1. Septuagint, Tobit, 1.4, 13.10, 13.18, 14.5 (10th cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 1.4. Now when I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was still a young man, the whole tribe of Naphtali my forefather deserted the house of Jerusalem. This was the place which had been chosen from among all the tribes of Israel, where all the tribes should sacrifice and where the temple of the dwelling of the Most High was consecrated and established for all generations for ever. 13.10. Give thanks worthily to the Lord,and praise the King of the ages,that his tent may be raised for you again with joy. May he cheer those within you who are captives,and love those within you who are distressed,to all generations for ever. 13.18. all her lanes will cry `Hallelujah! and will give praise,saying, `Blessed is God, who has exalted you for ever. 14.5. But God will again have mercy on them, and bring them back into their land; and they will rebuild the house of God, though it will not be like the former one until the times of the age are completed. After this they will return from the places of their captivity, and will rebuild Jerusalem in splendor. And the house of God will be rebuilt there with a glorious building for all generations for ever, just as the prophets said of it. |
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2. Hebrew Bible, Deuteronomy, 4.20, 4.37, 6.4, 7.6-7.8, 9.26, 9.29, 10.15, 14.1-14.2, 15.15, 21.8, 24.18, 26.18 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 4.37. וְתַחַת כִּי אָהַב אֶת־אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַיִּבְחַר בְּזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָיו וַיּוֹצִאֲךָ בְּפָנָיו בְּכֹחוֹ הַגָּדֹל מִמִּצְרָיִם׃ 6.4. שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד׃ 7.6. כִּי עַם קָדוֹשׁ אַתָּה לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּךָ בָּחַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְעַם סְגֻלָּה מִכֹּל הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה׃ 7.7. לֹא מֵרֻבְּכֶם מִכָּל־הָעַמִּים חָשַׁק יְהוָה בָּכֶם וַיִּבְחַר בָּכֶם כִּי־אַתֶּם הַמְעַט מִכָּל־הָעַמִּים׃ 7.8. כִּי מֵאַהֲבַת יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם וּמִשָּׁמְרוּ אֶת־הַשְּׁבֻעָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם הוֹצִיא יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וַיִּפְדְּךָ מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים מִיַּד פַּרְעֹה מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרָיִם׃ 9.26. וָאֶתְפַּלֵּל אֶל־יְהוָה וָאֹמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה אַל־תַּשְׁחֵת עַמְּךָ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ אֲשֶׁר פָּדִיתָ בְּגָדְלֶךָ אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵאתָ מִמִּצְרַיִם בְּיָד חֲזָקָה׃ 9.29. וְהֵם עַמְּךָ וְנַחֲלָתֶךָ אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתָ בְּכֹחֲךָ הַגָּדֹל וּבִזְרֹעֲךָ הַנְּטוּיָה׃ 10.15. רַק בַּאֲבֹתֶיךָ חָשַׁק יְהוָה לְאַהֲבָה אוֹתָם וַיִּבְחַר בְּזַרְעָם אַחֲרֵיהֶם בָּכֶם מִכָּל־הָעַמִּים כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה׃ 14.1. וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר אֵין־לוֹ סְנַפִּיר וְקַשְׂקֶשֶׂת לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ טָמֵא הוּא לָכֶם׃ 14.1. בָּנִים אַתֶּם לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם לֹא תִתְגֹּדְדוּ וְלֹא־תָשִׂימוּ קָרְחָה בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם לָמֵת׃ 14.2. כִּי עַם קָדוֹשׁ אַתָּה לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וּבְךָ בָּחַר יְהוָה לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְעַם סְגֻלָּה מִכֹּל הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה׃ 14.2. כָּל־עוֹף טָהוֹר תֹּאכֵלוּ׃ 15.15. וְזָכַרְתָּ כִּי עֶבֶד הָיִיתָ בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וַיִּפְדְּךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ עַל־כֵּן אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה הַיּוֹם׃ 21.8. כַּפֵּר לְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר־פָּדִיתָ יְהוָה וְאַל־תִּתֵּן דָּם נָקִי בְּקֶרֶב עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְנִכַּפֵּר לָהֶם הַדָּם׃ 24.18. וְזָכַרְתָּ כִּי עֶבֶד הָיִיתָ בְּמִצְרַיִם וַיִּפְדְּךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מִשָּׁם עַל־כֵּן אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה׃ 26.18. וַיהוָה הֶאֱמִירְךָ הַיּוֹם לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְעַם סְגֻלָּה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר־לָךְ וְלִשְׁמֹר כָּל־מִצְוֺתָיו׃ | 4.20. But you hath the LORD taken and brought forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be unto Him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day." 4.37. And because He loved thy fathers, and chose their seed after them, and brought thee out with His presence, with His great power, out of Egypt," 6.4. HEAR, O ISRAEL: THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE." 7.6. For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be His own treasure, out of all peoples that are upon the face of the earth." 7.7. The LORD did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people—for ye were the fewest of all peoples—" 7.8. but because the LORD loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." 9.26. And I prayed unto the LORD, and said: ‘O Lord GOD, destroy not Thy people and Thine inheritance, that Thou hast redeemed through Thy greatness, that Thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand." 9.29. Yet they are Thy people and Thine inheritance, that Thou didst bring out by Thy great power and by Thy outstretched arm.’" 10.15. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you, above all peoples, as it is this day." 14.1. Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead." 14.2. For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be His own treasure out of all peoples that are upon the face of the earth." 15.15. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee; therefore I command thee this thing to-day." 21.8. Forgive, O LORD, Thy people Israel, whom Thou hast redeemed, and suffer not innocent blood to remain in the midst of Thy people Israel.’ And the blood shall be forgiven them." 24.18. But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence; therefore I command thee to do this thing." 26.18. And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be His own treasure, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments;" |
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3. Hebrew Bible, Exodus, 4.22-4.23, 6.6, 12.13, 15.13, 19.5 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 4.22. וְאָמַרְתָּ אֶל־פַּרְעֹה כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה בְּנִי בְכֹרִי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 4.23. וָאֹמַר אֵלֶיךָ שַׁלַּח אֶת־בְּנִי וְיַעַבְדֵנִי וַתְּמָאֵן לְשַׁלְּחוֹ הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי הֹרֵג אֶת־בִּנְךָ בְּכֹרֶךָ׃ 6.6. לָכֵן אֱמֹר לִבְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲנִי יְהוָה וְהוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מִתַּחַת סִבְלֹת מִצְרַיִם וְהִצַּלְתִּי אֶתְכֶם מֵעֲבֹדָתָם וְגָאַלְתִּי אֶתְכֶם בִּזְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה וּבִשְׁפָטִים גְּדֹלִים׃ 12.13. וְהָיָה הַדָּם לָכֶם לְאֹת עַל הַבָּתִּים אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם שָׁם וְרָאִיתִי אֶת־הַדָּם וּפָסַחְתִּי עֲלֵכֶם וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה בָכֶם נֶגֶף לְמַשְׁחִית בְּהַכֹּתִי בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃ 15.13. נָחִיתָ בְחַסְדְּךָ עַם־זוּ גָּאָלְתָּ נֵהַלְתָּ בְעָזְּךָ אֶל־נְוֵה קָדְשֶׁךָ׃ 19.5. וְעַתָּה אִם־שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ בְּקֹלִי וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־בְּרִיתִי וִהְיִיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה מִכָּל־הָעַמִּים כִּי־לִי כָּל־הָאָרֶץ׃ | 4.22. And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh: Thus saith the LORD: Israel is My son, My first-born." 4.23. And I have said unto thee: Let My son go, that he may serve Me; and thou hast refused to let him go. ‘Behold, I will slay thy first-born.’" 6.6. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel: I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments;" 12.13. 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." 15.13. Thou in Thy love hast led the people that Thou hast redeemed; Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation." 19.5. Now therefore, if ye will hearken unto My voice indeed, and keep My covet, then ye shall be Mine own treasure from among all peoples; for all the earth is Mine;" |
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4. Hebrew Bible, Genesis, 12.3 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 12.3. וַאֲבָרֲכָה מְבָרְכֶיךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ אָאֹר וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה׃ | 12.3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’" |
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5. Hebrew Bible, Hosea, 4.1 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 4.1. וְאָכְלוּ וְלֹא יִשְׂבָּעוּ הִזְנוּ וְלֹא יִפְרֹצוּ כִּי־אֶת־יְהוָה עָזְבוּ לִשְׁמֹר׃ 4.1. שִׁמְעוּ דְבַר־יְהוָה בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי רִיב לַיהוָה עִם־יוֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ כִּי אֵין־אֱמֶת וְאֵין־חֶסֶד וְאֵין־דַּעַת אֱלֹהִים בָּאָרֶץ׃ | 4.1. Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel! For the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no truth, nor mercy, Nor knowledge of God in the land." |
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6. Hebrew Bible, Joel, 2.28-2.29 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
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7. Hebrew Bible, Leviticus, 11.44, 19.2 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 11.44. כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִׁים כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אָנִי וְלֹא תְטַמְּאוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם בְּכָל־הַשֶּׁרֶץ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל־הָאָרֶץ׃ 19.2. דַּבֵּר אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם קְדֹשִׁים תִּהְיוּ כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם׃ 19.2. וְאִישׁ כִּי־יִשְׁכַּב אֶת־אִשָּׁה שִׁכְבַת־זֶרַע וְהִוא שִׁפְחָה נֶחֱרֶפֶת לְאִישׁ וְהָפְדֵּה לֹא נִפְדָּתָה אוֹ חֻפְשָׁה לֹא נִתַּן־לָהּ בִּקֹּרֶת תִּהְיֶה לֹא יוּמְתוּ כִּי־לֹא חֻפָּשָׁה׃ | 11.44. For I am the LORD your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy; neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of swarming thing that moveth upon the earth." 19.2. Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them: Ye shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy." |
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8. Hebrew Bible, Micah, 3.8 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 3.8. וְאוּלָם אָנֹכִי מָלֵאתִי כֹחַ אֶת־רוּחַ יְהוָה וּמִשְׁפָּט וּגְבוּרָה לְהַגִּיד לְיַעֲקֹב פִּשְׁעוֹ וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל חַטָּאתוֹ׃ | 3.8. But I truly am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of justice, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin." |
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9. Hebrew Bible, Proverbs, 2.5, 23.31 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 2.5. אָז תָּבִין יִרְאַת יְהוָה וְדַעַת אֱלֹהִים תִּמְצָא׃ 23.31. אַל־תֵּרֶא יַיִן כִּי יִתְאַדָּם כִּי־יִתֵּן בכיס [בַּכּוֹס] עֵינוֹ יִתְהַלֵּךְ בְּמֵישָׁרִים׃ | 2.5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God." 23.31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup, When it glideth down smoothly;" |
