in this place, and their mothers , • ^u
and fathers shall die of grievous deaths; they forbidden
shall not be lamented, neither shall they be ^arry.
buried. They shall be consumed by sword and famine.
And thou shalt not go into the house of feasting to sit
with them, to eat and to drink. For thus saith the Lord,
' Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place the voice
of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the
bridegroom and the voice of the bride.'
" And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt show this
people all these words, and they shall say unto thee,
' Wherefore hath the Lord pronounced all this great
evil against us? What is our sin?' then shalt thou say
unto them, ' Because your fathers have forsaken me,
saith the Lord, and have served other gods, and have
not kept my law; and ye have done evil more than your
fathers. For, behold, ye walk every one after the stub-
bornness of his evil heart ; ye hearken not unto me.
Therefore will I cast you forth out of this land into the
land that ye have not known ; and there shall ye serve
other gods day and night.' "
'Then said I, "Ah, Lord GOD ! behold, the false
prophets say unto them, 'Ye shall not see the sword,
neither shall ye have famine ; but I will give you assured
peace in this place.' "
Then the Lord said unto me, "^The prophets prophesy
lies in my name. I sent them not, neither spake I unto
them. They prophesy unto you a lying vision, concerning
and the deceit of their own heart. They the false
- 1 . 1 ^ r prophets.
thmk to cause my people to lorget my name
by their dreams which they tell."
"What is the straw to the wheat?" saith the Lord.
"'Is not my word like as fire ? " saith the LORD ; " and like
a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces ? ' Am I God at
hand, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in
secret places that I see him not ? Do not I fill heaven
and earth ? " saith the Lord. " I have heard what the
prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name.
" ^ A wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in
'Jer. xiv, 13. ''Jer. xxiii, 27. ^Jer. xxiii, 23. ''Jer. v, 30,
488 The vShorter Bible TJer. 5- 3°-
the land ; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests
bear rule by their means ; and my people love to have
it so.
" ' Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets ; for ye
have perverted the words of the living God. I will
utterly forget you ; I will cast you off. ' By sword and
famine shall y e be consumed."
" ^ Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter
the sheep of my pasture ! " saith the LORD, against the
shepherds. "Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them
away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit
upon you the evil of your doings. And I will gather the
remnant of my flock out of all countries, and will bring
them again to their folds. And I will set shepherds
over them which shall feed them. They shall fear no
more, nor be dismayed."
* Thus said the LORD unto me, " Go, and stand in
all the gates of Jerusalem, and say, 'Thus saith the
Lord, " Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on
the sabbath day, neither do ye any work ; but
SiTsfbba"! hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded
day. your fathers. And it shall come to pass, if ye
diligently hearken unto me, to bring no turden through
the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but to hallow
the sabbath day, to do no work therein ; then shall there
enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting
upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on
horses ; and this city shall remain forever. But if ye will
not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day; then
will I kindle a fire in the gates, and it shall devour the
palaces of Jerusalem, and shall not be quenched."
The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord,
Object les- saying, "Arise, and go down to the potter's
potier^s® house, and there I will cause thee to hear my
clay. words."
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold,
he wrought his work on the wheels. And when the
vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand
' Jcr. xxiii, 30. 'Jer. xiv. 15. ' Jer. xxiii, i. ■» Jcr. xvii, 19.
jer. i8. 4.] Chronologically Arranged. 489
of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed
good to h i m.
Then the word of the LOKD came to me, saying, " O
house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter with
the clay? Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so
are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. At what instant
I shall speak concerning a nation to destroy it ; if that
nation turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that
r thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall
speak concerning a nation to build it; if it do evil in my
sight, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I
would benefit them."
' Thus said the LORD, ** Go, and buy a potter's earthen
bottle, and take the elders of the people, object les-
and go forth unto the valley of Hinnom, and broiien^
say, ' Hear the word of the LORD, " Behold, I bottle,
will bring evil upon this place, because they have forsaken
me, and have filled this place, with the blood of inno-
cents, and have built high places to burn their sons in
the fire for burnt offerings unto Baal. Therefore, be-
hold, the days come," saith the LORD, ''that this place
shall no more be called The valley of the son of Hinnom,
but The valley of Slaughter." ' Then shalt thou break
the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee, and
shalt say unto them, ' Thus saith the Lord of hosts,
" Even so will I break this people and this city, as one
breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole
Then came Jeremiah, and stood in the court of the
Lord's house, and said to all the people, jeremiah
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of ^^<^ ^^"^^^'■•
Israel, ' Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all
her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it ;
because they have made their neck stiff, that they might
not hear my words.' "
Now Pashhur the son of Immer the priest, who was
chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jere-
miah prophesying these things. Then Pashhur smote
Jeremiah, and put him in the stocks. And on the
' Ter. xix, i.
34
490 The vSiiorter Bible [Jer. 20. 3.
morrow Pashhur brought forth Jeremiah out of the
stocks.
Then said Jeremiah unto him, " Tlic Lord hath not
called thy name Pashhur, but ■' Magor-missabib. P'or
thus saith the LORD, ' Behold, I will make thee a terror
to thyself, and to all thy friends. They shall fall by the
sword, and thine eyes shall behold it ; and I will give all
Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he
shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall slay them
with the sword. Moreover I will give all the riches of
this city, and all the precious things thereof, into the
hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take
them, and carry them to Babylon. And thou, Pashhur,
and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity ;
and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt
die, and there shalt thou be buried, thou, and all thy
friends, to whom thou hast prophesied falsely.' "
O Lord, I am become a laughingstock all the day.
Jeremiah's Lveryone mocketh me. The word of the
prayer. LORD is made a reproach unto me, and a
derision, all the day. " ' Denounce, denounce him," say
all my familiar friends ; but the LORD is with me. ' And
if I say, " I will not make mention of him, nor speak any
more in his name," then there is in mine heart as it were
a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I cannot con-
tain. 'A glorious throne, set on high from the begin-
ning, is the place of our sanctuary. O LoRD, the hope
of Lsrael, heal me, and I shall be healed ; save me, and I
shall be saved.
Behold, they say unto me, " Where is the word of the
Lord? Let it come now." As for me, I have not
desired the woeful day ; thou knowcst. That which
came out of my lips was before thy face. Thou art my
refuge in the day of evil. Let them be ashamed that
persecute me.
'Jer. XX, 10. •''Jer. xvii, 12. I " R. V. marg., That is, Terror on
'Jer. XX, 9. I every side.
jcr. 35. I.J Chronologically Arranged. 491
CHAPTER III.
OBJECT LESSON, THE RECHABITES : JEREMIAH'S ROLL.
' The word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord
in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of
Judah, saying, ''Go unto the house of the Rechabites,
and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of
the Lord, into one of the chambers, and give them wine
to drink."
Then I took the whole house of the Rechabites, and
brought them into the house of the LORD.
And I set before the m bowls full of wine, sonf the^^'
and cups, and I said unto them, " Drink ye Rechabites.
wine."
But they said, " Wc will drink no wine : for Jonadab
our father commanded us, saying, ' Ye shall drink no
wine, neither ye, nor your sons, forever. Neither shall
ye build house, but all your days ye shall dwell in tents.'
And we have obeyed the voice of our father in all that
he charged ,us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our
wives, our sons, nor our daughters, nor to build houses
for us to dwell in. We have dwelt in tents, and have
obeyed. But when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon
came up into the land, we said, ' Come, and let us go to
Jerusalem for fear of the army.' So we dwell at Jeru-
salem."
Then came the word of the LoRD unto Jeremiah,
saying, " Go and say to the men of Judah, 'The words
of Jonadab, that he commanded his sons not to drink
wine, are performed, and unto this day they drink none,
for they obey their father's commandment. But I have
spoken unto you, rising up early and speaking ; and ye
have not hearkened unto me. I have sent also unto you
all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending
' Jer. XXXV, i.
492 The vShorter Bible [Jer. 35. 15.
them, but ye have not incHned your ear, nor hearkened
unto me.' "
And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites,
" Thus saith the Lord, ' Because ye have obeyed the
commandment of your father, and done according to all
that he commanded you ; therefore y e shall not want a
man to stand before me forever.'"
' In the fourth year of Jehoiakim this word came unto
Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, " Take thee a roll of
a book, and write therein all the words that I have
spoken unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this
Jeremiah's ^^Y- ^^ may be that the house of Judah will
roi^- return every man from his evil way, that I
may forgive their sin."
Then Jeremiah called Baruch, and Baruch wrote from
the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord.
Now in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the king all the
people in Jerusalem and Judah proclaimed a fast before
the Lord. " And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, say-
ing, " I am "^ shut up ; I cannot go into the house of the
Lord. Therefore go thou, and read the words of the
Lord in the cars of the people in the Lord's house."
Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah,
at the entry of the new gate of the Lord's house, in the
ears of all the people.
And, lo, all the princes sat in the king's house, and
a man came and declared unto them all the words
that he had heard when Baruch read the book. There-
fore all the princes sent unto Baruch, saying, " Take in
thine hand the roll and come, read it in our ears." So
Baruch read it in their ears.
Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the
words, they turned in fear one toward another, and said
unto Baruch, " We will surely tell the king of all these
words." And they asked Baruch, saying, " Tell us now.
How didst thou write all these words at his mouth ? "
Then Baruch answered them, " He pronounced all
these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them
with ink in the book."
Then said the princes unto Baruch, " Go, hide thee,
'Jer. xxxvi, i. "Jer. xxxvi, 5. | » R. V. marg., Or, restrained.
jer. 36. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 493
thou and Jeremiah ; and let no man know where ye be."
And they went in to the king into the court, and told
the king. And Jehudi read the roll in the ears of the
king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood be-
side the king.
Now the king sat in the winter house, and there was a
fire in the brasier burning before him. And it came to
pass, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the
king cut it with the penknife, and cast it Burning
into the fire that was in the brasier, until all Scriptures,
the roll was consumed in the fire that was in the brasier.
And they were not afraid, nor rent their garments,
neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all
these words. Moreover some made intercession to the
king that he would not burn the roll ; but he would not
hear them. And the king commanded to take Baruch
the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet ; but the LORD hid
them.
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after
the king had burned the roll, saying, " Take thee again
another roll, and write in it all the words that were in
the first roll. And concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah
thou shalt say, ' Thus saith the Lord, " I will punish him
and his seed and his servants for their iniquity. He
shall have none to sit upon the throne of David."
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Ba-
ruch, who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all
the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah
had burned in the fire ; and there were added besides
unto them many like words.
' The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the
prophet, how that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon
should come and smite the land of Egypt. " ' Egypt
riseth up like the Nile ; his waters toss themselves. He
saith, ' I will rise, I will cover the earth.' ' Declare ye
in Egypt, Destruction out of the north is come. Her
hired men are like calves ; they are turned back, they
are fled away together, they did not stand ; for the day
of calamity is come upon them. They shall march with
'Jer. xlvi, 13. ^Jer. xlvi, 8. ^Jer. xlvi, 14.
494 The Shorter Bible [Jer. 46. 22.
an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of
wood. The daughter of Egypt shall be put to shame ;
she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of
the north. Behold, I will punish Egypt, with her gods,
and her kings ; even Pharaoh, and them that trust in
him. I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchad-
rezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants.
" But fear not thou, O Jacob my servant, neither be dis-
mayed, O Israel ; for, lo, I will save thee from af^ir, and
thy seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall
return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall
make him afraid. Fear not thou, O Jacob my servant,
for I am with thee. I will make a full end of all the
nations whither I have driven thee ; I will not make a
full end of thee ; but I will correct thee with judgment,
and will in no wise leave thee unpunished."
Jer. 37-1.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 495
CHAPTER IV.
PROPHECIES UTTERED JUST BEFORE THE CAPTIVITY :
JEREMIAH IMPRISONED, RELEASED, CARRIED TO
EGYPT: GRACIOUS PROMISES.
* And Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned as king,
instead of Coniah. But neither he, nor his servants,
nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the
words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet
Jeremiah.
"^ After Nebuchadrezzar had carried away captive Co-
niah, king of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, the
Lord showed me two baskets of figs. One object les-
basket had very good figs, and the other basket ^^= baskets
had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, offigs.
they were so bad. And the word of the LORD came unto
me, saying, " Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel,
'Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Ju-
dah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of
the Chaldeans, for good. For I will set mine eyes upon
them for good, and I will bring them again to this land.
And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am
the Lord ; and they shall be my people, and I will be
their God ; for they shall return unto me with their
whole heart. And as the bad figs, which cannot be
eaten, they are so bad'; surely thus saith the Lord, 'So
will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes,
and the residue of Jerusalem, to be tossed to and fro
among all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a proverb, a
taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive
them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and
the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed
from off the land that I gave unto them and to their
fathers.' "
'Jer. xxxvii, i. ^ Jer. xxiv, i.
496 The Shorter Bible [Jer. 34- i-
'Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army,
foucfht against Jerusalem. ^ And Zedekiah
Anemer- fc> fc. J .
gency-Asad the kuig Sent unto Jeremiah, saymg, rray
message. ^^^^^ unto* the LORD for US."
^ The word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord,
" Go, and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him,
' Thus saith the LORD, " Behold, I will give this city into
the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it
with fire ; and thou shalt not escape, but shalt surely be
taken, and delivered into his hand. Thine eyes shall
behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall
speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to
Babylon. Yet hear the word of the Lord, O Zedekiah
king of Judah. Thou shalt not die by the sword; thou
shalt die in peace ; and they shall lament thee, for I
have spoken the word."
Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto
Zedekiah king of Judah.
Zedekiah made a covenant wMth all the people that
were at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, that every man
should let his servant, being an Hebrew, go
thereen- frcc. And all the princes and people obeyed
siavedJews. ^^_^^ j^^ ^j^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ afterward, Svhen the
army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem, for
fear of Pharaoh's army, ''they turned and brought the
servants into subjection again. Therefore the word of
the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, " I made a covenant
with your fathers in the day that I brought them out of
the land of Egypt, that at the end of every seven
years ye shall let his brother which hath been sold unto
thee go free. And now ye had done that which was
right in mine eyes, in proclaiming liberty, but ye turned
and profaned my name, and caused every man his serv-
ant to return. Therefore I will command and cause
Nebuchadrezzar to return. And they shall take
this city, and burn it with fire."
Then 'Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to
go into the land of Benjamin, to receive his portion
there, in the midst of the people. And when he was in
'Jer. xxxiv, i. *Jer. xxxiv, i. 'Jer. xxxiv, ii.
-Jer. xxxvii, 2. ^Jer. xxxvii, li. *Jer. xxxvii, 12.
Jer. 37- 1 5-1 CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 497
the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there,
whose name was Irijah, and he laid hold on Jeremiah
the prophet, saying, " Thou fallest away to the Chal-
deans ! "
Then said Jeremiah, " It is false ; I fall not away to
the Chaldeans." Jeremiah in
But Irijah laid hold on him, and brought p"^°''-
him to the princes. And the princes were wroth, and
smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jona-
than the scribe ; for they had made that the prison.
When Jeremiah was come into the dungeon, and had
remained there many days, then Zedekiah the king sent,
and fetched him, and asked him secretly in his house,
" Is there any word from the LORD ? "
And Jeremiah said, "There is. Thou shalt be deliv-
ered into the hand of the king of Babylon."
Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, "Wherein
have I sinned that ye have put me in prison? Where
now are your prophets which prophesied unto you, say-
ing, 'The king of Babylon shall not come against you,
nor against this land ? ' And now hear, I pray thee, O
my lord the king, that thou cause me not to return to
the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there."
Then Zedekiah the king commanded, and they com-
mitted Jeremiah into the court of the guard, and they
gave him daily a loaf of bread out of the bakers' street,
until all the bread in the city was spent. Thus Jeremiah
remained in the court of the guard.
And the princes heard the words that Jeremiah
spake unto all the people, saying, " Thus saith the LORD,
' He that abideth in this city shall die, but he that goeth
forth to the Chaldeans shall live.' " Then the princes
said unto the king, " Let this man, we pray thee, be put
to death ; he weakeneth the hands of the men of war in
speaking such words unto them."
And the king said, " Behold, he is in your hand ; for
the king is not he that can do anything against you."
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dun-
geon. And in the dungeon there was no water, but •
mire ; and Jeremiah sank in the mire.
Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian heard that they
498 The Shorter Bible [Jen 38. 7.
had put Jeremiah in the dungeon, h e went forth and
spake to the king, saying, " My lord the king, these men
liave done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah,
and he is like to die."
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech, saying,
" Take thirty men, and take up Jeremiah out of the dun-
geon, before he die."
So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and took old
rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dun-
geon to Jeremiah, and said unto Jeremiah, " Put now
these rags under thine arms, under the cords." And
Jeremiah did so. So they drew up Jeremiah with the
cords, and took him up out of the dungeon; and Jere-
miah remained in the court of the guard ' until the day
that Jerusalem was taken.
''Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah,
while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,
'• Speak to Ebed-melech, saying, ' Thus saith the Lord
of hosts, the God of Israel, " Behold, I will deliver thee ;
I will surely save thee, and thou shalt not fall by the
sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee; because
thou hast put thy trust in me."
^The word that came to Jeremiah, while the
prophet was shut up in the court of the guard :
" Behold, Hanamel the son of thine uncle shall come to
Object les- ^^^^^' saying, ' Buy my field that is in Ana-
son: buying thoth : for the right of redemption is thine.'"
afield. g^ Hanamel came. And I bought the
field, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels
of silver. I subscribed the deed, and sealed it, and called
witnesses. And I delivered the deed unto Baruch before
all the Jews that sat in the court of the guard. And I
charged Baruch before them, saying, " Thus saith the
Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ' Take these deeds, and
put them in an earthen vessel ; that they may continue
many days. For houses and fields and vineyards shall
yet again be bought in this land. For like as I have
brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring
upon them all the good that I have promised* them.' "
' Jer. xxxviii, 28. " Jer. xxxix, 15. ^Jer. xxxii, I.
jer. 38. 28.] Chronologically Arranged. 499
' And when Jerusalem was taken, the king of Babylon
slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, also all the
nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes,
and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon. And
the Chaldeans burned the houses, and brake
down the walls of Jerusalem. Then the cap- setft^e^by
tain of the guard carried away captive the Chaldeans,
residue of the people. They sent and took Jeremiah
out of the court of the guard.
^ After the captain of the guard had let Jeremiah go
from Ramah, when he had taken him among all the
captives, the captain said unto him, "The Lord thy
God pronounced this evil upon this place, and the LORD
hath done according as he spake. And now, behold, I
loose thee this day from the chains which are upon thine
hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into
Babylon, come, and I will look well unto thee ; but if it
seem ill unto thee to come to Babylon, behold, all the
land is before thee ; whither it seemeth good and con-
venient, thither go."
So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a
present, and let him go. Then went Jeremiah and dwelt
among the people that were left in the land.
'And it came to pass that the word of the LORD came
unto Jeremiah. Then called he all the captains of the
forces, and all the people from the least even to the
greatest, and said unto them, "Thus saith the Lord, the
God of Israel, ' If ye will still abide in this land, then will
I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you,
and not pluck you up. Be not afraid of the king of
Babylon, of whom ye are afraid, for I am with you to
save you, and to deliver you from his hand.' "
But *Johanan, all the captains, and all the people,
obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land
of Judah. But Johanan and the captains took all the
remnant of Judah, that were returned from
all the nations whither they had beqn driven, forced into
the men, and the women, and the children, Egypt.
and the king's daughters, and every person that the cap-
tain of the guard had left, and Jeremiah, and Baruch, and
•Jer. xxxviii, 28. '^ Jer. xl, i. ^ Jer. xlii, 7. •*Jer. xliii, 4.
500 The Shorter Bible [Jer. 43- 7-
they came into the land of Egypt ; they obeyed not the
voice of the LORD.
' Thus saith the LoRD, " A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her
children ; she refuseth to be comforted for her children,
because they are not."
Thus saith the Lord, " Refrain thy voice from weep-
ing, and thine eyes from tears, for they shall come again
from the land of the enemy. Thy children shall come
again to their own border. In those days they shall say
Gracious "^ more, ' The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
promises. ^^-^^^ j-jjg children's teeth are set on edge.' But
every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man that
eateth the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.
" Behold, the days come," saith the Lord, " that I
will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and
with the house of Judah ; not according to the covenant
that I made with their fathers in the day that I took
them by the hand to bring them out of the land of
Egypt ; which my covenant they brake. Rut this is the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after
those days ; I will put my law in their inward parts, and
in their heart will 1 write it ; and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people ; and they shall teach no more
every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, say-
ing, ' Know the Lord ; ' for they shall all know me, from
the least of them unto the greatest of them," saith the
Lord ; " for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will
I remember no more."
' Jer. xxxi, 15.
Ezek. I. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 501
WRITINGS OF THE PROPHET
EZEKIEL.
CHAPTER I.
THE prophet's CALL:- OBJECT LESSONS.
' As I was among the captives by the river * Chebar,
in the ^ fifth year of king C o n i a h ' s captivity, " the
heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 'And
I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that
spake. And he said unto me, " Son of man, stand upon
thy feet, and I will speak with thee,"
And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto
me, and set me upon my feet. And he said unto me,
" Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to na-
tions that are rebellious, which have rebelled against me.
Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they
will hear, or whether they will forbear; "and they shall
know that there hath been a prophet among them."
And when I looked, behold, an hand was put forth
unto me ; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein. Ezekiei
It was written within and without ; and there soiL^mniy'^
was written therein lamentations, and mourn- charged,
ing, and woe. And he said unto me, " Son of man, eat
this roll, and go, speak unto the house of Israel."
So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat the
roll ; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.
'And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the
house of Israel ; therefore hear the word at my mouth,
and give them warning from me. When I say unto the
lEzek. i, I. ''Ezek. ii, 5.
''Ezek. i, I. 'Ezek. iii, 16.
'Ezek. i, 28.
» In Babylon. *> B. C. 594.
502 The Shorter Bible [Ezek. 3. 18.
wicked, ' Thou slialt surely die ; ' and thou givcst him not
warning, to warn h i m from his evil way, to save his
Hfe ; h e shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I re-
quire at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and
he turn not from his wickedness, he shall die in his in-
iquity ; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, when a
righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and com-
mit iniquity, because thou hast not^given him warning,
he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he
hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will
I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the
righteous, that he sin not, he shall surely live, because he
took warning ; and thou hast delivered thy soul."
Then the spirit spake with me, and said unto me, " I
will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of
eticFhe^ ' thy mouth, tnat thou shalt be dumb. But
^^^' when I speak with thee, I will open thy
mouth; and thou shalt say unto them, ' Thus saith the
Lord God.'
"Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile before all
the people, and lay it before thee, and portray upon
Object les- it a city, even Jerusalem; and lay siege
son:thepic- against it, and build forts against it; set
tile. camps also against it, and plant battering
rams against it round about. And take thou unto thee
an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee
and the city, and lay siege against it. This shall be a
sign to the house of Israel.
" Moreover lie thou upon thy left side before it,
according to the iniquity of the house of Israel, even
three hundred and ninety days. So shalt thou bear the
iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hast ac-
complished these, thou shalt lie on thy right side, and
bear the iniquity of the house of Judah, forty days, each
day for a year. And thou shalt set thy face toward the
siege of Jerusalem, with thine arm uncovered ; and thou
shalt prophesy against it. And, behold, I lay bands
upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to
another, till thou hast accomplished the days. And thy
meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight ; and thou
Ezek. 4-II-] Chronologically Arranged. 503
shalt drink water by measure. F o r, behold, I will
break the staff of bread in Jerusalem; and they shall eat
bread by weight, and drink water by measure and with
astonishment.
" Son of man, take thee a sharp sword and cause it to
pass upon thine head and upon thy beard as Object les-
a barber's razor. Then take thee balances to Jrophet's
weigh, and divide the hair. A third part i^^i^.
shalt thou burn in the fire in the midst of the city, when
the days of the siege are fulfilled ; a third smite with the
sword round about it ; and a third thou shalt scatter to
the wind. And thou shalt take thereof a few in num-
ber, and bind them in thy skirts. And of these again
shalt thou take, and cast them into the midst of the fire,
and burn them in the fire.
"For thus saith the Lord GOD, ' I have set Jerusalem
in the midst of the nations, and she hath rebelled against
my judgments in doing wickedness more than the coun-
tries round about her. Therefore, behold, I, even I, am
against thee. I will execute judgments in the midst of
thee. A third part of thee shall die with pestilence and
famine, a third part shall fall by the sword round about
thee, and a third I will scatter unto all the winds and
will draw out a sword after them. I the LORD have
spoken it.
" ' Yet will I leave a remnant, in that ye shall have some
that escape the sword ; and they shall remember me
among the nations whither they shall be carried captive,
how that I have been broken with their heart, which hath
departed from me. And they shall know that I am the
Lord.' "
Thus saith the Lord GOD to me, "Smite with
thine hand and stamp with thy foot, and say, ' Alas ! '
because of all the evil of the house of Israel. ' All
hands shall be feeble, and all knees weak as water.
They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold
shall be as an unclean thing ; their silver and their gold
shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the
wrath of the Lord. It shall not satisfy their souls;
it hath been their stumbling-block."
* Ezek. vii, 17.
504 The Shorter Bible [Ezek. 11.25.
Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the
things that the Lord had showed me.
' In the ^ ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth
day of the month, the word of the Lord came unto me,
saying, " Son of man, write thee the name of the da}',
even of this selfsame day. The king of Babylon drew
close unto Jerusalem ^'this selfsame day."
" The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, " Son
of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine
Object les- ^Y^^ with a stroke ; yet neither shalt thou
oftAe^^^^^ mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run
prophet's down. Sigh, but not aloud. Make no mourn-
^^ ^" ing for the dead. Put thy shoes upon thy
feet, and cover not thy lips."
So I spake unto the people in the morning, and at
even my wife died. And I did as I was commanded.
And the people said unto me, " Wilt thou not tell us
what these things are to us, that thou doest so?"
Then I said unto them, " Thus saith the Lord GOD,
'Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your
power, the desire of your eyes; and your sons and
daughters whom ye have left behind shall fall by the
sword. And ye shall not cover your lips ; your shoes
shall be upon your feet. Ye shall not mourn nor weep ;
but ye shall pine away in your iniquities, and moan one
toward another. Thus shall Ezckiel be unto you a sign;
according to all that he hath done shall ye do.' "
"And thou, son of man, in the day when I take from
them the desire of their eyes, and their sons and daugh-
ters, in that day shall '^thy mouth be opened, and thou
shalt be no more dumb. So shalt thou be a sign unto
them, and they shall know that I am the LoRD."
'And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our cap-
Theproph- tivit)\ in the tenth month, that one that had
nes's'ie^^' escaped out of Jerusalem came to me, say-
moved, ing, " The city is smitten." And my mouth
was opened ; I was no more dumb.
'Ezek. xxiv, i. 'Ezck. xxxiii, 21. I " R. C. 58S. ^2 Kings xxv, 1.
'Ezek. xxiv, 15. | "^ Ezok. iii, 26.
Ezek. 37. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 505
CHAPTER II.
AN ENCOURAGING VISION: GOD'S EQUAL WAYS: THE
UNFAITHFUL SHEPHERDS : THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
'The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he carried
me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the
midst of the valley ; and it was full of bones. He
caused me to pass by them round about ; and, behold,
there were very many in the open valley ; and, lo, they
were very dry. And he said unto me, " Son of man, can
these bones live ? "
And I answered, "O Lord GOD, thou knowest."
Again he said unto me, " Prophesy over these bones,
and say unto them, * O ye dry bones, thus visionofthe
saith the Lord, " Behold, I will cause ^ breath EmjouragV-
to enter into you, and ye shall live. I will ^^nt.
bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and
put breath in you, and ye shall live ; and ye shall know
that I am the Lord." ' "
So I prophesied as I was commanded ; and as I
prophesied, behold, an earthquake, and the bones came
together, bone to his bone. And lo, flesh came up, and
skin covered them above ; but there was no breath in
them.
Then said he unto me, " Prophesy unto the ^' wind, and
say, ' Thus saith the Lord GOD, " Come from the four
winds, O ^breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they
may live."
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath
came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their
feet, an exceeding great army.
Then he said unto me, " Son of man, these bones are
the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ' Our
bones are dried up, and our hope is lost ; we are clean
,-r? ^ •• I «R. V. mare., Or, J//;-//. >> R. V.
'Ezek. xxxvii, I. Marg., Or, W/..
35 I ^. '
506 The Shorter Bii5le [Ezek. 37. n.
cut off.' Therefore say unto them, ' Tlius saith the Lord
God, " Behold, 1 will open your graves, and cause you to
come up out of your graves, O my people; and I will
bring you into the land of Israel. And I will put my
•''spirit in you, and }'e shall live; and ye shall know that
I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it," saith the
Lord.'"
The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
" Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among
the nations, whither they be gone, and will gather them
on every side, and bring them into their own land. And
I will make them one nation, and one king shall be king
to them all ; and they shall be no more two nations.
Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their
idols, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will
save them and cleanse them ; so shall they be my peo-
ple, and I will be their God. And my servant David
shall be king over them. Moreover I will set my sanc-
tuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle
shall be with them ; and I will be their God, and they
shall be my people. And the nations shall know that I
am the Lord."
' The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,
" Behold all souls are mine ; as the soul of the
"equal" father, so also the soul of the son. The soul
^^y^- that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not
bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father
bear the iniquity of the son ; the righteousness of the
righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the
wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked turn
from his sins, and do that which is right, he shall surely
live, he shall not die. None of his transgressions that
he hath committed shall be remembered. Have I any
pleasure in the death of the wicked, and not rather that
he should turn from his way, and live ? But when the
righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and com-
mitteth iniquity, shall he live? In his sin that he hath
sinned shall he die. Yet ye say, ' The way of the
Lord is not equal !' Hear now, O liouse of Israel. Is
' Ezek. xviii, i. 1 " R. \'. marg., Or, brcal/i.
Ezek. i8. 25.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 507
not my wa}- equal ? Arc not your ways unequal ? When
the wicked turneth away from his wickedness, he shall
save his soul alive ; because he considereth, and turneth
away from his transgressions. Therefore will I judge
you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways.
Return ye, turn yourselves from all your transgressions ;
so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Make you a new
heart and a new spirit; for why will ye die? I have no
pleasure in the death of him that dieth ; turn ye and
live."
' The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, " Woe
unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves !
Should not the shepherds feed the sheep ? m, ^ -^v.
Ye eat the fat, ye clothe you with the wool, fuishep-
ye kill the fallings ; but ye feed not the
sheep. The sick ye have not healed, neither have ye
sought that which was lost ; but with rigor have ye
ruled over them. My sheep wandered through all the
mountains; yea, my sheep were scattered upon all the
face of the earth, and there was none that did seek after
them. Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the
Lord, 'I am against the shepherds; I will require my
sheep at their hand. I will deliver my sheep from their
mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
"' Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep,
and seek them out. I will deliver them out of all places
whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark
day. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the
mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be. I
myself will feed my sheep, and cause them to He down.
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that
which was driven away, and will bind up that which was
broken, and strengthen that which was sick. I the
Lord will be their God. I will make with them a cove-
nant of peace, and I will make them a blessing. And I
will cause the shower to come down in his season ;
there shall be showers of blessing. They shall dwell se-
curely, and none shall make them afraid.'
' Ezek. xxxiv, i.
508 The Shorter Bible [Ezek. 36. 17.
" Son of man, say unto the house of Israel, ' I will
The good ^^^^ Y^^ from among the nations, and bring
shepherd. you into your own land. And I will sprinkle
clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean. From all
your filthiness, and from your idols, will I cleanse you.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I
put within you ; and I will take away your stony heart,
and give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit
within, and cause you to walk in my statutes. And ye
shall be my people, and I will be your God.' "
Dan. I.I.] Chronologically Arranged. 5U9
THE BOOK OF DANIEL.
CHAPTER I.
DANIEL IN BABYLON : DANIEL TELLING NEBUCHADNEZ-
ZAR'S DREAM.
In the '^ third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of
Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Je-
rusalem, and besieged it. And the LoRD gave Jehoia-
kim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels
of the house of God ; and he carried them into the land
of Shinar, into the treasure house of his god.
And the king spake unto the master, that he should
bring in certain of the children of Israel, even of the seed
royal and of the nobles, youths in whom was no blem-
ish, but well favored and skillful ; and that he should
teach them the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans.
And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the
king's^ meat, and of the wine which he drank, that they
should be nourished three years ; that at the end thereof
they might stand before the king.
Now among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah. And he gave names unto them ; to Daniel he
gave the name of Belteshazzar ; to Hananiah, Daniel the
Shadrach ; to Mishael, Meshach ; and to Aza- captive.
riah, Abed-nego.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not
defile himself with the king's meat, nor with the wine
which he drank ; therefore he requested that he might
not defile himself. Now God made Daniel to find favor
and compassion in the sight of the prince, and h e said
unto Daniel, " I fear my lord the king, who hath ap-
pointed your meat and your drink. Why should he see
» B. C. 605. '' R. V. marg.. Or, dainties.
510 The Smokilr Bii;lk [Dan.i.io.
your faces worse than the youths which are of your own
age ? So should ye endanger my head with the king."
Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the prince had
appointed over him, " Prove thy servants, I beseech
thee, ten days ; let them give us ^ pulse to eat, and water
to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon
before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat
of the king's meat ; and as thou seest, deal with thy
servants."
So he proved them ten days. And at the end of ten
days their countenances appeared fairer, and the)' were
fatter in flesh, than all the youths which did eat of the
king's meat. So the steward took away their meat, and
the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowl-
edge and skill in all learning and wisdom ; and Daniel
had understanding in all visions and dreams. And at
the end of the da)-s which the king had appointed, the
prince brous^ht them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And
the king communed with them ; and among them all was
found none like these four; therefore stood they be-
fore the king. And in every matter concerning which
the king inquired of them, he found them ten times bet-
ter than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all
his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first
year of king Cyrus.
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar,
Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams ; and his spirit was
troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king
commanded to call the magicians, and enchanters, and
Chaldeans, to tell his dreams. So they came in and stood
before the king.
And the king said unto them, " I have dreamed a
The king's dream, and my spirit is troubled."
dream-Fail- Then spake the Chaldeans to the king,
magicians. "O king, live forcver ! Tell thy serx-ants the
dream, and we will show the interpretation."
The king answered, " The thing is gone from me. If
ye make not known unto me the dream and the interpre-
" K. \'. niarg., Or, Iirrlis.
Dan. 2. 5. J Chronologically Akranoed. 511
tation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your liouses
shall be made a dunghill. But if ye show the dream and
the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and
rewards and great honor ; therefore show me the dream
and the interpretation thereof."
They answered the second time and said, " Let the
king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the
interpretation."
The king answered and said, " I know of a certainty
that ye would gain time ; the thing is gone from me. If
ye make not known unto me the dream, there is but one
law for you ; for ye have prepared lying words to speak
before me. Tell me the dream."
The Chaldeans answered, " There is not a man on
earth that can show the king's matter ; for no king,
lord, nor ruler hath asked such a thing. There is none
that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose
dwelling is not with flesh."
Then the king was angry and very furious, and com-
manded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the
decree went forth, and they sought Daniel and his com-
panions to be slain. Then Daniel returned answer to
Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone
forth to slay the wise men, " Wherefore is the decree
so urgent from the king?"
Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. And
Daniel went in, and desired of the king that Daniel tells
he would appoint him a time, and he would the dream,
show the king the interpretation.
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing
known to his three companions ; that they would de-
sire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret.
Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a vision of
the night.
Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel an-
swered and said, " Blessed be the name of God forever
and ever. Wisdom and might are his. He removeth
kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the
wise, and knowledge to them that know. He knoweth
what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers.
512 The Shorter Bible [i^^n. 2. 23.
who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast now
made known unto me what we desired of thee."
Then Daniel went in unto Arioch, and said, " De-
stroy not the wise men of Babylon. Bring me in before
the king, and I will show unto the king the interpreta-
tion."
Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in
haste, and said unto him, " I have found a man of the
children of the captivity of Judah, that will make known
unto the king the interpretation."
The king answered and said to Daniel, " Art thou able
to make known unto me the dream which I have seen,
and the interpretation thereof?"
Daniel answered the king and said, " The secret which
the king hath demanded can neither wise men, enchant-
ers, nor magicians, show unto the king; but there is
a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath
made known to king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in
the latter days. Thou, O king, savvest, and, behold, a
great image, mighty and excellent, stood before thee ;
the aspect thereof was terrible. His head was of fine
gold, his breast and arms of silver, his belly and thighs
of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron, and part
of clay. Thou savvest till a stone was cut out without
hands, which smote the image upon his feet and brake
them in pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass,
the silver, and the gold, broken in pieces together, and
became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors ;
and the wind carried them away ; and the stone that
smote the image became a great mountain, and filled
the whole earth. This is the dream ; and we will tell
the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou,
O king, art king of kings, unto whom the God of heaven
hath given the kingdom, the power, and the strength,
and the glory ; thou art the head of gold. And after
thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and
another third kingdom of brass. And the fourth king-
dom shall be strong as iron ; as iron breaketh in pieces
all things, so shall it break in pieces and crush. And
whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of clay and
part of iron, so that kingdom shall be partly strong
Dan. 2. 42. J Chronologically Arranged. 513
and partly broken. And forasmuch as thou sawest a
stone cut out of the mountain without hands, that it
brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, Christ's
the silver, and the gold ; s o in the days of kingdom,
those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom,
which shall never be destroyed ; it shall break in pieces
and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand
forever. The dream is certain, and the interpretation
sure."
Then the king fell upon his face and worshiped Daniel,
and commanded that they should offer him an oblation
and sweet odors. The king said unto Daniel, " Of a
truth your God is the God of gods and the Lord of
kings."
Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many
great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole prov-
ince of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the
wise men of Babylon. And Daniel requested of the
king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-
nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon ; but
Daniel was in the gate of the king.
514 The Shorter Bhsle [Dan. 3. i.
CHAPTER II.
THE GOLDEN IMAGE AND THE EIERV FURNACE: NEBU-
CHADNEZZAR'S PRIDE AND PUNISHMENT.
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold,
The golden whosc height was threescore cubits. He set
image. jj- yp j^ ^^g plain of Dura. Then the king
sent to gather together the governors, the judges, all the
rulers of the provinces, to come to the declication of the
image ; and they stood before the image.
Then the herald cried aloud, "To you it is com-
manded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at
what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp,
and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the
golden image ; and whoso falleth not down and wor-
shipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a
burning fiery furnace."
Therefore when all the people heard the sound of the
cornet, flute, harp, and all kinds of music, they fell
down and worshiped the golden image.
At that time certain Chaldeans came near and said
to Nebuchadnezzar, " O king, live forever. There are
certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the
affairs of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
These men, O king, have not regarded thee ; tiiey serve
not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou
hast set up."
Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury com-
manded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. f
Then tiicy brought these men before the king.
Nebuchadnezzar said unto them, " Is it of purpose
that ye serve not my god, nor worship the golden image
which I have set up? Now if \c be ready, that at what
time ye hear the music ye fall down and worship the
image, well. But if ye worship not, )'e shall be cast the
same hour into the midst of a burning fier}' furnace ; and
Dan. 3- 1 5-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 515
who is that god that shall deliver you out of my
hands? "
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and
said to the king, " O Nebuchadnezzar, our ^j^e fiery
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from furnace,
the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, that we will not serve
thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast
set up."
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and com-
manded that they should heat the furnace seven times
more than it was wont to be heated. And he com-
manded certain mighty men that were in his army to
bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast
them into the burning fiery furnace. And because the
king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace ex-
ceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that
took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
Then the king was astonished, and rose up in haste,
and said unto his counselors, " Did not we cast three
men bound into the midst of the fire?"
They answered and said unto the king, " True, O
king."
He answered and said, " Lo, I see four men loose,
walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt.
And the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods."
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the
burning fiery furnace. He spake and said, " Ye serv-
ants of the Most High God, come forth, and come
hither ! "
Then they came forth out of the midst of the fire.
And the governors and king's counselors, being
gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no
power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head
singed, neither were their hose changed, nor had the smell
of fire passed on them.
Nebuchadnezzar spake and said, " Blessed be the God
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his
angel, and delivered hjs servants that trusted in him.
Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation,
and language, which speak anything amiss against the
516 The Shorter Bible [Dan. 3. 29.
God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut
in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill ;
because there is no other god that is able to deliver after
this sort."
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all the peoples, na-
tions, and languages, that dwell in all the earth ; peace be
multiplied unto you. It hath seemed good unto me to
show the signs and wonders that the Most High God
hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs!
How mighty are his wonders ! His kingdom is an ever-
lasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to
generation.
I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and
flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream which made
me afraid. But Daniel came in, and I told him, saying,
" O master of the magicians, I know that the spirit of
the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth
thee. Tell me my dream and the interpretation there-
of. I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the
earth, and the height thereof was great. The leaves
■NT T, -u ^ were fair and the fruit much ; the beasts
Nebuchad- /-,,,, i , , - 11
nezzar's of tlic ftelds had shadow untlcr it, and the
fowls of the heaven dwelt in the branches.
And, behold, an holy one came down from heaven. He
cried aloud, ' Hew down the tree and cut off his branches.
Nevertheless leave a stump in the earth ; and let it be
wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be
with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his heart
be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given
him ; and let seven times pass over him. To the intent
that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in
the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he
will.' This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen ;
declare the interpretation."
Then Daniel answered and said, " My lord, the dream
be to them that hate thee. The tree is thou, C) king,
that art grown and become strong; for thy greatnc-ss
is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion
Dan. 4.22.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 51T
to the end of the earth. And whereas the king saw an
holy one coming- down from heaven, and saying, ' Hew
down the tree, and destroy it ; nevertheless leave the
stump in the earth, till seven times pass over liim ; ' this
is the interpretation, O king. Thou shalt be driven
from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of
the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen,
and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times
shall pass over thee ; till thou know that the Most
High ruleth in the kingdom of men. And whereas they
commanded to leave the stump of the tree, thy kingdom
shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known
that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, break off
thy sins, if there may be a lengthening of thy tranquil-
lity."
All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. At the
end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace
of Babylon, and said, " Is not this great Babylon, which
I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might
of my power and for the glory of my majesty ? "
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a
voice from heaven, saying, " O king Nebu- Pride-Pun-
chadnezzar, to thee it is spoken ; the kingdom ishment.
is departed from thee."
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebu-
chadnezzar. He was driven from men, and did eat grass
as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven,
till his hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails
like birds' claws.
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted
up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding re-
turned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and
praised and honored him. He doeth according to his
will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants
of earth. And my kingdom returned unto me, and my
counselors and my lords sought unto me. Now I
Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of
heaven ; for all his works are truth, and his ways judg-
ment ; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
518 The Shorter Bible Li^^n. 5. i.
CHAPTER III.
BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST: BELSHAZZAR'S DOWNFALL.
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thou-
sand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, com-
mSorgies manded to bring the golden and silver ves-
-Wntmgon ggjg which Nebuchadnezzar his father had
taken out of the temple which was in Jerusa-
lem ; that the king and his lords and wives might drink
therein. Then they brought the golden vessels, and
drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods
of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of
stone.
In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man's
hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the
plaister of the wall of the king's palace ; and the king saw
the part of the hand that wrote. ,
Then the king's countenance was changed, and his
knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud
to bring in the Chaldeans and the sootiisaycrs. The
king said to the wise men of Babylon, " Whosoever shall
read this writing, and show me the interpretation there-
of, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold
about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the king-
dom."
Then came in all the king's wise men ; but they could
not read the writing, nor make known to the king
the interpretation. Then was king Belshazzar greatly
troubled.
Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and
his lords came into the banquet house, a n d the queen
spake and said, "() king, live forever. There is a man
in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods ;
and in the days of thy father light and wisdom, like the
Dan. 5- II] Chronologically Arranged. 519
wisdom of the gods, was found in him. And king
Nebuchadnezzar thy father made him master of the
magicians, forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowl-
edge, and understanding, were found in h i m . Now
let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpreta-
tion."
Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The
king said unto Daniel, "Art thou that Daniel, which
art of the children of the ca[)tivity of Judah, Daniel and
whom the king my father brought out of Ju- Beishazzar.
dah ? I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods
is in thee, and that excellent wisdom is found in thee.
Now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to
me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with
purple, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and
shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom."
Then Daniel answered and said, " Let thy gifts be to
thyself, and give thy rewards to another. Nevertheless
I will read the writing unto the king, and make known
to him the interpretation. O thou king, the Most High
God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and
greatness, and glory, and majesty ; but when his heart was
lifted up, and his spirit was hardened that he dealt
proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne. And
he was driven from the sons of men ; his heart was made
h'ke the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses,
until he knew that the Most High God ruleth in the
kingdom of men. And thou his son, O Beishazzar, hast
not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven ;
and they have brought the vessels of his house before
thee, and thou and thy lords and wives have drunk wine
in them, and praised the gods of silver, and gold, of
brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor
know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and
whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified. Then
was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this
is the writing that was inscribed : MENE, MENE, TEKEL,
UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing:
MENE, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought
it to an end ; TEKEL, thou art weighed in the balances.
520 The Shorter Bu^le [Dan. 5.27.
and art found wanting; PERES, thy kingdom is divided,
and given to the Medes and Persians,"
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Dan-
iel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck,
and made proclamation concerning him, that he should
be the third ruler in the kingdom. But in '^ that night
Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain, and Darius the
Mede received the kingdom, being about threescore and
two years old.
■^ B. C. 538.
Dan. 6. i.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, 521
CHAPTER IV.
DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN : DANIEL'S PRAYER.
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred
and twenty satraps, which should be throughout the
whole kingdom ; and over them three presidents, of
whom Daniel was one. Then this Daniel was distin-
guished above the presidents and the satraps, because
an excellent spirit was in him ; and the king thought to
set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and
the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as
touching the kingdom, but they could find none, for he
was faithful. Then said these men, " We shall not find
any occasion against this Daniel, except concerning the
law of his God."
Then these presidents and satraps assembled together
to the king, and said unto him, " King Darius, Daniel in
live forever. All the presidents of the king- the lions'
dom, the satraps, counselors and governors,
have consulted together to establish a royal statute, that
whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty
days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den
of lions. Now, 0 king, sign the writing, that it be not
changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians,
which altereth not."
Wherefore king Darius signed the writing.
And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed,
he went into his house; (now his windows were open in
his chamber toward Jerusalem ;) and he kneeled ujDon
his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
before his God, as he did aforetime.
Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel
making petition before his God. Then they came near,
and spake before the king, " Hast thou not signed an
interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto
522 The Shorter Bible [Dan. 6. 7.
any god or man within thirty days, save unto thee, O
king, shall he cast into the den of Hons?"
The king answered and said, " The thing is true."
Then answered they and said before the king, " That
Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah,
regardeth not thee, O king, but makcth his petition
three times a day."
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore
displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him ;
and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue
him.
Then these men assembled together unto the king,
and said unto the king, " Know, O king, that it is a law
of the Medes and Persians, that no statute which the
king establisheth may be changed."
The king spake and said unto Daniel, " Thy God whom
thou servest continually, he will deliver thee."
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel,
and cast him into the den of lions. And a stone was
brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and, the
king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet
of his lords. Then the king went to his palace, and
passed the night fasting ; neither were instruments of
music brought before him ; and his sleep fled from him.
Then the king arose very earh' in the morning, and
went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came
near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable
voice, " O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God,
whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from
the lions ? "
Then said Daniel unto the king, " O king, live for-
ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the
lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch
as before him innocency was found in me ; and also be-
fore thee, O king, have I done no hurt."
Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded
that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So
Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of
hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his
God.
And the king commandctl, and they brought those
Dan. 6. 24.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 523
men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into
the den of Hons; and the Hons had the mastery of
them, and brake all their bones in pieces, or ever they
came at the bottom of the den.
Then king Darius wrote unto all the peoples that
dwell in all the earth, " Peace be multiplied unto you.
I make a decree, that in all my kingdom men tremble
and fear before the God of Daniel : for he is the living
God ; he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in
earth ; who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the
lions."
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in
the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
' In the '' first year of Darius, I Daniel understood by
the books the number of the years, whereof the word of
the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet for
the accomplishing of the desolations of Jeru- pr^^^lr-The
salem, even seventy years. And I prayed ^^^w^^-
unto the LORD my God, and made confession, and said,
" O Lord, the great and dreadful God, which keepeth
covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep
his commandments ; we have sinned, and have done
wickedly, neither have we hearkened unto thy servants
the prophets which spake in thy name. O Lord, to us
belongeth confusion of face, because we have sinned
against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and
forgivenesses. And now, O Lord, let thine anger be
turned away from thy city, Jerusalem, thy holy moun-
tain. Hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, and cause
thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate,
for the Lord's sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and
hear; open thine e}'es, and behold our desolations, and
the city which is c.illed by thy name. For we do not
present our supplications before thee for our righteous-
nesses, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O
Lord, forgive ; O Lord, hearken and do ; defer not ; for
thine own sake, O my God, because thy city and thy
people are called by thy name."
And while I was speaking in prayer the man Gabriel,
' Dan. ix, I. I " B. C. 53S.
524: The Smortp:r Bible [Dan. 9. 21.
whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being
caused to fly swiftly, touched me. And he talked with
me, and said, " O Daniel, thou art greatly beloved."
And he told Daniel many things con-
cerning the holy city, and the anointed one, the
prince.
' They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness
as the stars forever and ever.
' Dan. xii, 3.
Ezra I. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 525
EZRA,
WITH PARTS OF IIAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH.
CHAPTER I.
THE DECREE OF CYRUS: THE RETURN OF THE JEWS:
THE BUILDING OF THE ALTAR.
Now in the ^ first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that
the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might
be accoinpHshed, the LOKI) stirred up the spirit of Cyrus,
that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom,
and put it also in writing, saying, "Thus saith C}'rus
king of Persia, ' All the kingdoms of the earth Decree of
hath the LORD, the God of heaven, given me ; Cyrus,
and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jeru-
salem. Whosoever there is among you of all his people,
his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem,
and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel.
And let the men of this place help him with silver and
gold and goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill of-
fering for the house of God.' "
Songs of deliverance.
I.
A single voice :
' When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion.
We were like unto them that dream.
First company of singers :
Then was ou;- mouth filled with laughter.
Second company :
And our tongue with singing:
, Tj i„ • I a B. C. 536. This date is fixed in
' Psalm cxxvi. , ,.V
secular history.
520 The Shorter Bible [Psaim 126.2.
A voice :
Then said they among the nations,
" The Lord hath done great things for them."
All :
The Lord hath done great things for us ;
Whereof we are glad.
First company :
They that sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
A single voice .
Though he goeth on his way weeping, bearing forth
the seed ;
All:
He shall come again with joy, bringing his sheaves
with him.
II.
First company :
' If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
Let Israel now say ;
Second company :
If it iKid not been the LORD who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,
First com/ianv :
Then they had swallowed us up alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us :
Second company :
Then the waters had overwhelmed us,
The stream had gone over our soul.
All :
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
A single voice :
Blessed be the Lord,
Who hath not given us a prey to their teeth.
First company :
Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the
fowlers :
' Psalm cxxiv.
Psalm 124. 7.1 Chronologically Arranged. 527
Second company :
The snare is broken, and we are escaped.
All :
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
* Then rose up the heads of houses, and the priests and
Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go
up to build the house of the Lord in Jeru- The return
salem. And all they that were round about of the Jews.
them strengthened their hands with precious things,
willingly offered. Also Cyrus the king brought forth
the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchad-
nezzar had brought out of Jerusalem and put in the
house of his gods, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar,
the prince of Judah. All the vessels of gold and silver
were five thousand and four hundred. All these did
Sheshbazzar bring up when they of the captivity were
brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Now these were those which had been carried away,
and that had returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every
one unto his own city. " The whole congregation was forty
and two thousand three hundred and threescore, "beside
their servants. And they had two hundred singing men
and singing women.
A Psalm by the way.
' How amiable are thy tabernacles,
O Lord of hosts !
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of*,
the Lord ;
My heart and my flesh * cry out unto the living
God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may
lay her young,
Even thine altars, O Lord of hosts.
My King, and my God.
' Ezra i, S- ^ Psalm Ixxxiv. I . n tt ,^ •
5 T7 ■■ V R- V, marg., Or, si7t^.
' Ezra 11, 64. 1 •&•';>
528 The Shorter Bible [Psalm S4. 4.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
They will be still praising thee.
[Instrumental music]
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;
In whose heart are the highways to Zion.
, Passing through the valley of Weeping
They make it a place of springs ;
They go from strength to strength,
Everyone of them appeareth before God in Zion.
0 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer :
Give ear, O God of Jacob.
[Instrumental music]
Behold, O God our shield,
And look upon the face of thine anointed.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
1 had rather '^ be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and a shield :
The Lord will give grace and glory :
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly.
O Lord of hosts.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
' A PSALM.
Bless the Lord, O my soul ;
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
«A.nd forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ;
Who hcaletli all thy diseases ;
Who redccmcth thy life from destruction ;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindncss and tender
mercies :
Who satisfieth ''thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is reiKwcnl like the eagle.
The Lord executcth righteous acts,
,„ , ... I '^R.\'.ma.\-g.,0\-,sti7Md (it the thrfsholJ
^ ^^''" '^'"- 1 of, etc. '' R. V. niai-g., Or, f/iy vfars.
Psalml03. 6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 529
And judgments for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses,
His doings unto the children of Israel.
The Lord is full of compassion and gracious,
Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide ;
Neither will he keep his anger forever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins.
Nor rewarded us after our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth.
So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children,
So the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame ;
He remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass ;
As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ;
And the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to ever-
lasting upon them that fear him,
And his righteousness unto children's children ;
To such as keep his covenant,
And to those that remember his precepts to do them.
The Lord hath established his throne in the heavens ;
And his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye angels of his :
Ye mighty in strength, that fulfill his word.
Hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless the LORD, all ye his hosts ;
Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all ye his works.
In all places of his dominion :
Bless the LORD, O my soul.
' And some of the heads of fathers' houses, when they
came to Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of
' Ezra ii, 68.
530 The vSik^rter Bible [Ezra 2. 68.
God, to set it in its place, gold and silver and priests'
garments. So the priests and Levites and some of the
people dwelt in their cities.
' And when the seventh month was come the people
gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
Then stood up Jeshua and his brethren the priests.
The altar ^"^ Zcrubbabel the governor, and his
buiided. brethren, and builded the altar of the God of
Israel, and set the altar •''upon its base. And they of-
fered burnt offerings unto the LoRD, even burnt offer-
ings, morning and evening.
A PSALM.
I.
A single voice :
" I love the LORD, because he hath heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,
Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
The cords of death compassed me,
And the pains of ^ Sheol gat hold upon me :
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then called I upon the name of the LORD ;
" O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."
Soft chorus :
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous ;
Yea, our God is merciful.
A siiigle voice :
The Lord preserveth the simple ;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul ;
For the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered ni)' soul from death,
Mine eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
What shall I render unto the Lord
For all his benefits toward me?
IE- •■• . 'HI I " I"^- ^- niarir., Or, /;; its place.
' Ezra 111, I. • rsalm cxvi. , ,, ,. '^V .1
'' R. \ . marg., Or, the i^rave.
Psalm ii6. 13.] Chronologically Arranged. 531
I will take the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
Another voice :
Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of his saints.
Grand chorus :
Praise ye the LORD.
A PSALM.
II.
' O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good;
For his mercy cndureth forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary ;
And gathered them out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
P'rom the north and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way ;
They found no city of habitation.
Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble,
And he delivered them out of their distresses.
He led them also by a straight way.
That they might go to a city of habitation.
Refrain :
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
And for his wonderful works to the children of men !
For he satisfieth the longing soul,
And the hungry soul he fiUeth with good.
They rebelled against the words of God,
And contemned the counsel of the Most High;
Therefore he brought down their heart with labor ;
They fell down, and there was none to help.
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble.
And he saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of
death,
And brake their bands in sunder.
' Psalm cvii.
532 The Shorter Bible [Psalm 107. 15.
Refrain :
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
And for his wonderful works to the children of men !
For he hath broken the gates of brass,
And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
They that go down to the sea in ships,
That do business in great waters ;
These see the works of the LORD,
And his wonders in the deep.
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,
Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to
the depths ;
Their soul melteth away because of trouble.
Then they cry unto the LoRD in their trouble,
And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm,
So that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet ;
He bringeth them unto ^ the haven where they would be.
Refrain :
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
And for his wonderful works to the children of men !
' But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was
not yet laid.
. ^ ... . I " R. V. marc;., Or, tlie haveu of
> Ezra .11,6. \ their desire.
Ezra 3. 8.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 533
CHAPTER II.
REBUILDING AND DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE.
Now in the * second year of their coming unto Jerusa-
lem began Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the Temple
rest to build the house of the LORD. And foundation
when the builders laid the foundation, the
priests in their apparel, with trumpets, and the Levites,
with cymbals, ^ sang one to another, in praising the
Lord, saying,
" For he is good,
For his mercy endureth forever."
And all the people shouted with a great shout.
But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fa-
thers' houses, the old men that had seen the first house,
wept with a loud voice ; and many shouted aloud for
joy ; so that the people could not discern the noise of
the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the
people ; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and
the noise was heard afar off
' The word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet.
**" Speak now to Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua,
and the remnant of the people, saying, * Who is left
among you that saw this house in its former glory?
And how do ye see it now? Is it not in your eyes as
nothing ? Yet now be strong, saith the LORD, and work ;
for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts. Fear ye
not. For thus saith the LORD of hosts. Yet once, it is
a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth,
and the sea, and the dry land ; and I will shake all na-
tions, and the desirable things of all nations shall come,
and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LoRD of
hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine. The
'Hag. i, I. I -^B. C. 535. ''See Psalm civ,
'-' Hag. ii, 2, I probably sung at this time.
534: The Shorter Bible [Hag. 2. 9.
latter glory of this house shall be greater than the for-
mer, saith the Lord of hosts ; and in this place will I
give peace.' "
' Now when the ''adversaries of Judah and Benjamin
heard that the children of the captivity
ofSamari-" builded a temple unto the LORD, the God of
tans. Israel, they drew near to Zerubbabel, and
to the heads of fathers' houses, and said unto them,
" Let us build with you ; we seek your God, as ye do."
But Zerubbabel said unto them, "Ye have nothing to
do with us to build an house unto our God ; but we
ourselves together will build unto the Lord, as king
Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us."
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of
the people of Judah, and ''troubled them in building,
and hired counselors against them, to frustrate their
purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia.
And in the days of "^ Artaxerxes they wrote a letter
against Jerusalem to Artaxerxcs the king, in this sort,
" Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came
up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are
building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished
the walls, and repaired the foundations. Be it known
now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the
walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll,
and in the end it will endamage the kings. Now because
we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not meet for us to
see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and
certified the king."
Then sent the king an answer, " The letter which ye
sent unto us hath been '' plainly read before me. And I
decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that
this city of old time hath made insurrection against
kings, and that rebellion and seditit^n have been made
therein. There have been mighty kings also o\er Jcru-
' Ezra iv, i.
" The people of Samaria (2 K.ini;s
xvi, 5, etc.). '' R. V. niarg., Or,
tetTiJiid. 'Goniatis, or Pseudos-
merdis, a usurper. He reigned only
seven months of 15. C. 522. '' R.V.
marg., Oi, trait slate J,
Ezra 4. 20.] Chronologically Arranged. 535
salem, which have ruled over all the country beyond the
river; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid unto them.
Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and
that this city be not builded until a decree shall be
made by me. And take heed that ye be not slack herein ;
why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?"
Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was
read, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto cessation of
the Jews, and made them to cease by force work.
and power. Then ceased the work of the house of God
which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased unto '"'the second
year of Darius king of Persia.
* In the second year of Darius, in the sixth month,
came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet,
unto Zerubbabel the governor, and to Jeshua the high
priest, saying, "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, 'This
people say, " It is not the time for the LORD'S house to
be built." But is it a time for you yourselves to dwell
in your ceiled houses, while this house lieth waste?
Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, prophecy of
Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, K^gg^i-
and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough;
ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink ; ye clothe
you, but there is none warm ; and he that earneth wages
earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Ye looked
for much, and, lo, it came to little ; and when ye brought
it home I did ''blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of
hosts. Because of mine house that lieth waste, while ye
run every man to his own house. Therefore the heaven
is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her
fruit. Thus saith the LoRD of hosts. Go up to the
mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I
will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified.' "
The word of the Lord by Zechariah.
Mn the eighth month of the second year of Darius,
came the word of the LORD also to Zech- Prophecy of
ariah the prophet, saying, "'Thus saith the Zechariah.
Lord, 'I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies. My
1 Hag. i, I. 3 Zech. i, i6. I " B. C. 520. ^R. V. marg., Or,
^ Zecli. i, I. I />/o7a it away.
536 The Shorter Bible [Zech. i.i6.
house shall be built in it. The LORD shall comfort Zion.
' This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, ' Not by
might nor by power, but by my spirit. Who art thou,
O great mountain ? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become
a plain. The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the founda-
tions of- this house; his hands also shall finish it. For
Avho hath despised the day of small things ? ' "
° Thus saith the LORD, "I am returned unto Zion, and
will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem ; and Jerusalem
shall be called The city of truth, The holy mountain.
There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the
streets of Jerusalem, every man with his staff in his hand
for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full
of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof." Thus
saith the Lord, " Behold, I will save my people from the
east and from the west, and the}' shall dwell in the midst
of Jerusalem and shall be my people. Let your hands
be strong, ye that hear these words. ^ I have thought to
do good unto Jerusalem ; fear ye not. * For I," saith the
Lord, " will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and I
will be the glory in the midst of her. ^ For he that
toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, lo, I
come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee. And
many nations shall join themselves to the LuRD in that
day, and shall be my people.
""And it shall come to pass that, as ye were a curse
among the nations, so will I save you, and ye shall be a
blessing. 'There shall be the seed of peace. The vine
shall give her fruit, and the ground her increase, and the
lieavens their dew."
"Then rose up Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and began to
build tlie house of God, the prophets helping them.
But Tattenai, governor beyond the river, and h i s com-
panions, came and said, " Who gave you a decree to
Building build this house, and to finish this wall ? " But
resumed. the eye of God was upon the Jews, and they
did not make them cease till the matter should come to
Darius and answer should be returned concerning it.
' Zech. iv, 6. ''Zech. viii, 15. 'Zech. ii, 8. 'Zech. viii, 12.
■ Zecli. viii, ,3. •* Zecli. ii, 5. "Zech. viii, 13. "^Ezra v, 2.
Psaimi27. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 537
A SONG IN THE NIGHT.
First company of singers :
' Except the Lord build the house,
They labor in vain that build it ;
Second company of singers :
Except the LORD keep the city,
The watchman waketh but in vain.
First company :
' They that trust in the LORD
Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but
abideth forever.
Second company :
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,
So the Lord is round about his people.
A single voice :
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait.
And in his word do I hope.
My soul looketh for the Lord,
More than watchmen look for the morning;
Yea, more than watchmen for the morning".
First company :
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
Second company :
For with the LORD there is mercy,
And with him there is plenteous redemption.
All:
And he shall redeem Israel
From all his inicjuities.
The copy of the letter that Tattenai sent unto Darius the king,
" Unto Darius the king, all peace. Be it known unto
the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the
house of the great God. Then asked we those elders,
' Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to
finish this wall ? ' And thus they returned us an answer,
saying, ' We are the servants of the God of heaven and
' Psalm cxxvii, i. '■' Psalm cxxv, i.
37
538 T}iE vShorter Bible [Ezras, n.
cartli. Cyrus, king of Babylon, made a decree to build
this house of God. And the gold and silver vessels
which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple in Jeru-
salem and brought into the temple of Babylon, those
did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Baby-
lon, and they were delivered unto one whom he had
made governor. And he said unto him, "Take these
vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem,
and let the house of God be builded in its place." Then
came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of
the house of God which is in Jerusalem ; and since that
time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it
is not completed.' Now therefore, if it seem good to
the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure
house, which is there at Bab}'lon, whether it be so, that
a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house
of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure
to us concerning this matter."
' Then Darius the king made a decree and search was
made. And there was found a roll, and therein was
written the decree of Cyrus the king, that the house
be builded. Then Darius commanded, "Now
therefore, let the Jews build this house of God in its
place. Moreover I make a decree, that of the king's
goods, even of the tribute, expenses be given unto these
men, that they be not hindered. That which they have
Help of need of, young bullocks, and rams, and lambs
Darius. for burnt offerings to the God of heaven,
wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the
priests, let it be given them day by day without fail ; that
they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor unto the God
of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his
sons. Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall
alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house,
and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon. I Darius
have made a decree ; let it be done with all diligence."
Then Tattenai did accordingly with all diligence.
And the Jews buildctl and prospered, and this house
was finished in the sixth year of Darius. And the
' Ezra vi, i.
Ezra6. i6.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 539
priests and Levites, and the rest of tlie children of the
captivity, kept the dedication of this house -j-^e house
of God with joy. And they offered offer- dedicated,
i n gs, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the
Levites in their courses, for the service of God.
And the children of the captivity kept the passover
upon the fourteenth day of the first month. For the
priests and the Levites had purified themselves. And
the children of Israel, which were come again out of the
captivit}^ and all such as had separated themselves unto
them from the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD,
the God of Israel, did eat, and kept the feast of unleav-
ened bread seven days with joy ; for the Lord had made
them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king unto
them.
Songs of the dedication,
L
Grand chorus :
' Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
In the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
First company of singers :
Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
Second company :
Is mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
Third company :
The city of the great King.
All:
God hath made himself known in her palaces for a
refuge.
A single voice :
We have thought on thy lovingkindness, O God,
In the midst of thy temple.
First company :
Let mount Zion be glad,
Second company :
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice,
' Psalm xlviii.
540 The Shorter Bible [1^^3111148.11.
Third company :
Because of thy judgments.
A single voice :
Walkabout Zion, and go round about her;
Tell the towers thereof.
First company :
Mark ye well her bulwarks,
Second company :
'^ Consider her palaces ;
Third company :
That ye may tell it to the generation following.
Grand chorus :
For this God is our God forever and ever;
He will be our truide even unto death.
II.
' •> Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD from the heavens;
Praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels;
Praise ye him, all his host.
Praise ye him, sun and moon ;
Praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens,
And ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord ;
For he commanded, and they were created.
Praise the LORD from the earth.
Ye dragons, and all deeps ;
Fire and hail, snow and vapor ;
Stormy wind, fulfilling his word ;
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle ;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
Kings of the earth and all peoples ;
, ,, , , ... ' " R. V. marc:., Or, Traverse.
I " R. v. marg., II eb. Ilaiielujan,
Psalm 148. 1 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 541
Princes and all judges of the earth ;
Both young men and maidens ;
Old men and children ;
Let them praise the name of the LORD;
For his name alone is exalted ;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
"" Praise ye the LORD.
III.
' When Israel went forth out of Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of strange language ;
Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.
^ The sea saw it, and fled ;
*^Jordan was driven back.
The mountains skipped like rams,
The little hills like young sheep.
What aileth thee. O thou sea, that thou fleest?
Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back ?
^ Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the God of Jacob ;
•^ Which turned the rock into a pool of water,
The flint into a fountain of waters.
IV.
" "" Praise ye the LORD.
Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,
That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
For he shall never be moved ;
Tlie righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings ;
His heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD,
V.
' =^ Praise ye the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
While I live will I praise the LORD ;
I will sing praises unto*my God while I have any being.
,^ , . " R. V. mars., Heb. Hallelujah.
Psa m cx>v. , j,^^^^_ ^i ^l .Josh, iii, 15, 16.
'Psamcxu. ^ Exod. xix, 18. ^- Exod. xvii, 6;
3PsalmcxIvi. Num. xx, 11.
542 The Shorter Bible [Psalm 146. 3.
Put not your trust in princes,
Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God ;
Which made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that in them is ;
Which keepeth truth forever;
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed;
Which giveth food to the hungry.
The Lord looseth the prisoners ;
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind ;
The Lord raiseth up them that are bowed down ;
The Lord loveth the righteous;
The Lord preserveth the strangers;
He upholdcth the fatherless and widow ;
But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
The Lord shall reign forever.
Thy God, O Zion, unto all generations.
^ Praise ye the Lord.
VI.
' " Praise ye the LORD.
For it is good to sing praises unto our God ;
For it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
The Lord doth build up Jerusalem ;
He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
He healeth the broken in heart.
And bindeth up their ^ wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars;
He giveth them all their names.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
The Lord upholdcth the meek;
He bringeth the wicked down to the ground.
Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises upon the harp unto our God;
Who covereth the hcavtMi with clpuds,
Who prepareth rain for the earth,
Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
1 r> 1 1 •• I " R. y. inaru., Ileb. Jlallihijiili.
' 1 .sal 111 cxlvii. 1, 1. \- 1 1 1
I'salin I47-9-J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 543
He giveth to the beast his food,
And to the young ravens which cry.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him,
In those that hope in his mercy.
Praise the LoRD, O Jerusalem ;
Praise thy God, O Zion.
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates ;
He hath blessed thy children within thee.
He maketh peace in thy borders ;
He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
He sendeth out his commandment upon earth;
His word runneth very swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool ;
He scattereth the hoar frost like ashes.
He casteth forth his ice like morsels ;
Who can stand before his cold?
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them ;
He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He showeth his word unto Jacob,
His statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
He hath not dealt so with any nation ;
And as for his judgments, they have not known them.
"" Praise ye the LORD.
vn.
' ^ Praise ye the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary ;
Praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts ;
Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet ;
Praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance ;
Praise him with stringed instruments and the pipe.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals; *
Praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals.
Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.
" Praise ye the LoRD.
' Psalm cl. 1 ^ R.Y. marg., lleh. //a//e/itjaA.
544 The Shorter Bh;le [Ezra;, i.
CHAPTER III.
EZRA'S RETURN TO JERUSALEM : A REFORM.
' Now after these things, in the reign of '^ Artaxerxes
king of Persia, Ezra the priest went np from Babylon
unto Jerusalem ; f o r the king granted him his request.
Ezra's ^^ ^^"^^ ^ ready scribe in the law of Moses,
return. And there went up some of the children of
Israel, priests and Levites and singers. For Ezra had
set his heart to seek the law of the LoRD, and to do and
to teach it in Israel.
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king gave
Ezra :
"Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the
scribe of the law of God, and so forth. I make a decree,
that all the people of Israel in my realm, which are
minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with
thee. And the precious vessels that are given thee
for the service of the house of thy (jod, deliver thou be-
fore the God of Jerusalem. And whatsoever more shall
be needful, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a de-
cree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that
whatsoever Ezra shall require, it may be done with all
diligence, unto an hundred talents of silver, and m u ch
wheat, oil, and salt. Whatsoever is commanded by the
God of heaven, let it be done exactly. Also touching
any of the priests and Levites, the singers, porters, or
servants *of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to
impose tribute, custom, or toll upon them. And thou,
Ezra, ^ inquire concerning Judah, and carry the silver and
gold which the king and his counselors have freely
offered unt<j the God of Israel. And 'appoint magis-
' Ezra vii, I. •' Ezra vii, 25. I " Son of Xerxes, who was the "Alias-
•' Ezra vii, 14. | uenis" of Esther. B.C. 465-423.
Ezra;. 25.1 CHRONOLOGICALLY ArRANGKI), 545
trates and judges, such as know the laws of thy God ;
and teach ye him that knoweth them not. And who-
soever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of
the king, let judgment be executed upon him with all
diligence."
And Ezra said,
" Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, which
hath put such a thing in the king's heart, to beautify the
house of the Lord in Jerusalem."
And I was strengthened according to the hand of the
Lord my God upon mc. And I gathered together chief
men to go up with me ; ' and I gathered them together
to the river, and there we encamped three days.
Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river, that we
might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him
a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all
our substance. For I was ashamed to ask of the king a
band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the
enemy in the way; because we had spoken unto the
king, saying, " The hand of our God is upon all them that
seek him, for good." So we fasted and besought our God
for this.
Then I separated twelve of the chiefs of the priests,
and weighed unto them the silver and gold. And I said
unto them, " Ye are holy unto the LORD, and the silver
and gold are a freewill offering. Watch ye and keep
them, until ye weigh them before the chiefs of the priests
at Jerusalem in the house of the LORD."
Then we departed to go unto Jerusalem ; and the hand
of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the
hand of the enemy and the Her in wait by the way. And
we came to Jerusalem ; and the silver and gold was
weighed in the house of God into the hand of the priest,
the whole by number and weight, and all the weight was
written.
The children of the captivity offered burnt offerings
unto the LORD ; and they delivered the king's commis-
sions unto the governors beyond the river. And they
furthered the people and the house of God.
' Ezra viii. 15.
54:6 The Shorter Bible [Ezra 9.1.
