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FANTASIES,
FABLES AND TRADITIONS
The
Answers
In the day when I
cried
thou answeredst me, and
strengthenedst me with
strength in my soul. (Psalm 138:3)
Everyone
wants
to know the answers. And not just some
answers, all
the answers. There is something in us, especially men, that has to be
the best, the smartest, the richest, and short all that - to always be
acknowledged as "Right."
If
you don't
feel that way, chances are you are either a healthy-minded woman, or a
peasant working in a rice paddy in China.
But
regardless
of your emotional health, I'm
like the person just described.
I
like to be
right. That doesn't happen very often, but when it does it gives a
boost to my ego.
If
you have
read very much of what I have written, you have undoubtedly already
come to that conclusion, that is, that I like to be right.
I
like to be
right. And by the way I tear into the conclusions of others
who like to be right as well, it probably looks like I think I am more
right than they are.
A
logical
conclusion.
In
my writings
I am not so concerned with being right, or even being in the ball park
of rightness. My concern is how others
who think they are right work to develop a large following that I am
afraid is being lead into a pit of, if not fire, great disillusionment.
I
am not
trying for a following. I'm not trying for agreement. In fact I have
said many times that those who take what I say as Truth, and therefore
the way they should go, are way off base.
Socrates
is
said to have told a group of Intellectuals who thought they knew all
the answers, after a series of ego-deflating questions, that he didn't
know the answers either. His efforts were not to find the truth, or
prove his point, but to show them that they
didn't have the answers they thought they had either.
Job's
friends
are another such group of men who thought they had the answers. And
here it was God Himself who had to set them straight. And not them
only, but the righteous Job whose sole problem was not his
righteousness, but that he was righteous in his own eyes.
Another
such
example, and more in keeping with this website, are the wise men of
Jesus' day. These wise men were sure they had all the answers. Jesus
told them:
1Then
came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why
do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash
not their hands when they eat bread. 3But
he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the
commandment of God by your tradition? (Mat 15:)
Thus have ye made the
commandment of God of
none effect by your tradition. 7Ye
hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This
people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their
lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But
in vain they do worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men. (Mat 15:)
6He
answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you
hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their
lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit
in vain do they worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men. 8For
laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as
the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And
he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye
may keep your own tradition. 10For
Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father
or mother, let him die the death: 11But
ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It
is Corban, that is to say, a
gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he
shall be free. 12And
ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13Making
the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have
delivered: and many such like things do ye. (Mark 7:)
23Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint
and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters
of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done,
and not to leave the other undone. 24Ye
blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the
outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of
extortion and excess. 26Thou
blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which
is within the cup and platter,
that the outside of them may be clean also. 27Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto
whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are
within full of dead men's
bones, and of all uncleanness. 28Even
so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full
of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs
of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30And
say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been
partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31Wherefore
ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which
killed the prophets. 32Fill
ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33Ye
serpents, ye
generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Mat 23:)
God
has had to
tell His people (and us) that their reasoning was getting in the way of
their standing with Him; many times in fact. Here are a few examples:
12There
is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death. (Prov 14:)
so
that they are without
excuse: 21Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened. 22Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And
changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things. 24Wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own
hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the
creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women
did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And
likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in
their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is
unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error
which was meet. 28And
even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave
them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
convenient; 29Being
filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers, 30Backbiters,
haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things,
disobedient to parents, 31Without
understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable,
unmerciful: 32Who
knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are
worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that
do them. (Rom 1:28)
Why
speakest thou unto
them in parables? 11He
answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12For
whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even
that he hath. 13Therefore
speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing
they hear not, neither do they understand. 14And
in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye
shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and
shall not perceive: 15For
this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing,
and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their
heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16But
blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (Mat
13:)
15The
way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto
counsel is wise. (Prov 12:)
2Every
way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the
hearts. (Prov 21:)
20Woe
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! 21Woe
unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own
sight! 22Woe
unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle
strong drink: 23Which
justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the
righteous from him! 24Therefore
as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff,
so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as
dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and
despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isa 5:)
9And
he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not;
and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10Make
the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their
eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isa 6:)
21Hear
now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes,
and see not; which have ears, and hear not: 22Fear
ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which
have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree,
that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves,
yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over
it? 23But
this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted
and gone. 24Neither
say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth
rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto
us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
25Your
iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden
good things from you. 26For
among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth
snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27As
a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore
they are become great, and waxen rich. 28They
are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked:
they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they
prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. 29Shall
I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be
avenged on such a nation as this? 30A
wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31The
prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means;
and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end
thereof? (Jer 5:)
As
I have said
before, I am not as certain that I am right as much as I am certain
that everyone else is wrong. And the reason I know
they are wrong is because they have not given serious consideration to
what their opponents have to say, nor what God has to say on any given
subject.
