Ecclesiastes 3 (Amplified Bible)
Ecclesiastes 3
1TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:
2A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,(A)
3A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
4A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
7A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,(B)
8A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.(C)
9What profit remains for the worker from his toil?
10I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves.
11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to get and do good as long as they live;
13And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor--it is the gift of God.
14I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is].(D)
15That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself ].
16Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice there was wickedness, and that in the place of righteousness wickedness was there also.
17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time [appointed] for every matter and purpose and for every work.
18I said in my heart regarding the subject of the sons of men, God is trying (separating and sifting) them, that they may see that by themselves [under the sun, without God] they are but like beasts.
19For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even [in the end] one thing befalls them both. As the one dies, so dies the other. Yes, they all have one breath and spirit, so that a [a]man has no preeminence over a beast; for all is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!
20All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?
22So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his portion. For who shall bring him back to see what will happen after he is gone?
Footnotes:
1. Ecclesiastes 3:19 Does the Bible really teach that "a man has no preeminence over a beast"? No! The Bible only records that the book of Ecclesiastes says it. Then why is this book in the Bible? Can it possibly be called inspired by God when it makes such "under the sun" pronouncements, some only partially true, others entirely false? Here is the tested answer: "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching ... reproof... correction, for instruction... in righteousness." (II Tim. 3:16 ASV.) The divine purpose in including Ecclesiastes in the Bible is obvious. It gives a startling picture of how fatal it is for even the wisest of men to substitute man's "wisdom" for God's wisdom, and to attempt to live by it. Solomon's reign began with God, gold, and glory. It ended with bafflement, brass, and bewildered acceptance of man's having "no preeminence over a beast"!--man, who was made "in the image and likeness of God" (Gen. 1:27) and "but little lower than God [or heavenly beings]"! (Ps. 8:5.)
Cross references:
1. Ecclesiastes 3:2 : Heb 9:27
2. Ecclesiastes 3:7 : Amos 5:13
3. Ecclesiastes 3:8 : Luke 14:26
4. Ecclesiastes 3:14 : Ps 19:9; James 1:17
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Isaiah 43 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Isaiah 43 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Isaiah 43
Restoration of Israel
1 Now this is what the LORD says—
the One who created you, Jacob,
and the One who formed you, Israel (A) —
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; (B)
I have called you by your name; you are Mine. (C)
2 I will be with you (D)
when you pass through the waters, (E)
and [when you pass] through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire, (F)
and the flame will not burn you.
3 For I the LORD your God, (G)
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior, (H)
give Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.
4 Because you are precious in My sight (I)
and honored, and I love you, (J)
I will give human beings in your place,
and peoples in place of your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east, (K)
and gather you from the west. (L)
6 I will say to the north: Give [them] up!
and to the south: Do not hold [them] back!
Bring My sons from far away, (M)
and My daughters from the ends of the earth (N) —
7 everyone called by My name
and created for My glory.
I have formed him; indeed, I have made him."
8 Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes, (O)
and are deaf, yet have ears.
9 All the nations are gathered together,
and the peoples are assembled. (P)
Who among them can declare this, (Q)
and tell us the former things?
Let them present their witnesses
to vindicate [themselves],
so that people may hear and say, "It is true."
10 "You are My witnesses" (R) —
the LORD's declaration—
"and My servant whom I have chosen, (S)
so that you may know and believe Me
and understand that I am He. (T)
No god was formed before Me,
and there will be none after Me. (U)
11 I, I am the LORD,
and there is no other Savior but Me. (V)
12 I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed—
and not some foreign god [a] among you.
So you are My witnesses"—
the LORD's declaration—
"and [b] I am God. (W)
13 Also, from today on I am He [alone],
and no one can take [anything] from My hand. (X)
I act, and who can reverse it?" (Y)
God's Deliverance of Rebellious Israel
14 This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, (Z) the Holy One of Israel (AA) says:
Because of you, I will send to Babylon
and bring all of them as fugitives, [c]
even the Chaldeans (AB) in the ships in which they rejoice. [d]
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, your King.