Now the princes drew near to me, saying, " The people
of Israel have not separated themselves from the people
Purifying of the lands, doing according to their abomina-
the people, tions. For they have taken of their daughters
for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed have
mingled with the people of the lands."
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garments, and
plucked off the hair of my head and my beard, and sat
down astonished. Then were assembled unto me every-
one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, be-
cause of the trespass of them of the captivity ; and I sat
astonished until the evening oblation. And I arose with
my garment rent, and fell upon my knees, and spread
out my hands unto the LORD. And I said, " O my God,
I am ashamed and blush*to lift up my face to thee. Our
iniquities are increased over our head. For our iniquities
have we been delivered to the sword and to captivity.
And now for a little moment grace hath been showed
from the LORD our God. And now, what shall we say?
h^jr we have forsaken thy commandments. O LoRD,
none can stand before thee because of this."
Now while Ezra prayed, and made confession, weeping
and casting himself down before the house of God, there
was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great
congregation of men and women and children ; for the
people wept sore.
Then arose Ezra, and they made proclamation through-
out Judah unto all the children of the captivity, that
they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem,
within three days. Then all the men of Judah and Ben-
jamin gathered themselves together; and all the people
sat in the broad place before the house of God, trembling
because of this matter, and for the great rain; for 'it
was a time of much rain. \
*And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them;
"Ye have trespassed, and have married strange women,
to increase the guilt of Israel. Now therefore make con-
fession unto the Lord, and separate yourselves from the
people of the land, and from the strange women."
Then all the congregation answered and said with a
' ICzia X, 13. '^ Kzia x, lo.
Ezraio. I2.J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 547
loud voice, "As thou hast said, so must we do, until the
wrath of our God be turned from us."
'And Ezra, with certain heads of fathers' houses, sat
down to examine the matter. And all that had married
strange women came "at appointed times, until this
matter was dispatched.
' Ezra X, i6. ^ Ezra x, 14.
548 The ShOKTKR BiULK [Esther I. I.
:STIIER.
CHAPTER I.
THE ROYAL FEAST: ESTHER MADE QUEEN: HAMAN'S
PROMOTION AND PLOT AGAINST THE JEWS.
Now it came to pass in tlie days of '' Ahasuerus, (this
is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethi-
opia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces,)
that in those days, when king Ahasuerus sat on the
throne of his kingdom in Shushan the palace, in the third
The royal year of his reign, he made a feast unto all
^®^'^^- his princes and his servants; the power of
Persia and Media, the nobles and princes, being before
him ; when he showed the riches of his glorious king-
dom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days,
even an hundred and fourscore days.
And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a
feast unto all the people present in Shushan the palace,
both great and small, seven days, in the court of the
garden of the king's palace. There were hangings of
white cloth, of green, and of blue, fastened with cords of
fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble ;
the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement
of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble. And
they gave them drink in vessels of gold in abundance,
according to the bounty of the king.
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in
the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
On the seventh da}', when the heart of the king was
merry with wine, he commanded the seven chamberlains
that ministered in the presence of the king to bring
Vashti the queen before the king with the crow n royal,
"The Xerxes of secular history. Reigned 4S6-465 B. C.
Esther I. II.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 549
to show the peoples and the i)rhices her beauty ; for she
was fair to look on.
But queen Vashti refused to come.
Therefore was the king very wroth ; and the king said
to the wise men, " What shall we do unto the vashti
queen, because she hath not done the bidding divorced,
of the king? "
And Memucan answered, " If it please the king, let
there go forth a royal commandment from him, that
Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus ; and let
the king give her royal estate unto another."
And the saying pleased the king ; and the king did ac-
cording to the word of Memucan.
After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus
was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had
done, and what was decreed against her.
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto
him, "Let there be fair young virgins sought for the
king; and let the maiden which pleaseth the king be
queen instead of Vashti."
And the thing pleased the king ; and he did so.
There was a certain Jew in Shushan, whose name was
Mordecai, who had been carried away from Jerusalem
with the captives carried away with '^Coniah king of
Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had
carried away. And he brought up Esther, his uncle's
daughter ; for she had neither father nor Esther
mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful ; ^ade queen,
and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai
took her for his own daughter. So it came to pass,
when the king's commandment was heard, that Esther
was taken into the king's house. Esther showed not
her people nor her kindred ; for Mordecai had charged
her that she should not. And Mordecai walked every
day before the court of the women's house, to know how
Esther did, and what should become of her.
And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them
that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king
Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, in
°2 Chron. xxxvi, 5.
550 TlIK vSlIORTER Bible [Esther 2. i6.
the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved
Esther, and she obtained grace and favor in hissiglit; so
that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made
Pier queen.
Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes
and his servants, even Esther's feast ; and he made a
release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the
bounty of the king. Esther had not yet showed her
kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her;
for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, as when
she was brought up with him.
In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate,
two of the king's chamberlains were wroth, and sought
Mordecai to lay hands on kiufrAhasuerus. And the thing
saves the , .t\ti • i i j-^ .
king's life. was Kuowu to INJordecai, who showed it unto
Esther the queen ; and Estlier told the king thereof in
Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of
the matter, and it w^as found to be so, they were both
hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of
the chronicles before the king.
After these things did king Ahasuerus promote
Haman the Agagite, and set his seat above all the
princes. And all the king's servants, that were in
the king's gate, bowed down and did reverence to
Haman. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him
reverence.
Then the king's servants told Haman, to see whether
Mordecai's matters would stand ; for he had told them
that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mor-
decai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was
Haman full of wrath. But he thought scorn to lay
hands on Mordecai alone; but sought to destroy all
the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of
Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, " There is a
certain peoj^le scattered abroad in all the provinces of
thy kingdom. Their laws are diverse from those of
Haman's every people, neither keep they the king's
P^°*- laws; therefore it is not for the king's profit
to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written
Esther 3- 9J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 551
that they be destroyed ; and I will pay ten thousand
talents of silver into the king's treasuries."
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it
unto Haman. And the king said, "The silver is given
to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth
good to thee,"
Then were the king's scribes called, and there was
written according to all that Haman commanded. In
the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was
sealed with the king's ring, and sent by posts into all the
king's provinces, to^ slay all Jews, both young and old,
little children and women, in one day, even upon the
thirteenth day of the twelfth month, and to take the
spoil of them for a prey. The posts went forth in haste
by the king's commandment, and the decree was given
out in Shusan the palace. And the king and Haman sat
down to drink ; but the city of Shusan was perplexed.
552 The vSiiortl:!; Bible [Esthei^. i.
CHAPTER II.
THE DISTRESS OF THE JEWS : ESTHER'S PETITION :
THE jews' deliverance: THE FEAST OF PURIM.
Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mor-
The Jews' decai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth
distress. ■^yith Eshes, and went out into the midst of
the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry.
And he canje even before the king's gate ; for none
might enter within the king's gate clothed with sack-
cloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king's
commandment came, there was great mourning among
the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing ; and
many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
And Esther's maidens and her chamberlains came and
told it her ; and the queen was exceedingly grieved ; and
she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take his
sackcloth from off him ; but he received it not.
Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king's
M rdecai's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to
messages. attend upon her, and charged him to go to
Mordecai, to know why this was. So Hathach went
forth to Mordecai ; and Mordecai told him of all that
had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money
that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treas-
uries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him
the copy of the decree, to show it unto Esther ; and to
charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make
supplication for her people.
And Hathach came and told Esther the words of
Mordecai. Then Esther gave him a message unto
Mordecai, saying, " 7\11 the king's servants do know,
that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto
the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is
one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to
Esther4. ii-l CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 553
whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he
may live. But I have not been called to come in unto
the king these thirty days."
And they told Mordecai Esther's words.
Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther,
"Think not that thou shalt escape in the king's house,
more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether boldest
thy peace at this time, then shall relief and deliverance
arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy
father's house shall perish. And who knoweth whether
thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as
this? "
Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai,
" Go", gather together all the Jews that are present in
Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink
three days, night or day. I also and my maidens will
fast in like manner; and so \\ill I go in unto the king,
which is not according to the law ; and if I perish, I
perish."
So IVIordecai went his way, and did according to all
that Esther had commanded him.
Now on the third day Esther put on her royal
apparel, and stood in the inner court of the Esther be-
king's house. And the king sat upon his ^°in^^^^
royal throne. And when the king saw
Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained
favor in his sight ; and the king held out the golden
scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near,
and touched the top of the scepter.
Then said the king unto her, " What wilt thou, queen
Esther, and what is thy request? It shall be given thee
even to the half of the kingdom."
And Esther said, " If it seem good unto the king, let
the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet
that I have prepared for him."
Then the king said, " Cause Haman to make haste,
that it may be done as Esther hath said." So the king
and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had pre-
pared.
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet, " What
is thy petition? And it shall be granted thee. And
38
554 The Shorter Bible [Esther 5. 6.
what is thy request ? Even to the half of the kingdom
it shall be performed."
Then answered Esther, " Let the king and Haman
_, , , come to the banquet that I shall prepare for
first them, and I will do to-morrow as the king
banquet. ,.'.,,, °
hath said.
Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of
heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's
gate, that he stood not up nor ^ moved for him, he was
filled with wrath. Nevertheless Haman refrained him-
self and went home ; and he sent and fetched his friends
and Zeresh his wife. And Haman recounted unto them
the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children,
and all the things wherein the king had promoted him,
and how he had advanced him above the princes and
servants of the king. Haman said moreover, "Yea,
Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king
unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself;
and to-morrow also am I invited by her together with
the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I
see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."
Then said his wife and all his friends, " Let a gallows be
made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto
the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon. Then
go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet."
And the thing pleased Haman ; and he caused the
gallows to be made.
On that night could not the king sleep ; and he com-
manded to bring the book of records, and they were
read before the king. And it was found written, that
Mordecai had told of two of the king's chamberlains,
Mordecai ^^^'^^ ^^^^ sought to lay hands on the king,
honored. And the king said, " What honor and dignity
hath been done to Mordecai for this?" Then said the
king's servants, "There is nothing done for him."
And the king said, " Who is in the court?"
Now Haman was come into the court, to speak unto
the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had
prepared for him. And the king's servants said unto
him, " Ik-hold, Haman standeth in the court."
■ R. V. in.Tit;., Or, tr^iithh-dbifore him.
Esther 6. 50 CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 555
And the king said, " Let him come in."
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him,
" What shall be done unto the man whom the king de-
lighteth to honor?"
Now Haman said in his heart, " To whom would the
king delight to do honor more than to myself?" And
Haman said unto the king, " Let royal apparel be
brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse
that the king rideth upon, and on the head of which a
crown royal is set ; and let the appafel and horse be de-
livered to the hand of one of the king's most noble
princes, that they may array the man withal whom the
king delighteth to honor, and cause him to ride on
horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim
before him, * Thus shall it be done to the man whom
the king delighteth to honor.' "
Then the king said to Haman, " Make haste, and
take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said,
and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at
the king's gate. Let nothing fail of all that thou hast
spoken."
Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and
arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the
street of the city, and proclaimed before him, " Thus
shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth
to honor." And Mordecai came again to the king's
gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and
having his head covered.
And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all
his friends everything that had befallen him.
Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife, " If
Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of
the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him,
but shalt surely fall before him." While they were yet
talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and
hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther
had prepared.
So the king and Haman came to banquet ,
with Esther the queen. And the king said second ban-
again unto Esther on the second day at the '^^^ '
banquet, " What is thy petition, queen Esther, And it
556 The Shorter Bible [Esther 7. 2.
shall be granted thee. And what is thy request ? Even
to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed."
Then Esther the queen answered and said, " If I have
found favor in thy sight, O king, let my life be given
me at my petition, and my people at my request. For
we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be
slain, and to perish."
Then spake the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther
the queen, " Who is he, and where is he, that durst pre-
sume in his heart to do so? "
And Esther said, " An adversary and an enemy, even
this wicked Haman."
Then Haman was afraid before the king and the
queen. And the king arose in his wrath and went into
the palace garden ; and Haman stood up to make re-
quest for his life to Esther. Then the king returned out
of the palace garden, and Haman was fallen upon the
couch whereon Esther was. As the word went out of
the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
Then said one of the chamberlains, " Behold, the gal-
Hamande- lows fifty cubits high, whicli Haman hath
stroyed. made for Mordecai, who spake good for the
king, standeth in the house of Haman."
And the king said, " Hang him thereon."
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had
prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath
pacified.
On that day did the king give the house of Haman
Mordecai the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen.
TifJ^je^s ^''"^1 Mordecai came before the king ; for Es-
deiivered. ti^^r had told what he was unto lier. And
the king took off his ring, which he had taken from
Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set
Mordecai over the house of Haman.
And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell
down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put
away the mischief of Haman the Agagite. And she
said, "If it please the king, let it be written to reverse
the letters devised by Haman, which he wrote to destroy
the Jews; for how can I endure to see the evil that shall
come unto my people?"
Esther 8. 7.] ClIRONOLOCICALLV x\rRANGED. 557
Then the king said, "Write ye to the Jews, as it liketh
you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's
ring." For the writing which is written in the king's
name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man
reverse.
Then were the king's scribes called, and it was writ-
ten according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the
governors and princes of the provinces which are from
india unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven prov-
inces, unto every province according to the writing and
language thereof. And he wrote in the name of king
Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent
letters by posts on horseback, riding on swift steeds that
were used in the king's service ; wherein the king granted
the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves
together, and to stand for their life, to cause to perish,
all the power of the people that would assault them,
their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of
them for a prey.
And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the
king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great
crown of gold, and a robe of fine linen and purple; and
the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. The Jews
had light and gladness, and joy and honor. And in
every province and city whithersoever the king's decree
came the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good
day. And many from among the peoples of the land be-
came Jews ; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.
Now in the twelfth month, when the king's decree
drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the
enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them, it
was turned to the contrary ; the Jews gathered them-
selves together throughout all the provinces of the king
Ahasuerus, and stood for their lives, and no man could
withstand them. But on the spoil they laid not their
hand. And all the princes of the provinces, and the
governors helped the Jews; because the fear of Morde-
cai was fallen upon them. For the man Mordecai waxed
greater and greater.
' And Mordecai wrote and sent letters unto all the
' Esther ix 20.
558 The Shorter Bible [Esther 9. 20.
Jews in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, both nigh
and far, ' with words of truth and peace, ' to enjoin
them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the
month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
The feast '^^ the days wherein the Jews had rest from
ofPurim. their enemies, and the month which was
turned unto them from sorrow to gladness ; and that
they should make them days of feasting and gladness,
and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the
poor. And they called these days Purim, after the name
of Pur,' because Haman had cast Pur, that is, the lot to
destroy them, ^ from day to day and from month to
month, to the twelfth month, the month Adar. 'And
the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of
Purim ; and it was written in the book. * Therefore the
Jews keep these two days, according to the appointed
time, every year.
' Esther ix, 31. ^ P'.stlier ix, 24. ' Esther ix, 32.
-Esther ix, 21. ■* Kstlier iii, 7. * Esther ix, 26.
Neh. I. i] Chronologically Arranged. 559
NEHEMIAH.
CHAPTER I.
NEHEMIAH'S return to JERUSALEM : THE WALLS
REBUILT AND DEDICATED : EZRA'S LATER REFORMS.
The words of Nehemiah.
It came to pass in the month Chislev, in the ^ twen-
tieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, that certain
men out of Judah came, and I asked them concerning
the Jews that had escaped, and concerning" Jerusalem.
And they said unto me, " The remnant that are left of
the captivity there are in great affliction and The sad
reproach ; the wall of Jerusalem also is bro- news.
ken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire."
And when I heard these words I sat down and wept
certain days ; and I fasted and prayed before the God
of heaven.
' Now I was cupbearer to the king ; and ^ in the
month Nisan, in the twentieth year of ^ Artaxerxes the
king, I took up the cup and gave it unto the king. Now
I had not been sad in his presence before.
And the king said unto me, " Why is thy countenance
sad? Thou art not sick? This is nothing
di , r 1 1. " Nehemiah
se but sorrow of heart. and the
Then I was very sore afraid. And I said, "^^'
" Let the king live forever. Why should not my coun-
tenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers'
sepulchers, Heth waste, and the gates thereof are con-
sumed with fire ? "
Then the king said unto me, " For what dost thou
ij^gj^ i jj I "B. C. 445. ^Four months after
■ ' ■ I hearing the news. "^ The son of Xerxes.
560 The Shorter Bible [Neh. 2. 4.
make request?" So I prayed to God, and I said, " If it
please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in
thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto
the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may buikl it."
And the^king said unto me, the queen also sitting by
him, " For how long shall thy journey be? When wilt
thou return ? "
And I set him a time. So it pleased the king to
send me.
Moreover I said unto the king, " If it please the king,
let letters be given me to the governors be)'ond the
river, that they may let me pass through ; and a letter
unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest that he may
give me timbers to make beams for the wall of the city."
And the king granted me, according to the good hand
of my God upon me. So I came to Jerusalem.
And I arose in the night, I and some men with me ;
neither told I any man what God put in my heart to do
for Jerusalem. And I went out by night and viewed
the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and
the gates thereof were C(Misumcd with fire.
Then said I unto 'the priests and nobles, "Ye see
the evil case that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste.
Building ^^^^ the gates thereof are burned with fire.
the wall. Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusa-
lem, that we be no more a reproach." And I told them
of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as
also of the king's words that he had spoken unto me.
And they said, " Let us rise up and buikl." So they
strengthened their hands for the good work.
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tubiah the
servant, the Ammonite, aiul Gesheni the Arabian, heard
it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said,
" What is this thing that ye do ? "
Then answered I, " The God of heaven, he will prosper
us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.'
"So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined
together unto half the height thereof; for the people
had a mind to work. " But it came to pass that, when
Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth,
'Nell, ii, 16. ^Neli. iv, 6. -' Neli. iv, i.
Neh. 4- I.] CiiRoxoLOGicALLY Arranged. 501
and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his
brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, " What do
these feeble Jews? Will they fortify themselves? Will
they sacrifice ? "
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said,
" Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall
break down their stone wall ! "
But when they heard that the repairing of the
walls went forward, and the breaches began to be
stopped, they were very wroth ; and they conspired to-
gether to come and fight against Jerusalem, and said,
" They shall not know till we come in the midst of them,
and slay them, and cause the work to cease."
'But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a
watch against them day and night. And I said, " Be
not afraid of them ; remember the LORD, which is great
and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and
your daughters, }'our wives and your houses."
And when our enemies heard that it was known unto
us, and God had brought their counsel to naught, we
returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
And from that time forth half of my servants wrought
in the work, and half of them held the spears and bows,
and the coats of mail. Every one with one of his hands
wrought in the work, and with the other held his weapon ;
and the builders, every one had his sword girded by his
side. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
And I said unto the people, "The work is great and
large, and we are separated upon the wall ; in what
place soever ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye
tliither; our God shall fight for us."
So we wrought in the work ; and half of them held
the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars
appeared. Neither I, nor my brethren, nor servants,
nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us
put off our clothes.
'A SONG OF ASCENTS.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:
From whence shall my help come?
' Nell, iv, (J. - Psalm cxxi.
562 The Shorter Bible [Psalm 121. 2.
My help cometh from the LORD,
Which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved :
He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper:
The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
Nor the moon by night. ,
The Lord shall keep thee from all evil ;
He shall keep thy soul.
The Lord shall keep thy going out and thy coming in,
From this time forth and for evermore.
' Now when it was reported to our enemies that I had
builded the wall, and that there was no breach left
therein, they sent unto me, saying, "Come, let us
meet together."
But they thought to do me mischief.
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, " I am doing
a great work, so that I cannot come down."
And they sent unto me four times after this sort ; and
I answered them after this manner.
Then Sanballat sent his servant unto me in like man-
ner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, wherein
was written, " It is reported that thou and the Jews think
to rebel ; for which cause thou buildest the wall. And
thou wouldest be their king. And now it shall be re-
ported to the king according to these words."
Then I sent unto him, saying, " There are no such
things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out
of thine own heart." For they would have made us
afraid, saying, " Their hands shall be weakened from the
work, that it be not done." But now, O God, strengthen
thou my hands.
And I went unto the house of Shemaiah, and he said,
" Let us meet together in the house of God, within the
temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple ; for tiiey
will come to slay thee in the night."
' Nell, vi, I.
Neh. 6. ii.j Chronologically Arranged. 563
And I said, " Should such a man as I flee ? I will not."
And I discerned, and lo, God had not sent him ; but
Sanballat had hired him, that I should be afraid and do
so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil
report.
' So the wall was finished in fifty and two days. And
when our enemies heard thereof all the heathen that were
about us feared, and were much cast down, for they per-
ceived that this work was wrought of our God.
"And at the dedication of the wall they sought the
Levites out of all their places to bring them to Jerusalem,
to keep the dedication with gladness, with The -walls
thanksgivings and with singing, and with dedicated.
harps. And the sons of the singers gathered together,
and the priests and Levites purified themselves. Then I
brought the princes of Judah upon the wall, and ap-
pointed two great '^ companies that gave thanks and went
in procession. One went on the right hand upon the wall,
and the other went to meet them upon the wall. So
stood the two companies in the house of God. And the
singers sang loud. And they offered great sacrifices that
day, for God had made them to rejoice. The women
also and the children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jeru-
salem was heard even afar off.
^ Then there arose a great cry of the people and of
their wives against their brethren the Jews, For there
were that said, " We are mortgaging our fields and
houses, we have borrowed money, and, lo, we bring into
• bondage our sons and daughters. Neither is it in our
power to help it, for other men have our fields and vine-
yards."
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the
nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, usury de-
" Ye exact usury, every one of his brother." nounced.
And I held a great assembly against them, and said unto
them, '* We have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which
were sold unto the heathen, and would ye even sell your
brethren ? "
Then held they their peace and found never a word.
' Neh. vi, 15. ^ Neh. xii, 27. ^ Neh. v, i. I » That is, of singers.
564: The Sikjutkr Biijle [Neh. 5. 9.
Also I said, " The thing that ye do is not good. Ought
ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the
heathen, our enemies? And I likewise, my brethren and
my servants, do lend them money and corn on usur)-. 1
pray you, let us leave off this usury. Restore, 1 pray
you, to them, even this day, their fields and houses, also
the money and corn, and oil that yc exact of them."
Then said they, " We will do even as thou sayest."
Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them,
that they should do according to this promise. Also I
shook out my lap, and said, " So God shake out every
man that performeth not this promise!" And all the
congregation said " Amen," and praised the Lord. And
the people did according to this promise.
Moreover the former governors that were before me
were chargeable unto the people, and took of them
bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver ; \'ea, even
their servants bare rule over the people ; but so did
not I, because of the fear of God. * From the time I
Nehemiah's ^^^^ appointed governor, twelve years, 1 de-
generosity. manded not the bread of the governor, be-
cause the bondage was heavy upon the people.
" Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and 1
had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers
and the Levitcs were appointed, that I gave my brother
Organiza- Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the
govern^^^^ castle, charge over Jerusalem ; for he was a
ment. faithful ma*!!, and feared God above man}-.
And I said unto them, "Let not the gates of Jerusalem
be opened until the sun be hot ; and while they stand
on guard let them shut the doors, and bar ye them.
And appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
every one in his watch, and every one over against his
house."
Now the city was wide and large ; but the people were
few therein, and the houses were not builded. ' And the
princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem ; the rest of the
people also cast lots, to bring one in ten to dwell in
Jerusalem. And the people blessed all that willing!}'
offered to dwell in Jerusalem.
'Neh. V, 14. '■'Neh. vii, i. ^ Neli. xi, i.
Neh. 7. 5. J Chronologically Arranged. 565
'And my God put into my heart to gather together
the nobles and rulers and people, that thev
might be reckoned by genealogy. ' r^cSrd^°^^^^^
^And when the seventh month was come the ™^'^®-
children of Israel were in their cities. And all the people
gathered themselves together as one man into the broad
place that was before the water gate ; and they spake
unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of
Moses, which the Lord had commanded to The law
Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law read,
before the congregation, both men and women, and all
that could hear with understanding, upon the first day
of the seventh month. And he read therein from early
morning until midday, in the presence of the men and
women, and of those that could understand ; and the
ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of
the law. And Ezra stood upon a pulpit of wood, which
they had made for the purpose. And Ezra opened the
book in the sight of all the people ; (for he was above all
the people); and when he opened it all the people stood
up ; and Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And
all the people answered, "Amen! amen!" with the lift-
ing up of their hands. And they bowed their heads, and
worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Also the Levites caused the people to understand the
law; and the people stood in their place. And they
read in the book, in the law of God, ^distinctly; and
they gave the sense, so they understood the reading.
And Nehemiah which was the ^ Tirshatha, and Ezra
the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the
people, said unto all the people, " This day is holy unto
the Lord your God ; mourn not, nor weep."
For all the people wept when they heard the words
of the law.
Then he said unto them, "■ Go your way, eat the fat,
and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for
whom nothing is prepared ; for this day is holy unto our
' Neh. vii, 5.
"Nell, vii, 73.
" R. V. marg. , Or, with an interpre-
tation. The book was Hebrew. They
came back from Babylon speaking
Chaklaic dialect, ** Or, governor,
566 The Shorter Bible [Neh.8. lo.
Lord ; neither be ye grieved ; for the joy of the Lord
is your strength."
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, " Hold
your peace, for the day is holy ; neither be ye grieved."
And all the people went their way to eat, and to
drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth,
because they had understood the words that were de-
clared unto them.
And on the second day were gathered together unto
Ezra the heads of fathers' houses, the priests, and the
Levites, to give attention to the words of the law. And
they found that the LORD had commanded that the chil-
dren of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the
seventh month. So the people went forth and brought
olive and palm branches, and branches of thick trees,
and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof
of his house and in their courts and in the courts of the
house of God. And all them that were come again out
of the captivity dwelt in the booths, for since the days
of Joshua the son of Nun had not the children of Israel
Feast of done so. And there was very great gladness,
tabernacles. ^Iso day by day, from the first day unto the
last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And
they kept the feast seven days ; and on the eighth da}'
was a * solemn assembly, according unto the ordinance.
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the
A sure cove- children of Israel were assembled with fast-
nant. jpg ^^,-)j y^[^\i sackcloth and earth upon them.
And they stood in their place, and read in the book of
the law of the Lord, and confessed and worshiped the
Lord. 'And they made a sure covenant and set
seal unto it, '' to wiJk in God's law given by Moses, and
to '' observe and do all the commandments of the Lord ;
'and we will not forsake the house of our God.
* In the '^ two and thirtieth year of Artaxcrxes the king
of Babylon, I went unto the king.
And after certain days I asked leave and came to
' Nell, ix, 3S. I "R. V. ma.T£^., Or, c/osi/io" /I's/iva/.
^ Neh. X, 29. '' This was observed thereafter, hut
^ Nell. X, 39. only in letter. There was no more
* Neh. xiii, 6. | idolatry. ' 15. C. 433.
Neh. 13. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 567
Jerusalem. ' Now Eliasliib the priest, who was ap-
pointed over the chambers of the house of
God, being alhed to Tobiah, had prepared cast out of
for him a great chamber, where aforetime ^ ® ^"^^ ®'
they laid the offerings, the frankincense, and vessels.
And it grieved me sore. Therefore I cast forth all the
household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber, and
cleansed the chambers, and brought thither again the
vessels of the house of God, with the offerings and frank-
incense.
And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had
not been given them ; so that the Levites and the
singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his
field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said,
" Why is the house of God forsaken ? " And I gathered
them together, and set them in their place.
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn J^JI^®^ S""*^-
and the oil unto the treasuries.
In those days I saw in Judah some treading wine
presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, as
also grapes and figs and all manner of burdens which
they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And
I testified against them, and said unto them, " What
evil thing is this ye do ? "
And when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark
before the sabbath, I commanded that Thesab-
the doors be shut and not opened till after bathob-
scrvoci.
the sabbath. And I commanded the Levites
that they should purify themselves, and that they should
come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day.
Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me
according to the greatness of thy mercy.
' Neh. xiii, 4.
568 The Shorter Bible [Mai- i- !•
MALACHI.
CHAPTER I.
MESSAGES TO PRIESTS AND PEOPLE.
' The word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
" I have loved you," saith the LORD.
" A son honoreth his father and a servant his master.
To the wick- Where is mine honor, and where is my fear? "
ed priests. j,,^j^.j^ j.j^g LORD of hosts unto yoLi, " 6 priests
that despise my name.
" Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar, and the blind
and lame and sick for sacrifice. '^ And ye say, ' It is no
evil.' Present it now to thy governor; will ho be
pleased? I have no pleasure in you," saith the Lord,
" neither will I accept an offering at \-our hand. Ye pro-
fane ^ my name. Ye say, 'What a weariness it is!'
Ye have snuffed at it," saith the Lord.
" And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
If ye will not hear and lay it to heart, then will I send
the curse upon you. For the priest's lips should keep
knowledge, and m e n should seek the law at his mouth.
He is the messenger of the Lord of luists."
Have we not all one father? Math not one God
created us? W'hy do we deal treacherously, ever}' man
against his brother? And this again }"c do: yc coxer
the altar of the Lord with the tears o f )• o u r w i fi.' .
The Lord hath been witness between thee and the wifi'
of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacher-
ously. " I hate putting aw.i}-," saith the LoRD.
"Ye have wearied the Lord with your words, in that
ye say, 'Where is the God of judgment?' Behold, I
' Mai. i, I. ■■■ .Mai. i, 7. =' Mai. i, 11.
Mai. 3- I.] Chronologically Arranged. 569
send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way be-
fore me. And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly
come to his temple ; behold, he cometh," saith the
Lord.
" But who may abide the day of his coming ? And who
shall stand when he appeareth ? For he is like a refiner's
fire and like fullers' soap ; and he shall sit as a refiner
and purifier of silver, and shall purify the sons of Levi
and purge them as gold and silver. They shall offer unto
the Lord in righteousness. Then shall the offering be
pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old. And I
will come near you to judgment ; and I will be a swift
witness against false swearers, and against those that
oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the
fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right
and fear not me," saith the Lord.
"Will a man rob God ? Yet ye rob me. But ye say,
'Wherein have we robbed thee ? ' In tithes concerning
and offerings. Ye are cursed with the curse, tithes.
even this whole nation. Bring ye the whole tithe into
the storehouse, and prove me now herewith," saith the
Lord, " if I will not open to you the windows of heaven
and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be
room enough to receive it. I will rebuke the de-
vourer for your sakes, and all nations shall call you
happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land," saith the
Lord of hosts.
" Your words have been stout against me. Ye have
said, ' It is vain to serve God,' and * What profit is
it that we have kept his charge?
Then they that feared the Lord spake one with an-
other. And the Lord hearkened and heard, Gracious
and a book of remembrance was written be- promises.
fore him for them that feared the LORD and that
thought upon his name. " They shall be mine," saith the
Lord, "and I will spare them as a man spareth his own
son that serveth him.
" Behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace ; and
all the proud and all that work wickedness shall be a s
stubble. But unto you that fear my name shall the sun
of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.
39
5Y0 The Shorter Bible [Mai. 4. 5.
" Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
great and terrible day of the LORD come. He shall
turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the
heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and
smite the earth with a curse."
Psalm 1. 1.] Chronologically Arranged.
571
PSALMS.*
SELECTIONS FROM
THE HYMN BOOK OF THE JEWISH
CHURCH.
A Psahn.
' Blessed is the man that vvalk-
eth not in the counsel of the
wicked,
Nor standeth in the way of sin-
ners,
Nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful.
But his delight is in the law of
the Lord ;
And in his law doth he meditate
day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by
streams of water.
That bringeth forth its fruit in
its season,
\Vhose leaf also doth not wither ;
And whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper.
The wicked are not so,
But are like the chaff which the
wind driveth away.
Therefore the wicked shall not
stand in the judgment.
Nor sinners in the congregation
of the righteous.
The Lord knoweth the way of
the righteous.
But the way of the wicked shall
perish.
A Psalm.
"^ Why do the nations rage,
And the peoples imagine a vain
thing }
' Psalm i. - Psalm ii. |
* For other Psalms see hi
in the heavens
have them in
The kings of the earth set them-
selves,
And the rulers take counsel to-
gether.
Against the Lord, and against
his anointed, saying,
" Let us break their bands asun-
der.
And cast away their cords fiom
us."
He that sitteth
shall laugh ;
The Lord sha
derision.
Then shall he speak unto them
in his wrath.
And " vex them in his sore dis-
pleasure ;
" Yet have I set my king
Upon my holy hill of Zion."
I will tell of the decree ;
The Lord said unto me, " Thou
art my son ;
This day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me, and I will give thee
the nations for thine inherit-
ance,
And the uttermost parts of the
earth for thy possession."
Now therefore be wise, () ye
kings ;
Be instructed ; ye judges of the
earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
a R. V. maig., Or, trouMc.
stovical ]);)oks piccciliiig.
572
The Shorter Bible
[Psalm 2. 12.
Kiss the son, lest he be angry,
and ye perish in the way.
For his wrath " will soon be kin-
dled.
Blessed are all they that ^ put
their trust in him.
A Psalm of David.
' Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up
my soul.
O my God, in thee have I trusted.
Show me thy ways, O Lord ;
Teach me thy paths.
Guide me in thy truth, teach me ;
For thou art the God of my sal-
vation ;
On thee do I wait all the day.
Remember, O LoRD, thy tender
" mercies and thy lovingkind-
nesses ;
For they have been ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my
youth, nor my transgressions;
According to thy lovingkindness
remember thou me.
For thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD ;
Therefore will he instruct sinners
in the way.
The meek will he guide in judg-
ment ;
The meek will he teach his way.
All the paths of the LoKD are
lovingkindness and truth
Unto such as keep his covenant
and his testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon mineiniquity,for it isgrcat.
What man is he that fcareth the
Lord ?
Him shall he instruct in the way
that he shall choose.
The secret of the Lord is with
them that fear him ;
He will show thein his covenant.
' Psalm XXV.
* R. V. marg. , Or, /mi v.
marg., Or, take refuse.
R. \".
A Psalm of David.
' The Lord is my light and my
salvation ; whom shall 1 fear ?
The Lord is the strength of mv
life ; of whom shall I be afraid .''
When evil doers came upon me
to eat up my flesh.
Even mine adversaries and my i
foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host should encamp
against me.
My heart shall not fear;
Though war should rise against
me.
Even then will I be confident.
One thing have I asked of the
Lord, that will I seek after ;
That I may dwell in the house of
the Lord all the days of my
life,
To behold the beauty of the
Lord, and to inquire in his
temjile.
For in thedavof trouble he shall
keep me secretly in his pavilion ;
In the covert of his tabernacle
shall he hide me;
He shall lift me up upon a rock.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with
my voice ;
Have mercy also upon me, and
answer me.
When thou saidst, " Seek ye my
face ;" my heart said,
"Thy face, Lord, will I seek."
Hide not thy face from me ;
Put not thy servant away in
anger ;
Thou hast been my hel|);
Cast nic not off, ni-iihtr forsake
me, O (jO(1 of my salvation.
■' For my father and my mother
have forsaken me.
Put the Lord will take me up ;
' Psalm xxvii.
" R.V. marg., Or, IVltcit my fatlier
and niv mother forsake me. clr,
Psalm 27. II.] Chronologically Arranged.
5Y3
Teach me thy way. O LORD ;
And lead me in a plain path.
I had fainted, unless I had be-
lieved to see the goodness of
the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD ;
Be strong, and let thine heart
take courage ;
Yea, wait thou on the Lord.
A Song at the Dedication of the
House.
' Sing praise unto the Lord, Oye
saints of his,
And give thanks to his holy
name.
For his anger is but for a mo-
ment ;
'^ In his favor is life ;
Weeping may tarry for the night.
But joy Cometh in the morning.
For the Chief Musician. A
Psabn of David.
- In thee, O Lord, do I put my
trust ; let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in thy righteousness.
Into thine hand I commend my
spirit;
Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord,
thou God of truth.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord,
for I am in distress ;
My life is spent with sorrow, and
my years with sighing.
But I trusted in thee, O Lord ;
My limes are in thy hand.
Make thy face to shine upon thy
servant ;
Save me in thy lovingkindness.
Oh how great is thy goodness,
which thou hast laid up for
them that fear thee.
Which thou hast wrought for
' Psalm XXX. '' Psalm xxxi.
* R. V. marg., Or, //is favor is
for a lifetifne.
them that put their trust in
thee, before the sons of men !
In the covert of thy presence
shalt thou hide them from the
plottings of man ;
Thou shalt keep them secretly in
a paviHon from the strife of
tongues.
O love the Lord, all ye his
saints ;
The Lord preserveth the faith-
ful.
Be strong, and let your heart take
courage,
All ye that hope in the LORD.
A Psalm.
' Rejoice in the LORD, O ye right-
eous ;
Praise is comely for the upright.
Give thanks unto the Lord with
harp ;
Sing praises unto him with the
psaltery of ten strings.
Sing unto him a new song;
Play skillfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the Lord is
right ;
And all his work is done in faith-
fulness.
He loveth righteousness and judg-
ment ;
The* earth is full of the loving-
kindness of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were
the heavens made ;
And all the host of them by the
breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the
sea together as an heap ;
He layeth up the deeps in store-
houses.
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
Let all the world stand in awe of
him.
' Psalm xxxiii.
574
The Shorter Bible
[Psalm 33. 1 1.
The counsel of the Lord standeth
fast forever,
The thoughts of his heart to all
generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God
is the Lord ;
The people whom he hath chosen
for his own inheritance.
Tiie Lord looketh from heaven,
He beholdeth all the sons of
men.
The eye of the Lord is upon
them that fear him.
Upon them that hope in his
mercy;
To deliver their soul from death.
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul hath waited for tlie
Lord ;
He is our help and our shield.
Our heart shall rejoice in him,
Because we have trusted in his
holy name.
A Psnbn of David, tJic servant
of t lie Lord.
' Thy lovingkindness, O Lord,
is in the heavens ;
Thy faitiifulness reaciieth unto
the skies.
Thy righteousness is like the
mountains of Ood ;
Thy judgments are a great deej).
How precious is thy lovingkind-
ness, O God !
And the children of men take
refuge under the shadow of
thy wings.
They shall beabundnntly satisfied;
And thou shalt make them drink
of the river of thy pleasures.
For with thee is the fountain of
life;
In thy light shall we see light.
' Psalni xxxvi, 5.
A Psalm of David.
' Fret not thyself because of evil
doers,
Neither be thou envious against
them that work unrighteous-
ness.
For they shall soon be cut down
like the grass.
And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good ;
Dwell in the land, and follow
after faithfulness.
Delight thyself also in the Lord ;
And he shall give thee the de-
sires of thine heart.
" Commit thy way unto the
Lord ;
Trust also in him, and he shall
bring it to pass.
And he shall make thy righteous-
ness to go forth as the light,
And thy judgment as the noon-
day.
''Rest in the Lord, anti wait pa-
tiently for him ;
Fret not thyself because of him
who pros])ereth in his way,
Because of the man who bringetii
wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake
wrath ;
Fret not thyself, it tendeth only
to evil doing.
For evil doers shall be cut off ;
But those that wait upon the
Lord shall inherit the land.
I have been young, and now am
old;
Yet have 1 not seen the righteous
forsaken,
Nor his seed begging their bread.
1 have seen the wicked in great^
power,
' I'salm xxxvii.
" R. V. marg. , I Lh. Roll thy 7i.'ay
upon the Loki>. ^> R. V. marg., Ov,
be still before (II ch. silent A-).
Psalm 37- 35] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
5Y5
And spreading himself like a
green tree in its native soil.
But one passed by, and, lo, he
was not ;
Yea, I sought him, but he could
not be found.
Mark the perfect man, and be-
hold the upright ;
For the latter end of that man
is peace.
A Psalm of David.
' Blessed is he that considereth
the poor ;
The Lord will deliver him in the
day of evil.
The Lord will preserve him, and
keep him alive.
And he shall be blessed upon
the earth ;
The Lord will support him upon
the couch of languishing ;
Thou " makest all his bed in his
sickness.
A Psalm. For the Chief Mu-
sician.
' As the hart panteth after the
water brooks.
So panteth my soul after thee, O
God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for
the living God ;
When shall I come and appear
before God .-•
My tears have been my meat
day and night,
While they continually say unto
me, " Where is thy God .'' "
These things I remember, and
pour out my soul within me,
How I went with the throng,
and led them to the house of
God,
' Psalm xli. * Psalm xlii.
* R. V. marg., Heb. tuniest, or,
(Itangest.
With the voice of joy and praise,
a multitude keeping holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my
soul .''
And why art thou disquieted
within me?
Hope thou in God ; for I shall
yet praise him
For the " health of his counte-
nance.
O my God, my soul is cast down
within me ;
Deep calleth unto deep at the
noise of thy waterspouts;
All thy waves and thy billows
are gone over me.
Yet the Lord will command his
lovingkindness in the day-
time,
And in the night his song shall
be with me.
As with sword in my bones,
mine adversaries reproach me ;
While they continually say unto
me, " Where is thy God ? "
Why art thou cast down, O my
soul ?
And why art thou disquieted
within me .'
Hope thou in God ; for I shall
yet praise him.
Who is the * health of my coun-
tenance, and my God.
' Judge me, O Crod, and plead
my cause against an ungodly
nation ;
O deliver me from the deceitful
and unjust man.
For thou art the God of my
strength ; why hast thou cast
me off?
Why go I mourning because of
the oppression of the enemy ?
' Psalm xliii.
"R. V. marg., Or, help.
576
The Shorter Bible
[Psalm 43. 3.
0 send out thy light and thy
truth ; let them lead me ;
Let them bring me unto thy holy
hill,
And to thy tabernacles.
Then will I go unto the altar of
God,
Unto God "■ my exceeding joy ;
And upon the harp will I praise
thee, O God, my God.
Why art thou cast down, O my
soul ?
And why art thou disquieted
within me?
Hope thou in God ; for I shall
yet praise him,
Who is the '' health of my coun-
tenance, and my God.
A Sofig' of loves.
' My heart overfloweth with a
goodly matter;
1 speak the things which I have
made touching the king;
My tongue is the pen of a ready
writer.
Thou art fairer than the children
of men ;
Grace is poured into thy li])s;
Therefore Goil halh blessed thee
forever.
Gird thy sword upon thy tliigh,
O mighty one,
Thy glory and thy majesty.
And in thy majesty ride on pros-
perously,
" Because of truth and meekness
and riglitcousness ;
And thy right hand shall teach
thee terrible things.
Thine arrows are sharp ;
The peoples fall under thee ;
They are in the heart of the
king's enemies.
" Thy throne, O God, is forever
and ever ;
A scepter of equity is the scep-
ter of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness,
and hated wickedness ;
Therefore God, thy God, hatii
anointed thee
With the oil of gladness above
thy fellows.
All thy garments smell of myrrh,
and aloes, and cassia ;
Out of ivory palaces stringed in-
struments have made thee
glad.
Kings' daughters are among thy
honorable women ;
At thy right hand doth stand the
queen in gold of Ophir.
Hearken, O daughter, and con-
sider, and incline thine ear ;
Forget also thine own people,
and thy father's house ;
So shall the king desire thy
beauty ;
For he is thy Lord ; and wor-
ship thou him.
The king's daughter within the
palace is all glorious ;
Her clothing is inwrought with
gold.
She shall be led unto the king in
broidered work;
Tlie virgins her companions that
follow her
Shall be brought unto thee.
With gladness and rejoicing shall
they be led ;
They shall enter into the king's
iialace.
' Psalm xlv.
" R. V. iiiai}^., Hel). the i^ladnrss
of ntv joy. '' R.V. marg. , Or, help.
'R. v. marg., Or, In behalf of.
" R. \'. mart;., Or, Thy throne is
the throne of God. etc.
Psalm 45- 16.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
bit
Instead of thy fathers shall be
thy children,
Whom thou shalt make princes
in all the earth.
I will make thy name to be re-
membered in all generations ;
Therefore shall the peoples give
thee thanks forever and ever.
J^or the Chief Mustcmn ; on
stri7iged itisfriifnents. A
Psalm of David.
' Give ear to my prayer, O God ;
And hide not thyself from my
supplication.
Tearfulness and trembling are
come upon me.
And horror hath overwhelmed
me.
And I said, " Oh that I had wings
like a dove !
Then would I fly away, and be
at rest.
Lo, then would I wander far off,
I would lodge in the wilderness,
I would haste me to a shelter
From the stormy wind and tem-
pest."
For it was not an enemy that
reproached me ;
Then I could have borne it ;
Neither was it he that hated me
that did magnify himself
against me ;
Then I would have hid myself
from him ;
But it was thou, a man mine
equal,
My companion, and my familiar
friend.
We took sweet counsel together.
We walked in the house of God
with the throng.
As for me, I will call upon God ;
And the Lord shall save me.
Evening, morning, and at noon.
He shall hear my voice.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
and he shall sustain thee ;
He shall never suffer the right-
eous to be moved.
A Psalm of David.
'Be merciful unto me, O God;
for man would swallow me
up;
All the day long he lighting op-
presseth me.
Mine enemies would swallow me
up all the day long;
For they be many that fight
proudly against me.
What time I am afraid,
I will put my trust in thee.
In God have I put my trust, I
will not be afraid ;
What can man do unto me.''
Thy vows are upon me, O God ;
1 will render thank offerings unto
thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul
from death ;
Hast thou not delivered my feet
from falling ?
That I may walk before God
In the light of the li\ing.
A Psalm of David.
"^ Hear my cry, O God ;
Attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I
call unto thee, when my heart
is overwhelmed ;
Lead me to the rock that is
higher than I.
For thou hast been a refuge for
me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will dwell in thy tabernacle for-
ever;
I will take refuge in the covert of
thy wings.
• Psalm Iv.
Psalm Ivi.
•^ Psalm Ixi.
578
The Shorter Bible
[Psalm 62.
A Psalm of David.
' My soul " waitelh only upon
God ;
From him cometh my salvation.
Trust in him at all times, ye peo-
ple ;
Pour out your heart before him.
Trust not in oppression ;
\{ riches increase, set not your
heart thereon.
God hath spoken once.
Twice have I heard this ;
That power belongeth unto God ;
Also unto thee, O Lord, be-
longeth mercy ;
For thou renderest to every man
according to his work.
A Psalm of David, in tJie wilder-
ness of Judah.
* O God, thou art my God ; early
will I seek thee ;
My soul thirsteth for thee, my
flesh longeth for thee.
In a dry and weary land, where
no water is.
For thy lovingkindness is better
than life ;
My lips shall praise thee.
So will I bless thee while I live;
I will lift up my hands in thy
name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with
marrow and fatness ;
And my mouth shall |)raise thee
with joyful lijis ;
When I remember thee upon my
bed.
And meditate on thee in the
night watches.
For thou hast been my help.
And in the shadow of thy wings
will I rejoice.
' Psalm Ixii. ' Psalm Ixiii.
" R. ^'. inarg., Heb. is silent unto.
A Sofig of David.
' Praise waiteth for thee, O God,
in Zion ;
And unto thee shall the vow be
performed.
O thou that hearest prayer.
Unto thee shall all flesh come.
Thou that art the confidence of
all the ends of the earth,
And of them that are afar off
upon the sea ;
Which stilleth the roaring of the
seas,
And tiie tumult of the peoples.
Thou visitest the earth and
waterest it,
Thou greatly enrichest it ;
The river of God is full of water.
Thou hast prepared the earth.
Thou waterest her furrows abun-
dantly ;
Thou settlest the ridges there-
of;
Thou makest it soft with
showers ;
Thou blessest the springing there-
of.
Thou crownest the year with thy
goodness.
And thy paths drop fatness.
The hills are girded with joy ;
The pastures are clothed with
flocks ;
The valleys also are covered with
corn ;
They shout for joy, they also
sing.
A Song, a Psalm.
"^ Make a joyful noise unto God,
all the earth ;
.Sing forth the glory of his name.
Come and see the works of God ;
He ruleth by his might forever.
' Psalm Ixv. - Psalm Ixvi.
[Psalm 66. I o. CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
579
Thou, O God, hast proved us ;
Thou hast tried us, as silver is
tried.
Thou hast caused men to ride
over our heads ;
We went through fire and
through water ;
But thou broughtest us out into
a wealthy place.
I will pay thee my vows.
Which my lips have uttered.
And my mouth have spoken
when I was in distress.
Come, and hear, all ye that fear
God,
And I will declare what he hath
done for my soul.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear ;
But verily God hath heard.
Blessed be God.
A Psalm of David, a Song.
' Let God arise, let his enemies
be scattered ;
Let them that hate him flee.
A father of the fatherless, and a
judge of the widows,
Is God in his holy habitation.
God setteth the solitary in fam-
ilies ;
He bringeth out prisoners into
prosperity.
The Lord giveth the word ;
The women that publish the
tidings are a great host.
Kings of armies flee, they flee;
And she that tarrieth at home
divideth the spoil.
The chariots of God are twenty
thousand.
Even thousands upon thousands.
Thou hast ascended on high,
thou hast led thy captivity
captive ;
Thou hast received gifts among
men.
Yea, among the rebellious also,
that the Lord God might
dwell with them.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily
beareth our burden,
Even the God of our salvation.
God is unto us a God of deliver-
ances,
Unto Jehovah belong the issues
from death.
He hath scattered the peoples
that delight in war ;
Ethiopia shall haste to stretch
out her hands unto God.
0 God, thou art terrible out of
thy holy places ;
The God of Israel, he giveth
strength and power unto his
people.
Blessed be God.
A Psahn of David.
' Save me, O God ;
For the waters are come in unto
my soul.
1 sink in deep mire, where there
is no standing ;
I am come into deep waters,
where the floods overflow me.
I am weary with my crying ; my
throat is dried ;
Mine eyes fail while I wait for
my God.
For thy sake I have borne re-
proach ;
Shame hath covered my face.
I am become a stranger unto my
brethren,
And an alien unto my mother's
children.
For the zeal of thine house hath
eaten me up ;
And the reproaches of them that
reproach thee are fallen upon
me.
Reproach hath broken my heart ;
and I am full of heaviness ;
' Psalm xviii.
' Psalm Ixix.
580
The Shorter Bible
[Psalm 69. 20.
And I looked for some to take
pity, but there was none ;
And for comforters, but I found
none.
They gave me also gall for my
meat ;
And in my thirst they gave me
vinegar to drink.
' My prayer is unto thee, O LORD ;
Answer me in the multitude of
thy mercy.
^ For the Lord heareth the
needy,
And despiseth not his prisoners.
A Psalm.
^ In thee, O Lord, do I put my
trust ;
Let me never be ashamed.
Thou art my hope, O Lord God ;
Thou art my trust from my
youth.
Cast me not off in the time of old
age;
Forsake me not when my strength
faileth.
I will hope continually,
And will praise thee yet more
and more.
My mouth shall tell of thy right-
eousness.
And of thy salvation all the day.
O God, thou hast taught me from
my youth ;
And hitherto have I declared thy
wondrous works.
Yea, even " when I am old and
grayheaded, O God, forsake
me not ;
Until I have declired thy strength
unto the next generation.
Thou, which hast showed us
many and sore troubles,
Shalt quicken us again,
' Psalm Ixix, 13. ^ Psalm Ixxi.
** Psalm Ixix, 33.
"R. V. marg., lleb. unto old a^e
and gray hairs.
And shalt bring us up again
from the depths of the earth.
^ He shall tleliver the needy when
he crieth ;
And the poor, that hath no
helper.
He shall redeem their soul from
oppression and violence,
And precious shall their blood be
in his sight.
Blessed be the Lord God, the
God of Israel,
Who only doeth wondrous
things ;
And blessed be his glorious
name forever ;
Let the whole earth be tilled
with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
The prayers of Davkl, the son of Jesse,
are ended.
A Psalm of Asaph.
' Surely God is good to Israel,
Even to such as are pure in
heart.
But as for me, my feet were al-
most gone ;
My steps had well-nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the arro-
gant.
When I saw the prosperity of the
wicked.
Pride is as a chain about thtir
neck ;
Violence covercth them as a gar-
ment.
Their eyes stand out with fat-
ness ;
They have more than heart
could wish.
They say, " How doth God
know ? "
' Psalm Ixxii, 12. '■' Psalm Ixxiii.
" R. \'. marg., Only good is God.
Psalm 73- I i-J CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
581
And, " Is there knowledge in the
Most High? "
Surely in vain have I cleansed
my heart,
And washed my hands in inno-
cency ;
For all the day long have I been
plagued.
And chastened every morning.
When I thought how I might
know this,
It was too painful for me ;
Until I went into the sanctuary
of God,
And considered their latter end.
For my heart " was grieved,
And I was pricked in my reins ;
So brutish was I, and ignorant ;
I was as a beast before thee.
Nevertheless I am continually
with thee;
Thou hast holden my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy
counsel,
And afterward receive me to
glory.
Whom have I in heaven but
thee ?
And there is none upon earth
that I desire beside thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth ;
But God is the strength of my
heart and my portion forever.
It is good for me to draw near
unto God ;
I have made the Lord GOD my
refuge.
That I may tell of all thy works.
A Psalm of the Cap-
tivity .
' O God, why hast thou cast us off
forever ?
Why doth thine anger smoke
against the sheep of thy pasture.-*
Lift up thy feet unto the per-
petual ruins,
All the evil that the enemy hath
done in the sanctuary.
They seemed as men that lifted
up
Axes upon a thicket of trees.
And now all the carved work
thereof together
They break down with hatchet
and hammers.
They have set thy sanctuary on
fire ;
They have profaned the dwelling
place of thy name even to the
ground.
We see not our signs ;
Tiiere is no more any prophet.
How long, O God, shall the ad-
versary reproach ?
Shall the enemy blaspheme thy
name forever.'
Yet God is my King of old,
Working salvation in the midst
of the earth.
Thou didst divide the sea by thy
strength ;
Thou didst cleave fountain and
flood.
The day is thine, the night also
is thine ;
Thou hast prepared the light and
the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of
the earth ;
Thou hast made summer and
- winter.
Have respect unto the covenant;
For the dark places of the earth
are full of the habitations of
violence.
O let not the oppressed return
ashamed ;
Let the poor and needy praise
thy name.
' Psalm Ixxiv.
R. V. marg. , Heb. was in a ferment.
582
The Shorter Bible
[Psalm TJ. I.
A Psalm of Asaph.
' I will cry unto God with my
voice,
And he will give ear unto me.
In the day of my trouble 1 sought
the Lord ;
My hand was stretched out in
the night.
Thou holdest mine eyes watch-
ing ;
I am so troubled that I cannot
speak.
Will the Lord cast off forever?
And will he be favorable no more?
Ls his mercy clean gone forever?
Doth his promise fail forever-
more ?
Hath God forgotten to be gra-
cious ?
Hath he in anger shut up his
tender mercies ?
And I said, "This is my infirmity;
But I will remember the years of
the right hand of the Most
High.
1 will meditate also upon all thy
work,
And muse on thy doings "
Thy way, OGod, is " in the sanc-
tuary ;
Who is a great god like unto
God ?
Thou art the God that doest
wonders ;
Thou hast made known thy
strength among the peoples.
Thou hast with thine arm re-
deemed thy people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw thee, O God ;
The waters saw thee, they were
afraid ;
The depths also trembled.
The clouds poured out water ;
' Psalm Ixxvii.
R. V. marg., Or, ui holiness.
The skies sent out a sound ;
Thine arrows also went abroad.
The voice of thy thunder was in
the whirlwind ;
The lightnmgs lightened the
world ;
The earth trembled and shook.
Thy way was in the sea,
And thy paths in the great waters.
And thy footsteps were not
known.
Thou leddest thy people like a
flock.
By the hand of Moses and Aaron.
A Song of Trust .
' He that dwelleth in the secret
place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of
the Almighty.
I will say of the LoRD, " He is
my refuge and my fortress ;
My God, in whom I trust."
For he shall deliver thee from the
snare of the fowler,
And from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his
pinions.
And under his wings shalt thou
take refuge ;
His truth is a shield and a buck-
ler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the
terror by night.
Nor for the arrow that flieth by
day ;
For the pestilence that walketh
in darkness,
Nor for the destruction that
wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side,
And ten thousand at thy right
hand ;
But it shall not come nigh thee.
There shall no evil befall thee,
' Psalm xci.
Psalm 91. lo.j CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
583
Neither shall any plague come
nigh thy tent.
For he shall give his angels
charge over thee,
To keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their
hands,
Lest thou dash thy foot against a
stone.
Because he hath set his love upon
me, therefore will I deliver him ;
I will set him on high, because
he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will
answer him ;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him,
And show him my salvation.
A Psabn, a Soiigfor the Sabbat Ji.
' It is a good thing to give thanks
unto the Lord,
And to sing praises unto thy
name, O Most High ;
To show forth thy lovingkind-
ness in the morning.
And thy faithfulness every night.
For thou. Lord, hast made me
glad through thy work ;
I will triumpli in the works of thy
hands.
How great are thy works, O
Lord !
Thy thoughts are very deep.
The righteous shall flourish like
the palm tree ;
He shall grow like a cedar in
Lebanon.
They that are planted in the
house of the LoRD.
Shall flourish in the courts of our
God.
' Psalm xcii.
They shall still bring forth fruit
in old age ;
They shall be full of sap and
green ;
To show that the Lord is up-
right ;
He is my rock, and there is no
unrighteousness in him.
A S 0 ng of the S atic -
t u a ry .
' O come, let us sing unto the
Lord ;
Let us make a joyful noise to the
rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence
with thanksgiving.
Let us make a joyful noise unto
him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God,
And a great King alcove all gods.
In his hand are the deep places
of the earth ;
The heights of the mountains are
his also.
The sea is his, and he made it ;
And his hands formed the dry
land.
O come, let us worship and bow
down ;
Let us kneel before the Lord our
Maker ;
For he is our God,
And we are the people of his
pasture, and the sheep of his
hand.
" To-day, O that ye would hear
his voice !
A P s a 1 711 .
' The Lord reigneth ; let the
earth rejoice ;
Let the multitude of isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round
about him ;
' Psalm xcv. '^ Psalm xcvii.
» R. V. marg. , Or, To-day, if ye
will hear his voice, harden, etc.
584
The Shorter Bible
[Psalm 97. 2.
Righteousness and judgment are
the foundation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him.
His Hghtnings hghtened the
world ;
The earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the
presence of the Lord.
O ye that love the Lord, hate
evil ;
He preserveth the souls of his
saints ;
He delivereth them out of the
hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in
heart.
Be glad in the Lord, ye right-
eous ;
And give thanks to his holy
" name.
A Psalm.
* O sing unto the LORD a new-
song;
For he hath marvelous
things ;
His right hand, and his holy
arm, hath wrought salvation
for him.
Make a joyful noise unto the
Lord, all the earth ;
Break forth, and sing for jcjy,
yea, sing praises.
Sing praises unto the Lord with
the harp ;
With the h.up and the voice of
melody.
Let the sea roar, and the fullness
thereof;
The world, and they that dwell
therein ;
Let the floods clap tluir hands ;
' Psalm xcviii.
Let the hills sing for joy to-
gether
Before the Lord, for he cometh
to judge the earth ;
He shall judge the world with
righteousness,
And the peoples with equity.
A Psalm ^ of Thanksgiving.
' Make a joyful noise unto the
Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness ;
Come before l.is presence with
singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God ;
It is he that hath made us, and
we are his;
We are his people, and the sheep
of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with '' thanks-
giving.
And into his courts with praise ;
Give thanks unto him, and bless
his name.
For the Lord is good ; his mercy
endureth forever ;
And his faithfulness unto all
generations.
A Psalm of David.
^ Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, thou art very
great ;
Thou art clothed with honor
and majesty.
Who coverest thyself with light
as with a garment ;
Who stretchest out the heavens
like a curtain ;
Who maketh the clouds his
chariot ;
Who walketh upon the wings of
the wind ;
"K. V. mavg., Hcl). Or, niemorial.
rs;ilin c.
'^ I'salin civ.
" R. V. marg., Or, for the tJumk
offcriiig. ^ R. \'. mnrg. , Or, a thank
cffn-iug. ^
Psalmio4.4-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED.
585
Who maketh ''winds his mes-
sengers ;
His ministers a Haniing fire ;
Who laid the foundations of the
earth,
That it should not be moved for-
ever.
Thou coveredst it with the deep
as with a vesture ;
The waters stood above the
mountains.
At thy rebuke they fled ;
At the voice of thy thunder they
hasted away ;
They went up by the mountains,
they went down by the valleys,
Unto the place which thou hadst
founded for them.
Thou hast set a bound that they
may not pass over;
That they turn not again to cover
the earth.
He sendeth forth springs into the
valleys ;
They run among the mountains ;
They give drink to every beast
of the field ;
The wild asses quench their
thirst.
By them the fowl of the heaven
have their habitation,
They sing among the branches.
He watereth the mountains from
his chambers ;
The earth is satisfied with the
fruit of thy works.
The trees of the Lord are satis-
fied ;
The cedars of Lebanon, which
he hath planted ;
He appointed the moon for
seasons :
The sun knoweth his going down.
Thou makest darkness, and it is
night;
Wherein all the beasts of the for-
est do creep forth.
The young lions roar after their
prey.
And seek their meat from God.
The sun ariseth, they get them
away.
And lay them down in their dens.
Man goeth forth unto his work
And to his labor until the even-
ing.
O Lord, how manifold are thy
works !
In wisdom hast thou made them
all ;
The earth is full of thy riches.
Yonder is the sea, great and
w^ide,
Wherein are things creeping in-
numerable.
Both small and great beasts.
There go the shi|5s ;
There is leviathan, whom thou
hast formed to take his pas-
time therein.
These wait all upon thee.
That thou mayest give them their
meat in due season.
That thou givest unto them they
gather ;
Thou openest thine hand, they
are satisfied with good.
Thou hidest thy face, they are
troubled ;
Thou takest away their breath,
they die,
And return to their dust.
Thou sendest forth thy spirit,
they are created ;
And thou renewest the face of
the ground.
Let the glory of the Lord endure
forever ;
Let the Lord rejoice in his
works ;
Who looketh on the earth, and it
trembleth ;
He toucheth the mountains, and
they smoke.
40
" R. V. marg., Or, his angels winds.
586
The Shorter Bn5EE [Psalm 104. 33.
I will sing unto the Lord as
long as 1 live ;
1 will sing praise to my God
while I have any being.
Let my meditation be sweet unto
him ;
I will rejoice in the Lord.
Let sinners be consumed out of
the earth,
And let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
» Praise ye the Lord.
A Psalm of David.
'The Lord saith unto my lord,
" Sit thou at my right hand.
Until I make thine enemies thy
footstool."
The Lord hath sworn, and will
not repent.
Thou art a priest forever
After the order of Melchizedek.
The Lord at thy right hand
Shall judge among the nations.
A Psalm of t h e Lor d.
K ALEI'H.
' Blessed are they that are "" per-
fect in the way.
Who walk in the law of the
Lord.
Blessed are they that keep his
testimonies.
That seek him with the whole
heart.
2 ISETII.
Wherewithal shall a young man
cleanse his way ?
By taking heed thereto according
to thy word. •
Thy word have I laid up in mine
heart,
That I might not sin against
thee.
3 OIMKI..
Deal bountifully with thy serv-
ant, that I may live ;
' Psalm ex.
^ Psalm cxix.
So will I observe thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may
behold
Wondrous things out of thy law.
"1 liALETH.
My soul cleaveth unto the dust ;
(Quicken thou me according to
thy word.
Make me to understand the way
of thy precepts ;
So shall I meditate of thy won-
drous works.
n HE.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of
thy statutes ;
And I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I
shall keep thy law ;
Yea, I shall observe it with my
whole heart.
1 VAU.
And I will walk at liberty ;
For I have sought thy precepts.
1 will also speak of thy testi-
monies before kings.
And will not be ashamed.
T ZAIN.
Thy statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered thy name, O
Lord, in the night.
And have observed thy law.
n CHETH.
1 thought on my ways.
And turned my feet unto thy tes-
timonies.
The earth, O Lord, is full of thy
mercy ;
Teach me thy statutes.
13 TETH.
Before I was afflicted I went
astray ;
But now I observe thy word.
" R. V. marg., Heh. Hallelujah.
^ R. V. marg., Or, upright in way.
Psalm 119. 7'-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ArKANGED.
587
It is good for me that I have
been afflicted ;
That I might learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth is better
unto me
Than thousands of gold and
silver.
' JOD.
Thy hands have made me and
•> fashioned me ;
Give me understanding, that I
may learn thy commandments.
Let my heart be perfect in thy
statutes ;
That I be not ashamed.
3 CAPH.
My soul fainteth for thy salva-
tion ;
But I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word.
While I say, " When wilt thou
comfort me .'^ "
7 LAMED.
Forever, O Lord,
Thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness is unto all gen-
erations ;
Thy commandment is exceeding
broad.
?3 MEM.
Oh how love I thy law !
It is my meditation all the day.
How sweet are thy words unto
my taste !
Yea, sweeter than honey to my
mouth !
J NUN.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And light unto my path.
Thy testimonies have I taken as
an heritage forever;
For they are the rejoicing of my
heart.
D SAMECH.
I hate them that are of a double
mind ;
But thy law do I love.
" R. V. marg. ,
Thou art my hiding place and
my shield ;
Hold thou me up, and I shall be
safe.
y AiN.
Deal with thy servant according
unto thy mercy.
And teach me thy statutes.
I love thy commandments
Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
S PE.
Thy testimonies are wonderful ;
Therefore doth my soul keep
them.
The opening of thy words giveth
light ;
It giveth understanding unto the
simple.
i* TZADE.
Righteous art thou, O LORD,
And upright are thy judgments.
Thou hast commanded thy tes-
timonies in righteousness
And very faithfulness.
p KOPH.
I have called with my whole
heart ; answer me, O LORD ;
I will keep thy statutes.
Thou art nigh, O Lord ;
And all thy commandments are
truth.
"1 RESH.
Great are thy tender mercies, O
Lord ;
Quicken me according to thy
judgments.
The sum of thy word is truth ;
And every one of thy righteous
judgments endureth forever.
C» SHIN.
I rejoice at thy word.
As one that findeth great spoil.
Great peace have they which love
thy law ;
And they have none occasion of
stumbling.
Or, established.
588
The Shorter Bh'.le [Psalm 119. 169.
n TAU.
Let my lips utter praise ;
f^or thou teachest me thy statutes.
Let my tongue sing of thy word ;
For all thy commandments are
righteousness.
A Psalm of Diund.
' O Lord, thou hast searched
me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting
and mine uprising.
Thou understandest my thought
afar off.
Thou " searchest out my path
and my lying down.
And art acquainted with all my
ways.
For there is not a word in my
tongue.
But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it
altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and
before.
And laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me ;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy
spirit ?
Or whither shall I flee from thy
presence }
If I ascend up into heaven, thou
art there ;
If I make my bed in Sheol, be-
hold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning.
And dwell in the uttermost parts
of the sea ;
Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, " Surely the darkness
shall ''overwhelm me,
' Psalm cxxxi.x.
" R. V. marg., Or, unnnowcst.
^ R. \ . niarg., Or, cover.
" And the light about me siiall be
night ; "
Even the darkness hideth not
from thee,
But the night shineth as the day ;
The darkness and the light are
both alike to thee.
For thou hast '• possessed my
reins;
Thou hast *= covered me in my
mother's womb.
I will give thanks unto thee ; for
I am fearfully and wonderfully
made ;
Wonderful are thy works ;
And that my soul knoweth right
well.
My frame was not hidden from
thee.
When I was made in secret,
And curiously wrought in the
lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see iiune un per-
fect substance,
And in thy book were all my
members written.
Which day by day were fash-
ioned,
When as yet there was none of
them.
How precious also are thy
thoughts unto me, O (}od !
How great is the sum of them !
If I should count them, they are
more in number than the sand ;
When I awake, I am still with
tlu-e.
Search me, O God, and know my
heart ;
Try me, and know my thoughts ;
See if there be any way of wicked-
ness in me.
And lead me in the way ever-
lasting.
" R. V. ni.nri:;. , Or, I'hcti thr night
shall be light about »ic. •> R. \' .
mari:;.. Or, formed. •= R. V. marg. ,
Or, knit vie tos^ether.
FROM
THE NEW TESTAMENT
OF
OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR
JESUS CHRIST.
John I. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 591
THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST, TOLD BY
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN.
CHAPTER I.
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JOHN THE BAPTIST:
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.
* In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God.
All things were made by him.
In him was life ; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in the darkness; and introduc-
the darkness ^ apprehended it not. There ^^o^^-
was the true light, even the light which lighteth every
man, coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not. He came unto his owii,
and they that were his own received him not. But as
many as received him, to them gave he the right to be-
come children of God, even to them that believe on his
name ; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of
the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us
(and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten
from the Father), full of grace and truth. For the law
was given by Moses ; grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ.
^^ There was * in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a
'John i, I. 'Luke i, 5. | " R.V. marg., Or, oziercc7me. *> B. C. 6.
*By a mistake of reckoning, the beginning of the Cliristian Era, recog-
nized not till centuries after the actual birth of Christ, was placed
about five years too late. Hence a constant difference of four or five
years between the actual events of Christ's life and the corresponding
A. D. dates as now used.
592 The Shorter Bible [Luke i. 5.
certain priest named Zacharias ; and lie had a wife of the
Vision of daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisa-
Zacharias. beth. And they were both righteous before
God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances
of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, and
they both were now well stricken in years.
Now his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord
and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the peo-
ple were praying without. And there appeared unto him
an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the
altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he
saw him, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him, " Fear not, Zacharias ;
thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall
bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness ; and many shall
rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight
of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong
drink ; and he shall be filled with the '^ Holy Ghost, even
from his mother's womb. And many of the children of
Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God. And he
shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just ; to make
ready for the Lord a people prepared for him."
And Zacharias said unto the angel, " Whereby shall I
know this.'' For I am an old man, and my wife well
stricken in years."
And the angel said, " I am Gabriel, that stand in the
presence of God ; and I was sent to bring thee these
good tidings. And behold, thou shalt be silent and not
able to speak, until the day that these things shall come
to pass, because thou belicvedst not my words."
And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they
marveled while he tarried in the temple. And when
he came out, he could not speak unto them ; and they
perceived that he'had seen a vision in the temple; and
he continued making signs unto them, and remained
dumb. And when the days of his ministration were ful-
filled, he departed unto his house
" R. V. marg., Or, //o/y Spirit ; and su thiuugliout tlii> hook.
Lukei.26.| Chronologically Arranged.
593
Now the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin
betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, message to
of the house of David ; and the virgin's name ^^^'
was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said, " Hail,
thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee."^ "
But she was greatly troubled at the saying.
And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary; for
thou hast found ^ favor with God. And behold, thou
shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name jESUS ;
' for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Most High. The Lord God shall give unto him the
throne of his father David ; and of his kingdom there
shall be no end."
And Mary said unto the angel, " How shall this be?"
And the angel said, "The Holy Ghost shall come
upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall over-
shadow thee ; wherefore also that which is to be born
shall be called holy, the Son of God. And behold,
Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a
son in her old age. For no word from God shall be
void of power."
And Mary said, " Behold, the handmaid of the Lord ;
be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel
departed from her.
And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill
country with haste, into a city of Judah ; and Mary and
entered into the house of Zacharias and Elisabeth.
saluted Elisabeth. And Elisabeth was filled with the
Holy Ghost ; and she lifted up her voice with a loud
cry, and said, " Blessed art thou among women. And
whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord
should come unto me? Blessed is she that believed;
for there shalt be a fulfillment of the things which have
been spoken to her from the Lord."
And Mary said,
" My soul doth magnify the Lord,
' Matt, i, 21. - Luke i, 32.
" R. V. marg., Many ancient author-
ities add, Blessed art tliou among
women. '' R. V. marg., Or, grace.
591 The Shorter Bible [Luke i. 47.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God iny Saviour.
For he hath looked upon the low estate of his hand-
maiden ;
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call
me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ;
And holy is his name.
And his mercy is unto generations and generations
On them that fear him."
And Mary abode with her about three months and
returned unto her house.
Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled, and she ''brought
Birth and fo'th a SOU. And her neighbors and kinsfolk
naming of heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy
John. , , . . ^, . , , A .
toward her; and they rejoiced with her. And
it came to pass on the eighth day that they came to cir-
cumcise the child ; and they would have called him
Zacharias, after his father. And his mother answered
and said, " Not so; but he shall be called John."
And they said unto her, '* There is none of thy kin-
dred that is called by this name." And they made
signs to his father, what he would have him called.
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying,
" His name is John." And they marveled all. And
his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue
loosed, and he spake, blessing God. And fear came on
all that dwelt round about them ; and all these sayings
were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of
Judaea. And all that heard them laid them up in their
heart, saying, " What then shall this child be?" For
the hand of the Lord was with him.