And
I don't
think holding a wrong opinion is wrong in itself. But when someone, as
do churches, force their congregation to agree with that opinion and
say all others are wrong and probably going to burn for holding a
different opinion - I see that as very wrong indeed.
Listen
to God.
That's my message pure and simple. Forget what others have to say (and
quit saying it if you are the sayer) and let God through the Holy Ghost
tell you what He wants you to know. And if you are a preacher or a
teacher or a theologian, make a clear distinction between what is your
opinion and what is the Word of God. And for instruction, teach those
who are listening to you how to listen to the Holy Spirit, rather than
to you or some other person.
In
other
words, let the Shepherd do the shepherding instead of trying to take
over that job for yourself.
Pastors
are to
be Porters of the sheepfold; caring for and protecting the sheep in the
Shepherd's absence. If a person takes upon himself the job of porter,
he must know full well that he is going to have to answer to the True
Shepherd for that which he chooses to feed the flock.
17Obey
them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch
for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it
with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb
13:)
5Who
shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the
dead. 6For
for this
cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they
might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to
God in the spirit. (1Pet 4:)
36But
I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall
give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For
by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be
condemned. (Mat 12:)
1And
he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which
had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his
goods. 2And
he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee?
give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer
steward. (Luke 16:)
1Him
that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2For
one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth
herbs. 3Let
not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which
eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4Who
art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he
standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to
make him stand. (Rom 14:)
If
you have
not yet received the Holy Ghost you are already on the wrong track, and
therefore whatever you believe makes no difference because only the
right road takes you to where you are hoping to go.
13Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it. (Mat 7:)
15If
ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that
he may abide with you for ever; 17Even
the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth
him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with
you, and shall be in you. (John 14:)
25These
things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:)
20At
that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in
you. 21He
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 to him. (John 14:)
References
Zechariah 11
. 3There
is a voice of the howling of
the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of
young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.
4Thus
saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter; 5Whose
possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that
sell them say, Blessed be
the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. 6For
I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but,
lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and
into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of
their hand I will not deliver them. 7And
I will feed the flock of slaughter, even
you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I
called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. 8Three
shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and
their soul also abhorred me. 9Then
said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that
is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the
flesh of another.
10And
I took my staff, even
Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had
made with all the people. 11And
it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited
upon me knew that it was
the word of the LORD. 12And
I said unto them, If ye think good, give me
my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces
of silver. 13And
the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I
was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces
of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. 14Then
I cut asunder mine other staff, even
Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
15And
the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish
shepherd. 16For,
lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which
shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young
one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still:
but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. 17Woe
to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall
be upon his arm, and upon his
right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be
utterly darkened.
Psalm 14
1 The
fool hath said in his heart, There
is no God. They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works, there
is none that doeth good.
2 The
LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there
were any that did understand, and
seek God.
3 They
are all gone aside, they are all
together become filthy: there
is none that doeth good, no,
not one.
Psalm 92
6 A
brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
7 When
the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do
flourish; it is
that they shall be destroyed for ever:
8 But
thou, LORD, art most
high for evermore.
12The
righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar
in Lebanon.
13Those
that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts
of our God.
14They
shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and
flourishing;
15To
show that the LORD is
upright: he is
my rock, and there is
no unrighteousness in him.
Ezekiel 13
1And
the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2Son
of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say
thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word
of the LORD; 3Thus
saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their
own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4O
Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. 5Ye
have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house
of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. 6They
have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the
LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others
to hope that they would confirm the word. 7Have
ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination,
whereas ye say, The LORD saith it;
albeit I have not spoken? 8Therefore
thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies,
therefore, behold, I am
against you, saith the Lord GOD. 9And
mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine
lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall
they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall
they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am
the Lord GOD.
10Because,
even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there
was no peace; and one built up
a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar:
11Say
unto them which daub it
with untempered mortar,
that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O
great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
12Lo,
when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is
the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? 13Therefore
thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it
with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower
in mine anger, and great hailstones in my
fury to consume it. 14So
will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar,
and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall
be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst
thereof: and ye shall know that I am
the LORD. 15Thus
will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have
daubed it with untempered mortar,
and will say unto you, The wall is
no more,
neither they that daubed it; 16To
wit, the prophets of Israel
which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for
her, and there is
no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
17Likewise,
thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people,
which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, 18And
say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women
that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of
every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and
will ye save the souls alive that
come unto you? 19And
will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for
pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the
souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your
lies? 20Wherefore
thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am
against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them
fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even
the souls that ye hunt to make them
fly. 21Your
kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and
they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that
I am
the LORD. 22Because
with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not
made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not
return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23Therefore
ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver
my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am
the LORD.