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10. Hebrew Bible, Psalms, 10.6, 24.7-24.10, 29.3, 37.13-37.15, 41.13, 44.3, 68.9, 72.18, 94.14, 106.48, 135.4 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 10.6. אָמַר בְּלִבּוֹ בַּל־אֶמּוֹט לְדֹר וָדֹר אֲשֶׁר לֹא־בְרָע׃ 24.7. שְׂאוּ שְׁעָרִים רָאשֵׁיכֶם וְהִנָּשְׂאוּ פִּתְחֵי עוֹלָם וְיָבוֹא מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד׃ 24.8. מִי זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד יְהוָה עִזּוּז וְגִבּוֹר יְהוָה גִּבּוֹר מִלְחָמָה׃ 24.9. שְׂאוּ שְׁעָרִים רָאשֵׁיכֶם וּשְׂאוּ פִּתְחֵי עוֹלָם וְיָבֹא מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד׃ 29.3. קוֹל יְהוָה עַל־הַמָּיִם אֵל־הַכָּבוֹד הִרְעִים יְהוָה עַל־מַיִם רַבִּים׃ 37.13. אֲדֹנָי יִשְׂחַק־לוֹ כִּי־רָאָה כִּי־יָבֹא יוֹמוֹ׃ 37.14. חֶרֶב פָּתְחוּ רְשָׁעִים וְדָרְכוּ קַשְׁתָּם לְהַפִּיל עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן לִטְבוֹחַ יִשְׁרֵי־דָרֶךְ׃ 37.15. חַרְבָּם תָּבוֹא בְלִבָּם וְקַשְּׁתוֹתָם תִּשָּׁבַרְנָה׃ 41.13. וַאֲנִי בְּתֻמִּי תָּמַכְתָּ בִּי וַתַּצִּיבֵנִי לְפָנֶיךָ לְעוֹלָם׃ 44.3. אַתָּה יָדְךָ גּוֹיִם הוֹרַשְׁתָּ וַתִּטָּעֵם תָּרַע לְאֻמִּים וַתְּשַׁלְּחֵם׃ 68.9. אֶרֶץ רָעָשָׁה אַף־שָׁמַיִם נָטְפוּ מִפְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים זֶה סִינַי מִפְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 72.18. בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ׃ 94.14. כִּי לֹא־יִטֹּשׁ יְהוָה עַמּוֹ וְנַחֲלָתוֹ לֹא יַעֲזֹב׃ 106.48. בָּרוּךְ־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן־הָעוֹלָם וְעַד הָעוֹלָם וְאָמַר כָּל־הָעָם אָמֵן הַלְלוּ־יָהּ׃ 135.4. כִּי־יַעֲקֹב בָּחַר לוֹ יָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לִסְגֻלָּתוֹ׃ | 10.6. He saith in his heart: 'I shall not be moved, I who to all generations shall not be in adversity.'" 24.7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; that the King of glory may come in." 24.8. 'Who is the King of glory?' 'The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.'" 24.9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors; That the King of glory may come in." 24.10. 'Who then is the King of glory?' 'The LORD of hosts; He is the King of glory.' Selah" 29.3. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thundereth, Even the LORD upon many waters." 37.13. The Lord doth laugh at him; for He seeth that his day is coming." 37.14. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; to cast down the poor and needy, to slay such as are upright in the way;" 37.15. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken." 41.13. And as for me, Thou upholdest me because of mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face for ever." 44.3. Thou with Thy hand didst drive out the nations, and didst plant them in; Thou didst break the peoples, and didst spread them abroad." 68.9. 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." 72.18. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things;" 94.14. For the LORD will not cast off His people, Neither will He forsake His inheritance." 106.48. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting, and let all the people say: 'Amen.' Hallelujah." 135.4. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, And Israel for His own treasure." |
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11. Hebrew Bible, 1 Kings, 8.51, 8.53 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 8.51. כִּי־עַמְּךָ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ הֵם אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתָ מִמִּצְרַיִם מִתּוֹךְ כּוּר הַבַּרְזֶל׃ 8.53. כִּי־אַתָּה הִבְדַּלְתָּם לְךָ לְנַחֲלָה מִכֹּל עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶּךָ בְּהוֹצִיאֲךָ אֶת־אֲבֹתֵינוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה׃ | 8.51. for they are Thy people, and Thine inheritance, which Thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron;" 8.53. For Thou didst set them apart from among all the peoples of the earth, to be Thine inheritance, as Thou didst speak by the hand of Moses Thy servant, when Thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.’" |
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12. Hebrew Bible, 1 Samuel, 16.13 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 16.13. וַיִּקַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת־קֶרֶן הַשֶּׁמֶן וַיִּמְשַׁח אֹתוֹ בְּקֶרֶב אֶחָיו וַתִּצְלַח רוּחַ־יְהוָה אֶל־דָּוִד מֵהַיּוֹם הַהוּא וָמָעְלָה וַיָּקָם שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֵּלֶךְ הָרָמָתָה׃ | 16.13. Then Shemu᾽el took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day onwards. So Shemu᾽el rose up, and went to Rama." |
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13. Hebrew Bible, 2 Samuel, 21.3 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 21.3. וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־הַגִּבְעֹנִים מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם וּבַמָּה אֲכַפֵּר וּבָרְכוּ אֶת־נַחֲלַת יְהוָה׃ | 21.3. Then David said to the Giv῾onim, What shall I do for you? and with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?" |
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14. Hebrew Bible, Isaiah, 11.2, 19.25, 41.10, 47.6, 48.13, 57.19, 61.1-61.2, 63.17 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 11.2. וְנָחָה עָלָיו רוּחַ יְהוָה רוּחַ חָכְמָה וּבִינָה רוּחַ עֵצָה וּגְבוּרָה רוּחַ דַּעַת וְיִרְאַת יְהוָה׃ 19.25. אֲשֶׁר בֵּרֲכוֹ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת לֵאמֹר בָּרוּךְ עַמִּי מִצְרַיִם וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי אַשּׁוּר וְנַחֲלָתִי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 47.6. קָצַפְתִּי עַל־עַמִּי חִלַּלְתִּי נַחֲלָתִי וָאֶתְּנֵם בְּיָדֵךְ לֹא־שַׂמְתְּ לָהֶם רַחֲמִים עַל־זָקֵן הִכְבַּדְתְּ עֻלֵּךְ מְאֹד׃ 48.13. אַף־יָדִי יָסְדָה אֶרֶץ וִימִינִי טִפְּחָה שָׁמָיִם קֹרֵא אֲנִי אֲלֵיהֶם יַעַמְדוּ יַחְדָּו׃ 57.19. בּוֹרֵא נוב [נִיב] שְׂפָתָיִם שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לָרָחוֹק וְלַקָּרוֹב אָמַר יְהוָה וּרְפָאתִיו׃ 61.1. שׂוֹשׂ אָשִׂישׂ בַּיהוָה תָּגֵל נַפְשִׁי בֵּאלֹהַי כִּי הִלְבִּישַׁנִי בִּגְדֵי־יֶשַׁע מְעִיל צְדָקָה יְעָטָנִי כֶּחָתָן יְכַהֵן פְּאֵר וְכַכַּלָּה תַּעְדֶּה כֵלֶיהָ׃ 61.1. רוּחַ אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה עָלָי יַעַן מָשַׁח יְהוָה אֹתִי לְבַשֵּׂר עֲנָוִים שְׁלָחַנִי לַחֲבֹשׁ לְנִשְׁבְּרֵי־לֵב לִקְרֹא לִשְׁבוּיִם דְּרוֹר וְלַאֲסוּרִים פְּקַח־קוֹחַ׃ 61.2. לִקְרֹא שְׁנַת־רָצוֹן לַיהוָה וְיוֹם נָקָם לֵאלֹהֵינוּ לְנַחֵם כָּל־אֲבֵלִים׃ 63.17. לָמָּה תַתְעֵנוּ יְהוָה מִדְּרָכֶיךָ תַּקְשִׁיחַ לִבֵּנוּ מִיִּרְאָתֶךָ שׁוּב לְמַעַן עֲבָדֶיךָ שִׁבְטֵי נַחֲלָתֶךָ׃ | 11.2. And 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." 19.25. for that the LORD of hosts hath blessed him, saying: ‘Blessed be Egypt My people and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance.’" 41.10. Fear thou not, for I am with thee, Be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I strengthen thee, yea, I help thee; Yea, I uphold thee with My victorious right hand." 47.6. I was wroth with My people, I profaned Mine inheritance, And gave them into thy hand; Thou didst show them no mercy; Upon the aged hast thou very heavily Laid thy yoke." 48.13. Yea, My hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand hath spread out the heavens; When I call unto them, They stand up together." 57.19. Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, Saith the LORD that createth the fruit of the lips; And I will heal him." 61.1. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the LORD hath anointed me To bring good tidings unto the humble; He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the eyes to them that are bound;" 61.2. To proclaim the year of the LORD’S good pleasure, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all that mourn;" 63.17. O LORD, why dost Thou make us to err from Thy ways, And hardenest our heart from Thy fear? Return for Thy servants’sake, The tribes of Thine inheritance." |
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15. Hebrew Bible, Jeremiah, 10.16, 39.10-39.11, 51.19 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 10.16. לֹא־כְאֵלֶּה חֵלֶק יַעֲקֹב כִּי־יוֹצֵר הַכֹּל הוּא וְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֵׁבֶט נַחֲלָתוֹ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ׃ 39.11. וַיְצַו נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל עַל־יִרְמְיָהוּ בְּיַד נְבוּזַרְאֲדָן רַב־טַבָּחִים לֵאמֹר׃ 51.19. לֹא־כְאֵלֶּה חֵלֶק יַעֲקוֹב כִּי־יוֹצֵר הַכֹּל הוּא וְשֵׁבֶט נַחֲלָתוֹ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ׃ | 10.16. Not like these is the portion of Jacob; For He is the former of all things, And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts is His name." 39.10. But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, that had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields in that day." 39.11. Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying:" 51.19. The portion of Jacob is not like these; For He is the former of all things, And [Israel] is the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts is His name. ." |
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16. Hebrew Bible, Judges, 14.6 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 14.6. וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו רוּחַ יְהוָה וַיְשַׁסְּעֵהוּ כְּשַׁסַּע הַגְּדִי וּמְאוּמָה אֵין בְּיָדוֹ וְלֹא הִגִּיד לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמּוֹ אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה׃ | 14.6. And the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore him as he would have torn a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done." |
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17. Hebrew Bible, Ezekiel, 37, 36 (6th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
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18. Septuagint, Tobit, 1.4, 13.10, 13.18, 14.5 (4th cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 1.4. Now when I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was still a young man, the whole tribe of Naphtali my forefather deserted the house of Jerusalem. This was the place which had been chosen from among all the tribes of Israel, where all the tribes should sacrifice and where the temple of the dwelling of the Most High was consecrated and established for all generations for ever. 13.10. Give thanks worthily to the Lord,and praise the King of the ages,that his tent may be raised for you again with joy. May he cheer those within you who are captives,and love those within you who are distressed,to all generations for ever. 13.18. all her lanes will cry `Hallelujah! and will give praise,saying, `Blessed is God, who has exalted you for ever. 14.5. But God will again have mercy on them, and bring them back into their land; and they will rebuild the house of God, though it will not be like the former one until the times of the age are completed. After this they will return from the places of their captivity, and will rebuild Jerusalem in splendor. And the house of God will be rebuilt there with a glorious building for all generations for ever, just as the prophets said of it. |
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19. Anon., Jubilees, 1.22-1.25 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 1.22. when they seek Me with all their heart and with all their soul. brAnd I shall disclose to them abounding peace with righteousness, and I shall remove them the plant of uprightness, with all My heart and with all My soul 1.23. and they will be for a blessing and not for a curse, and they will be the head and not the tail. 1.24. And I shall build My sanctuary in their midst, and I shall dwell with them, and I shall be their God and they will be My people in truth and righteousness. 1.25. And I shall not forsake them nor fail them; for I am the Lord their God. |
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20. Anon., Testament of Simeon, 2.7 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. CE)
| 2.7. And I set my mind against him to destroy him, because the prince of deceit sent forth the spirit of jealousy and blinded my mind, so that I regarded him not as a brother, nor did I spare even Jacob my father. |
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21. Dead Sea Scrolls, Community Rule, 3.16-3.17, 4.3-4.6, 7.9, 9.19 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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22. Septuagint, 1 Maccabees, 4.30 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 4.30. When he saw that the army was strong, he prayed, saying, "Blessed art thou, O Savior of Israel, who didst crush the attack of the mighty warrior by the hand of thy servant David, and didst give the camp of the Philistines into the hands of Jonathan, the son of Saul, and of the man who carried his armor. |
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23. Septuagint, 3 Maccabees, 7.23 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 7.23. Blessed be the Deliverer of Israel through all times! Amen. |
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24. Vergil, Aeneis, 1.236-1.237, 1.278-1.279, 4.232, 6.851-6.853 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
| 1.236. ecured a flashing spark, heaped on light leaves 1.237. and with dry branches nursed the mounting flame. 1.279. Such was his word, but vexed with grief and care 4.232. of Venus sprung, seek shelter where they may 6.851. Eridanus, through forests rolling free. 6.852. Here dwell the brave who for their native land 6.853. Fell wounded on the field; here holy priests |
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25. Anon., Didache, 8.2, 10.5 (1st cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
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26. Ignatius, To The Philadelphians, 2.2, 5.1 (1st cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