Sonpof And his father Zacharias was filled with
Zaciiarias. the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
" Blessed be the Lord, the God of Lsrael ;
For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his
people.
And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of his servant David ;
To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the
hand of our enemies
" Spring of B. C. 5.
Luke I. 74.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, 595
Should serve him without fear,
In hoHness and righteousness before him all our days.
Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of
the Most High;
For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to
make ready his ways ;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
In the remission of their sins,
Because of the ^ tender mercy of our God,
Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us.
To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the
shadow of death ;
To guide our feet into the way of thy peace."
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and
was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.
Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the Birth of
world should be enrolled. And all went to Jesus,
enroll themselves, every one to his own city. Joseph
also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Beth-
lehem, because he was of the house and family of David ;
to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him.
And it came to pass, while they were there, ^ she
brought forth her firstborn son ; and she wrapped him
in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because
there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds in the same country abid-
ing in the field, and keeping watch by night ^j^gg^g ^^^^^
over their flock. And an angel of the Lord t^^f shep-
stood by them, and the glory ot the Lord
shone round about them ; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, " Be not afraid ; for be-
hold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall
be to all the people ; for there is born to you this day in
the city of David a Saviour, which is ^ Christ the Lord.
And this is the sign unto you : ye shall find a babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."
" R. V. marg., Or, /wari of fuercy. '' Late in B. C. 5, or early in B. C. 4.
*R. V. marg., Or, Anointed Lord.
596 The Shorter Bible [Lukea. 13.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
" Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth '' peace among men in whom he is well
pleased."
And it came to pass, when the angels went away from
them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,
" Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing
that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto us." And they came with haste, and found both
Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.
And when they saw it they made known concerning the
saying which was spoken to them about this child. And
all that heard it wondered at the things which were
spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept
all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And
the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all the things that they had heard and seen.
And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising
Jesus l^''"""*' his name was called Jesus, which was
named. ^^ called by the angel.
And when the days of their purification according to
the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to
Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written
in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall
be called holy to the Lord " ), and to offer a sacrifice ac-
cording to that which is said in the law of the Lord,
"A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose
name was Simeon ; and this man was right-
imeon. eous and devout, looking for the consolation
of Israel ; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it
had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he
should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's
Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the 'child Jesus, that
they might do concerning him after the custom of the
law, then he received him into his arms, and blessed
God, and said,
" R. V. niarg., Many ancient auUioiitics xeo.(\, f<eace, good J>lftisur,- umoni^'
nun.
Luke 2. 29. j Chronologically Arranged. 597
*' Now lettest thou thy servant depart, O Lord,
According to thy word, in peace ;
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peo-
ples ;
A light for revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of thy people Israel."
And his father and his mother were marveling at the
things which were spoken concerning him ; and Simeon
blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, " Behold,
this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in
Israel ; and for a sign which is spoken against ; yea and
a sword shall pierce through thine own soul ; that
thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, of the tribe
of Asher (she was of a great age and had Anna
been a widow even for fourscore and four
years), which departed not from the temple, worshiping
with fastings and supplications night and day. And
coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God,
and spake of him to all them that were looking for the
redemption of Jerusalem.
'Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in
the days of Herod the king, behold, wise The wise
men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, men-The
" Where is he that is born King of the Jews ?
We saw his star in the east, and are come to worship
him."
And when Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the
chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of
them where the Christ should be born. And they said
unto him, " In Bethlehem of Judaea ; for thus it is written
* by the prophet,
"'And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah ;
For out of thee shall come forth a governor.
Which shall be shepherd of my people Israel.' "
Then Herod privily called the wise men, and learned
' Matt, ii, I. I « R. V. marg., Or, through.
598 The vShorter Bible [^Iatt. 2. 7.
of them carefully what time the star appeared. And he
sent them to Bethlehem, and said, " Go and
search out carefully concerning the young
child ; and when ye have found him, bring me word,
that I also may come and worship him."
And they, having heard the king, went their way;
and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before
them, till it came and stood over where the young child
was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy. And they came into the house
and saw the young child with Mary his mother ; and
they fell down and worshiped him ; and opening their
treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankin-
cense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream
that they should not return to Herod, they departed
into their own country another way.
Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of
the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, " Arise
and take the young child and his mother, and flee into
Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee ; for Herod
will seek the young child to destroy him."
And he arose and took the young child and his mother
Fiightinto by night, and departed into Egypt; and was
Egypt. there until the death of Herod ; that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the
prophet, saying, " Out of Egypt did I call my son."
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the
Murder of \\'\'^c men, was exceeding wroth, and sent
the babes. f^j-th and slew all the male children that
were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from
two years old and under, according to the time which he
had carefully learned of the wise men. Then was ful-
filled that which was spoken by Jeremiah, saying,
" A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children ;
And would not be comforted, because they are not."
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the
Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
" Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go
into the land of Israel ; for they are dead that sought
Matt. 2.20.J Chronologically Arranged. 599
the young child's life." And he arose and took the
young child and his mother, and catne into the land of
Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning
over Judaea in the room of. his father Herod, he was
afraid to go thither ; and being warned of God in a
dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee, Return to
and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth ; Nazareth.
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.
'And the child grew and waxed strong, ^filled with
wisdom ; and the grace of God was upon him.
And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the
feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years
old, they went up after the custom of the
feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, jesus inthe
as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried ^®°^p ^•
behind in Jerusalem ; and his parents knew it not ; but
supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's
journey. And they sought for him among their kins-
folk and acquaintance ; and when they found him not,
they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. And it
came to pass, after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the ^ doctors, both hear-
ing them, and asking questions; and all that heard
him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
And when they saw him they were astonished ; and
his mother said unto him, " Son, why hast thou thus
dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I sought thee
sorrowing."
And he said unto them, " How is it that ye sought
me ? Wist ye not that I must be *= in my Father's house ? "
And they understood not the saying.
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth ;
and he was subject unto them ; and his mother kept all
these sayings in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in
favor with God and men.
I " R. V. marg., Gr. becoming full
' Luke ii, 40. | of Tvisdom. *> R. V. marg., Or,
I teachers. '^ R V. marg., Or, about
»iv Father's business.
600 The Shorter Bible [Luke 3. i.
CHAPTER II.
THE MINISTRY OF JOHN: JESUS CHRIST; HIS GEN-
EALOGY, EARLY MINISTRY: IMPRISONMENT OF JOHN.
Now '"^in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius
Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and
Herod tetrarch of Galilee, in the high-priesthood of
Ministry of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came
John. unto John the son of Zacharias in the wil-
derness. And he came into all the region round about
Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remis-
sion of sins ; as it is written in the book of the words of
Isaiah the prophet,
" The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
' Make ye ready the way of the Lord,
Make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled.
And every mountain and hill shall be brought low;
And the crooked shall become straight,
And the rough ways smooth ;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "
' Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and
a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was lo-
custs and wild honey. Then went out unto him Jerusa-
lem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jor-
dan ; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan,
confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Saddu-
cees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, "Ye off-
spring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath
to come ? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repent-
ance ; and think not to say within yourselves, ' We have
Abraham to our father; ' for I say unto you that God is
able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
' Malt, iii, 4. I " A. D. 25.
Matt. 3- lo.] Chronologically Arranged. 601
And even now is the ax laid unto the root of the trees ;
every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down and cast into the fire."
And as the people were in expectation, and all men
reasoned in their hearts concerning John, \vhether haply
he were the Christ ; John answered, saying,
"^I indeed baptize you '"^ with water unto repentance;
but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose
shoes I am not worthy to bear ; he shall baptize you
with the Holy Ghost and with fire ; whose fan is in his
'hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor ;
and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the
chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."
^ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto
John, to be baptized of him. But John Baptism of
would have hindered him, saying, " I have Jesus,
need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me ? "
But Jesus answering said unto him, *' Suffer it now ;
for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."
Then he suffereth him. And Jesus, ^ having been bap-
tized and praying, ^went up straightway from the
water ; and lo, the heavens were opened and " the Holy
Ghost descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him,
and a voice came out of heaven, " Thou art my beloved
Son ; in thee I am well pleased."
And Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about
thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of
Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of
Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of
Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Genealogy
Amos, the son of Nahuin, the son of Esli, of Je^us.
the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Matta-
thias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of
Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of
Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the
son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the
son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Jesus, the
son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, the son of Symeon, the son of Judas,
' Matt, iii, ii. ^ Matt, iii, i6. I "■ R. V. marg., Or, in. ^ A. D. 26
^ Luke iii, 25. * Luke iii, 22. | or 27.
41
602 The Shorter Bible [Luke 3. 30.
the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of EUakim,
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha,
the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sahnon, the
son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Arni,
the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the
son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of
Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son. of Arphaxad, the son
of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son
of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the
son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the ^on of Enos,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
' Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilder-
ness to be tempted of the devil. ^ And he was with the
wild beasts. ' And when he had fasted forty days and
forty nights, he afterward hungered.
And the tempter came and said unto him, " If thou
Temptation ^^''^ the Son of God, command that these
of Jesus. stones become •'*■ bread."
But he answered and said, " It is written, ' Man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word that pro-
ceedeth out of the mouth of God.' "
Then the devil taketh him into the holy city, and on
the pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, " If
thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down ; for it is
written,
' He shall give his angels charge concerning thee;
And on their hands they shall bear thee up,
» Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.' "
Jesus said unto him, " Again it is written, ' Thou shalt
not tempt the Lord thy God.'"
Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high
mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the
world, and the glory of them ; and he said unto him,
" All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down
and worship me."
Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, Satan;
' Matt, iv, I. "Malt, iv, 2. I „ ,, ., <■./,,„.,.
.,,,,.' ' " 1\. \ . niari:., (ii. loaves.
• Mark i, 13. ' ^
Matt. 4. 10.] Chronologically Arranged. 603
for it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy
God, and hini only shalt thou serve.' "
Then the devil leaveth him ' for a season ; ^ and be-
hold, angels came ancl ministered unto him.
^ And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent
unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites ,. v ,
... ,TTT,-' , i^,, TT 1 -1 John's wit-
to ask hnn,'* W ho art thou r He denied not, nessto
and confessed, " I am not the Christ."
And they asked him, " What then ? Art thou Eli-
jah?"
And he saith, " I am not."
" Art thou the prophet ? "
And he answered, " No."
They said therefore unto him, " Who art thou ? that
we may give an answer to them that sent us. What
sayest thou of thyself?"
He said, " I am the voice of one crying in the wilder-
ness, * Make straight the way of the Lord,' as said Isaiah
the prophet."
And they had been sent from the Pharisees. And
they asked him, " Why then baptizest thou, if thou art
not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?"
John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water;
in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not,
even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose
shoe I am not worthy to unloose."
These things were done in Bethany beyond Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and
saith, " Behold, the Lamb of God, which "" taketh away
the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After
me cometh a man which is become before me ; ' for he
was before me. And I knew him not ; but that he
should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I
baptizing with water."
And John bare witness, saying, " I have beheld the
Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven ; and it abode
upon him. And I knew him not ; but he that sent me
to baptize with water, he said unto me, ' Upon whomso-
l Lul<f i^' 13. ' John i, 19. I , f^^^^^^^j^ ^j^^ ^ .^^_
* Matt. IV, II. I fa ' '
(>04 The vShorter Bible [John 1.33.
ever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding
upon him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy
Spirit.' And I have seen, and have borne witness that
this is the Son of God."
Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of
The first, ^^'^ disciples ; and he looked upon Jesus as
disciples. he walked, and saith, " Behold, the Lamb of
God ! " And the two disciples heard him speak, and
they followed Jesus.
And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and
saith unto them, "What seek ye?"
And they said unto him, " Rabbi " (which is to say,
being interpreted, * Master), " where abidest thou ?"
He saith unto them, " Come, and ye shall see."
They came therefore and saw where he abode, and
abode with him that day ; it was about the tenth hour.
One of the two that heard John speak, and followed
him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He findeth
first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, " We
have found the Messiah " (which is, being interpreted,
^ Christ). He brought him unto Jesus.
Jesus looked upon him, and said, " Thou art Simon
the son of John ; thou shalt be called Cephas " (which is
by interpretation, *= Peter).
On the morrow lie was minded to go forth into Gali-
lee, and he findeth Philip, and saith, " Follow me."
Now Philip was from l^ethsaida, of the city of An-
drew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith
unto him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the
law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the
son of Joseph."
And Nathanael said, "Can any good thing come out.
of Nazareth? "
Philip saith, " Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him,
" Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile,"
Nathanael saith, "Whence knoweth thou me?"
Jesus answered and said, " Before I^hilip called thee,
when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee."
" R. V. mart,'., Or, Teacher. '' R. V. maig. , '\\\z.\.\'i. Anointed. *■ R. V.
marg., That is, Rock or Stone.
John 1. 49-] Chronologically Arranged, G05
Nathanael answered him, " Rabbi, thou art the Son
of God ; thou art King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said unto him, " Because I said
unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest
thou ? Thou shalt see greater things than these. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, ye shall see the heaven opened,
and the angels of God ascending and descending upon
the Son of man."
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of
Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there ; and Jesus
also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage.
And when the wine, failed the mother of ^he first
Jesus saith unto him, " They have no wine." ^^^^er^®-
And Tesus saith unto her, " Woman, what changed to
• win©.
have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not
yet come."
His mother saith unto the servants, " Whatsoever he
saith unto you, do it."
Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after
the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three
firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, " Fill the water-
pots with water."
And they filled them up to the brim.
And he saith unto them, " Draw out now, and bear
unto the ruler of the feast."
And they bare it.
And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now
become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the
servants which had drawn the water knew), the ruler of
the feast calleth the bridegroom, and saith unto him,
" Every man setteth on first the good wine ; and when
men have drunk freely, then that which is worse; thou
hast kept the good wine until now."
This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Gali-
lee, and manifested his glory ; and his disciples believed
on him.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his
mother, and his brethren, and his disciples ; and there
they abode not many days.
And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus
606 The Shorter Bible [John 2. 13.
went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple
^, ^ ^ those that sold oxen and sheep and doves,
The first , , , r -^S i i
cleansing of and the changers 01 money sittmg; and he
emp e. j^^^g ^ scourge of cords, and cast all out of
the temple, both the sheep and the oxen ; and he poured
out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables ;
and to them that sold the doves he said, "Take these
things hence ; make not my Father's house a house of
merchandise."
His disciples remembered that it was written, "The
zeal of thine house shall eat me up."
The Jews therefore answered and said unto him,
" What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou
doest these things?"
Jesus answered and said unto them, " Destroy this
"" temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews therefore said, " Forty and six years was this
temple in building ; wilt thou raise it up in three days ? "
But he spake of the '"^ temple of his body. When
therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples re-
membered that he spake this; and they believed the
scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, dur-
ing the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his
signs which he did. But Jesus did not trust himself
unto them, for that he knew all men, and because he
needed not that anyone should bear witness concerning
-man; for he himself knew what was in man.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nic-
odemus, a ruler of the Jews; the same came unto
him by night, and said to him, " Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God ; for no man can do
these signs that thou doest, except God be with hmi."
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, except a man be born ''anew, he cannot
see the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus ' Nicodemus saith unto him, " How can a
by night. ^nan be born when he is old ? "
Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto, thee ex-
cept a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
« R. V. marg., Or, sanctuary. '' R. V. marg., Or, from above.
John 3. 5.] Chronologically Arranged. -607
enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of
the flesh is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ' Ye must be
born ^ anew.' ^ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and
thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence
it Cometh and whither it goeth ; so is everyone that is
born of the Spirit. . . .
" And as Moses Hfted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up ; that whoso-
ever believeth may in him have eternal life.
" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only be-
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not
perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son
into the world to judge the world ; but that the world
should be saved through him."
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into
the land of Judaea ; and there he tarried with judean
them, and baptized. And John also was bap- ministry,
tizing in yEnon near to Salim, because there was much
water there ; and they came, and were baptized. For
John was not yet cast into prison.
There arose therefore a questioning on the part of
John's disciples with a Jew about purifying. f th r
And they came unto John, and said to him, testimony
" Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jor-
dan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same
baptizeth, and all men come to him."
John answered and said, *' A man can receive nothing,
except it have been given him from heaven. Ye your-
selves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ,
but, that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride
is the bridegroom ; but the friend of the bridegroom,
which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly
because of the bridegroom's voice ; this my joy there-
fore is fulfilled. He must increase, I must decrease."
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but
he that ' obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the
wrath of God abideth on him.
" R, V..marg., Or, from above. ''R. V. marg., Or, the Spirit breatheth.
■^ R. V. marg., Or, believeth not.
608 The Shorter Bible [Luke 3. 19.
' But Herod, the tetrarch, being reproved by John,
John put in because he had married Herodias,
prison. \•^\^ brother's wife, and for all the evil things
which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that
he shut John up in prison.
"Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered
up he withdrew into Galilee. ^ And he must needs
T , pass through Samaria. So he cometh to a
thewoman city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the
of Samaria. -^ , - ' , ,. i i •
parcel 01 ground that Jacob gave to his son
Joseph; and Jacob's '^ well was there. Jesus therefore,
being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the ^ well.
It was about the sixth hour.
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water.
Jesus saith unto her, " Give me to drink." For his
disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.
The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him,
" How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me,
which am a Samaritan woman ? " (For Jews have no
dealings with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered and said unto her, " If thou knewest
the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, * Give
me to drink,' thou wouldest have asked of him, and he
would have given thee living water,"
The woman saith unto him, " ^' Sir, thou hast nothing
to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then
hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our
father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof
himself, and his sons, and his cattle? "
Jesus answered and said unto her, " Everyone that
drinkcth of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall become
in him a ^ well of water springing up unto eternal life."
The woman saith unto him, " ^' Sir, give me this water,
that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to
draw."
Jesus saith unto her, " Go, call thy husband, and come."
The woman answered, " I have no husband."
' Luke iii, 19. ^ Jolm iv, 4. I " R. V. marg. , (Ir. s/rii/i;: '• K. V.
'■' Matt, iv, 12. I niarg., Ov, Lord.
John 4- I7-] Chronologically Arranged. 609
Jesus saith unto her, " Thou saidst well, ' I have no
husband ; ' for thou hast had five husbands ; and he whom
thou now hast is not thy husband."
The woman saith unto him, " '"• Sir, I perceive that thou
art a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain;
and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men
ought to worship."
Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour
cometh when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusa-
lem, shall ye worship the Father. Ye worship that
w^ich ye know not; we worship that which we know;
for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour cometh,
and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the
Father in spirit and truth ; for such doth the Father
seek to be his worshipers. ^' God is a Spirit ; and they
that worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
The woman saith unto him, " I know that Messiah
cometh (which is called Christ) ; when he is come, he
will declare unto us all things."
Jesus saith unto her, " I that speak unto thee am he."
And upon this came his disciples ; and they marveled
that he was speaking with a woman ; yet no man said,
" Why speakest thou with her? "
So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into
the city, and saith to the men, " Come, see a man, which
told me all things that ever I did ; can this be the
Christ?"
They went out of the city, and were coming to him.
In the meanwhile the disciples prayed him, saying,
" Rabbi, eat."
But he said unto them, " I have meat to eat that ye
know not."
The disciples therefore said one to another, " Hath
any man brought him aught to eat?"
Jesus saith unto them, " My meat is to do the will of
him- that sent me, and to accomplish his work. Say not
ye, * There are yet four months, and then Samaritan
cometh the harvest ? ' Behold, I say unto ministry,
you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they
are white already unto harvest. He 'that reapeth re-
* R. V. marg., Or, Lord. i" R. V. marg., Or, Godis spirit.
Glu The Shorter Bible |john4. 36.
ceivetli wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal ; that
he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
For herein is the saying true, * One soweth, and another
reapeth.' I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not
labored ; others have labored, and ye are entered into
their labor."
And from that city many of the Samaritans believed
on him because of the word of the woman, who testi-
fied, " He told me all things that ever I did." So when
the Samaritans came unto him they besought him to
abide with them ; and he abode there two days. And
many more believed because of his word ; and they said
to the woman, " Now we believe, not because of thy
speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know
that this is indeed the Saviour of the world."
And after the two days he went forth from thence
into Galilee.
John 4- 45-1 CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 611
CHAPTER III.
JESUS IN GALILEE, WORKING MIRACLES AND TEACHING :
DISCIPLES CALLED.
When Jesus came into Galilee the Galileans received
him, having seen all the things that he did jesusin
at Jerusalem. For they also went to the Galilee,
feast.
' From that time began Jesus to preach and to say,
'* Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
^ And a fame went out concerning him through all the
region round about. And he taught in their syna-
gogues, being glorified of all.
^ He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where
he made the water wine. And there was a m,
. , The noble-
certain nobleman whose son was sick at man'sson
Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was
come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and
besought him that he would come down and heal his
son; for he was at the point of death.
Jesus therefore said unto him, " Except ye see signs
and wonders ye will in no wise believe."
The nobleman saith unto him, " Sir, come down ere
my child die."
Jesus saith unto him, " Go thy way; thy son liveth."
The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto
him, and he went his way. And as he was now
going down his servant met him, saying that his son
lived. So he inquired of them the hour when he began
to amend. They said therefore unto him, " Yesterday
at the seventh hour the fever left him." So the father
knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto
him, " Thy son liveth," and himself believed, and his
whole house.
'Matt, iv, 17. '■* Luke iv, 14. *John iv, 46.
612 The Shorter Bible [John 4- 54-
This is again the second sign that Jesus did, liaving
come but of Judaea into GaHlee.
' And he came to Nazareth, where he had been
brought up : and he entered, as his custom
Nazareth- was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day,
Rejected. ^^^^ stood up to read. And there was de-
livered unto him ^ the book of the prophet Isaiah. And
he opened the book, and found the place where it was
written,
" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
''Because he anointed me to preach 'good tidings
to the poor:
He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives.
And recovering of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty them that are bruised,
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
And he closed the book, and gave it back to the at-
tendant, and sat down ; and the eyes of all in the syna-
gogue were fastened on him.
And he began to say unto them, " To-day hath this
scripture been fulfilled in your ears."
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words
of grace which proceeded out of his mouth ; and they
said, " Ls not this Joseph's son ?"
And he said unto them, " Doubtless ye will say unto
me this parable, ' Physician, heal thyself. Whatsoever
we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine
own country.' Verily I say unto you, no prophet is
acceptable in his own country. But of a truth there were
many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the
heaven was shut up three years and six months, when
there came a great famine over all the land ; and unto
none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Zarephath, in
the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of
Elisha the prophet ; and none of them was cleansed, but
only Naaman the Syrian."
And they were all filled with wrath in the synagogue,
I " R. V. m.-iig., Or. n roll. '• R.V.
' Luke iv, i6. , \\wxx^,Ox,lVherefor€. 'R.V. marj^. ,
I Or, the gospel.
Luke4. 28.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 613
as they heard these things ; and they rose up, and cast
him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of
the hill whereon their city was built, that they might
throw him down headlong. But he passing through the
midst of them went his way. ' And leaving Nazareth, he
came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by Dweiimgat
the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naph- Capernaum.
tali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
Isaiah the prophet, saying,
" The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
Toward the sea, beyond Jordan,
Galilee of the "^ Gentiles,
The people which sat in darkness
Saw a great light ;
To them which sat in the region and shadow of death,
To them did light spring up."
^ Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed
upon him and heard the word of God, that At the sea
he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret ; ofGaiiiee.
and he saw two boats standing by the lake ; but the
fishermen had gone out. of them, and were washing their
nets. And he entered into one of the boats, which was
Simon's, and asked 'him to put out a little from the
land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of
the boat.
And when he had left speaking he said unto Simon,
"Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a
draught."
Simon answered and said, " Master, we toiled all night,
and took nothing ; but at thy word I will let down the
nets."
And when they had this clone they inclosed a great
multitude of fishes ; and their nets were breaking; and
they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat,
that they should come and help them. And they came,
and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus'
knees, saying, " Depart from me ; for I am a sinful man,
O Lord." For he was amazed, and all that were with
'Matt, iv, 13. I " R. V. marg., Gr. nations, and
^ Luke V, I. I so elsewhere.
614 The vSiiorter Bible [Luke 5. 9.
him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken;
and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, which
were partners with Simon.
And Jesus said unto Simon, " Fear not ; from hence-
forth thou shalt catch men."
And when they had brought their boats to land, they
left all and followed him.
' And he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, mending the nets. And straightway he called
them ; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat
with the hired servants, and went after him.
And they go into Capernaum ; and straightway on the
sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.
And they were astonished at his teaching ; for he taught
them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
And straightway there was in their synagogue a man
M 1 s f ^^^^^ ^" unclean spirit ; and he cried out, sa)--
heaiing." jng, " What have we to do with thee, thou
Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I
know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."
And Jesus rebuked ^ him, saying, " Hold thy peace,
and come out of him."
And the unclean spirit, ''tearing him and crying with
a loud voice, came out of him.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they ques-
tioned among themselves, saying, " What is this ? A new
teaching! With authority he commandeth even the
unclean spirits, and they obey him." And the report of
him went out straightway everywhere into all the region
of Galilee round about.
And straightway, when they were come out of the
synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and
Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's wife's
mother lay sick of a fever ; and straightway they-tell him
of her, and he came and took her by the hand, and
raised her up ; and the fever left her, and she ministered
unto them.
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto
, ^, , . I "R. V. niarg., Or, /V. '' K. \'.
^^^-"^ '• ^'> I marg., Or, convulsing.
Mark I. 32.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 615
him all that were sick, and them that were ''' possessed
with devils. And all the city was gathered together at
the door. And he healed many that were sick with
divers diseases, and cast out many ''devils; and he
suffered not the devils to speak, because the}- knew
him. And in the mornijig, a great while be- ,t- ^,^■
r 11 111- 1 iNlght
lore day, he rose up and departed mto a desert prayer,
place, and there prayed.
And Simon and they that were with him followed
after him ; and they found him, and say unto him, "All
are seeking thee."
And he saith unto them, " Let us go elsewhere into
the next towns, that I may preach there also ; for to
this end came I forth,"
And he went into their synagogues throughout all
Galilee, preaching and casting out devils, journeying
' and healing all manner of disease and all fe^°teaching
manner of sickness among the people. And and heaimg.
the report of him went forth into all Syria ; and they
brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers
diseases and torments, ^ possessed with devils, and
epileptic, and palsied ; and he healed them. And there
followed him great multitudes from Galilee and De-
capolis and Jerusalem and Judaea and from beyond
Jordan.
^ And there cometh to him a leper, beseeching him,
and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, " If
thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
And being moved with compassion, he stretched forth
his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, " I will ;
be thou made clean."
And straightway the leprosy departed from him, and
he was made clean.
And he strictly charged him, and straightway sent
him out, and saith unto him, " .See thou say nothing to
any man ; but go thy way, show thyself to the priest,
and offer for thy cleansing the things which Moses com-
manded for a testimony unto them."
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and
' Matt, iv, 23. I " R. V. marg., Or, de7noinacs. ^ R. V.
* Mark i, 40. | marg., Or, demons.
616 The Shorter Bible [Mark 1.45.
to spread abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could
no more openly enter into a city, but was without in
desert places ; and they came to him from every quarter.
And when he entered again into Capernaum after
some days, it was noised that he was * in the house.
And many were gathered together, so that there was no
longer room for them, no, not even about the door ; and
he spake the word unto them. And they came, bring-
ing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the
crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was ; and
when they had broken it up they let down the bed
whereon the sick of the palsy lay.
And Jesus seeing their faith saitJi unto the sick of the
palsy, " Son, thy sins are forgiven."
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and
reasoning in their hearts, " Why doth this man thus
speak ? he blasphemeth ; who can forgive sins but one,
even God ?"
And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that
they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them,
"Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Whether is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, ' Thy
sins are forgiven,' or to say, ' Arise, and take up thy bed,
and walk? ' But that ye may know that the Son of man
hath '' power on earth to forgive sins," (he saith to the
sick of the palsy,) " I say unto thee, arise, take up thy
bed, and go unto thy house."
And he arose, and straightway took up the bed, and
went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all
amazed, and glorified God, saying, " We never saw it on
this fashion."
And he went forth again by the seaside ; and all the
multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
And as he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaius
Levi called- sitting at the place of toll, and he saith
Levi's feast, unto him, "Follow me."
And he arose and followed him.
' And Levi made him a great feast in his house ; and
,T , 1 " R.V. marc., Or, rt/ //cw<'. •" R.V.
Luke V. 29. I ^^j.g_^ Q^. ^^thority.
Lukes- 29.] Chronologically Arranged. 617
there was a great multitude of publicans and of others
that were sitting at meat with them.
And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against
his disciples, saying, " Why do }'e eat and drink with
the publicans and sinners? "
And Jesus answering said unto them, " They that are
whole have no need of a physician ; but they that are
sick. I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance."
And they said unto him, "The disciples of John fast
often, and make supplications ; likewise also the dis-
ciples of the Pharisees ; but thine eat and drink."
And Jesus said unto them, " Can ye make the sons of
the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with
them? But the days will come; and when the bride-
groom shall be taken away from them, then will they
fast in those days."
And he spake also a parable unto them, " No man
rendeth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon
an old garment ; else he will rend the new, and also the
piece from the new will not agree with the old."
'And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he
was a ruler of the synagogue; and lie fell down at Jesus'
feet, and besought him to come into his j,. , ^
house; for he had an only daughter, about healing.
twelve years of age, and she lay a dying.
But as he went the multitudes thronged him.
And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years,
which had spent all her living upon physicians, and
could not be healed of any, came behind him and
touched the border of his garment ; and immediately the
issue of her blood stanched.
And Jesus said, " Who is it that touched me?"
And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were
with him, " Master, the multitudes press thee and crush
thee."
But Jesus said, " Some one did touch me : for I per-
ceived that power had gone forth from me."
And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she
came trembling, and falling down before him declared
' Luke viii, 41.
42
618 The Shorter Bible [Luke 8. 27.
in the presence of all the people for what cause she
touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
And he said unto her, " Daughter, thy faith hath made
thee whole ; go in peace."
While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler
of the synagogue's house, saying, " Thy daughter is dead ;
trouble not the Master."
But Jesus hearing it, answered him, " Fear not ; only
believe, and she shall be made whole."
And when he came to the house, he suffered not any
man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and
James, and the father of the maiden and- her mother.
And all were weeping, and bewailing her ; but he said,
" Weep not, for she is not dead, but sleepeth."
And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was
dead. But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying,
"Maiden, arise ! "
And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately ;
and he commanded that something be given her to eat.
And her parents were amazed ; but he charged them to
tell no man what had been done.
'And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men
followed him, crying out and saying, " Have mercy on
us, thou son of David."
And when he was come into the house the blind men
came to him. And Jesus saith unto them, " Believe ye
that I am able to do this ? "
They say unto him, "Yea, Lord."
Then touched he their eyes, saying, " According to
your faith be it done unto you."
And their eyes were opened.
And Jesus strictly charged them, saying, " See that no
man know it." But they went forth, and spread abroad
his fame in all that land.
And as they went forth, behold, there was brought to
him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when
the devil was cast out the dumb man spake.
And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never
so seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, " By the
prince of the devils casteth he out devils."
' Matt, ix, 27.
John 5- I.) CllRUNOLOGICALl.Y AkRANGItD. 619
CHAPTER IV.
JESUS HEALS DISEASES ON THE SABBATH ; IS CRIT-
ICISED ; PERSECUTED : THE APOSTLES CHOSEN.
'After these things there was "^ a feast of the Jews;
and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool,
which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches.
In these lay a multitude of them that were Piracies of
sick, blind, halt, withered. And a certain mercyonthe
1 1-1111 1 • 1 sabbatn.
man was there, which had been thirty and
eight years in his infirmity. When Jesus saw him lying,
and knew that he had been now a long time in that case,
he saith unto him, " Wouldest thou be made whole?"
The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man, when
the water is troubled, to put me into the pool ; but while
I am coming another steppeth down before me."
Jesus saith, " Arise, take up thy bed, and walk."
And straightway the man was made whole, and took
up his bed and w^alked.
Now it was the sabbath on that day. So the Jews
said unto him that was cured, " It is the sabbath, and it
is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed."
But he answered them, " He that made me whole, the
same said unto me, * Take up thy bed, and walk.' "
They asked liim, " Who is the man that said unto
thee, ' Take up thy bed, and walk?
But he that was healed wist not who it was ; for Jesus
had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the
place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and
said unto him, " Behold, thou art made whole ; sin no
more, lest a worse thing befall thee."
The man went away, and told the Jews that it was
] y , I " R. V. marg., Many ancient au-
. I thorities read, the feast.
620 Thp: vSiiORTER Bible [John 5. 15.
Jesus which had made him whole. And for this cause
Jesus per- did the Jews persecute Jesus, because he did
Defending these things on the sabbath,
himself. 3^|- jesus answered them, " My Father
worketh even until now, and I work." For this cause
therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because
he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his
own Father, making himself equal with God.
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,
" Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son can do noth-
ing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing; for
what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth
in like manner. For the Father loveth the Son, and
showeth him all things that himself doeth ; and greater
works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel.
P'or as the Father raiseth the dead and ^quickeneth
them, even so the Son also quickeneth whom he will.
For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath
given all judgment unto the Son ; that all may honor
the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that hon-
oreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which sent
him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hearcth my
word, and believcth him that sent me, hath eternal life,
and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of
death into life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour
cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of
the Son of God ; and they that hear shall live. For as the
Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son
also to have life in himself; and he gave him authority
to execute judgment, because he is '^ the Son of man.
Marvel not at this; for the hour cometh, in which all
that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall
come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resur-
rection of life; and they that have done ill, unto the
resurrection of judgment.
"I can of myself do nothing; as F hear, I judge; and
my judgment is righteous ; because I seek not mine own
will, but the will of him that sent me. If I bear witness
of myself, my witness is not true. It is another that
beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness
*That is, maketh alive. '' R. V. marg., Or, a son of man.
John 5. 32.] Chronologically Arranged. 621
which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye have sent unto
John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth. . . . He
was the lamp that burneth and shineth ; and ye were
willing to rejoice for a season in his light. But the wit-
ness which I have is greater than that of John ; for the
works which the Father hath given me to accomplish,
the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the
Father hath sent me. And the Father which sent me,
he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard
his voice at any time, nor seen his- form. And ye have
not his word abiding in you ; for whom he sent, him ye
believe not. '^ Ye search the scriptures, because ye think
that in them ye have eternal life ; and these are they
which bear witness of me ; and ye will not come to me,
that ye may have life. I receive not glory from men.
But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in
yourselves. I am come in my Father's name, and ye
receive me not; if another shall come in his own name,
him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive
glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from
the only God ye seek not ? Think not that I will accuse
you to the Father; there is one that accuseth you, even
Moses, on whom ye have set your hope. For if ye be-
lieved Moses ye would believe me ; for he wrote of me.
But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe
my words?"
' At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day
through the cornfields ; and his disciples were an hun-
gred, and began to pluck ears of corn and to eat.
But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him,
" Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to
do upon the sabbath."
But he said unto them, " Have ye not read what David
did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with
him ; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat
the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat,
neither for them that were with him, but only for the
priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on
the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the
'Matt, xii, I. I "R. V. marg., Or, Search.
622 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 12. 5.
sabbath, and are guiltless? But I say unto you, that
one greater than the temple is here. But if ye had
known what this meaneth, ' I desire mercy, and not sacri-
fice,* ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For
the Son of man is lord of the sabbath."
' And it came to pass on another sabbath, that he en-
tered into the synagogue and taught ; and there was a
man there, and his right hand was withered. And the
scribes and Pharisees watched him.
" And they asked him, saying, " Is it lawful to heal on
the sabbath day?" that they might accuse him.
And he said unto them, " What man shall there be of
you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit
on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it
out? How much then is a man of more value than a
sheep ! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sab-
bath day."
Then saith he to the man, " Stretch forth thy hand."
And he stretched it forth ; and it was restored whole,
as the other.
But the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against
him, how they might destroy him. And Jesus perceiv-
ing it withdrew from thence ; and many fol-
drawsto lowed him ^from Galilee, and from Judaea and
Jerusalem, from Idumaea and beyond Jordan,
and about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing
what great things he did. And he spake to his disciples,
that a little boat should wait on him because of the
Great crowd, Icst they should throng him ; for he
crowds. ^^^^ healed many, insomuch that as many as
had plagues pressed upon him that they might touch
him. And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld
him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, " Thou art
the Son of God!" "And he healed them all, and
charged them that they should not make him known ;
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the
prophet, saying,
" Behold, my servant whom I have chosen ;
My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
' Luke vi, 6. * Matt, xii, lo. ^ Mark iii, 7. ■'Matt, xii, 16.
Matt. 12. i8.] Chronologically Arranged. 623
And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not strive, nor cry aloud ;
Neither shall anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed shall he not break,
And smoking flax shall he not quench,
Till he send forth judgment unto victory.
And in his name shall the Gentiles hope."
' And it came to pass in these days that he went out
into the mountain to pray ; and he continued all night
in prayer to God. And when it was day, he Theaposties
called his disciples ; and he chose from them chosen,
twelve, * that they might be with him, and that he might
send them forth, ^ whom also he named apostles ;
Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his
brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bar-
tholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, and James the
son of Alphaeus, and Simon which was called the Zealot,
and Judas the '''son of James, and Judas Iscariot, which
was the traitor ; and he came down with them and stood
on a level place, and a great multitude of his disciples,
and a great number of the people from all Judaea and
Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, which
came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases ;
and they that were troubled with unclean spirits were
healed. And all the multitude sought to touch him ;
for power came forth from him, and healed them all.
'Lukevi, 12. ^Lukevi, 13. I « r> ir f\ u *i
oni^ , ••• ' "^ " R. V. marg., Or, brother.
■* Mark 111, 14. & > >
G24: The Shorter Bible [Matt. 5. 2.
CHAPTER V.
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT ; CONCERNING THE KING-
DOM OF HEAVEN, THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF
ITS CITIZENS.
' And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
" Blessed are the poor in spirit ; for theirs is the king-
dom of heaven.
" Blessed arc they that mourn ; for they shall be .com-
forted.
The beati- " Blessed are the meek ; for they shall inherit
tudes. the earth.
" Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after right-
eousness ; for they shall be filled.
" Blessed are the merciful ; for they shall obtain mercy.
" Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see God.
" Blessed are the peacemakers ; for they shall be called
sons of God.
"Blessed are they that have been persecuted for right-
eousness' sake ; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and perse-
cute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely,
for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad ; for great
is your reward in heaven ; for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you.
" Ye are the salt of the earth ; but if the salt have lost
its savor, wherewith shall it be salted ? It is thenceforth
good for nothing but to be cast out and trod-
tianinthe den undcr foot of men. Ye are the light of
^^^^'^^ the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a lamp and put it under the bushel,
but on the stand ; and it shineth unto all that are in the
house. Even .so let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.
' MaU. V, 2.
Matt. 5. 17. J Chronologically Arranged. 625
" Think not that I came to destroy the law or the
prophets ; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For
verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away,
qne jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the
law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever there-
fore shall break one of these least commandments, and
shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom
of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach Law up-
them, he shall be called great in the kingdom ^®^'^-
of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your right-
eousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes
and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom
of heaven.
" Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time,
' Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall kill shall be
in danger of the judgment.' But I say unto you, that
every one who is angry with his brother ^ shall be in
danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall The Law
say to his brother, ' ^ Raca !' shall be in danger concerning
of the council ; and whosoever shall say, anger.
' '^ Thou fool ! ' shall be in danger of the '^ hell of fire.
" If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and
there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against
thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come
and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly,
whiles thou art with him in the way; lest haply the ad-
versary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver
thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily
I say unto thee, thou shalt* by no means come out
thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
" Ye have heard that it was said, ' Thou shalt not com-
mit adultery.' But I say unto you, that every one that
looketh on a woman to lust after her hath concerning
committed adultery with her already in his P^^rity.
heart. And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble,
pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable
for thee that one of thy members should perish, and
" R. V. marg., Many ancient authorities insert, ivithout cause. ^ R. V.
marg., An expression of contempt. '^ R. V. marg., Or, Aforeh, a Hebrew
expression of condemnation. '' R. V, marg., Gr. Gehenna of fire.
G26 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 5.29.
not thy whole body be cast into =* hell. And if thy
right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast
it from thee ; for it is profitable for thee that one of
thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go
into hell. It was said also, * Whosoever shall put away
his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.'
But I say unto you, that every one that putteth away
his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her
an adulteress ; and whosoever shall marry her when she
is put away committeth adultery.
" Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old
Concerning time, ' Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but
oaths. shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths;' but
I say unto you, swear not at all ; neither by the heaven,
for it is the throne of God ; nor by the earth, for it is
the footstool of his feet ; nor by Jerusalem, for it is
the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by
thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or
black. But let your speech be, 'Yea, yea;' 'Nay, nay;'
and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
" Ye have heard that it was said, ' An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth ;' but I say unto you, resist not
him that is evil ; but whosoever smiteth thee on thy
right cheek, turn to him the other also. And
revenge. if any man would go to law with thee, and
take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And
whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with
him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him
that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
" Ye have heard that it was said, 'Thou shalt love thy
neighbor, and hate thine enemy;' but I say unto you.
Concerning ^^vQ your enemies, and pray for them that
love. persecute you ; ' to him that smiteth thee on
the one cheek offer the other also ; ^ that ye may be sons
of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his
sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain
on the just and the unjust. For if ye love them that
love you, what reward have ye. Do not even the '' pub-
' Luke vi, 29.
' Malt. V, 45.
» R. V. niarp;., Gr. Gehenna. ^ R. V.
marg., That is, collectors or renters of
Roman taxes.
Matt 5- 46-1 Chronologically Arranged. 627
licans the same? 'And if ye do good to them that do
good to you, what thank have ye ? For even sinners do
the same. But love your enemies, and do them good,
and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of
the Most High ; for he is kind toward the unthankful and
evil. Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
•' * Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before
men, to be seen of them ; else ye have no reward with
your Father which is in heaven.
" When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet
before thee, as the hypocrites do in the syna- concerning
gogues and in the streets, that they may have almsgiving,
glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have re-
ceived their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not
thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth ; that
thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father which
seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
" And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites;
for they love to stand and pra}^ in the syna- concerning
gogues and in the corners of the streets, that prayer,
they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they
have received their reward. But thou, when thou pray-
est, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy
door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy
Father which seeth in secret shall recompense thee. And
in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do;
for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking. Be not therefore like unto them ; for your
Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye
ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our
Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven,
so on earth. Give us this day *our daily bread. And
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from
the evil one.'' For if ye forgive men their trespasses,
* R. V. marg. , Gr. our bread for tlie
coming day. "^ R. V. marg.. Many au-
' Luke vi, 33. thorities, some ancient, but with vari-
^ Matt, vi, I. ations, add, For thine is the kingdotn,
and the power, and the glory, forever.
Af?teu .
628 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 6. 14.
your heavenly Father wiU also forgive you. But if ye
forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses.
" Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a
sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that
they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you,
they have received their reward. But thou, when thou
fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou
be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father which is in
secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall recom-
pense thee.
" Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth,
Concerning where moth and rust doth consume, and
riches. where thieves break through and steal ; but
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not
break through nor steal; for where thy treasure is, there
will thy heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye ;
if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be
full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body
shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is
in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness ! No man
can serve two masters ; for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and
despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life.
Concerning \vhat ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ;
anxiety. j-jqj- yg^- for your body, what ye shall put on.
Is not the life more than the food, and the body than
the raiment? Behold the birds of the heaven, that Ihcy
sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns ;
and your heavenly Father feedetli them. Are not ye
of much more value than they? And which of you by
being anxious can add one cubit unto his ^ stature ? And
why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the
lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither
do they spin : yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in
all his glory was not arrayed like one o^these. But if God
doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and
to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more
" R. V. niarg. , Or, a^e.
Matt. 6. 30.J Chronologically Arranged. 629
clothe you, O ye of little faith ^ Be not therefore anxious,
saying, ' What shall we eat ? ' or, ' What shall we drink ? ' or,
' Wherewithal shall we be clothed? * For after all these
things do the Gentiles seek ; for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek
ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness ; and all these
things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore
anxious for the morrow ; for the morrow will be anxious
for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
" Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what
judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged. 'Give, and it
shall be given unto you ; good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, shall they give .
into your bosom. For with what measure precepts.
ye mete it shall be measured to you again.
" " And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in
thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother,
' Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye ; ' and lo, the
beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out
first the beam out of thine own eye ; and then shalt thou
see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye.
" Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast
your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample
them under their feet, and turn and rend you.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find ;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one
that asketh receiveth ; and he that seeketh findeth; and
to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man
is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf,
will give him a stone ; or if he shall ask for a fish, will
give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how
to give good gifts unto your children, how much more
shall your Father which is in heaven give good things
to them that ask him ? All things therefore whatsoever
ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye
also unto them; for this is the law and the prophets.
" Enter ye in by the narrow gate ; for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
' Luke vi, 38. ^ Matt, vii, 3.
630 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 7. 13.
many be they that enter ip thereby. ^ For narrow is the
gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto Hfc, and
few be they that find it.
" Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? Even so every
good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but the corrupt
tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring
forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth
good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good
fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Therefore by
their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that
saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord!' shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that
day, ' Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name,
and by thy name cast out devils, and by thy name do
many mighty works?' And then will I profess unto
them, * I never knew you ; depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.'
" Every one therefore which heareth these words of
mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man,
A compari- wliich built his housc upon the rock ; and the
^°^- rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house ; and it fell not ;
for it was founded upon the rock. And every one that
heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be
likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon
the sand ; and the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and smote upon that house ; and it
fell ; and great was the fall thereof."
And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these words,
the multitudes were astonished at his teaching ; for he
taught them as one having authority, and not as their
scribes.
• R. V. marg., Many ancient authorities read, //o7f narrow is the gate.
Matt. 8. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 631
CHAPTER VI.
MIRACLES OF MERCY: JOHN'S MESSENGERS: JESUS'
MOTHER AND BRETHREN: BLASPHEMOUS ACCUSA-
TION OF THE PHARISEES.
And when he was come down from the mountain,
great multitudes followed him.
And ' he entered into Capernaum. And a certain cen-
turion's ^ servant, who was ^ dear unto him, was sick and
at the point of death. And when he heard concerning
Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, asking him
that he would come and save his servant. And they,
when they came to Jesus, besought him earnestly, say-
ing, " He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him ;
for he loveth our nation, and hiinself built us our syna-
gogue."
And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not
far from the house, the centurion sent friends rru^„ +
1 • T 1 The centu-
to him, saymg unto him, "Lord, trouble not ^^"J^^^ ^fJ'
thyself; for I am not worthy that thou
shouldest come under my roof; wherefore neither
thought I myself worthy to come unto thee ; but say
the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also
am a man set under authority, having under myself
soldiers ; and I say to this one, ' Go,' and he goeth ; and
to another, ' Come,' and he cometh ; and to my serv-
ant, ' Do this,' and he doeth it."
And when Jesus heard these things, he marveled at
him, and turned and said unto the multitude that followed
him, ** I say unto you, I have not found so great faith,
no, not in Israel."
And they that were sent, returning to the house, found
the servant whole.
*R. V. marg., Gr. bondservant.
' Luke vii, i. '' R. V. marg., Or, precious to hit>i,
or, honorable with him.
032 The Shorter Bible [Luke;, n.
And it came to pass soon afterward, that he went to
a city called Nain ; and his disciples went with him, and
a great multitude. Now when he drew near to the gate
of the city, behold, .there was carried out one that was
dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow ;
and much people of the city was with her. And when
the Lord saw her, he" had compassion on her, and said
unto her, "Weep not."
And he came nigh and touched the bier; and the
The widow's bearers stood still. And he said, "Young
son raised. man, I Say unto thee, arise."
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak.
And he gave him to his mother.
And fear took hold on all ; and they glorified God,
saying, "A great prophet is arisen among us; and, God
hath visited his people."
And this report went forth concerning him in the
whole of Judcca and all the region round about.
And the disciples of John told him of all these things.
Messengers And John Calling uuto him two of his disciples
from John. sent them to the Lord, saying, "Art thou he
that Cometh, or look we for another? "
In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues
and evil spirits ; and on many that were blind he be-
stowed sight. And he answered and said unto them,
" Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen
and heard ; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are
raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them.
And blessed is he whosoever shall find none occasion of
stumbling in me."
~ And when the messengers of John were departed, he
began to say unto the multitude concerning John,
" What went ye out into the wilderness to behold ? a
reed shaken with the wind ? But what went ye out to
Jesus' wit- s^'^? ^ ^""^^^ clothed in soft raiment? Behold,
nesstoJohn. they which are gorgeously appareled, and
live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went
ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and
much more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is
written,
Luke 7. 37.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 633
" ' Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
Who shall prepare thy way before thee.'
" I say unto you, among them born of women there is
none greater than John; yet he that is but little in the
kingdom of God is greater than he." (And all the people
when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being
baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees
and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of
God, beiu'^- not baptized of him.) " Whereunto then
shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are
they like? They are like unto children that sit in the
market place, and call one to another ; which say, ' We
piped unto you, and ye did not dance ; we wailed, and ye
did not weep.' For John the Baptist is come eating no
bread nor drinking wine ; and ye say, ' He hath a devil.'
The Son of man is come eating and drinking ; and ye
say, ' Behold, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend
of publicans and sinners ! ' And wisdom is justified of all
her children."
' Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of
his mighty works were done, because they repented not :
" Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!
for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre Refusing
and Sidon which were done in you, they thehght.
would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes,
Howbeit I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for
Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto
heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades; for if the
mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done
in thee, it would have remained until this day. Howbeit
I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for
the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for
thee."
' And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would
eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house,
and sat down to meat. And behold, a woman Asinner
which was in the city, a sinner, when she fgsu^^feet
knew that he was sitting at meat in the Phari-
see's house, brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and
1 Matt, xi, 20. '^ Luke vii, 36.
43
634 The Shorter Bh^le [Luke 7. 38.
standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet
his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of
her head, and ^ kissed his feet, and anointed them with
the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bid-
den him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, " This
man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and
what manner of woman this is which toucheth him, that
she is a sinner."
And Jesus answering said unto him, " Simon, I have
somewhat to say unto thee."
And he saith, " Master, say on."
*' A certain lender had two debtors ; the one owed five
hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had
not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of
them therefore will love him most ? "
Simon answered and said, " He, I suppose, to whom
he forgave the most."
And he said unto him, "Thou hast rightly judged."
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, '' Seest
thou this woman ? I entered into thine house, thou
gavest me no water for my feet ; but she hath wetted my
feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Thou
gavest me no kiss ; but she, since the time I came in, hath
not ceased to ^kiss my feet. My head with oil thou
didst not anoint ; but she hath anointed my feet with
ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which
are many, are forgiven ; for she loved much ; but to
whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
And he said unto her, " Thy sins are forgiven."
And they that sat at meat with him began to say^
within themselves, '"Who is this that even forgiveth
sins ? "
And he said unto the woman, " Thy faith hath saved
thee ; go in peace."
And it came to pass soon afterward, that he went
about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing
the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him
Ministering ^^^^ twelve, and certain women which had been
■women. hcalcd of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary
that was called Magdalene, from whom seven devils had
" R. V. marg. , Gr. kissed imich. ^ R. V. marg., Gr. kiss much.
Luke 8. 2.] Chronologically Arranged. 635
gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward,
and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto
them of their substance.
'And he cometh '"^into a house. And the multitude
Cometh together again, so that they could not so much
as eat bread. And when his friends heard it, they went
out to lay hold on him ; for they said, " He jesusand
is beside himself." ' While he was yet speak- ^^dTreth-
ingto the multitudes, behold, his mother and ^®"-
his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
And one said unto him, " Behold, thy mother and thy
brethren stand without, seeking to speak to thee."
But he answered and said unto him that told him,
" Who is my mother, and who are my brethren ? "
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples,
and said, " Behold, my rhother and my brethren ! For
whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in
heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother."
' Then was brought unto him one possessed with a
devil, blind and dumb ; and he healed him, insomuch
that the dumb man spake and saw. And all the multi-
tudes were amazed, and said, " Is this the son siasphe-
of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, SfThlphaff-
they said, " This man doth not cast out ^®®^-
devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils."
And knowing their thoughts he said unto them,
" Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to des-
olation ; and every city or house divided against itself
shall not stand ; and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is
divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom
stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by
whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore shall they
be your judges. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out
devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man
and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man ?
And then he will spoil his house. He that is not with
me is against me ; and he that gathereth not with me
scattereth. Therefore I say unto you, every sin and
' Mark iii, lo. ^ Matt, xii, 22. I a t> ir /-^ /
* Matt, xii, 46. ^■^- "'''''^•' °'"' ^'""'-
636 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 12.31.
blasphemy shall be forgiven ^ unto men ; but the blas-
phemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And
whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it
shall be forgiven him ; but whosoever shall speak against
the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in
this "J world, nor in that which is to come." ('Because
they said, " He hath an unclean spirit.")
^"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or
make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt ; for the tree
is known by its fruit. Ye offspring of vipers, how can
ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abun-
dance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The good man
out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things ;
and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth
evil things. And I say unto you, that every idle word
that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in
the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him,
saying, " Master, we would see a sign from thee."
But he answered and said unto them, "An evil and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign ; and there
shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah the
The sign of prophet; for as Jonah was three days and
Jonah. three nights in the belly of the '^ whale, so
shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in
the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall stand
up in the judgment with this generation, and shall con-
demn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah ;
and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. The queen
of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this gen-
eration, and shall condemn it ; for she came from the
ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon ; and
behold, a greater than Solomon is here. But the un-
clean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth
through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.
Then he saith, ' I will return into my house whence I
' Mark iii, 30.
2 Matt, xii, 33.
" R. V. marg., Some ancient au-
thorities read, uutoypuincn. '' R.V.
marg.. Or, age. ' R. V. marg.,
Gr. sea monster.
Matt. 36. 19.] Chronologically Arranged. 637
came out.' And when he is come, he findeth it empty,
swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with
himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and
they enter in and dwell there ; and the last state of that
man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be
also unto this evil generation."
638 The Shorter Bible [Mark 4.1.
CHAPTER VII.
PARABLES : MIRACLES : JESUS REJECTED.
' And again he began to teach by the seaside. And
Parable of there is gathered unto him a very great mul-
the sower. titude, SO that he entered into a boat, and
sat in the sea ; and all the multitude were by the sea on
the land. And he taught them many things in parables,
and said unto them in his teaching:
" Hearken ! Behold, the sower went forth to sow ; and
as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the
birds came and devoured it. And other fell on the
rocky ground, where it had not much earth ; and straight-
way it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth ;
and when the sun was risen, it was scorched ; and be-
cause it had no root it withered away. And other fell
among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked
it, and it yielded no fruit. And others fell into the
good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increas-
ing ; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a
hundredfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
And when he was alone, they that were about him
with the twelve asked of him the parables. And he said
unto them :
" Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of
God; but unto them that are without, all things are done
in parables ; ^ ^because seeing they see not, and hearing
they hear not, neither do they understand. But blessed
are your eyes, for they see ; and your ears, for they hear.
For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and
righteous men desired to see the things which ye see,
and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye
' Mark iv, I.
* Matt, xiii, 13.
" Notice, tliis was just after tlie
l)Iasphemouscliarge of the Pharisees
(Mark iii, 22).
Matt. 13. 17.] Chronologically Arranged. 639
hear, and heard them not. Hear then ye the parable of
the sower. When anyone heareth the word of the king-
dom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one,
and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his
heart. This is he that was sown by the wayside. And
he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that
heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it ;
yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while ;
and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of
the word, straightway he stumbleth. And he that was
sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word ;
and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of
riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he
that heareth the word, and understandeth it ; who verily
beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold,
some sixty, some thirty."
'And he said unto them, " Is the lamp brought to be
put under the bushel, and not on the stand? For there
is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested. If any
man have ears to hear, let him hear."
And he said unto them, " Take heed what ye hear ;
with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you ;
and more shall be given unto you. For he that hath, to
him shall be given ; and he that hath not, from him shall
be taken away even that which he hath.
" So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast
seed upon the earth ; and should sleep and rise night
and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he
knoweth not how. The earth beareth fruit other para-
of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then ^^®^-
the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe,
straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the har-
vest is come.
" How shall we liken the kingdom of God, or in what
parable shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mus-
tard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though
it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth,
yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater
than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches ; so
' Mark iv, 21.
640 The Shorter Bible [Mark 4. 32.
that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the
shadow.
" ' The kingdom of heaven is hkened unto a man that
sowed good seed in his field ; but while men slept, his
enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat,-
and went away. But when the blade sprang up, and
brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. And
the servants of the householder came and said unto him,
' Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field ? Whence
then hath it tares ? ' And he said unto them, ' An enemy
hath done this,' And the servants say unto him, ' Wilt
thou then that we go and gather them up ? ' But he saith,
' Nay ; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up
the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the
harvest ; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the
reapers, " Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bun-
dles to burn them ; but gather the wheat into my barn." '
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a
woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it
was all leavened."
All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the mul-
titudes; ^but privately to his own disciples he ex-
pounded all things.
^ Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house ;
and his disciples came unto him, saying, " Explain unto
us the parable of the tares of the field."
And he answered, " He that soweth the good seed is
the Son of man ; the field is the world ; the good seed,
these are the sons of the kingdom ; the tares are the
sons of the evil one ; the enemy that sowed them is the
devil ; and the harvest is the end of the world ; and
the reapers are angels. As therefore the tares are gath-
ered up and burned with fire, so shall it be in the end
of the world. The Son of man shall send forth his
angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all
things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity,
and shall cast them into the furnace of fire ; there shall
be the weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the
righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. He that hath ears, let him hear.
' Matt, xiii, 24. " Mark iv, 34. ' Matt, xiii, 36.
Matt. 13. 44.] Chronologically Arranged. 641
" The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid-
den in the field, which a n:ian found and hid ; and in
his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth
that field.
" Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that
is a merchant seeking goodly pearls ; and having found
one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had,
and bought it.
" Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that
was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind ; which,
when it was filled, they drew up on the beach ; and they
sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the
bad they cast away. Have ye understood all these
things? "
They say unto him, "Yea."
And he said, " Every scribe who hath been made a dis-
ciple to the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that
is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure
things new and old."
' Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he
gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
" And leaving the multitude, they take him Thetempest
with them, even as he was, in the boat. stilled.
And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the
waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was
now filling. And he himself was in the stern, asleep on
the cushion ; and they awake him, and say unto him,
" Master, carest thou not that we perish ?"
'And he saith unto them, "Why are ye fearful, O ye
of little faith?"
' And he said unto the sea, " Peace, be still."
And there was a great calm.
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another,
" Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey
him ? "
And they came to the other side of the sea, into the
country of the Gerasenes. And when he was come out
of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs
a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling in
' Matt, viii, i8. '^ Mark iv, 36. ^ Matt, viii, 26. •'Mark iv, 39.
642 The Shorter Bible [Mark 5. 3.
the tombs ; and no man could any more bind him, no,
A demoniac ^^^ with a chain ; because that he had been
healed. often bound with fetters and chains, and the
chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters
broken in pieces ; and no man had strength to tame
him. And always, night and day, in the tombs and in
the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself
with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran
and worshiped him ; and crying out with a loud voice,
he saith, " What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son
of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment
me not." (For he said unto him, " Come forth, thou
unclean spirit, out of the man.")
And he asked him, "What is thy name?"
And he saith, " My name is Legion ; for we are many."
And he besought him much that he would not send
them away out of the country.
Now there was there on the mountain side a great
herd of swine feeding. And they besought him, saying,
" Send us into the swine, that we may enter into
them."
And he gave them leave. And they entered into the
swine ; and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea,
in number about two thousand ; and they were choked
in the sea. And they that fed them fled, and told it in
the city, and in the country. And they came to see
what it was that had come to pass. And ' all the city
' come to Jesus, and behold him that was possessed with
devils sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him
that had the legion ; and they were afraid. And they
that saw it declared unto them how it befell him that
was possessed with devils, and concerning the swine.
And they began to beseech him to depart.
And as he was entering into the boat, he that had
been possessed with devils besought him that he might
be with him. And he suffered him not, but saith unto
him, " Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them
how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how
he had mercy on thee."
And he went his way, and began to publish in Decap-
' Matt, viii, 34. '■* Mark v, 15.
Mark 5. 20.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 643
olis how great things Jesus had done for him ; and "all
men did marvel.
* And he entered into a boat and crossed over. ^ And
the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting
for him. ^ And he went out from thence, * and came into
his own city.
^ And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach
in the synagogue ; and many hearing him were astonished,
saying, " Whence hath this man these
things?" and, "What is the wisdom that is re/ectedby
given unto this man, and what mean such Nazarenes.
mighty works wrought by his hands ? Is not this the
carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and
Joses, and Judas, and Simon ? And are not his sisters
here with us?" And they were offended in him.
And Jesus said unto them, "A prophet is not without
honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin,
and in his own house." And he could there do no mighty
work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk,
and healed them. And he marveled because of their
unbelief.
1 Matt, ix, I. ''Luke viii, 40. ^ ]\iark vi, I. •* Matt, ix, i. ^ Mark vi, 2.
044
TiiK Shorter Bible
Mat;. 9. 35.
CHAPTER VIII.
TEACHING AND HEALING IN GALILEE : THE BREAD OF
LIFE: CONCERNING JEWISH CEREMONIES.
' And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel
in °^ ^^^^ kingdom, and healing all manner of
about disease and all manner of sickness. But when
he saw the multitudes, he was moved with
compassion for them, because they were distressed and
scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. Then saith
he unto his disciples, " The harvest truly is plenteous,
but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord
of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his
harvest."
And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave
them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out,
and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sick-
Thetweive "^ss. 'And he began to send them forth by
sent out. tvvo and two, ^ to preach the kingdom of God,
and to heal the sick. And he said unto them :
" * As ye go, preach, saying, ' The kingdom of heaven is
at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the
lepers, cast out ^devils; freely ye received, freely give.
Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your ^purses ; no
wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor
staff; for the laborer is worthy of his food. . . . Behold,
1 send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves ; be ye
therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves. . . .
'A disciple is not above his master, nor a servant above
his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his
master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called
' Matt. i.x, 35.
'■* M.irk vi, 7.
^ Luke ix, 2.
•»Matt. X, 7.
"Matt. X, 24.
" R. V. marg. , Gr. doitoiis. '' R.
\'. marg., (j\. ;^inihs.
Matt. lo. 25.] Chronologically Arranged. 6-15
the inaster of the house ^ Beelzebub, how much more
shall they call them of his household ! Fear them not
therefore ; for thergis nothing covered, that shall not be
revealed ; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell
you in the darkness, speak ye in the light ; and what ye
hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And be
not afraid of them which kill the body, but are not able
to kill the soul ; but rather fear him which is able to de-
stroy both soul and body in ^hell. Are not two sparrows
sold for a farthing? And not one of them shall fall on the
ground without )'our Father; but the very hairs of your
head are all numbered. Fear not therefore ; ye are of
more value than many sparrows. Every one therefore
who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess
before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before
my Father which is in heaven. . . .
" He that loveth father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me ; and he that loveth son or daughter more
than me is not worthy of me. And he that doth not
take his cross, and follow after me, is not worthy of me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it ; and he that loseth
his life for my sake shall find it.
" He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that re-
ceiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiv-
eth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a
prophet's reward ; and he that receiveth a righteous man
in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous
man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto
one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the
name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no
wise lose his reward."
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of
commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to
teach and preach in their cities. * And they went out, and
preached that men should repent. And they cast out
many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick,
and healed them.
" A heathen deity, thought by the
Mark vi, I2. Jews to be prince of the evil spirits.
•^ R. V. marg., Gr. Gehenna.
fi46 The Shorter Bible [Mark 6. 14.
And king Herod heard thereof; for his name had be-
come known; and he said, " John ^ the Baptist is risen
Herod's from the dead, and therefore do these powers
t|rror-How ^ork in him," But others said, " It is Elijah,"
siainjohn. And others said, " It is a prophet, even as
one of the prophets." But Herod, when he heard
thereof, said, " John, whom I beheaded, he is risen,"
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon
John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias,
his brother Philip's wife ; for he had married her. For
John said unto Herod, " It is not lawful for thee to have
thy brother's wife." And Herodias set herself against
him, and desired to kill him ; and she could not ; for
Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous
man and a holy, and kept him safe. And when he heard
him, he ''was much perplexed ; and he heard him gladly.
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on
his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high
captains, and the chief men of Galilee; and when the
daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she
pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him ; and
the king said unto the damsel, " Ask of me whatsoever
thou wilt, and I will give it thee." And he sware unto
her, '* Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it
thee, unto the half of my kingdom."
And she went out, and said unto her mother, " What
shall I ask? "
And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
And she came in straightway with haste unto the
king, and asked, saying, " I will that thou forthwith give
me in a charger the head of John the Baptist."
And the king was exceeding sorry ; but for the sake
of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not
reject her. And straightway the king sent forth a soldier
of his guard, and commanded to bring his head ; and he
went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his
head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel ; and the
damsel gave it to her mother.
And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and
"R. V. marg. , Gr. the Baptizer. '' R. V. marg., Many ancient author-
ities read, did many things.
Mark 6. 29.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 647
took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. ' And they
went and told Jesus.
^And =* the apostles gather themselves together unto
Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they
had done, and whatsoever they had taught.
And he saith unto them, "Come ye yourselves apart
into a desert place, and rest a while." For there were
many coming and going, and they had no leisure so
much as to eat. And they went away in the boat to a
desert place apart.
And the people saw them going, and many knew them,
and they ran there together ^ on foot from all the cities,
and outwent them. And he came forth and saw a great
multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they
were as sheep not having a shepherd. ^ And he welcomed
them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and
them that had need of healing he healed.
^And when the day was now far spent his disciples
came unto him, and said, " The place is desert, and the
day is now far spent ; send them away, that they may go
into the country and villages round about, and buy
themselves somewhat to eat."
But he answered, " Give ye them to eat."
And they say unto him, " Shall we go and buy two
hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to
eat?"
And he saith unto them, " How many loaves have
yer
And when they knew, they say, " Five, and two fishes."
And he commanded them that all should '^ sit down
by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down
in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. And he
took the five loaves and the two fishes, and thousand
looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake ^^^'
the loaves ; and he gave to the disciples to set before
them ; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up
broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes.
' Matt, xiv, 12. ^ Luke ix, 11. I ^ A. D. 29. >> R. V. marg., Or, dy
- Mark vi, 30. '' Mark vi, 35. | /and. "= R. V. marg., Gr. recline.
648 The Shorter Bible [Mark 6. 44.
And they that ate the loaves were five thousand men,
'beside women and children.
^ Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to
come and take him by force, to make him king, ^ straight-
way constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and
to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while
he himself sendeth the multitude away. And he de-
parted into the mountain to pray.
And when even was come the boat was in the midst
of the sea, and he alone on the land. And seeing them
distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto
them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh
unto them, walking on the sea ; and he would have
passed by them ; but they, when they saw him walking
on the sea, supposed that it was an apparition, and cried
out ^ for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them,
saying, " Be of good cheer; it is I ; be not afraid."
And Peter answered, " Lord, if it be thou, bid me come
unto thee upon the waters."
And he said, " Come."
Peter walk- And Peter went down from the boat, and
ingonthe walked upon the waters, to come to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind he was afraid ; and
beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, " Lord, save me."
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and
took hold of him, and saith, " O thou of little faith,
wherefore didst thou doubt?"
And when they were gone up into the boat the wind
ceased. Agtl they that were in the boat worshiped him,
saying, " Of a truth thou art the Son of God."
And when they had crossed over, they came to the
land, unto Gennesaret. And when the men of that
Many place knew him, they sent into all that region
healed. round about, and brought unto him all that
were sick ; and they besought him that they might only
touch the border of his garment ; and as many as touched
were made whole.
'On the morrow the multitude came to Capernaum,
seeking Jesus. And when they found him they said
unto him, " Rabbi, when camest thou hither?"
'Matt, xiv, 21. 2 John vi, 15. ^Maikvi, 45. ^ Matt, xiv, 26. * John vi, 22.
John 6. 26.] Chronologically Arranged. 649
Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, verily, I say
unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but be-
cause ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. The bread
Work not for the meat which perisheth, but of life,
for the meat which abideth unto eternal life, which the
Son of man shall give unto you ; for him the Father, even
God, hath sealed."
They said therefore unto him, " What must we do,
that we may work the works of God ? "
Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work
of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
They said therefore unto him, " What then doest thou
for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? What
workest thou ? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilder-
ness ; as it is written, ' He gave them bread out of
heaven to eat.' "
Jesus therefore said unto them, ''Verily, verily, I say
unto you, it was not Moses that gave you the bread out
of heaven ; but my Father giveth you the true bread out
of heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh
down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world."
They said therefore unto him, " Lord, evermore give
us this bread."
Jesus said unto them, " I am the bread of life. He
that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that be-
lieveth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you,
that ye have seen me, and yet believe not. All that
which the Father giveth me shall come unto me ; and
him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." . . .
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, be-
cause he said, " I am the bread which came down out
of heaven." And they said, " Is not this Jesus, the son
of Joseph, whose father and mother we know ? how doth
he now say, ' I am come down out of heaven ? ' "
Jesus answered and said unto them, " Murmur not
among yourselves. . . . Verily, verily, I say unto you,
he that believeth hath eternal life. I am the bread of
life. Your fathers did eat the manna in the wilderness,
and they died. This is the bread which cometh down
out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
I am the living bread which came down out of heaven ;
44
650 The Shorter Bible [John 6. 51.
if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever ; yea,
and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of
the world."
The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying,
" How can this man give us his flesh to eat ?"
Jesus therefore said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say
unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and
drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. He that
eatcth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life ;
and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is
meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that
eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me,
and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live
because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also
shall live because of me. This is the bread which came
down out of heaven ; not as the fathers did eat, and
died ; he that eateth this bread shall live forever."
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught
in Capernaum.
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this,
said, " This is a hard saying ; who can hear it ? "
But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples mur-
mured at this, said unto them, " Doth this cause you to
stumble ? What then if ye should behold the Son of
man ascending where he was before? It is the spirit
that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words
that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. But
there are some of you that believe not." For Jesus
knew from the beginning v\'ho they were that believed
not, and who it was that should betray him.
Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked
Many for- "o more with him. Jesus said therefore unto
sake Jesus. ^]^q twelve, " Would ye also go away ? "
Simon Peter answered him, " Lord, to whom shall we
go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have
believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God."
Jesus answered them, " Did not I choose you the
twelve, and one of you is a devil? " Now he spake of
Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that
should betray him, being one of the twelve.
And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for
John 7. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 661
he would not walk in Jud?ea, because the Jews sought
to kill him.
' And there are gathered together unto him the Phari-
sees, and certain of the scribes, which had come from
Jerusalem, and had seen that some of his disciples ate
their bread with ^ defiled, that is, unwashed, hands. For
the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their
hands *-' diligently, eat not, holding the tradition of the
elders ; and when they come from the market place, ex-
cept they '^ wash themselves, they eat not ; and many
other things there be, which they have received to hold,
'^ washings of cups, and pots, and brazen vessels. And
the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, " Why ^
,, , ,. . , ,. ^ ,' ,r Concerning
walk not thy disciples according to the tradi- mere por-
tion of the elders, but eat their bread with
defiled hands ? "
And he said unto them, " Well did Isaiah prophesy of
you hypocrites,
" ' This people honoreth me with their lips,
But their heart is far from me.
But in vain do they worship me,
Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.'
" Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that
ye may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ' Honor
thy father and thy mother,' and, * He that speaketh
evil of father or mother, let him die the death ; ' but ye
say, ' If a man shall say to his father or his mother,
"That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me
is Corban," ' (that is to say, given to God,) ye no longer
suffer him to do aught for his father or his mother ;
making void the word of God by your tradition ; and
many such like things ye do."
And he called to him the multitude again, and said
unto them, " Hear me all of you, and understand ; there
is nothing from without the man, that going into him
can defile him ; but the things which proceed out of
the man are those that defile the man."
" R.V. marg., Or, comtnon. *" R. V.
marg. , Or, up to the clhotv. '^ R. V.
' Mark vii, l. marg., Gr. baptize. Some ancient au-
thorities read, sprinkle themselves,
^ R. V. marg., Gr. baptizings.
652 The Shorter Bible [Mark 7. 17.
And when he was entered into the house from the
multitude, his disciples asked of him the parable. And
he saith unto them, " Are ye so without understanding
also ? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without
goeth into the man, it cannot defile him ? because it goeth
not into his heart."
This he said, making all meats clean.
And he said, " That which proceedeth out of the man,
that dcfileth the man. For from within, out of the heart
of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, mur-
ders, adulteries, covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lascivi-
ousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness; all these
evil things proceed from within, and defile the man."