21Not
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. 22Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works? 23And
then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity. 24Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken
him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And
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 a rock. 26And
every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall
be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And
the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat
upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Mat 7:26)
23And
when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also
seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And
certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it
even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25Then
he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the
prophets have spoken: 26Ought
not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all
the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:)
6But
godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For
we brought nothing into this
world, and it is
certain we can carry nothing out. 8And
having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But
they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition. 10For
the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows. 11But
thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight
the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art
also called, and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses. (1Tim 6:)
22Flee
also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,
with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But
foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender
strifes. 24And
the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,
apt to teach, patient, 25In
meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure
will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And
that
they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are
taken captive by him at his will. (2Tim 2:)
9But
avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10A
man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing
that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of
himself. 12When
I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto
me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 13Bring
Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing
be wanting unto them. 14And
let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that
they be not unfruitful. 15All
that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith.
Grace be
with you all. Amen. (Titus 3:)
3But
fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once
named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:
but rather giving of thanks. 5For
this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God. 6Let
no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be
not ye therefore partakers with them. 8For
ye were sometimes darkness, but now are
ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light: 9(For
the fruit of the Spirit is
in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving
what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Eph 5:4)
19And
art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of
them which are in darkness, 20An
instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of
knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21Thou
therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that
preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22Thou
that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit
adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23Thou
that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest
thou God? 24For
the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is
written. 25For
circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a
breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26Therefore
if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his
uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27And
shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law,
judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28For
he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is
that circumcision, which is
outward in the flesh: 29But
he is
a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is
that of the heart, in the
spirit, and
not in the letter; whose praise is
not of men, but of God. (Rom 2:)
21Remember
these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art
my servant: I have formed thee; thou art
my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. 22I
have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a
cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 23Sing,
O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it:
shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye
mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed
Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. 24Thus
saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am
the LORD that maketh all things;
that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the
earth by myself; 25That
frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that
turneth wise men
backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; 26That
confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his
messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to
the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed
places thereof: 27That
saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: 28That
saith of Cyrus, He is
my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to
Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall
be laid. (Isa 44:)
19My
bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a
noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my
soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 20Destruction
upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are
my tents spoiled, and
my curtains in a moment. 21How
long shall I see the standard, and
hear the sound of the trumpet? 22For
my people is
foolish, they have not known me; they are
sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are
wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. 23I
beheld the earth, and, lo, it
was without form, and void; and
the heavens, and they had
no light. 24I
beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved
lightly. 25I
beheld, and, lo, there was
no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. 26I
beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was
a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the
presence of the LORD, and
by his fierce anger. (Jer 4:)
20Declare
this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, 21Hear
now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes,
and see not; which have ears, and hear not: 22Fear
ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which
have placed the sand for
the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and
though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail;
though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? 23But
this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted
and gone. 24Neither
say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth
rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto
us the appointed weeks of the harvest. (Jer 5:21)
19For
it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to
nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where
is
the wise? where is
the scribe? where is
the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of
this world? 21For
after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it
pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For
the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But
we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto
the Greeks foolishness; 24But
unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of
God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because
the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is
stronger than men. 26For
ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called: 27But
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty; 28And
base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God
chosen, yea,
and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That
no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But
of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That,
according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the
Lord. (1Cor 1:)
9Know
ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be
not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11And
such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye
are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God. (1Cor 4:)
6Howbeit
we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this
world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7But
we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even
the hidden wisdom,
which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But
as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him. 10But
God hath revealed them
unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the
deep things of God. 11For
what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is
in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of
God. 12Now
we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is
of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of
God. 13Which
things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but
which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual. 14But
the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned. 15But
he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no
man. 16For
who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we
have the mind of Christ. (1Cor 2:)
18Let
no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this
world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19For
the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He
taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20And
again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
(1Cor 3:)
Ecclesiastes 5
1Keep
thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to
hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that
they do evil. 2Be
not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any
thing before God: for God is
in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3For
a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is
known by multitude of words.
4When
thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he
hath no pleasure in fools: pay
that which thou hast vowed. 5Better is
it
that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6Suffer
not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the
angel, that it was
an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the
work of thine hands? 7For
in the multitude of dreams and many words there
are also divers
vanities: but fear thou God. 8If
thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of
judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he
that is higher than the highest
regardeth; and there be
higher than they.
12And
I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can
the man do
that cometh after the king? even
that which hath been already done. 13Then
I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14The
wise man's eyes are
in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived
also that one event happeneth to them all. 15Then
said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even
to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this
also is
vanity. 16For there is
no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that
which now is
in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man?
as the fool. (Ecc 2:)
Ecclesiastes 4
1So
I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the
sun: and behold the tears of such
as were oppressed, and they had
no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there
was power; but they had no
comforter. 2Wherefore
I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which
are yet alive. 3Yea,
better is he
than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil
work that is done under the sun.