| 2.2. For many specious wolves with baneful delights lead captive the runners in God's race; but, where ye are at one, they will find no place. 5.1. My brethren, my heart overfloweth altogether in love towards you; and rejoicing above measure I watch over your safety; yet not I, but Jesus Christ, wearing whose bonds I am the more afraid, because I am not yet perfected. But your prayer will make me perfect [unto God], that I may attain unto the inheritance wherein I have found mercy, taking refuge in the Gospel as the flesh of Jesus and in the Apostles as the presbytery of the Church. |
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27. Ignatius, To The Philadelphians, 2.2, 5.1 (1st cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
| 2.2. For many specious wolves with baneful delights lead captive the runners in God's race; but, where ye are at one, they will find no place. 5.1. My brethren, my heart overfloweth altogether in love towards you; and rejoicing above measure I watch over your safety; yet not I, but Jesus Christ, wearing whose bonds I am the more afraid, because I am not yet perfected. But your prayer will make me perfect [unto God], that I may attain unto the inheritance wherein I have found mercy, taking refuge in the Gospel as the flesh of Jesus and in the Apostles as the presbytery of the Church. |
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28. New Testament, 1 John, 5.7 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 5.7. It is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. |
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29. New Testament, 1 Peter, 1.3-1.12, 1.16, 2.9, 3.7, 3.20, 3.22, 4.11, 4.13, 4.19, 5.4 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1.4. to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn't fade away, reserved in heaven for you 1.5. who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1.6. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials 1.7. that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ -- 1.8. whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory -- 1.9. receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1.10. Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you 1.11. searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. 1.12. To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. 1.16. because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy. 2.9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 3.7. You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered. 3.20. who before were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 3.22. who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him. 4.11. If any man speaks, let it be as it were oracles of God. If any man serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 4.13. But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also you may rejoice with exceeding joy. 4.19. Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator. 5.4. When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away. |
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30. New Testament, 1 Corinthians, 1.4-1.10, 1.24, 1.30, 2.1-2.5, 2.7, 4.1-4.2, 4.16, 5.7, 6.9-6.10, 6.14, 6.17, 7.39-7.40, 9.17, 12.4-12.6, 13.2, 14.2, 15.3-15.8, 15.12-15.29, 15.50-15.51, 16.15, 16.23 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.4. I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of Godwhich was given you in Christ Jesus; 1.5. that in everything you wereenriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge; 1.6. even as thetestimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 1.7. o that you come behindin no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; 1.8. who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of ourLord Jesus Christ. 1.9. God is faithful, through whom you were calledinto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. 1.10. Now Ibeg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that youall speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, butthat you be perfected together in the same mind and in the samejudgment. 1.24. but to thosewho are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God andthe wisdom of God. 1.30. But of him, you are in ChristJesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness andsanctification, and redemption: 2.1. When I came to you, brothers, I didn't come with excellence ofspeech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2.2. ForI determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, andhim crucified. 2.3. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in muchtrembling. 2.4. My speech and my preaching were not in persuasivewords of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power 2.5. that your faith wouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in thepower of God. 2.7. But we speak God's wisdom in amystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained beforethe worlds to our glory 4.1. So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards ofGod's mysteries. 4.2. Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, thatthey be found faithful. 4.16. I beg you therefore, be imitators of me. 5.7. Purge out the old yeast, that you may bea new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, ourPassover, has been sacrificed in our place. 6.9. Or don't you know that the unrighteouswill not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither thesexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes,nor homosexuals 6.10. nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, norslanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God. 6.14. Now God raised up the Lord, and will alsoraise us up by his power. 6.17. But he who is joined to the Lord isone spirit. 7.39. A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives;but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever shedesires, only in the Lord. 7.40. But she is happier if she stays asshe is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit. 9.17. For if I do this of my own will, Ihave a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardshipentrusted to me. 12.4. Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 12.5. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. 12.6. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works allthings in all. 13.2. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and allknowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, butdon't have love, I am nothing. 14.2. For he who speaks in anotherlanguage speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but inthe Spirit he speaks mysteries. 15.3. For I delivered to youfirst of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sinsaccording to the Scriptures 15.4. that he was buried, that he wasraised on the third day according to the Scriptures 15.5. and that heappeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 15.6. Then he appeared to overfive hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but somehave also fallen asleep. 15.7. Then he appeared to James, then to allthe apostles 15.8. and last of all, as to the child born at the wrongtime, he appeared to me also. 15.12. Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from thedead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of thedead? 15.13. But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hasChrist been raised. 15.14. If Christ has not been raised, then ourpreaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. 15.15. Yes, weare found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God thathe raised up Christ, whom he didn't raise up, if it is so that the deadare not raised. 15.16. For if the dead aren't raised, neither hasChrist been raised. 15.17. If Christ has not been raised, your faithis vain; you are still in your sins. 15.18. Then they also who arefallen asleep in Christ have perished. 15.19. If we have only hoped inChrist in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 15.20. But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became thefirst fruits of those who are asleep. 15.21. For since death came byman, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 15.22. For as inAdam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 15.23. Buteach in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who areChrist's, at his coming. 15.24. Then the end comes, when he willdeliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will haveabolished all rule and all authority and power. 15.25. For he mustreign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 15.26. The lastenemy that will be abolished is death. 15.27. For, "He put all thingsin subjection under his feet." But when he says, "All things are put insubjection," it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all thingsto him. 15.28. When all things have been subjected to him, then theSon will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things tohim, that God may be all in all. 15.29. Or else what will they do whoare baptized for the dead? If the dead aren't raised at all, why thenare they baptized for the dead? 15.50. Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can'tinherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inheritincorruption. 15.51. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but wewill all be changed 16.15. Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas,that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have setthemselves to minister to the saints) 16.23. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
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31. New Testament, 1 Thessalonians, 1.2-1.3, 2.12-2.16, 2.19-2.20, 3.1-3.3, 3.9, 3.11-3.13, 4.3, 4.7, 5.23 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.2. We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers 1.3. remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. 2.12. to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 2.13. For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe. 2.14. For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews; 2.15. who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn't please God, and are contrary to all men; 2.16. forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost. 2.19. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn't it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 2.20. For you are our glory and our joy. 3.1. Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone 3.2. and sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; 3.3. that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. 3.9. For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God; 3.11. Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you; 3.12. 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 3.13. to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 4.3. For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality 4.7. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 5.23. May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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32. New Testament, 1 Timothy, 2.5-2.6, 3.16, 6.17, 6.20 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 2.5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus 2.6. who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times; 3.16. Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, And received up in glory. 6.17. Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 6.20. Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; |
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33. New Testament, 2 Peter, 1.3, 3.18 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.3. seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; 3.18. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. |
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34. New Testament, 2 Corinthians, 1.3-1.7, 1.15-1.22, 2.8, 2.12-2.16, 3.17, 4.6, 4.14-4.15, 5.5, 7.1, 7.6-7.7, 8.2, 9.11-9.13, 10.1, 11.31, 13.13 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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35. New Testament, 2 Thessalonians, 1.1, 1.3-1.4, 1.6-1.11, 2.7, 2.16, 3.16 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.1. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 1.3. We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds; 1.4. so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure. 1.6. Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you 1.7. and to give relief to you that are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire 1.8. giving vengeance to those who don't know God, and to those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus 1.9. who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might 1.10. when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. 1.11. To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; 2.7. For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. 2.16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace |
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36. New Testament, 2 Timothy, 1.13-1.14, 1.16-1.18, 2.11, 4.12, 4.22 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.13. Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1.14. That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 1.16. May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain 1.17. but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me 1.18. (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord's mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well. 2.11. This saying is faithful: For if we died with him, We will also live with him. 4.12. But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 4.22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. |
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37. New Testament, Acts, 1.6-1.11, 2.14-2.21, 2.34-2.36, 2.38-2.39, 13.44-13.48, 15.7-15.13, 17.22-17.31, 17.34, 28.17-28.28 (1st cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
| 1.6. Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel? 1.7. He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within His own authority. 1.8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. 1.9. When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 1.10. While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing 1.11. who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky. 2.14. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, "You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 2.15. For these aren't drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day. 2.16. But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: 2.17. 'It will be in the last days, says God, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. 2.18. Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. 2.19. I will show wonders in the the sky above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. 2.20. The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 2.21. It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' 2.34. For David didn't ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand 2.35. Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet."' 2.36. Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. 2.38. Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 2.39. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself. 13.44. The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. 13.45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. 13.46. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, "It was necessary that God's word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 13.47. For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 'I have set you as a light of the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.' 13.48. As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 15.7. When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know 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. 15.8. God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 15.9. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 15.10. Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 15.11. But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are. 15.12. All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 15.13. After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me. 17.22. Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, "You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. 17.23. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. 17.24. The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands 17.25. neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things. 17.26. He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation 17.27. that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 17.28. 'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.' 17.29. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and device of man. 17.30. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all men everywhere should repent 17.31. because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead. 17.34. But certain men joined with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 28.17. It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans 28.18. who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 28.19. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 28.20. For this cause therefore I asked you to see and to speak with me. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 28.21. They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. 28.22. But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against. 28.23. When they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 28.24. Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 28.25. When they didn't agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers 28.26. saying, 'Go to this people, and say, In hearing, you will hear, And will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, And will in no way perceive. 28.27. For this people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their heart, And would turn again, And I would heal them.' 28.28. Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles. They will also hear. |
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38. New Testament, Apocalypse, 7.1-7.8, 9.4, 13.15-13.17, 17.5, 17.7, 21.1-21.4 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 7.1. After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. 7.2. I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea 7.3. saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads! 7.4. I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: 7.5. of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand, of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand 7.6. of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand 7.7. of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand 7.8. of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9.4. They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those men who don't have God's seal on their foreheads. 13.15. It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed. 13.16. He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, so that they should give them marks on their right hand, or on their forehead; 13.17. and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. 17.5. And on her forehead a name was written, "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 17.7. The angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 21.1. I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. 21.2. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. 21.3. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 21.4. He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away. |
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39. New Testament, Jude, 25 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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40. New Testament, Philemon, 4-7, 25 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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41. New Testament, Colossians, 1.3-1.20, 1.25-1.27, 2.2, 2.4-2.5, 2.7, 2.12-2.13, 3.1-3.8, 3.17, 3.24, 4.2-4.4 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.3. We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you 1.4. having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints 1.5. because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel 1.6. which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and increasing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 1.7. even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf 1.8. who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. 1.9. For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding 1.10. that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 1.11. strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; 1.12. giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 1.13. who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; 1.14. in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins; 1.15. who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 1.16. For by him were all things created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. 1.17. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. 1.18. He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 1.19. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; 1.20. and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross. Through him, I say, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens. 1.25. of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God 1.26. the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints 1.27. to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; 2.2. that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ 2.4. Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 2.5. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 2.7. rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. 2.12. having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 2.13. You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; 3.1. If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 3.2. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3.3. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3.4. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 3.5. Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 3.6. for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. 3.7. You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 3.8. but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 3.17. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. 3.24. knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 4.2. Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 4.3. praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4.4. that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. |
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42. New Testament, Ephesians, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.18, 2.19, 2.20, 2.21, 2.22, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.23, 4.24, 4.25-5.2, 4.29, 4.30, 4.32, 5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 5.20, 5.21, 5.22, 5.23, 5.24, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27, 5.28, 5.29, 5.30, 5.31, 5.32, 5.33, 6, 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, 6.17, 6.18, 6.19, 6.20, 6.21, 6.22, 6.23, 6.24 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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43. New Testament, Galatians, 1.3, 1.4, 2.19, 2.20, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.9, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23-4.7, 3.26, 3.27, 3.28, 3.29, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.19, 4.25, 4.29, 5.18, 5.21, 5.25, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.15 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.3. Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ |
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44. New Testament, Hebrews, 1.13, 2.1-2.4, 8.1-8.5, 9.1-9.15, 9.23-9.24, 10.11-10.14, 11.35 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.13. But of which of the angels has he said at any time, "Sit at my right hand, Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet? 2.1. Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2.2. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; 2.3. how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation -- which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; 2.4. God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? 8.1. Now in the things which we are saying, the main 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 8.2. a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 8.3. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 8.4. For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 8.5. who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, "See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain. 9.1. Now indeed even the first covet had ordices of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary. 9.2. For there was a tabernacle prepared. In the first part were the lampstand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place. 9.3. After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies 9.4. having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covet overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covet; 9.5. and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can't now speak in detail. 9.6. Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services 9.7. but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people. 9.8. The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn't yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing; 9.9. which is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshipper perfect; 9.10. being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordices, imposed until a time of reformation. 9.11. But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation 9.12. nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. 9.13. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: 9.14. how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 9.15. For this reason he is the mediator of a new covet, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covet, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 9.23. 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. 9.24. For Christ hasn't entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 10.11. Every priest indeed stands day by day ministering and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins 10.12. but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 10.13. from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 10.14. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 11.35. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. |