Matt. 15.21.] Chronologically Arranged. 65^
CHAPTER IX.
MIGHTY MIRACLES AND WONDROUS TEACHINGS: THE
TRANSFIGURATION : MORE MIRACLES AND TEACHINGS.
' And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the
parts of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from
those borders, and cried, saying, " Have mercy on me,
O Lord, thou son of David ; my daughter is grievously
vexed with a devil."
But he answered her not a word.
And his disciples came and besought him, saying,
" Send her away ; for she crieth after us."
But he answered, " I was not sent but unto mercy.®^°^
the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But she came and worshiped him, saying, " Lord, help
me."
And he answered and said, " It is not meet to take
the children's bread and cast it to the dogs."
But she said, " Yea, Lord ; for even the dogs eat of
the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, *' O woman,
great is thy faith ; be it done unto thee even as thou
wilt."
And her daughter was healed from that hour.
And Jesus departed thence, and came nigh unto the
Sea of Galilee. ^And they bring unto him one that was
deaf, and had an impediment in his speech ; and beseech
him to lay his hand upon him. And he took him aside
from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his
ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue ; and look-
ing up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him,
" Ephphatha," that is, " Be opened." And his ears were
opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he
' Matt. XV, 21. "^ Mark vii, 32.
654 The Shorter Bible [Mark 7. 35.
spake plain. And he charged them that they should
tell no man ; but the more he charged them, so much
the more a great deal they published it. And they were
beyond measure astonished, saying, " He hath done all
these things well ; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and
the dumb to speak."
'And there came unto him great multitudes, having
with them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many
others, and they cast them down at his feet ; and he
healed them ; insomuch that the multitude wondered,
when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole,
and the lame walking, and the blind seeing ; and they
glorified the God of Israel.
And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, " I
Th f II have compassion on the multitude, because
thousand tlicy Continue with me now three days and
have nothing to eat ; and I would not send
them away fasting, lest haply they faint in the way."
And the disciples say unto him, "Whence should we
have so many loaves in a desert place as to fill so great
a multitude?"
And Jesus saith, " How many loaves have ye?"
And they said, " Seven, and a few small fishes."
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the
ground ; and he took the seven loaves and the fishes ;
and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples,
and the disciples to the multitudes. And they did all
eat, and were filled ; and they took up that which re-
mained over of the broken pieces, seven baskets full.
And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside
women and children.
And he sent away the multitudes, and entered into
the boat, and came into the borders of Magadan.
And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and tempt-
ing him asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
But he answered and said unto them, " When it is
, evening, ye say, 'It will be fair weather;
ersre- for the heavcu is red.' And in the morn-
prove . .^^^^ , j^ ^^.jj ^^ ^^^j weather to-day ; for the
heaven is red and lowring.' Ye know how to discern
' Matt. XV, 30.
Matt. i6. 3-] Chronologically Arranged. 655
the face of the heaven ; but ye cannot discern the signs
of the times."
' And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, *' Why
doth this generation seek a sign ? Verily I say unto
you, there shall no sign be given unto this generation,
'^ but the sign of ^ Jonah."
^ And he left them, and again entering into the boat
departed to the other side.
* And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to
him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him. And
he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought
him out of the village ; and when he had spit ^ blind man
on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he Sealed.
asked him, " Seest thou aught ?"
And he looked up, and said, " I see men ; for I behold
them as trees, walking."
Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he
looked steadfastly, and was restored, and saw all things
clearly. And he sent him away to his home, saying,
" Do not even enter into the village."
^ And it came to pass, as he was praying alone, the dis-
ciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, " Who
do the multitudes say that I am ? "
And they answering said, "John the Bap- p + .,
tist ; but others say, Elijah; and others, that fessionof
one of the old prophets is risen again."
And he said unto them, " But who say ye that I am ? "
And Peter answering said, " The Christ of God."
* Jesus answered and said unto him, " Blessed art thou,
Simon Bar-Jonah ; for flesh and blood hath not re-
vealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no
man that he was the Christ.
' From that time began Jesus to show unto his disci-
ples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer
many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed, and the third day be raised up. And
' Mark viii, 12. ^ Luke ix, i8.
^ Malt, xvi, 4. «Matt. xvi, 17.
^ Mark viii, 13. 'Matt, xvi, 21.
* Mark viii, 22.
Matt, xii, 38-40.
656 The Shorter Bible [Matt. i6. 22.
Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, " * Be
it far from thee. Lord ; this shall never be unto thee."
But he turned, and said unto Peter, " Get thee behind
me, Satan ; thou art a stumbling-block unto me ; for
thou mindcst not the things of God, but of men."
Then said Jesus unto his disciples," If any man would
^ come after me, let him deny himself, and take
Concerning ' . -^ ^ '
cross- up his cross, and follow me. ror whosoever
would save his life shall lose it ; and whoso-
ever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. For
what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole
world, and forfeit his life? Or what shall a man give in
exchange for his life ?
" ' Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words
in this sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be
ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Fa-
ther with the holy angels."
^ And it came to pass about eight days after these
The trans- sayings, he took with him Peter and John
figuration. j^j-,(;j James, and went up into the mountain
to pray. And as he was praying, the fashion of his
countenance was altered, and his raiment became white
and dazzling. And behold, there talked with him two
men, which were Moses and Elijah; who appeared in
glory, and spake of his ^ decease which he was about to
accomplish at Jerusalem.
^ And Peter answered, and said unto Jesus, "Lord, it
is good for us to be here. If thou wilt, I will make here
three tabernacles ; one for thee, and one for Moses,
and one for Elijah."
While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud
overshadowed them ; and behold, a voice out of the
cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased ; hear ye him."
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their
face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched
them and said, "Arise, and be not afraid." And lifting
u[) their e)-es, the\- saw no one, save Jesus onl)-.
' Mark viii, 3S. ^Matt. xvii, 4. I " R. V. marg., Or, God Jiuvemtrcy
■ Luke ix, 28. | on thee, '' R.V. marg., Or, departtirc.
Matt. 17. 9-] Chronologically Arranged. 657
And as they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no
man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead."
And his disciples asked him, saying, " Why then say
the scribes that Elijah mu«t first come ? "
And he answered and said, " Elijah indeed cometh.
But I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they
knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they listed.
Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them."
Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them
of John the Baptist.
' And when they came to the disciples, they saw a
great multitude about them, and scribes questioning
with them. And straightway all the multitude, when
they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him
saluted him.
And one of the multitude answered, " Master, I
brought unto thee my son, which hath ^ „, ,
dumb spirit; and wheresoever it taketh him, mac boy
it dasheth him down ; and he foameth, and i^eaied.
grindeth his teeth, and pineth away ; and I spake to thy
disciples that they should cast it out, and they were not
able."
And he answereth them and saith, " O faithless gen-
eration, how long shall I be with you ? How long shall I
bear with you ? Bring him unto me."
And they brought him. And straightway the spirit
* tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and
wallowed foaming.
And he asked his father, " How long time is it since
this hath come unto him ? "
' And he said, " From a child. And ofttimes it hath
cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to
destroy him ; but if thou canst do anything, have com-
passion on us, and help us."
And Jesus said unto him, " ' If thou canst ! ' All
things are possible to him that believeth."
Straightway the father of the child cried out, and
said, " I believe ; help thou mine unbelief."
And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running
' Mark ix, 14. | " R. V. marg., Or, convulsed.
658 The vShorter Bible [Mark 9. 25.
together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto
him, " Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come
out of him,"
And having cried out, and torn him much, he came
out ; and the child became as- one dead ; insomuch that
the more part said, " He is dead." But Jesus took him
by the hand, and raised him up ; and he arose.
' Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said,
" Why could we not cast it out ? "
And he saith unto them, " Because of your little faith ;
for verily I say Unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, ' Remove
hence to yonder place ; ' and it shall remove ; and nothing
shall be impossible unto you."
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto
them, "The Son of man shall be delivered up into the
hands of men ; and they shall kill him, and the third day
he shall be raised up." And they were exceeding sorry.
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that
received the ^half-shekel came to Peter, and said, " Doth
not your master pay the half-shekel? "
He saith, " Yea."
And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first
Paying the ^*-* ^im, saying, " What thinkest thou, Simon ?
temple tax. The kings of the earth, from whom do they
receive toll or tribute ? From their sons, or from
strangers? "
And when he said, " From strangers," Jesus said unto
him, "Therefore the sons are free. But, lest we cause
them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook,
and take up the fish that first cometh up ; and when
thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a shekel ;
that take, and give unto them for me and thee."
" And when he was in the house, he asked them,
" What were ye reasoning in the way."
But they held their peace ; for they had disputed one
with another in the way, who was the greatest.
And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith
' Matt, xvii, 19. I "A poll tax for the temple; -about
^Mark ix, 33. | thirty cents. See Exod, xx.x, 11-16.
Mark lo. 35.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 659
unto them, " If any man would be first, he shall be last
of all, and minister of all." Wonderful
And he took a little child, and set him in the teachings.
midst of them ; and taking him in his arms, he said unto
them, " Whosoever shall receive one of such little chil-
dren in my name, receiveth me ; and whosoever receiveth
me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me."
John said unto him, " Master, we saw one casting out
devils in thy name ; and we forbade him, because he
followed not us."
But Jesus said, " Forbid him not ; for there is no man
which shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able
quickly to speak evil of me. For he that is not against
us is for us. For whosoever shall give you a cup of
water to drink, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto
you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. And whosoever
shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to
stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were
hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
' See that ye despise not one of these little ones ; for I
say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always be-
hold the face of my Father which is in heaven. How
think ye? If any man have a hundred sheep and one
of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety
and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that
which goeth astray? And if so be that he find it, verily
I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the
ninety and nine which have not gone astray. Even so it
is not the wjll of your Father which is in heaven that
one of these little ones should perish.
" And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his
fault between thee and him alone. If he hear thee, thou
hast gained thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take
with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two
witnesses or three every word may be established. And
if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the ^church ; and
if he refuse to hear the ^ church also, let him be unto
thee as the Gentile and the publican. Verily I say unto
you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven ; and what things soever ye shall loose
'Matt, xviii, 10. | "R. V. marg., Or, congregation.
660 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 18.17.
on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto
you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching
anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them
of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or
three are gathered together in my name, there am I in
the midst of them."
Then came Peter, and said to him, " Lord, how oft
shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him ?
Until seven times?"
Jesus saith unto him, " I say not unto thee, ' until
Parable of s^ven times ; ' but, until seventy times seven.
the king and Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened
ziis sGrvs.ii'ts
unto a certain king, which would make a
reckoning with his servants. And when he had begun
to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him
ten thousand ^ talents. But forasmuch as he had not
wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold,
and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and pay-
ment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and
worshiped him, saying, ' Lord, have patience with me,
and I will pay thee all.' And the lord of that servant,
being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave
him the debt. But that servant went out, and found
one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred
^ pence ; and he laid hold on him, and took him by the
throat, saying, ' Pay what thou owest.' So his fellow-
servant fell down and besought him, saying, ' Have
patience with me, and I will pay thee.' And he would
not ; but went and cast him into prison, till he should
pay that which was due. So when his fellow-servants
saw what was done, they were exceeding sorty, and
came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then
his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, ' Thou
wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because
thou besoughtest me ; shouldest not thou also have had
mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on
thee ? ' And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the
tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. So shall
"R. V. marg., This lakMit was probably woilh al)out /^240 ($I,200).
•> R. V. marg., The word in the Greek denotes a coin wortii about seven-
teen cents.
Matt. 1 8. 35.] Chronologically ArranCxEd. 661
also my heavenly Father do to you, if ye forgive not
every one his brother from your hearts."
* And as they went in the way, a certain man said unto
him, " I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest."
And Jesus said unto him, " The foxes have holes, and
the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Meaning of
Son of man hath not where to lay his head." shfp!^^®"
And he said unto another, " Follow me."
But he said, " Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my
father."
But he said unto him, " Leave the dead to bury their
own dead ; but go thou and publish abroad the king-
dom of God."
And another also said, " I will follow thee, Lord ; but
first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my
house."
But Jesus said unto him, " No man, having put his
hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the king-
dom of God."
' Luke ix, 57.
CG2 The vSiiorter Bible LJolin 7- 2.
CHAPTER X.
JESUS AT THE FEAST: THE MAN BORN BLIND: THE
GOOD SHEPHERD.
'Now ^ the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles,
was at hand. His brethren therefore said
Jesus' un- , . ^ ^ , , • . t i
believing unto hnn, ' Depart hence, and fro mto J udaea,
that thy disciples also may behold thy works
which thou doest. For no man doeth anything in
secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou
doest these things, manifest thyself to the world." For
even his brethren did not believe on him.
Jesus therefore saith unto them, " My time is not yet
come ; but your time is alway ready. The world cannot
hate you ; but me it hatcth, because I testify of it, that
its works are evil. Go ye up unto the feast ; I go not
up yet unto this feast ; because my time is not yet
fulfilled."
And having said these things unto them, he abode
still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up
unto the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but
as it were in secret.
The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said,
T **!, "Where is he?" And there was much
Jesus at tne ...
feast. murmurmg among the multitudes concernmg
him. Some said, "lie is a good man ;" others said,
" Not so, but he Icadeth the multitude astray." How-
bcit no man spake openly of him for fear of the
Jews."
But when it was now the midst of the feast, Jesus went
up into the temple and taught.
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "Ilowknowcth
this man letters, having never learned? "
Jesus therefore answered them, and said, " My teach-
1 John vii, 2. I ".A.utiinm of A. 1 >. 29.
John 7. 16.] Chronologically Arranged. 663
ing is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will-
eth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether
it be of God, or whether I speak from myself. . . .
Moses hath given you circumcision, and on the sabbath
ye circumcise a man. If a man receiveth circumcision
on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be
broken, are ye wroth with me, because I made a man
every whit whole on the sabbath ? Judge not according
to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
Some therefore of them of Jerusalem said, " Is not
this he whom they seek to kill ? And lo, he speaketh
openly, and they say nothing unto him."
But of the multitude many believed on him ; and they
said, " When the Christ shall come, will he do more
signs than those which this man hath done?"
The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these
things concerning him ; and the chief priests and the
Pharisees sent officers to take him.
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus
stood and cried, saying, " If any man thirst. The water
let him come unto me and drink. He that ofiife.
believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his
belly shall flow rivers of living water."
But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that be-
lieved on him were to receive ; for the Spirit was not yet
given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard
these words, said, " This is of a truth the prophet."
Others said, " This is the Christ." But some said,
" What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee ? Hath not
the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of
David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David
was?" So there arose a division in the multitude be-
cause of him. And some of them would have taken
him ; but no man laid hands on him.
The officers therefore came to the chief priests and
Pharisees; and they said unto them, "Why Amongthe
did ye not bring him ? " Pharisees.
The officers answered, " Never man so spake."
The Pharisees therefore answered them, " Are ye also
led astray ? Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or
664 The Shorter Bible [John 7. 48.
of the Pharisees ? But this multitude which knoweth
not the law are accursed."
Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him be-
fore, being one of them), " Doth our law judge a man,
except it first hear from himself and know what he
doeth?"
They answered and said unto him, "Art thou also of
Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no
prophet."
Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, " I am
Jesus' the light of the world ; he that followeth me
teaching. shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have
the light of life. . . . When ye have lifted up the Son of
man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do
nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak
these things. And he that sent me is with me ; he hath
not left me alone; for I do always the things that are
pleasing to him."
As he spake these things, many believed on him.
Jesus therefore said to those Jews which had believed
him, " If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my dis-
ciples ; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free."
They answered unto him, " We be Abraham's seed,
and have never yet been in bondage to any man ; how
sayest thou, ' Ye shall be made free ? ' "
Jesus answered them, " Verily, verily, I say unto you,
every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of
Concerning sin. . . . If therefore the Son shall make you
cU5m. ^^^' free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye
are Abraham's seed ; yet ye seek to kill me, because my
word hatli not free course in you. I speak the things
which I have seen Avith my Father; and ye also do the
things which ye heard from your father."
They answered and said, " Our father is Abraham."
Jesus saith unto them, " If ye were Abraham's chil-
dren, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye
seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the
Concerning i • , t i . r /- i ^i • i- i
true son- truth, which 1 heard irom God ; this did not
'^' Abraliam, Ye do the works of your father."
They said, " We have one Father, even God."
John 8. 42.] Chronologically Arranged. 665
Jesus said unto them, " If God were your Father, ye
would love me ; for I am come from God ; he sent
me. . . . Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of
your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and there is no truth in him. When
he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own ; for he is a
liar, and the father thereof. But because I say the
truth ye believe me not. Which of you convicteth me
of sin i* If I say truth, why do ye not believe me? He
that is of God heareth the words of God." . . .
The Jews answered and said unto him, " Say we not
well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil ? "
Jesus answered, " I have not a devil ; but I honor my
Father, and ye dishonor me. Verily, verily,
I say unto you, if a man keep my word, he true'ufe.^'^^
shall never see death."
The Jews said unto him, " Now we know that thou
hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets ; and
thou sayest, ' If a man keep my word, he shall never taste
of death.' Art thou greater than our father Abraham,
which is dead? Whom makest thou thyself? "
Jesus answered, ..." Your father Abraham rejoiced to
see my day ; and he saw it, and was glad." The Jews
therefore said unto him, " Thou art not yet fifty years
old, and hast thou seen Abraham ?"
Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you,
before Abraham was, I am."
They took up stones therefore to cast at him ; but
Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.
And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his
birth. And his disciples asked him, " Rabbi,
who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he healed. °^^"
should be born blind?"
Jesus answered, " Neither did this man sin, nor his
parents ; but that the works of God should be made
manifest in him. We must work the works of him that
sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no
man can work. When I am in the world, I am the light
of the world."
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and
45
666 The Shorter Bible [John 9. 6.
made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the
clay, and said unto him, " Go, wash in the pool of Si-
loam " (which is by interpretation, Sent).
He went away, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbors therefore, and they which saw him
aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, " Is not this he
Cross-ques- that sat and begged?" Others said, "It is
tioning. i^g . .. others, " No, but he is like him." He
said, " I am he."
They said therefore unto him, " How then were thine
eyes opened ? "
He answered, " The man that is called Jesus made
clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, ' Go to
Siloam, and wash.' So I went away and washed, and I
received sight."
And they said unto him, " Where is he? "
He saith, " I know not."
They bring to the Pharisees him that aforetime was
blind. Now it was the sabbath on the day when Jesus
made the clay and opened his eyes. Again therefore the
Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight.
And he said unto them, " He put clay upon mine eyes,
and I washed, and do see."
Some therefore of the Pharisees said, " This man is
not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath."
But others said, " How can a man that is a sinner do
such signs?" And there was a division among them.
They say therefore unto the blind man again, " What
sayest thou of him, in that he opened thine eyes?"
And he said, " He is a prophet."
The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him,
that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until
they called the parents and asked them, saying, " Is this
your son, who ye say was born blind? How then doth
he now see? "
His parents answered and said, "We know that this
is our son, and that he was born blind ; but how he now
seeth we know not, or who opened his ej^es we know
not. Ask him ; he is of age ; he shall speak for himself."
These things said his parents, because they feared the
Jews; for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man
John 9. 22.] Chronologically Arranged. 667
should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out
of the synagogue. So they called a second time the
man that was blind, and said unto him, " Give glory to
God ; we know that this man is a sinner."
He therefore answered, " Whether he be a sinner, I
know not ; one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind,
now I see."
They said therefore unto him, " What did he to thee ?
How opened he thine eyes?"
He answered them, " I told you even now, and ye did
not hear; wherefore would ye hear it again? Would ye
also become his disciples?"
And they reviled him, and said, " Thou art his disci-
ple ; but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God
hath spoken unto Moses ; but as for this man, we know
not whence he is."
The man answered and said unto them, " Why, herein
is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he
opened mine eyes. We know that God heareth not sin-
ners; but if any man be a worshiper of God, and do his
will, him he heareth. Since the world began it was
never heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born
blind. If this man were not from God, he could do
nothing."
They answered and said unto him, " Thou wast alto-
gether born in sins, and dost thou teach „ , ^ „
° ., ,, All 1 . Cast out of
us/ And they cast him out. the syna-
Jesus heard they had cast him out ; and find- ^°''^®'
ing him, he said, " Dost thou believe on the Son of God ? "
He answered and said, " And who is he. Lord, that I
may believe on him?"
Jesus said unto him, "Thou hast both seen him, and
he it is that speaketh with thee."
He said, " Lord, I believe." And he worshiped him.
And Jesus said, " For judgment came I into this
world, that they which see not may see ; and that they
which see may become blind."
Those of the Pharisees which were with him heard
these things, and said unto him, " Are we also blind ? "
Jesus said " If ye were blind, ye would have no sin ;
but now ye say, ' We see ;' your sin remaineth.
668 The Shorter Bible [John lo. i,
" Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not
by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up
Concerning some Other way, the same is a thief and a
the good robber. But he that entereth in by the door
shepherd. ., iiiri i t^i- i
IS the shepherd oi the sheep, i o hun the
porter openeth ; and the sheep hear his voice ; and he
calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before
them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his
voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee
from him; for they know not the voice of strangers."
This parable spake Jesus unto them ; but they under-
stood not.
Jesus said unto them again, " Verily, verily, I am the
door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and
shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. The
thief Cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and
destroy; I came that they may have life, and may have
it abundantly. I am the good shepherd ; the good
shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. He that is
a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are
not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep,
and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth
them; he ileeth because he is a hireling, and careth not
for the sheep. I am the good shepherd ; and I know
mine own, and mine own know me, even as the Father
knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down
my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which
are not of this fold ; them also I must bring, and they
shall hear my voice ; and they shall become one flock,
one shepherd. Therefore doth the Father love me, be-
cause I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No
one takcth it away from me, but I lay it down of my-
self. I have power to lay it down, and I have power
to take it again. This commandment received I from
my Father."
There arose a division again among the Jews because
of these words. And many of them said, " He hath a
devil, and is mad ; why hear )'e him ? " Others said,
" These are not the sayings of one possessed with a
devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind.'*"
Lukeio. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 669
CHAPTER XI.
MISSION OF THE SEVENTY: PARABLE OF THE GOOD
SAMARITAN: OTHER TEACHINGS.
* Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy
others, and sent them two and two before his face into
every city and place whither he himself was about to
come. And he said unto them, "The harvest The seventy
is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray sent out.
ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send forth
laborers into his harvest. Go your ways ; behold, I
send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry
no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the
way. And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first
say, ' Peace be to this house.' And in that same house
remain, eating and drinking such things as they give ;
for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from
house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and
they receive you, eat such things as are set before you ;
and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them,
' The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.' He that
heareth you heareth me ; and he that rejecteth you re-
jecteth me ; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that
sent me."
And the seventy returned with joy, saying, " Lord,
even the devils are subject unto us in thy Returning
name." withjoy.
And he said unto them, " I beheld Satan fallen as
lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you au-
thority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over
all the power of the enemy ; and nothing shall in any
wise hurt you. Howbeit in this rejoice not, that the
spirits are subject unto you ; but rejoice that your names
are written in heaven."
' Luke X, I.
670 The Shorter Bible [Luke 10.21.
In that same hour he rejoiced ''in the Holy Spirit, and
said, " I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise
and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes ;
yea, Father, for so it was well pleasing in thy sight.
All things have been delivered unto me of my Father;
and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father;
and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whom-
soever the Son willeth to reveal him."
And turning to the disciples, he said privately,
" Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see;
for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings de-
sired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not ;
and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them
not."
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted
him, saying, " Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal
life?"
And he said unto him, "What is written in the law?
How readest thou?"
And he answering said, " Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy
neighbor as thyself."
And he said unto him, "Thou hast answered right;
this do, and thou shalt live."
But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus made answer and said, " A certain man was
Parable of going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and
the good he fell among robbers, which both stripped
him and beat him, and departed, leaving him
half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going
down that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on
the other side. And in like manner a Levite also, when
he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the
other side. Ikit a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,
came where he was ; and when he saw him, he was
moved with compassion, and came to him, and bound
ii}) his wounds, ptjuring on them oil and wine ; and he
"R. V. man;., Or, by.
Luke 10. 34-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 671
set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn,
and took care of him. And on the morrow he took out
two pence, and gave them to the host, and said, * Take
care of him ; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I,
when I come back again, will repay thee.' Which of
these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him
that fell among the robbers?"
And he said, " He that showed mercy on him."
And Jesus said unto him, " Go, and do thou likewise."
Now as they went on their way, he entered into a
certain village ; and a certain woman named Martha re-
ceived him into her house.. And she had a Mary and
sister called Mary, which also sat at the Martha.
Lord's feet, and heard his word. But Martha was ^cum-
bered about much serving; and she came up to him,
and said, " Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did
leave me to serve alone? Bid her that she help me."
But the Lord answered and said unto her, *' Martha,
Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many
things ; ^ but one thing is needful ; for Mary hath cho-
sen the good part, which shall not be taken away from
her." And it came to pass, as he w^as praying in a certain
place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said
unto him, " Lord, teach us to pray, even as conceTning
John also taught his disciples." prayer.
And he said unto them, "When ye pray, say: Father,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us
d:iy by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins ;
for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is indebted
to us. And bring us not into temptation."
And he said unto them, " Which of you shall have a
friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to
him, ' Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine
is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set
before him ; ' and he from within shall answer and say,
* Trouble me not ; the door is now shut, and my chil-
dren are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee?'
I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him,
" R. V. marg. , Gr. distracted. *" R. V. marg., Many ancient authorities
read, but feiv things are Ht'edfiil, or one.
6Y2 The Shorter Bible [Luke n. 8.
because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity
he will arise and give him as many as he needeth. And
I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you ; seek,
and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you. For everyone that asketh receiveth ; and he that
seekcth findeth ; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his
son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone ; or a fish, and
he for a fish give him a serpent ? Or if he shall ask an
egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye then, being
evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,
how much more shall your heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to them that ask him ? "
' Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with
him ; and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when
the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first
washed before dinner.
And the Lord said unto him, " Now do ye Pharisees
cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter ; but
Concerning your inward part is full of extortion and wick-
reai purity, edness. Ye foolish ones, did not he that
made the outside make the inside also? Howbeit give
for alms those things which are within ; and behold, all
things are clean unto you.
" Ikit woe unto you Pharisees ! For ye tithe mint and
rue and every herb, and pass over judgment and the love
of God ; but these ought ye to have done, and not to
leave the other undone."
And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him,
" * Master, in saying this thou reproachcst us also."
And he said, " Woe unto you lawyers also ! For ye lade
men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye your-
selves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Woe unto you lawyers ! P'or ye took away the key of
knowledge ; ye entered not in yourselves, and them that
were entering in ye hindered."
And when he was come out from thence, the scribes
and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently,
and to provoke him to speak of many things ; la)'ing
wait for him, to catch something out of his mouth.
' Luke xi, 37. | " R. V. marg., Or, Teacher.
Luke 12. 13-] Chronologically Arranged. 673
' And one out of the multitude said unto him,
" Master, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me."
But he said unto him, " Man, who made me a judge
or a divider over you ? "
And he said unto them, " Take heed, and keep your-
selves from all covetousness ; for a man's life consisteth
not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, " The
ground of a certain rich man brought forth concerning
plentifully; and he reasoned within himself, true riches,
saying, ' What shall I do, because I have not where to
bestow my fruits?' And he said 'This will I do: I will
pull down my barns, and build greater ; and there will I
bestow all my corn and my goods. And I will say to
my ^ soul, " Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many
years ; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry." ' But God
said unto him, " Thou foolish one, this night is thy "■ soul
required of thee ; and the things which thou hast pre-
pared, whose shall they be ? ' So is he that layetli up
treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
And he said unto his disciples, " Therefore I say unto
you, be not anxious for your ^ life, what ye shall eat ;
nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. For all
these things do the nations of the world seek after ; but
your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Howbeit seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be
added unto you. Fear not, little flock ; for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell
that ye have, and give alms ; make for yourselves purses
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth
not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth de-
stroyeth. For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.
" Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps
burning ; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for
their lord, when he shall return from the mar- -watchfui-
ria^e feast ; that when he cometh and knock- nessen-
,° , . , , . joined.
eth, they may straightway open unto him.
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he
, ^ , .. I ■'R. V. mare., Or, /i/e. ^ R. V.
' Luke X.., 13. I ^^,g^ Or, sou/.
674 The vShorter Bible [Luke 12. 37.
Cometh shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that
he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat,
and shall come and serve them. And if he shall come
in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them
so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if
the master of the house had known in what hour the
thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have
left his house to be broken through. Be ye also ready;
for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh."
And Peter said, " Lord, speakest thou this parable
unto us, or even unto all?"
And the Lord said, " Who then is the faithful and wise
steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to
give them fheir portion of food in due season ? Blessed
is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find
so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set
him over all that he hath. But if that servant shall say
in his heart, ' My lord delayeth his coming;' and shall
begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and
to eat and drink, and to be drunken, the lord of that
servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and
in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him
asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and made
not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten
with many stripes ; but he that knew not, and did things
worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And
to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be re-
quired ; and to whom they commit much, of him will
they ask the more.
" I came to cast fire upon the earth ; and what will I,
if it is already kindled ? But I have a baptism to be
baptized with ; and how am I straitened till it be accom-
plished! Think ye that I am come to give peace in the
earth? I tell you, nay, but rather division; for there
shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three
against two, and two against three. They shall be di-
vided, father against son, and son against father; mother
against daughter, and daughter against her mother;
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-
in-law against her moLhcr-in-law."
Luke 13. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 6T5
CHAPTER XII.
SHORT TEACHINGS: A MIRACLE: AT THE FEAST OF
DEDICATION : JESUS BEYOND JORDAN : TEACHINGS.
' Now there were some present at that very season
which told him of the GaHlaians, whose blood Pilate
had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered and
said unto them, " Think ye that these Galilaeans were
sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suf-
fered these things? I tell you, nay; but, except ye re-
pent, ye shall all in like manner perish. Or those eight-
een, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and -^ ^^^.^
killed them, think ye that they were offenders
above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you,
nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
And he spake this parable :
" A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard ;
and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. And
he said unto the vinedresser, ' Behold, these three years I
come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it
down; why doth it also cumber the ground ? ' And he
answering saith unto him, ' Lord, let it alone this year
also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it ; and if it bear
fruit thenceforth, well ; but if not, thou shalt cut it
down.' "
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the
sabbath day. And behold, a woman which had a spirit
of infirmity eighteen years; and she was Abentwo-
bowed together, and could in no wise lift ^fthe^^ab-
herself up. bath.
And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to
her, " Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity."
And he laid his hands upon her; and immediately she
was made straight, and glorified God.
' Luke xiii, i.
67Q . The Shorter Bible [Luke 13. 14.
And the ruler of the synagogue, being moved with
indignation because Jesus had healed on the sabbath,
answered and said to the multitude, " There are six
days in which men ought to work ; in them therefore
come and be healed, and not on the day of the sabbath."
But tiie Lord answered him, and said, " Ye hypocrites,
doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or
his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering ?
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have
been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath ? "
And as he said these things, all his adversaries were
put to shame ; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the
glorious things that were done by him.
' And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem ;
it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in
Solomon's porch.
The Jews therefore cam.e round about him, and said
unto' him, " How long dost thou hold us in suspense?
Jesus at the ^^ ^hou art the Christ, tell us plainly."
feast of dedi- Tesus answered them, " I told you, and ye
cation. ;'. 1 , T , .
believe not, i he works that 1 do ni my
Father's name, these bear witness of me. But ye believe
not, because ye are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my
voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give
unto them eternal life ; and they shall never perish, and
no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father,
which hath given them unto me, is greater than all ; and
no one is able to snatch '-'■ them out of the Father's hand.
I and the Father are one."
The Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Jesus answered them, " Many good works have I
showed you from the Father ; for which of those works
do ye stone me?"
The Jews answered him, " For a good work we stone
thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou,
being a man, makest thyself God."
Jesus answered, ..." If I do not the works of my
Father, believe me not. lint if I do ihem, though ye
believe not me, believe the works ; that ye may know
'John X, 22. I » K. \'. marg., Or, aught.
John lo. 38.] Chronologically Arranged. 677
and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the
Father."
And he went away again beyond Jordan into the place
where John was at the first baptizing ; and there he
abode. And many came unto him ; and they said,
"John indeed did no sign; but all things whatsoever
John spake of this man were true." And many believed
on him there.
' And he went on his way through cities and villages,
teaching, and journeying on unto Jerusalem.
And one said unto him, "Lord, are they few that be
saved ? "
And he said unto them, " Strive to enter in by the
narrow door ; for many, I say unto you, shall seek to
enter in, and shall not be able. When once salvation
the master of the house is risen up, and hath ^^r\^
shut to the door, and ye begin to stand with-
out, and to knock at the door, saying, ' Lord, open to
us ; ' and he shall answer and say to you, ' I know you
not whence ye are ; ' then shall ye begin to say, ' We
did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach
in our streets; ' and he shall say, ' I tell you, I know not
Avhence ye are ; depart from me, all ye workers of iniq-
uity.' There shall be the weeping and gnashing of
teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,
and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and your-
selves cast forth without. And they shall come from the
east and west, and from the north and south, and shall
sit down in the kingdom of God. And behold, there are
last which shall be first, and there are first which shall
be last."
In that very hour there came certain Pharisees, saying
to him, " Get thee out, and go hence ; for jesus
Herod would fain kill thee." warned.
And he said unto them, "Go and say to that fox,
behold, I cast out devils and perform cures to-day and
to-morrow, and the third day I am perfected. Howbeit
I must go on my way to-day and to-morrow and the day
following ; for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of
Jerusalem."
^ Luke xiii, 22.
678 The Shorter Bible [Luke. 14. i.
And it came to pass, when he went into the house of
one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a sabbath to eat
bread, that they were watching him. And behold, there
Thedropsi- ^^'^^ before him a certain man which had the
caiman dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto
the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, " Is it law-
ful to heal on the sabbath, or not? "
But they held their peace. And he took him, and
healed him, and let him go.
And he said unto them, "Which of you shall have an
ass or an ox fallen into a well, and will not straightway
draw him up on a sabbath day? "
And they could not answer again unto these things.
And he spake a parable unto those which were bidden,
when he marked how they chose out the chief seats ;
r. saying unto them, " When thou art bidden
Concerning / ■ r •
humility. of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down
in the chief seat ; lest haply a more honorable man than
thou be bidden of him, and he that bade thee and him
shall come and say to thee, ' Give this man place ; ' and
then thou shalt begin with shame to take the lowest place.
But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest
place, that when he that hath bidden thee cometh, he
may say to thee, ' Friend, go up higher.' Then shalt
thou have glory in the presence of all that sit at meat
with thee. For every one that exalteth himself shall be
humbled ; and he that humbleth himself shall be ex-
alted."
And he said to him also that had bidden him, " When
The best thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not
guests. t]iy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kins-
men, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee
again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou
makest a feast, bid the poor, and maimed, the lame, the
blind ; and thou shalt be blessed, because they have not
wherewith to recompense thee ; for thou shalt be recom-
pensed in the resurrection of the just."
And when one of them that sat at meat with him
heard these thing, she said unto him, " Blessed is he that
shall eat bread in the kingdom of God."
But he said unto him, " A certain man made a great
Luke 14. i6.] Chronologically Arranged. 679
supper ; and he bade many ; and he sent forth his servant
at supper time to say to them that were Parable of
bidden, ' Come ; for ah things ajre now ready.' the great
A J ^1 11-1 ^ • , •' supper.
And they all with one consent began to
make excuse. The first said, ' I have bought a field, and
I must needs go out and see it ; I pray thee have me ex-
cused.' And another said, ' I have bought five yoke of
oxen, and I go to prove them ; I pray thee have me ex-
cused.' And another said, * I have married a wife, and
therefore I cannot come.' And the servant came and
told his lord these things. Then the master of the
house being angry said to his servant, * Go out quickly
into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither
the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the
servant said, ' Lord, what thou didst command is done,
and yet there is room.' And the lord said unto the
servant, ' Go out into the highways and hedges, and con-
strain them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you that none of those men which were
bidden shall taste of my supper.' "
Now there went with him great multitudes ; and he
turned and said unto them, "If any man comcth unto
me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, costofdis-
and his own life also, he cannot be my dis- cipieship.
ciple. Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and
come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you,
desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and
count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete
it? Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is
not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him,
saying, ' This man began to build, and was not able to
finish.' Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another
king in \var, will not sit down first and take counsel
whether he is able with ten tliousand to meet him that
cometh against him with twenty thousand ? Or else,
while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an am-
bassage, and asketh conditions of peace. So therefore
whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he
hath, he cannot be my disciple."
680 The vSiiorter Bible [Luke 15. i.
CHAPTER XIII.
A GROUP OF PARABLES.
* Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near
unto him for to hear him. And both the Pharisees and
the scribes murmured, saying, *' This man receiveth sin-
ners, and eateth with them."
And he spake unto them this parable, saying, " What
The lost ^^'^^'^ of you, having a hundred sheep, and
sheep. having lost one of them, doth not leave the
ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that
which is lost, until he find it ? And when he hath found
it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when
he Cometh home, he calleth together his friends and
his neighbors, saying unto them, ' Rejoice with me, for
I have found my sheep which was lost.' I say unto you,
that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine right-
eous persons, which need no repentance.
" Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she
The lost lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and
^°^^^- sweep the house, and seek diligently until she
find it ? And when she hath found it, she calleth to-
gether her friends and neighbors, saying, ' Rejoice with
me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.' Even
so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
And he said, "A certain man had two sons; and the
Theprodi- youuger of them said to his father, ' P^ather,
gal son. giyg ii^g ^i^Q portion of thy substance that
falleth to me.' And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all
together, and took his journey into a far country ; and
there he wasted his substance with riotous living. And
' Luke XV, I.
Luke 15. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 681
when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in
that country ; and he began to be in want. And he
went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that
country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he would fain have been filled with ^ the husks that
the swine did eat ; and no man gave unto him. But
when he came to himself, he said, * How many hired
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare,
and I perish here with hunger ! I will arise and go
to my father, and I will say unto him : Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight ; I am no more
worthy to be called thy son ; make me as one of thy hired
servants.' And he arose, and came to his father. But
while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was
moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and
^kissed him. And the son said unto him, 'Father, I
have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight ; I am no
more worthy to be called thy son.' But the father said
to his servants, * Bring forth quickly the best robe, and
put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on
his feet; and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us
eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is
alive again ; he was lost, and is found.' And they began
to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field ; and
as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music
and dancing. And he called to him one of the servants,
and inquired what these things might be. And he said
unto him, ' Thy brother is come ; and thy father hath
killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe
and sound.' But he was angry, and would not go in ;
and his father came out and intreated him. But he
answered and said to his father, ' Lo, these many years
do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a command-
ment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that
I might make merry with my friends ; but when this thy
son came, which hath devoured thy living with harlots,
thou killedst for him the fatted calf.' And he said unto
him, * Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine
is thine. But it was meet to make merry and be glad ;
" R. V. maig., Gr, the pods of the carob tree. ^ R. V. marg., Gr. kissed
him much.
46
682 The Shorter Bible [Luke 15.32.
for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again ; and
was lost, and is found.' "
And he said also unto the disciples, " There was a cer-
„, , ,, tain rich man, which had a steward ; and the
The worldly- ' i • i i
wise stew- same was accused unto him that he was wast-
ing his goods. And he called him, and said
unto him, ' What is this that I hear of thee ? Render
the account of thy stewardship ; for thou canst be no
longer steward.' And the steward said within himself,
* What shall I do, seeing that my lord taketh away the
stewardship from me? I have not strength to dig; to
beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when
I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me
into their houses.' And calling to him each one of his
lord's debtors, he said to the first, ' How much owestthou
unto my lord ?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of
oil.' And he said unto him, ' Take thy bond, and sit
down quickly and write fifty.' Then said he to another,
'And how much owest thou?' And he said, 'A hun-
dred measures of wheat.' He saith unto him, ' Take thy
bond, and write fourscore.' And his lord commended
the unrighteous steward '^because he had done wisely;
for the sons of this world are for their own generation
wiser than the sons of the light. And I say unto you,
make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of
unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may
receive you into the eternal tabernacles. Pie that is
faithful in a very little is faithful also in much ; and he
that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in
much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the un-
righteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the
true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that
which is another's, who will give you that which is your
own ? No servant can serve two masters ; for either he
will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold
to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon."
And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard
all these things; and they scoffed at him. And he said
unto them, " Now there was a certain rich man, and he
" But not for his unrighteousness.
Luke i6. 19-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 683
was clothed in purple and fine linen, ''faring sumptu-
ously every day; and a certain beggar named The rich
Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and man and
... ^, -11 1 irii Lazarus.
desn'uig to be fed with the crumbs that tell
from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs came and
licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar
died, and that he was carried away by the angels into
Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died, and was
buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in tor-
ments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom. And he cried and said, ' Father Abraham, have
mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip
of his finger in water, and cool my tongue ; for I am in
anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, ' Son, re-
member that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good
things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now
here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish. And be-
side all this, between us and you there is a great gulf
fixed, that they which would pass from hence to you
may not be able, and that none may cross over from
thence to us.' And he said, ' I pray thee therefore, father,
that thou wouldest send him to my father's house ; for
I have five brethren ; that he may testify unto them, lest
they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham
saith, ' They have Moses and the prophets ; let them
hear them.' And he said, ' Nay, father Abraham ; but if
one go to them from the dead, they will repent.' And he
said unto him, ' If they hear not Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if one rise from the dead."
And he said unto his disciples, " It is impossible but
that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto
him, through whom they come! It were well for him if
a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were
thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause
one of these little ones to stumble."
And the apostles said unto the Lord, " Increase our
faith."
And the Lord said, "If ye have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, ye w.ould say unto this sycamine tree,
"R. V. mavg., Or, living in mirth and splendor every day.
684 The vShorter Bible [Luke 17. 6.
'Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea;'
and it would have obeyed you. But who is there of you,
having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say
unto him, when he is come in from the field, ' Come
straightway and sit down to meat ; ' and will not rather
say unto him, * Make ready wherewith I may sup, and
gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken ;
and afterward thou shalt eat and drink ? ' Doth he
thank the servant because he did the things that were
commanded? Even so ye also, when ye shall have done
all these things that are commanded you, say, ' We are
unprofitable servants ; we have done that which it was
our duty to do.' "
John 1 1. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 685
CHAPTER XIV.
LAZARUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD: A PLOT AND A
PROPHECY : TEN LEPERS CLEANSED : TEACHINGS
AND PARABLES.
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of
the village of Mary and her sister Martha. And it was
that Mary which anointed the Lord with oint- _ ,
ment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose sicknessand
brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters there-
fore sent unto him, saying, " Lord, behold, he whom thou
lovest is sick."
But when Jesus heard it, he said, " This sickness is not
unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God
may be glorified thereby."
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at
that time two days in the place where he was.
Then after this he saith to the disciples, " Let us go
into Judsea again."
The disciples say unto him, " Rabbi, the Jews were but
now seeking to stone thee ; and goest thou thither again ?"
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the
day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, be-
cause he seeth the light of this world. But if a man
walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not
in him."
These things spake he ; and after this he saith unto
them, " Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep ; but I go, that
I may awake him out of sleep."
The disciples therefore said unto him, " Lord, if he is
fallen asleep, he will recover."
Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, " Lazarus
is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not
'John xi, I.
686 The Shorter Bible ijohn n. 15.
there, to the intent ye may believe ; nevertheless let us
go unto him."
Thomas tlierefore, who is called ■'■ Didymus, said unto
his fellow-disciples, " Let us also go, that we may die
with him."
So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the
tomb four days already.
Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen
furlongs off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha
and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.
Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was com-
ing, went and met him ; but Mary still sat in the house.
Martha therefore said unto Jesus, " Lord, if thou hadst
been here, my brother had not died. And even now I
know that whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will
give thee."
Jesus saith unto her, " Thy brother shall rise again."
Martha saith unto him, " I know that he shall rise
again in the resurrection at the last day."
Jesus said unto her, " I am the resurrection, and the
life ; he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall
he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall
never die. Believest thou this?"
She saith unto him, "Yea, Lord ; I have believed that
thou art the Christ, the Son of God, even he that cometh
into the world."
And when she had said this, she went away, and called
Mary her sister secretly, saying, " The Master is here,
and calleth thee." And she, when she heard it, arose
quickly, and went unto him. (Now Jesus was not yet
come into the village, but was still in the place where
Martha met him.)
The Jews then which were with her in the house, and
were comforting her, when they saw Mary, that she rose
up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that
she was going unto the tomb to weep there.
Mary therefore, when she came where Jesus was, and
saw him, fell down at his feet, saying unto him, " Lord,
if thou hadst been here, my brother had not dietl."
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews
"R. \'. inarg., Thai is Twin.
John 1 1. 33-] Chronologically Arranged. 687
also weeping which came with her,he groaned in the spirit,
and was troubled, and said, " Where have ye laid him ? "
They say unto him, " Lord, come and see."
Jesus wept.
The Jews therefore said, " Behold how he loved him ! "
But some of them said, " Could not this man, which
opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that
this man also should not die? "
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to
the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
Jesus saith, " Take ye away the stone."
Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him,
*' Lord, he hath been dead four days."
Jesus saith unto her, " Said I not unto thee, that, if
thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God ? "
So they took away the stone.
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, " Father, I
thank thee that thou heardest me. And I knew that
thou hearest me always; but because of the multitude
which standeth around I said it, that they may believe
that thou didst send me."
And w4ien he had thus spoken, he cried ^
with a loud voice, " Lazarus, come forth !" raised from
tllG 0.62,0.
He that was dead came forth, bound hand
and foot with graveclothes ; and his face was bound
about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, "Loose
him, and let him go."
Many therefore of the Jews, which came to Mary and
beheld that which he did, believed on him. But some
of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the
things which Jesus had done.
The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered
a council, and said, ''What do we? for this man doeth
many signs. If we let him thus alone, all men will be-
lieve on him ; and the Romans will come and take away
both our place and our nation."
But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest
that year, said unto them, " Ye know nothing
at all, nor do ye take account that it is ex- unconscfous
pedient for you that one man should die for Prophecy,
the people, and that the whole nation perish not."
688 The vShorter Bible [John n. 51.
Now this he said not of himself; but being high priest
that year, he prophesied tliat Jesus should die for the
nation ; and not for the nation only, but that he might
also gather together into one the children of God that
are scattered abroad. So from that day forth they took
counsel that they might put him to death.
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the
Jews, but departed thence into a city called Ephraim, near
the wilderness ; and there he tarried with the disciples.
' And it carne to pass, as they were on the way to Jeru-
salem, that he was passing through the midst of Samaria
and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village.
The lepers there met him ten men that were lepers, which
cleansed. stood afar off ; and they lifted up their voices,
saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."
And when he saw them, he said unto them, "Go and
show yourselves unto the priests."
And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed,
turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God ; and he
fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks; and he
was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, " Were not the ten cleansed ?
But where are the nine? Were there none found that
returned to give glory to God, save this stranger?"
And he said unto him, "Arise, and go thy way; thy
faith hath made thee whole."
And being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom
of God Cometh, he answered them and said, " The king-
dom of God Cometh not with observation ; neither shall
they say, ' Lo, here ! ' or, ' There ! ' for lo, the kingdom
of God is '^ within you."
And he said unto the disciples, " The days will come
when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son
of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to
Wonderful 70". ' Lo, there ! Lo, here ! ' Go not away,
teachings. nor follow after them ; for as the lightning,
when it lightencth out of the one part under the heaven,
shineth unto the other part under heaven ; so shall the
' Luke xvii, ii. | " R.V. marg., Or, in the midst of you.
Liik<- 17. 2,|.| ('iii<(»N()i,()(;i<;y\i.i,v A KKAN(;i';i). <5S!)
Son of man he in his day. Ihit hisl nmsl hcsnffcr many
tiiinj.rs and he rejected (jf this ^eiiei al ion. And as it
canu: to [)ass in tiie days of Noali, even so siiali it hi: also
in the days of the Son of man. 'I'hcy ate, t iiey (hank,
they married, they were }.;iven in marriage, until ihe day
that Noih entered into the ark, and llu; Hoods came
and destroyed them all. Likewise even as it came to
pass in the days of Lot; they ate, they draidc, they
b(Mi!',hl, they sold, they ])laMti(h ihcy huildcd ; hut in
the ckiy that Lot went out from .Sodom it rained (ire and
brimstone irom heaven, and dcstioycd them all; alter
the same manner shall it be in the day that the Son of
man is revealed. In that day he which shall be on lliir
housetop, and his ^oods in the hou'.e, let him not ^u)
down to lakt: them away; and let him that is in the field
likewise not return back. Remember Lot'.s wife. Wiio-
soevcr shall seek to ^ain his life shall hjse it ; but who-
.soever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I say unto
you, in that ni^ht thert; shall be two men on one bed ;
the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
There shall be two women i^rindin^f tofa-tluM' ; the on(?
shaH be taken, and the other shall be left."
And he spake a i)arable imto them to the (.-nd that
they ought always to pray, and ntjt to faint, .saying,
" There was in a city a judge, which feared p.irubioH:
not God, and regarded not man ; and there I'll',',.'"','""'
was a widow in that city ; and she came oft wkIow.
unto him, saying, ' "■ Avenge me of mine adversary.' And
he w<jul(l not for a while ; but afterward he said within
himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet
because this widcnv troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest
she wear me out by her continual coming.' " And the
Lord said, " Hear what the unrighteous judge saith. And
shall not (iod avenge his elect, which cry 1o him day
and nijdit, and lu; is longsuffering over them? I say
unto you that he will avenge tliem sfjeedily. llowbtMt
when the Son of man cometh, shall he find '' faith on the
earth ?"
And he spake also this parable unto certain which
" l\. V. iiKUj^., Or, lh> inr jii\ti(C of ; ;\w\ so in 111'' |)l:ii:cs ix-low wlicrc
tli(! won! occurs. '' K. V. in.-irj^., Or, the fuilh.
090 The Shorter Bible [Luke 18.9.
trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set
T'v, -Di. ^il others at naught : " Two men went up into
The Phan- => t-.i • i
see and the temple to pray; the one a rhansee, and
the other a pubhcan. The Pharisee stood
and prayed thus with himself, ' God, I thank tliee that I
am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adul-
terers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the
week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the publican,
standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes
unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, ' God, be
merciful to me a ''sinner.' I say unto you, this man
went down to his house justified rather than the other ;
for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled ;
but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
' And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these
words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the
borders of Judaea beyond Jordan; and great multitudes
followed him ; and he healed them there.
And there came unto him Pharisees, tempting him,
Concerning '^'"'^1 saying, " Is it lawful for a man to put
divorce. away his wife for every cause? "
And he answered and said, " Have ye not read that
he which made them from the beginning made them male
and female, and said, ' For this cause shall a man leave
his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife ; and
the twain shall become one flesh ? ' So that they are
no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder."
They say unto him, " Why then did Moses command
to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?"
He saith unto them, " Moses for your hardness of
heart suffered you to put away your wives ; but from the
beginning it hath not been so. And I say unto you,
whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornica-
tion, and shall marry another, committeth adulter}- ; and
he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth
adultery."
^Ancl they brought unto him little children, that he
should touch them ; and the disciples rebuked them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation,
' MaU. xix, I. " Mark x, 13. | » R. V. marg., Or, ///<• sinner.
Mark lo. 14.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 691
and said unto them, " Suffer the httle children to come
unto me ; forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom
of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in
no wise enter therein." And he took them in his arms
and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.
092 The vSiiorter Bible [Matt. 19. 16.
CHAPTER XV.
THE RICH YOUNG RULER: PARABLES AND TEACHINGS:
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY.
' And behold, °a certain ruler ^ came to him and said,
Jesus and "Master, what good thing shall I do, that
young man. I may liave eternal life?"
And he said unto him, " Why askest thou me concern-
ing that which is good ? One there is who is good ; but
if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the command-
ments."
The young man " said unto him, " Master, all these
things have I observed from my youth."
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto
him, " One thing thou lackest ; go, sell whatsoever thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure
in heaven ; and come, follow me."
But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went
away sorrowful ; for he was one that had great pos-
sessions.
And Jesus looked round about, and saith.unto his
disciples, " How hardly shall they that have riches enter
into the kingdom of God ! "
And the disciples were amazed at his words.
But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them,
" Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to
enter into the kingdom of God ! It is easier for a camel
to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of God."
And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto
him, " Then who can be saved ? "
Jesus looking upon them saith, " With men it is im-
possible, but not with God ; for all things are possible
with God."
'Matt, xix, 16. '-' Luke xviii, i8. \Matt. xix, i6. ■* .^Iark x, 20.
Mark lo. 28.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 693
Peter began to say unto him, " Lo, we have left all,
and have followed thee."
Jesus said, " Verily I say unto you, there is no man
that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters,
or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for following
my sake, and for the gospel's sake, but he ^^"st-
shall receive a hujidredfold now in this time, houses, and
brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and
lands, with persecutions ; and in the world to come
eternal life. But many that are first shall be last ; and
the last first.
" ' For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is
a householder, which went out early in the parable of
morning to hire laborers into his vineyard, theiaborers.
And when he had agreed with the laborers for a '"^ penny
a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went
out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the
market place idle ; and to them he said, ' Go ye also into
the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.'
And they went their way. Again he went out about the
sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And
about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others
standing ; and he saith unto them, ' Why stand ye here
all the day idle?' They say unto him, 'Because no
man hath hired us.' He saith unto them, ' Go ye also
into the vineyard.' And when even was come, the lord
of the vineyard saith unto his steward, ' Call the laborers
and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto
the first.' And when they came that were hired about
the eleventh hour, they received every man a "" penny.
And when the first came, they supposed that they would
receive more ; and they likewise received every man a
"^ penny. And when they received it, they murmured
against the householder, saying, ' These last have spent
but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us,
which have borne the burden of the day and the scorch-
ing heat.' But he answered and said to one of them,
' Friend, I do thee no wrong ; didst not thou agree with
me for a " penny ? Take up that which is thine, and go
' Matt XX I I " R. V. marg., The Roman dena-
' ■ rius, about seventeen cents.
694 The vShorter Bible [Matt. 20. 14.
thy way ; it is my will to give unto this last, even as
unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will
with mine own ; or is thine eye evil, because I am good ? '
So the last shall be first, and the first last."
And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the
twelve disciples apart, and in the way he said
fi:^on^fbre- unto them, " Behold, we go wp to Jerusalem ;
told. ^|-|j j-j^g gQj-i Q^ j^-j^j^ shall be delivered unto
the chief priests and scribes ; and they shall condemn
him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles to
mock, and to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day
he shall be raised up."
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee,
True great- with her SOUS ' James and John, ^ worship-
ness taught, jj^g him, and asking a certain thing of him.
And he said unto her, " What wouldest thou ? "
She saith unto him, " Command that these my two
sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left
hand, in thy kingdom."
But Jesus answered, " Ye know not what ye ask. Are
ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink ? "
And they say unto him, " We are able."
He saith unto them, " My cup indeed ye shall drink ;
but to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not
mine to give, but it is for them for whom it hath been
prepared of my Father."
And when the ten heard it, they were moved with
indignation concerning the two brethren.
But Jesus called them unto, him, and said, " Yc know
that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over thcni, and
their great ones exercise authority over them. Not so
shall it be among you ; but whosoever would become
great among you shall be your "■ minister ; and whoso-
ever would be first among you shall be your ^ servant ;
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered
unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many."
*And he entered and was passing through Jericho.
' Mark x, 35. '* Luke xix, i. I " R.V. marg., Or, st-rT/in/. '' U.V.
'Matt. XX, 20. I marg., Gr. bondsen>ant.
Luke 19. 2.] Chronologically Arranged. 695
And behold, a man called by name Zacchseus ; and he was
a chief publican, and he was rich. And he zaccheeus
soui^ht to see Jesus who he was ; and could and Jesus,
not for the crowd, because he was little of stature. And
he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to
see him ; for he was to pass that way.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and
said unto him, "Zacchseus, make haste and come down ;
f(jr to-day I must abide at thy house."
And he made haste, and came down, and received him
joyfully.
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying,
" He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner."
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, " Be-
hold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor ; and
if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore
fourfold."
And Jesus said unto him, "To-day is salvation come
to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which
was lost."
And as they heard these things, he added and spake
a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, parable of
and because they supposed that the kingdom t^^e pounds,
of God was immediately to appear.
He said therefore, " A certain nobleman went into a
far country, to receive to himself a kingdom, and to
return. And he called ten ^ servants of his, and gave
them ten pounds, and said unto them, ' Trade ye here-
with till I come.' But his citizens hated him, and sent an
ambassage after him, saying, ' We will not that this man
reign over us.' And it came to pass, when he was come
back again, having received the kingdom, that he com-
manded these ^ servants, unto whom he had given the
money, to be called to him, that he might know what
they had gained by trading. And the first came before
him, saying, * Lord, thy pound hath made ten pounds
more.' And he said unto him, 'Well done, thou good
servant ; because thou wast found faithful in a very little,
have thou authority over ten cities.' And the second
" R. V. marg. , Gr. bondservants.
()96 The Shorter Bible [Luke 19. 18.
came, saying, 'Thy pound. Lord, hath made five
pounds.' And he said unto him also, * Be thou also
over five cities.' And another came, saying, ' Lord, be-
hold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a
napkin ; for I feared thee, because thou art an austere
man ; thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and
reapest that thou didst not sow.' He saith unto him,
' Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked
servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, tak-
ing up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not
sow? Then wherefore gavest thou not my money into
the bank, and I at my coming should have required it
with interest ? ' And he said unto them that stood by,
' Take away from him the pound, and give it unto him that
hath the ten pounds.' And they said unto him, ' Lord,
he hath ten pounds.' 'I say unto you, that unto every
one that hath shall be given ; but from him that hath
not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from
him. Howbeit these -mine enemies, which would not
that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay
them before me.' "
' And they come to Jericho ; and as he went out from
Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son
of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by
the wayside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of
Bartimaeus Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, " Je-
heaied. gus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."
And many rebuked him, that he should hold his peace ;
but he cried out the more a great deal, " Thou son of
David, have mercy on me."
And Jesus stood still, and said, "Call ye him."
And they call the blind man, saying unto him, " Be of
good cheer; rise, he calleth thee."
And he, casting away his garment, sprang up, and
came to Jesus.
And Jesus answered him, and said, " What wilt thou
that I should do unto thee?"
And the blind man said unto him, " Rabboni, that I
may receive my sight."
' Mark x, 46.
Mark lo. 52.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 697
And Jesus said unto him, " Go thy way ; thy faith
hath made thee whole."
And straightway he received his sight, and followed
him in the way.
' Now the passover of the Jews was at hand ; and
many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before
the passover, to purify themselves. They sought there-
fore for Jesus, and spake one with another, as they stood
in the temple, " What think ye? That he will not come
to the feast? "
Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given
commandment that, if any man knew where he was, he
should show it, that they might take him.
Jesus therefore *six days before the passover came to
Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus jesusat
raised from the dead. The common people Bethany.
therefore learned that he was there ; and they came, not
for Jesus* sake only, but that they might see Lazarus
also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief
priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to
death ; because that by reason of him many of the Jews
went away, and believed on Jesus.
'And it came to pass, ^ when he drew nigh unto Beth-
phage and Bethany, at the mount that is called the
mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying,
" Go your way into the village over against you; in the
which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no
man ever yet sat ; loose him, and bring him. And if
anyone ask you, * Why do ye loose him ? ' thus shall ye
say, 'The Lord hath need of him.' "
And they that were sent went away, and found even
as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the
colt, the owners thereof said unto them, " Why loose ye
the colt?'' And they said, "The Lord hath need of
him."
And they brought him to Jesus ; and they threw their
garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon ; ' as it is
' John xi, 55. ^ John xii, 14. I „ r. , am i. t^ 1 <;• 1 >.
if ^ ^ ■ „ "Sunday, April 2, " Palm Sunday.
■* Luke XIX, 2g. | ji f 1 j
* The weight of authority fixes this date as Friday, March 31, A. D. 30.
See foot-note, page 591.
47
698
The Shorter Bible
[Luke 19. 26.
written, " Fear not, daughter of Zion ; behold, thy King
Triumphal cometh, sitting on an ass's colt."
entry into 'And as he went, they spread their gar-
Jerusalem. „ , • ,1
ments in the way.
And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent
of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the dis-
ciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice
for all the mighty works which they had seen, saying,
'* Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the
Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."
And ''a great multitude that had come to the feast,
when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to
meet him, and cried out, " Hosanna! Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of
Israel."
^ And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said
unto him, " Master, rebuke thy disciples."
And he answered and said, " I tell you that, if these
shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out."
* These things understood not his disciples at the first ;
but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they
that these things were written of him, and that they had
done these things unto him.
The multitude therefore that was with him when he
called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the
dead, bare witness. For this cause also the multitude
went and met him, for that they heard that he had done
this sign.
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, " Be-
hold how ye prevail nothing; lo, the world is gone after
him."
' And Avhen he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept
over it, saying, "''If thou hadst known in this day, even
"Weeping thou, the things which belong unto peace!
over Jerusa- But now they are hid from thine eyes. For
the days shall come upon thee when thine
enemies shall cast up a bank about thee, and compass
' Luke xix, 36. ■'John xii, 16.
^ Jolm xii, 12. •■'Luke xix, 41.
' Luke xix, 39.
"R. V. marg. , Or, O that thou
hadst known.
Luke 19. 44.] Chronologically Arranged. 699
thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall
dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee;
and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another,
because thou knevvest not the time of thy visitation."
'And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city
was stirred, saying, *' Who is this?"
And the multitudes said, " This is the prophet, Jesus,
from Nazareth of Galilee."
And the blind and the lame came to him in the tem-
ple ; and he healed them.
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the
wonderful things that he did, and the children that were
crying in the temple and saying, " Hosanna to Hosannas of
the son of David," they were moved with the children,
indignation, and said unto him, " Hearest thou what
these are saying? "
And Jesus saith unto them, "Yea; did ye never read,
' Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast per-
fected praise ? ' "
And he left them, and went forth out of the city to
Bethany, and lodged there.
' Matt, xxi, 10.
TOO The Shorter Bible [Matt. 21. i8.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE TEMPLE CLEANSED: THE INQUIRING GREEKS:
THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN : PARABLES AND TEACH-
INGS : EFFORTS TO ENTANGLE JESUS.
Now •'- in the morning as he returned to the city, he
hungered. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he
came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only;
and he saith unto it, " Let there be no fruit from thee
henceforward forever."
'And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast
The temple ^^^ '^^^ them that sold and bought in the
cleansed. temple, and overthrew the tables of the
money changers, and the seats of them that sold the
doves; and he saith unto them, "It is written, 'My
house shall be called a house of prayer; ' but ye make it
a den of robbers."
'And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the
chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of
the people sought to destroy him ; and they could not
find what they might do ; for the people all hung upon
him, listening,
" Now there were certain Greeks among those that
Theinquir- Went up to worship at the feast ; these there-
mg Greeks, [q^^^ came to Philip, wliich was of Bethsaida
of Galilee, and asked him, saying, " Sir, we would see
Jesus." Philip cometh and telleth Andrew; Andrew
Cometh, and Philip, and they tell Jesus.
And Jesus answereth them, saying, "The hour is
Jesus will come that the Son of man should be glorified.
seifTo^the' Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a grain
when^Mift- °^ wheat fall into the earth and die, it abid-
ed up." cth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth
much fruit. He that loveth his life loseth it ; and he
' Matt, xxi, 12. ' John xii, 20. I »at j a -i
'Lukexix, 47. I "Monday. April 5.
John 12. 25.J Chronologically Arranged. 701
that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life
eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me ;
and where I am there shall also my servant be ; if any
man serve me, him will the Father honor. Now is my
soul troubled ; and what shall I say? Father, save me
from this* hour. But for this cause came I unto this
hour. Father, glorify thy name."
There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying,
" I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
The multitude therefore, that stood by, ^,
and heard it, said that it had thundered ; from
1 • 1 w A 111 1 , 1 • " heaven.
Others said, "An angel hath spoken to nun.
Jesus answered and said, " This voice hath not come
for my sake, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment
of this world ; now shall the prince of this world be cast
out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw
all men unto myself."
But this he said, signifying by what manner of death
he should die.
The multitude therefore answered him, " We have
heard out of the law that the Christ abideth forever ; and
how sayest thou, 'The Son of man must be lifted up?'
Who is this Son of man ? "
Jesus therefore said unto them, "Yet a little while is
the light among you. Walk while ye have the light,
that darkness overtake you not ; and he that walketh in
the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye
have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become
sons of light."
These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid
himself from them. But though he had done so many
signs before them, yet they believed not on him. Never-
theless even of the rulers many believed on him ; but
because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest
they should be put out of the synagogue ; for they loved
the glory of men more than the glory of God.
And Jesus cried and said, " He that believeth on me,
believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he
that beholdeth me beholdeth him that sent me. I am
come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on
* R. V. marg., Or, hour?
702 The Shorter Bible [John 12.46.
me may not abide in the darkness. And if any man
hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not ;
for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings,
hath one that judgeth him ; the word that I spake, the
same shall judge him in the last day. For I spake not
from myself; but the Father which sent me, he hath
given me a commandment, what I should say, and what
I should speak. And I know that his commandment is
life eternal ; the things therefore which I speak, even as
the Father hath said unto me, so I speak."
' And every evening he went forth out of the city.
The fig tree And as they passed by Mn the morning,
withered. they saw the fig tree withered away from
the roots. ^ And when the disciples saw it, they mar-
veled, saying, " How did the fig tree immediately wither
away? "
And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Verily I
say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall
not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye
shall say unto this mountain, ' Be thou taken up and
cast into the sea,' it shall be done. And all things,
whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
' And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was
teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the
gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the
, ^ scribes with the elders ; and they spake, say-
The chief . , . ., ^t- n i i ^ ^i -i.
priests nig unto hmi, " 1 ell us; by what authority
silenced. ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^j^^^^ things ? Or who is he that
gave thee this authority? "
And he answered and said unto them, ** I also will ask
you a question, and tell me ; the baptism of John, was
it from heaven, or from men?"
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, " If we
shall say, ' From heaven,' he will say, ' Why did ye not
believe him ? ' But if we shall say, ' From men,' all the
people will stone us ; for they be persuaded that John
was a prophet."
1 Mark xi, 19. 3 Luke xx. i. I , Tuesday, April 4.
'' Matt, xxi, 20. I ' ■
Luke 20. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 703
And they answered that they knew not whence it was.
And Jesus said unto them, " Neither tell I you by
what authority I do these things."
' And he began to speak unto them in parables.
"* But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he
came to the first and said, ' "" Son, go work to- parabies:
day in the vineyard.' And he answered and the two
said, ' I will not ; ' but afterward he repented
himself, and went. And he came to the second, and
said likewise. And he answered and said, ' I go, sir ; '
and went not. Whether of the twain did the will of his
father? "
They say, " The first."
Jesus saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that
the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of
God before you. For John came unto you in the way
of righteousness, and ye believed him not ; but the pub-
licans and the harlots believed him ; and ye, when ye
saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye
might believe him. Hear another parable :
" ^ A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it,
and digged a pit for the wine press, and built a tower,
and let it out to husbandmen, and went rpj^g^jcked
into another country. And at the season he husband-
sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he
might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the
vineyard. And they took him, and beat him, and sent
him away empty. And again he sent unto them an-
other servant ; and him they wounded in the head, and
handled shamefully. And he sent another, and him
they killed ; and many others, beating some and kill-
ing some. He had yet one, a beloved son ; he sent him
last unto them, saying, ' They will reverence my son.'
But those husbandmen said among themselves, ' This is
the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall
be ours.' And they took him, and killed him, and cast
him forth out of the vineyard. What therefore will the
lord of the vineyard do? "
*They say unto him, " He will miserably destroy those
1 Mark xii i^ 3 Mark xii i. I , ^^ ^ ^ ^/^^.^^
** Matt. XXI, 28. 4 Matt. XXI, 41. |
704 Tup: Shorter Bible [Matt. 21.41.
miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other
husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their
seasons."
Jesus saith unto them, " Did ye never read in the
scriptures,
" ' The stone which the builders rejected,
The same was made the head of the corner ;
This was from the Lord, i,^':^
And it is marvelous in our eyes?'
"Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom 9,^ God
shall be taken away from you,- and shall be given'- to a
nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And her that
falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces ; but on
whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust."
And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard
his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. And
when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the
multitudes, because they took him for a prophet.
And Jesus spake again in parables unto them, saying,
" The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain
king, which made a marriage feast for his son, and Sent
The mar- forth his servants to call them that wftre bid-
riage feast. (|en to the marriage feast; and they would
not come. Again he sent forth other servants, saying,
'Tell them that are bidden, behold, I have made ready
my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all
things are read}-; come to the marriage feast.' But
they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his
own farm, another to his merchandise ; and the rest laid
hold on his servants, and entreated them shamefully,
and killed them. But the king was wroth ; and he
sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and
burned their city. Then saith he to his servants, * The
wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not
worthy. Go ye therefore unto the partings of the high-
ways, and as many as ye shall find bid to the marriage
feast.' And those servants went out into the highways,
and gathered together all as many as they found, both
bad and good ; and the wedding was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw
Matt. 22. II.] Chronologically Arranged. 705
there a man which had not on a wedding garment ; and
he saith unto him, ' Friend, how camest thou in hither
not having a wedding garment ? ' And he was speech-
less. Then the king said to the servants, ' Bind him
hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer dark--
ness ; there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
For many are called, but few chosen."
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they
might ensnare him in his talk. And they send to him
their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, " Master, we
know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God
in truth, and carest not for anyone ; for thou regardest
not the person of men. Tell us therefore, is it lawful
to give tribute unto Caesar, or not ? "
But Jesus perceived their ' craftiness, ''and said, "Why
tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute
money." And they brought unto him a penny.
And he saith unto them, "Whose is this concerning
image and superscription ? " f^y}^^
They say unto him, " Caesar's."
Then saith he unto them, " Render therefore unto
Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the
things that are God's."
And when they heard it, they marveled, and left him,
and went their way.
On that day there came to him Sadducees, which say
that there is no resurrection ; and they asked him, say-
ing, " Master, Moses said, ' If a man die, having no
children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up
seed unto his brother.' Now there were with us seven
brethren; and the first married and deceased, and hav-
ing no seed left his wife unto his brother ; in like man-
ner the second also, and the third, unto the r^j^g resur-
seventh. And after them all the woman rection.
died. In the resurrection therefore whose wife shall she
be of the seven ? "
But Jesus answered, "Ye do err, not knowing the
scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrec-
tion they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but
are as angels in heaven. But as touching the resurrec-
* Luke XX, 23. '^ Matt, xxii, i8.
706 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 22.31.
tion of the dead, have ye not read that which was
spoken unto you by God, saying, ' I am the God of
Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? '
God is not the God of the dead, but of the Hving."
And when the multitudes heard it, they were aston-
ished at his teaching.
But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put
the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together.
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question,
tempting him, " Master, which is the great command-
ment in the law? "
And he said unto him, " Thou shalt love the Lord
The great- ^^^^ ^°^ with all thy heart, and with all thy
est com- soul, and with all thy mind. This is the
mandment. , ^ •' . a i i
great and nrst commandment. And a second
like unto it is this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy-
self. On these two commandments hangeth the whole
law, and the prophets."
. Now while the Pharisees were gathered together
Jesus asked them a question, saying, " What think ye of
the Christ ? Whose son is he? "
They say unto him, " The son of David."
He saith unto them, " How then doth David in the
Spirit call him Lord, saying,
" ' The Lord said unto my Lord,
" Sit thou on my right hand.
Till I put thine enemies underneath thy feet?
" If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his son ? "
And no one was able to answer him a word, neither
durst any man from that day forth ask him any more
questions.
Matt. 23. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 707
CHAPTER XVII.
LAST TEACHINGS ; IN THE TEMPLE, ON THE HILLSIDE.
Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to liis disci-
ples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees The scribes
sit on Moses' seat ; all things therefore what- fs^es^de-'"'
soever they bid you, these do and observe, jounced.
But do not ye after their works ; for they say, and do
not. Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be
borne, and lay them on men's shoulders ; but they them-
selves will not move them with their finger. But all
their works they do for to be seen of men ; for they
make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders
of their garments, and love the chief place at feasts, and
the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in
the market places, and to be called of men, Rabbi. But
be not ye called Rabbi ; for one is your teacher, and all
ye are brethren. And call no man your father on the
earth ; for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Neither be ye called masters ; for one is your master,
even the Christ. But he that is greatest among you
shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt him-
self shall be humbled ; and whosoever shall humble him-
self shall be exalted.
" But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites;
because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men ! For
ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that
are entering in to enter.
" Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For
ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte ; and
when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son
of hell than yourselves.
" Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, * Whoso-
ever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing ; but who-
soever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is ^ a
" R. V. marg., Or, bou)id\)y his oath.
708 The vShorter Bible [Matt. 23. 17.
debtor.' Ye fools and blind ; for whether is greater, the
gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold?
And, ' Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing;
but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he
is a debtor.' Ye blind ; for whether is greater, the
gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? He therefore
that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all
things -thereon. And he that sweareth by the temple,
sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And
he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne
of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
" Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! For
ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left un-
done the weightier matters of the law, judgment, and
mercy, and faith; but these ye ought to have done, and
not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides,"
which strain out the gnat and swallow the camel.
" Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! For
ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but
within they are full from extortion and excess. Thou
blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of
the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean.
" Woe unto you, scribes andPharisees, hypocrites ! For
ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which outwardly ap-
pear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's
bones and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also out-
wardly appear righteous unto' men, but inwardly ye are
full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and garnish the
tombs of the righteous, and say, ' If we had been in the
days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers
with them in the blood of the prophets.' Wherefore ye
witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of them that slew
the prophets. F'ill ye up then the measure of your
fathers. Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall
ye escape the judgment of hell? Therefore, behold, I
send «nto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes;
some of them shall ye kill and crucify ; and some of
them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute
from city to city; that upon you may come all the
Matt. 23. 35.] Chronologically Arranged. Y09
righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of
Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of
Barachiah, whom he slew between the sanctuary and
the altar. Verily I say unto you, all these things shall
come upon this generation.
" O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killeth the prophets
and stoneth them that are sent unto her! Lamentover
How often would I have gathered thy chil- Jerusalem,
dren together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your
house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you,
ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, ' Blessed
is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.' "
' And he sat down over against the treasury, and be-
held how the multitude cast money into the treasury;
and many that were rich cast in much. And there came
a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, ,j,j^g
which make a farthing. widow's
All 11 1 1 • 1 • T • 1 mites.
And he called unto him his disciples, and
said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, this poor
widow cast in more than all they which are casting into
the treasury ; for they all did cast in of their superfluity;
but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all
her living."
"And Jesus ^ went out from the temple, and was going
on his way. 'And as some spake of the temple, how
it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said,
" As for these things which ye behold, the days will
come, in which there shall not be left here one stone
upon another that shall not be thrown down." concerning
^And as he sat on the mount of Olives tion'oOeruI
over against the temple, Peter and James and the™c?nd
John and Andrew asked him privately, "When coming,
shall these things be, and what shall be the sign when
these things are all about to be accomplished ? "
And Jesus began to say unto them, " Take heed that
no man lead you astray. Many shall come in my name,
saying, ' I am he ; ' and shall lead many astray. And
'Mnrkxii, 41. ^Lukexxi, 5. I » -c ■ r 'r j
^ Matt, xxiv, I. ^ Mark xiii, 3. I ^^^"'"^ °^ Tuesday.
YIO The Shorter Bible [Mark 13. 7.
when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not
troubled; these things must needs come to pass; but
the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom 'against kingdom ; there sliall be earth-
quakes in divers places ; there shall be famines ; these
things are the beginning of travail.
"But take ye heed to yourselves; for they shall deliver
you up to councils ; and in s)nagogues shall ye be beaten;
and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my
sake, for a testimony unto them. ' And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached for a testimony unto all the
nations ; then shall the end come. "^ And when they lead
you to judgment, and deliver you up, be not anxious
beforehand what ye shall speak ; but whatsoever shall be
given you in that hour, that speak ye ; for it is not ye
that speak, but the Holy Ghost. And brother shall de-
liver up brother to death, and the father his child ; and
children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to
be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for
my name's sake ; but he that endureth to the end, the
same shall be saved.
" But when ye see the abomination of desolation stand-
ing where he ought not — let him that readeth under-
stand,— " then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the
mountains; and let him that is on the housetop not go
down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house ; and
let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.
But woe unto them that are with child and to them
that give suck in those days ! And pray ye that it be
not in the winter. For those days shall be tribulation,
such as there hath not been the like from the beginning
of the creation which God created until now, and never
shall be. And except the Lord had shortened the days,
no flesh would have been saved ; but for the elect's sake,
whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if any
man shall say unto you, ' Lo, here is the Christ,' or, ' Lo,
there,' believe it not ; for there shall arise false Christs
and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders
t o lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take ye heed ;
behold, I have told you all things bcforcliand.
'Malt, xxiv, 14. '■'Mark xiii, ii.
Mark 13.24.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 711
" But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall
be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and
the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers
that are in the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall
they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great
power and glory. And then shall he send forth the
angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four
winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the utter-
most part of heaven.
" ' Now from the fig tree learn her parable. When her
branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its
leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh ; even so ye
also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is
nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this
generation shall not pass away till all these things be
accomplished. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but
my words shall not pass away. But of that day and
hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven,
* neither the Son, but the Father only.
" And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the com-
ing of the Son of man. For as in those days which were
before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered
into the ark, and they knew not until the flood came,
and took them all away ; so shall be the ^ coming of the
Son of man. Then shall two men be in the field ; one is
taken, and one is left ; two women shall be grinding at
the mill ; one is taken, and one is left. Watch there-
fore ; for ye know not on what day your Lord cpmeth.
" ^ Take ye heed, watch and pray ; for ye know not
when the time is. It is as when a man, sojourning in
another country, having left his house, and given author-
ity to his servants, to each one his work, commanded
also the porter to watch. Watch therefore ; for ye know
not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even,
or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning ;
lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I
say unto you I say unto all, watch.
' Matt, xxiv, 32.
^ Mark xiii, 33.
" R. V. marg. , Many authorities,
some ancient, omit, )ieither the Son.
^ R. V. marg., Gv. presence.
712 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 25. i.
" ' Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto
ten virgins, which took their ^ lamps, and went forth to
meet the bridegroom. And five of them
of the ten were foolish, and five were wise. For the
virgms. foolish, when they took their * lamps, took no
oil with them ; but the wise took oil in their vessels with
their ^ lamps. Now while the bridegroom tarried, they
all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there is a cry,
* Behold, the bridegroom ! Come ye forth to meet him.'
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their '^ lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, ' Give us of your oil ;
for our '"^ lamps are going out.' But the wise answered,
saying, * Peradventure there will not be enough for us
and you ; go ye rather to them that sell, and buy, for
yourselves.' And while they went away to buy the
bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in
with him to the marriage feast ; and the door was shut.
Afterward come also the other virgins, saying, ' Lord,
Lord, open to us.' But he answered and said, ' Verily
I say unto you, I know you not.' Watch therefore, for
ye know not the day nor the hour.
•* For it is as when a man, going into another country,
called his own servants, and delivered unto them his
goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another
Of the two, to another one; to each according to his
talents. several ability ; and he went on his journey.
Straightway he that received the five talents went and
traded with them, and made other five talents. In like
manner he also that received the two gained other
two. But he that received the one went away and
digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Now
after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and
maketh a reckoning with thcin. And he that received
the five talents came and brought other five talents, say-
ing, ' Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents ; lo, I
have gained other five talents.' His lord said unto him,
* Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many
things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.' And he
also that received the two talents came and said, ' Lord,
'MaU. XXV, I. I "R. V. marg., Or, torches.
Matt. 25. 22.J Chronologically Arranged. 713
thou deliveredst unto me two talents ; lo, I have gained
other two talents.' His lord said unto him, 'Well done,
good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over
a few things, I will set thee over many things ; enter
thou into the joy of thy lord.' And he also that had re-
ceived the one talent came and said, ' Lord, I knew that
thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow,
and gathering where thou didst not scatter ; and I was
afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth ;
lo, thou hast thine own.' But his lord answered and
said unto him, ' Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou
knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather
where I did not scatter ; thou oughtest therefore to have
put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I
should have received back mine own with interest. Take
ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto
him that hath the ten talents.' For unto every one that
hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance ; but
from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be
taken away. And cast ye out the unprofitable servant
into the outer darkness ; there shall be the weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
" But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and
all the angels with him, then shall he sit on The final
the throne of his glory ; and before him shall judgment.
be gathered all the nations ; and he shall separate them
one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep
from the goats ; and he shall set the sheep on his right
hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the king say
unto them on his right hand, ' Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world ; for I was an hungred, and ye
gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink;
I was a stranger, and ye took me in ; naked, and ye
clothed me ; I was sick, and ye visited me ; I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.' Then shall the righteous
answer him, saying, ' Lord, when saw we thee an hun-
gred, and fed thee; or athirst, and gave thee drink?
And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in ; or
naked, and clothed thee ? And when saw we thee sick, or
in prison, and came unto thee?' And the King shall an-
4S
714 The Shorter Bh^le [Matt. 25.40.
swer and say unto them, ' Verily I say unto you, inas-
much as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even
these least, ye did it unto me.' Then shall he say also
unto them on the left hand, ' Depart from me, ye cursed,
into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and
his angels ; for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no
meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink ; I was a
stranger, and ye took me not in ; naked, and ye clothed
me not ; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.'
Then shall they also answer, saying, ' Lord, when saw
we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or
sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?'
Then shall he answer them, saying, * Verily I say unto
you, inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least,
ye did it not unto me.' And these shall go away into
eternal punishment; but the righteous into eternal life."
Matt. 26. 6.J ChROxNOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. Y15
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE ANOINTMENT OF LOVE : THE PLOT OF COVETOUS-
NESS : PASSOVER PREPARATIONS : THE LAST PASS-
OVER: INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.
* Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of
Simon the leper, they ' made him a supper. And Martha
served ; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat
with him. Mary therefore took a pound of Mary
ointment of spikenard, very precious, and anoints
anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet
with her hair ; and the house was filled with the odor of
the ointment.
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, which should
betray him, saith, "Why was not this ointment sold for
three hundred pence, and given to the poor?"
Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor ;
but because he was a thief, and having the bag ^ took
away what was put therein.
^ But Jesus said, " Let her alone ; why trouble ye her?
She hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the
poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do
them good ; but me ye have not always. She hath done
what she could ; she hath anointed my body aforehand
for the burying. And verily I say unto you, wheresoever
the gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world,
that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken
of for a memorial of her."
* Now after two days was the feast of the passover and
the unleavened bread ; and the chief priests and the
scribes sought how they might take him with subtilty,
and kill him ; for they said, " Not during the feast, lest
haply there shall be a tumult of the people."
' Matt, xxvi, 6. ^ ATark xiv, Ci. I ,1 r> ir r^ ■ 1
.) T I •• 4 nT 1 • " R. V. marc;., Or, carried.
' ohn xu, 2. * Mark xiv, i. t> ' >
Y16 The Shorter Bible [Mark 14. 10.
And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve,
Judas bar- went away unto the chief priests, that he
gaining. might dehver him unto them. And they,
when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him
money. 'And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of
silver ; and he sought opportunity to deliver him unto
them ' in the absence of the multitude.
And '^ the day of unleavened bread came, on which
the passover must be sacrificed. And Jesus sent
Peter and John, saying, " Go and make ready for us the
passover, that we may cat."
And they said unto him, " Where wilt thou that we
Passover ^^ke ready?"
prepara- And he said unto them, " Behold, when ye
are entered into the city, there shall meet
you a man bearing a pitcher of water ; follow him into
the house whereinto he goeth. And ye shall say unto
the goodman of the house, ' The Master saith unto
thee, " Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the
passover with my disciples?"' And he will show you a
large upper room furnished ; there make ready."
And they went, and found as he had said unto them ;
and they made ready the passover.
'And when it was evening, he cometh with the twelve.
And as they sat and were eating, * he said unto them,
" With desire I have desired to eat this passover with
you before I suffer ; for I say unto you, I Avill not eat it,
until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
And there arose also a contention among them, which
_ , ,. of them is accounted to be greatest. And he
Contending ° . , „ .,
apostles. said unto them, ' 1 he kings ot tiie Gentiles
have lordship over them ; and they that have authority
over them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be
so ; but he that is the greater among you, let him become
as the younger ; and he that is chief, as he that doth
serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat,
or he that serveth ? Is not he that sitteth at meat ? But
I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. But ye are
they which have continued with me in my temptations;
•Matt, xxviis. 'Maikxiv, 17. I ■• Thursday, April 6.
'^ Luke xxu, 6. '•Lukexxn, 15. |
Luke 22. 29.] Chronologically Arranged. 717
and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father
appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink at my
table in my kingdom ; and ye shall sit on thrones judging
the twelve tribes of Israel."
'Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing
that his hour was come that he should depart out of this
world unto the Father, having loved his own which were
in the world, he loved them ^ unto the end. And during
supper, the devil having already put into the heart of
Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus know-
ing that the Father had given all things into his hands,
and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,
riseth from supper, and layeth aside his gar- jesuswash-
ments ; and he took a towel, and girded him- ingthedis-
self. Then he poureth water into the basin, cipies' feet.
and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them
with the towel wherewith he was girded. So he cometh
to Simon Peter^
He saith unto him, " Lord, dost thou wash my feet ? "
Jesus answered and said unto him, " What I do thou
knowest not now ; but thou shalt understand hereafter."
Peter saith, " Thou shalt never wash my feet."
Jesus answered him, " If I wash thee not, thou hast
no part with me."
Simon Peter saith unto him, " Lord, not my feet only,
but also my hands and my head."
Jesus saith to him, " He that is bathed needeth not
save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit ; and ye
are clean, but not all."
For he knew him that should betray him ; therefore
said he, " Ye are not all clean."
So when he had washed their feet, and taken his gar-
ments, and sat down again, he said unto them, "Know ye
what I have done to you ? Ye call me. Master, and Lord ;
and ye say well ; for so I am. If I then, the Lord and
the Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash
one another's feet. For I have given you an example,
that ye also should do as I have done to you. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord ;
neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
'John xiii, i. | " R. V. marg. , Or, to the uttermost.
718 The Shorter Bible [John 13. 17.
If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do
them. I speak not of you all ; I know whom I have
chosen ; but that the scripture may be fulfilled, he that
eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me. From
henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when
it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I
send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth
him that sent me."
* And as they sat and were eating, Jesus ^ was troubled
in the spirit, and testified, and said, " Verily, verily, I
say unto you, that one of you shall betray me."
^ And they were exceeding sorrowful, and Mooked one
on another, ''and began to say unto him every one, " Is
it I, Lord?"
And Judas, which betrayed him, said, " Is it I,
Rabbi ? "
He saith unto him, " Thou hast said."
'There was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom one
of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter there-
Betrayal fore beckoned to him, and saith unto him,
foretold. "Tell US who it is of whom he speaketh."
He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus' breast saith unto
him, "Lord, who is it?"
Jesus therefore answereth, " He it is, for whom I shall
dip the sop, and give it him."
So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth
it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the
sop, then entered Satan into him.
Jesus therefore saith unto him, " That thou doest, do
quickly."
Now no man at the table knew for what ititent he
spake this unto him. For some thought because Judas
had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, " Bu)- what
things we have need of for the feast ; " or, that he should
give something to the poor. He then having received
the sop went out straightway ; and it was night.
When therefore he was gone out, Jesus saith, " Now is
the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him;
' Mark xiv, l8. ^iMatt. xxvi, 22. ^ Matt, xxvi, 22.
"John xiii, 2I. •*JoIm xiii, 22. *John xiii, 23.
John 13. 32.] Chronologically Arranged. 719
and God shall glorify him in himself, and straightway
shall he glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I
am with you. A new commandment I give unto you,
that ye love one another ; even as I have loved you, that
ye also love one another. By this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
Simon Peter saith unto him, " Lord, whither goest
thou ? "
Jesus answered, " Whither I go, thou canst not follow
me now ; but thou shalt follow afterwards."
Peter saith unto him, " Lord, why cannot I follow
even now? I will lay down my life for thee."
Jesus said,"' Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked
to have you, that he might sift you as wheat ; but I made
supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do
thou, when once thou hast turned again, stablish thy
brethren."
''And Jesus saith unto them, "All ye shall be of-
fended ; for it is written, ' I will smite the shepherd, and
the sheep shall be scattered abroad.' Howbeit, after I
am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
But Peter said unto him, "Although all shall be of-
fended, yet will not L" Denial fore-
'And he said, " I tell thee, Peter, the cock told,
shall not crow this day until thou shalt thrice deny that
thou knowest me."
* But he spake exceeding vehemently, " If I must die
with thee, I will not deny thee." And in like manner
also said they all.
*And he said unto them, " When I sent you forth
without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye any-
thing? "
And they said, " Nothing."
And he said unto them, " But now, he that hath a
purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet ; and he that
hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. For
I say unto you, that this which is written must be ful-
filled in me, 'And he was reckoned with transgressors.*
For that which concerneth me hath fulfillment."
' Luke xxii, 31. ^ Luke xxii, 34. ^ Luke xxii, 35.
''Mark xiv, 27. "Mark xiv, 31.
Y20 The Shorter Bible [Luke 22. 38.
And they said, " Lord, behold, here are two swords."
And he said unto them, "It is enough."
' And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and
The Lord's blessed, and brake it ; and he gave to the dis-
supper ill- ciplcs, and said, " Take, eat ; this is my body,
' which is given for you. This do in remem-
brance of me."
^And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to
them, saying, "Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood
of the ^covenant, which is shed for many unto remission
of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth
of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it
new with you in my Father's kingdom."
' Matt, xxvi, 26. 3 Matt, xxvi, 27. I "R.Y. marg., Many ancient au-
^ Luke xxii, 19. | thorities insert new.
John 14. i.j Chronologically Arranged. 721
CHAPTER XIX.
JESUS' LAST COMFORTING DISCOURSE WITH HIS DIS-
CIPLES : PRAYER OF JESUS.
" * Let not your heart be troubled; ^ ye believe in
God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many
mansions ; if it were not so, I would have told you ; for
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I come again, and will re-
ceive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may
be also. And whither I go, ye know the way."
Thomas saith unto him, " Lord, we know not whither
thou goest ; how know we the way? "
Jesus saith unto him, " I am the way, and the truth,
and the life ; no one cometh unto the Father, jesusthe
but by me. If ye had known me, ye would way.
have known my Father also ; from henceforth ye know
him, and have seen him."
Philip saith unto him, " Lord, show us the Father,
and it sufficeth us."
Jesus saith unto him, " Have I been so long time with
you, and dost thou not know me, Philip ? He that hath
seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, 'Show
us the P'ather?' Bclievest thou not that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me ? The words that I say
unto you, I speak not from myself; but the Father
abiding in me doeth his works. Believe me that I am
in the Father, and the Father in me ; or else believe me
for the very works' sake.
" Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on
me, the works that I do shall he do also ; and greater
works than these shall he do, because I go unto the
Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that
will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
' John xiv, I. I * R. V. marg., Or, believe in God.
722 The Shorter Bible [John 14. 14.
If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do.
If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. And
™, „ I will • pray the Father, and he shall give
rne Com- , r^ r ^ 1 1
forter. you another ^ Lomiorter, that he may be
with you forever, even the Spirit of truth ; whom the
world cannot receive ; for it beholdeth him not, neither
knoweth him. Ye know him ; for he abideth with you,
and shall be in you. I will not leave you ^desolate; I
come unto you. Yet a little while, and the world be-
holdeth me no more ; but ye behold me ; because I live,
ye shall live also. In that day ye shall know that I am
in my Father, and ye hi me, and I in you. He that
hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is
that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of
my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself
unto him."
Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, " Lord, what is
come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and
not unto the world?"
Jesus answered and said unto him, " If a man love me,
he will keep my word ; and my Father will love him,
and we will come unto him, and make our abode with
him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my words ;
and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's
who sent me.
" These things have I spoken unto you, while yet abid-
The-Com- "^§ \\\i\\ you. But the ^ Comforter, even the
forter. Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in
my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all that I said unto you. Peace I leave
with you ; my peace I give unto you ; not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be fearful. Ye heard how I said to you, I
go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would
have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father ; for the
Father is greater than I. And now I have told you be-
fore it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye
may believe. I will no more speak much with )'ou, for
the prince of the world cometh ; and he hath nothing in
" R. V. marg., Or, Advocate ; Or, Helper ; Gr. Paraclete. •" R. V. marg.,
Or, orphans.
John 14. 30.] Chronologically Arranged. T23
me; but that the world may know that I love the Fa-
ther, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so
I do. Arise, let us go hence.
" I am the true vine, and my Father is the husband-
man. Every branch in me that beareth not jesusthe
fruit he taketh it away ; and every branch that "^ine.
beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more
fruit. Already ye are clean because of the word which I
have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in
the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. I
am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same beareth much fruit ; for apart
from me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me,
he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered ; and they
gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are
burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ;
and so shall ye be my disciples.
" Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved
you ; abide ye in my love. If ye keep my command-
ments, ye shall abide in my love ; even as I have kept
my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may
be in you, and that your joy may be fulfilled. This is
my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I
have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends. "Friends"
Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which of Jesus.
I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for
the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth ; but I
have called you friends, for all things that I heard
from my Father I have made known unto you. Ye did
not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you,
that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit
should abide ; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the
Father in my name, he may give it you.
" These things I command you, that ye may love one
another. If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath
hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world,
724 The Shorter Bible [John 15. 19.
the world would love its own ; but because ye are not of
the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said
unto you, ' A servant is not greater than his lord.' If they
Persecution Persecuted me, they will also persecute you ;
foretold. if they kept my word, they will keep yours
also. But all these things will they do unto you for my
name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not
had sin ; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He
that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not
done among them the works which none other did, they
had not had sin ; but now have they both seen and
hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to
pass, that the word may be fulfilled that is written in
their law, ' They hated me without a cause.'
" But when the ^ Comforter is come, whom I will send
The Com- imto you from the Father, even the Spirit of
forter. truth, whicli proceedeth from the Father, he
shall bear witness of me ; ^ and ye also bear witness, be-
cause ye have been with me from the beginning.
" These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should
not be made to stumble. They shall put you out of the
synagogues ; yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever
killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
And these things will they do, because they have not
known the Father, nor me. But these things have I
spoken unto you, that when their hour is come, ye may
remember them, how that I told you. And these things
I said not unto }'ou from the beginning, because I was
with you. But now I go unto him that sent mc. Be-
cause I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath
filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth ; it
The Com- ^^ expedient for you that I go away ; for if I
forter. go not away, the "■ Comforter will not come
unto you ; but if I go, I will send him unto you. And
lie, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of
sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment ; of sin, be-
cause they believe not on me; of righteousness, because
" R. V. marg., Or, Advocnti- ; Or, Helper ; C.r. Pannlete. '• R. \ . marg.,
Or, and bear ye also witness.
John i6. lo.] Chronologically Arranged. 725
I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more ; of
judgment, because the prince of this world hath been
judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but
ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit
of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth ;
for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so-
ever he shall hear, these shall he speak ; and he shall
declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall
glorify me ; for he shall take of mine, and shall declare
it unto you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are
mine ; therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall
declare it unto you. A little while, and ye behold me
no more ; and again a little while, and ye shall see me."
Some of his disciples therefore said one to another,
" What is this that he saitli unto us, ' A little The"iittie
while, and ye behold me not ; and again a while."
little while, and ye shall see me ; ' and ' Because I go to
the Father?' What is this that he saith, 'A little
while ?' We know not what he saith."
Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him,
and he said unto them, " Do ye inquire among your-
selves concerning this, that I said, * A little while, and ye
behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see
me ? ' Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep
and lament, but the world shall rejoice ; ye shall be
sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Ye
now have sorrow ; but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away
from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask anything
of the Father, he will give it you in my name. Hitherto
have ye asked nothing in my name ; ask, and ye shall
receive, that your joy may be fulfilled.
" These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs.
The hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in
proverbs, but shall tell you plainly of the Father. In
that day ye shall ask in my name ; and I say not unto
you, that I will pray the Father for you ; for the Father
himself loveth you, because ye have loved The Fa-
me, and have believed that I came forth from tier's love.
the Father. I came out from the Father, and am come
726 The Shorter Bible [John i6. 28.
into the world ; again, I leave the world, and go unto the
Father,"
His disciples say, " Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and
speakest no proverb. Now know we that thou knowest
all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee ;
by this we believe that thou earnest forth from God."
Jesus answered them, " Do ye now believe? Behold,
the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered,
every man to his own, and shall leave me alone ; and yet
I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
" These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye
may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to
heaven, he said :
" Father, the hour is come ; glorify thy Son, that the
Jesus' Son may glorify thee ; even as thou gavest
prayer. j^jj^ authority over all fle.<h, that whatsoever
thou hast given him, to them he should give eternal life.
And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the
only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even
Jesus Christ. I glorified thee on the earth, having ac-
complished the work which thou hast given me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self
with the glory which I had with thee before the world
was. I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou
gavest me out of the world ; thine they were, and thou
gavest them to me ; and they have kept thy word. Now
they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given
me are from thee ; for the words which thou gavest me
I have given unto them ; and they received them, and
knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they
believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them ; I
pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast
given me; for they are thine, and all things that are
mine are thine and thine are mine, and I am glorified
in them. And T am no more in the world, and these
are in the world, and I come to thee. Hoi}' Father,
keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that
they may be one, even as we are. While I was with
John 17. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 727
them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given
me ; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished,
but the son of perdition ; that the scripture might be
fulfilled. But now I come to thee; and these things I
speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled
in themselves. I have given them thy word ; and the
world hateth them, because they are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou
shouldest take them from the world, but that thou
sliouldest keep them from ^ the evil one. They are not
of the world, even as I am not of the world. ^ Sanctify
them in the truth ; thy word is truth. ' As thou didst
send me into the world, even so sent I them into the
world. And for their sakes I ^ sanctify myself, that they
themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
" Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also
that believe on me through their word ; that they may
all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may bein us; that the world may
believe that thou didst send me. And the glory which
thou hast given me I have given unto them ; that they
may be one, even as we are one ; I in them, and thou in
me, that they may be perfected into one ; that the world
may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them,
even as thou lovedst me. Father, '^ that which thou hast
given me, I will that, where I am, they also may be with
me ; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast
given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of
the world. O righteous Father, the world knew thee
not, but I knew thee ; and these knew that thou didst
send me; and I made known unto them thy name, and
will make it known ; that the love wherewith thou
lovedst me may be in them, and I in them."
" R. V. marg., Or, evi/. ^ R. V. marg. , Or, Consecrate. " R. V. marg.,
Many ancient authorities read, those whom.
728
The Shorter Bible
[Matt. 26. 30.
CHAPTER XX.
JESUS IN GETHSEMANE ; BETRAYED AND ARRESTED : THE
MOCK TRIAL; BEFORE THE JEWISH AUTHORITIES,
BEFORE THE CIVIL POWER.
' And when they had sung a hymn, " he went forth with
his disciples over the "■ brook ^ Kidron, where was a gar-
den, into the which he entered, himself and his disciples.
° And he saith unto his disciples, " Sit ye here, while I
pray."
And he taketh with him Peter and Jaines and John,
Jesus' '^"'^ began to be greatly amazed, and sore
agony. troubled. And he saith unto them, " My soul
is exceeding sorrowful even unto death ; abide ye here
and watch."
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground,
and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass
away from him. And he said, " Abba, Father, all things
are possible unto thee ; remove this cup from me ; how-
beit not what I will, but what thou wilt."
^ And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven,
strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed
more earnestly ; and his sweat became as it were great
drops of blood falling down upon the ground. And
when he rose up from his prayer, he came unto the dis-
ciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow.
^ And he saith unto Peter, " Simon, slcepest thou ?
Couldcst thou not watch one hour? Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation ; the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak."
And again he went away, and prayed, saying the same
words. And again he came, and found them sleeping,
' Matt, xxvi, 30.
" John xviii, I.
^ Mark xiv, 32.
l^ukc xxii, 43.
Mark xiv, 37.
" R. V. niarg., Or, ra^/ine.
'' R. V. Or, of the Cedars.
Mark 14. 40.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. T29
for their eyes were very heavy ; and they wist not what
to answer him.
' And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a
third time, saying again the same words. Then cometh
he to the disciples, and saith unto them, " Sleep on now,
and take your rest ; behold the hour is at hand, and the
Son of man is betrayed unto the hands of sinners. Arise,
let us be going ; behold, he is at hand that bctrayeth me."
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve,
came, and with him a great multitude with swords and
staves, from the chief priests and scribes and elders.
^ Now Judas knew the place ; for Jesus ofttimes resorted
thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received-
the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests
and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and
torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, know- jesus be-
ing all the things that were coming upon him, trayed.
went forth, and saith unto them, " Whom seek ye ? "
They answered him, " Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus saith
unto them, "I am he."
And Judas also, which betrayed him, was standing
with them. When therefore he said unto them, " I am
he," they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Again therefore he asked them, " Whom seek ye ? "
And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus answered, " I told you that I am he. If there-
fore ye seek me, let these go their wa)'." That the word
might be fulfilled which he spake, "Of those whom thou
hast given me I lost not one."
' Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying,
" Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he ; take him." And
straightway he came to Jesus, and said, " Hail, Rabbi ; "
and ^ kissed him.
And Jesus said unto him, " Friend, do that for which
thou art come."
They came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
* Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and
struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear.
Now the servant's name was Malchus.
V. marg. , Gr. kissed him
Matt, xxvi, 44.
^ Alatt. xxvi, 48.
■^ R,
John xxviii, 2.
■* John xviii, 10.
much.
49
730 The Shorter Bible [Johms. n.
Jesus therefore said unto Peter, ** Put up the sword into
the sheath ; the cup which the Father hath given me,
shall I not drink it? ^ Or thinkest thou that I cannot
beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more
than twelve legions of angels? "
" And he touched his ear, and healed him.
° In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, *' Are ye
come out as against a robber with swords and staves to
seize me ? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye
took me not. But all this is come to pass, that the
scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."
Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
* A certain young man followed with him, having a
linen cloth cast about him, over his naked body; and
they lay hold on him ; but he left the linen cloth, and
fled naked.
^ So the band and the chief captain, and the ofii-
^ cers of the Tews, seized Jesus and bound him,
Examma- iiii- a r ri
tionbyAn- and led him away to Annas nrst ; tor he was
father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was high
priest that year. Now Caiaphas was he which gave
counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man
should die for the people.
The ^ high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples,
and of his teaching. Jesus answered him, " I have spoken
openly to the world ; I ever taught in synagogues, and
in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in
secret spake I nothing. Why askest thou me ? Ask them
that have heard me, what I spake unto them ; behold,
these know the things which I said."
And when he had said this, one of the officers standing
by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, " Answerest thou
the high priest so ? "
Jesus answered him, " If I have spoken evil, bear wit-
ness of the evil ; but if well, why smitest thou me ? "
Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the
high priest.
Matt, xxvi, 53.
* ]\L-irk X
Luke xxii, 51.
^ Jolm x\
^L1tt. xxvi, 55.
51-
" That is, Annas. Really cx-high
priest.
Mark 14. 53.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ArR.\XGED. Y31
' And they led Jesus away to the high priest ; and there
come together with him all the chief priests informal
and the elders and the scribes. thJ^Sanhe-
And peter had followed him afar off, even '^""•
within, into the court of the high priest ; and he was
sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light
of the fire.
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought
witness against Jesus to put him to death ; and found it
not. For many bare false witness against him, and their
witness agreed not together. And there stood up certain,
and bare false witness against him, saying, "We heard
him say, * I will destroy this temple that is made with
hands, and in three days I will build another made with-
out hands.' " And not even so did their witness agree
together.
And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked
Jesus, saying, " Answerest thou nothing? What is it which
these witness against thee ? "
But he held his peace, and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked him, and saith unto him,
." Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed ? "
And Jesus said, " I am ; and ye shall see the Son of
man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with
the clouds of heaven."
And the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, " What
further need have we of witnesses .'' Ye have heard the
blasphemy; what think ye?"
And they all condemned him to be worthy of death.
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face,
and to buffet him, and to say unto him, " Prophesy."
And the officers received him with "• blows of their
hands.
"And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another
disciple. Now that disciple was known unto the high
priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the
high priest ; but Peter was standing at the door without.
So the other disciple, which was known unto the high
priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door,
and brought in Peter.
'Mark xiv, 53. ^John xviii, 15. | " R. V. marg., Or, strokes of rods.
732 The Shorter Bible [John i8. 17.
The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter,
Peter's de- " ^^'^ thou also one of this man's disciples?"
niais. He saith, " I am not."
Now the servants and the officers were standing there,
having made a fire of coals; for it was cold ; and they
were warming themselves ; and Peter also was with them,
standing and warming himself.
' And after a little while another saw him, and said,
" Thou also art one of them."
But Peter said, *' Man, I am not."
And after the space of about one hour another confi-
dently affirmed, saying, " Of a truth this man also was
with him ; for he is a Galilasan." But Peter * began to
curse and to swear : " ' Man, I know not what thou sayest."
And immediately, M'hile he yet spake, the cock crew.
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And
Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he
said unto him, " Before the cock crow this day, thou shalt
deny me thrice." And he went out, and wept bitterly.
And "" as soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders
of the people was gathered together, both chief priests
and scribes; and they led him away into their
befo?e the^ council, saying, " If thou art the Christ, tell
Sanhedrin. »»
US.
But he said unto them, " If I tell you, ye will not be-
lieve. But from henceforth shall the Son of man be
seated at the right hand of the power of God."
And they all said, "Art thou then the Son of God?"
And he said unto them, '' ^' Ye say that I am."
And they said, " What further need have we of witness ?
For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth."
And the whole company of tliem rose up, and brought
him before Pilate.
"Then Judas, which betrayed him, when he saw that
he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back
Suicide of the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests
Judas. j^j^^j elders, saying, " I have sinned in that I
betrayed innocent blood."
'Luke xxii, 5S. ■* Luke xxii, 60.
''Mark xiv, 71. ''MaU. xxvii, 3.
"Friday, April 7, " Clood Friday."
^R. V. marg., Or, Ye sny it, because
I am.
Matt. 27.4-1 Chronologically Arranged. 733
But they said, " What is that to us? See thou to it."
And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary,
and departed ; and he went away and hanged himself.
And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said,
" It is not lawful to put them into the "" treasury, since
it is the price of blood." And they took counsel, and
bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Wherefore that field was called, *' The field of blood," unto
this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by
Jeremiah the prophet, saying, " And they took the thirty
pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom
certain of the children of Israel did price; and they gave
them for the potter's field."
Now the Jews 'themselves entered not into the
palace, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the
passover.
Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, " What
accusation bring ye against this man?" ^^.j^^i before
They answered and said unto him, " If this Pilate.
man were not an evil doer, we should not have delivered
him up unto thee."
Pilate therefore said unto them, " Take him yourselves,
and judge him according to your law."
The Jews said unto him, " It is not lawful for us to put
any man to death." That the word of Jesus might be
fulfilled, which he spake, signifying by what manner of
death he should die.
^ And they began to accuse him saying, " We found
this man perverting our nation, forbidding to give trib-
ute to Caesar and saying that he himself is Christ a king."
' Pilate therefore entered again into the palace, and
called Jesus, and said unto him, " Art thou the King of
the Jews ? "
Jesus answered, " Sayest thou this of thyself, or did
others tell it thee concerning me ? "
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Thine own nation
and the chief priests delivered thee unto me; what hast
thou done ? "
Jesus answered, " My kingdom is not of this world ; if
1 Jolin xviii, 28. ^John xviii, 33. I "^ R. V. marg., Gr. corbanas, that is,
'^ Luke xxiii, 2. | sacred treasury. Compare Mark vii, 11.
734 The Shorter Bible [John 18.36.
my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants
fight, that I should not be deUvered to the Jews ; but
now is my kingdom not from hence."
Pilate therefore said unto him, " Art thou a king
then?"
Jesus answered, " ''Thou sayest that I am a king. To
this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into
the world, that I shoiald bear witness unto the truth.
Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice."
Pilate saith unto him, "What is truth?"
' And when he was accused by the chief priests and
elders, he answered nothing. Then saith Pilate unto him,
" Hearest thou not how many things they witness against
thee? "
And he gave him no answer, not even .to one word ;
insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.
^ But they were the more urgent, saying, " He stirreth
up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, and be-
ginning from Galilee even unto this place."
But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man
Avere a Galila^an. And when he knew that he was of
Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him unto Herod, who him-
self also was at Jerusalem in these days.
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad ;
for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he
Before ^^'^^-^ heard concerning him ; and he hoped to
Herod. gee some ^ miracle done by him. And he
questioned him in many words; but he answered him
nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood,
vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers
set him at naught, and mocked him, and arraying him in
gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate. And llcrod
and Pilate became friends with each other that very day;
for before they were at enmity between themselves.
' Now at the feast Pilate used to release unto them
one prisoner, whom they asked of him. And there was
one called Barabbas, lying bound with them that had
made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had
' Malt, xxvii, 12.
' J-uke xxiii, 5.
^ Mark xv, 6.
" R. V. iiiarg., Or, T/zoii sayest it,
Ih-catisc- I am a king. ^ R. \'. niarjj.,
Gr. sign.
Mark 15. 7-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 735
committed murder. And the multitude went up and
began to ask him to do as he was wont to do unto
them.
' Pilate said unto them, " Whom will ye that I re-
lease unto you ? Barabbas, or Jesus which is Again before
called Christ?" ^i^^^^-
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up.
And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his
wife sent unto him, saying, " Have thou nothing to do
with that righteous man ; for I have suffered many
things this day in a dream because of him."
Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the
multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and de-
stroy Jesus. And they ^ cried out all together, saying,
"Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas! "
' So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but
rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and
washed his hands before the multitude, saying, " I am
innocent of the blood of this righteous man ; see ye to
it."
And all the people answered and said, Thesen-
" His blood be on us, and on our children." tence.
Then released he unto them Barabbas ; but Jesus he
scourged.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the
palace, and gathered unto him the whole band. And
they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And
they plaited a crown of thorns and put it upon his
head, and a reed in his right hand ; and The crown
they kneeled down before him, and mocked ofthorns.
him, saying, " Hail, King of the Jews ! " And they spat
upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head.
* And Pilate went out again, and-saith unto them, " Be-
hold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I
find no crime in him."
Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown ofthorns
and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them,
" Behold, the man ! "
When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw
him, they cried out, saying, " Crucify him, crucify him ! "
' Matt, xxvii, 17. ^ Luke xxiii, 18. ^ M^tt. xxvii, 24. •'John xix, 4.
736 The Shorter Bible [John 19. 6.
Pilate saith unto them, "Take him yourselves, and
crucify him ; for I find no crime in him."
The Jews answered him, " We have a law, and by
that law he ought to die, because he made himself the
Son of God."
When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the
more afraid ; and he entered into the palace again, and
saith unto Jesus, "Whence art thou ?"
But Jesus gave him no answer.
Pilate therefore saith unto him, " Speakest thou not
unto me? Knowest thou not that I have '"^ power to
release thee, and have ^ power to crucify thee.'*"
Jesus answered him, " Thou wouldest have no '^ power
against me, except it were given thee from above; there-
fore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin."
Upon this Pilate sought to release him ; but the Jews
cried out, saying, " If thou release this man, thou art not
Caesar's friend. Every one that maketh himself a king
speaketh against Caesar."
When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought
Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place
called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now
it was the preparation of the passover ; about the sixth
hour. And he saith unto the Jews, " Behold, your
King!"
They therefore cried out, " Au^ay with him, away with
him, crucify him."
^^ ^ ,^ Pilate saith unto them, " Shall I crucify
The tumult. ^^. - ,, ' •'
your Kmg i
The chief priests answered, " We have no king but
Caesar."
Then, therefore he delivered him unto them to be
crucified.
" R. V. maig. , Or, atitJiority.
Matt. 27. 27.] Chronologically Arranged.
Y37
CHAPTER XXI.
CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS: THE PENITENT THIEF; DEATH
AND BURIAL OF JESUS: THE SEPULCHER SEALED.
' Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus and put
on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him.
' And there were also two others, malefactors, led with
him to be put to death.
^ They took Jesus therefore ; and he went out, bearing
the cross for himself. ''And as they came Bearing the
out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by cross.
name ; him they compelled to go with them, that he
might bear his cross. And when they were come unto a
place called Golgotha, that is to say, " The place of a
skull," they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall ;
and when he had tasted it, he would not drink.
^ And they crucified him, and the male- Thecrucifix-
factors, one on the right hand and the other ^°^-
on the left.
And Jesus said, " Father, forgive them ; for they know
not what they do."
° The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus,
took his garments, and made four parts, to Parting
every soldier a part; and also the ^ coat, meius.^^^'
Now the '^ coat was without seam, woven from the top
throughout. They said therefore one to another, " Let
us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be."
That the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith,
" They parted my garments among them,
And upon my vesture did they cast lots."
' And Pifate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross.
And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING
' Matt, xxvii, 27. ' Luke xxiii, 33.
^ Luke xxiii, 32. ^John xix, 23.
■'Johnxix, 17. ■'John xix, 19.
■* Matt, xxvii, 32.
*R. V. marg., Or, iwiic.
738 The Shorter Bible [John 19. 19.
OF THE JEWS. This title therefore read many of the
The super- Jcws ; for the place where Jesus was cruci-
scription. fj^d was nigh to the city; and it was written
in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek.
The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate,
" Write not, ' The King of the Jews ; ' but, that he said,
' I am King of the Jews.' "
Pilate answered, " What I have written I have written."
' But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his
Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the
mother. wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When
Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing
by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, "Woman,
behold thy son ! " Then saith he to the disciple, " Be-
hold, thy mother!" And from that hour the disciple
took her unto his own home. ^
" And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their
heads, and saying, " Ha ! thou that destroyest the
^ temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself, and
come down from the cross." In like manner also the
chief priests mocking him among themselves with the
scribes said, " He saved others ; '^himself he cannot save.
Let the Christ, the Kiflg of Israel, now come down
from the cross, that we may sec and believe."
' And one of the malefactors which were hanging railed
Thepeni- o" l^i"^» Saying, " Art not thou the Christ?
tent thief. g^^e thyself and us."
But the other answered, and rebuking him said, " Dost
thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same con-
demnation? And we indeed justly ; for we receive the
due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done noth-
ing amiss."
And he said, " Jesus, remember me when thou comest
'' in thy kingdom."
And he said unto him, " Verily I say unto thee, to-
day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."
" John's mother was probably
, ^ , . Mary's sister. ^ R. V. marg. , Or,
John XIX, 25. s<inc(imr)>. ' R. V. marg., Or, aui
3 V u ■':'^;..^'^- //<• not S07.V himself? •• R. V. marg.,
Luke xxiu, 39. Some ancient autliorities read, into
thy kingdom.
Matt. 27. 45.] Chronologically Arranged. 739
' Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all
the land until the ninth hour. And about ^ ,
the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
saying, " Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ?" that is, " My God,
my God, why hast thou forsaken me? "
And some of them that stood there, when they heard
it, said, " This man calleth Elijah."
* Jesus saith, " I thirst."
'And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge,
and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave
him to drink. And the rest said, '* Let be ; let us see
whether Elijah cometh to save him."
And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, " * Father,
into thy hands I commend my spirit," ^ and jesus'
yielded up his spirit. death.
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the
top to the bottom ; and the earth did quake ; and the
rocks were rent ; and the tombs were opened ; and many
bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised ; and
coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they
entered into the holy city and appeared unto many.
Now the centurion, and they that were with him
watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the
things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, " Truly
this was the Son of God." * And all the multitudes
that came together to this sight, when they beheld the
things that were done, returned smiting their breasts.
'And many women were there beholding
from afar, which had followed Jesus from
Galilee, ministering unto him ; among whom was Mary
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses,
and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
*The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation,
that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the
sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day),
asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that
they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came,
and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which
' Matt, xxvii, 45. * Luke xxiii, 46. '' Matt, xxvii, 55.
^ John xix, 28. ^ Matt, xxvii, 50. *John xix, 31.
2 Matt, xxvii, 48. "Luke xxiii, 48.
Y40 The Shorter Bible [John 19.32.
was crucified with him ; but when they came to Jesus,
The pierced a"*^ saw that he was dead already, they brake
side. jiQt his legs ; howbeit one of the soldiers
with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came
out blood and water.
And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his
witness is true ; and he knoweth that he saith true, that
ye also may believe. For these things came to pass,
that the scripture might be fulfilled, "A bone of him
shall not be broken." And another scripture saith,
"They shall look on him whom they pierced."
'And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a
councilor, a good man and a righteous, *a disciple of Jesus,
but secretly for fear of the Jews, ^ (he had not consented
to their counsel and deed), * who was looking for the
Joseph begs kingdom of God; ^this man went "boldly to
Jesus'body. Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And
Pilate marveled if he were already dead ; and calling
unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had
been any while dead. And when he learned it of the
centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph.
' And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first
Nicodemus Came to him by night, bringing a mixture of
helps. myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound
weight. So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it
in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews
is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there
was a garden; and in the garden Joseph's ^own new tomb,
"wherein was never man yet laid. There then because
of the Jews' preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand)
they laid Jesus. '"And they rolled a great stone to
the door of the tomb, and departed.
" And it was the day of the preparation, and the sab-
Thesad ^^'^th drcw on. And the women, which had
sabbath. come with him out of Galilee, followed after,
and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid. And
they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
' Luke xxiii, 50. ^ Luke xxiii, 52. ^ John xix, 41.
^ John xix, 38. ^Maik xv, 43. >" ALitt xxvii, 60.
2 Luke xxiii, 51. ''John xix, 39. " Luke xxiii 54.
* Mark xv, 43. ** Matt, xxvii, 60.
Luke 23. 56.] Chronologically Arranged. 741
And on the sabbath they rested according to the com-
mandment.
' Now on the '^ morrow, which is the day after the
preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were
gathered together unto Pilate, saying, " Sir, we remem-
ber that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, ' After
three days I rise again.' Command therefore Thesepui-
that the sepulcher be made sure until the cher sealed,
third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him
away, and say unto the people, ' He is risen from the
dead ; ' and the last error will be worse than the first."
Pilate said unto them, " " Ye have a guard ; go your
way, make it as sure as ye can."
So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the
stone, the guard being with them.
1 AT ^^ •■ A« I * Sunday, April 9.
Matt, xxvu, 62. I b R. V. marg., Or, Take a guard.
742 The Shorter Bible [Matt. 28. i.
CHAPTER XXII.
JESUS' resurrection: JESUS' APPEARANCES: THE
GREAT COMMISSION : THE ASCENSION.
Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn
Th stone toward the first day of tlie week, beliold, there
rolled away, was a great earthquake ; for an angel of the
Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away
the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was as
lightning, and his raiment white as snow ; and for fear
of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.
' And very early on the first day of the week, " Mary
Magdelene and the other Mary ^ bought spices, that they
might come and anoint him. And they were saying
among themselves, "Who shall roUus away the stone
from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they
see that, the stone is rolled back; for it was exceeding
great. And entering into the tomb, they saw a young
man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe ;
and they were amazed.
And he saith unto them, " Be not amazed ; ye seek
Jesus, the Nazarene, which hath been crucified.
He is risen ; he is not here ; behold, the place
where they laid him ! But go, tell his disciples and
Peter, he gocth before you into Galilee ; there shall ye
see him, as he said unto you."
And they went out, and fled from the tomb ; for
trembling and astonishment had come upon them ; and
they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mary Magdelene * runneth therefore, and cometh
to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple,
Mary's story. , ■, , , ... ,
wliom Jesus loved, and saith unto tliem,
" They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and
we know not where they have laid him."
' Mark xvi, 2, ' Matt, xxviii, i. ^ Mark xvi, I. '•John xx, 2.
John 20. 3.] Chronologically Arranged. '743
Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and
they went toward the tomb. And they ran Peterand
both totrether : and the other disciple outran John at the
T^ 1 r . - , 1 , 11, tomb.
1 ctcr, and came first to the tomb ; and stoop-
ing and looking in, he secth the linen cloths lying; yet
entered he not in. Simon Peter therefore also cometh,
following him, and entered into the tomb ; and he be-
holdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was
upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled
up in a place by itself. Then entered in therefore the
other disciple also, which came first to the tomb, and he
saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scrip-
ture, that he must rise again from the dead. So the disci-
ples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping.
So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb ;
and she beholdeth tvv^o angels in white sitting, one at
the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus
had lain. And they say unto her, " Woman, why
weepest thou ? "
She saith unto them, " Because they have taken
away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid
him."
When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and
beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that , ^^ ^^^
it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, '* Woman, Mary.
why weepest thou ? Whom seekest thou ? "
She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him,
" Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou
hast laid him, and I will take him away."
Jesus saith unto her, " Mary ! "
She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew,
" Rabboni ! " which is to say, " Master ! "
Jesus saith to her, " Touch me not, for I am not )^et
ascended unto the Father ; but go unto my brethren,
and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your
Father, and my God and your God."
Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, ' as
they mourned and wept, " ^ I have seen the Lord ; " and
how that he had said these things unto her. ^ And these
' Mark xvi, lo. ''John xx, i8. ^ Luke xxiv, ii.
744 The Shorter Bible [Luke 24. n.
words appeared in their sight as idle talk, and they dis-
believed them.
' Now behold, some of the guard came into the city,
and told unto the chief priests all the things that were
come to pass. And when they were assembled with the
The guard elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large
bribed. money unto the soldiers, saying, "Say ye,
' His disciples came by night, and stole him away while
we slept.' And if this come to the governor's ears, we
will persuade him, and rid you of care."
So they took the money, and did as they were taught :
and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and
continueth until this day.
' And behold, two of them were going that very day to
a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs
from Jerusalem. And they communed with each other
of all these things which had happened. And it came to
On the way P^^s, while they communed and questioned
to Emmavxs. together, that Jesus himself drew near, and
went with them, l^ut their eyes were holden that they
should not know him. And he said unto them, " What
communications are these that ye have one with another,
as ye walk ? "
And they stood still, looking sad.
And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto
him, " Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not
know the things which arc come to pass there in these
days ? "
And he said unto them, "What things?"
And they said unto him, " The things concerning
Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed
and word before God and all the people ; and how the
chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be con-
demned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that
it was he which should redeem Israel. Yea and beside
all this, it is now the third day since these things came
to pass. Moreover certain women of our company amazed
us, having been early at the tomb ; and when they found
not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen
'Matt, xxviii, ii. '■'Luke xxiv, 13.
Luke 24. 23-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 745
a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And
certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and
found it even so as the women had said; but him they
saw not."
And he said unto them, " O foolish men, and slow of
heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken !
Behoved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to
enter into his glory?"
And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets,
he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself.
And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they
were going ; and he made as though he would go
further. And they constrained him, saying, " Abide
with us ; for it is toward evening, and the day is now
far spent."
And he went in to abide with them. And it came to
pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took
the iDread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him ; and
he vanished out of their sight.
And they said one to another, " Was not our heart
burning within us, while he spake to us in the Burning
way, while he opened to us the scriptures ?" hearts.
And they rose up that very hour, and returned to
Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and
them that were with them, saying, " The Lord is risen
indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." And they
rehearsed the things that happened in the way, and how
he was known of them in the breaking of the bread.
' When therefore it was evening, on ^ that day, the first
day of the week, and when the doors were shut where
the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and
stood in the midst, and saith unto them, " Peace be
unto you."
' But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed
that they beheld a spirit.
And he said unto them, "Why are ye thedis-
troubled, and wherefore do reasonings arise "^^p ^^•
in your heart ? See my hands and my feet, that it is I
' John XX, 19. '■' Luke xxiv, 37. | ^ Sunday, April g.
50
746 The Shorter Bible [Luke 24. 39.
myself. Handle me, and see ; for a spirit hath not flesh
and bones, as ye behold me having."
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands
and his feet.
And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered,
he said unto them, " Have ye here anything to eat ? "
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.''^ And he
took it, and did eat before them.
' The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the
Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, *' Peace be
unto you ; as the Father hath sent me, even so send I
you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and
saith unto them, " Receive ye the ^'Holy Ghost. Whose
soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them ;
whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called '^Didymus, was
not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples
therefore said unto him, " We have seen the Lord."
But he said unto them, " Except I shall see in his
hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the
print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will
not believe."
•^And after eight days again his disciples were within,
and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being
T ^ shut, and stood in the midst, and said, " Peace
Thomas. be uuto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, " Reach hither thy finger,
and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put
it into my side ; and be not faithless, but believing."
Thomas answered and said unto him, " My Lord and
my God ! "
Jesus saith unto him, " Because thou hast seen me,
thou hast believed ; blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed."
Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence
of the disciples, which are not written in this book ; but
' John XX, 20.
" Many ancient autliorities add, and
a honeycomb. ^ R.V. marg. , Or, Holy
Spirit. " R.V. marg., That is. Twin.
'' Sunday, April l6.
John 20. 31.] Chronologically Arranged. 747
these are written, that ye may beheve that Jesus is the
Christ, the son of God ; and that beheving ye may have
Hfe in his name.
' After these things Jesus manifested himself again to
the disciples at the sea of Tiberias ; and he manifested
himself on this wise. There were together Simon Peter,
and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in
Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his
disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, " I go a fishing."
They say unto him, " We also come with thee."
They went forth, and entered into the boat ; and that
night they took nothinp;. But when day was ,
now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; with the
howbeit the disciples knew not that it was ^^"^ ^^'
Jesus. Jesus therefore saith unto them, " Children, have
ye aught to eat ? "
They answered him, " No."
And he said unto them, " Cast the net on the right
side of the boat, and }'e shall find."
They cast therefore, and now they were not able to
draw it for the multitude of fishes.
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto
Peter, " It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard
that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he
was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other
disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far
from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), drag-
ging the net full of fishes.
So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of
coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Jesus saith unto them, " Bring of the fish which ye
have now taken."
Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to
land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three ;
and for all there were so many, the net was not rent.
Jesus saith unto them, " Come and break your fast."
And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, "Who
art thou?" knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus Cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them,
' John xxi, I.
Y48 The Shorter Bh^le [John 21. 13.
and the fish Hkewise. This is now the third time that
Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was
risen from the dead.
So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to
Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, '^ lovest thou me
more than these?"
He saith unto him, " Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I
•^ love thee."
He saith unto him, " Feed my lambs."
He saith to him again a second tiine, " Simon, son of
John, ^ lovest thou me? "
Jesus and He saith unto him, "Yea, Lord; thou
Peter. knowest that I ^' love thee."
He saith unto him, "Tend my sheep."
He saith unto him the third time, " Simon, son of
John, ^lovest thou me?"
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third
time, "^Lovest thou me?" And he said unto him,
" Lord, thou knowest all things ; thou knowest that I
love thee."
Jesus saith unto him, " Feed my sheep. Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girdest
thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest ; but when
thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and
another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou
wouldest not."
Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death
he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this,
he saith unto him, " Follow me."
Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus
loved following ; which also leaned back on his breast at
the supper, and said, " Lord, who is he that betrayeth
thee ? "
Peter therefore seeing him saith to Jesus," Lord, and
what shall this man do? "
Jesus saith unto him, " If I will that he tarry till I
come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me."
This saying therefore went forth among the brethren,
that that" disciple should not die ; yet Jesus said not
*. ^' R. V. maig. , /.07'f in tliese places represents two different Clreek
words.
John 21. 23.] Chronologically Arranged. 749
unto him, that he should not die ; but, " If I will that
he tarry till I come, what is that to thee ? "
* But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the
mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when
they saw him, ^ above five hundred brethren at once,
' they worshiped him ; but some doubted.
And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, say-
ing, " All authority hath been given unto me in heaven
and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make The great
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them commission,
into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe all things what-
soever I commanded you ; and lo, I am with you ^ alway,
even unto ^ the end of the world."
* And he said unto them, " These are jny w^ords which
I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, how that all
things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the
law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, con-
cerning me."
Then opened he their mind, that they might under-
stand the scriptures; and he said unto them, "Thus it
is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again
from the dead the third day ; and that repentance '^ and
remission of sins should be preached in his name unto
all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Ye are wit-
nesses of these things. And behold, I send forth the
promise of my Father upon )-ou ; but tarry ye in the
city, until ye be clothed with power from on high."
And he led them out until they were over against
Bethany; and he lifted up his hands, and Theascen-
blessed them. And it came to pass, while ^^°*^-
he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried
up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned
to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in
the temple, blessing God.
' Matt, xxviii, i6.
^ I Cor. XV, 6.
^Matt. xxviii, 17.
■•Luke xxiv, 44.
■■' R. V. maig., Gr. rt// f/ie days.
^ R. V. marg. , Or, the consumma-
tion of the age. "= R.V. marg., Some
ancient authorities read, unto.
750 The Shorter Bible [Acts 1. 1.
THE
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES/
CHAPTER I.
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST: THE DESCENT OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT: A GREAT REVIVAL: THE CHURCH
ORGANIZED.
The ^ former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concern-
ing all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until
the day in which he was received up, after that he had
introduc- given commandment through the ^ Holy
tion. Ghost unto the apostles whom he had
chosen ; to whom he also showed himself alive after his
passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the
space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning
the kingdom of God. And, being assembled together
with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusa-
lem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, " which,"
Last words ^'^^^^ li^, " ye heard from me ; for John indeed
of Jesus. baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
They therefore, when they were come together, asked
him, saying, " Lord, dost thou at this time restore the
kingdom to Israel ? "
And he said unto them, " It is not for you to know
times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his
own authority. But ye shall receive power, when the
Holy Ghost is come upon you ; and ye shall be my wit-
nesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judc-ea and Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
"Written about A. D. 63. ''The gospel by Luke. See Luke i, 1-4.
•= R. V. marg., Or, //ol}' Spirit, and so throughout this book.
Acts I. 9.] Chronologically Arranged. T51
And when he had said these things, as they were look-
ing, he was taken up ; and a cloud received him out of
their sight.
And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven
as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white
apparel ; which also said, " Ye men of Galilee, why stand
ye looking into heaven? This Jesus, which Promise of
was received up from you into heaven, shall return.
so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into
heaven,"
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from mount
Olivet. They went up into the upper chamber, where
they were abiding ; both Peter and John and James and
Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Mat-
thew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot,
and Judas the '^ son of James. These all The waiting
with one accord continued steadfastly in andpraymg.
prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus,
and with his brethren.
And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the
brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons
gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),
" Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be
fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spake before by the
mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them
that took Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and
received his portion in this ministry. For it is written
in the book of Psalms,
" ' His office let another take.'
" Of the men therefore which have companied with us
all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out
among us, beginning from the baptism of Filling Ju-
John, unto the day that he was received up das' place,
from us, of these must one become a witness with us of
his resurrection."
And they put forward two, Joseph and Matthias. And
they prayed and said, " Thou, Lord, which knowest the
hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom
thou hast chosen, to take the place in this ministry and
apostleship, from which Judas fell away.
* R. V. marg., Or, brother.
T52 The vShorter Bible [Acts i. 26.
And they gave lots for them ; and the lot fell upon Mat-
thias ; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they
were all together in one place. And suddenly there
^, , ^. came from heaven a sound as of the rushing
Thebaptism . i-minii
of the Holy ot a mighty wmd, and it nlled all the house
^P'^^*- where they were sitting. And there ap-
peared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire ;
and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout
men, from every nation under heaven. And when this
sound was heard, the multitude came together and were
confounded, because that every man heard them speak-
ing in his own language. And they were all amazed
and marveled, saying, " Behold, are not all these which
speak Galilaeans? And how hear we, every man in our
own language, wherein we were born? Parthians and
Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia,
in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia
and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about
Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and pros-
elytes, Cretans and Arabians, Ave do hear them speaking
in our tongues the mighty works of God."
And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, say-
ing one to another, " What meaneth this?" l^ut others
mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
Peter's first voice and spake forth unto them, saying,
sermon. u y^ j-j^gj^ of Judaia, and all ye that dwell at
Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto
my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose,
seeing it is but the third hour of the day ; but this is
that which hath been spoken by the prophet Joel :
" ' " And it shall be in the last days," saith God,
" ^ I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophes)'.
And your young men shall see visions.
And your old men shall dream dreams;
"Joel ii, 23, 29.
Acts. 2. i8.] Chronologically Arranged. 753
Yea, and on my servants and on my handmaidens
in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit ; and they shall
prophesy." '
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Naza-
reth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works
and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the
midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; him, by the
hand of lawless men ye did crucify and slay ; whom God
raised up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it
was not possible that he should be holden of it.
" For David saith concerning him,
" ' I beheld the Lord always before my face ;
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be
moved ;
Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced ;
Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope;
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades,
Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see cor-
ruption.
Thou madest known unto me the ways of life ;
Thou shalt make me full of gladness ^ with thy
countenance.'
" Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch
David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb
is with us unto this day. But being a prophet, and
knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that
of the fruit of his loins he would set one' upon his throne;
he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ;
that neither was he left in Hades, nor did his flesh see
corruption. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we
all are witnesses. Being therefore by the right hand of
God exalted, and having received of the Father the
promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this,
which ye see and hear.
" For David ascended not into the heavens ; but he
saith himself,
"'The Lord said unto my Lord, " Sit thou on my
right hand,
Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet." '
" R. V. marg., Or, in thy presence.
754 The Shorter Bible [Acts 2. 36.
" Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly,
that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this
Jesus whom ye crucified."
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their
heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles,
" Brethren, what siiall we do?"
And Peter said unto them, " Repent ye, and be bap-
tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto
The great ^^^^ remission of your sins ; and ye shall re-
ingathering, ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For to you
is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call
unto him." And with many other words he testified, and
exhorted them , saying, " Save yourselves from this crooked
generation." Then they that received his word were
baptized ; and there were added unto them in that day
about three thousand souls. And they continued stead-
fastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the
breaking of bread and the prayers.
And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and
signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed
were together, and had all things common ;
The Pente- j i.i i i ^.i • • j j
costal and they sold their possessions and goods,
Church. ^j-jj parted them to all, according as any man
had need. And day by day, continuing steadfastly with
one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home,
they did take food with gladness and singleness of heart,
praising God, and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to them day by day those that were
being saved.
Acts 3. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 755
CHAPTER II.
LAME MAN HEALED AND THE GOSPEL PREACHED : PER-
SECUTION OVERRULED : THE CHURCH PROSPEROUS.
Now Peter and John were going up into the temple
at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a
certain man that was lame was carried, whom The lame
they laid daily at the door of the temple which man healed,
is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into
the temple ; who seeing Peter and John about to go into
the temple, asked to receive an alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John,
said, " Look on us."
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive
something from them.
But Peter said, " Silver and gold have I none ; but what
I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth, walk."
And he took him by the right hand, and raised him
up ; and immediately his feet and his ankle bones received
strength. And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk ;
and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God,
And all the people saw him walking and praising God ;
and they took knowledge of him that it was he which sat
for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple ; and they
were filled with wonder and amazement at that which
had happened unto him.
And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran
together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's,
greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered
unto the people :
" Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man ; or
why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own
power or godliness we had made him to walk? The God
T56 The Shorter Bible [Acts 3. 13.
of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of
our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus ;
seljond ser- whom ye dehvered up, and denied, when Pi-
"^°"" late had determined to release him. But ye
denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a
murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince
of life ; whom God raised from the dead ; whereof we are
witnesses. And by faith in his name hath his name
made this man strong, whom ye behold and know ; yea,
the faith which is through him hath given him this per-
fect soundness in the presence of you all. And now,
brethren, I wot that in ignorance ye did it, as did also
your rulers. But the things which God foreshowed by
the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should
suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent ye, therefore, and turn
again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there
may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the
Lord ; and that he may send the Christ who hath been
appointed for you, even Jesus ; whom the heaven must re-
ceive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof
God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which
have been since the world began. Moses indeed said, ' A
prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from
among your brethren, ''like unto me; to him shall ye
hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto
you. And it shall be that every soul, which shall not
hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from
among the people.' Yea and all the prophets from
Samuel, and them that followed after, they also told of
these days. Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the
covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto
Abraham, 'And in thy seed shall all the families of the
earth be blessed.' Unto you first God, having raised up
his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away
everyone from your iniquities."
And as they spake unto the people, the priests and
the captain of the temple and the Sadducees
John in Came upon them, being sore troubled because
prison. they taught the people, and proclaimed in
Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid
" R. \'. marg., Or, as he raised up mc.
Acts 4. 3-] Chronologically Arranged. 75Y
hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow ;
for it was now eventide. But many of them that heard
the word beheved ; and the number of the men came
to be about five thousand.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers
and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jeru-
salem ; and Annas the high priest was there, and many
of the kindred of the high priest. And when they had
set them in the midst, they inquired, " By what power or
in what name, have ye done this? "
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto
them, "Ye rulers of the people and elders, if we this
day are examined concerning a good deed „ ^
j^ • ^i. uf^ Before the
done to an nnpotent man, by what means Jewish
,,- . 1U1U-1.1 i authorities.
this man is made whole ; be it known unto
you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom
God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man
stand here before you whole. He is the stone which was
set at naught of you the builders, which was made the
head of the corner. And in none other is there salva-
tion ; for neither is there any other name under heaven,
that is given among men, wherein we must be saved."
Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and
John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and
ignorant men, they marveled ; and they took knowledge
of them, that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the
man which was healed standing with them, they could
say nothing against it.
But when they had commanded them to go aside out
of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying,
"What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a
notable -^miracle hath been wrought through them, is
manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem ; and we cannot
deny it. But that it spread no further among the people,
let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no
man in this name."
And they called them, and charged them not to speak
at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
"• R. V. marg. , Gr. s/^'/!.
758 The Shorter Bible [Acts 4. 19.
" Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken
unto you rather than unto God, judge ye ; for we cannot
but speak the things which we saw and heard."
And they, when they had further threatened them, let
them go, finding nothing how they might punish them,
because of the people ; for all men glorified God for that
which was done. For the man was more than forty
years old on whom this ^miracle of healing was wrought.
And being let go, they came to their own company,
and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had
said unto them.
And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to
God with one accord, and said, " O Lord, thou
prayer that didst make the heaven and the earth and
meeting. ^|^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^jj ^j^^^. j^^ ^i^g^n is ; who by the
Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David thy
servant, didst say,
" ' Why did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth set themselves in array.
And the rulers were gathered together,
Against the Lord, and against his ^'Anointed."
" For of a truth in this city against thy holy '^ Servant
Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius
Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were
gathered together, to do whatsoever thy hand and thy
counsel foreordained to come to pass. And now, Lord,
look upon their threatcnings ; and grant unto thy serv-
ants to speak thy word with all boldness, while thou
stretchest forth thy hand to heal ; and that signs and
wonders may be done through the name of thy holy
^ Servant Jesus."
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken
wherein they were gathered together ; and they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of
God with boldness.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one
heart and soul ; and not one of them said that aught of
" R. V. marg. , Gr. si't;-//. '' R. V. marg., Gr. Clirist. <^ R. V. marg. , Or,
Child.
Acts 4- 32.] Chronologically Arranged. 759
the things which he possessed was his own ; but they
had all things common. And with great church
power gave the apostles their witness of the umty.
resurrection of the Lord Jesus ; and great grace was upon
them all. For neither was there among them any that
lacked ; for as many as were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things
that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and
distribution was made unto each, according as anyone
had need.
And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Bar-
nabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Barnabas'
''exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by generosity.
race, having a field, sold it, and brought the money, and
laid it at the apostles' feet.
* R. V. marg., Or, consolation.
'60 The Shorter Bible [Acts 5. i.
CHAPTER III.
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA : RAPID GROWTH OF THE
CHURCH : PERSECUTION OF THE APOSTLES : AP-
POINTMENT OF DEACONS.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his
wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price,
and brought a certain part, and Laid it at the apostles'
feet.
But Peter said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy
Ananias and heart to lie to the Ploly Ghost, and to keep
Sapphira. back part of the price of the land? Whiles
it remained, did it not remain thine own? And after it
was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou
hast conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not
liea unto men, but unto God."
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave
up the ghost ; and great fear came upon all that heard
it. And the young men arose and wrapped him round,
and they carried him out and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when
his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And
i'eter answered unto her, " Tell me whether ye sold the
land for so much."
And she said, " Yea, for so much."
But Peter said unto her, " How is it that \-c have
agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord ? Be-
hold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband
are at the door, and they shall carry thee out."
And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave
up the ghost; and the young men came in and found
her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by
her husband. And great fear came upon the whole
church, and upon all that heard these things.
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs
Acts 5. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 761
and wonders wrought among the people ; and they were
all with one accord in Solomon's porch. But of the rest
durst no man join himself to them ; howbeit the people
magnified them ; and believers were the more added to
the Lord, multitudes both of men and women ; Many
insomuch that they even carried out the miracles,
sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches,
that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might
overshadow some one of them. And there also came
together the multitude from the cities round about Jeru-
salem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed
with unclean spirits ; and they were healed every one.
But the high priest rose up, and all they that were
with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), Persecu-
and they were filled with jealousy, and laid ^^°^-
hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.
'But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison
doors, and brought them out, and said, " Go ye, and
stand and speak in the temple to the people all the
words of this Life." And they entered into the temple
about daybreak, and taught.
But the high priest, and they that were with him,
called the council together, and all the senate of the
children of Israel, and sent to the prison house to have
them brought. But the officers that came found them
not in the prison ; and they returned, and told, saying,
" The prison house we found shut in all safety, and the
keepers standing at the doors ; but when we had opened,
we found no man within."
Now when the captain of the temple and the chief
priests heard these words, they were much perplexed
concerning them whereunto this would grow. And
there came one and told them, " Behold, the men whom
ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and
teaching the people."
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought,
them, but without violence ; for they feared the people,
lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought
them, they set them before the council.
And the high priest asked them, saying, " We straitly
charged you not to teach in this name ; and behold, ye
51
762 The Shorter Bible [Acts 5. 28.
have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to
bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We
must obey God rather than men. The God of our fa-
thers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a
tree. Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a
Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel,
and remission of sins. And we are witnesses of these
things ; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath
given to them that obey him."
But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart,
and were minded to slay them. But there stood up one
in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of
the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded
to put the men forth a little while. And he said unto
Caution of them, "Ye men of Israel, take heed to your-
Gainaiiei. selves as touching these men, what ye ard
about to do. For before these days rose up Theudas,
giving himself out to be somebody ; to whom a number
of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who
was slain ; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dis-
persed, and came to naught. After this man rose up
Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrollment, and drew
away some of the people after him ; he also perished ;
and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
And now, refrain from these men, and let them alone ;
for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be
overthrown ; but if it is of God, ye will not be able to
overthrow them ; lest haply ye be found even to be
fighting against God."
And to him they agreed ; and when they had called
the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged
them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them
go. They therefore departed from the presence of the
council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
dishonor for the Name. And every day, in the temple
and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach
Jesus as the Christ.
" Now in these days, when the number of the disciples
was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the ^ Grecian
''About A. D. 36. '' R. V. maig., Gr. Hellenists.
Acts 6. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 763
Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were
neglected in the daily ministration.
And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples
unto tliem, and said, " It is not fit that . . ^
1 1 1 r 1 1 1 r ^ 1 1 Appomt-
we should torsake tiie word oi God, and ment of
serve tables. Look ye out therefore, brethren,
from among you seven men of good report, full of the
Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and
in the ministry of the word."
And the saying pleased the whole multitude ; and
they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and
Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of An-
tioch ; whom they set before the apostles ; and when
they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of
the disciples multiphed in Jerusalem exceedingly ; and
a great company of the priests were obedient to the
faith.
764 The Shorter Bible [Acts 6. 8.
CHAPTER IV.
STEPHEN ARRAIGNED; DEFENDING HIMSELF; MAR-
TYRED : THE CHURCH PERSECUTED.
And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great
wonders and signs among the people. But there arose
Stephen Certain disputing with Stephen. And they
arraigned. were not able to withstand the wisdom and
the Spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned
men, which said, "We have heard him speak blasphe-
mous words against Moses, and against God." And they
stirred up the people, and .the elders, and the scribes,
and came upon him, and seized, and brought him into
the council, and set up false witnesses, which said,
"This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy
place, and the law ; for we have heard him say, that this
Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall
change the customs which Moses delivered unto us."
And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on
him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
And the high priest said, " Are these things so ? "
And Stephen said:
" Brethren and fathers, hearken. The God of glory
appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in
Stephen's Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and
defense. c^;ijj ^j„to him, ' Get thee out of thy land, and
from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall
show thee.' Then came he out of the land of the Chal-
deans, and dwelt in Haran ; and from thence, when his
father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein
ye now dwell. And Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac be-
gat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the
patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him
into Egypt ; and God was with him, and delivered him
out of all his afflictions, and made him governor over
Acts 7. 10.] Chronologically Arranged. 765
Egypt. And Joseph called to him Jacob his father, and
all his kindred. And Jacob went down into Egypt ;
and he died, himself, and our fathers. But as the time
of the promise drew nigh, which God vouchsafed unto
Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, till
there arose another king over Egypt, which knew not
Joseph. The same evil entreated our fathers, that they
should cast out their babes to the end they might not
live. At which season Moses was born, and was ex-
ceeding fair ; and he was nourished three months in his
father's house ; and when he was cast out, Pharaoh's
daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own
son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians; and he was mighty in- his words and works.