4Again,
I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is
envied of his neighbour. This is
also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5The
fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6Better
is
an handful with
quietness, than both the hands full with
travail and vexation of spirit.
13This
wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed
great unto me: 14There
was a little city, and few men
within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and
built great bulwarks against it: 15Now
there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered
the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16Then
said I, Wisdom is
better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is
despised, and his words are not heard. 17The
words of wise men are
heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18Wisdom
is
better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. (Ecc
9:)
Ecclesiastes 10
1Dead
flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking
savour: so doth
a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and
honour. 2A
wise man's heart is
at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3Yea
also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him,
and he saith to every one that
he is
a fool.
12The
words of a wise man's mouth are
gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13The
beginning of the words of his mouth is
foolishness: and the end of his talk is
mischievous madness. 14A
fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what
shall be after him, who can tell him? 15The
labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth
not how to go to the city.
Proverbs 26
1As
snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a
fool.
2As
the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless
shall not come.
3A
whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4Answer
not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer
a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He
that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and
drinketh damage.
7The
legs of the lame are not equal: so is
a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As
he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is
he that giveth honour to a fool.
9As
a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is
a parable in the mouth of fools.
10The
great God
that formed all things
both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11As
a dog returneth to his vomit, so
a fool returneth to his folly.
12Seest
thou a man wise in his own conceit? there
is more hope of a fool than of
him.
13The
slothful man
saith, There is
a lion in the way; a lion is
in the streets.
14As
the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth
the slothful upon his bed.
15The
slothful hideth his hand in his
bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
27Whoso
diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will
return upon him.
Proverbs 1
2To
know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3To
receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4To
give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5A
wise man
will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall
attain unto wise counsels: 6To
understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise,
and their dark sayings.
11A
fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man
keepeth it in till afterwards. (Prov 29:)
Proverbs 24
6For
by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of
counsellors there is
safety.
7Wisdom
is
too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
10If
thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is
small.
20He
that walketh with wise men
shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Prov 13:)
22How
long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight
in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23Turn
you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will
make known my words unto you. 24Because
I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man
regarded; 25But
ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I
also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When
your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a
whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then
shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me
early, but they shall not find me: 29For
that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They
would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore
shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their
own devices. 32For
the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of
fools shall destroy them. 33But
whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from
fear of evil. (Prov 1:)
Proverbs 14
2He
that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he
that is perverse in his ways
despiseth him.
3In
the mouth of the foolish is
a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4Where
no oxen are,
the crib is
clean: but much increase is
by the strength of the ox.
6A
scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth
it not: but knowledge is
easy unto him that understandeth.
7Go
from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in
him the lips of knowledge.
8The
wisdom of the prudent is
to understand his way: but the folly of fools is
deceit.
9Fools
make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there
is favour.
10The
heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle
with his joy.
11The
house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the
upright shall flourish.
12There
is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.
14The
backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall
be satisfied from himself.
15The
simple believeth every word: but the prudent man
looketh well to his going.
16A
wise man
feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17He
that is soon angry dealeth
foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18The
simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
20The
poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath
many friends.
27The
fear of the LORD is
a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
29He
that is slow to wrath is
of great understanding: but he
that is hasty of spirit
exalteth folly.
33Wisdom
resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that
which is in the midst of fools
is made known.
7The
lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth
not so.
8The
sacrifice of the wicked is
an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is
his delight.
9The
way of the wicked is
an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after
righteousness. Prov 15:)
18Pride
goeth
before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better
it is to be
of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the
proud.
20He
that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in
the LORD, happy is
he.
21The
wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips
increaseth learning.
22Understanding
is
a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of
fools is
folly.
23The
heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant
words are as
an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There
is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death. (Prov 16:)
Proverbs 12
1Whoso
loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is
brutish.
2A
good man
obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he
condemn.
3A
man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the
righteous shall not be moved.
4A
virtuous woman is
a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is
as rottenness in his bones.
15The
way of a fool is
right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is
wise.
16A
fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man
covereth shame.
19The
lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is
but for a moment.
22Lying
lips are
abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are
his delight.
23A
prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth
foolishness.
Proverbs 20
4The
sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore
shall he beg in harvest, and have
nothing.
5Counsel
in the heart of man is like
deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6Most
men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who
can find?
7There
is that maketh himself rich, yet hath
nothing: there is
that maketh himself poor, yet hath
great riches.
9The
light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be
put out.
16Every
prudent man
dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his
folly. (Prov 13:)
Proverbs 17
3The
fining pot is
for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4A
wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and
a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5Whoso
mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and
he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
7Excellent
speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8A
gift is as
a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it
turneth, it prospereth.
9He
that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a
matter separateth very
friends.
10A
reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a
fool.
22A
merry heart doeth good like
a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
28Even
a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and
he that shutteth his lips is
esteemed a man of
understanding. (Prov 17:)
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