16 This is what the LORD says—
who makes a way in the sea,
and a path through surging waters, (AC)
17 who brings out the chariot and horse, (AD)
the army and the mighty one together
(they lie down, they do not rise again;
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick (AE) )—
18 "Do not remember the past events,
pay no attention to things of old. (AF)
19 Look, I am about to do something new; (AG)
even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, (AH)
rivers [e] in the desert.
20 The animals of the field will honor Me,
jackals and ostriches,
because I provide water in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert, (AI)
to give drink to My chosen people.
21 The people I formed for Myself
will declare My praise. (AJ)
22 "But Jacob, you have not called on Me,
because, Israel, you have become weary of Me. (AK)
23 You have not brought Me your sheep for burnt offerings
or honored Me with your sacrifices. (AL)
I have not burdened you with offerings
or wearied you with incense. [f]
24 You have not bought Me aromatic cane with silver,
or satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened Me with your sins;
you have wearied Me (AM) with your iniquities. (AN)
25 "It is I who sweep away your transgressions (AO)
for My own sake (AP)
and remember your sins no more. (AQ)
26 Take Me to court; let us argue our case together. (AR)
State your [case], so that you may be vindicated.
27 Your first father sinned, (AS)
and your mediators have rebelled against Me. (AT)
28 So I defiled the officers of the sanctuary,
and gave Jacob over to total destruction (AU)
and Israel to abuse.
Isaiah 43
Restoration of Israel
1 Now this is what the LORD says—
the One who created you, Jacob,
and the One who formed you, Israel (A) —
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; (B)
I have called you by your name; you are Mine. (C)
2 I will be with you (D)
when you pass through the waters, (E)
and [when you pass] through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire, (F)
and the flame will not burn you.
3 For I the LORD your God, (G)
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior, (H)
give Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.
4 Because you are precious in My sight (I)
and honored, and I love you, (J)
I will give human beings in your place,
and peoples in place of your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east, (K)
and gather you from the west. (L)
6 I will say to the north: Give [them] up!
and to the south: Do not hold [them] back!
Bring My sons from far away, (M)
and My daughters from the ends of the earth (N) —
7 everyone called by My name
and created for My glory.
I have formed him; indeed, I have made him."
8 Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes, (O)
and are deaf, yet have ears.
9 All the nations are gathered together,
and the peoples are assembled. (P)
Who among them can declare this, (Q)
and tell us the former things?
Let them present their witnesses
to vindicate [themselves],
so that people may hear and say, "It is true."
10 "You are My witnesses" (R) —
the LORD's declaration—
"and My servant whom I have chosen, (S)
so that you may know and believe Me
and understand that I am He. (T)
No god was formed before Me,
and there will be none after Me. (U)
11 I, I am the LORD,
and there is no other Savior but Me. (V)
12 I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed—
and not some foreign god [a] among you.
So you are My witnesses"—
the LORD's declaration—
"and [b] I am God. (W)
13 Also, from today on I am He [alone],
and no one can take [anything] from My hand. (X)
I act, and who can reverse it?" (Y)
God's Deliverance of Rebellious Israel
14 This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, (Z) the Holy One of Israel (AA) says:
Because of you, I will send to Babylon
and bring all of them as fugitives, [c]
even the Chaldeans (AB) in the ships in which they rejoice. [d]
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, your King.
16 This is what the LORD says—
who makes a way in the sea,
and a path through surging waters, (AC)
17 who brings out the chariot and horse, (AD)
the army and the mighty one together
(they lie down, they do not rise again;
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick (AE) )—
18 "Do not remember the past events,
pay no attention to things of old. (AF)
19 Look, I am about to do something new; (AG)
even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, (AH)
rivers [e] in the desert.
20 The animals of the field will honor Me,
jackals and ostriches,
because I provide water in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert, (AI)
to give drink to My chosen people.