But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into
his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him,
and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyp-
tian ; and he supposed that his brethren understood how
that God by his hand was giving them deliverance ; but
they understood not. And the day following he ap-
peared unto them as they strove, and would have set
them at one again, saying, ' Sirs, ye are brethren ; why
do ye wrong one to another?' But he that did his
neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, ' Who made
thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wouldest thou kill
me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?' And
Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the
land of Midian. And when forty years were fulfilled,
an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount
Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. And there came a
voice of the Lord, ' 1 am the God of thy fathers, the
God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And
Moses trembled, and durst not behold. And the Lord
said unto him, ' Loose the shoes from thy feet ; for the
place whereon thou standest is holy ground. I have
surely seen the affliction of my people which is in
Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come
down to deliver them ; and now come, I will send thee
into Egypt.' This Moses whom they refused, saying,
* Who made thee a ruler and a judge?' him hath God
766 The Shorter Bible [Acts 7. 35,
sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of
the angel which appeared to him in the bush. This
man led them forth, having wrought wonders and signs
in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness
forty years. This is that Moses, which said unto the
children of Israel, ' A prophet shall God raise up unto
you from among your brethren, like unto me.' This is
he that was in the church in the wilderness with the
angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with
our fathers ; who received living oracles to give unto us ;
to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust
him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto
Egypt, saying unto Aaron, ' Make us gods which shall
go before us ; for as for this Moses, which led us forth
out of the land of Eg3^pt, we wot not what is become
of him.' Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testi-
mony in the wilderness. Which also our fathers, in
their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on
the possession of the nations, unto the days of David ;
who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find
a habitation for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built
him a house. Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in
houses made with hands ; as saith the prophet,
" * " The heaven is my throne,
And the earth the footstool of my feet ;
What manner of house will ye build me? " saith the
Lord ;
"Or what is the place of my rest?
Did not my hand make all these things?" '
" "■ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Ghost ; as your fathers did,
so do ye. Which of the prophets did not your fathers
persecute? and they killed them which showed before
of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom }e
have now become betrayers and murderers; )e who re-
ceived the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it
not."
Now when the)- heard these things, they w ere cut to
the heart, ami they gnashed on him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stead-
* Stephen doubtless saw indicalions of obduracy.
Acts 7. 55.] Chronologically Arranged. 76Y
fastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing on the right hand of God, and said, " Behold,
I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man stand-
ing on the right hand of God."
But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped
their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord ; and
they cast him out of the city, and stoned him ; and the
witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young
man named Saul. And they stoned Ste- Stephen's
phen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, martyrdom.
" Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ! " And he kneeled down,
and cried with a loud voice, " Lord, lay not this sin to
their charge." And when he had said this, he ^ fell asleep.
And Saul was consenting unto his death.
And there arose on that day a great persecution
against the church which was in Jerusalem ; and they
were all scattered abroad throughout the re-,
gions of Judaea and Samaria, except the secution. "
apostles.
And devout men buried Stephen, and made great
lamentation over him.
But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every
house, and haling men and women committed them to
prison.
" About A. D. 37.
768 The Shorter Busle [Acts 8. 4.
CHAPTER V.
THE GOSPEL IN SAMARIA: PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN.
They therefore that were scattered abroad went about
preaching the word. And Phihp went down to the city
of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ, And
The Gospel ^^^ multitudes gave heed with one accord
in Samaria, unto the things that were spoken by Philip,
when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. P^or
from many of those which had unclean spirits, they came
out, crying with a loud voice ; and many that were pal-
sied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was
much joy in that city.
But there was a certain man, Simon by name, which
beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the
Simon the people of Samaria, giving out that himself
sorcerer. ^yj^^ some great one ; to whom they all gave
heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man
is that power of God which is called Great." And the)-
gave heed to him, because that of long time he had
amazed them with his sorceries. But when they be-
lieved Philip preaching good tidings concerning the king-
dom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. And Simon also him-
self believed ; and being baptized, he continued with
Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought,
he was amazed.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard
that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent
unto them Peter and John ; who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Ghost ; for as yet he was fallen upon none of them ; only
they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received
the WoW Ghcvst.
Acts 8. i8.] Chronologically Arranged. 769
Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of
the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered
them money, saying, " Give me also this power, that on
whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy
Ghost."
But Peter said unto him, " Thy silver perish with thee,
because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with
money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter ;
for thy heart is not right before God. Repent therefore
of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the
thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see
that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of
iniquity."
And Simon answered and said, " Pray ye for me to
the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken
come upon me."
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken
the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and
preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying,
" Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that
goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza ; the same is
desert."
And he arose and went ; and behold, a man of Ethio-
pia, a eunuch of great authority under Can- ^^.j. ^^^
dace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over theEthio-
all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem ^^^"'
for to worship; and he was returning, sitting in his
chariot, and reading the prophet Isaiah.
And the Spirit said unto Philip, " Go near, and join
thyself to this chariot."
And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading, and
said, " Understandest thou what thou readest? "
And he said, " How can I, except some one shall
guide me?" And he besought Philip to come up and
sit with him.
Now the place of the Scripture which he was reading
was this,
" He was led as a sheep to the slaughter ;
And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb.
So he openeth not his mouth ;
770 The Shorter Bible [Acts 8. 33.
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away;
His generation who shall declare?
For his life is taken from the earth."
And the eunuch said, " I pray thee, of whom speaketh
the prophet this ? Of himself, or of some other?"
And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this
scripture, preached unto him Jesus.
And as they went on the way, they came unto a cer-
tain water ; and the eunuch saith, " Behold, here is water ;
what doth hinder me to be baptized ? " ^
And he commanded the chariot to stand still ; and
they both went down into the water, both Philip and the
eunuch ; and he baptized him.
And when they came up out of the w^ater, the Spirit
of the Lord caught away Philip ; and the eunuch saw him
no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. But Pliilip
was found at Azotus ; and passing through he preached
the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
* Some ancient authorities insert, wholly or in part, ver. 37. A>id Philip
said, " If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest." And he an-
swered and said, "//v/«Vzr thai yesKS Christ is the Son of God."
Acts 9- I.] Chronologically Arranged. 771
CHAPTER VI.
CONVERSION OF SAUL: HIS EARLY MINISTRY.
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter
against the disciples of the Lord, '"^ went unto the high
priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus saui'scon-
unto the synagogues, that if he found any version,
that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might
bring them bound to Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew
nigh unto Damascus ; and suddenly there shone round
about him a light out of heaven ; and he fell upon the
earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me?"
And he said, "Who art thou, Lord?"
And he said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest;
but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee
what thou must do."
And the men that journeyed with him stood speech-
less, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. And
Saul arose from the earth ; and when his eyes were
opened, he saw nothing ; and .they led him by the hand,
and brought him into Damascus. And he was three
days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus ; and the
Lord said unto him in a vision, " Ananias."
And he said, " Behold, I am here, Lord."
And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go to the
street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house
of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For be-
hold, he prayeth ; and he hath seen a man named Ananias
coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might
receive his sight. He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear
my name before Gentiles and kings, and the children of
" Probably about A. D. 37.
772 The Shorter Bible [Acts 9. 15.
Israel. I will show him how many things he must suffer
for my name's sake."
And Ananias departed, and entered into the house;
and laying his hands on him said, " Brother Saul, the
Lord, even Jesus hath sent me, that thou mayest re-
ceive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."
And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were
scales, and he received his sight ; and he arose and was
baptized ; and he took food and was strengthened.
And he was certain days with the disciples which were
at Damascus. And straightway in the synagogues he
Saul with proclaimed Jesus, that he is the son of God.
the disci- And all that heard him were amazed, and
said, " Is not this he that in Jerusalem made
havoc of them which called on this name ? And he had
come hither for this intent, that he might bring them
bound before the chief priests." But Saul increased the
more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt
at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took
counsel together to kill him ; but their plot became
known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day
and night that they might kill him ; but his disciples
took him by night, and let him down through the wall,
lowering him in a basket.
And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to
join himself to the disciples ; and they were all afraid
of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Bar-
nabas took him, and declared to the apostles how he
had seen the Lord in the way, and how at Damascus
he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. And
he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,
preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he
spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews ; but they
went about to kill him. And when the brethren knew
it, they sent him forth to Tarsus.
So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and
Samaria had peace, being edified ; and, walking in tlie
fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the llol)' Ghost,
was multiplied.
Acts 9. 32.] Chronologically Arranged. 7T3
CHAPTER VII.
PETER ITINERATING ; CARRYING THE GOSPEL TO COR-
NELIUS AND THE GENTILES.
And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all
parts, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at
Lydda. And there he found a certain man
named ^neas, which had kept his bed eight Lydda and
years; for he was palsied. And Peter said
unto him, " ^Eneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee ; arise, and
make thy bed."
And straightway he arose. And all that dwelt at
Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the
Lord.
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which by interpretation is called ^ Dorcas. This
woman was full of good works and almsdeeds
which she did. And it came to pass in those
days, that she fell sick, and died. And when they had
washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
And jis Lydda w^as nigh unto Joppa, the disciples,
hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him,
intreating him, " Delay not to come on unto us."
And Peter arose and went with them. And when he
was come, they brought him into the upper chamber;
and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing
the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she
was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and
kneeled down, and prayed ; and turning to the body, he
said, "Tabitha, arise."
And she opened her eyes ; and when she saw Peter,
she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her
up ; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her
alive.
* R. V. marg. , Or, Gazelle.
774 The Shorter Bible [Acts 9. 42.
And it became known throughout all Joppa ; and many
believed on the Lord. And it came to pass, that he
abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Now there was a certain man in Csesarea, Cornelius
by name, a centiirion of the band called the Italian band,
Cornelius ^ devout man, and one that feared God with
recen^ing all his house, who gave much alms to the
people, and prayed to God alway. He saw
in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of
the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and say-
ing to him, " Cornelius ! "
And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being
affrighted, said, " What is it. Lord ? "
And he said unto him, " Thy prayers and thine alms
are gone up for a memorial before God. And now send
men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed
Peter; he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house
is by the seaside."
And when the angel that spake unto him was departed,
he called two of his household servants, and a devout
soldier of them that waited on him continually; and hav-
ing rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey,
and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the
housetop to pray, about the sixth hour ; and he became
hungry, and desired to eat. But while they made ready,
he fell into a trance ; and he beholdeth the heaven
opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a
great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth ;
wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creep-
ing things of the earth and fowls of the heaven.
And there came a voice, " Rise, Peter ; kill and eat."
But Peter said, " Not so, Lord ; for I have never eaten
anything that is common and unclean."
And a voice came unto him again the second time,
" What God hath cleansed, make not thou common."
And this was done thrice ; and straightway the vessel
was received up into heaven.
Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what
the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, liie
men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry
Acts lo. 17.] Chronologically Arranged. 775
for Simon's house, stood before the gate, and called and
asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were
lodging there. And while Peter thought on the vision,
the Spirit said unto him, " Behold, three men seek thee.
Arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing
doubting ; for I have sent them."
And Peter went down to the men, and said, " Behold,
I am he whom ye seek ; what is the cause wherefore ye
are come? "
And they said, " Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man
and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the
nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel
to send for thee into his house, to hear words from thee."
So he called them in and lodged them.
And on the morrow he arose and "went forth with them,
and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied
him. And they entered into Caesarea.
And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called to-
gether his kinsmen and his near friends. And when
Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his
feet, and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, say-
ing, " Stand up ; I myself also am a man."
And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth
many come together; and he said unto them, "Ye
yourselves know how that it is an unlawful thing for a
man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of
another nation ; and yet unto me hath God showed that
I should not call any man common or unclean ; where-
fore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent
for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me."
And Cornelius said, " Four days ago, until this hour,
I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house ; and
behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, and
saith, ' Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are
had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send there-
fore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed
Peter ; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the
seaside.' Forthwith therefore I sent to thee ; and thou
hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we
are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things
that have been commanded thee of the Lord."
T76 The Shorter Bible [Acts lo. 34.
And Peter opened his mouth, and said:
" Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and
workcth righteousness, is acceptable to him". The word
which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good
tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), that
saying ye yourselves know, which was published through-
out all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism
which John preached ; even Jesus of Nazareth, how that
God anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power ;
who went about doing good, and healing all that were
oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we
are witnesses of all things which he did both in the
country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem ; whom also they
slew, hanging him on a tree. Him God raised up the
third day, and gave him to be made manifest, not to all
the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before
of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after
he rose from the dead. And he charged us to preach
unto the people, and to testify that this is he which is
ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his
name everyone that believcth on him shall receive re-
mission of sins."
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost
fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the
circumcision which believed were amazed, as many as
came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was
poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard
them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter, " Can any man forbid the water,
that these should not be baptized, which have received
the Holy Ghost as well as we?" And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Now the apostles and the brethren that were in JucUea
heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of
God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, tiicy
that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying,
"Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat
with them."
Acts 1 1. 4-] Chronologically Arranged. 777
But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them
in order, saying, " The Spirit bade me ijo. ^ . ,
A 1 1 • 1 1 1 -1 Peter's
Ana these six brethren also accompanied me ; explanation,
and we entered into the man's house. And as I began
to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, even as on us at
the beginning. And I remembered the word of the
Lord, how that he said, ' John indeed baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.'
If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also
unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who
was I, that I could withstand God ? "
And when they heard these things, they held their
peace, and glorified God, saying, " Then to the Gentiles
also hath God granted repentance unto life."
52
778 The vSiiorter Bible [Acts u. 19.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE GOSPEL AT ANTIOCII : MARTYRDOM OF JAMES:
IMPRISONMENT AND RELEASE OF PETER: DEATH
OF HEROD.
They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the
The Gospel tribulation that arose about Stephen traveled
atAntioch. ^g f^^j- ^g Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch,
speaking the word to none save only to Jews. But there
were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who,
when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks
also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the
Lord was with them ; and a great number that believed
turned unto the Lord.
And the report concerning them came to the ears of
the church which was in Jerusalem ; and they sent forth
Barnabas as far as Antioch ; who, when he was come,
and had seen the grace of God, was glad ; and he ex-
horted them all, that with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord ; for he was a good man, and full
of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and much people was
added unto the Lord.
And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul ; and
when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.
And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they
were gathered together with the church, and taught
much people; and that the disciples were called Chris-
tians first in Antioch.
Now in these days there came down prophets from
Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of
them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that
A collection there should be a great famine over all the
mother world ; which came to pass in the days of
church. Claudius. And the disci[)lcs, every man ac-
cording to his ability, determined to send relief unto the
Acts 11.29.] Chronologically Arranged. TY9
brethren that dwelt in Judaea; which also they did,
sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and
Saul.
"^ Now about that time '' Herod the king put forth his
hands to afflict certain of the church. And he killed
Tames the brother of John with the sword, t^ ^^ f
All 1 1-1 1 1 T Death of
And when he saw that it pleased the ews, James-Pe-
u JJ<- -TJi-i A ^ i\, term prison.
he proceeded to seize reter also. And those
were the days of unleavened bread. And when he had
taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to
four quaternions of soldiers to guard him ; intending
after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in the prison ; but prayer was
made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the
same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,
bound with two chains; and guards before the door kept
the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by
him, and a light shined in the cell ; and he smote Peter
on the side, and awoke him, saying, " Rise Released by
up quickly." And his chains fell off. an angel.
And the angel said unto him, " Gird thyself, and bind
on thy sandals. Cast thy garment about thee, and fol-
low me."
And he went out, and followed ; and he wist not that
it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he
saw a vision. And when they were past the first and
the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that lead-
eth into the city ; which opened to them of its own
accord ; and they went out, and passed on through one
street ; and straightway the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, " Now
I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his
angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and
from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."
And he came to the house of Mary the mother of
John whose surname was Mark, where many were gath-
ered together and were praying. And when he knocked
at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named
Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened
* A. D. 43. *• Grandson of Herod the Great.
780 The Shorter Bible [Acts 12. 14.
not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood
before the gate.
And they said unto her, " Thou art mad." But she
confidently affirmed that it was even so.
And they said, " It is his angel."
But Peter continued knocking ; and when they had
opened, they saw him, and were amazed. But he, beck-
oning unto them with the hand to hold their peace,
declared unto them how the Lord had brought him
forth out of the prison. And he said, " Tell these things
unto James, and to the brethren." And he departed,
and went to another place.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir
among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And
when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he
examined the guards, and commanded that they should
be put to death. And he went down from Jud?ea to
Caesarea, and tarried there.
And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal
apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto
Death of them. And the people shouted, saying, " The
Herod. voice of a god, and not of a man." And im-
mediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he
gave not God the glory ; and he was eaten of worms,
and ^ gave up the ghost.
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
*A. D. 44. Well fixed in secular history.
Acts 12. 25.] Chronologically Arranged, 781
CHAPTER IX.
PAUL'S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY.
And Barnabas and Saul returned ^ from Jerusalem,
when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with
them John whose surname was Mark.
Now there were at Ailtioch, in the church that was
there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and caiiofBar-
Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius salifal'ii^s-
of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster brother of sionaries.
Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they ministered
to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, " Separate
me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have
called them."
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their
hands on them, they sent them away.
'' So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, went
down to Seleucia ; and from thence they sailed
to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, ariesin
they proclaimed the word of God in thesyna- yp^^^-
gogues of the Jews; and they had also John as their
attendant.
And when they had gone through the whole island
unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus; which was
with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understand-
ing. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and
sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sor-
cerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood
them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy
Ghost, fastened his eyes on him, and said, " O full of all
guile and all villainy, thou enemy of all righteousness,
" R. V. marg., Many ancient autliorities read, to yenisalem. '' The first
missionary journey was A. D. 45-49.
T82 The Shorter Bible [Acts 13. 10.
wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the
Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon
thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a
season."
And immediately there fell on him a mist and a dark-
ness ; and he went about seeking some to lead him by
the hand.
Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, be-
lieved, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and
came to Perga in Pamphylia ; and John departed from
them and returned to Jerusalem. But they, passing
through Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia ; and they
went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
At Antioch And after the reading of the law and the
Min^i-- prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent
Paul's ser- unto them saying, "Brethren, if ye have any
word of exhortation for the people, say on."
And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand, said,
" Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken. The
God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted
the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt,
and with a high arm led he them forth out of it. And
for about the time of forty years suffered he their man-
ners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed
seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their
land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty
years; and after these things he gave them judges until
Samuel the prophet. And afterward they asked for a
king; and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a
man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to
be their king; to whom also he bare witness, and said,
' I have Tound David the son of Jesse, a man after my
heart, who shall do all my will.' Of this man's seed hath
God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour,
Jesus; when John had first preached before his coming
the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, ' What
suppose ye that I am ? I am not he. But behold, there
Cometh one after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not
Acts 13. 25.] Chronologically Arranged. 783
worthy to unloose.' Brethren, children of the stock of
Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is
the word of this salvation sent forth. For they that
dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew
him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read
every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And
though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked
they of Pilate that he should be slain. And when they
had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they
took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead ; and he was seen for
many days of them that came up with him from Galilee
to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people.
And we bring you good tidings of the promise made
unto the fathers, how that God hath fulfilled the same
unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it
is written in the second psalm, 'Thou art my Son, this
day have I begotten thee.' And as concerning that he
raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to
corruption, he hath spoken in another psalm, ' Thou wilt
not give thy Holy One to see corruption.' For David,
after he had in his own generation served the counsel of
God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw
corruption ; but he whom God raised up saw no corrup-
tion. Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that
through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of
sins; and by him every one that believeth is justified
from all things, from which ye could not be justified by
the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come
upon you, which is spoken in the prophets :
" * Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and ^perish ;
For I work a work in your days,
A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one de-
clare it unto you.' "
And as they went out, they besought that these
words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews
and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barna-
bas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in
the grace of God.
* R. V. marg. , Or, vanish azvay.
784 The Shorter Bible [Acts 13. 44.
And the next sabbath ahnost the whole city was gath-
ered together to hear the word of God. But when the
Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy,
and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul,
and " blasphemed. And Paul and Barnabas spake out
boldly, and said, " It was necessary that the word of God
should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from
)'ou, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo,
we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord com-
manded us, saying :
'" I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles,
That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the utter-
most part of the earth.' "
And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of God ; and as many as were ordained
to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was
spread abroad throughout all the region.
But the Jews urged on the devout women of honora-
ble estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up
a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them
out of their borders. But they shook off the dust of
their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And
the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost.
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they entered
together into the synagogue of the Jews, and
so spake, that a great multitude both of Jews
and of Greeks believed. But the Jews that were dis-
obedient stirred 'up the souls of the Gentiles, and made
them evil affected against the brethren. Long time
therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord,
which bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting
signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
But the multitude of the city was divided; and part
held with the Jews and part with the apostles. And
when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and
of the Jews with their rulers, to entreat them shame-
fully, and to stone them, they became aware of it, and
fled unto the cities of Ljcaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and
the region round about ; and there the}' preached the
gospel.
" R. v. marg. , Or, i ailed.
Acts 14. 8.] Chronologically Arranged. 785
And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in
his feet, a cripple, who never had walked. .^^ *
T-1 1 1 Ti 1 1 • 1 r -^t Lystra—
1 he same heard raul speakmg ; who, lasten- Acrippie
ing his eyes upon him, and seeing that he ^^e .
had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice,
" Stand upright on thy feet."
And he leaped up and walked.
And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done,
they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lyca-
onia, "The gods are come down to us in the »^ , ,.
,., r '? A 1 1 ti 1 -r. 1 Adulation,
likeness oi men. And they called Barnabas,
'^Jupiter; and Paul, ^ Mercury, because he was the chief
speaker. And the priest of '"^ Jupiter whose temple was
before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the
gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of
it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among
the multitude, crying out and saying, " Sirs, why do ye
these things? We also are men of like "^passions with
you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn
from these vain things unto the living God, who made
the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in
them is ; who in the generations gone by suffered all the
nations to walk in their own ways. And yet he left
not himself without witness, in that he did good, and
gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling
your hearts with food and gladness." And with these
sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing
sacrifice unto them.
But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Ico-
nium ; and having persuaded the multitudes, Persecu-
they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of ^^o^-
the city, supposing that he was dead. But as the disci-
ples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered
into the city ; and on the morrow he went forth with
Barnabas to Derbe.
And when they had preached the gospel to TJul-ney^^^
that city, and had made many disciples, they
returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
" R. V. maig. , Gr. Zeus. ^ R. V. marg., Gr. Hctmes. "= R. V. marg.,
Or, nature.
786 The vShorter Bible [Acts 14. 22.
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that through many tribula-
tions we must enter into the kingdom of God. And
when they had appointed for them elders in every
church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended
them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pam-
phylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga,
they went down to Attalia; and thence they sailed to
Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the
grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
And when they were come, and had gathered the church
together, they rehearsed all things that God had done
with them, and how that he had opened a door of faith
unto the Gentiles. And they tarried no little time with
the disciples.
Acts 15. I.] Chronologically Arranged. T87
CHAPTER X.
THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM.
And certain men came down from Judaea and taught
the brethren, saying, " Except ye be circumcised after
the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved."
And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension
and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that
Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should
go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about
this question. They therefore, being brought ^ g^ave
on their way by the church, passed through question.
both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion
of the Gentiles ; and they caused great joy unto all the
brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem,
they were received of the church and the apostles and
the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had
done with them.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees
who believed, saying, " It is needful to circumcise them,
and to charge them to keep the law of Moses."
And the apostles and the elders were gathered to-
gether to consider of this matter. And when there had
been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said,
" Brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God
made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles
should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And
God, which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giv-
ing them the Holy Ghost, even ^s he did unto us; and
he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing
their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God,
that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disci-
ples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace
of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they."
788 The Shorter Bible [Acts 15. 12.
And all the multitude kept silence ; and they heark-
ened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and
wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
And after they had held their peace, James answered,
saying,
" Brethren, hearken unto me : Symeon hath rehearsed
James' ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^°^ ^'^ ^^^^^ ^^^ Gcutiles, to take
deciding out of them a people for his name. And
to this agree the words of the prophets;
as it is written,
" ' " After these things I will return.
And I will build again the tabernacle of David,
which is fallen ;
And I will build again the ruins thereof,
And I will set it up ;
That the residue of men may seek after the Lord,
And all the Gentiles, upon \vhom my name is
called." '
Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them
which from among the Gentiles turn to God ; but that
we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollu-
tions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is
strangled, and from blood."
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders,
with the whole church, to choose men out of their com-
pany, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barna-
bas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief
men among the brethren ; and they wrote thus by them,
" The apostles and the elder brethren unto the breth-
ren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and
Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we have heard that cer-
tain which went out from us have troubled you with
The circular words, subverting your souls; to whom we
letter. gave no Commandment ; it seemed good unto
us, ha\'ing come to one accord, to choose out men and
send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and
Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Ju-
das and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the
same things by word of mouth. P^or it seemed good to
the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater
Acts 15.28.] Chronologically Arranged.. Y89
burden than these necessary things ; that ye abstain
from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from
things strangled, and from fornication ; from which if
ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye
well."
So they, when they were dismissed, came down to
Antioch ; and having gathered the multitude together,
they delivered the epistle. And when they had read it,
they rejoiced for the '"■ consolation. And Judas and Silas,
being themselves also prophets, ^ exhorted the brethren
with many words, and confirmed them. And after they
had spent sometime there, they were dismissed in peace
from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.
But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and
preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
" R. V. marg., Or, exhortatioti. *• R. V. marg., Or, comforted.
790 The Shortp:r Bible [Acts 15. 36.
CHAPTER XI.
Paul's second missionary journey, as far as to
CORINTH.
And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, " Let
us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein
we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they
fare."
And Barnabas was minded to take with them Jolin
also, who was called Mark. But Paul thought not good
to take with them him who withdrew from them from
Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And
there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asun-
der one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with
him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas,
and "^ went forth, being commended by the brethren to
the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and
Cilicia, confirming the churches.
And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra ; and be-
AtLystra- hold, a Certain disciple was there, named
Timothy. Timothy, the son of a Jewess which be-
lieved ; but his father was a Greek. The same was well
reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and
Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him ;
and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews
that were in those parts; for they all knew that his fa-
ther was a Greek. And as they went on their way
through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for
to keep, which had been ordained of the apostles and
elders that were at Jerusalem.
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and
increased in number daily.
And they went through the region of Phrygia and
Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to
" Paul's second missionary journey was A. D. 50-54.
Actsi6.6.] Chronologically Arranged. 791
speak the word in Asia; and when they were come over
against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia ; and
the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not ; and passing by
Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision ap-
peared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Mace-
donia standing, beseeching him, and saying, " Come over
into Macedonia, and help us."
And when he had seen the vision, straightway we
sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God
had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight
course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neap-
olis ; and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of
Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony ;
and we were in this city tarrying certain days.
And on the sabbath day we went forth without the
gate by a riverside, where we supposed there ^^ phiiippi
was a place of prayer ; and we sat down and -Lydia.
spake unto the women which were come together. And
a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the
city of Thyatira, one that worshiped God, heard us ;
whose heart the Lord opened, to give heed unto the
things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was
baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying,
" If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come
into my house, and abide there." And she constrained us.
And it came to pass, as we were going to the place
of prayer, that a certain maid having *a spirit of divina-
tion met us, which brought her masters much gain by
soothsaying. The same following after Paul and us cried
out, saying, "These men are servants of the Most High
God, which proclaim unto you the way of salvation." And
this she did for many days.
But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the
spirit, " I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come
out of her."
And it came out that very hour.
But when her masters saw that the hope of their
gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and
dragged them into the market place before the rulers,
" R. V. marg. , Gr. a spirit, a Python.
792 The vSiiorter Bible [Acts 16.20.
and when they had brouglit them unto the •'' magistrates,
they said, " These men, being Jews, do ex-
Siiasin ceedingly trouble our cit}', and set forth cus-
prison. toms which it is not lawful for us to receive,
or to observe, being Romans."
And the multitude rose up together against them ;
and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and
commanded to beat them with rods. And when they
had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into
prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely ; who,
having received such a charge, cast them into the inner
prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and
singing hymns unto God,' and the prisoners were listen-
ing to them ; and suddenly there was a great earth-
quake, so that the foundations of the prison house were
The earth- shaken ; and immediately all the doors were
fl^^j^ke-The opened; and everyone's bands were loosed.
verted. And the jailer being roused out of sleep,
and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword, and
was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners
had escaped.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, " Do thyself
no harm ; for we are all here."
And he called for lights, and sprang in, and, trem-
bling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought
them out, and said, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved ? "
And they said, " Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou
shalt be saved, thou and thy house." And they spake the
word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and
washed their stripes ; and was baptized, he and all his,
immediately. And he brought them up into his house,
and set meat before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all
his house, having believed in God.
But when it was day the magistrates sent the ''ser-
geants, saying, " Let those men go."
And the jailer reported the words to Paul, saying,
" The magistrates have sent to let you go ; now therefore
come forth, and go in peace."
" R. V. marg., i^x. priztors. *• R. \'. marg., Gr. lictors.
Acts i6. 37-] Chronologically Arranged. 793
But Paul said unto them, "They have beaten us
pubh'cly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have
cast us into prison ; and do they now cast us out privily?
Nay, verily ; let them come themselves and bring us out."
And the sergeants reported these words unto the
magistrates; and they feared, when they heard that they
were Romans ; and they came and besought them ; and
when they had brought them out, they asked them to go
away from the city. And they went out of the prison,
and entered into the house of Lydia ; and when they had
seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a syna-
gogue of the Jews; and Paul, as his custom was, went
in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with
them from the scriptures, opening and alleging, that it
behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the
dead ; and that this Jesus, " whom," said he, " I proclaim
unto you, is the Christ."
And some of them were persuaded, and consorted
with Paul and Silas ; and of the devout Greeks j^^rj,^
a great multitude, and of the chief women not lonica-Per-
SGCUtlOll
a few. But the Jews, being moved with jeal-
ousy, took unto them certain vile fellows, and gathering
a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the
house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the
people. And when they found them not, they dragged
Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city,
crying, " These that have turned the world upside down
are come hither also ; whom Jason hath received ; and
these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying
that there is another king, one Jesus."
And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the
city, when they heard these things. And when they
had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let
them go. And the brethren immediately sent Paul and
Silas by night unto Berea ; who when they were come
thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Now these were more noble than those in AtBer
Thessalonica, in that they received the word
with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures
53
794 The Shorter Bible [Acts 17. n.
daily, whether these things were so. Many of them
therefore believed ; also of the Greek women of honor-
able estate, and of men, not a few.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge
that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Berea
also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and trou-
bling the multitudes.
And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to
go as far as to the sea ; and Silas and Timothy abode
there still. But they that conducted Paul brought him
as far as Athens ; and receiving a commandment unto
Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with
all speed, they departed.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit
was provoked within him, as he beheld the city full of
idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews
and the devout persons, and in the market place every
day, with them that met with him. And certain also of
the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him.
And some said, " What would this babbler say.'' " others,
" He seemcth to be a setter forth of strange *gods; " be-
cause he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
And they took hold on him, and brought him unto
'' the Areopagus, saying, " May we know what this new
teaching is, which is spoken by thee? For thou bring-
est certain strange things to our ears; we would know
therefore what these things mean."
(Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning
there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell
or to hear some new thing.)
And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and
said,
" Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye
are somewhat ° superstitious. P"or as I passed
onMars^^ along, and observed the objects of your wor-
^^^^- ship, I found also an altar with this inscrip-
tion, '^TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye wor-
ship in ignorance, this set I forth unto you. The God
that made the world and all things therein, he, being
» R.V. maig., Or, demons. '• R. V. mj<.rg., Or, the hill of Mars. " R.V.
marg., Or, religious, "» R. V. marg., Or, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Acts 17.24.] Chronologically Arranged. 795
Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples
made with hands; neither is he served by men's hands,
as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth
to all life, and breath, and all things ; and he made of
one every nation of men for to dwell on all the face of
the earth, having determined their appointed seasons,
and the bounds of their habitation ; that they should
seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find
him, though he is not far from each one of us; for in
him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain
even of your own poets have said,
" < a Pqj. ^g ^j-g ^]j,Q Y\ls offspring.'
Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think
that ''the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone,
graven by art and device of man. The times of igno-
rance therefore God overlooked ; but now he command-
eth men that they should all everywhere repent ; inas-
much as he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge
the world in righteousness by °the man whom he hath
ordained ; whereof he hath given assurance unto all
men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,
some mocked ; but others said, " We will hear thee con-
cerning this yet again." Thus Paul went out from
among them. But certain men clave unto him, and be-
lieved ; among whom also was Dionysius the Areopa-
gite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
After these things he departed from Athens, and
came to Corinth. And he found a certain Paul at
Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race. Working at
lately come from Italy, with his wife Pris- l^is trade,
cilia, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to
depart from Rome ; and he came unto them ; and be-
cause he w^s of the same trade, he abode with them,
and they wrought ; for by their trade they were tent
makers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sab-
bath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
But when Silas and Timothy came down from Mace-
donia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to
" Found in the Hymn of Cleanthes. Also used Ijy Aratus. '' R. V.
marg., Or, i/ia( which is divine. " R. V. marg., Or, a vian.
796 The Shorter Bible [Acts i8. 5.
the Jews that Jesus was the Christ, And when they
opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook out his
raiment, and said unto them, " Your blood be upon your
own heads ; I am clean ; from henceforth I will go unto
the Gentiles."
And he departed thence, and went into the house of
a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshiped
God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord
with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing
believed, and were baptized.
And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision,
" Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace ; for
I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm
thee ; for I have much people in this city."
And he dwelt there a year and six months, teaching
the word of God among them.
I Thess. 1. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 797
FROM THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
^THESSALONIANS.
CHAPTER I.
LOVING WORDS : COMFORT CONCERNING THOSE ASLEEP.
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of
the Thessalonians in God the Father and the „
TIT r^t • r^ 1 Greeting-
Lord Jesus Christ. Crace to you and peace. Thanksgiv-
We give thanks to God always for you ^^^'
all, making mention of you in our prayers ; remem-
bering without ceasing your work of faith and labor
of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also
in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much ^assur-
ance ; and ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord,
having received the word in much affliction, with joy of
the ° Holy Ghost. So that from you hath sounded forth
the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but in every place your faith to Godward is
gone forth ; so that we need not to speak anything. For
they themselves report how ye turned unto God from
idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his
Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even
Jesus, which delivereth us from the wrath to come.
For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto
you, that it hath not been found vain ; but having suffered
before, and been shamefully entreated, as ye know, at
Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak personal
unto you the gospel of God in much conflict, words,
not as pleasing men, but God which proveth our hearts.
* Written from Corinth, A. D. 53. '' R. V. marg., Or, fidhiess. " R. V.
marg., Or, //o/y Spirit.
Y98 The Shorter Bible [iThess. 2. 5.
For neither at any time were we found using words of
flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is
witness ; nor seeking glory of men, neither from you,
nor from others, when we might have ^ been burdensome,
as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle in the midst of
you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children. Even
so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well
pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only,
but also our own souls, because ye were become very
dear to us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and
travail ; working night and day, that we might not burden
any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short
season, in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more
exceedingly to see your face with great desire ; because
we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again ;
and Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or
crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord
Jesus at his coming? Ye are our glory and our joy.
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought
it good to be left behind at Athens alone ; and sent
Timothy's Timothy, our brother and God's minister in
mission. ^\^q gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to
comfort you concerning your faith ; that no man be moved
by these afflictions ; for yourselves know that hereunto
we are appointed. For verily, when we were with you,
we told you ^ beforehand tiiat we are to suffer affliction.
For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear,
sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the
tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in
vain.
l^ut when Timothy came even now unto us from you,
and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and
that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing
to see us, even as we also to see you ; for this cause,
brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress
and affliction ; for now we live, if ye stand fast in the
Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again unto
God for y<ni, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your
sakes before our God ; night and day praying exceedingly
" R. V. marg., Or, claimed honor. '' R, V. marg., Or, plainly.
I Thess. 3. 10.] Chronologically Arranged. 799
that we may see your face, and may perfect that which
is lacking in your faith?
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord
Jesus, direct our way unto you ; and the Lord make you
to increase and abound in love one toward another, and
toward all men, even as we also do toward you ; to the
end he may stablish your hearts unblamable Exhorta-
in holiness before our God and Father, at tions.
the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in
the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought
to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, — that ye
abound more and more. For this is the will of God,
even your sanctification.
But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need
that one write unto you ; for ye yourselves are taught
of God to love one another. But we exhort you, brethren,
that ye abound more and more ; and that ye study to be
quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with
your hands, even as we charged you ; that ye may walk
honestly toward them that are without, and may have
need of nothing.
But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, con-
cerning them that fall asleep ; that ye sorrow comfort
not, even as the rest, which have no hope, those^^^'^^
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose "asleep."
again, even so them also that are fallen asleep ^ in Jesus
will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by
the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are
left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise pre-
cede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself
shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trump of God ; and the
dead in Christ shall rise first ; then we that The coming
are alive, that are left, shall together with Lord,
them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air ; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Where-
fore comfort one another with these words.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren,
ye have no need that aught be written unto you. For
*R. V. marg. , Gr. through, Or, ivill God iliroitgh yesus.
800 The Shorter Bible [iThess. 5.2.
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
so Cometh as a thief in the night. But ye, brethren,
are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you
as a thief; for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the
day.
But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting
on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet,
the hope of salvation. For God appointed us not unto
wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our
Admo- Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that,
mtions. whether we ^ wake or sleep, we should live
together with him. Wherefore ^' exhort one another, and
build each other up, even as also ye do.
But we beseech you, brethren, -to know them that
labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and
admonish you ; and to esteem them exceeding highly
in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among your-
selves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the
disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak,
be long-suffering toward all. See that none render unto
anyone evil for evil; but alway follow after that which
is good, one toward another, and toward all. Rejoice
alway ; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to youward.
Quench not the Spirit ; despise not prophesyings ; prove
all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from
every '^ form of evil.
And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly;
and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved en-
tire, without blame at the "coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also
do it.
Brethren, pray for us.
Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you
by the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the
brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
Benediction. ... ^
With you.
" R. V. maig., Or, i.'atcli. '' R. V. maig., Or, comfort. '' R. V. marg.,
Or, appearance. '' R. V. marg., (jv. presence.
2Thess. 2. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 801
FROM THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
THESSALONIANS.
CHAPTER I.
ADMONITIONS TO ORDER AND PATIENCE.
Now we beseech }'ou, brethren, touching the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together
unto him ; to the end that ye be not quickly shaken
from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either Mistakes
by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from Disorders"
us, as that the day of the Lord is now present ; rebuked,
let no man beguile you in any wise ; for it will not be,
except the falling away come first. Remember ye not,
that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things }
So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions
which ye were taught, by word or epistle of ours.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from
every brother that walketh disorderly. For even when
we were with you, this we commanded you, " If any will
not work, neither let him eat." For we hear of some that
walk among you disorderly. Now such we command
and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness
they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren,
be not weary in welldoing. And if any man obeyeth not
our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no
company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
And yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all
times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. Autograph-
The salutation of me Paulwith mineownhand, ic? authen-
1 • 1 • 1 1 • -1 T • tification—
which IS the token m every epistle ; so 1 write. Benediction.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
802 The Shorter Bible [Acts i8. 12.
THE ACTS.
{Contimied.)
CHAPTER XII.
PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY— CONCLUDED.
But when ^ Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews
with one accord rose up against Paul, and brought him
before the judgment seat, saying, "This man persuadeth
men to worship God contrary to the law."
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio
said unto the Jews, "If indeed it were a matter of wrong
or of wicked villainy, O ye Jews, reason would that I
should bear with you ; but if they are questions about
words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves;
I am not minded to be a judge of these matters."
And he drave them from the judgment seat.
And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the
„. , _ ,, synagogue, and beat him before the judg-
Riots P 3-11 Is y o o ' JO
return to ment seat. And Gallio cared for none of
Antiocn. , , .
these things.
And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took
his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and
with him Priscilla and Aquila ; having shorn his head in
Cenchrea,', for he had a vow. And they came to Ephc-
sus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into
the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And when
they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;
but taking his leave of them, and saying, "I will return
again unto you, if God will," he set sail from Ephesus.
And when he had landed at Cnesarea, he went up and
saluted the church, and went down to Antioch.
"Gallio was a brother of Seneca, the Roman philosopher.
Acts 18.23.] Chronologically Arranged. 803
CHAPTER XIII.
Paul's third missionary journey, as far as to
EPHESUS.
And having spent some time at Antioch, Paul
^ departed, and went through the region of Galatia and
Phrygia in order, stablishing all the disciples.
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by
race, ^ a learned man, came to Ephesus ; and he was
mighty in the scriptures. This man had been instructed
in the way of the Lord ; and being fervent in » u _
spirit, he spake and taught carefully the things Prisciiia and
concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism
of John ; and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
But when Prisciiia and Aquila heard him, they took him
unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God
more carefully. And when he was minded to pass over
into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to
the disciples to receive him ; and when he was come, he
helped them much which had believed through grace ;
for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly,
showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at
Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country
came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples; pauiat
and he said unto them, " Did ye receive the Ephesus.
Holy Ghost when ye believed ? "
And they said unto him, " Nay, we did not so much
as hear whether '^ the Holy Ghost was given."
And he said, " Into what then were ye baptized?"
And they said, " Into John's baptism."
And Paul said, " John baptized with the baptism of
repentance, saying unto the people, that they should
* Paul's third missionary journey was A. D. 54-5S. ^ R. V. marg., On
an eloquent man. '^ R. V. marg., Or, t/iere is a Holy Ghost.
804 The Shorter Bible [Acts 19. 4.
believe on him which should come after him, that is, on
Jesus."
And when they heard this, they were baptized into
the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid
his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them ;
and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And they
were in all about twelve men.
And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly
for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading
as to the things concerning the kingdom of God. But
when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking
evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from
them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the
school of Tyrannus. And this continued for the space
of two years ; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard
the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
I Cor. 1. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 805
FROM THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
^CORINTHIANS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY : WARNING, EXHORTATION, INSTRUC-
TION.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the
will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church
of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified
in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that call upon
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their
Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from Qreeting-
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks-
I thank my God always concerning you, for
the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.
God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the
fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that there be no divi- Against
sions among you ; but that ye be perfected divisions,
together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
The word of the cross is to them that are perishing fool-
ishness ; but unto us which are being saved it is the
power of God ; because the foolishness of God is wiser
than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For behold your calling, brethren, how that not many
wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not The Gospel
many noble, are called; but God chose the rests not on
foolish things of the world, that he might put wisdom.
to shame them that are wise ; and God chose the weak
things of the world, that he might put to shame the
* Written from Ephesus, A. D. 57.
806 The Shorter Bible [i Cor. i. 27.
things that are strong ; and the base things of the world,
and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea
and the things that are not, that he might bring to
naught the things that are ; that no flesh should glory-
before God. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who
was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness
and sanctification, and redemption ; that, according as
it is written, " He that glorieth, let him glory in the
Lord."
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto
spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. I fed
you with milk, not with meat ; for ye were not yet able
to bear it ; nay, not even now are ye able. For whereas
Nor on any there is among you jealousy and strife, are
man. yc not carnal, and walk after the manner of
men ? For when one saith, " I am of Paul," and another,
" I am of Apollos," are ye not men ? What then is
Apollos, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye
believed. I planted, Apollos watered ; but God gave the
increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything,
neither he that watereth ; but God that giveth the in-
crease.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one ; but
each shall receive his own reward according to his own
labor. For we are God's fellow-workers ; ye are God's
■''husbandry, God's building.
According to the grace of God which was given unto
me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation ; and
another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed
how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no
man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
.,, , But if any man buildeth on the foundation
All work , , .1 1 11 111
tested. gold, Silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble,
each man's work shall be made manifest ; for the day
shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire ; and the
fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is.
If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he
shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be
burned, he shall suffer loss ; but lie himself shall be
saved ; yet so as through fire.
" R. V. niaig., Gr. tilled land.
I Cor. 3. 16.] CiTRONOLOGrCALLY ARRANGED. 807
Know ye not that ye are a '^ temple of God, and that
the Spirit of God dvvelleth in you ? If any
man destroyeth the '^temple of God, him ofdod'hfs^
shall God destroy ; for the ^ temple of God is ^^^^t^^^^y-
holy, '' which temple ye are.
Now ° these things, brethren, I have in a figure trans-
ferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes ; that in us
ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are
written ; that no one of you be puffed up for the one
against the other. For what h'ast thou that thou didst
not receive ? But if thou didst receive it, why dost thou
glory? Already are ye '"filled, already ye are become
rich, ye have reigned without us; yea and I would that
ye ^ did reign, that we also might reign with you. For,
1 think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as
men doomed to death ; for we are made a spectacle unto
the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for
Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we „
are weak, but ye are strong ; ye have glory, words,
but we have dishonor. Even unto this present hour
we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are
buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place ; and we toil,
working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless ;
being persecuted, we endure ; being defamed, we entreat ;
we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of
all things, even until now.
I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish
you as my beloved children. For though ye should have
ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many
fathers ; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gos-
pel. I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.
For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my
beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you
in remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, even as
I teach everywhere in every church.
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not com-
ing to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord
will ; and I will know, not the word of them which are
*R.V. marg., Ox, sanctuary. '' R. V. mirg. , Ox, and such are ye. •= See
third paragraph preceding. '' That is, in their own opinion. " That is,
really and spiritually.
808 The vShorter Bible [iCor. 4. 19.
puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is
not in word, but in power. Wliat wiU ye ? Shall I come
unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of meekness?
Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump ? Purge out the old leaven, that ye may
tion to be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened,
pun y. p^^. ^^^ passover also hath been sacrificed,
even Christ ; wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old
leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Dare any of you, having a matter against his neigh-
bor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before
Concerning the saints? Or know ye not that the saints
lawsuits. shall judge the world? And if the world is
judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest
matters? Is it so, that there cannot be found among
you one wise man, who shall be able to decide between
his brethren, but brother goeth to law with brother, and
that before unbelievers? Nay, already it is altogether a
defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another.
Why not rather take wrong ? Why not rather be de-
frauded ? Nay, but ye yourselves do wrong, and defraud,
and that your brethren. Or know ye not that the un-
righteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God ?
Know ye not that your body is a '"^ temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have from God ? And ye
are not your own ; for ye were bought with a price.
Glorify God therefore in your body.
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote. The un-
Concerning believing husband is sanctified in the wife, and
marriage. ^1^^ unbelieving wife is sanctified in the
brother; else were your children unclean ; but now are
they holy. How knowest thou, O wife, whether thou
shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O hus-
band, whether thou shalt save thy wife ?
But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that
henceforth both those that have wives may be as though
they had none ; and those that weep, as though they
wept not ; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced
" R. V. marg. , Or, sanctuary.
I Cor. 7. 30.J Chronologically Arranged. 809
not ; and those that buy, as though they possessed not ;
and those that use the world, as not ^ abusing it ; for the
fashion of this world passeth away.
Now concerning ' the eating of things sacrificed to
idols, ^ we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up,
but love ^ edifieth. We know that no idol is
anything in the world, and that there is no Seat1)fferld
God but one. Hovvbeit in all men there is ^o^'^o^^-
not that knowledge ; but some, being used until now to
the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol ; and their
conscience being weak is defiled. But meat will not
commend us to God ; neither, if we eat not, are we the
worse ; nor, if we eat, are we the better. But take heed
lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stum-
blingblock to the weak. For if a man see thee which hast
knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not
his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things
sacrificed to idols ? For through thy knowledge he that is
wi^ak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding
their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ,
Wherefore, if meat maketh my brother to
stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, tion^princi-
that I make not my brother to stumble. ^^®"
^ What say I then ? That a thing sacrificed to idols
is anything, or that an idol is anything? But I say, that
the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to
" devils, and not to God ; and I would not that ye should
have communion with <= devils. Ye cannot drink the cup
of the Lord, and the cup of *> devils ; ye cannot partake of
the table of the Lord, and of the table of " devils.
All things are lawful ; but all things are not expedient.
All things are lawful ; but all things '^ edify not. Let no
man seek his own, but each his neighbor's good. What-
soever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question
for conscience' sake ; foV the earth is the Lord's, and the
fullness thereof. If one of them that believe not biddeth
' I Cor. viii, 4.
' I Cor. viii, i.
* I Cor. X, 19.
54
" R. V. marg. , Or, using it to the
full. >> R. V. marg., Gr. buildeth
up. "^ R. V. marg., Gr. demons.
^ R. V. marg., Gr. build not up.
810 The Shorter ^ Bible [iCor. 10.26.
you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go ; whatsoever is
set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience'
sake. But if any man say unto you, " This hath been
offered in sacrifice," eat not, for his sake that showed it,
and for conscience' sake ; conscience, I say, not thine own,
but the other's ; for why is my Hberty judged by
another conscience ? If I by grace partake, why am I
evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks ? Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God. Give no occasion of stumbling, either
to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God ; even as
I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own
profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be
saved. Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of
Christ.
iCor.9. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 811
CHAPTER 11.
PERSONAL WORDS : VARIOUS TEACHINGS.
'Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our
Lord ? Are not ye my work in the i.ord ? If concernino-
to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I l^^-^V's apos-
am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship
are ye in the Lord. My defense to them that examine
me is this. Have we no -right to eat and to drink?
Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer,
even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the
Lord, and Cephas ? What soldier ever serveth at his
own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and ,yr- .. ,
eateth not the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth right to sup-
a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the
flock? Do I speak these things after the manner of
men? Or saith not the law also the same? For it is
written in the law of Moses, " Thou shalt not muzzle the
ox when he treadeth out the corn." Is it for the oxen
that God careth, or ** saith he it altogether for our sake?
Yea, for our sake it was written ; because he that plow-
eth ought to plow, and he that thresheth to thresh, in hope
of partaking. If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is
it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things ? If
others partake of this right over you, do not we yet
more ? Know ye not that they which minister about
sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they
which wait upon the altar have their portion with the
altar ? Even so did the Lord ordain that they which
proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. But I
have used none of these things ; and I write not these
things that it may be so done in my case ; for it were
good for me rather to die, than that any man should
1 Q ■ I " R. V. marg., Or, saif/i he it, as
' ' 1 he doubtless doth, for our sake ?
812 The Shorter Bible [iCor. 9. 15.
make my glorying void. For if I preach the gospel, I
Why Paul have nothing to glory of ; for necessity is laid
renounced upon me ; for woe is unto me, if I preach not
tlusright. ^ 1 17 -r T J ..u- r • -n
the gospel, ror n 1 do this of mine own will,
I have a reward ; but if not of mine own will, I have a
stewardship intrusted to me. What then is my reward?
That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel
without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in
the gospel. For though I was free from all men, I
brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain
the more. And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I
might gain Jews ; to them that are under the law, as
under the law, not being myself under the law, that I
might gain them that are under the law ; to them that
are without law, as without law, not being without law
to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them
that are without law. To the weak I became weak, that
I might gain the weak; I am become all things to all
men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all
things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint par-
taker thereof. Know ye not that they which run in a
race run all, but one receiveth the prize ? Even so run,
that ye may attain. And every man that striveth in the
games is temperate in all things. Now they do it to re-
ceive a corruptible crown ; but we an incorruptible. I
therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so '^ fight I, as not
beating the air; but I ^ buffet my body, and bring it into
bondage ; lest by any means, after that I have preached
to others, I myself should be rejected.
For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, how
that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea, and were all baptized unto Moses in
the cloud and in the sea, and did all eat the same
spiritual meat, and did all drink the same spiritual
Israel's his- drink ; for they drank of a spiritual rock that
ofciirLS ^"ollowed them; and the rock was Christ,
experience. Howbeit with most of them God was not well
pleased ; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we
" R. V. marg., Gr. box. •> R. V. maig., Gr. bruise.
I Cor. lo. 6.] Chronologically Arranged. 813
should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither let us tempt the Lord, as some of them
tempted, and perished by the serpents. Neither mur-
mur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished
by the destroyer. Now these things happened unto
them by way of example ; and they were written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed
lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but
such as man can bear ; but God is faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but
will with the temptation make also the way of escape,
that ye may be able to endure it.
* But in giving you this charge, I praise you not that
ye come together for the Lord's supper not for
the better but for the worse ; for in your eat- concerning
ing each one taketh before other his own theLorcfs
supper; and one is hungry, and another is supper,
drunken. What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink
in? Or despise ye the '^ church of God, and put them
to shame that ^ have not ? What shall I say to you ?
Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I re-
ceived of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,
how that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was
betrayed took bread ; and when he had given thanks, he
brake it, and said, " This is my body, which is for you ;
this do in remembrance of me." In like manner also the
cup, after supper, saying, " This cup is the new covenant
in my blood; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remem-
brance of me." For as often as ye eat this bread, and
drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the
cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body
and the blood of the Lord.
Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to
eat, wait one for another. If any man is hungry, let him
eat at home ; that your coming together be not unto
judgment. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
, ^ I * R. V. mai-fr., Or, cons[res[ation.
' I Cor. II. 17. 1, T. ir r\ 1 47 •
' '' K. V. marg., Or have nothing.
814 The Shorter Bible [iCor. 12. i.
CHAPTER III.
CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND LOVE.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not
have you ignorant. There are diversities of gifts, but
Diversity ^^"^^ same Spirit. And there are diversities of
yet unity. ministrations, and the same Lord. And there
are diversities of workings, but the same God, who work-
eth all things in all. But to each one is given the
manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. For to one
is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom ; to an-
other faith, in the same Spirit ; and to another gifts of
healings, in the one Spirit ; and to another workings of
miracles ; and to another prophecy ; and to another dis-
cernings of spirits ; to another divers kinds of tongues ;
and to another the interpretation of tongues ; but all
these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to
each one severally even as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and
all the members of the bod)-, being many, are one body;
so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all bap-
tized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether
bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot
shall say, " Because I am not the hand, I am not of the
body ; " it is not therefore not of the body. And if the
ear shall say, " Because I am not the eye, I am not of the
body;" it is not therefore not of the body. If the whole
body were an eye, where were the hearing ? If the whole
were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath
God set the members each one of them in the body, even
Onenessof ^s it pleased him. If they were all one
believers. member, where were the body? But now
they arc many members, but one bod}-. And the eye
cannot say to the hand, " I ha\'e no need of thee ;" or
I Cor. 12.21.] Chronologically Arranged. 815
again the head to the feet, " I have no need of you." Nay,
much rather, those members of the body which seem to be
more feeble are necessary ; and those parts of the body,
which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow
more abundant honor ; but God tempered the body to-
gether, giving more abundant honor to that part which
lacked. And i f one member suffereth, all the members
suffer ; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members
thereof. And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then mir-
acles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers
kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets?
Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have
all gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all
interpret ? But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And
a still more excellent way show I unto you.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but
have not love, I am become sounding brass. Love better
or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift t^iangifts.
of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge;
and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but
have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my
goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be
burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love
suffereth long, and is kind ; love envieth not ; love vaunt-
eth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh
not account of evil ; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but
rejoiceth with the truth ; beareth all things, believeth
all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love
never faileth ; but whether there be prophecies, they
shall be done away ; whether there be tongues, they shall
cease ; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done
away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part ;
but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in
part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake
as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child ; now
that I am. become a man, I have put away childish
things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly ; but then
face to face. Now I know in part ; but then shall I know
816 The Shorter Bible [iCor. 13. 12.
even as also I have been ^ known. But now abideth faith,
hope, love, these three ; and the greatest of these is love.
Follow after love ; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts,
but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh
in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God ; for
no man understandeth ; but in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men
edification, and comfort, and consolation. He that
speaketh in a tongue ''edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth ** edifieth the church. Now I would have
Gifts to be you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye
used to. should prophesy ; and greater is he that proph-
esieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
What is it then ? I will pray with the spirit, and I will
pray with the understanding also ; I will sing with the
spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
* If the whole church be assembled together, and all
speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned
or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad ? But
if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or
unlearned, he is "^ reproved by all, he is judged by all;
the secrets of his heart are made manifest ; and so he
will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring
that God is ^ among you indeed.
What is it then, brethren ? When ye come together,
each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation,
hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things
be done unto edifying. If any man speaketh in a
tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that
in turn ; and let one interpret ; but if there be no in-
terpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let
him speak to himself, and to God. And let the prophets
speak by two or three, and let the others discern. But
if a revelation be made to another sitting b}-, let the
first keep silence. For ye all can prophesy one by one,
that all may learn, and all may be comforted ; and the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets ; for
(jod is not a (jod of confusion, but of peace.
" R. V. marg., Gr. hi o-ain fully. '' R. V. maig., C!r. btiUdelli up. " R. V.
maig., Or, convicted. " R. V. niarg., Or, in.
iCor. 15. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 817
CHAPTER IV.
CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION; THE COLLECTION:
CONCLUSION.
Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel
which I preached unto you, which also ye received,
wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved. For
I delivered unto you first of all that which also I re-
ceived, how that Christ died for our sins according to
the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he
hath been raised on the third day according Christ's res-
to the scriptures; and that he appeared to urrection.
Cephas ; then to the twelve ; then he appeared to above
five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part
remain until now, but some are fallen asleep ; then he
appeared to James ; then to all the apostles ; and last of
all, as unto one born out of due time, he appeared to me
also. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not
meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am.
Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised
from the dead, how say some among you that there is
no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrec-
tion of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised ; and if
Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain,
your faith also is vain. Yea, and we are found false
witnesses of God ; because we witnessed of God that he
raised up Christ ; whom he raised not up, if so be that
the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised,
neither hath Christ been raised ; and if Christ hath not
been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ have
perished. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ,
we are of all men most pitiable.
But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the
818 The Shorter Bible [iCor. 15. 20.
first fruits of them that are asleep. For since by man
came death, by man came also the resurrection of the
dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall
all be made alive. But each in his own order; Christ
the first fruits; then they that are Christ's, at his com-
ing. Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up
the kingdom to God, even the Father ; when he shall
have abolished all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under
his feet. The last enemy that shall be abolished is
death. For, " He put all things in subjection under his
feet." But some one will say, " How are the dead
raised ? And with what manner of body do they come ? "
Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not
quickened, except it die; and that which thou sowest,
thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain,
it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind ; but God
giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each
„, seed a body of its own. All flesh is not the
The reSUr- n ^ ■, . ^ • n ^ r i
rection same flesh ; but there is one tiesh 01 men, and
^' another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of
birds, and another of fishes. There are also celestial
bodies, and bodies terrestrial ; but the glory of the celes-
tial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the
moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star dif-
fereth from another star in glory. So also is the resur-
rection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is
raised in incorruption ; it is sown in dishonor, it is
raised in glory ; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in
power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual
body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spirit-
ual body. So also it is written, " The first man Adam be-
came a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving
spirit. Ilowbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but
that which is natural ; then that which is spiritual. The
first man is of the earth, earthy ; the second man is of
heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are
earthy ; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that
are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the
earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
iCor. 15. 50-1 Chronologically Arranged. 819
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God ; neither doth corruption
inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We
shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a
moment, in the twinkling pf an eye, at the last trump ;
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this cor-
ruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall
have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall come to pass the Triumph
saying that is written, " Death is swallowed over death.
up in victory." O death, where is thy victory? O
death, where is thy sting ? The sting of death is sin ;
and the power of sin is the law ; but thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, a reason for
be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abound- work,
ing in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that
your labor is not vain in the Lord.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave
order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. ^
11 1 Concerning
Upon the first day of the week let each one the coiiec-
of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper,
that no collections be made when I come. And when
I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve by letters, them
will I send to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem ; and
if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.
But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed
through Macedonia ; for I do pass through Macedonia ;
but with you it may be that I shall abide, or even win-
ter,.,that ye may set me forward on my journey whither-
soever I go. For I do not wish to see you now by the
way ; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord
permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost ;
for a great door and effectual is opened unto mc, and
there are many adversaries.
Now if Timothy come, see that he be with words^
you without fear; for he worketh the work
of the Lord, as I also do ; let no man therefore de-
820 The Shorter Bible [iCor. i6. u.
spise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace,
that he may come unto me ; for I expect him with the
brethren. But as touching ApoUos the brother, I be-
sought him much to come unto you with the brethren ;
and it was not at all his will to come now ; but he will
come when he shall have opportunity.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men,
be strong. Let all that ye do be done in love.
Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of
Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that
they have set themselves to minister unto the saints),
that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to everyone
that helpeth in the work and laboreth. And I rejoice
at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achai-
cus ; for that which was lacking on your part they sup-
plied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours; acknowl-
edge ye therefore thein that are such.
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca
salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in
their house. All the brethren salute you. Salute one
another with a holy kiss.
Autograph- The salutation of mc Paul with mine own
fication- " hand. If any man loveth not the Lord, let
Benedic- j^j^^ ^^ anathema. " Maran atha. The grace
of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with
you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
" R. V. marg., That is, Ottr Lord comet h.
Acts 19- 1 I.J Chronologically Arranged. 821
THE ACTS.
{Continued^
CHAPTER XIV.
Paul's third missionary journey — continued.
And God wrought special iniracles by the hands of
Paul; insomuch that unto the sick were Paul at
carried away from his body handkerchiefs or Ephesus.
aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the
evil spirits went out.
But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took
upon them to name over them which had the evil spirits
the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, " I adjure you by
Jesus whom Paul preacheth." And there were seven
sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, which did this.
And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, "Jesus
I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" And the
man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and
mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so
that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks,
that dwelt at Ephesus ; and fear fell upon them all,
and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Many also of them that had believed came, confessing,
and declaring their deeds. And not a few of them that
practiced " curious arts brought their books together,
and burned them in the sight of all ; and they counted
the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of
silver. So mightily grew the word of the Lord and
prevailed.
Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in
* R. V. marg. , Or, magical.
822 The Shorter Bible [Acts 19. 21.
the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and
Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been
there, I must also see Rome." And having sent into
Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Tim-
othy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
And about that time there arose no small stir concern-
ing the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a
silversmith, which made silver shrines of -^ Diana, brought
Riot of the uo little business unto the craftsmen ; whom
silversmiths, j^^ gathered together, with the workmen of
like occupation, and said, " Sirs, ye know that by this
business we have our wealth. And ye see and hear, that
not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia,
this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people,
saying that they be no gods, which are made with
hands; and not only is there danger that this our trade
come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great
goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she
should even be deposed from her magnificence, whom all
Asia and the world worshipeth."
And when they heard this, they were filled with wrath,
and cried out, saying, " Great is Diana of the Ephe-
sians ! "
. And the city was filled with the confusion ; and they
rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized
Gains and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's com-
panions in travel. And when Paul was minded to enter
in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And
certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends,
sent unto him, and besought him not to adventure him-
self into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing,
and some another; for the assembly was in confusion;
and the more part knew not wherefore they were come
together.
And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the
Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned
with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the
people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew,
all with one voice about the space of two hours cried
out, " Great is Diana of the Ephesians ! "
"R. V. marg., Gr. Artemis.
Acts 20. 35.] Chronologically Arranged. 823
And when the town clerk had quieted the multitude,
he saith, "Ye men of Ephesus, what man is The wise
there who knoweth not how that the city ^°^^ clerk.
of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Diana, and
of the image which fell down from ''Jupiter? Seeing
then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to
be quiet, and to do nothing rash. For ye have brought
hither these men, which are neither robbers of temples
nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Deme-
trius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a mat-
ter against any man, the courts are open, and there are
proconsuls ; let them accuse one another. But if ye
seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in
the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger to
be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no
cause for it ; and as touching it we shall not be able to
give account of this concourse."
And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the as-
sembly.
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul having sent for
the disciples and exhorted them, took leave p^^^ .^^_
of them, and departed for to go into Mac- neyingto
edonia. And when he had gone through
those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he
came into Greece.
" R. V. marg., Or, heaven.
824 The Shorter Bible [2 Cor. 1. 1.
FROM the second EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
^ CORINTHIANS.
CHAPTER I.
PERSONAL WORDS: EXHORTATIONS.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of
God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God^
which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in the
_, _. whole of Achaia. Grace to vou and peace
Thanks- from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
giving. /-I • i.
Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort ;
who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be
able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through
the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of
God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us,
even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.
I was minded to come before unto you ; but to spare
you I forbare to come. Not that we have lordship over
your faith, but are helpers of }-our joy; for b\' faith ye
stand. But I determined this for myself, that I would
Loving so- '^*^t come again to you with sorrow. l'"i>r if I
licitude. make you sorry, who then is he that makelh
me glad, but he that is made sorry by me ?
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I
wrote unto you with many tears ; not that \-c sliould be
made sorry, but that ye might know the love \\hich I
hav^e more abundantly unto you.
Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ,
and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord, I had
'' Written from Macedonia, A. D. 57.
2 Cor. 2. 13-] Chronologically Arranged, 825
no relief for my spirit, because I found not ^ Titus my
brother ; but taking my leave of them, I went forth into
Macedonia. But thanks be unto God, which always
leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest
through us the savor of his knowledge in every place.
Are we beginning again to commend ourselves ? Need
we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or
from you? Ye are our epistle, written in our paui's apos-
hearts, known and read of all men; being ^ohc office.
made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, minis-
tered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of
the living God ; not in tables of stone, but in tables that
are hearts of flesh.
But we have this '' treasure in earthen vessels, that the
exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and
not from ourselves ; we are pressed on every side,
yet not straitened ; perplexed, yet not unto despair ;
pursued, yet not forsaken ; smitten down, yet not de-
stroyed ; always bearing about in the body the '^ dying
of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in
our body, knowing that he which raised up the -weakness
Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, yet tri-
Wherefore we faint not ; but though our
outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed
day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the
moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an
eternal weight of glory ; while we look not at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are not seen ; for
the things which are seen are temporal, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.
For we know that if the earthly house of our '^ tabernacle
be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not
made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. Wherefore we
•^ make it our aim to be well-pleasing unto him. For we
must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of
Christ ; that each one may receive the things done in
the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be
good or bad.
"Whom he had sent to learn their state. ^ That is, his apostleship.
*= R. V. marg., Gr. putting to death. ^ R. V. marg., Or, bodily fravie.
* R. V. marg., Gr. are ambitious,
55
826 The Shorter Bible [2Cor.5. n.
Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade
men.
The love of Christ constraineth us.
We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as
. ^ though God were intreating by us ; we be-
dors for seech vou on behalf of Christ, be ye rec-
onciled to God. Him who knew no sin he
made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become
the righteousness of God in him. And working together
with him we intreat also that ye receive not the grace
of God in vain (for he saith,
"At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee,
And in a day of salvation did I succor thee ; "
behold, now*is the acceptable time ; behold, now is the
day of salvation) ; giving no occasion of stumbling in
anything, that our ministration be not blamed ; but in
everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God,
in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in dis-
tresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in la-
bors, in watchings, in fastings ; in pureness, in knowledge,
in longsuffering, in kindness, in the ^ Holy Ghost, in love
unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God ;
by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on
the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good
report ; as deceivers, and yet true ; as unknowMi, and yet
well known ; as dying, and behold, we live ; as chastened,
and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as
poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, and }-et
possessing all things.
Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what
Exhortation fellowship have righteousness and iniquity,
to separate- or what communiou hath lisrht with dark-
I16SS. ^
ncss? And what concord hath Christ w^'th
Belial, or what portion hath a believer with an unbe-
liever ? And what agreement hath a ^ temple of God
with idols? For we are a ^ temple of the living God ;
even as God said, " I will dwell in them, and walk in
them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people." Wherefore
" R. V. marg., Or, //o/v Sj'ir//, ami so tlirouglioul tliis book. ^ R. V,
marg., Or, sancttcary.
2Cor.6. i;.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 827
" Come ye out from among them, and be ye sepa-
rate," saith the Lord,
" And touch no unclean thing ;
And I will receive you,
And will be to you a Father,
And ye shall be to me sons and daughters,"
saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these
promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all defilement of flesh and spirit, per- ^^^^P^^ty-
fecting holiness in the fear of God.
"^ Open your hearts to us; we wronged no man, we
corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. I say
it not to condemn you ; for I have said before, that ye
are in our hearts to die together and live together.
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my
glorying on your behalf; I am filled with comfort, I
overflow with joy in all our affliction.
For even when we were come unto Macedonia, our flesh
had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; with-
out were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless he
that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by
the coming of Titus ; and not by his coming only, but
also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you,
while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal
for me ; so that I rejoice yet more. For though I made
you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it, though I
did regret. I rejoice, not that ye were made Effectofthe
sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto re- ^^^* letter,
pentance. For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto
salvation, but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Behold, ye were made sorry after a godly sort ; what
earnest care it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of
yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea,
what longing, yea, what zeal, yea, what avenging! In
everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the
matter. So we have been comforted.
* R. V. marg., Gr. Make room for us.
828 The Shorter Bible [2Cor. 8. i.
CHAPTER II.
CONCERNING GIVING: PERSONAL WORDS : CONCLUSION.
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you' the
grace of God whicli hath been given in the churches
„ ^. . of Macedonia ; how that in much proof of
How Chris- rr,- • r 1 ■ • i t •
tiaus should affliction the abundance of their lov and their
deep poverty abounded unto the riches of
their HberaHty. For according to their power, I bear wit-
ness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own
accord, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord.
Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made
a beginning before, so he would also complete in you
this grace also. But as ye abound in everything, in faith,
and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and
in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
How Christ ^^^ Y^ kuow the grace of our Lord Jesus
save. Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your
sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might
become rich.
Now complete the doing, out of your ability. For if
the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man
hath, not according as he hath not. For I say not this,
that others may be cased, and }'e distressed ; but by
equality; your abundance being a supply at this present
time for their want, that their abundance also may be-
come a supply for your want ; that there may be equality ;
as it is written, " He that gathered much had nothing
over; and he that gathered little had no lack."
I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf
to them of Macedonia, that " Achaia hath been prepared
for a year past." Andyour zeal hath stirred up very many
of them. But I have sent the brethren, that our glory-
ing on your behalf may not be made void in this respect ;
that ye may be prepared ; lest by any means, if there
2 Cor. 9. 4.] Chronologically Arranged. 829
come with me any of Macedonia, and find you unpre-
pared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame
in this confidence. I thought it necessary therefore to
entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you,
and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that
the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not
of extortion.
But this I say, he that soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he that soweth ^bountifully shall
reap also bountifully. Let each man do according as
he hath purposed in his heart ; not ^grudgingly, or of
necessity ; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is
able to make all grace abound unto you ; that ye, having
always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto
every good work. He that supplieth seed to the sower
and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed
for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and
gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly
among you, but being absent am of good courage toward
you ; yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present
show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to
be bold against some, which count of us as if we walked
according to the flesh.
Though I should glory somewhat abundantly concern-
ing our authority (which the Lord gave for building you
up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to
shame; that I may not seem as if I would p^upgrea-
terrify you by my letters. For, " his letters," sonfor"gio-
they say, " are weighty and strong ; but his ^^'^^"
bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account."
Let such a one reckon this ; that what we are in word
by letters when we are absent, such arc we also in deed
when we are present.
Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolish-
ness; *^ nay indeed bear with me. For I am jealous
over you with a godly jealousy; for I espoused you to
one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin
" R. V. marg. , Gr. with blessings. *" R. V. marg., Gr. of sorrow. "^ R. V.
mariT., Or, btit indeed ve do bear witJi me.
830 The Shorter Bible [2Cor. ii. 2.
to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent
beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be cor-
rupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward
Christ. I reckon that I am not a whit behind the
very chiefest apostles. Did I commit a sin in abasing
myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to
you the gospel of God for naught ? I robbed other
churches, taking wages of them that I might minister
unto you ; and when I was present with you and was in
Reason for want, I was not a burden on any man ; for
support^^^ the brethren, when they came from Mace-
ofthem. donia, supplied my want. In everything I
kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so
will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no
man shall stop me of this glorying in the regions of
Achaia. Wherefore ? Because I love you not ? God
knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut
off occasion from them which desire an occasion. For
such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning
themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel ; for
even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. It
is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion
themselves as ministers of righteousness ; whose end shall
be according to their works.
I say again, let no man think me foolish ; but if ye
do, yet as foolish receive me. Seeing that many glory
after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye bear with a
man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth
The.giory- yo"' i^ ^^ takcth you captive, if he exalteth
ing itself, himself, if he smiteth you on the face. Yet
whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am
bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Is-
raelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so
am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one
beside himself) I more ; in labors more abundantly, in
prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in
deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty
stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once
was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a
day have I been in the deep ; in journeyings often, in
perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my
2Cor. 11.26.] Chronologically Arranged. 831
countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the
city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in
perils among false brethren ; in labor and travail, in
watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often,
in cold and nakedness. Beside, there is that which
presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is made to stum-
ble, and I burn not ? If I must needs glory, I will glory
of the things that concern my weakness. In Damascus
the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city
of the Damascenes, in order to take me ; and through a
window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and
escaped his hands.