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45. New Testament, Philippians, 1.2-1.11, 1.27, 2.3-2.4, 2.6-2.11, 2.17, 3.10-3.12, 3.21, 4.6, 4.23 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.2. Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1.3. I thank my God whenever I remember you 1.4. always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy 1.5. for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 1.6. being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. 1.7. It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 1.8. For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. 1.9. This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 1.10. so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; 1.11. being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 1.27. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; 2.3. doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 2.4. each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. 2.6. who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider it robbery to be equal with God 2.7. but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 2.8. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 2.9. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; 2.10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth 2.11. and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 2.17. Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all. 3.10. that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; 3.11. if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 3.12. Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 3.21. who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself. 4.6. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 4.23. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. |
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46. New Testament, Romans, 1.3-1.4, 1.8-1.10, 1.18-1.32, 2.4, 3.23-3.26, 4.13-4.14, 4.24-4.25, 5.2, 6.1-6.11, 6.19, 8.9-8.30, 8.34, 9.4, 9.23, 10.1, 10.14, 11.25, 11.33-11.36, 12.1, 13.9, 15.5-15.7, 15.13, 15.30-15.32, 16.1, 16.17, 16.25-16.27 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.3. concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh 1.4. who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord 1.8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 1.9. For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers 1.10. requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 1.18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness 1.19. because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 1.20. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. 1.21. Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 1.22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools 1.23. and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. 1.24. Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves 1.25. who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 1.26. For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 1.27. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 1.28. Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 1.29. being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers 1.30. backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents 1.31. without understanding, covet-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 1.32. who, knowing the ordice of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. 2.4. Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 3.23. for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 3.24. being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 3.25. whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God's forbearance; 3.26. to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. 4.13. For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn't through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 4.14. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. 4.24. but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead 4.25. who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. 5.2. through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 6.1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 6.2. May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? 6.3. Or don't you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 6.4. We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 6.5. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; 6.6. knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. 6.7. For he who has died has been freed from sin. 6.8. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 6.9. knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him! 6.10. For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. 6.11. Thus also consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 6.19. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification. 8.9. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. 8.10. If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 8.11. But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 8.12. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 8.13. For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 8.14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. 8.15. For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father! 8.16. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 8.17. and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. 8.18. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. 8.19. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 8.20. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 8.21. that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. 8.22. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. 8.23. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. 8.24. For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? 8.25. But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience. 8.26. In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered. 8.27. He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. 8.28. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. 8.29. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 8.30. Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. 8.34. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 9.4. who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covets, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; 9.23. and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory 10.1. Brothers, my heart's desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved. 10.14. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? 11.25. For I don't desire, brothers, to have you ignorant of this mystery, so that you won't be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in 11.33. Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 11.34. For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? 11.35. Or who has first given to him, And it will be repaid to him again? 11.36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen. 12.1. Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 13.9. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 15.5. Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus 15.6. that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15.7. Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God. 15.13. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. 15.30. Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me 15.31. that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; 15.32. that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest. 16.1. I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae 16.17. Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. |
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47. New Testament, Titus, 1.1-1.2, 1.4, 2.14, 3.7 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.1. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness 1.2. in hope of eternal life, which God, who can't lie, promised before eternal times; 1.4. to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. 2.14. who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. 3.7. that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. |
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48. New Testament, John, 1.26, 1.32-1.34, 3.34, 4.24, 7.18, 10.30, 12.27-12.28, 13.31-13.32, 14.26, 15.19, 15.26, 17.11, 19.36 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.26. John answered them, "I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don't know. 1.32. John testified, saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. 1.33. I didn't recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, 'On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' 1.34. I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God. 3.34. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. 4.24. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. 7.18. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 10.30. I and the Father are one. 12.27. Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this time?' But for this cause I came to this time. 12.28. Father, glorify your name!"Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 13.31. When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 13.32. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. 14.26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. 15.19. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 15.26. When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. 17.11. I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. 19.36. For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, "A bone of him will not be broken. |
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49. New Testament, Luke, 1.68, 3.21-3.22, 6.20-6.26, 8.10, 12.11-12.12, 12.32, 18.9-18.14, 21.14-21.15, 24.50-24.51 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.68. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, For he has visited and worked redemption for his people; 3.21. Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened 3.22. and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased. 6.20. He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the Kingdom of God. 6.21. Blessed are you who hunger now, For you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you will laugh. 6.22. Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from them and reproach you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. 6.23. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets. 6.24. But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation. 6.25. Woe to you, you who are full now! For you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now! For you will mourn and weep. 6.26. Woe, when men speak well of you! For their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets. 8.10. He said, "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' 12.11. When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; 12.12. for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say. 12.32. Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. 18.9. He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 18.10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 18.11. The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 18.12. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' 18.13. But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 18.14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. 21.14. Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer 21.15. for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. 24.50. He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 24.51. It happened, while he blessed them, that he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven. |