21 The people I formed for Myself
will declare My praise. (AJ)
22 "But Jacob, you have not called on Me,
because, Israel, you have become weary of Me. (AK)
23 You have not brought Me your sheep for burnt offerings
or honored Me with your sacrifices. (AL)
I have not burdened you with offerings
or wearied you with incense. [f]
24 You have not bought Me aromatic cane with silver,
or satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened Me with your sins;
you have wearied Me (AM) with your iniquities. (AN)
25 "It is I who sweep away your transgressions (AO)
for My own sake (AP)
and remember your sins no more. (AQ)
26 Take Me to court; let us argue our case together. (AR)
State your [case], so that you may be vindicated.
27 Your first father sinned, (AS)
and your mediators have rebelled against Me. (AT)
28 So I defiled the officers of the sanctuary,
and gave Jacob over to total destruction (AU)
and Israel to abuse.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Todays Message 3/15/09
Date: Mar 15th, 2009 12:30:57 am - Edit
Mood: alive
Todays Message 3/15/09
2 Timothy 1: 7-9 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8, Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Guide us Lord and give us into your teachings,
Pour your word on us,
Shower us with your divine knowledge Oh Lord,
YOU are our Lord our God,
Jesus your only son to that which your teachings reach us and our sins are forgiven with his blood.
Please feel free to email me anytime with questions about Jesus or if you have any prayer concerns.happy.gif
PrayerPsalm91@aol.com
Date: Mar 15th, 2009 12:30:57 am - Edit
Mood: alive
Todays Message 3/15/09
2 Timothy 1: 7-9 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8, Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Guide us Lord and give us into your teachings,
Pour your word on us,
Shower us with your divine knowledge Oh Lord,
YOU are our Lord our God,
Jesus your only son to that which your teachings reach us and our sins are forgiven with his blood.
Please feel free to email me anytime with questions about Jesus or if you have any prayer concerns.happy.gif
PrayerPsalm91@aol.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Psalm 135 (New International Version)
Psalm 135
1 Praise the LORD. [a]
Praise the name of the LORD;
praise him, you servants of the LORD,
2 you who minister in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own,
Israel to be his treasured possession.
5 I know that the LORD is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
6 The LORD does whatever pleases him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.
7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
he sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
the firstborn of men and animals.
9 He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He struck down many nations
and killed mighty kings-
11 Sihon king of the Amorites,
Og king of Bashan
and all the kings of Canaan-
12 and he gave their land as an inheritance,
an inheritance to his people Israel.
13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever,
your renown, O LORD, through all generations.
14 For the LORD will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see;
17 they have ears, but cannot hear,
nor is there breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
19 O house of Israel, praise the LORD;
O house of Aaron, praise the LORD;
20 O house of Levi, praise the LORD;
you who fear him, praise the LORD.
21 Praise be to the LORD from Zion,
to him who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Footnotes:
Psalm 135:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah ; also in verses 3 and 21
Psalm 135
1 Praise the LORD. [a]
Praise the name of the LORD;
praise him, you servants of the LORD,
2 you who minister in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own,
Israel to be his treasured possession.
5 I know that the LORD is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
6 The LORD does whatever pleases him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.
7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
he sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
the firstborn of men and animals.
9 He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He struck down many nations
and killed mighty kings-
11 Sihon king of the Amorites,
Og king of Bashan
and all the kings of Canaan-
12 and he gave their land as an inheritance,
an inheritance to his people Israel.
13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever,
your renown, O LORD, through all generations.
14 For the LORD will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see;
17 they have ears, but cannot hear,
nor is there breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
19 O house of Israel, praise the LORD;
O house of Aaron, praise the LORD;
20 O house of Levi, praise the LORD;
you who fear him, praise the LORD.
21 Praise be to the LORD from Zion,
to him who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Footnotes:
Psalm 135:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah ; also in verses 3 and 21
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Kyte:
Prayer Requests Chatroom on Meebo :)