But I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in
the body, I know not ; or whether out of the body, I
know not ; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to
the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in
the body, or apart from the body, I know not ; God
knoweth), how that he was caught up into Paradise, and
heard unspeakable words, which it is not
lawful for a man to utter. On behalf of such -The thorn
a one will I glory; but on mine own behalf I
will not glory, save in my weaknesses. And by reason
of the exceeding greatness of the revelations — where-
fore, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was
given to me a * thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan
to buffet me. Concerning this thing I besought the
Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he
hath said unto me, " My grace is sufficient for thee; for
my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the
strength of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I take
pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in per-
secutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake ; for when I am
weak, then am I strong.
I am become foolish; ye compelled me; for I ought
to have been commended of you ; for in nothing was I
behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you
" R. V. maig., Or, stake.
832 The Shorter Bible [2Cor. 12. 12.
in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the
rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not
a burden to you ? Forgive me this wrong.
This is the third time I am coming to you. At the
Closing ad- mouth of two witnesses or three shall every
monitions. vvord be established. Try your own selves,
whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves.
For this cause I write these things while absent, that
I may not when present deal sharply, according to the
authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and
not for casting down.
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected ; be com-
forted ; be of the same mind ; live in peace ; and the
God of love and peace shall be with you.
All the saints salute you.
Benedic- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
tion. the love of God and the communion of the
Holy Ghost, be with you all.
Gal. I. I.] Chronologically Arkan(;ed. 833
FROM THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
^ GALATIANS.
CHAPTER I.
WARNINGS : JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH : EXHORTATIONS.
Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man,
but through Jesus Christ, and God the Greeting as
Father, who raised him from the dead), and an apostle,
all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of
Galatia : Grace to you and peace from God the Father,
and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our
sins.
I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him
that called you in the grace of Christ, but p^^^^g g^j..
there are some that trouble you, and would prise at their
pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we,
or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any
gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let
him be anathema.
For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the
gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after
man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I
taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus
Christ. For ye have heard of my manner of life in time
past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond pauPshis-
measure I persecuted the church of God, tory leading
, 1 ^ r ■ 1 T 1 1 • 1 *o "-^^ apos-
and made havoc ot it ; and i advanced m the tieship.
Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my
countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the tra-
ditions of my fathers. But when it was the good pleasure
of God, who called me through his grace, to reveal his
" Written in Greece (probably at Corinth), B. C. 57.
834 The Shorter Bible [Gai. i.i6.
Son in me, theit I might preach him among the Gen-
tiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood;
neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apos-
tles before me ; but I went away into Arabia ; and again
I returned unto Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to ^ visit
A ostieship Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days. But
not derived other of the apostles saw I none, ^' save James
other apos- the Lord's brother. Then I came into the
^ ®^" regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still
unknown by face unto the churches of Judjea, but they
only heard say, he that once persecuted us now preach-
eth the faith of which he once made havoc ; and they
glorified God in me.
Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again
to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with jne.
And I went up by revelation ; and I laid before them the
gospel which I preach among the Gentiles.
But from those who were reputed to be somewhat
(whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me ; God
accepteth not man's person) — they, I say, who were of
repute imparted nothing to me; but contrariwise, when
they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the
uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the cir-
cumcision, and when they perceived the grace that was
given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who
were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the
right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the
Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision ; only they
would that we should remember the poor ; which very
thing I was also zealous to do.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to
Ao or, ov,^o the face, because he stood condemned. For
Ue rebuked before that certam came from James, he did
eat with the Gentiles ; but when they came,
he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that
were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews dis-
sembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas
was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw
that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of
" R. V. maig., Or, become acquaintdl i^'itli. '' R.\'. niarg. , Or, but oily.
Gal. 2. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 835
the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, " We
Jews, knowing that a man is not justified by the works
of the law, ^ save through faith in Jesus Christ, even we
believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by
faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law. Because
by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
I have been crucified with Christ ; '^ yet I live; and yet
no longer I, but Christ liveth in me ; and that life which
I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is
in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up
for me.
If righteousness is through the law, then Christ died
for naught.
O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, ^^^ments'^
before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly jSi^^g^"^*^®
set forth crucified ? Received ye the Spirit previous
by the works of the law, or by the hearing of
faith ? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected
in the flesh ?
Even Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned
unto him for righteousness. Know therefore that they
which be of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.
Brethren, though it be but a man's covenant, yet
when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or
addeth thereto. Now to Abraham were the promises
spoken, and to his seed, which is Christ. Now a cove-
nant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came
''four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul,
so as to make the promise of none effect. For if the in-
heritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but
God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. What
then is the law? It was added because of transgres-
sions, till the seed should come to whom the promise
hath been made. Is the law then against the promises
of God ? God forbid.
But before faith came we were kept in ward under the
law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be
revealed. So that the law hath been our tutor to bring
"R. V. marg. , Or, but only. '>R. V. marg.. Or, and it is no longer I
that live hut Christ, etc. "Xt was 430 years from the call of Abram to
the giving of the law, under Moses.
836 The Shorter Bible [Gal. 3. 24.
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But
now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Justification ^^^ Y^ ^^e all SOUS of God, through faith, in
by faith. Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be
neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor
free, there can be no male and female ; for ye all are one
man in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
Brethren, ye know that because of an infirmity of the
flesh I preached the gospel unto you ^ the first time ;
and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye
despised not, but ye received me as an angel of God ; if
possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given
them to me. So then am I become your enemy, be-
cause I tell you the truth ? My little children, I am
perplexed about you.
With freedom did Christ set us free; stand fast there-
Exhorta- fore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of
tions. bondage.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive cir-
cumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. Yea, I testify
again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he
is a debtor to do the whole law. Ye are severed from
Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are
fallen away from grace. For in Christ Jesus neither cir-
cumcision availeth anytliing, nor uncircumcision ; but
faith working through love. Ye were running well ; who
did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Brethren, ye were called for freedom ; only use not
your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through
love be servants one to another. For the whole law is
fulfilled in one word, even in this, "Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself." But if ye bite and devour one
another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of
another.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, of the which
I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they
which practice such things shall not inherit the king-
dom of God. I^ut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
■ Acts xvi, 6.
Gal. 5- 22.] Chronologically Arranged. • 83Y
peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
meekness, ^ temperance ; against such there is no law.
And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the
flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.
If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
Let us not be vainglorious, provoking one another, en-
vying one another.
Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass,
}'e which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of
meekness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ.
Be not deceived ; God is not mocked ; for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that
soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corrup-
tion ; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the
Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not be weary in
welldoing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not. So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that
which is good toward all men, and especially toward
them that are of the household of the faith.
See with how ^' large letters I ^have written unto you
with mine own hand. As many as desire to Autographic
make a fair show in the flesh, they compel autheivwfi-
you to be circumcised; only that they may cation,
not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For not even
they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the
law ; but they desire to have you circumcised that they
may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which
the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the
world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncir-
cumcision, but a new creature. And as many as shall
walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and
upon the Israel of God.
From henceforth let no man trouble me ; for I bear
branded on my body '^the marks of Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
. •. 1 .1 n "^ Benediction.
your spirit, brethren. Amen.
"R. V. marg. , Or, self-control. -''The writing of the time was in capital
Greek letters. "= R.V. marg.^ Or, write. ^ Probably the scars from beatings.
838 . The Shorter Bible [Rom. i. i.
FROM THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
' ROMANS.
CHAPTER I.
UNIVERSAL RUIN BY SIN,
Paul, a '' servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apos-
tle, separated unto the gospel of God, to all that are in
Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you
and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you
Greeting- ^^^y ^^^^^ your faith is proclaimed throughout
Thanksgiy- ^\^q whole world. For God is my witness
ai words. how unceasmgly i make mention ot you,"
always in my prayers making request, if by any means
I may come unto you. For I long to see you, that I
may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye
maybe established ; that is, that I with you maybe com-
forted, each of us by the other's faith. And I would
not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I pur-
posed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto),
that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the
rest of the Gentiles. I am debtor both to Greeks and
to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So,
as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to
you also that arc in Rome. For I am not ashamed of
Salvation the gospcl ; for it is the power of God unto
T^e\herae salvation to everyouc that believeth ; to the
oftheietter. Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein
is revealed a righteousness of God by faith unto faith ;
as it is written, " But tlic righteous shall live by faith."
"Written from Greece (probably at Corinth), A. D. 57. ^ R. V. niarg.,
Gi". bondservant.
Rom. I. i8.] Chronologically Arranged. 839
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against
all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold
down the truth in unrighteousness; because that which^
may be known of God is manifest in them ; for God
manifested it unto them. . For the invisible salvation
things of him since the creation of the world the^^n-^
are clearly seen, being perceived through the tii^s.
things that are made, even his everlasting power and
divinity ; '"^ that they maybe with out excuse; because
that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God,
neither gave thanks.
O man, despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the
goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after
thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thy-
self wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the
righteous judgment of God ; who will render to every
man according to his works; to them that by patience
in welldoing seek for glory and honor and incorruption,
eternal life; but unto them that obey not the truth, but
obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,
tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that
worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;
but glory and honor and peace to every man that work-
eth good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek; for
there is no respect of persons with God. For as many
as have sinned without law shall also perish without
law; and as many as have sinned under law shall be
judged by law; for not the hearers of a law are just be-
fore God, but the doers of a law shall be justified ; for
when Gentiles which have no law do by nature the
things of the law, these, having no law, are a law unto
themselves ; in that they show the work of the law writ-
ten in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness
therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing
or else excusing them ; in the day when God shall judge
the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus
Christ.
But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest
upon the law, and gloriest in God, and knowest his will,
* R, V. marg. , Or, so that they are.
840 The vSiiorter Bible [Rom. 2. 18.
and approvest the things that are excellent, being in-
structed out of the law, and art confident that
needed by thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light
t e ews. ^^ them that are in darkness. Thou who
gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law
dishonorest thou God? For the name of God is blas-
phemed among the Gentiles because of you. For cir-
cumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law;
but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumci-
sion is become uncircumcision.
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly ; neither
is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh ; but
he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is
that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter ; whose
praise is not of men, but of God.
What then ? ''■ are we in worse case than they ? No,
in no wise ; for we before laid to the charge both of Jews
and Greeks, that they arc all under sin ; as it is written,
" There is none righteous, no, not one ;
There is none that understandeth.
There is none that seeketh after God ;
needed They have all turned aside, they are to-
^^ ■ gether become unprofitable;
Thereis nonethatdoethgood,no,not so much as one."
Now we know that what things soever the law saith,
it speaketh to them that are under the law ; that every
mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought
under the judgment of God; because by the works of
the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight ; for through
the law Cometh the knowledge of sin. But now apart
from the law a righteousness of God hath been mani-
fested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets ;
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus
Christ unto all them that believe, being jus-
way of sal- tified freely bv his Qrace through the redcmp-
vation. ,. .1 . • • ' t /^\ • 4.
tion that IS in Jesus Christ.
Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By
what manner of law? of works? Nay; but by a law of
faith. We reckon therefore that a man is justified by
faith apart from the works of the law.
" R. V. marg., Oi", cfo we excuse ourselves?
Rom. 4. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 841
CHAPTER 11.
PERFECT SALVATION BY FAITH.
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefa-
ther according to the flesh, hath found ? (For saivationby
if Abraham was justified by works, he hath tratedby"
whereof to glory ; but not toward God.) -^-braham.
What saith the scripture ? " ^ Abraham believed God, and
it was reckoned unto him for righteousness." Now to
him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace,
but as of debt. But to him that worketh not, but be-
lieveth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is
reckoned for righteousness.
Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the
man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart
from works, saying,
" Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven.
And whose sins arc covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon
sin."
Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circum-
cision, or upon the uncircumcision also? We say, "To
Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness."
When then was it reckoned ? Not in circumcision, but
in uncircumcision; and he received the ^ sign of circum-
cision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he
had while he was in uncircumcision ; that he might be
the father of all them that believe.
For not through the law was the promise to Abraham
or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but
through the righteousness of faith, that it may be accord-
ing to grace ; to the end that the promise may be sure
to all the seed ; not to that only which is of the law, but
"Gen. XV, 6. ''Many years aftei- the promise was "believed" (Gen.
xvii, lo).
56
842 The Shorter Bible [Rom. 4. 16.
to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the
father of us all. Who in hope believed against hope, to
the end that he might become a father of many nations,
according to that which had been spoken, " So shall thy
seed be." Yea, looking unto the promise of God, he
wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through
faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that,
what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was
reckoned unto him ; but for our sake also, unto whom it
shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus
our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our
trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
Being therefore justified by faith, let us have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ; and let us re-
iiiustrated joice in hope of the glory of God. And not
in all Chris- only SO, but let US also rejoice in our tribula-
tians. . -^ ' . , -".,,. , ,
tions ; knowing that tribulation worketh
patience ; and patience, probation ; and probation, hope;
and hope putteth not to shame ; because the love of God
hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the "" Holy
Ghost which was given unto us.
For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died
for the ungodly, For scarcely for a righteous man will
one die ; for peradventurc for the good man some one
would even dare to die. But God commendeth his own
love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ
died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his
blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through
him. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God through the death of his Son, much more, being
reconciled, shall we be saved by his life ; and not only so,
but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the
world, and death through sin ; and so death
nes^sof^thTs passed unto all men, for that all sinned; if by
salvation. ^j^^ trespass of the one the many died, much
more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of
" R. Y. marg. , Gr. No/_v Spirit, and so throughout tliis book.
Rom, 5. 16.] Chronologically Arranged. 843
the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many. And
not as through one that sinned, so is the gift ; for the
judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free
gift came of many trespasses unto justification. For if,
by the trespass of the -one, death reigned ; much more
shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the
gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even
Jesus Christ. So then as through one trespass the judg-
ment came unto all men to condemnation ; ev£n so
through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto
all men to justification of life.
Where sin abounded, grace did abound exceedingly.
What shall we say then ? Shall we continue in sin,
that grace may abound ? God forbid. We who r^^■^^^.i^„
1-1-1111 1 1- 1 •-> Objection
died to sm, now shall we any longer live thereinr one an-
Or are ye ignorant that allwewho were baptized
into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death ? We were
buried therefore with him through baptism into death ;
that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness
of life.
But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall
also live with him ; knowing that Christ being raised from
the dead dieth no more ; death no more hath dominion
over him. For the death that he died, he died unto sin
''once; but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin,
but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that
ye should obey the lusts thereof ; neither present your
members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness ;
but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God. For sin shall not have dominion over you ; for ye
are not under law, but under grace.
What then ? shall we sin, because we are not under
law, but under grace ? God forbid. For when ye were
'' servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness.
What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof
* R. V. marg., Gr. once for all. '■R. V. marg. , Gr. bondservants.
844 The Shorter Bible [Rom. 6. 21.
ye are now ashamed ? for the end of those things is
death. But now being made free from sin, and become
servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification,
and the end eternal life. For the wages of sin is death ;
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men that
know the law), how that the law hath dominion over a
man for so long time as he liveth ? For the woman
that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband
while he liveth ; but if the husband die, she is discharged
from the law of the husband. Now we have been dis-
charged from the law, having died to that wherein we
were holden ; so that we serve in newness of the spirit,
and not in oldness of the letter.
What shall we say then ? Is the law sin? God forbid.
But sin, finding occasion, through the com-
Objection , ' , , °., , i ^i i -^ i
two an- mandment beguiled me, and through it slew
swere . ^^^ g^ ^j^^^ ^j^^ j^^^ j^ holy, and the com-
mandment holy, and righteous, and good. Did then that
which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But
sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death
to me through that which is good ; that through the
commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. . . .
0 wretched man that I am ! Who shall deliver me out
of the body of this death ?
1 thank God deliverance comes through our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 8. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 845
CHAPTER III.
GLORIOUS RESULTS : ADAPTATION TO ISRAEL.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that
are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus made me free from the law of ^,
1 r 1 1 T- 1 11 11 Glorious
sin and oi death, ror what the law could conciusions-
, . , . 1 , 1 1 n 1 First, freedom
notdo, in that it was weak throug-h the riesh, from the law
. . . . of sin
God, sending his own Son in the likeness of
sinful flesh, and as an offering for sin, condemned sin in
the flesh; that the '^ordinance of the law might be ful-
filled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the
things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the
things of the spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death ;
but the mind of the spirit is life and peace ; because the
mind of the flesh is enmity against God ; for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be ; and
they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are
not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit
of God dwelleth in you. But if any man
hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of indwelling
his. But if the Spirit of him that raised up ^^'"■'^•
Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up
Christ Jesus from the dead shall quicken also your mortal
bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. As many
as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
For- ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto
fear ; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, "Abba, Father! " The Spirit himself beareth wit-
ness with our spirit, that we are children of God ; and if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with
Christ ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may
be also glorified with him.
" R. V. marg., Or, requifei)icnt.
846 The Shorter Bible [Rom. 8.18.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
^re not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed to us-ward. For the earnest expecta-
tion of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons
„, , of God. For the creation was subjected to
Third, re- . i. c -. n\ -u i. -l. c
demption of vanity, not 01 Its own will, but by reason ot
t ep ysica. j^j^^ ^^j^^ subjected it, in hope that the crea-
tion itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children
of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth
and travaileth in pain ''together until now. And not
only so, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of
the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our
body.
And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirm-
ity; for we know not how to pray as we ought ; but the
Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered ; and he that searcheth the
hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because
he maketh intercession for the saints according to the
_ ^, „ will of God. And we know that to them that
Fourth, all y- , n i • i , r i
things work- love God all things work together tor good,
ing orgoo . gygj-^ ^Q them that are called according to his
purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained
to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might
be the firstborn among many brethren ; and whom he
foreordained, them he also called ; and whom he called,
them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he
also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us,
who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with
him fully give us all things ? Who shall lay anything to
the charge of God's elect? ''It is God that justifieth;
/^ *!, * f who is he that shall condemn? ' It is Christ
Outburst of 1 1 • , 11 -J
joyous Jesus that died, yea, rather, that was raised
from the dead, who is at the right hand of
God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall
" R. V. marg., Or, ivil/i us. •' R. V. mai;;., Or, S/ia// Goii that jus-
tifieth? ' R. V. mar^'., Or, Sluill Christ Jesus that clifd. . . . us/
Rom. 8. 35-] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 847
separate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation, or
anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril,
or sword ? Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us. For I am per-
suaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other * crea-
ture, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
' Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to
God is for my ^ kinsmen according to the flesh ; who are
Israelites ; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the
covenants, and the giving of the law, and the „, ,
-' , II • 1 The new law
service of God, and the promises; whose are offaithdoes
the fathers, and of whom is Christ as con- the true
cerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed
forever. ' My heart's desire is for them, that they may
be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a
zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being
ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish
their own, they did not subject themselves to the right-
eousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law unto
righteousness to everyone that believeth. For Moses
writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which
is of the law shall live thereby. But the righteousness
which is of faith saith thus, " Say not in thy heart. Who
shall ascend into heaven ? " (that is, to bring Christ down ;)
or, " Who shall descend into the abyss ? " (that is, to bring
Christ up from the dead.) But what saith it ? " The
word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart ;" that
is, the word of faith, which we preach ; ^because if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt
believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved ; for with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, "Whoso-
ever believeth on him shall not be put to shame." For
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek ; for the
' Rom. X, I. ^Rom. x, i. I '^R.Y.vcis.rz., Or, creation. ''R.V.
* Rom. ix, 3. I marg., Or, thai.
848 The vShorter Bible [Rom. 10.12.
same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call
upon him ; for, whosoever shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have
not believed ? and how shall they believe in him whom
they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without
a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be
sent? even as it is written, " How beautiful are the feet
of them that bring glad tidings of good things! "
I say then, did God cast off his people ? God forbid.
For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of
the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people
which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture
saith of Elijah ? how he pleadeth with God against
Israel, " Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have
digged down thine altars ; and I am left alone, and they
seek my life." But what saith the answer of Goci unto
him ? "I have left for myself seven thousand men, who
have not bowed the knee to Baal." Even so then at
this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no more of
works ; otherwise grace is no more grace.
' For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a
hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fullness
of the Gentiles be come in ; and so all Israel shall be
saved.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the
Outburst of knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are his
praise. judgments, and his ways past tracing out !
For who hath known the mind of the Lord ? or who hath
been his counselor? or who hath first given to him, and
it shall be recompensed unto him again ? For of him,
and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him
be the glory forever. Amen.
' Kom. xi, 25.
Rom. 12. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 849
CHAPTER IV.
EXHORTATIONS : SALUTATIONS : CONCLUSION.
I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, to present your bodies a Hving sacrifice, holy, accept-
able to God, which is your reasonable service. And be
not fashioned according to this world ; but be Loving ex-
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, hortations.
that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.
For I say, through the grace that was given me, to
every man that is among you, not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think ; but so to think as
to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each
man a measure of faith. For even as we have many
members in one body, and all the members have not the
same office ; so we, who are many, are one body in
Christ, and severally members one of another. And
having gifts differing according to the grace that was
given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according
to the proportion of our faith ; or ministry, let us give
ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his
teaching ; or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting. He
that giveth, let him do it with liberality ; he that ruleth,
with diligence ; he that showeth mercy, with cheerful-
ness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which
is evil ; cleave to that which is good. In love of the
brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in
honor preferring one another ; in diligence not slothful ;
fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord ; rejoicing in hope ;
patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer ;
communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to
hospitality. Bless them that persecute you ; bless, and
curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with
them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward
850 The Shorter Bible [Rom. 12. i6.
another. Set not your mind on high things, but conde-
scend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own
conceits. Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought
for things honorable in the sight of all men. If it be
possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all
men. Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place
unto '' wrath ; for it is written, " ' Vengeance belongeth
unto me ; I will recompense,' saith the Lord." But if thine
enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him to drink ;
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon liis
head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with
good.
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers;
for there is no power but of God ; and the
tiontoau- powers that be are ordained of God. Wouldest
°" ^' thou have no fear of the power ? Do that which
is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same. Ye
must needs be in subjection, not only because of the
wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause
ye pay tribute also ; for they are ministers of God's service,
attending continually upon this very thing. Render to
all their dues ; tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to
whom custom ; fear to whom fear ; honor to whom honor.
Owe no man anything, save to love one another ; for
he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. Love
worketh no ill to his neighbor ; love therefore is the ful-
fillment of the law.
And this, knowing the season, that now it is high time
for you to awake out of sleep ; for now is salvation
To watch- nearer to us than when we first believed. Tlic
fulness. night is far spent, and the day is at hand ;
let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us
put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in
the day ; not in reveling and drunkenness; not in strife and
jealousy. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not to
doubtful disputations. One man hath faith
ocian y. ^^ ^^^ ^j^ things; but he that is weak eateth
herbs. Let not him that eateth set at naught him that
* R. V. marg., Or, t/ie wrath of God.
Rom. 14. 3-1 Chronologically Arranged. 851
eateth not ; and let not him that eateth not judge him
that eateth ; for God hath received him. Who art thou
that judgest the ^ servant of another? To his own lord he
standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand ; for
the Lord hath power to make him stand. One man es-
teemeth one day above another ; another esteemeth
every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his
own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it
unto the Lord ; and he that eateth, eateth unto the
Lord, for he giveth God thanks ; and he that eateth not
unto the Lord, he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to him-
self. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord ; or
whether we die, we die unto the Lord ; whether we live
therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end
Christ died, and lived again, that he might be Lord of
both the dead and the living. But thou, why dost thou
judge thy brother ; or thou again, why dost thou set at
naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of God. For it is written,
" * As I live,' saith the Lord, ' to me every knee shall
bow,
And every tongue shall confess to God.' "
So then each one of us shall give an account of him-
self to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more ; but
judge ye this rather, that no man put a ^ ,„ ,
1 1 • 1 1 1 • 1 • 1 1 > To self-de-
stumbhng-block m his brothers way, or an niaiforoth-
occasion of falling. I know, and am per-
suaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of
itself; save that to him who accounteth anything to be
unclean, to him it is unclean. B u t if because of meat
thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love.
Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.
Let not then your good be evil spoken of; for the king-
dom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteous-
ness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Overthrow
not for meat's sake the work of God. All things in-
deed are clean ; howbeit it is evil for that man who
eateth with offense. It is good not to eat flesh, nor to
* R. V. marg., Gr. household servant.
852 The Shorter Bible [Rom. 14. 21.
drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother
stumbleth. The faith which thou hast, have thou to
thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not him-
self in that which he approveth. But he that doubtelh
is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith ;
and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities
of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one
of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto
edifying. For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it
is written, " The reproaches of them that reproached
thee fell upon me." For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning, that through
To vmit patience and through comfort of the scrip-
tures we might have hope. Now the God of
patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same
mind one with another according to Christ Jesus ; that
with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power
of the Holy Ghost.
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren,
that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all
knowledge, able also to admonish one another. But I
write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as
putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace
that was given me of God, that I should be a minister
of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles. From Jerusalem, and
round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached
the gospel of Christ.
Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from
coming to you ; but now, having no more any place in
these regions, and having these many years a longing to
come unto you, whensoever I go unto Spain (for 1 hope
to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way
thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have
been satisfied with your company) — but now, I say, I go
unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints. For it hath
been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to
Rom. 15. 26.J Chronologically Arranged. 853
make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints
that are at Jerusalem. When therefore I have accom-
pHshed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go
on by you unto Spain. And I know that, when I come
unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of
Christ.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus
Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive to-
gether with me in your prayers to God for Request for
me ; that I may be delivered from them that Player.
are disobedient in Judaea, and that my ministration which
I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints ;
that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God,
and together with you find rest. Now the God of peace
be with you all. Amen.
I commend unto you Phcebe our sister, who is a
^ servant of the church that is at Cenchreae ; that ye re-
ceive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints,
and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter tlo^™Ahe^'
she may have need of you ; for she herself deaconess,
also hath been a succorer of many, and of mine own self.
Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ
Jesus, who for my life laid down their own necks ; unto
whom not only I give thanks, but also aill the
churches of the Gentiles; and salute the church andexhorta-
that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my *^°^^-
beloved, who is the first fruits of Asia unto Christ. Sa-
lute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. Salute
Andronicus and ^ Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-
prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also
have been in Christ before me. Salute Tryphaena and
Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the be-
loved, which labored much in the Lord. Salute Rufus
the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Sa-
lute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and
Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. Salute
one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ
salute you.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which are
causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, con-
■* R. V. marg., Or, deaconess. ^ R. V. marg. , Or, Junia.
854 The Shorter Bible [Rom. 16.17.
trary to the ""^ doctrine which ye learned ; and turn away
from them. For your obedience is come abroad unto all
men. I rejoice therefore over you ; but I would have
you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that
which is evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan
under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
Benediction.
you.
Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you ; and Lucius
and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I Tertius, who
write the epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gains my
host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus
the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the
brother.
Now to him that is able to stablish you, to
0x0 ogy. ^YiQ only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be
the glory forever. Amen.
" R. V. marj^., Or, tcaclmig.
Acts 20. 3.] Chronologically Arranged. 855
THE ACTS.
{Continued.^
CHAPTER XV.
PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY; FROM EPHESUS
TO JERUSALEM.
And when Paul had spent three months in Greece,
and a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was
about to sail for Syria, he determined to return through
Macedonia. And there accompanied him certain of
the Thessalonians ; and Gains of Derbe, and Timothy ;
and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. But these had
gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas. And we
sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened
bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days ; where
we tarried seven days.
And upon the first day of the week, when we were
gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with
them, intending to depart on the morrow ; and prolonged
his speech until midnight. And there were At Troas a
many lights in the upper chamber, where we lad restored.
were gathered together. And there sat in the window
a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with
deep sleep ; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being
borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third
story, and was taken up dead.
And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing
him said, " Make ye no ado ; for his life is in him."
And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread,
and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even
till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the
lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
856 The Shorter Bible [Acts 20. 13.
But we, going before to the ship, set sail for Assos,
there intending to take in Paul ; for so had he appointed,
intending himself to go ■''by land. And when he met us
at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And
sailing from thence, we came the following day over
against Chios ; and the next day we touched at Samos ;
and the day after we came to Miletus. For Paul had
determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not haye
to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were
possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to
him the elders of the church. And when they were
come to him, he said unto them :
" Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot
in Asia, after what manner I was with you
Ephesian all the time, serving the Lord with all lowli-
® ®^^' ness of mind, and with tears, and with trials
which befell me by the plots of the Jews ; how that I
shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was
profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to
house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And
now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem,
not knowing the things that shall befall me there ; save
that the Holy Ghost testifieth unto me in every city,
saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But I hold
not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, so that
I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the
grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all,
among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall
see my face no more. Wherefore I testify unto you this
day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I
shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel
of God. Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
in the which the Holy Ghost hath made you ^ bishops, to
feed the church of God, which he purchased with his
own blood. I know that after my departing grievous
wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves shall men arise, spcak-
* R. V. marg., Or, on foot. ^ R. V. marg., Or, oiicrsccrs.
Acts2o. 3o.| Chronologically Arranged. 857
ing perverse things, to draw away the disciples after
them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the
space of three years I ceased not to admonish everyone
night and day with tears. And now I commend you to
God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build
you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them
that are sanctified. I coveted no man's silver, or gold,
or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands min-
istered unto my necessities, and to them that were with
me. In all things I gave you an example, how that so
laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ' It is
more blessed to give than to receive.' "
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and
prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell
on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for
the word which he had spoken, that they should behold
his face no more. And they brought him on his way
unto the ship.
And when we were parted from them, and had set sail,
we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day
unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara ; and having
found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went
aboard, and set sail. And when we had come in sight
of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto
Syria, and landed at Tyre ; for there the ship Theseavoy-
was to unlade her burden. And having ^e^-
found the disciples, we tarried there seven days; and
these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not
set foot in Jerusalem. And when we had accomplished
the days, we departed and went on our journey; and
they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way,
till we were out of the city; and kneeling down on the
beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell ; and we
w^ent on board the ship, but they returned home again.
And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we
arrived at Ptolemais ; and we saluted the brethren, and
abode with them one day. And on the morrow we de-
parted, and came unto Caesarea ; and entering into the
house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven,
we abode with him. Now this man had four daughters,
57
858 The Siioktkr Bh-.le [Acts 21.9.
re
virgins, which did prophesy. And as \vc tarried the
many days, there came down from Judaea a certain
prophet, named Agabus. And coming to us, and taking
Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said,
" Thus saith the Holy Ghost, ' So shall the Jews at Jeru-
salem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall
deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' "
And when we heard these things, both we and they
of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered, " What do ye, weeping and
breaking my heart? I am ready not to be bound only,
but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus."
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, say-
ing, " The will of the Lord be done."
And after these days we took up our baggage, and
went up to Jerusalem. And there went with us also
certain of the disciples from Csesarea, bringing with them
one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we
should lod^e.
Acts 21.17.] Chronologically Arranged. 859
CHAPTER XVI.
PAUL AT JERUSALEM ; HIS ARREST AND SELF-DEFENSE.
And when we were -'come to Jerusalem, the brethren
received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in
with us unto James; and all the elders were Atjemsa-
present. And when he had saluted them, he In? the^^^"
rehearsed one by one the things which God brethren.
had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministr}'.
And they, when they heard it, glorified God ; and they
said unto him, " Thou seest, brother, how many tliou-
sands there are among the Jews of them which have be-
lieved ; and they are all zealous for the law ; and they
have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachcst
all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake
Moses, telling them not to circumcise their childreii,
neither to walk after the customs. They will certainly
hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say
to thee : We have four men which have a vow on them ;
these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at
charges for them, that they may shave their heads; and
all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof
they have been informed concerning thee ; but that thou
thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law. But as
touching the Gentiles which have believed, we ^ wrote,
giving judgment that they should keep themselves from
things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what
is strangled, and from fornication."
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying
himself with them went into the temple, de- inthetem-
claring the fulfillment of the days of purifica- p^®-
tion, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
And when the seven days were almost completed, the
Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple,
"A. D. 5S. ''See Acts xv, 23-29.
860 TiFK vSlloRTER ]3[I!LK [Acts 21. 27.
stirred up all the multitude, and laid hands on him, cr)--
ing out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man that
teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the
law, and this place ; and moreover he brought
Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled
this holy place."
For they had before seen with him in the city Tro-
phimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul
had brought into the temple.
And all the city was moved, and the people ran to-
gether ; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him
out of the temple ; and straightway the doors were
shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings
came up to the ^ chief captain of the '' band, that all
Jerusalem was in confusion. And forthwith he took
soldiers and centurions, and r<in down upon them ; ai^.d
they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers,
left off beating Paul.
Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on
him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains;
and inquired who he was, and what he had done. And
some shouted one thing, some another, among the
crowd; and when he could not know the certainty for
the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the
castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was,
that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the
crowd ; for the multitude of the people followed after,
cr}'ing out, " Away with him ! "
And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle,
he saith unto the chief captain, " May I say something
unto thee? "
And he said, " Dost thou know Greek ? Art thou not
then the Egyptian, which before these da}-s stirred up
to sedition and led out into the \\ildcrness the four thou-
sand men of the Assassins?"
But Paul said, "I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a
citizen of no mean city. I beseech thee, gi\'e me leave
to speak unto the people."
And wliLMi he had given him leave, Paul, standing on
" R. \'. inars^., Or, military irlhiuif ; K^x. cJiiliarch ; and so tluougliout
tliis hook. '' 1\. V. niarg., Or, cohort .
Acts 21. 40.] Chronologically Arranged. SGI
the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people ; and
when there was made a great silence, he spake unto
them in the Hebrew language, saying,
" Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defense which I
now make unto you."
And when they heard that he spake unto them in the
Hebrew language, they were the more quiet ; and he
saith, " I am a Tew, born in Tarsus of Cili- •□ ,, ^
,, ,-'.,.. ir c Paul's ad-
cia, but broufjht up ni this city, at the leet oi dress to
Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict
manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God,
even as ye all are this day ; and I persecuted this Way
unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both
men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me
witness, and all the estate of the elders ; from whom also
I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to
Damascus, to bring them also which were there unto Je-
rusalem in bonds, for to be punished. And it came to
pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto
Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from
heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto
the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, ' Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me ? ' And I answered,
'Who art thou. Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am
Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they
that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they
heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I
said, ' What shall I do. Lord ? ' And the Lord said unto
me, 'Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall
be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee
to do.' And when I could not see for the glory of
that light, being led by the hand of them that were with
me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout
man according to the law, well reported of by all the
Jews that dwelt there, came unto me, and standing by
me said unto me, ' Brother Saul, receive thy sight.' And
in that very hour I looked up on him. And he said,
'The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know
his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a
voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a witness for
him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
862 The Shorter Bh'.le [Acts22. i6.
And now why tarriest thou ? Arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins, calHng on his name.' And it came
to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and
while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, and
saw him saying unto me, ' Make haste, and get thee
quickly out of Jerusalem ; because they will not receive
of thee testimony concerning me.' And I said, ' Lord,
they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in
every synagogue them that believed on thee ; and when
the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was
standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments
of them that slew him.' And he said unto me, ' Depart ;
for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles. '"
And they gave him audience unto this word; and
they lifted up their voice, and said, " Away with such a
fellow from the earth ! It is not fit that he should live ! "
And as they cried out, and threw off their garments,
and cast dust into the air, the chief captain commanded
him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should
be examined by scourging, that he might know for what
cause they so shouted against him.
And when they had tied him up with the thongs. Paul
said unto the centurion that stood by, " Is it lawful for
you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncon-
demned ? "
And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief
captain, and told him, saying, " What art thou about to
do? This man is a Roman."
And the chief captain came, and said unto him, " Tell
me, art thou a Roman? "
And he said, "Yea."
And the chief captain answered, " With a great sum
obtained I this citizenship."
And Paul said, " But I am a Roman born."
They then which were about to examine him straight-
way departed from him ; and the chief captain also was
afraid, when he knew that he was a Roman, and because
he had bound him.
Acts 22. 30.] Chronologically Arrangld. 8H3
CHAPTER XVII.
PAUL A PRISONER, IN JERUSALEM AND C^SAREA.
But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty,
wherefore Paul was accused of the Jews, the chief
captain loosed him, and commanded the chief priests
and all the council to come together, and brought Paul
down, and set him before them.
And Paul, looking steadfastly on the council, said,
" Brethren, I have lived before God in all good Paui before
conscience until this day." *^® council.
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that
stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Then said Paul unto him, " God shall smite thee, thou
whited wall. Sittest thou to judge me according to the
law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the
law ? "
And they that stood by said, " Revilest thou God's
high priest ? "
And Paul said, " I wist not, brethren, that he was
high priest ; for it is written, ' Thou shalt not speak evil
of a ruler of thy people.' "
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sad-
ducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the
council, " Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.
Touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am
called in question."
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension be-
tween the Pharisees and Sadducees ; and the assembl\-
was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no
resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit ; but the Pharisees
confess both. And there arose a great clamor ; and
some of the scribes of the Pharisees' part stood up, and
strove, saying, " We find no evil in this man ; and what
if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel ? "
864 The Shorter Bible [Acts 23. 10.
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief cap-
tain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them,
commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by
force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and
said, " Be of good cheer ; for as thou hast testified con-
cerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also
at Rome."
And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and
Plot of the bound themselves under a curse, saying that
Jews. they would neither eat nor drink till they had
killed Paul. And they were more than forty which
made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief
priests and the elders, and said, " We have bound our-
selves under agreat curse, to taste nothing until we have
killed Paul. Now therefore do ye with the council
signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto
you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly;
and we, or ever he come near, are ready to slay him."
But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and
he came and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and
said, " Bring this young man unto the chief captain ; for
he hath something to tell him."
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain,
and saith, " Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and
asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath
something to say to thee."
And the chief captain took him by the hand, and
going aside asked him private!)-, " What is that thou
hast to tell me ? "
And he said, " The Jews have agreed to ask thee to
bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though
thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concern-
ing him. Do not thou therefore yield unto them ; for
there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men,
which have bound themselves under a curse, neitiier to
eat nor to drink till they have slain him ; and now are
they ready, looking for the promise from thee."
So the chief captain let the young man go, charging
him, " Tell no man that thou hast signified these things
Acts 23. 22.] Chronologically Arranged. SOo
to mo." And he called unto him two of the centurions,
and said, " Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far
as Ca^sarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spear-
men two hundred, at the third hour of the Pauisentto
night." And he bade them provide beasts, Csesarea.
that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe
unto Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after
this form :
"Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor
Felix, greeting. This man was seized by the Jews, and
was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them
with the soldiers, and rescued him, having learned that
he was a Roman. And desiring to know the cause
wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto
their council ; whom I found to be accused about ques-
tions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge
worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was sho\vn to
me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent
him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to
speak against him before thee."
So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul
and brought him by night to Antipatris. But on the
morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and re-
turned to the castle ; and they, when they came to
Cssarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, pre-
sented Paul also before him. And when he had read it,
he asked of what province he was ; and when he under-
stood that he was of Cilicia, " I will hear thy cause," said
he, " when thine accusers also are come." And he com-
manded him to be kept in Herod's palace.
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down
with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus ;
and they informed the governor against Paul. And
when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse pa^i ac-
him, saying, " Seeing that by thee we enjoy cused.
much peace, and that by thy providence evils are cor-
rected for this nation, we accept it in all ways and in all
places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But,
that I be not further tedious unto thee, I intreat thee to
hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have
found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insur-
866 The vShorter Bible [Acts 24. 5.
rections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a
ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes ; who moreover
assayed to profane the temple ; on whom also we laid
hold ; from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him
thyself, to take knowledge of all these things, whereof we
accuse him."
And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that
these things were so.
And when the governor had beckoned unto him to
speak, Paul answered :
" Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many
Paul's years a judge unto this nation, 1 do cheerfully
defense. make my defense. It is not more than
twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem ;
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with
any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor
in the city. Neither can they prove to thee the things
whereof they now accuse mc. But this I confess unto
thee, that after the Way which tlicy call "■ a sect, so serve
I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are
accordingto the law, and which are written in the proph-
ets; having hope toward God, which these also them-
selves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both for
the just and unjust. Herein do I also exercise myself to
have a conscience void of offense toward God and men
alway. Now after many years I came to bring alms to
my nation, and offerings ; ^ amidst which they found me
purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with
tumult. Let these men themselves say what wrong-
doing they found, when I stood before the council, except
it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among
them, ' Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called
in question before you this day.' "
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning
the Way, deferred them, saying. " When Lysias the
chief captain shall come down, I will determine your
matter."
And he gave order to the centurion that he should bo
kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to
forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
" R. \'. niaiL;., <)i, hrrfsy. '' R. \'. in.ug., Or, /// presenting -whic/i.
Acts 24. 24-] Chronologically Arranged. 807
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his
wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, Pauiand
and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Felix.
Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and •'■tem-
perance, and the judgment to come, FeHx was terrified,
and answered, " Go thy way for this time ; and when 1
have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me."
He hoped withal that money would be given him of
Paul ; wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and
communed with him. But when two years were fulfilled,
Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus ; and desiring to
gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
" R. V. marg., Or, self-control.
868 The Shorter Bible [Acts 25. i.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PAUL before FESTUS ; BEFORE A NOBLE COMPANY.
Festus therefore, having come into the province,
„ ^ , after three days went up to Jerusalem from
Festus and ^ a i i i • r • 11
the Jews. CsEsarea. And the chiet priests and the prm-
cipal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and
they besought him, asking favor against him, that he
would send for him to Jerusalem ; laying wait to kill
him on the way. Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul
was kept in charge at Csesarea, and that he himself was
about to depart thither shortly. " Let them therefore,"
saith he, " which are of power among you, go down with
me, and if there is anything amiss, let them accuse him,"
And when he had tarried among them not more than
eight or ten da}'s, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the
morrow he sat on the judgment scat, and commanded
Paul to be brought. And when he \\as come, the Jews
which had come down from Jerusalem stood round
about him, bringing against him man}' and grievous
charges, which they could not prove ; while Paul said in
his defense, " Neither against the law of the Jews, nor
against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, an-
swered Paul, and said, "Wilt thou go up to
Appeal to , , ' , , ' • 1 1 r , 1
Caesar. Jerusalem, and there be judged 01 these
things befcn'e me ? "
liut Paul said, " I am standing before Caesar's judg-
ment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews
have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.
If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed an}--
thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die ; but if none
of these things is trui-, whereof these accuse me, no man
can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cajsar."
Then P^estus, when he had conferred with the couiKil,
Acts 25. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 869
answered, " Thou hast appealed unto Ca;sar ; unto Caesar
shalt thou go."
Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the
king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and pestus nd
saluted Festus. And as they tarried there Agrippa.
many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, say-
ing, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests
and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sen-
tence against him. To whom I answered, that it is not
the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before
that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have
had opportunity to make his defense concerning the
matter laid against him. When therefore they were
come together here, I made no delay, but on the next
day sat down on the judgment seat, and commanded
the man to be brought. Concerning whom, when the
accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil
things as I supposed ; but had certain questions against
him of their own ^religion, and of one Jesus, who was
dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And I, being
perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked
whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged
of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be
kept for the decision of ^ the emperor, I commanded him
to be kept till I should send him to Caesar."
And Agrippa said unto Festus, " I also ^ could wish to
hear the man myself."
So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Ber-
nice, with great pomp, and they were entered
into the place of hearing, with the chief cap- dress\)^fore
tains, and the principal men of the city, at -^s^ppa.
the command of Festus Paul was brought in.
And Festus saith, " King Agrippa, and all ye behold this
man, about whom all the Jews made suit to me, both at
Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any
longer. But I found that he had committed nothing
worthy of death ; and as he himself appealed to the
emperor I determined to send him. Of whom I have no
* R. V. marg., Or, superstition. ^ R. V. marg., Gr. the Augtistus.
"^ R. V. marg., Or, zvas wishing.
870 The Shorter Bible [Acts 25. 26.
certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have
brought him forth before you, and specially before thee,
king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have
somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in
sending a prisoner, not to signify the charges against him."
And Agrippa said unto Paul, " Thou art permitted to
speak for thyself."
Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his
defense :
" I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to
make my defense before thee this day touching all the
things whereof I am accused by the Jews ; especially be-
cause thou art expert in all customs and questions which
are among the Jews ; wherefore I beseech thee to hear
me patiently. My manner of life from my youth up
know all the Jews; having knowledge of me from the
first, how that after the straitest sect of our religion I
lived a Pharisee. And now I stand here to be judged
for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers.
Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise
the dead ? I verily thought with m)'self, that I ought
to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Naza-
reth. And this I also did in Jerusalem ; and I both shut
up many of the saints in prisons, and when they were put
to death, I gave my vote against them. And punishing
them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make
them blaspheme ; and being exceedingly mad against
them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities. Where-
upon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority
and commission of the chief priests, at middaj', O king,
I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the bright-
ness of the sun, shining round about me and them that
journc)-ed with me. And when we were all fallen to the
earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew
language, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is
hard for thee to kick against the goad.' And I said,
* Who art thou. Lord ? ' And the Lord said, ' I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest. But arise, and stand upon thy
feet ; for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to
appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things
wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I
Acts26. i6.j Chronologically Arranged. 871
will appear unto thee ; delivering thee from the people,
and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, to open
their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may
receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them
that are sanctified by faith in me.' Wherefore, O king
Agrippa, 1 was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision ;
but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Je-
rusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and
also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to
God, doing works worthy of repentance. For this cause
the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill
me. Having therefore obtained .the help that is from
God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and
great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses
did say should come ; how that the Christ must suffer,
and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead
should proclaim light both to the people and to the
Gentiles."
And as he thus made his defense, Festus saith with a
loud voice, " Paul, thou art mad ; thy much learning doth
turn thee to madness."
But Paul saith, " I am not mad, most excellent Fes-
tus; but speak forth words of truth and sober- Pomt d
ness. For the king knoweth of these things, words,
unto whom also I speak freely ; for I am persuaded
that none of these things is hidden from him ; for this
hath not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, believ-
est thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."
And Agrippa said unto Paul, " With but little persua-
sion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian."
And Paul said, " I would to God, that whether with
little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear
me this day, might become such as I am, except these
bonds."
And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice,
and they that sat with them ; and when they had with-
drawn, they spake one to another, saying, " This man
doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds."
And Agrippa said unto Festus, " This man might have
been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar."
8('2 The vSiiur tkk Bible LActs 27. i.
CHAPTER XIX.
PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME : PAUL AT ROME.
And when it was determined that we should sail for
Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to
Voyage to- ^ centurion named Julius, of the Augustan
ward Rome. band. And '"^ embarking in a ship of Adra-
myttium, which was about to sail unto the places on
the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedo-
nian of Thessalonica, being with us. And the next day
we touched at Sidon ; and Julius treated Paul kindly,
and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh
himself. And putting to sea from thence, we sailed
under the Ice of C}'prus, because the winds were con-
trary. And when we had sailed across the sea which is
ofifCilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of
Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alex-
andria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein.
And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were
come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not
further suffering us, we sailed under the Ice of Crete,
over against Salmonc ; and with difficulty coasting along
it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens;
nigh whereunto was the city of Lasca.
And when much time was spent, and the voyage was
now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone
by, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, "Sirs, I
perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss,
not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives."
But the centurion gave more heed to the master and
to the owner of the ship, than to those things which
„ were spoken by Paul. And because the
Tempests. , '■ ^ ■' ,. ^ ■ ^ • ^i
liaven was not commodious to winter in, tne
more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any
"A. I). 60.
Acts 27. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 873
means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there ;
which is a haven of Crete, looking northeast and south-
east. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing
that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed
anchor and sailed along Crete, close in shore. But after
no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous
wind, which is called Euraquilo ; and when the ship was
caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it,
and were driven. And running under the lee of a small
island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to se-
cure the boat ; and when they had hoisted it up, they
used helps, undergirding the ship ; and, fearing lest they
should be cast upon the ^ Syrtis, they lowered the gear,
and so were driven. And as we labored exceedingly
with the storm, the next day they began to throw the
freight overboard ; and the third day they cast out with
their own hands the ^ tackling of the ship. And when
neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and
no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be
saved was now taken away.
And when they had been long without food, Paul
stood forth in the midst of them, and said, " Sirs, ye
should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail
from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. And
now I exhort you to be of good cheer ; for there shall be
no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For
there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose
I am, whom also I serve, saying, ' Fear not, Paul ; thou
must stand before Caesar ; and lo, God hath granted thee
all them that sail with thee.' Wherefore, sirs, be of
good cheer ; for I believe God, that it shall be even so as
it hath been spoken unto me. Howbeit we must be cast
upon a certain island."
But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were
driven to and fro in the sea of Adria, about
midnight the sailors surmised that they were ipw^ec
drawing near to some country ; and they sounded, and
found twenty fathoms ; and after a little space, they
sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. And fearing
"Great sandbanks off the northern coast of Africa. '' R. V. marg., Or,
furniture.
58
874 The Shorter Bible [Acts 27. 29.
lest haply we sliould be cast ashore on rocky ground,
they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for
the day. And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of
the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under
color as though they would lay out anchors from the
foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers,
" Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved."
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and
let her fall off.
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them
all to take some food, saying, " This day is the four-
teenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having
taken nothing. Wherefore I beseech you to take some
food ; for this is for your safety ; for there shall not a
hair perish from the head of any of you."
And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he
gave thanks to God in the presence of all ; and he
brake it, and began to eat. Then were they all of good
cheer, and themselves also took food. And we were in
all two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
And when they had eaten enough, the}' lightened the
ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. And when
it was day, they knew not the land ; but they perceived
a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel
whether they could drive the ship upon it. And casting
off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same
time loosing the bands of the rudders ; and hoisting up
the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But
lighting upon a place where two seas met, the}' ran the
vessel aground ; and the foreship struck and remained
unmovable, but the stern began to break up by the
violence of the waves. And the soldiers* counsel was to
kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and
escape. But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed
them from their purpose; and commanded that they
which could swim should cast themselves overboard, and
get first to the land ; ami the rest, some on planks, and
some on other things from the ship. And so it came to
pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.
And when we were escaped, then we knew that tlie
island was called IMelita. And the barbarians showed
Acts 28.2.] Chronologically Arranged. 875
us no common kindness; for they kindled a fire, and re-
ceived us all, because of the present rain and onM it
because of the cold.
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and
laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the
heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barba-
rians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said one
to another, " No doubt this man is a murderer, whom,
though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath
not suffered to live."
Howbeit he shook off the beast into the fire, and took
no harm. But they expected that he would have swollen,
or fallen down dead suddenly ; but when they were long
in expectation, and beheld nothing amiss come to him,
they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands be-
longing to the chief man of the island, named Publius ;
who received us, and entertained us three days cour-
teously. And the father of Publius lay sick of fever and
dysentery; unto whom Paul entered in, and The sick
prayed, and laying his hands on him healed healed.
him. And when this was done, the rest also v/hich had
diseases in the island came, and were cured ; who also
honored us with many honors ; and when we sailed, they
put on board such things as we needed.
And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alex-
andria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was
The Twin Brothers. And touching at Syracuse, we tar-
ried there three days. And from thence we made a cir-
cuit, and arrived at Rhegium ; and after one day a south
wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to
Puteoli ; where we found brethren, and were intreated
to tarry with them seven days; and so we came to
Rome. And from thence the brethren, when they heard
of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius,
and The Three Taverns ; whom when Paul saw, he
thanked God, and took courage.
And when we entered Rome, Paul was suffered to abide
by himself with the soldier that guarded him.
And he called those that were the chief of the Jews;
and when they were come together, he said unto them,
876 The Shorter Bible [Acts 28. 17.
" I, brethren, though I had done notliing against the peo-
ple, or the customs of our fathers, yet was deUvered pris-
oner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Interview „ -', 1^111 • 1
with. the Romans; who, when the)'' had cxammed me,
^^^' desired to set me at liberty. I5ut when the
Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cze-
sar ; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of. For
because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."
And they said unto him, " We neither received letters
from Judaj.i concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren
come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. But
we desire to hear what thou thinkest ; for as concerning
this sect, it is everywhere spoken against."
And when they had appointed him a day, they came
to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he
expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God,
and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the
law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till
evening. Ant] some believed the things which were
spoken, and some disbelieved. And when they agreed
not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul
had spoken one word, " Well'spake the Holy Ghost by
Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, saying,
" ' Go thou unto this people, and say,
" By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise
understand ;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise
perceive ; "
I'^or this people's heart is waxed gross.
And their cars are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed.'
" Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation
of God is sent unto the Gentiles; they will also hear."
And he abode =' two whole years in his own hired
^ ,. ^. dwelling, and received all that went in unto
Paul in his , . ^ , . 1 i • i c r^ 1 1
own hired limi, preaching the kmgdom 01 Cjog, antl
teaching the things concerning the Lord
Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.
"A. 1). 61-63.
James l. i.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 877
FROM THE GENERAL ERISTLE OF
•^ JAMES.
CHAPTER I.
WORKS AS RELATED To A CHRISTIAN LIFE.
James, a ^ servant of God and of the Lord Jesus
Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the
,^. . . Greeting.
Dispersion, greeting.
Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into mani-
fold '^temptations; knowing that the proof ,.,,,„^,.„;„„
of your faith worlceth patience. And let pa- tempta-
tience have its perfect work.
But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God,
who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not ; and it
shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing
doubting; for he that doubteth is like the surge of the
sea driven by the wind and tossed. Let not that man
think that he shall receive anything of the Lord ; a
double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate ;
and the rich, in that he is made low ; because as the
flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun
ariseth with the scorching wind, and withereth the
grass; and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of
it perisheth ; so also shall the rich man fade away in his
goings.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation ; for
when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown
of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, " I am tempted
» Written probably from Jerusalem, A. D. 6i. ^ R. V. marg. , Gr. io/ii/-
scrvaiit. '^ R.V. marg., Or, trials.
878 The Shorter Bhjle [James i. 13.
of God ; " for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he
himself tempteth no man. Every good gift is from
above, coming down from the Father of lights.
Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath ; for the wrath of man worketh not the righteous-
ness of God. Wherefore putting away all wickedness,
Hearing and rcceive with meekness the implanted word,
doing. which is able to save your souls. But be ye
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your
own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and
not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his face in a
mirror ; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of
liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that for-
getteth, but a doer that worketh, this man shall be
blessed in his doing.
If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he
bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this
man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled be-
fore our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless
and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself un-
spotted from the world.
My brethren, if there come unto )'()ur synagogue a
man in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man,
The rich and ye have regard to him that weareth the
audpoor. f^,-,g clothing, and say, " Sit thou here in a
good place; " and ye say to the poor ni.ui, " Stand thou
there, or sit under my footstool;" ''are ye not divided
in your own mind, and become judges with evil
thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not
God choose them that are poor as to the world to be
rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he prom-
ised to them that love him? But )-e have dishonored
the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and drag
you before the judgment seats ? Do not the\' blaspheme
the honorable name by the which ye are called? How-
beit if ye fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture,
" Thou shalt lo\'e thy neighbor as thyself," }e do well ;
" R.\'. iu;ug., Or, lio ye not make distinctions.
James 2. 9.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 8T9
but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin. For
whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in
one point, he is become guilty of all. So speak ye, and
so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.
For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed
no mercy; mercy glorieth against judgment.
What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he
hath faith, but have not works? Can that faith save
him? If a brother or sister be naked, and in lack of
daily food, and one of you say unto them, Faith and
" Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled ; " and works
yet ye give them not the things needful to the body;
what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works,
is dead in itself. Yea, a man will say, " Thou hast faith,
and I have works ; show me thy faith apart from thy
works, and I by my works will show thee my faith."
Thou believest that God is one ; thou doest well ; the
•"^ devils also believe, and shudder.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from
works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified
by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the
altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works,
and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture
was fulfilled which saith, " Abrahani believed God, and
it was reckoned unto him for righteousness;" and he
was called the friend of God. Ye see that by works a
man is justified, and not only by faith. And in like
manner was not also Rahab justified by works, in that
she received the messengers, and sent them out another
way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead,
even so faith apart from works is dead.
Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we
shall receive heavier judgment. For in words and
many things we all stumble. If any stum- deeds,
bleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to
bridle the whole body also. Now if we put the horses'
bridles into their mouths, that they may obey us, we
turn about their whole body also. Behold, the ships
also, though they are so great, and are driven by rough
winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder,
* R. V. marg., Gr. demons.
880 The vShorter Bible [James 3. 4.
whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. So the
tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things.
Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire !
And the tongue is a fire. For every kind of beasts and
birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed,
and hath been tamed by mankind ; but the tongue can
no man tame ; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly
poison. Therewith bless we the Lord and Father ; and
therewith curse we men, which are made after the like-
ness of God ; out of the same mouth cometh forth bless-
ing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not
so to be. Doth the fountain send forth from the same
opening sweet water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my
brethren, yield olives, or a vine, figs? Neither can salt
water yield sweet.
Who is wise and understanding among you ? let him
show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your
heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. This wis-
dom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but
is earthly. For where jealousy and faction are, there is
confusion and every vile deed. But the wisdom that is
from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to
be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without vari-
ance, without hypocrisy.
Whence come wars and whence come fightings among
you? Come they not hence, even of your
and^exhor- pleasures that war in your members? Ye
tations. j^jji ^j^^ covet, and cannot obtain. Ye have
not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, be-
cause ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleas-
ures.
Know ye not that the friendship of the world is en-
mity with God ? Whosoever therefore would be a
friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.
Or think ye that the scripture speakcth in vain ? The
scripture saith, " God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace to the humble." Be subject therefore unto God ;
but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw
nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse
your hands, ye sinners ; and purify your hearts, ye
James 4- 8.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 881
double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let
your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to
heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall exalt you.
Speak not one against another, brethren. One only
is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save
and to destroy ; but who art thou that judgest thy neigh-
bor?
Go to now, ye that say, " To-day or to-morrow we
will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade,
and get gain ; " whereas ye know not what shall be on
the morrow. What is your life ? A vapor, that appeareth
for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Ye ought to
say, " If the Lord will, we shall do this or that." But
now ye glory in your vaunting; all such glorying is
evil. To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and
doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Go to now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries
that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted,
and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your
silver are rusted ; and their rust shall be for a testimony
against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire, rpj^g -^^icked
Ye have laid up your treasure in the last rich man.
days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who mowed
your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth
out ; and the cries of them that reaped have entered
into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived
delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure ; ye
have nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter. Ye
have condemned, )'e have killed the righteous one ; he
doth not resist you.
Be patient, brethren, until the '^ coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the Exhorta-
precious fruit of the earth, being patient over tjon: toap-
it, until it receive the early and latter rain.
Be ye also patient ; stablish your hearts ; for the "^ coming
of the Lord is at hand. Murmur not, brethren, one
against another, that ye be not judged ; behold, the
judge standeth before the doors. Take, brethren, for an
" R. V. marg., Gx. presence.
882 The Shorter Bible [James 5. 10.
example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who
spake in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call them
blessed which endured; ye have heard of the '■"■ patience
of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the
Lord is full of pity, and merciful.
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither
T Sim le ^^ ^^^^ heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any
speaking. other oath ; but let your yea be yea, and
your nay, nay ; that ye fall not under judgment.
Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any
Concerning chccrful ? let him sing praise. Is any among
the sick. yQ^ gick ? let him call for the elders of the
church ; and let them pray over him, anointing him with
oil in the name of the Lord ; and the prayer of faith shall
save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up ;
and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.
Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one
for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication
of a righteous man availeth much in its working. Elijah
was a man of like '^ passions with us, and he prayed fer-
vently that it might not rain ; and it rained not on the
earth for three years and six months. And he prayed
again ; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought
forth her fruit.
My brethren, if any among you do err from the truth.
Concerning '^'1^1 one convert him ; let him know, that he
asoui saved, which converteth a sinner from the error of
his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a
multitude of sins.
» R. V. maig. , Or, endurance. •* R. V. maig., Or, natine.
Phil. I. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 883
FROM THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
PHILIPPIANS.
CHAPTER I.
LOVING PERSONAL WORDS: EXHORTATIONS.
Paul and Timothy, ^ servants of Christ Jesus, to all
the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the
^' bishops and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,
always in every supplication of mine on behalf of
you all making my supplication with joy, for Greeting-
your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel i^^g^^erlon-
from the first day until now; being confident ai words,
of this very thing, that he wliich began a good work in
you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. '^ I have
you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in
the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are
partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how
I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more
and more in knowledge and all discernment ; so that ye
may approve the things that are excellent ; that ye may
be sincere and void of offense unto the day of Christ ;
being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are
through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Now I would have }'Ou know, brethren, that the things
which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
progress of the gospel ; so that my bonds became mani-
fest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and
" R. V. marg. , Gr. bimdservanis. '^ R. V. marg., Or, overseers. <^ R. V.
marg., Or, ye have me in your heart.
884r The Shorter Bh3LE [Phil. i. 13.
to all the rest ; and that most of the brethren in the
Lord, being" confident through my bonds, are more
abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife ; and
some also of good will; the one do it of love, knowing
that I am set for the defense of the gospel ; but the other
proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise
up affliction for me in my bonds. What then ? Only that
in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is
proclaimed ; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
For 1 know that this shall turn to my salvation, through
your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope,
that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified
in my body, whether by life, or by death. For to me to
live is Christ, and to die is gain. What I shall choose '' 1
wot not. I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the
desire to depart and be with Christ ; for it is very far
better; yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for
your sake. And having this confidence, I know that 1
shall abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the
faith ; that your glor)-ing may abound in Christ Jesus in
me through my presence with you again. Only let your
Loving ex- manner of life be worthy of the gospel of
hortations. Christ ; that whether I come and see you or
be absent, I may hear of your state, that }'e stand fast
in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the
gospel; and in nothing affrighted b}- the adversaries;
because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of
Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in
his behalf; hiuing the same confiict which ye saw in me,
and now hear to be in me.
If there is therefore an\' comfc^rt in Christ, if any con-
solation of love, if an\' fellowship of the Spirit, if anj'
tender mercies and compassions, fulfill ye my joy, that )'e
be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one
accord, of one mind, doing nothing through faction or
through vainglory, but in lowliness of niiiul each count-
ing other better than himself; not looking each of you
" R. \ . iiiaiij., Or, / do not make known.
Phil. 2. 4.J Chronologically Arranged. 885
to his own things, but each of you also to the things of
others. Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus ; who, being in the form of God, counted it not ^ a
prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied him-
self, taking the form of a ^servant, being made in the
-likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death,
yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly
exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above
every name ; that in the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So then, beloved, work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling ; for it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Do all
things without murmurings and disputings ; that ye may
be blameless and harmless, children of God without
blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse genera-
tion, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
holding forth the word of life ; that I may have whereof
to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain
neither labor in vain. Yea, and if I am '^ offered upon
the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice
with you all ; and in the same manner do ye also joy,
and rejoice with me.
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly
unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I
know your state. For I have no man like-minded, who
will care truly for your state. For they all Personal
seek their own, not the things of Tesus Christ, words and
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a tions.
child serveth a father, so he served with me in further-
ance of the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send forth-
with, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But
I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.
But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphro-
ditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier,
and your messenger and minister in my need; since he
longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye
* R.V. marg. , Gr. a thing to be grasped. '' R.V. marg., Gr. Iwitdservant,
"^ R. V. marg., Gr. poured out as a drink offering.
886 Thp: Shorter Bible [Phil. 2. 26.
had heard that he was sick. Indeed he was sick nigh
unto death; but God had mercy on him; and not on
him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow
upon sorrow. I have sent him therefore the more dili-
gently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and
that I maybe the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore
in the Lord with all joy ; and hold such in honor ; be-
cause for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death,
hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in
your service toward me.
Finally, my brethren, '"^ rejoice in the Lord. Beware
of evil workers, beware of the concision. We are the
circumcision, wdio worship by the Spirit of God, and
glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the
flesh; though I myself might have confidence even in
the flesh. If any other man thinketh to have confidence
in the flesh, I yet more ; circumcised the eighth day, of
the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew
of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; as touch-
ing zeal, persecuting the church ; as touching the right-
eousness which is in the law, found blameless. How-
beit what things were gain to me, these have I counted
loss for Christ. Yea, verily, and I count all things to be
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord; for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and
do count them but dross, that I may gain Christ, and
be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own,
even that w^hich is of the law, but that which is through
faith in Christ, that I may know him, and the power of
his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, be-
coming conformed unto his death ; if by any means I
may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made
perfect ; but I press on. One thing I do, forgetting the
things w^iich arc behind, and stretching forward to the
things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let
us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded ; and
if in anythinf]^ ye are otherwise minded, even this shall
God reveal unto you.
"■ K. V. m.irg., Ox. farewell.
Phil. 3. 17.] Chronologically Arranged. 887
Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark
them which so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell
you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross
of Christ ; who mind earthly things. But our citizen-
ship is in heaven ; from whence also we wait for a
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ ; who shall fashion anew
the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed
to the body of his glory, according to the working
whereby he is able even to subject all things unto him-
self.
Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my
joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the
same mind in the Lord. Yea, I beseech thee also, true
yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me
in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fel-
low-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord alway ; again I will say, re-
joice. Let your forbearance be known unto all men.
The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious ; but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. And the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatso-
ever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report — if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The things which ye both learned and received and
heard and saw in me, these things do ; and the God of
peace shall be with you.
But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length
ye have revived your thought for me ; wherein ye did
indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. Not
that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know
how to be abased, and I know also how to abound; in
everything and in all things have I learned the secret
888 The vShorter Bible [rhii.4. 12.
both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and
to be in want. I can do all thhiijs in him
acknowi- that strengtheneth me. Howbeit ye did well,
edgment. ^j^^^^ ^^ j^^^ fellowship with my affliction. And
ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the be-
ginning of the gospel, when I departed from Mace-
donia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter
of giving and receiving, but ye onl\- ; for even in Thes-
salonica ye sent once and again unto my need. Not
that I seek for the gift ; but I seek for the fruit that in-
creaseth to your account. But I have all things, and
abound ; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus
the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell,
a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. And my
God shall fulfill every need of yours according to his
riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Isfow unto our God and
Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
„ , Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The
Salutation , ^, i • i -1.1. 1 1 a 11
-^Benedic- brethren which are with me salute you. All
the saints salute you, especially they that are
of Cicsar's household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your
si)irit.
Col. 1. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 889
FROM THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
COLOSSIANS.
CHAPTER I.
PERSONAL WORDS: EXHORTATIONS.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of
God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faith-
ful brethren in Christ which are at Colossae. Grace to you
and peace from God our Father.
We give thanks to God the Father of our _
Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Thanks-
having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, giving,
and love toward all the saints, because of the hope laid
up for you in the heavens. Whereof ye heard before,
in the gospel which is come unto you ; even as it is in
all the world, bearing fruit and increasing; even as ye
learned of Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant, who
also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do
not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may
be filled with the knowledge of his will to walk worthily
of- the Lord unto all pleasing, bearintj
IT o' o Personal
fruit in every jrood work ; giving thanks words-Ex-
, ,, -c/i 1 1 ^^u hortations.
unto the rather, who made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ; who
delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated
us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom
we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
H e is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all
creation, the head of the body, the church, the firstborn
from the dead ; that in all things he might have the
preeminence. For it was the good pleasure of the Fa-
59
890 The vShorter Bible [Coi. 1.19.
ther that in him should all the fullness dwell; and
through him to reconcile all things unto himself, hav-
ing made peace through the blood of his cross. And
you, enemies in your evil works in time past, hath he
now reconciled through his death, to present you holy
and without blemish before him ; if so be that ye con-
tinue in thefaith, grounded and steadfast.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill
up in my flesh that which is lacking of the afflictions of
Christ, for his body's sake, which is the church ; whereof
I was made a minister, according to the * dispensation
of God which was given me to you-ward.
For I would have you know how greatly I strive for
you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have
not seen my face in the flesh ; that their hearts may be
comforted, they being knit together in love. For though
I am absent in the flesh, yet am I \\ith )ou in the spirit,
joying and beholding )-our order, and the steadfastness of
your faith in Christ.
As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so
walk in him, rooted and builded up in him, and stablished
''in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in
thanksgiving.
Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh
spoil of you through his philosophy antl vain deceit, after
the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ ; for in him dwelleth all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily. And ye are made full in him,
who is the head of all principality and power ; in whom
ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made
with hands. Having been buried with Christ in baptism
ye were also raised with him through faith in God who
raised him from the dead.
If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the
things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the
right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that
are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For
ye died, and your life is liid with Christ in God. When
Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye
also M'ith him be manifested in glory.
» R. V. maig., Or, stewardship. ^ R. V. maig., Or, by.
Col. 3. 5.] Chronologically Arranged. 891
'^ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the
earth ; uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetous-
ness, the which is idolatry ; for which things' sake cometh
the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience ; in the
which ye also walked aforetime, when ye lived in these
things. But now put ye also away all these. Lie not
one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man
with his doings, and have put on the new man, which is
being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him
that created him ; where there cannot be Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,
bondman, freeman ; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a
heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-
suffering ; forbearing one another, and forgiving each
other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as
the Lord forgave you, so also do ye ; and above all these
things put on love, which is the bond of perfectncss.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the
which also ye were called in one body ; and be ye thank-
ful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one another with
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace
in your hearts unto God. And whatsoever ye do, in
word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting
in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not
bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all
things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers,
provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.
Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters
according to the flesh ; not with eyeservice, as men-
pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord ;
whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and
not unto men ; knowing that from the Lord ye shall re-
ceive the recompense of the inheritance ; ye serve the
Lord Christ. For he that doeth wrong shall receive
again for the wrong that he hath done ; and there is no
» R. V. marg. , Gr. Make dead.
892 The Shorter Bible [Coi. 3. 25.
respect of persons. Masters, render unto your servants
that which is just and equal ; knowing that ye also have
a Master in heaven.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with
thanksgiving ; withal praying for us also, that God
may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the
mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds ; that I
may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wis-
dom toward them that are without, ^ redeeming the time.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you,
the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-serv-
ant in the Lord ; whom I have sent unto you for this
very purpose, that ye may know our estate, and that he
may comfort your hearts ; together with Onesimus, the
faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They
shall make known unto you all things that are done here.
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark,
the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye
Salutations. . , , . -r i \.
received commandments; it he come unto
you, receive him), and Jesus, which is called Justus, who
are of the circumcision ; these only are my fellow-workers
unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort
unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of
Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for }'ou in his
prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in
all the will of God. For I bear him witness, that he hath
much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for
them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and
Dcmas salute you. Salute the brethren that are in Laod-
icea, and Nj'mphas, and the church that is in their
house. And when this epistle hath been read among
you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laod-
iccans ; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.
And say to Archippus, " Take heed to the ministry which
thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it."
Benedic- The salutation of me Paul with mine own
tion. hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with
you.
" R. y. marg. , Gr. />uvi/i^' tip the opportunity.
Eph. I. 1. 1 Chronologically Arranged. 893
FROlVI THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
EPHESIANS.
CHAPTER I.
TEACHINGS : EXHORTATIONS : THE GOSPEL ARMOR.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of
God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and
the faithful in Christ Jesus. Grace to you and ^^^ ^"^'
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual bless-
ing in the heavenly places in Christ ; even as he chose
us in him before the foundation of the world, Thanksgiv-
that we should be holy and without blemish i^e-
before him in love. In him we have our redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, ac-
cording to the riches of his grace, which he made to
abound toward us; in whom, having also believed, ye
were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an
earnest of our inheritance.
Having heard of the faith which is among you, I cease
not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in
my prayers ; that ye may know what is the hope of his
calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in
the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his
power to usward who believe, according to that working
of his might which he wrought in Christ, when he raised
him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right
hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and
authority, and power, and dominion, and every name
that is named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come. And he put all things in subjection
894 The Shorter Bible |Eph. 1.22.
under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things
to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that
filleth all in all.
And you did he quicken, when ye were dead through
your trespasses and sins, wherein aforetime ye walked
according to the course of this world ; among whom we
also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the
desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature
children of wrath, even as the rest ; but God, being rich
in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even
Agiance when we were dead through our trespasses,
backward. quickened us together with Christ (by grace
have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and
made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ
Jesus; that in the ages to come he might show the ex-
ceeding riches of his grace toward us in Christ Jesus ; for
by grace have ye been saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
that no man should glory. For we arc his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore
prepared that we should walk in them.