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50. New Testament, Mark, 1.9-1.11, 1.15, 4.11, 10.45, 14.23-14.24 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.9. It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 1.10. Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 1.11. A voice came out of the sky, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 1.15. and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the gospel. 4.11. He said to them, "To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables 10.45. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 14.23. He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. 14.24. He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covet, which is poured out for many. |
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51. New Testament, Matthew, 3.16-3.17, 5.1-5.12, 5.17-5.48, 6.1-6.21, 6.24-6.34, 7.1-7.5, 7.12, 7.21-7.27, 13.11, 17.5, 28.20 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 3.16. Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. 3.17. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. 5.1. Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 5.2. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying 5.3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 5.4. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5.5. Blessed are the gentle, For they shall inherit the earth. 5.6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, For they shall be filled. 5.7. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 5.8. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 5.9. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 5.10. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 5.11. Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 5.12. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 5.17. Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. 5.18. For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. 5.19. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5.20. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 5.21. You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.' 5.22. But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. 5.23. If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you 5.24. leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 5.25. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. 5.26. Most assuredly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny. 5.27. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;' 5.28. but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 5.29. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 5.30. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not your whole body be thrown into Gehenna. 5.31. It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,' 5.32. but I tell you that whoever who puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. 5.33. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' 5.34. but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 5.35. nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 5.36. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. 5.37. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. 5.38. You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 5.39. But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 5.40. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. 5.41. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 5.42. Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you. 5.43. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' 5.44. But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you 5.45. that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 5.46. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 5.47. If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 5.48. Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. 6.1. Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 6.2. Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6.3. But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does 6.4. so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 6.5. When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 6.6. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 6.7. In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. 6.8. Therefore don't be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him. 6.9. Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 6.10. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 6.11. Give us today our daily bread. 6.12. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 6.13. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.' 6.14. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 6.15. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 6.16. Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6.17. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; 6.18. so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 6.19. Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; 6.20. but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; 6.21. for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 6.24. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon. 6.25. Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 6.26. See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they? 6.27. Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life? 6.28. Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin 6.29. yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 6.30. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 6.31. Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' 6.32. For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 6.33. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. 6.34. Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient. 7.1. Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. 7.2. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. 7.3. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? 7.4. Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye? 7.5. You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye. 7.12. Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets. 7.21. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 7.22. Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' 7.23. Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.' 7.24. Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. 7.25. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. 7.26. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. 7.27. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell -- and great was its fall. 13.11. He answered them, "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. 17.5. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. 28.20. teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. |
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52. Clement of Alexandria, Excerpts From Theodotus, 83 (2nd cent. CE - 3rd cent. CE)
| 83. It is fitting to go to baptism with joy, but, since unclean spirits often go down into the water with some and these spirits following and gaining the seal together with the candidate become impossible to cure for the future, fear is joined with joy, in order that only he who is pure may go down to the water. |
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53. Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies, 4.8 (2nd cent. CE - 3rd cent. CE)
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54. Hermas, Mandates, 3.1, 3.4, 5.1.1-5.1.2, 5.2.5, 10.1.2, 10.2.1-10.2.2, 10.2.5-10.2.6, 10.3.2 (2nd cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
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55. Hermas, Similitudes, 9.16.4-9.16.7, 9.32.3-9.32.4 (2nd cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
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56. Irenaeus, Refutation of All Heresies, 3.20.2, 4.20.5 (2nd cent. CE - 3rd cent. CE)
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57. Irenaeus, Demonstration of The Apostolic Teaching, 7 (2nd cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
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58. Tertullian, Against Marcion, 4.5.1 (2nd cent. CE - 3rd cent. CE)
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59. Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics, 36.1-36.2 (2nd cent. CE - 3rd cent. CE)
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60. Anon., Numbers Rabba, 8.4 (4th cent. CE - 9th cent. CE)
| 8.4. אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה וגו', הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב (תהלים קלח, ד): יוֹדוּךָ ה' כָּל מַלְכֵי אָרֶץ כִּי שָׁמְעוּ אִמְרֵי פִיךָ, אָמַר רַבִּי פִּינְחָס שְׁנֵי דְּבָרִים שָׁמְעוּ מַלְכֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מִפִּי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְעָמְדוּ מִכִּסְאוֹתָם וְהוֹדוּ, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנָּתַן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַר (שמות כ, ב): אָנֹכִי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אָמְרוּ מַלְכֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם זֶה כָּמוֹנוּ אוֹמֵר, אֵיזֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁיְהֵא אַחֵר מַכְּחִישׁ, וְכֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, ג): לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ, אָמְרוּ, אֵי זֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ שֻׁתָּף וְכֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, ז): לֹא תִשָֹּׂא, אָמְרוּ, אֵי זֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ נִשְׁבָּעִים בּוֹ וּמְשַׁקְּרִים וְכֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, ח): זָכוֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת, אָמְרוּ, אֵי זֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁלֹא יִהְיוּ הַבְּרִיוֹת מְכַבְּדִים אֶת יוֹם שֶׁשָּׁבַת, אֲבָל בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, יב): כַּבֵּד, אָמְרוּ בַּנִּימוֹסוֹת שֶׁלָּנוּ כָּל מִי שֶׁמַּכְתִּיב אֶת עַצְמוֹ סֶגְרוֹן לַמֶּלֶךְ, הוּא כּוֹפֵר בַּאֲבוֹתָיו, וְזֶה מַכְרִיז וְאוֹמֵר: כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶּךָ, עָמְדוּ מִכִּסְאוֹתָם וְהוֹדוּ לוֹ. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא (ויקרא ה, טז): וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר חָטָא מִן הַקֹּדֶשׁ יְשַׁלֵּם, אָמְרוּ בַּנִּימוֹסוֹת שֶׁלָּנוּ כָּל דְּאָכֵיל צִנּוֹרָא מִן קֵיסָר יָהֵב בֵּיהּ סַכִּין דְּפַדָּן, וְזֶה מַכְרִיז וְאוֹמֵר: וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר חָטָא מִן הַקֹּדֶשׁ יְשַׁלֵּם, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁהֶחְמִיר בְּהֶדְיוֹט יוֹתֵר מִגָּבוֹהַּ, שֶׁבְּגָבוֹהַּ כְּתִיב (ויקרא ה, טו): נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תִמְעֹל מַעַל וגו', וּבְהֶדְיוֹט כְּתִיב (ויקרא ה, כא): נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תֶחֱטָא וגו', עֲשָׂאוֹ כַּמֵּזִיד, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁבָּזֶה הִקְדִּים מְעִילָה לַחֵטְא, וּבָזֶה הִקְדִּים חֵטְא לַמְּעִילָה. וְלֹא עוֹד לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֶלָּא אֲפִלּוּ בְּגוֹזֵל הַגֵּר כֵּן, מִי הוּא אֱלוֹהַּ כָּזֶה הָאוֹהֵב אֶת אוֹהֲבָיו וּמְקָרֵב רְחוֹקִים כַּקְּרוֹבִים הַבָּאִים לִשְׁמוֹ, עָמְדוּ מִכִּסְאוֹתָם וְהוֹדוּ לוֹ. וְלֹא תֹאמַר בְּגֵרֵי הַצֶּדֶק שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְרוּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם קֵרַב הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אֶלָּא אֲפִלּוּ אוֹתָן שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרוּ שֶׁלֹא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, מָצִינוּ שֶׁתָּבַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עֶלְבּוֹנָם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, א): וַיְהִי רָעָב בִּימֵי דָוִד וגו', מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, א): שָׁנָה אַחֲרֵי שָׁנָה, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ שָׁלשׁ שָׁנִים רְצוּפוֹת, כְּשֶׁרָאָה דָּוִד שֶׁהִתְחִיל הָרָעָב לָבוֹא בְּיָמָיו, אָמַר בַּעֲוֹן חֲמִשָּׁה דְּבָרִים הַגְּשָׁמִים אֵינָן יוֹרְדִין, בַּעֲוֹן עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים, וּמְגַלֵּי עֲרָיוֹת, וְשׁוֹפְכֵי דָמִים, וּפוֹסְקֵי צְדָקָה בָּרַבִּים וְאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין, וּבַעֲוֹן שֶׁאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין מַעַשְׂרוֹתֵיהֶם כְּתִקְּנָן. בַּעֲוֹן עוֹבְדֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יא, טז): הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם פֶּן יִפְתֶּה וגו', וְאוֹמֵר (דברים יא, יז): וְחָרָה אַף ה' בָּכֶם וגו'. בַּעֲוֹן מְגַלֵי עֲרָיוֹת מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ירמיה ג, ב): וַתַּחֲנִיפִי הָאָרֶץ בִּזְנוּתַיִּךְ וגו', וְאוֹמֵר (ירמיה ג, ג): וַיִּמָּנְעוּ רְבִבִים וּמַלְקוֹשׁ וגו'. בַּעֲוֹן שׁוֹפְכֵי דָמִים מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר לה, לג): כִּי הַדָּם הוּא יַחֲנִיף אֶת הָאָרֶץ, כִּי הַדָּם הוּא יַחַן אַף עַל הָאָרֶץ. בַּעֲוֹן פּוֹסְקֵי צְדָקָה בָּרַבִּים וְאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי כה, יד): נְשִׂיאִים וְרוּחַ וְגֶשֶׁם אָיִן, לָמָּה (משלי כה, יד): אִישׁ מִתְהַלֵּל בְּמַתַּת שָׁקֶר. בַּעֲוֹן שֶׁאֵין נוֹתְנִין מַעְשְׂרוֹתֵיהֶן כְּתִקְּנָן מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ג, י): הָבִיאוּ אֶת כָּל הַמַּעֲשֵׂר אֶל בֵּית הָאוֹצָר וגו'. שָׁנָה רִאשׁוֹנָה הִתְחִיל דָּוִד לְהוֹכִיחַ דּוֹרוֹ בְּעֵת הָרֶגֶל וְאָמַר לָהֶן שֶׁמָּא יֵשׁ בָּכֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁהֵן עוֹבְדִים עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁאֵין הַשָּׁמַיִם נֶעֱצָרִים מֵהוֹרִיד טַל וּמָטָר, אֶלָּא בְּעָוֹן זֶה יָצְאוּ וּבִקְּשׁוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ. שָׁנָה שְׁנִיָּה אָמַר לָהֶם שֶׁמָּא גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת יֵשׁ בָּכֶם, שֶׁאֵין הַשָּׁמַיִם נֶעֱצָרִים אֶלָּא מִפְּנֵי כָּךְ, יָצְאוּ וּבִקְּשׁוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ. שָׁנָה שְׁלִישִׁית אָמַר לָהֶם שֶׁמָּא שׁוֹפְכֵי דָמִים אוֹ פּוֹסְקֵי צְדָקָה בָּרַבִּים וְאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין יֵשׁ בָּכֶם, אוֹ מוֹנְעֵי הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת יֵשׁ בָּכֶם, שֶׁאֵין הַגְּשָׁמִים נֶעֱצָרִים אֶלָּא עֲלֵיהֶם, יָצְאוּ וּבִקְּשׁוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ, מִכָּאן וָאֵילָךְ אָמַר דָּוִד אֵין הַדָּבָר תָּלוּי אֶלָּא בִּי, הִתְחִיל שׁוֹאֵל בָּאוּרִים וְתֻמִּים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, א): וַיְבַקֵּשׁ דָּוִד אֶת פְּנֵי ה', אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ שֶׁשָּׁאַל בָּאוּרִים וְתֻמִּים. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר טַעֲמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ אַתְיָא פְּנֵי פְּנֵי, כְּתִיב הָכָא: וַיְבַקֵּשׁ דָּוִד אֶת פְּנֵי ה', וּכְתִיב הָתָם (במדבר כז, כא): וְלִפְנֵי אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן יַעֲמֹד וְשָׁאַל לוֹ וגו', אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא דָּוִד מֻצָּל אַתָּה אֶלָּא עַל שָׁאוּל וְעַל בֵּית הַדָּמִים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, כ): וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל שָׁאוּל וְאֶל בֵּית הַדָּמִים וגו', עַל שָׁאוּל, שֶׁלֹא עֲשִׂיתֶם עִמּוֹ חֶסֶד וְלֹא נִסְפַּד כַּהֲלָכָה, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא דָּוִד אֵינוֹ שָׁאוּל שֶׁנִּמְשַׁח בְּשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה, אֵינוֹ שָׁאוּל שֶׁבְּיָמָיו לֹא נַעֲשָׂה עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, אֵינוֹ שָׁאוּל שֶׁחֶלְקוֹ עִם שְׁמוּאֵל הַנָּבִיא, וְאַתָּה בָּאָרֶץ וְהוּא בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ, וְאֶל בֵּית הַדָּמִים עַל אֲשֶׁר הֵמִית אֶת הַגִּבְעֹנִים, וְהֵיכָן מָצִינוּ שֶׁהֵמִית גִּבְעוֹנִים, אֶלָּא מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהָרַג נוֹב עִיר הַכֹּהֲנִים שֶׁהָיוּ מַסְפִּיקִין לָהֶם מַיִם וּמָזוֹן, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִלּוּ הֲרָגָן. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר כְּתִיב (צפניה ב, ג): בַּקְּשׁוּ אֶת ה' כָּל עַנְוֵי הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר מִשְׁפָּטוֹ פָּעָלוּ, מַהוּ אֲשֶׁר מִשְׁפָּטוֹ פָּעָלוּ, שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּטוֹ וּפָעֳלוֹ כְּאַחַת, אַתְּ מוֹצֵא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא תּוֹבֵעַ מִשְׁפָּטָן שֶׁל גִּבְעוֹנִים מִן שָׁאוּל וְזוֹכֵר פְּעֻלָּתוֹ שֶׁל שָׁאוּל לְשַׁלֵּם לוֹ שָׂכָר טוֹב, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר דָּוִד וְכִי בִּשְׁבִיל הַגֵּרִים הַלָּלוּ עָשָׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְעַמּוֹ כֵּן, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אִם תַּרְחִיק אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים סוֹפְךָ לְרַחֵק אֶת הַקְּרוֹבִים, צֵא וּלְמַד מִיהוֹשֻׁעַ רַבָּךְ שֶׁבְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמְרוּ הַגִּבְעוֹנִים (יהושע י, ו): עֲלֵה אֵלֵינוּ מְהֵרָה וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לָנוּ וְעָזְרֵנוּ, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְכִי בִּשְׁבִיל הַגֵּרִים הַלָּלוּ אָנוּ מַטְרִיחִים עַל הַצִּבּוּר. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אִם תַּרְחִיק אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים סוֹפְךָ לְרַחֵק אֶת הַקְּרוֹבִים, צֵא וּלְמַד מֵהֵיכָן הוּא מַטָּעֲךָ לֹא מִן הַגֵרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית מו, כ): וַיִּוָּלֵד לְיוֹסֵף בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וגו', וּכְתִיב (במדבר יג, ח): לְמַטֵּה אֶפְרָיִם הוֹשֵׁעַ בִּן נוּן, מִיָּד (שמואל ב כא, ב): וַיִּקְרָא הַמֶּלֶךְ לַגִּבְעֹנִים וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם וְהַגִּבְעֹנִים וגו', מַה שֶּׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב: וְהַגִּבְעֹנִים לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה, וְכִי מָה עִנְיָן זֶה לָזֶה, אֶלָּא כָּךְ אָמַר הַכָּתוּב לְפִי שֶׁקָּרָא דָּוִד לַגִּבְעֹנִים וְאָמַר אֲלֵיהֶם מַה שֶּׁאָמַר וְלֹא קִבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ, לְכָךְ וְהַגִּבְעֹנִים לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה, שֶׁעָמַד דָּוִד וְרִחֲקָן שֶׁלֹא יָבוֹאוּ בַּקָּהָל, וְזוֹ הִיא שֶׁשָּׁנִינוּ (גמרא יבמות עט-א): שֶׁנְּתִינִים אֲסוּרִים לָבוֹא בַּקָּהָל, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר דָּוִד שָׁלשׁ מַתָּנוֹת נָתַן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, רַחֲמָנִין וּבַיְשָׁנִין וְגוֹמְלֵי חֲסָדִים. רַחֲמָנִין, דִּכְתִיב (דברים יג, יח): וְנָתַן לְךָ רַחֲמִים וְרִחַמְךָ וְהִרְבֶּךָ. בַּיְשָׁנִים, דִּכְתִיב (שמות כ, יז): וּבַעֲבוּר תִּהְיֶה יִרְאָתוֹ עַל פְּנֵיכֶם לְבִלְתִּי תֶחֱטָאוּ, זֶה סִימָן לַבַּיְשָׁן שֶׁאֵינוֹ חוֹטֵא, וְכָל מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בּשֶׁת פָּנִים דָּבָר בָּרִי שֶׁלֹא עָמְדוּ אֲבוֹתָיו עַל הַר סִינַי וגו'. גּוֹמְלֵי חֲסָדִים מִנַּיִן, דִּכְתִיב (בראשית יח, יט): לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר יְצַוֶּה אֶת בָּנָיו וְאֶת בֵּיתוֹ וגו', וּכְתִיב (דברים ז, יב): וְשָׁמַר ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ אֶת הַבְּרִית וְאֶת הַחֶסֶד, וְאֵלּוּ אֵין בָּהֶם אֶחָד מֵאֵלֶּה, מִיָּד עָמַד וְרִחֲקָן, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: וְהַגִּבְעוֹנִים לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה, אֵין רְאוּיִן אֵלֶּה לְהִתְעָרֵב עִמָּהֶם אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגֵּרִים הֵם לֹא עָמְדוּ אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם עַל הַר סִינַי, כִּי עַל שֵׁם כְּנַעֲנִים מִתְחַשְּׁבִים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ב): כִּי אִם מִיֶּתֶר הָאֱמֹרִי. מַה כְּתִיב בָּהֶם (דברים ז, ג): וְלֹא תִתְחַתֵּן בָּם וגו', אַף אֵלּוּ כְּמוֹתָן אֵינָן רְאוּיִן לִדָּבֵק בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר (יהושע ט, ז): וַיֹּאמֶר אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל הַחִוִּי וגו', וְכָאן קָרֵי לֵיהּ אֱמוֹרִי, אֶלָּא מִן הָאֱמוֹרִי הָיוּ וְלָמָּה קוֹרֵא אוֹתָן חִוִּי, עַל שֶׁעָשׂוּ מַעֲשֵׂה חִוִּי, מַעֲשֵׂה נָחָשׁ. הַנָּחָשׁ אָמַר יוֹדֵעַ אֲנִי שֶׁאָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא (בראשית ב, יז): כִּי בְּיוֹם אֲכָלְךָ מִמֶּנּוּ מוֹת תָּמוּת, אֶלָּא הֲרֵינִי הוֹלֵךְ וּמְרַמֶּה בָּהֶם וְהֵם אוֹכְלִין וְנֶעֱנָשִׁים וַאֲנִי יוֹרֵשׁ אֶת הָאָרֶץ לְעַצְמִי, כָּךְ עָשׂוּ הַגִּבְעוֹנִים, אָמְרוּ יוֹדְעִים אָנוּ שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (דברים כ, יז): כִּי הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִימֵם הַחִתִּי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וגו' (דברים ז, ב): לֹא תִכְרֹת לָהֶם בְּרִית וגו', אֶלָּא הֲרֵי אָנוּ הוֹלְכִין וּמְרַמִּין בָּהֶם וְהֵם כּוֹרְתִים אִתָּנוּ בְּרִית, מַה נַּפְשָׁךְ, יַהַרְגוּ אוֹתָנוּ יַעַבְרוּ עַל הַשְּׁבוּעָה, יְקַיְּמוּ אוֹתָנוּ עוֹבְרִים עַל הַגְּזֵרָה, בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ נֶעֱנָשִׁים וְאָנוּ יוֹרְשִׁין אֶת הָאָרֶץ לְעַצְמֵנוּ, לְפִיכָךְ כְּשֶׁרָאָה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ כֵּן, אָמַר לָהֶם (יהושע ט, כב): לָמָּה רִמִּיתֶם אֹתָנוּ וגו', אָמַר לָהֶם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אַתֶּם עֲשִׂיתֶם מַעֲשֵׂה נָחָשׁ לְפִיכָךְ תִּטְלּוּ שְׂכָרוֹ שֶׁל נָחָשׁ. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אֵרֲרָן כְּנָחָשׁ, דִּכְתִיב (יהושע ט, כג): וְעַתָּה אֲרוּרִים אַתֶּם, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּנָּחָשׁ (בראשית ג, יד): אָרוּר אַתָּה מִכָּל הַבְּהֵמָה, מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, ב): וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נִשְׁבְּעוּ לָהֶם, אָמַר דָּוִד בְּעֵת שֶׁבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נִשְׁבְּעוּ לָהֶם תָּלוּ הַדָּבָר בִּי, שֶׁאִם אֶחְפֹּץ לְרַחֲקָן וּלְקָרְבָן הָרְשׁוּת בְּיָדִי, הֲרֵינִי מְרַחֲקָן. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁתָּלוּ הַדָּבָר בְּדָוִד, דִּכְתִיב (יהושע ט, כז): וַיִּתְּנֵם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא חֹטְבֵי עֵצִים וְשֹׁאֲבֵי מַיִם וגו', אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אַחַר שֶׁאָמַר (יהושע ט, כז): לָעֵדָה וּלְמִזְבַּח ה', מַה צֹּרֶךְ לוֹמַר (יהושע ט, כז): אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחָר, אֶלָּא תְּלָאוֹ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בְּדָוִד, אָמַר אֲנִי אֵינִי לֹא מְקָרְבָן וְלֹא מְרַחֲקָן, אֶלָּא מִי שֶׁהוּא עָתִיד לִבְנוֹת בֵּית הַבְּחִירָה, אִם רָאֲתָה דַּעְתּוֹ לְקָרֵב יְקָרֵב, לְרַחֵק יְרַחֵק, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁבָּא דָּוִד וְרָאָה שֶׁהָיוּ אַכְזָרִים רִחֲקָן, אַף עֶזְרָא רִחֲקָן, דִּכְתִיב (נחמיה יא, כא): וְהַנְּתִינִים ישְׁבִים בָּעֹפֶל וגו'. אַף לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְרַחֲקָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יחזקאל מח, יט): וְהָעֹבֵד הָעִיר יַעַבְדוּהוּ מִכֹּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְאַבְּדוּהוּ מִכֹּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, (שמואל ב כא, ב): וַיְבַקֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל לְהַכֹּתָם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹא הִכָּם נִתְאַכְזְרוּ עָלָיו, לְלַמֶּדְךָ שֶׁלֹא עַל חִנָּם רִחֲקָן דָּוִד (שמואל ב כא, ב): בְּקַנֹּאתוֹ לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹא כָּעַס עֲלֵיהֶם שָׁאוּל אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל קִנְאָה שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה וְלֹא עָשָׂה בִּשְׁבִיל שִׂנְאָה שֶׁהָיָה שׂוֹנְאָם, וְלֹא רִחֲמוּ עַל בָּנָיו. מַה הִיא הַקִּנְאָה, שֶׁלֹא הָיוּ מְגַלִּים לוֹ הֵיכָן דָּוִד מִתְחַבֵּא, מִיָּד שָׁלַח דָּוִד וְקָרָא לָהֶם מַה לָּכֶם וּלְבֵית שָׁאוּל, אֲמַרוּן לֵיהּ עַל שֶׁפָּסַק מְזוֹנֵנוּ וְעַל שֶׁהֵמִית מִמֶּנּוּ שִׁבְעָה אֲנָשִׁים, שְׁנֵי חוֹטְבֵי עֵצִים, וּשְׁנֵי שׁוֹאֲבֵי מַיִם, וְחַזָּן, וְסוֹפֵר, וְשַׁמָּשׁ. אֲמַר לוֹן וּמָה אַתּוּן בָּעֲיִן כַּדּוּן, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ג): וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל הַגִּבְעֹנִים מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם וּבַמָּה אֲכַפֵּר וּבָרְכוּ אֶת נַחֲלַת ה', אָמַר לָהֶם מָה הֲנָיָה לֶהֱוֵי לְכוֹן אִם תִּקְטְלוּן מִן בֵּית שָׁאוּל נַפְשָׁא, אֶלָּא אִמְרוּ לִי מַה תַּקָנָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם שֶׁאַתֶּם מִתְפַּיְסִין וְכַמָּה כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב אֶתֵּן לָכֶם כֹּפֶר נַפְשְׁכֶם, וּבַמָּה אֲכַפֵּר, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (שמות כא, ל): אִם כֹּפֶר יוּשַׁת עָלָיו וְנָתַן פִּדְיֹן נַפְשׁוֹ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּפְסֹק הָרָעָב, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: וּבָרְכוּ אֶת נַחֲלַת ה', וּכְמָה דְתֵימָא (בראשית מז, ז): וַיְבָרֶךְ יַעֲקֹב אֶת פַּרְעֹה, שֶׁבֵּרֲכוֹ שֶׁיִּכְלֶה הָרָעָב. (שמואל ב כא, ד): וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ הַגִּבְעֹנִים אֵין לָנוּ כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עִם שָׁאוּל וְעִם בֵּיתוֹ, לִי כְתִיב לָנוּ קְרִי, לָמָּה כֵן, אָמַר לָהֶם דָּוִד, מָה הֲנָיָה לְכוֹן דְּאִנּוּן מִתְקַטְלִין, סְבוּ לְכוֹן כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב. אָמְרוּ לוֹ אֵין אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁין כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עִם שָׁאוּל וְעִם בְּנֵי בֵיתוֹ, לֹא הָיָה לָנוּ חַיָּב מָמוֹן שֶׁמָּמוֹן נִטֹּל מִמֶּנּוּ, אֶלָּא נְפָשׁוֹת חַיָּב לָנוּ, וּנְפָשׁוֹת אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁין. אָמַר דָּוִד דִּלְמָא דְּאִנּוּן בָּהֲתִין פַּלְגוֹן מִן פַּלְגוֹן, נְסַב כָּל חַד וְחַד מִנְּהוֹן וַהֲוָה מְפַיֵּס לֵיהּ, קֳבֵל גַּרְמֵיהּ, וְהוּא אֲמַר לֵיהּ מָה הֲנָיָה לָךְ וְאִינוּן מִתְקַטְּלִין סַב לָךְ מָמוֹן, וְהוּא אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵין לִי כֶסֶף וְזָהָב עִם שָׁאוּל וְעִם בֵּיתוֹ, וְאֵין לָנוּ לַחֲזֹר עַל אֲחֵרִים אֶלָּא עָלָיו, שֶׁעֲבָדָיו לֹא רָצוּ לִשְׁלוֹחַ יָד בַּכֹּהֲנִים וְלֹא בָּנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א כב, יז): וְלֹא אָבוּ עַבְדֵּי הַמֶּלֶךְ לִשְׁלוֹחַ אֶת יָדָם לִפְגֹּעַ בְּכֹהֲנֵי ה', הֱוֵי (שמואל ב כא, ד): וְאֵין לָנוּ אִישׁ לְהָמִית בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה דָּוִד שֶׁלֹא קִבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ, אָמַר לָהֶם מָה אַתֶּם אוֹמְרִים אֲנִי עוֹשֶׂה לָכֶם, אִם נְפָשׁוֹת אַתֶּם מְבַקְּשִׁים אֲנִי אֶעֱשֶׂה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ד): וַיֹּאמֶר מָה אַתֶּם אֹמְרִים אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁאָמַר לָהֶם דָּוִד כֵּן, אָמְרוּ לוֹ אֵין אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁים לִפְרֹעַ לוֹ כְּכָל מִדָּתוֹ, הוּא כִּלָּנוּ וְחָשַׁב לְהַשְׁמִידֵנוּ שֶׁלֹא יִהְיֶה לָנוּ עֲמִידָה בְּכָל גְּבוּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֵין אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁין מִכָּל בָּנָיו אֶלָּא שִׁבְעָה, כְּנֶגֶד הַשִּׁבְעָה אֲשֶׁר הֲרָגָם מִמֶּנּוּ, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ה): וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל הַמֶּלֶךְ הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר כִּלָּנוּ וַאֲשֶׁר דִּמָּה לָנוּ וגו', אֲשֶׁר כִּלָּנוּ שֶׁבַע אוֹתִיּוֹת הֵן, כְּנֶגֶד שֶׁבַע נְפָשׁוֹת שֶׁהָרַג מֵהֶם, לְפִיכָךְ (שמואל ב כא, ו): יֻתַּן לָנוּ שִׁבְעָה אֲנָשִׁים מִבָּנָיו וְהוֹקַעֲנוּם לַה' בְּגִבְעַת שָׁאוּל בְּחִיר ה' וגו', כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּרְאוּ כָּל הָעוֹלָם וְיִתְיָרְאוּ וְלֹא יוֹסִיפוּ עוֹד לְהָרַע לַגֵּרִים, לְכָךְ כְּתִיב לַה', שֶׁהוּא צִוָּה לְהֵיטִיב לַגֵּרִים, וְהוּא הֵרַע לָהֶם, לָמָּה בְּגִבְעַת שָׁאוּל, כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּדְעוּ אִם לַמֶּלֶךְ לֹא נָשָׂא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא פָּנִים קַל וָחֹמֶר לָהֶדְיוֹטִים. בְּחִיר ה', אֶתְמְהָה, הֵם מְקַטְרְגִים עָלָיו, וְקָרְיִין לֵיהּ בְּחִיר ה'. אֶלָּא הֵם אָמְרוּ: בְּגִבְעַת שָׁאוּל, יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: בְּחִיר ה'. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה דָּוִד צָרָתוֹ צָרָה, הִתְחִיל אוֹמֵר לָהֶם אֲנִי אֶתֵּן, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ו): וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲנִי אֶתֵּן, (שמואל ב כא, ז): וַיַּחְמֹל הַמֶּלֶךְ עַל מְפִיבשֶׁת בֶּן יְהוֹנָתָן וגו', עַל שֶׁהָיָה אָדָם גָּדוֹל בַּתּוֹרָה נָתַן דָּוִד עֵינָיו בּוֹ לְהַצִּילוֹ מִיָּדָם, אָמַר דָּוִד הֲרֵינִי מַעֲבִירָן לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְכָל מִי שֶׁהַמִּזְבֵּחַ קוֹלְטוֹ הֲרֵי הוּא שֶׁלּוֹ, וְהֶעֱבִירָן לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְנִתְפַּלֵּל עָלָיו וְהָלַךְ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וּקְלָטוֹ, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים נז, ג): אֶקְרָא לֵאלֹהִים עֶלְיוֹן לָאֵל גֹּמֵר עָלָי, שֶׁהִסְכִּים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִם דָּוִד. (שמואל ב כא, ח): וַיִּקַּח הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶת שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה לְשָׁאוּל וגו', וְהָכְתִיב (שמואל ב ו, כג): וּלְמִיכַל בַּת שָׁאוּל לֹא הָיָה לָהּ יָלֶד עַד יוֹם מוֹתָהּ, וּמֵרַב הֵיכָן הִיא, אֱמֹר מֵעַתָּה בְּנֵי מֵרַב הָיוּ וְגִדְּלָתַם מִיכַל וְנִקְרְאוּ עַל שְׁמָהּ. (שמואל ב כא, ט): וַיִּתְּנֵם בְּיַד הַגִּבְעֹנִים וַיֹּקִיעֻם בָּהָר לִפְנֵי ה' וַיִּפְּלוּ שְׁבַעְתָּם יָחַד, שְׁבַעְתָּם כְּתִיב חָסֵר יו"ד, זֶה מְפִיבשֶׁת בֶּן יוֹנָתָן שֶׁנִּצַּל, שֶׁהָיָה חָסֵר מִן הַשִּׁבְעָה. (שמואל ב כא, ט): וְהֵמָּה הֻמְתוּ בִּימֵי קָצִיר בָּרִאשֹׁנִים בִּתְחִלַּת קְצִיר שְׂעֹרִים, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהוּמְתוּ בְּשִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּנִיסָן, יוֹם שֶׁהָיוּ מַקְרִיבִים אֶת הָעוֹמֶר. (שמואל ב כא, י): וַתִּקַּח רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה אֶת הַשַֹּׂק וַתַּטֵּהוּ לָהּ אֶל הַצּוּר, מַהוּ אֶל הַצּוּר, אָמַר רַבִּי הוֹשַׁעְיָא שֶׁהָיְתָה אוֹמֶרֶת (דברים לב, ד): הַצּוּר תָּמִים פָּעֳלוֹ. (שמואל ב כא, י): מִתְּחִלַּת קָצִיר עַד נִתַּךְ מַיִם עֲלֵיהֶם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם, רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר זְבִינָא אָמַר בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי הוֹשַׁעְיָא גָּדוֹל הוּא קִדּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם מֵחִלּוּל הַשֵּׁם, בְּחִלּוּל הַשֵּׁם כְּתִיב (דברים כא, כג): לֹא תָלִין נִבְלָתוֹ עַל הָעֵץ, וּבְקִדּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם כְּתִיב: מִתְּחִלַת קָצִיר עַד נִתַּךְ מַיִם עֲלֵיהֶם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁעָמְדוּ תְּלוּיִם מִשִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּנִיסָן עַד שִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר בְּמַרְחֶשְׁוָן. וְהָכְתִיב (דברים כד, טז): לֹא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים, וּבָנִים מֵתוּ בַּעֲוֹן אֲבִיהֶם, אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּא בַּר אַבָּא בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מוּטָב שֶׁתֵּעָקֵר אוֹת אַחַת מִן הַתּוֹרָה וְאַל יִתְחַלֵּל שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא, וְהָיוּ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם אוֹמְרִים תּוֹרָתָן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ פְּלַסְטוֹן הִיא, כָּתוּב בְּתוֹרָתָן: לֹא תָלִין נִבְלָתוֹ, וְאֵלּוּ תְּלוּיִם שִׁבְעָה חֳדָשִׁים. כָּתוּב בְּתוֹרָתָן אֵין דָּנִים שְׁנַיִם בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, וְאֵלוּ שְׁבַעְתָּם יָחַד. כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה: לֹא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים, וְאֵלּוּ מֵתִים בַּעֲוֹן אֲבוֹתָם. וְהָיוּ שׁוֹאֲלִים עֲלֵיהֶם מֶה חָטְאוּ אֵלּוּ שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּנֵּית מִדַּת הַדִּין, וְהָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים לָהֶם אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם שֶׁל אֵלּוּ פָּשְׁטוּ יְדֵיהֶם בְּגֵרִים גְּרוּרִים, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם וְכִי מַה טִּיבָן, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם אֵלּוּ הַגֵּרִים שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרוּ בִּימֵי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ. אָמְרוּ לָהֶם וְכִי בִּשְׁבִיל הַגֵּרִים הַגְּרוּרִים הָאֲרוּרִים הַלָּלוּ עָשָׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְעַמּוֹ כֵן, מַה בִּבְנֵי מְלָכִים כֵּן בְּהֶדְיוֹטוֹת עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, מָה אִם אֵלּוּ שֶׁלֹא נִתְגַּיְּרוּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם רְאוּ הֵיאַךְ תָּבַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת דָּמָן, הַמִּתְגַּיֵּר לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, וַדַּאי אֵין אֱלוֹהַּ כֵּאלֹהֵיהֶם וְאֵין אֻמָּה כְּאֻמָּתָם, וְאֵין לָנוּ לִדָּבֵק אֶלָּא בְּאֻמָּה זוֹ שֶׁאֱלֹהֶיהָ גָּדוֹל מִכָּל אֱלֹהִים. מִיָּד נִתְגַּיְּרוּ הַרְבֵּה גֵרִים מֵאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים ב ב, טז): וַיִסְפֹּר שְׁלֹמֹה כָּל הָאֲנָשִׁים הַגֵּירִים אֲשֶׁר בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵי הַסְּפָר אֲשֶׁר סְפָרָם דָּוִיד אָבִיו וַיִּמָּצְאוּ מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וּשְׁלשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת. מֵהֶם עָשָׂה שְׁלֹמֹה שִׁבְעִים אֶלֶף נוֹשֵׂא סַבָּל, וּשְׁמוֹנִים אֶלֶף חוֹצֵב בָּהָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים ב ב, א): וַיִּסְפֹּר שְׁלֹמֹה שִׁבְעִים אֶלֶף אִישׁ סַבָּל וגו'. וְכָל כָּךְ לָמָּה לְהוֹדִיעַ שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, הוּא מְקָרֵב אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים, וְסָמַךְ לָרְחוֹקִים כַּקְּרוֹבִים, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁמַּקְדִּים שָׁלוֹם לָרְחוֹקִים מִן הַקְּרוֹבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נז, יט): שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לָרָחוֹק וְלַקָּרוֹב, הֱוֵי: עַד נִתַּךְ מַיִם עֲלֵיהֶם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם. מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, י): וְלֹא נָתְנָה עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם לָנוּחַ עֲלֵיהֶם, בּוֹא וּרְאֵה הַחֶסֶד שֶׁעָשְׂתָה רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה עִמָּהֶם, שֶׁהָיְתָה שׁוֹמַרְתָּם בַּיּוֹם מֵעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבַלַּיְלָה מֵחַיַּת הַשָֹּׂדֶה שִׁבְעָה חֳדָשִׁים, וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְדָוִד עַל שָׁאוּל שֶׁלֹא נִסְפַּד כַּהֲלָכָה וְהוּא נִקְבַּר בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ, הָיָה דָּוִד מִתְעַצֵּל בְּהֶסְפֵּדוֹ, שֶׁאָמַר שָׁאוּל כְּבָר עָבְרוּ עָלָיו תְּרֵיסַר יַרְחֵי שַׁתָּא וְלָא אָרְחֵיהּ לְאַסְפּוּדֵיהּ, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּידוּ לוֹ מַעֲשִׂים שֶׁל רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה, נָשָׂא קַל וָחֹמֶר בְּעַצְמוֹ, וְאָמַר: מַה זּוֹ שֶׁהִיא אִשָּׁה כָּךְ עָשְׂתָה לִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, אֲנִי שֶׁאֲנִי מֶלֶךְ עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, מִיָּד הָלַךְ לִגְמֹל חֶסֶד עִמָּהֶם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, יא): וַיֻּגַּד לְדָוִד אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשְׂתָה וגו', (שמואל ב כא, יב יג): וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד וַיִּקַּח אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וגו' וַיַּעַל מִשָּׁם אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וגו'. מֶה עָשָׂה דָּוִד, עָמַד וְכִנֵּס כָּל זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּגְדוֹלֵיהֶם, וְעָבְרוּ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן וּבָאוּ לְיָבֵישׁ גִּלְעָד, וּמָצְאוּ אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וִיהוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ וְנָתְנוּ אוֹתָם בְּתוֹךְ אֲרוֹן הַמֵּת וְעָבְרוּ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל ב כא, יד): וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וִיהוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ וגו', מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, יד): בְּצֵלָע בְּקֶבֶר קִישׁ אָבִיו, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֱבִיאוּהוּ לִגְבוּל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם וּקְבָרוּהוּ שָׁם, וְצֵלָע הִיא בְּצַד יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יהושע יח, כח): וְצֵלַע הָאֶלֶף וְהַיְבוּסִי הִיא יְרוּשָׁלָיִם וגו'. (שמואל ב כא, יד): וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ, וּמַה צִּוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ, צִוָּה לִהְיוֹת מַעֲבִירִים אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל שָׁאוּל בְּכָל שֵׁבֶט וְשֵׁבֶט וְהָיָה הַשֵּׁבֶט שֶׁהָיָה נִכְנַס בּוֹ אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל שָׁאוּל יוֹצְאִים הֵם וּנְשֵׁיהֶם וּבְנֵיהֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶם וְגוֹמְלִים חֶסֶד עִם שָׁאוּל וּבָנָיו, כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּצְאוּ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל יְדֵי חוֹבָתָן בִּגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, עַד שֶׁבָּאוּ לְאֶרֶץ אֲחֻזָּתוֹ לִגְבוּל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁרָאָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁגָּמְלוּ לוֹ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל חֶסֶד וְעָשׂוּ דִּינָם שֶׁל גִּבְעוֹנִים, מִיָּד נִתְמַלֵּא רַחֲמִים וְנָתַן מָטָר עַל הָאָרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל ב כא, יד): וַיֵּעָתֵר אֱלֹהִים לָאָרֶץ אַחֲרֵי כֵן, הָא לָמַדְנוּ כַּמָּה קֵרַב הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים, אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרוּ שֶׁלֹא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר עַל גֵּרֵי הַצֶּדֶק, הֱוֵי: יוֹדוּךָ ה' כָּל מַלְכֵי אָרֶץ וגו'. | 8.4. ... “And David went and he took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh- gilead… And he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son…” (Shmuel II 21:12-13) What did David do? He went and gathered all the elders and great ones of Israel, crossed the Jordan River, and came to Yavesh-gilead. He found the bones of Shaul and his son Yonatan, placed them in a casket and crossed back over the Jordan, as it says “And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father and they did all that the king commanded…” (Shmuel II 21:14) What does ‘in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father’ mean? It comes to teach us that they brought them to the border of Jerusalem and buried them there. Zela is next to Jerusalem, as it says “And Zelah, Eleph, and the Jebusite, which is Jerusalem…” (Yehoshua 18:28) ‘and they did all that the king commanded’ And what did the king command? He commanded that they carry Shaul’s casket from tribe to tribe. As Shaul’s casket entered each tribe’s territory all the men, women and children came out in order to perform an act of loving kindness to Shaul and his sons and thereby all of Israel would fulfill its obligation to loving kindness. This went on until they reached the land of his portion on the border of Jerusalem. Since the Holy One saw that they did loving kindness to Shaul and fulfilled the judgement of the Givonites He was immediately filled with mercy and sent rain upon the land, as it says “And God was entreated for the land after that.” (Shmuel II 21:14) From this we learn how close the Holy One brings those that are far away, even though they converted not for the sake of heaven. There is no need to even mention how he draws near righteous converts, “O Lord, all the kings of the earth will acknowledge You…” (Tehillim 138:4)" |
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