Wherefore remember, that aforetime ye. Gentiles in
the flesh, called " Uncircumcision " by that which is
Ccdled " Circumcision," were at that time separate from
Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no
hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ
Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the
blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made ''bc^th
one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, hav-
ing abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of
commandments contained in ordinances; that he might
create of the twain one new man, and might reconcile
them both unto God through the cross, having slain the
enmity thereby; for through him we both have access
unto the Father. So then ye are no more strangers and
sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and
Present ^f the household of God, being built upon the
blessing. foundation of the apostles and proi)hets,
Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in
" That is, both Jew and (Iciitilc.
Eph. 2. 21.] Chronologically Arranged. 895
whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth
into a holy temple in the Lord ; in whom ye also are
builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in
behalf of you Gentiles, — if so be that ye have heard of
the '-'■ dispensation given me to youward, how that by
revelation was made known unto me the mystery, that
the Gentjles are fellow-heirs, fellow-partakers of the
promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, whereof I
was made a minister. Unto me, who am less than the
least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto
the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
For this cause 1 bow my knees unto the Father, from
whom every ^ family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his
glory, that ye may be strenghtened with Future
power through his Spirit in the inward man ; possibilities.
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ; to
the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may
be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the
breadth and length and height and depth, and to know
the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye
may be filled unto all the fullness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus unto all generations forever and ever. Amen.
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to
walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were -^ . ^
111 -1111 1- 1 1 -1 Exhorta-
called, with all lowliness and meekness, with tions to
longsuffering, forbearing one another in love ;
giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even
as also ye were called in one hope of }'our calling; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,
who is over all, and through all, and in all. But unto
each one of us was grace given. For he saith,
" When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive,
And gave gifts unto men."
* R. V. marg., Or, stewardship. ** R. V. marg., Ox. fatherhood.
896 The Shorter Bible [Eph. 4. u.
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists ; and some, pastors and teach-
ers ; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of
ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ;
till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ ;
To stead- that we may be no longer children, tossed to
fastness. .y-,j ffQ ^^(j carried about with every wind of
doctrine; but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all
things into him, which is the head, even Christ ; from
whom all the body, fitly framed, and knit together
through that which every joint supplieth, according to
the working of each part, maketh increase, building itself
up in love.
Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth
each one with his neighbor ; for we are members one of
another. Be ye angry, and sin not ; let not the sun go
down upon your wrath ; neither give place to the devil.
To pure Let him that stole steal no more; but rather
living. ig|- hjj-fj labor, working with his hands the
thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to
him that hath need. Let no corrupt speech proceed out
of your mouth ; and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in
whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor,
and railing, be put away from you, with all malice ; and
be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving each
other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.
Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children ;
Toimitate ^^^^^ ^^alk in lovc, even as Christ also loved you,
Christ. a,^j gave himself up for us, an offering and a
sacrifice to God. But fornication, and all uncleanness,
or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as
becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or
jesting, which are not befitting ; but rather giving of
thanks. For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator,
nor unclean person, nor covetous man, which is an idol-
ater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and God. Let no man deceive you ; because of these
things Cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of dis-
Eph. 5. 6.] Chronologically Arranged, 897
obedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them ;
for ye once were darkness, but are now light in the Lord ;
walk as children of light.
Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise,
but as wise ; * redeeming the time, because the days are
evil. Be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be
filled with the Spirit ; speaking one to another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody with your heart to the Lord ; giving thanks
always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ to God, even the Father ; subjecting yourselves
one to another in the fear of Christ.
Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as
unto the Lord. For the husband is the head ^
r- 1 -r r^^ ■ i -11 ^ r ^ For "WlVeS
of the wiie, as Christ also is the head oi the andhus-
church, being himself the saviour of the body.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved
the church, and- gave himself up for it; that he might
sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water
with the word, that he might present the church to'him-
self a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any
such thing ; but that it should be holy and without
blemish. Even so ought husbands also to love their own
wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife
loveth himself; for no man ever hateth his own flesh,
but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the
church, because we are members of his body. For this
cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife ; and the twain shall become one flesh.
This mystery is great ; but I speak of Christ and the
church.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord ; for this is
right. Honor thy father and mother (which For children
is the first commandment with promise), and parents,
that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long
on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your chil-
dren to wrath; but nurture them in the chastening and
admonition of the Lord.
Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the
flesh are your masters, in singleness of heart, as unto
* R. V. marg., Gr. buying up the opportunity.
898 The Shorter BniLE [Eph. 6. 5.
Christ ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers,
„ ^ but as servants of Christ ; with <Tood will
For servants . i t i i
and masters, donig service, as unto the Lord, and not unto
men; knowing that whatsoever good thing each one
doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord,
whether he be bond or free.
And ye masters, do the same things unto them, and
forbear threatening; knowing that both their master and
yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons
with him.
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of
his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may
. be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,
armor. For our wrestling is not against flesh and
blood, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness. Where-
fore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to
stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with
truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace ; withal taking up the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts
of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God ; with
all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints, and on my behalf, that
utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth,
to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains ; that in it I
may spe^Uc boldly, as I ought to speak.
But that ye may also know my affairs, how I do,
Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in
the Lord, shall make known to you all things ; whom I
have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may
know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from
„ ^. ^. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Benediction, _ , ., ,,,, ^i^i t j
Grace be with all them that love our Lord
Jesus Christ in uncorruptness.
Philem. I.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 899
FROM THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO
^ PHILEMON.
CHAPTER I.
CONCERNING ONESIMUS, THE CONVERTED SLAVE.
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our
brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, and
to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-
soldier, and to the church in thy house. Grace to you
and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
I thank my God always, making mention of thee in
my prayers, hearing of thy love, and faith ; for I had
much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of
the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to en-
join thee that which is befitting, yet for love's concernine
sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul Onesimus.
the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus. I be-
seech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my
bonds, Onesimus, who v/as aforetime unprofitable to thee,
but now is profitable to thee and to me. Him I have
sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart;
whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf
he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel ;
but without thy mind I would do nothing, that thy good-
ness should not be as of necessity, but of free will. For
perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season,
that thou shouldest have him forever; no longer as a
servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved,
specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in
"Written during Paul's imprisonment at Rome, A. D. 61-63.
900 The Shorter Bible [rhiiem. i6.
the flesh and in the Lord. If then thou countest me a
partner, receive him as myself. But if he hath wronged
thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine
account ; I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will
repay it ; that I say not unto thee how that thou owest
to me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me
have joy of thee in the Lord ; refresh my heart in Christ,
Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee,
knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
But withal prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that
through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth
thee ; and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my
fellow-workers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. Amen,
I Tim. I. I.J Chronologically Arranged. 901
FROM THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO
'^ TIMOTHY.
CHAPTER I.
TIMOTHY IN HIS RELATIONS TO THE CHURCH.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the
commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ
Jesus our hope; unto Timothy, my true Personaf~
child in faith. Grace, mercy, peace, from God ^°^^^-
the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, that thou
mightest charge certain men not to teach a different
doctrine, neither to give heed to fables which minister
questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is
in faith ; so do I now. But the end of the charge is
love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith
unfeigned ; from which things some having swerved
have turned aside unto vain talking ; desiring to be
teachers of the law, though they understand not. But
we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,
as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous
man, but for the lawless and unruly.
I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our
Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to
his service ; though I was before a blasphemer, and a
persecutor, and injurious. Howbeit I obtained mercy,
because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of
our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love
which is in Christ Jesus. Faithful is the saying, and
worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners ; of whom I am chief.
* Written during Paul's imprisonment at Rome, A. D. 61-63.
902 The Shorter Bible [i Tim. 1. 16.
Howbeit I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might
Jesus Christ show forth all his long-suffering, for an en-
sample of them which should hereafter believe on him
unto eternal life. Now unto the King eternal, incor-
ruptible, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for-
ever and ever. Amen.
This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy,
according to the prophecies which went before on thee,
that by them thou mayest war the good warfare, holding
faith and a good conscience ; which some having thrust
from them made shipwreck concerning the faith.
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications,
prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made
for all men ; for kings and all that are in high churc"p?-^
place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet Indnianage-
life in all godliness and gravity. This is good °^®"^-
and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who
willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the
knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. one
mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ
Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all.
I desire that the men pray in every place, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and disputing. In like man-
ner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefastness and sobriety ; not with braided hair,
and gold or pearls or costly raiment ; but (which bccom-
eth women professing godliness) through good works.
Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But
I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion
over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was first
formed, then Eve.
If a man seekcth the office of a bishop, he desireth a
good work. The bishop therefore must be without
reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-
minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach ; no
brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no
lover of money ; one that ruleth well his own house,
having his children in subjection with all gravity ; (f o r
if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house,
how shall he take care of the church of God ?) not a
novice, lest being puffed up he fall into condemnation.
I Tim. 3. 7.] Chronologically Arranged. 903
Moreover he must have good testimony from them that
are without.
Deacons in hke manner must be grave, not double-
tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy
lucre ; ' husbands of one wife, ruhng tlieir own houses
well ; ^ holding the mystery of the faith in a pure con-
science. And let these also first be proved ; then let
them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.
* Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers,
temperate, faithful in all things.
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto
thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know
how men ought to behave themselves in the house of
God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar
and ground of the truth. And without controversy
great is the mystery of godliness. "^ He who was man-
ifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels,
preached among the nations, believed on in the world,
received up in glory."
But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some
shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, branded in their own conscience as with a hot
iron ; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain
from meats, which God created to be received with
thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be
rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving ; for it is
sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou
shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in
the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which
thou hast followed until now. And exercise thyself
unto godliness ; for bodily exercise is profitable for a
little ; but godliness is profitable for all things, having
promise of the life which now is, and of that which is
to come. Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou
an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner
of life, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give
' I Tim. iii, 12.
^ I Tim. iii, g.
* Many Ijelieve this word should
be trnnsiated deaconesses. ^ Prob-
ably from an old hymn.
904 The Shorter Bible [i Tim. 4. 13.
heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Neglect
not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by-
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the pres-
bytery. Be diligent in these things ; give thyself wholly
to them ; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.
Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in
these things ; for in doing this thou shalt save both thy-
self and them that hear thee.
Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father ; the
younger men as brethren ; the elder women as mothers ;
and the younger as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows
that are widows indeed. But if any widow hath chil-
dren or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety
toward their own family, and to requite their parents ;
for this is acceptable in the sight of God. If any pro-
videth not for his own, and specially his own household,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbe-
liever. Let none be enrolled as a widow under three-
score years old, having been the wUe of one man, well
reported of for good works ; if she hath brought up chil-
dren, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she
hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the
afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honor, especially those who labor in the word
and in teaching. For the scripture saith, " Thou shalt
not mu7,zle the ox when he trcadeth out the corn." And,
" The laborer is worthy of his hire." Against an elder
receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two
or three witnesses. Them that sin reprove in the sight
of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
I charge thee in the sight of God, ztnd Christ Jesus,
and the elect angels, that thou observe these things
without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. Lay
hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other
men's sins ; keep thyself pure. Be no longer a drinker
of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake
and thine often infirmities.
Let as many as are servants under the yoke count
their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of
God and the doctrine be not blasphemed. And they
I Tim. 6. 2. J Chronologically Arranged. 905
that have believing masters, let them not despise them,
because they are brethren ; but let them serve them the
rather, because they that partake of the benefit are be-
lieving and beloved.
Godliness with contentment is great gain ; we brought
nothing into the world, neither can we carry anything
out ; but having food and covering we shall be there-
with content. But they that desire to be rich fall into
a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful
lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is ""a root of all kinds of evil ;
which some reaching after have been led astray from the
faith, and have pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and fol-
low after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, personal
patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of admoni-
the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, where-
unto thou wast called, and didst confess the good con-
fession in the sight of many witnesses. I charge thee
in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and of
Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the
good confession ; that thou keep the commandment,
without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of
our Lord Jesus Christ ; who only hath immortality,
dwelling in light unapproachable ; whom no man hath
seen, nor can see ; to whom be honor and power eternal.
Amen.
Charge them that are rich in this present world, that
they be not high-minded, nor liave their hope set on the
uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy ; that they do good, that they be rich
in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing
to communicate ; laying up in store for themselves a
good foundation against the time to come, that they may
lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee,
turning away from the profane babblings and opposi-
tions of the knowledge which is falsely so called ; which
some professing have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with you.
60
906 The Shorter Bibee [Titus i.i.
FROM THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO
TITUS.
CHAPTER I.
TITUS IN HIS RELATIONS TO THE CHURCH.
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot
lie, promised before times eternal; to Titus, my true
child after a common faith. Grace and peace
ree mg. from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Saviour.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldcst
set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint
elders in every city, as I gave thee charge.
The bishop must be blameless, as God's steward ; not
self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not
greedy of filthy lucre ; but given to hospitality, a lover
of good, sober-minded, just, holy, temperate ; holding to
Teachings- the faithful word which is according to the
Directions, teaching, that he may be able both to exhort
in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.
To the pure all things are pure ; but to them that are
defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure ; but both their
mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess
that they know God, but by their works they deny him.
But speak thou the things which befit the sound doc-
trine ; that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded,
sound in faith, in love, in patience ; that aged women
likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor
enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
that they may train the young women to love their hus-
bands, to love their children, to be sober-minded, chaste,
Titus 2. 5.] Chronologically Arranged, 907
workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own
husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
The younger men Hkewise exhort to be sober-minded ;
in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works.
Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own mas-
ters ; not gainsaying; not purloining, but showing all
good fidelity ; that they may adorn the doctrine of
God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God
hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing
us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly
in this present world ; looking for the blessed hope and
appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour
Jesus Christ ; who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity; and purify unto himself a
people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to au-
thorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good
work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to
be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men. For
we also were aforetime foolish, disobedient, deceived,
serving divers lusts and pleasures. But when the kind-
ness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, ap-
peared, not by works done in righteousness, which we
did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us,
through the washing of regeneration and renewing of
the Holy Ghost, which he poured out upon us richly,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour ; that, being justified
by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the
hope of eternal life. These things are good and profita-
ble unto men ; but shun foolish questionings, and gene-
alogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law ; for they
are unprofitable and vain.
When I shall send unto thee, give diligence to come
unto me to Nicopolis ; for there I have determined to
winter. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and closing
ApoUos on their journey diligently, that words,
nothing be wanting unto them. And let our people also
learn to maintain good works for necessary uses.
All that are ^^'ith me salute thee. Salute them that
love us in faith. Grace be with you all.
908 The Shorter Bible [? Tim. i. i.
FROM the second EPISTLE OF PAUL TO
•■^TIMOTHY.
CHAPTER I.
LOVING ADMONITIONS : A GRAND TESTIMONY : LAST
WORDS OF PAUL.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
according to the promise of the life which is in Christ
Greetino-- Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child. Grace,
Loving ad- mcrcy, peace, from God the Father and Christ
monitions. -, -, ,
Jesus our Lord.
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a
pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of
thee in my supplications, night and day longing to see
thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled u ith
joy; having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that
is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois,
and thy mother Eunice ; and, I am persuaded, in thee
also. For the which cause I put thee in remembrance
that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through
the laying on of my hands. P^or God gave us not a
spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and disci-
pline. Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of
our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but suffer hardship
with the gospel according to the power of God ; who
saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to his own purpose and
grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times
eternal, but hath now been manifested by the appearing
" T'aul's last lellcr, written A. D. 67 ; jnohuhly (luring a second impris-
onment, wliicii ended in Paul's martyrdom under Nero.
2 Tim. I. lo.] Chronologically Arranged. 909
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who abolished death, and
brouglit life and incorruption to light through the gos-
pel ; whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apos-
tle, and a teacher. For the which cause I suffer also
these things ; yet I am not ashamed ; for I know him
whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is
able to guard that which I have committed unto him
against that day. Hold the pattern of sound words
which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which
is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was com-
mitted unto thee guard through the Holy Ghost which
dwelleth in us.
This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned
away from me. The Lord grant mercy unto the house
of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not
ashamed of my chain ; but, when he was in Rome, he
sought me diligently, and found me (the Lord grant
unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day) ; and in
how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou know-
est very well.
Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which
thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good
soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entan-
gleth himself in the affairs of this life ; that he may please
him who enrolled him as a soldier. Remember Jesus
Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, accord-
ing to my gospel ; wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds,
as a malefactor; — but the word of God is not bound.
I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also
may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with
eternal glory. Faithful is the saying, " If we died with
him, we shall also live with him ; if we endure, we shall
also reign with him ; if we deny him, he also will deny
us ; if we are faithless, he abideth faithful ; for he can-
not deny himself."
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging
them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about
words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.
910 The Shorter Bh^le [2x1111.2.15.
Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handUng
aright the word of truth. But shun profane babblings;
for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their
word will eat as doth a gangrene. The firm foundation
of God standeth, having this seal, " The Lord knoweth
them that are his ; " and, " Let everyone that nameth the
name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." Now
in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of
silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto
honor, and some unto dishonor. If a man therefore
purge himself, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sancti-
fied, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good
work. But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteous-
ness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord
out of a pure heart. But foolish and ignorant ques-
tionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. And
the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle
toward all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correct-
ing them that oppose; if peradventure God may give
them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth.
But know this, that in the last days grievous times
shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of
money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God ;
holding a form of godliness, but having denied the
power thereof ; from these also turn away. Yea, and all
that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer perse-
cution. But evil men and impostors shall wax worse
and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But abide
thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been
assured of, knowing of whom thou has learned them ;
and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writ-
ings which arc able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ■' Every scripture
inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for re-
proof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteous-
ness; that the man of God may be complete, furnished
completely unto every good work.
I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus,
who shall judge the quick and the dead, and by his ap-
" R. V. inarLj., Or, Ei'i'ry scripture is inspired of God, and proJitahL-.
2 Tim. 4. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 911
pearing and his kingdom ; preach the word ; be instant
in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all
long-suffering and teaching. Be thou sober in all things,
suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy
ministry. For I am already being * offered, and the time
of my departure is come. I have fought the ^ glorious
good fight,- 1 have finished the course, I have testimony.
kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, shall give to me at that day; and not only to me,
but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me ; for Demas
forsook me, having loved this present world. Only Luke
is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee, for he
is useful to me for ministering. But Tychicus I sent to
Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas, bring when
thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.
At my first defense, no one took my part, but all for-
sook me ; may it not be laid to their account. But
the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me ; that
through me the message might be fully proclaimed,
and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was deliv-
ered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord will de-
liver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his
heavenly kingdom ; to whom be the glory forever and
ever. Amen,
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiph-
orus, Erastus abode at Corinth, but Trophimus I left at
Miletus sick. Do thy diligence to come before winter.
The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be
• ,. Benediction.
With you.
" R. V. marg. , Gr. poured out as a drink offering.
Ui2 The Shorter Bhjle [i Peter i. i.
FROM THE FH^ST EPISTLE GENERAL OF
'' PETER.
CHAPTER I.
EXHORTATIONS AND WARNINGS.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who
are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, and
at- Asia, according to the foreknowledge of God
Thanksgiv- the P^ither, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto
obedience and sprinkling of the blood of
Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again
unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven
for you, who by the power of God are guarded through
faith unto salvation. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though
now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to
Encourage- gi'icf in manifold temptations, that the proof
ment. of your faith, being more precious than gold
that perishcth though it is proved by fire, might be
found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation
of Jesus Christ; whom not having seen ye love; on
whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye re-
joice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory; re-
ceiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your
souls. Concerning which salvation the prophets sought
and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace
that should come unto you ; searching what time or
what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in
" Written about A. D. 67.
I Peter i. ii.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 913
them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the
sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow
them. To whom it was revealed, that not unto them-
selves, but unto you, did they minister these things,
which now have been announced unto you through them
that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost
sent forth from heaven ; which things angels desire to
look into.
Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober
and set your hope perfectly on the grace that Exhorta-
is to be brought unto you at the revelation of tions.
Jesus Christ ; as children of obedience, not fashioning
yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of
your ignorance ; but like as he which called you is holy,
be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living. Be-
cause it is written, "Ye shall be holy; for I am holy."
And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of
persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the
time of your sojourning in fear; knowing that ye were
redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or
gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from
your fathers ; but with precious blood, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot, even the blood of
Christ ; who was foreknown indeed before the founda-
tion of the world, but was manifested at the end of the
times for your sake, who through him are believers in
God, which raised him from the dead, and gave him
glory ; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to
the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one
another from the heart fervently; having been begotten
again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
For,
" All flesh is as grass.
And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth, and the flower falleth ;
But the word of the Lord abideth forever."
And this is the word of good tidings which was preached
unto you.
Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile.
914 The Shorter Bible [i Peter 2.1.
and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as
newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is with-
out guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation, if
ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious ; unto whom
coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with
God elect, precious, ye also, as living stones, are built
up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus
Christ, Because it is contained in scripture,
" Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect,
precious ;
And he that believeth on him shall not be put to
shame."
For you therefore which believe is the preciousness ;
but for such as disbelieve,
" The stone which the builders rejected
Was made the head of the corner."
and,
" A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense ; "
for they stumble at the word, being disobedient.
But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may
show forth the excellencies of him who called you out
of darkness into his marvelous light ; which in time
past were no people, but now are the people of God ;
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy.
Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul ;
having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles ;
that, wherein they speak against you as evil doers, they
may by your good works, which they behold, glorify
God in the day of visitation.
Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's
sake; whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto
governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil doers
and for praise to them that do well. For so is the will
of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men ; as free, and not using your
freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants
I Peter 2. 17.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 915
of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honor the king.
Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all
fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
froward. For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward
God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. For
what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it,
ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and
suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable
with God. For hereunto were ye called ; because Christ
also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye
should follow his~ steps ; who did no sin, neither was
guile found in his mouth ; who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not, but
committed himself to him that judgeth righteously ; who
his own self bare oursins in his body upon the tree, that we,
having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness ; by
whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray
like sheep ; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and
Bishop of your souls.
In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own
husbands ; that, even if any obey not the word, they may
be gained by the behavior of their wives. Whose adorn-
ing let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the
hair and of wearing jewels of gold, but let it be the incor-
ruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in
the sight of God of great price. For after this manner
aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God,
adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own hus-
bands. Whose children are ye, if ye do well.
Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives
according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman,
as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the
grace of life ; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving
as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded ; not render-
ing evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but contrariwise
blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should in-
herit a blessing. For,
" He that would love life,
And see good days,
916 - The Shorter Bible Iiivier3. io.
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his hps that they speak no guile ;
And let him turn away from evil and do good ;
Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
And his ears unto their supplication ;
But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil."
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of
that which is good? But and if ye should suffer for
righteousness' sake, blessed are ye. And fear not their
fear, neither be troubled ; but sanctify in your hearts
Christ as Lord ; being ready always to give answer to
every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope
that is in you, yet with meekness and fear; having a good
conscience ; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they
may be put to shame who revile your good manner of
life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God should
so will, that ye suffer for welldoing than for evil doing.
Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous
for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God ;
being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the
spirit ; in which also he went and preached unto the
spirits in prison, which aforetime were disobedient, when
the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah,
while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight
souls, were saved through water ; which also after a true
likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the put-
ting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation
of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrec-
tion of Jesus Christ; who is on the right hand of God,
having gone into heaven ; angels and authorities and
powers being made subject unto him.
Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye
Christ our yourselves also with the same mind ; for he
example. that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased
from sin, that ye no longer should live the rest of your
time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of
God. Vov the lime past may suffice to have wrought the
desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in revelings,
carousings, and abominable idolatries ; wherein they
think it strange that ye run not with them into the same
I Peter 4. 4.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 917
excess of riot, speaking evil of you ; who shall give ac-
count to him that is ready to judge the quick and the
dead.
But the end of all things is at hand. Be ye therefore
of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer ; above all
things being fervent in love among yourselves, for love
covereth a multitude of sins ; using hospitality one to
another without murmuring; according as each hath
received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God ; if any man speak-
eth, speaking as it were oracles of God ; if any man
ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God
supplieth ; that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the do-
minion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as
though a strange thing happened unto you ; but inso-
much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice ;
that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice
with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name
of Christ, blessed are ye ; because the Spirit of glory
and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. For let none of
you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or as
a meddler in other men's matters ; but if a man suffer
as a Christian, let him not be ashamed ; but let him
glorify God in this name. For the time is come for
judgment to begin at the house of God ; and if it begin
first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not
the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely
saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the
will of God commit their souls in welldoing unto a
faithful Creator.
The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a
fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be re-
vealed. Tend the flock of God which is among you,
exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly ;
ner yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind ; neither as
918 The Shorter BiHLE [i Peter 5. 3.
lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making
yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief
Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown
of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger,
be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird your-
selves with humility, to serve one another ; for God re-
sisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of
God, that he may exalt you in due time ; casting all
your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. Be
sober, be watchful ; your adversary the devil, as a roar-
ing lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;
whom withstand steadfast in faith, knowing that the same
sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in
the world. And the God of all grace, who called you
unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have
suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, stablish,
strengthen you. To him be the dominion forever and
ever. Amen.
By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I
have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testif}'ing
that this is the true grace of God ; stand ye fast therein.
. . She that is in Babylon, elect together with
-Benedic- you, saluteth you ; and so doth Mark, my
son. Salute one another with a kiss of love.
Peace be unto all you that are in Christ.
Heb. I.I.] Chronologically Arranged. 919
FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE
^HEBREWS.
CHAPTER I.
JESUS THE BETTER MESSENGER.
God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in
the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,
hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in ^ his Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things, through ,
Jesus tlie
whom also he made the worlds ; who being better mes-
the effulgence of his glory, and the very image ^®"ser.
of his substance, and upholding all things by the word
of his power, when he had made purification of sins,
sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high ;
having become by so much better than the angels, as he
hath inherited a more excellent name than they. For
unto which of the angels said he at any time,
" Thou art my Son,
This day have I begotten thee ? "
Of the angels he saith,
" Who maketh his angels '^ winds.
And his ministers a flame of fire ; "
but of the Son he saith,
" Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever ;
And the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of
thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity ;
Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee
With the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
And,
" Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the founda-
tion of the earth,
* Written about A. D. 67. •> R. V. niarg., Gr. a Son. ■= R. V. marg.,
Or, spirits.
920 The Shorter BniLE [Heb i. lo.
And the heavens are the works of thy hands ;
They shall perish, but thou continuest ;
And they all shall wax old as doth a garment ;
But thou art the same,
And thy years shall not fail."
But of which of the angels hath he said at any time,
" Sit thou on my right hand,
Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet ? "
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do
service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation ?
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to
the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away
from them. For if the word spoken through angels
proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedi-
ence received a just recompense of reward ; how shall
we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? which hav-
ing at the first been spoken through the Lord, was con-
firmed unto us by them that heard ; God also bearing
witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by
manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Ghost, accord-
ing to his own will.
For not unto angels did he subject the world to come,
whereof we speak. But one hath somewhere testified,
saying,
" What is man, that thou art mindful of him ?
Or the son of man, that thou visitest him ?
Thou madest him * a little lower than the angels ;
Thou crownedst him with glory and honor,
And didst set him over the works of thy hands ;
Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet."
Now we see not yet all things subjected to him. But
we behold him who hath been made =' a little lower than
the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death
crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God
he should taste death for every man. For it became
him, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the
^author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
P^Jr both he that sanctifieth and they that arc sanctified
are all of one ; for which cause he is not ashamed to call
them brethren, saying,
' K. \^ marg., Or, for a liltlc while lower. '' R. V. maig. , Or, captain.
Heb. 2. 12.] Chronologically Arranged. 921
" I will declare thy name unto my brethren."
And again, " Behold, I and the children which God hath
given me." Since then the children are sharers in flesh
and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the
same ; that through death he might bring to naught
him that had the power of death, that is, the devil ; and
might deliver all them who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily
not of angels doth he take hold, but he taketh hold of
the seed of Abraham. Wherefore it behoved him in all
things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might
be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertain-
ing to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the peo-
ple. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,
he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly
calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our
confession, even Jesus ; who was faithful to him that ap-
pointed him, as also was Moses in all ^ his house. For
he hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses.
Moses indeed was faithful in all ^ his house as a servant,
for a testimony of those things which were afterward to
be spoken ; but Christ as a son, over * his house ; whose
house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glory-
ing of our hope firm unto the end. Wherefore, even as
the Holy Ghost saith,
" To-day if ye shall hear his voice.
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation,
Like as in the day of the temptation in the wilder-
ness.
Wherewith your fathers tempted me by proving me,
And saw my works forty years.
Wherefore I was displeased with this generation.
And I sware in my wrath,
They shall not enter into my rest."
Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one
of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling getter iiv-
away from the living God ; but exhort one ing.
another day by day, so long as it is called To-day ; lest
any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin ;
^ R. V. marg., That is, God's house. See Num. xii, 7.
61
922 The Shorter Bible [Heb. 3. 14.
for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the
beginning of our confidence firm unto the end. For we
see that they were not able to enter in because of un-
belief.
Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left
of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to
have come short of it. For indeed we have had good
tidings preached unto us, even as also they ; but the
word of hearing did not profit them, because they had
not faith. ^We therefore which have believed do
enter into that rest.
There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the peo-
ple of God. Let us therefore give diligence to enter
into that rest, that no man fall after the same example
of disobedience. For the word of God is living, and
active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and pierc-
ing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints
and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and in-
tents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not
manifest in his sight ; but all things are naked and laid
open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
" Tluis in R. V. marg.
Heb. 4. 14.] Chronologically Arranged. 923
CHAPTER II.
JESUS, THE BETTER HIGH PRIEST.
Having then a great high priest, who hath passed
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, , ,
let us hold fast our confession. For we have better high
not a high priest that cannot be touched with
the feehng of our infirmities ; but one that hath been in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let
us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of
grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace
to help us in time of need.
For every high priest, being taken from among men,
is appointed for men in things pertaining to called of
God, that he may offer both gifts and sacri- G-od.
fices for sins ; who can bear gently with the ignorant and
erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirm-
ity ; and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people,
so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh
the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God,
even as was Aaron. So Christ also glorified not himself
to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him,
" Thou art my Son,
This day have I begotten thee ; "
as he saith also in another place,
" Thou art a priest forever.
After the order of Melchizedek."
Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him
that was able to save him from death, and having been
heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet learned
obedience by the things which he suffered; and having
been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey
him the author of eternal salvation ; named of God a
high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
024 The vSiiortf.k Bible [Heh. 5. n.
(Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of in-
terpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. For
when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye
Practical have need again that some one teach you the
parenthesis, rudiments of the first principles of the oracles
of God ; and are become such as have need of milk, and
not of solid food. For everyone that partaketh of milk
is without experience of the word of righteousness ; for
he is a babe. But solid food is for ^ full-grown men, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised
to discern good and evil.
Wherefore let us cease to speak of the first principles
of Christ, and press on unto ''perfection; not laying
again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and
of faith toward Qod, of the teaching of baptisms, and of
laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and
of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God per-
mit. For as touching those who were once enlightened
and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers
of the Holy Ghost, and tasted the good word of God,
and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away,
it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance;
•^ t h e while they crucify to themselves the Son of God
afresh, and put him to an open shame.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you,
and things that accompany salvation, though we thus
speak ; for God is not unrighteous to forget your work
and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that
ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister. And
we desire that each one of you may show the same dili-
gence even to the end ; that ye be not sluggish, but imi-
tators of them who through faith and patience inherit
the promises.)
For when God made promise to Abraham, since he
could swear by none greater, he sware by himself, saying.
Confirmed " Surcly blessing I will bless thee, and multi-
by an oath, plying I will multiply thee." And having pa-
tiently endured, lie obtained the promise. l*\)r men swear
" R. V. marg., Ox, perfect. '' K. V. mnrg., Ox, full i^rowlk. ^'Iius in
R. V. marg.
Heb. 6. i6.] Chronologically Arranged. 925
by the greater ; and in every dispute the oath is final for
confirmation. So God, being minded to show more
abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immu-
tability of his counsel, interposed with an oath ; that by
two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God
to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have
fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us;
which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both
sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within
the veil ; whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us,
having become a high priest forever after the order of
Mclchizedek.
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God
Most High, who met Abraham returning from the
slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, to
whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of M^fchfze- ^
all (being first, by interpretation, King of ^^^'
righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is
King of peace ; ^ without father, without mother, with-
out genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end
of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a
priest continually.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom
Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the spoils. He
whose genealogy is not counted from Levi hath taken
tithes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises.
And, so to say, through Abraham, even Levi, who re-
ceiveth tithes, hath paid tithes.
Now * it is witnessed of Jesus,
" Thou art a priest forever,
After the order of Melchizedek."
* B u t if there was perfection through the Levitical priest-
hood (for under it hath the people received the law),
what need was there that another priest should arise
after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after
the order of Aaron ? For the priesthood being changed,
there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For
Jesus belongeth to Judah ; as to which tribe Moses spake
nothing concerning priests. H e hath been made priest,
' Heb. vii, 17. I "That is, in the history (Gen.
"^ Heb, vii. 11. xiv, 18-20.
926 The Shorter Bible [Heb. 7. 16.
not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after
Never • ^^e povver of an endless life. For there is a
dying. disannulling of a foregoing commandment be-
cause of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law
made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a
better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.
And they indeed have been made priests many in num-
ber, because that by death they are hindered from con-
tinuing ; but he, because he abideth forever, hath his
priesthood unchangeable. Wherefore also he is able to
save ^ to the uttermost them that draw near unto God
through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession
for them.
For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, un-
defiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens; who needeth not daily, like those high priests,
to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for
the sins of the people ; for this he did once for all, when
he offered up himself. For the law appointeth men high
priests, having infirmity ; but the word of the oath, which
was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for ever-
more.
» R. \'. marg., (Ir. iomplitcly.
Heb. 8. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 927
CHAPTER III.
JESUS, THE MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT.
Now in the things which we are saying the chief point
is this ; we have such a high priest, who sat down on the
right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a
minister of ^ the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle,
which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high priest
is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices ; wherefore
it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat
to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a
priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts
according to the law ; who serve that which is a copy
and shadow of the heavenly things.
But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excel-
lent, by how much also he is the mediator of Abetter
a better covenant, which hath been enacted covenant,
upon better promises. For if that first covenant had
been faultless, then would no place have been sought for
a second. For finding fault with them, the Lord saith,
" Behold, the days come,
That I will make a new ^ covenant with the house of
Israel ;
Not according to the *" covenant that I made with
their fathers
In the day that I took them by the hand to lead
them forth out of the land of Egypt ;
For they continued not in my ^ covenant,
And I regarded them not.
But this is the ^ covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel
After those days :
I will put my laws into their mind.
And on their heart also will I write them ;
* R. V. marg., Or, /w/y things. '' R. V. marg. , Or, testament.
928 The Shurter Bible [Heb. 8. lo.
And I will be to them a God,
And they shall be to nie a people ;
And they shall not teach every man his fellow-citizen,
And every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord;'
For all shall know me,
From the least to the greatest of them.
For I will be merciful to their iniquities,
And their sins will I remember no more."
In that he saith, "A new covenant," he hath made the
first old. But that which is becoming old is nigh unto
vanishing away.
Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine
service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this
A better
form of wor- world. For there was a tabernacle prepared,
^ ^^" the first wherein were the candlestick, and
the table, and the showbread ; which is called the Holy
place. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which
is called the Holy of holies; having a golden "^ censer,
and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with
gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and
Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant ;
and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy
seat ; of which things we cannot now speak severally.
Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests
go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing
the services ; but into the second the high priest alone,
once in the year, not without blood, which he offercth
for himself, and for the ^errors of the people; the Holy
Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holy place
hath not yet been made manifest, while as the first taber-
nacle is yet standing ; which is a parable for the time
now present ; according to which gifts and sacrifices
offered cannot, as touching the conscience, make the
worshiper perfect, being only (with meats and drinks
and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a
time of reformation.
But Christ having come a high priest of the good
things to come, not through the blood of goats and
calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for
* R. V. marg. , Or, altar of incense. " R. V. marg., Gr. ignorant es.
Heb.9. i2.j Chronologically Arranged. 929
all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemp-
tion. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes
of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanc-
tify unto the cleanness of the flesh ; how much more shall
the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your con-
science from dead works to serve the living God?
And he is the mediator of a new covenant. For a
testament is of force where there hath been death ;
for doth it ever avail while he that made it liveth ?
Wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedi-
cated without blood. For when every commandment
had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according
to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats,
with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and a. covenant
sprinkled both the book itself, and all the ^^i^^fl^etter
people, saying, " This is the blood of the cove- blood,
nant which God commanded to youward." Moreover
the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he
sprinkled in like manner with the blood. And according
to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with
blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no re-
mission.
It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things
in the heavens should be cleansed with these ; but the
heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than
these. For Christ entered not into a holy place made
with hands, but into heaven itself, now to appear before
the face of God for us ; nor yet that he should offer him-
self often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place
year by year with Wood not his own, else must he often
have suffered since the foundation of the world ; but now
once at the end of the ages hath he been manifested to
- 1
put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And inasmuch
as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this
Cometh judgment; so Christ also, having been once of-
fered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second
time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto sal-
vation.
For the law having a shadow of the good things to
come, not the very image of the things, they can never
930 The Shortkr Bible [Heh. io. i.
with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer
continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. Else
would they not have ceased to be offered, because the
worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had
no more conscience of sins ? But in those sacrifices there
is a remembrance made of sins year by year.
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats
should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into
the world, he saith,
"Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not.
But a body didst thou prepare for me ;
In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou
hadst no pleasure.
Then said I, * Lo, I am come
(In the roll of the book it is written of me)
To do thy will, O God.' "
By which will we have been sanctified through the of-
fering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest standeth day by day ministering and
offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can
never take away sins ; but he, when he had offered one
sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of
God. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them
that are sanctified. And the Holy Ghost also beareth
witness to us ; for after he hath said,
" This is the covenant that I will make with them
After those days :
I will put my laws on their heart.
And upon their mind also will I write them ; "
then saith he,
" And their sins and their iniquities will I remember
no more."
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offer-
ino- for sin.
Hei). lo. 19.J Chronologically Arranged. 931
CHAPTER IV.
BETTER LIVING: SAINTS BELIEVING, FOR BETTER THINGS.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the
holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he
dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil,
that is to say, his flesh; and having a great Better liv-
priest over the house of God ; let us draw "Se-
near with a true heart in * fullness of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our body
washed with pure water ; let us hold fast the confession
of our hope that it waver not, for he is faithful that
promised ; and let us consider one another to provoke
unto love and good works; not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the custom of some is, but ex-
horting one another; and so much the more, as ye see
the day drawing nigh.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth ^no more a sac-
rifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judg-
ment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the
adversaries. A man that hath set at naught Moses' law
dieth without compassion on the word of two or three
witnesses ; of how much sorer punishment, think ye,
shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot
the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the cove-
nant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and
hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we
know him that said, " Vengeance belongeth unto me, I
will recompense." And again, "The Lord shall judge
his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which,
" R. V. marg.. Or, full assiirame. ^ That is, no other, fitrtlier sacrifice
than Jesus. See Acts iv, 12.
932 The Shorter Bible [Heb. 10.32.
after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict
of sufferings ; partly, being made a gazingstock both by
reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partak-
ers with them that were so used. For ye both had com-
Hopino- for P^ssion on them that were in bonds, and took
better'' joyfuUy the spoiling of your possessions,
knowing that ye yourselves have a better pos-
session and an abiding one. Cast not away therefore
your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will
of God, ye may receive the promise.
" For yet a very little while.
He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry.
But my righteous one shall live by faith ;
And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in
him."
But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition ;
but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.
'fc>
Now faith is ^ the assurance of things hoped for, the
proving of things not seen. For therein the elders had
witness borne to them. By faith we understand that
the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so
that what is seen hath not been made out of things
which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a
more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he
had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God
bearing witness ''in respect of his gifts; and through it
he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was trans-
lated that he should not see death ; and he was not
found, because God translated him ; for before his trans-
lation he hath had witness borne to him that he had
been well-pleasing unto God ; and without faith it is im-
possible to be well-pleasing unto him ; for he that cometh
Saints be- to God must believe that he is, and that he is
bittef ^°'' a rewarder of them that seek after him. By
things. f^jj-j-j Noah, being warned of God concerning
things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared
an ark to the saving of his house; through which he
"R.^^ maru;., Or, //it' i^i7>ini^' substance to. '' R. \' . marg. , Or, 07'er his
gifts.
Heb. II. 7-1 ClIRONOLUGICALLY ARRANGED. 933
condemned the world, and became heir of the righteous-
ness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham,
when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which
he was to receive for an inheritance ; and he went out,
not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a
sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his
own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs
with him of the same promise ; for he looked for the city
which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is
God. By faith even Sarah herself received power to
conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted
him faithful who had promised; wherefore also there
sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the
stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is
by the seashore, innumerable.
These all died in faith, not having received the prom-
ises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar,
and having confessed that they were strangers and pil-
grims on the earth. For they that say such things make
it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their
own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that
country from which they went out, they would have had
opportunity to return. But now they desire a better
country, that is, a heavenly ; wherefore God is not
ashamed of them, to be called their God ; for he hath
prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac ; yea,
he that had gladly received the promises was offering up
his only begotten son ; even he to whom it was said,
"In Isaac shall thy seed be called;" accounting that God
is able to raise up, even from the dead ; from whence he
did also in a parable receive him back. By faith Isaac
blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed each of the
sons of Joseph ; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of
his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made
mention of the departure of the children of Israel ; and
gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses,
when he was born, was hid three months by his parents,
because they saw he was a goodly child ; and they were
not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses,
934 The Sii()Rti:k Bible [Heb. 11.24.
when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh's daughter ; choosing rather to be evil entreated
with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of
sin for a season ; accounting the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures of Eg}'pt ; for he looked
unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king ; for he endured,
as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the
passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the de-
stroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. By faith
they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land ; which
the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed uf). By
faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been
compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the
harlot perished not with them that were disobedient,
having received the spies with peace. And what shall I
more say? For the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon,
Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the
prophets ; who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths
of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of
the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed
mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Women
received their dead by a resurrection ; and others were
tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they
might obtain a better resurrection ; and others had trial
of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and
imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder,
they were tempted, they were slain with the sword ; they
went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute,
afflicted, evil entreated (of whom the world was not
worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves,
and the holes of the earth. And these all, having had
witness borne to them through their faith, received not
the promise, God having provided some better thing
concerning us, that apart from us they should not be
made perfect.
Heb. 12. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 935
CHAPTER V.
BETTER LIVING.
Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed
about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside '^ every
weight, and the sin which ^ doth so easily beset us, and
let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus the "^author and perfecter of our
faith, who for the joy that was set before Better
him endured the cross, despising shame, and living.
hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of
sinners, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin ;
and ye have forgotten the exhortation, which reasoneth
with you as with sons,
" My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the
Lord,
Nor faint when thou art reproved of him ;
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.
And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."
It is for chastening that ye endure ; God dealeth with
you as with sons ; for what son is there whom his father
chasteneth not? All chastening seemeth for the present
to be not joyous, but grievous ; yet afterward it yieldeth
peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised
thereby, even the fruit of righteousness. Wherefore lift
up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees ;
and make straight paths for your feet, that that which
is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.
Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification
without which no man shall see the Lord ; looking care-
fully lest there be any man that '^ falleth short of the
"R.V. marg., Or, a// cumbrance. •> R. V. marg., Or, doth closely cling
to us. " R. V. marg., Or, captain. ^ R. V. marg., Or, falleth back from.
936 The Shorter Bible [Heh. 12. 15.
grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness springing up
trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled ; lest there
by any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one
mess of meat sold his own birthright. For ye know that
even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing,
he was rejected (for he found no place of repentance),
though he sought it diligently with tears.
For ye are not come unto a mount that might be
touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness,
and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet,
and the voice of words ; which voice they that heard en-
treated that no word more should be spoken unto them,
for they could not endure ; and so fearful was the appear-
ance, that Moses said, " I exceedingly fear and quake ; "
but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of
the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumer-
able hosts of angels, to the general assembly and church
of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God
the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made
perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant,
and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than
that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.
For if they escaped not, when they refused him that
warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape,
who turn away from him that warneth from heaven ;
whose voice then shook the earth ; but now he hath
promised, saying, " Yet once more will I make to tremble
not the earth only, but also the heaven." And this word,
" Yet once more," signifieth the removing of those things
that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that
those things which are not shaken may remain. Where-
fore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us
have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to
God with reverence and awe ; for our God is a consum-
ing fire.
Let love of the brethren continue. Forget not to show
love unto strangers ; for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares. Remember them that arc in bonds, as
bound with them ; them that are evil entreated, as being
yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be had in
honor among all. Be ye free from the love of money ;
Heb. 13. 5.] Chronologically Arranged. 937
content with such things as yQ have ; for himself hath
said, " I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any
wise forsake thee." So that with good courage we say,
" The Lord is my helper, I will not fear ;
What shall man do unto me ? "
Remember them that had the rule over you, which
spake unto you the word of God ; and considering the
issue of their life, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday and to-day, yea and forever. Be not
carried away by divers and strange teachings ; for it is
good that the heart be stablished by grace ; not by
meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not
profited. We have an altar, whereof they have no right
to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those
beasts, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the
high priest as an offering for sin, are burned without the
camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the
people through his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp,
bearing his reproach. For we have not here an abiding
city, but we seek after the city which is to come.
Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to
God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make
confession to his name. But to do good and to com-
municate forget not ; for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and
submit to them ; for they watch in behalf of your souls.
Now the God of peace, who brought again from the
dead the great shepherd of the sheep with
i-iuijr^i S 1 i. Benediction.
the blood 01 the eternal covenant, even our
Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good thing to do
his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his
sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be the glory for-
ever and ever. Amen.
But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of ex-
hortation ; for I have written unto you in few words.
Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at
liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all
the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
63
938 The Shorter Bible [Rev,
FROM
THE ^REVELATION
OF JOHN, THE DIVINE.
CHAPTER I.
JOHN'S VISION OF JESUS : MESSAGES TO THE CHURCHES.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him.
He sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant
John ; who bare witness of the word of God, and of the
testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that
Introduction, j^^^^ ^j^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ prophecy, and keep
the things which are written therein ; for the time is at
hand.
John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace
to you and peace, from him which is and which was and
which is to come ; and from the seven Spirits which are
before his throne ; and from Jesus Christ, who is the
faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler
of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and
loosed us from our sins by his blood ; and made us to be
a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to
him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen, Behold, he cometh with the clouds ; and every
eye shall see him, and they which pierced him ; and all
the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so,
Amen.
" I am the Alpha and the Omega," saith the Lord God,
" which is and which was and which is to come, the Al-
mighty."
» Prubably written A. I). 68, thougli some authorities place it much Liter.
Rev. i.9.| Chronologically Arranged. 939
I John, your brother and partaker with you in the
tribulation and kingdom and patience which arc in Jesus,
was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of
God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on
the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a join's vision
great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "What of Jesus,
thou seest, write in a book, and send it to the seven
churches."
And I turned to see the voice which spake with me.
And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; and
in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto *a son of
man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt
about at the breasts with a golden girdle. His head
and his hair were white as snow ; and his eyes were as a
flame of fire ; and his feet like unto burnished brass ; and
his voice as the voice of many waters. And he had in his
right hand seven stars ; and out of his mouth proceeded a
sharp two-edged sword ; his countenance was as the
sun shining in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell
at his feet as one dead.
And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, " Fear
not ; I am the first and the last, and the Living one ; and
I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I
have the keys of death and of Hades. Write therefore,
the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my
right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The
seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and
the seven candlesticks are seven churches.
" To the angel of the church in Ephesus write,
" ' These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars
in his right hand, he that walketh in the Messages to
midst of the seven golden candlesticks : I the seven
know thy works, and thy toil and patience,
and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try
them which call themselves apostles, and they are not,
and didst find them false ; and thou hast patience and
didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not grown
weary. But I have this against thee, that thou didst
leave thy first love. Remember therefore from whence
*R. V. marg., Or, i/ie Son of man.
940 Till'; Shorter Bible [Rev. 2. 5.
thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works ; or
else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out
of its place. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh,
to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
^ paradise of God.'
" And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
"'These things saith the first and the last, which was
dead, and lived again : I know thy tribulation, and thy
poverty (but thou art rich). Fear not the things which
tliou art about to suffer; behold, the devil is about to
cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried ; and
ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto
death, and I will give thee the crown of life. He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the
second death.'
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write,
" ' These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged
sword : I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's
throne is ; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not
deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness,
my faithful one, who was killed among you, where
Satan dwcUeth. But I have a few things against thee,
because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of
Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block be-
fore the children of Israel. Repent therefore ; or else I
come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them
with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him
that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna,
and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a
new name written, which no one knowetli but he that
receiveth it.'
" And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
" ' These things saith the Son of God, who hath his
eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet like burnished brass:
I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry
and patience, and that thy last works are more than the
first. But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest
" R. V. marg., Or, garden, as in Gen. ii, 8.
Rev. 2. 20.] Chronologically Arranged. 941
the woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess;
and she teacheth and seduceth my servants. And I gave
her time, that she should repent ; and she willetli not to
repent. Behold, I do cast her into great tribulation,
except she repent of her works. And all the churches
shall know that I am he which searcheth the heart ; and
I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
But to the rest that are in Thyatira I say, hold fast till
I come. He that overcometh, and he that keepeth my
works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the
nations. And I will give him the morning star. He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.'
" And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
" ' These things saith he that hath the seven spirits
of God, and the seven stars : I know thy works, that thou
hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. Be
thou watchful, and stablish the things that remain, that
are ready to die; for I have found no work of thine ful-
filled before God. If therefore thou shalt not watch,
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
But thou hast a few names in Sardis which did not
defile their garments ; and they shall walk with me in
white ; for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall
thus be arrayed in white garments ; and I will in no wise
blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess
his name before my Father, and before his angels. He
that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to
the churches.'
" And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
" ' These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he
that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and none
shall shut, and that shutteth, and none openeth : I know
thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened,
which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and
didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name. Be-
cause thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also
will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is
to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth. I come quickly ; hold fast that which
thou hast, that no one take thy crown. He that over-
942 The Shorter Bible [Rev. 3. 12.
cometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my
God, and he shall go out thence no more ; and I will
write upon him the name of my God, and the name of
the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh
down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new
name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches.'
" And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write,
" ' These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true
witness, the beginning of the creation of God : I know
thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot ; I would
thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm,
and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my
mouth. Because thou sayest, " I am rich, and have
gotten riches, and have need of nothing; " and knowest
not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and
poor and blind and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me
gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich ; and
white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself; and
eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. As
many as I love, I reprove and chasten ; be zealous, there-
fore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock ;
if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come
in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. He
that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me
in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my
Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith to the churches.' "
Rev. 4. I.] Chronologically Arranged. 943
CHAPTER II.
THE SLAIN LAMB: WONDERFUL VISIONS.
After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in
heaven ! And I heard a voice saying, " Come
up hither." Straightway I was in the Spirit ; ope^ned°in
and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, heaven.
and one sitting upon the throne. And there was a rain-
bow round about the throne, like an emerald to look
upon. And round about the throne were four and
twenty thrones ; and upon the thrones I saw four and
twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments ; and on
their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne pro-
ceed lightnings and voices and thunders. And there were
seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are
the seven Spirits of God ; and before the throne, as it were
a glassy sea like unto crystal ; and in the midst of the
throne, and round about the throne, four living crea-
tures. They rest not day and night, saying, " Holy, holy,
holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, which was and which
is and which is to come." And when the living creatures
shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth
on the throne, to him that liveth forever and ever, the
four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that
sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth
forever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the
throne, saying, " Worthy art thou, our Lord and our
God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power;
for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will
they were, and were created."
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the
throne a book written within and on the back, close
sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel pro-
claiming with a great voice, " Who is worthy to open the
book, and to loose the seals thereof?" And no one in
944: The Shorter Bible [Rev. 5. 3.
the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able
to open the book, or to look thereon. And I wept much,
because no one was found worthy to open the book, or
to look thereon.
And one of the elders saith unto me, " Weep not ; be-
hold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, hath overcome, to open the book and the seven
seals thereof."
And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the
The slain ^o"^ living creatures, and in the midst of the
Lamb. elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been
slain. And when he had taken the book, the four living
creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before
the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full
of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And
they sing a new song, saying, " Worthy art thou to take
the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast
slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men
of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and
madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests;
and they reign upon the earth."
And I heard a voice of many angels round about the
throne and the living creatures and the elders ; and the
number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand,
and thousands of thousands; saying with a great voice,
" Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive
the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and
honor, and glory, and blessing." And every created
thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and un-
der the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in
them, heard I saying, " Unto him that sitteth on the
throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the
honor, and the glory, and the dominion, forever and
ever." And the four living creatures said, " Amen."
And the elders fell down and worshiped. . . .
' After these things I saw, and behold, a great multi-
tude, which no man could number, out of every nation,
and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing be-
fore the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white
robes, and palms in their hands. And one of the elders
' Rev. vii, 9.
Rev. 7. 13.] ClIROXOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 945
answered, saying unto me, " These are they which come
out of the great tribulation, and they washed wonderful
their robes, and made them white in the visions,
blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the
throne of God ; and they serve him day and night in
his temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread
his tabernacle over them. They shall hunger no more,
neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike
upon them, nor any heat ; for the Lamb which is in the
midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall
guide them unto fountains of waters of life ; and God
shall wipe away every tear from their eyes."
' And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, " Now
is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom
of our God, and the authority of his Christ ; for the
accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accuseth
them before our God day and night. And they over-
came him because of the blood of the Lamb, and be-
cause of the word of their testimony ; and they loved
not their life even unto death."
^ And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, hav-
ing an eternal gospel to proclaim unto them that dwell
on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue
and people. And he saith with a great voice, " Fear
God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment
is come; and worship him that made the heaven and
the earth and the sea and fountains of waters."
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, " Write :
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence-
forth. ' Yea,' saith the Spirit, ' that they may rest from
their labors ; for their works follow with them.' "
' And I saw as it were a glassy sea mingled with fire ;
and them that come victorious standing by the glassy
sea, having harps of God. And they sing the song of
Moses the" servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,
saying, " Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord
God, the Almighty ; righteous and true are thy ways,
thou King of the ages. Who shall not fear, O Lord,
and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy."
' Rev. xii, 10. ' Rev. xiv, 6. ^ Rev. xv, 2.
940 Till': .SlIoKll'.R P>llil.K (Rev. 19. I.
' After these thint^s I heard as it were a great voice
of a great imiltitiule in heaven, as the voice of many
waters, and as I he voice of mighty thunders, saying,
" Hallehijah ; for tiie Lord our God, the Ahnighty, reign-
eth. Let us rejoice and be exceeding ghid, and let us
give the glory unto him ; for the marriage of the Lamb
is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." And
it was given unto her that she should array herself in
fine linen, bright and pure ; for the fine linen is the
righteous acts of the saints. And he saith unto me,
"Write: Blessed are they which are bidden to the mar-
riage supper of the Lamb."
And I fell down before his feet to worship him. And
he .saith unto me, "See thou do it nut ; 1 am a fellow-
servant with thee and with thy brellncn that hold the
testimony of Jesus; worship God; (ov the testimony
of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
* And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, hav-
ing the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which
is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand
years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and
sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations
no more, until the thousand years should be finished ;
after this he must be loosed for a little time.
And I saw thrones, and tliey sat upon them, and
judgment was given unto them ; and 1 saw the souls of
them that had been beheatled for the testimony of
Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshiped
not the beast, neither his image, and received not the
mark uj)on their forehead and upon their liand ; and
they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years
should be finished. This is the first resurrection,
lilessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resur-
rection ; over these the second death hath no power ;
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall
reign with him a thousand years.
And T saw a great white throne, and him that sat
' t<cv. xix, I. •' Kcv. XX, I.
Rev. 20. II.] Chronologically Arranged. 94T
upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled
away; and there was found no place for them. And I
saw the dead, the greaf and the small, standing before
the throne ; and books were opened ; and another book
was opened, which is the book of life ; and the dead
were judged out of the things which were written in the
books, according to their works. And the sea gave up
the dead which were it in; and death and Hades gave
up the dead which were in them ; and they were judged
every man according to their works.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth ; for the
first heaven and the first earth are passed The new
away ; and the sea is no more. And I saw ^|^^^®^ ^^'^
the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down
out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned
for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the
throne saying, " Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his
peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be
their God. And he shall wipe away every tear from
their eyes ; and death shall be no more ; neither shall
there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more; the
first things are passed away." And he that sitteth on
the throne said, " Behold, I make all things new. Write,
for these words are faithful and true. I am the Alpha
and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give
unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of
life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit these
things ; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable,
and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idol-
aters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that
burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second
death."
And there came one of the angels and spake with me,
saying, " Come hither, I will show thee the Thenew
bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried Jerusalem,
me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high,
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down
out of heaven from God, having the glory of God ; her
948 The Shorter Bible [Rev. 21. u.
light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a
jasper stone, clear as crystal ; having a wall great and high ;
having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels ; and
names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve
tribes of the children of Israel. On the east were three
gates ; and on the north three gates ; and on the south
three gates ; and on the west three gates. And the wall
of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that
spake with me had for a measure a golden reed. The
city lieth foursquare, and he measured the city with the
reed, * twelve thousand furlongs ; the length and the
breadth and the height thereof are equal. And the
wall thereof was jasper ; and the city was pure gold, like
unto pure glass. The foundations of the wall of the
city were adorned with all manner of precious stones.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of
the several gates was of one pearl ; and the street of the
city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
And I saw no temple therein ; for the Lord God the
Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof. And
the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon,
to shine upon it ; for the glory of God did lighten it,
and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. And the nations
shall walk amidst the light thereof; and the kings of the
earth do bring their glory into it. And the gates there-
of shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no
night there) ; and they shall bring the glory and the
honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise
enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh a lie ;
but only they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as
crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the
Lamb, in the midst of the street thereof. And on this
side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing
twelve ''manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month ;
and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the
nations. And there shall be no curse any more ; and the
throne of God and the Lamb shall be therein, and his
servants shall do him service. And they shall see his
» That is, fifteen hundred miles. •' R. V. marg., Or, crops of fruit.
Rev. 22.4.] Chronologically Arranged. 9-19
face, and his name shall be on their foreheads. And
there shall be night no more ; and they need no light of
lamp, neither light of sun, for the Lord God shall give
them light ; and they shall reign forever and ever.
And he said unto me, " These words are faithful and
true. And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that
keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book."
I John am he that heard and saw these things. And
when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship „ , ,.
r 1 11-11 1 Concluding
before the feet of the angel which showed me words.
these things.
And he saith unto me, " See thou do it not ; I am a
fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the proph-
ets, and with them which keep the words of this book ;
worship God."
And he saith unto me, "Behold, I come quickly; and
my reward is with me, to render to each man according
as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first
and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are
they that wash their robes, that they may have the right
to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates
into the city. Without are murderers, and the idolaters,
and everyone that loveth and maketh a lie.
" I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you
these things for the churches. I am the root and the
offspring of David, the bright, the morning star."
And the Spirit and the bride say, " Come ! " And he
that heareth, let him say, " Come ! " And he that is
athirst, let him come ; he that will, let him take the
water of life freely !
I testify unto every man that heareth the words of
the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto
them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are
written in this book ; and if any man shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall
take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the
holy city, which are written in this book.
He which testifieth these things saith, '' Yea ; I come
quickly."
Amen ; come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.
950 The Shorter Bible [Jude i.
FROM THE general EPISTLE OF
JUDE.
CHAPTER I.
EARNEST WARNING AND ADMONITION.
Judas, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of
James, to them that are called, beloved in God the Fa-
ther, and kept for Jesus Christ. Mercy unto you and
peace and love be multiplied.
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto
you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write
exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which
was once for all delivered unto the saints. ' I desire to
put you in remembrance, though ye know all things
once for all, how that the Lord, having saved a people
out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that
believed not.
''Por there are certain men crept in privily, even
they who were of old set forth unto this condemnation,
Earnest ungodly men, turning the grace of our God
■warning. jn^-Q lasciviousness, and denying our only
Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Woe unto them ! for
they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the
error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying
of Korah, These are they who are hidden rocks in
your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds
that without fear feed themselves ; clouds without
water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without
fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; wild waves
of the sea, foaming out their own shame ; wandering
stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been re-
' Jude 5. * Jutle 4.
jude 13.] Chronologically Arranged. 951
served forever. And to these also Enoch, the seventh
from Adam, prophesied, saying, " Behold, the Lord came
with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judg-
ment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their
works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought,
and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have
spoken against him." These are murmurers, complain-
ers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh
great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the
sake of advantage.
But ye, beloved, remember the words which have been
spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ ;
how that they said to you, " In the last time there shall
be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts."
These are they who make separations, sensual, having
not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves
on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy
of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Now unto him that is able to guard you from stum-
bling, and to set you before the presence of his glory
without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our
Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, maj-
esty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and
for evermore. Amen.
952 The Shortkk Bible L- J't^ter i. i.
FROM THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF
PETER.
CHAPTER I.
EXHORTATIONS AND WARNINGS.
Simon Peter, a ^ servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
to them that have obtained a like precious
ree mg. {ix[i\i with US in the righteousness of our God
and Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be
multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our
Lord ; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto
us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through
the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory
and virtue ; whereby he hath granted unto us his pre-
cious and exceeding great promises, that through these
ye may become partakers of the divine nature, hav-
ing escaped from the corruption that is in the world by
lust. Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part
all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your
virtue knowledge ; and in your knowledge ^ temperance ;
and in your ^temperance patience ; and in your patience
godliness; and in your godliness love of the brethren; and
in your love of the brethren love. P"'or if these things are
yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor un-
fruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
P"or he that lacketh these things is blind, see-
^ons^and ing Only what is near, having forgotten the
■warnings. cleansing from his old sins. Wherefore, breth-
ren, give the more diligence to make your calling and
election sure ; for if ye do these things, ye shall never
" R. V. maig., Gr. boiuiscrvant. '' R. V. niaig., Or, sclf-conirol.
2 Peter I. lo.] CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 953
stumble ; for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the
entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Sav-
iour Jesus Christ.
Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in re-
membrance of these things, though ye know them, and
are established in the truth. And I think it right, as
long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting
you in remembrance; knowing that the putting off of
my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus
Christ signified unto me. Yea, I will give diligence that
at every time ye may be able after my decease to call
these things to remembrance. For we did not follow
cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto
you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but
we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received
from God the Father honor and glory, when there came
such a voice to him from the excellent glory, " This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And this
voice we ourselves heard come out of heaven, when we
were with him in the holy mount. And we have the
word of prophecy made more sure ; whereunto ye do
well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your
hearts ; knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture
is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came
by the will of man ; but men spake from God, being
moved by the Holy Ghost.
But there arose false prophets also among the people,
as among you also there shall be false teachers, who
shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even
the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves
swift destruction. And many shall follow their lasciv-
ious doings ; by reason of whom the way of the truth
shall be evil spoken of. And in covetousness shall they
with feigned words make merchandise of you ; whose
sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their de-
struction slumbereth not. For if God spared not angels
when they sinned, but committed them to pits of dark-
ness, to be reserved unto judgment ; and spared not the
ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a
preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon
63
954 The Shorter Bible [2 Peter 2. 5.
the world of the ungodly ; and turning the cities of
Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with
an overthrow, having made them an example unto those
that should live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot,
sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked (for
that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and
hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with
their lawless deeds) ; the Lord knoweth how to deliver
the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous
under punishment unto the day of judgment.
This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write
unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere
mind by putting you in remembrance; that ye should
remember the words which were spoken before by the
holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and
Saviour through your apostles ; knowing this first, that
in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walk-
ing after their own lusts, and sa}'ing, " Where is the
promise of his coming? For, from the day that the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from
the beginning of the creation." For this they willfully
forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth
compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word
of God ; by which means the world that then was, being
overflowed with water, perished ; but the heavens that
now are, and the earth, by the same word have been
^ stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of
judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is
with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some count slackness; but is long-suffering
to youward, not wishing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance. But the day of the
Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and
the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing
that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what man-
ner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and god-
" U. v. nini!:;. , Or, stored 'ivith fire.
2 Peter 3- 1 i-J Chronologically Arranged. 955
liness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of
the day of God ? But, according to his promise, we look
for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth right-
eousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these
things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace,
without spot and blameless in his sight. And account
that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation ; even
as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the
wisdom given to him, wrote unto you ; as also in all his
epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are
some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant
and unsteadfast wrest, as they do also the other scrip-
tures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, be-
loved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest,
being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall
from your own steadfastness. But grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
956 The Shorter Bible [2 John i.
FROM the second EPISTLE OF
JOHN.
CHAPTER I.
PERSONyVL WORDS; CONCERNING WISE HOSPITALITY. ,
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom
I love in truth ; and not I only, but also all they that
know the truth ; for the truth's sake which abideth in
us, and it shall be with us forever. Grace, mercy, peace
shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus
Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy chil-
dren walking in truth, even as we received command-
ment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady,
not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment,
but that which we had from the beginning, that we love
one another. And this is love, that wc should walk
after his commandments. For many deceivers are gone
forth, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ
Cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the anti-
christ. Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things
which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full re-
ward. Whosoever abideth not in the teachings of
Christ, hath not God. Me that abideth in the teaching
hath both the Father and the Son. If anyone cometh
unto you and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not
into your house, and give him no greeting ; for he that
giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.
Having many things to write unto you, I would not
write thcin with paper and ink ; but I hope shortly to
come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy
may be fulfilled.
The children of thine elect sister greet thee.
3 John I.] Chronologically Arranged. 957
FROM THE THIRD EPISTLE OF
JOHN.
CHAPTER I.
PERSONAL WORDS ; CONCERNING HOSPITALITY.
The elder unto Gaius, whom I love in truth.
Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper
and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I
rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness
unto thy truth. Greater joy have I none than this, to
hear of my children walking in the truth.
Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever
thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers ;
whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey
worthily of God ; because that for the sake of the Name
they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We
therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fel-
low-workers with the truth.
I wrote somewhat unto the church ; but Diotrephes,
who loveth to have the preeminence among them, re-
ceiveth us not. Therefore, if I come, I will bring to re-
membrance his works which he doeth, with wicked words ;
neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them
that would he forbiddeth, and casteth them out of the
church. Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but
that which is good. He that doeth good is of God; he
that doeth evil hath not seen God. Demetrius hath the
witness of all men, and of the truth itself; yea, we also
bear witness ; and thou knowest that our witness is true.
I write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write to
thee with ink and pen ; but I hope shortly to see thee,
and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee.
The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
958 The Shorter Bible L' J"'!" '• i-
FROM the FH-iST ETISTLE GENERAL OF
JOHN.
CHAPTER 1.
GOD AS LIGHT AND LOVE : CHRISTIANS WALKING IN
LIGHT AND LOVE.
That which was from the beginning, that which we
have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that
which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning
introduc- ^^^^ Word of life (and the life was manifested,
tion. and we have seen, and bear witness, and de-
clare unto you the life, and eternal life, which was with
the Father, and was manifested unto us); — that which
we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye
also may have fellowship with us; yea, and our fellow-
ship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things we write, that our joy may be fulfilled.
And this is the message which we have heard from
/- ^ ■ VI,* him, and announce unto "S'ou, that God is
CrOO. IS light ,. , .... . . .•'
-Waikingin light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we
—the light. 1 1 r 11 1 • • 1 1 • 1
say that we liave lellowship with liim, and
walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth ;
but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his
Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that
ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an ■' Advo-
" R. V. maig., Or, ComforUr ; Or. Jl.lpcr ; Gr. Purackk.
I John 2. 1.] Chronologically Arranged. 959
cate with the Father, Jesus Clirist the righteous ; and he
is the propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours only,
but also for the whole world. Hereby know we that we
know him, if we keep his commandments. He that
saith, " I know him," and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him ; but whoso keepeth
his word, in him verily hath the love of God been per-
fected. Hereby know we that we are in him ; he that
saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even
as he walked.
Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but
an old commandment which ye had from the beginning ;
the old commandment is the word which ye heard.
Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which
thing is true in him and in you ; because the darkness
is passing away, and the true light already shineth. He
that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is
in the darkness even until now. He that loveth his
brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion
of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is
in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and know-
eth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath
blinded his eyes.
I write unto you, my little children, because your
sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto
you, fathers, because ye know him which is from the be-
ginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have
overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little
children, because ye know the Father. I have written
unto you, fathers, because ye know him which is from
the beginning. I have written unto you, young men,
because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in
you, and ye have overcome the evil one. Love not the
world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will
of God abideth forever.
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the
960 The SiKJKTKK BiUI.K [i John 2. 23.
Father ; he that confesseth the Son hath the Father
also. As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard
from the beginning, so shall ye abide in the Son, and in
the Father. And this is the promise which he promised
us, even the life eternal. *
And now my little children, abide in him ; that, if
he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not
be ashamed before him at his coming.
Behold what manner of love the P^athcr hath bestowed
Godisiove— ^P^'^ ^^' ^^^'^t "^^'^ sliould be Called children of
Walking in God ; and such we arc. Beloved, now are we
children of God, and it is not yet made man-
ifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be
manifested, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him
even as he is. And every one that hath this hope puri-
fieth himself, even as he is pure.
Everyone that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness ; sin
is lawlessness. And ye know that he was manifested to
takeaway sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abid-
eth in him sinneth not ; whosoever sinneth hath not seen
him, neither knoweth him. My little children, let no
man lead you astray ; he that doeth righteousness is
righteous, even as he is righteous ; he that doeth sin is
of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he
might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is
begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth
in him ; and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of
God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the
children of the devil ; whosoever doeth not righteousness
is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
For this is the message which ye heard from the begin-
ning, that we should love one another ; not as Cain was
of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore
slew he him ? Because his works were evil, and his
brother's righteous.
Marvel not, brethren, if the world hatcth you. 'The
world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ''We
know that we have passed out of death into life, because
we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in
' I John iii, l. ■' i John iii, 14.
ijohn3. I4-] Chronologically Arranged. 961
death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer ;
and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding
in him.
Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life
for us ; and we ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren. But whoso hath the world's goods, and behold-
eth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion
from him, how doth the love of God abide in him ? My
little children, let us not love in word, neither with the
tongue; but in deed and truth. Hereby shall we know
that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart be-
fore him, whereinsoever our heart condemn us ; because
God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, we have boldness
toward God ; and whatsoever we ask, we receive of him,
because we keep his commandments, and do the things
that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his command-
ment, that we should believe in the name of his Son
Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us
commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments
abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know
that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.
Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God ;
and everyone that loveth is begotten of God, and know-
eth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God ; for God
is love. Herein was the love of God manifested, that
God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that
we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be
the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also ought to love one another. No mg,n hath beheld
God at any time ; if we love another, God abideth in
us, and his love is perfected in us ; hereby know we that
we abide in him, and he in us, because he hath given us
of his Spirit. And we have beheld and bear witness that
the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the
world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son
of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. And we
know and have believed the love which God hath in us.
God is love ; and he that abideth in love abideth in God,
and God abideth in him. Herein is love made perfect
962 The Shorter Bible [i John 4. 17.
with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judg-
ment ; because as he is, even so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out
fear, because fear hath punishment ; and he that fearetli
is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first
loved us. If a man say, " I love God," and hateth his
brother, he is a liar ; for he that loveth not his brother
whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not
seen. And this commandment have we from him, that
he who loveth God love his brother also.
Hereby we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God, and do his commandments. For this
is the love of God, that we keep his commandments ;
and his commandments are not grievous. For whatso-
ever is begotten of God overcometh the world ; and this
is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our
faith. And who is he that overcometh the world, but he
that bclieveth that Jesus is the Son of God ? This is he
that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ ; not
with the water only, but with the water and with the
blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because
the Spirit is the truth. For there are three who bear
witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood ; and
the three agree in one. If we receive the witness of
men, the witness of God is greater ; for the witness of
God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his
Son. Me that believeth on the Son of God hath the
witness in him ; he that bclieveth not God hath made
him a liar; because he hath not believed in the witness
that God hath borne concerning his Son, And the \\it-
ness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son, He that hath the Son hath the life ;
he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life.
These things have I written unto you, that ye may
know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that be-
lieve on the name of the Son of God. And this is the
Concluding boldncss wliich we have toward him, that, if
words. ^yQ ■^^]^ anything according to his will, he
heareth us; and if we know that he heareth us whatso-
ever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which
we have asked of him.
I John 5- 18.] Chronologically Arranged. 963
We know that whatsoever is begotten of God sinneth
not ; but he that was begotten of God keepeth him, and
the evil one toucheth him not. We know that we are
of God, and the whole world Heth in the evil one. And
we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given
us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and
we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life. My little children,
guard yourselves from idols.
THE END.
/
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AG IS' H
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