Reasons why the apocrypha does not belong in the Bible

Jesus, the apostles, the Jews and the early church all rejected the books in the Apocrypha as being inspired books on the same level of scripture.

https://carm.org/reasons-why-apocrypha-does-not-belong-bible

OLAADEGBU:


Reasons why the apocrypha does not belong in the Bible

Jesus, the apostles, the Jews and the early church all rejected the books in the Apocrypha as being inspired books on the same level of scripture.

https://carm.org/reasons-why-apocrypha-does-not-belong-bible

The Apocrypha is not in the Bible because Jesus, the apostles and the Jews did not accept it nor did the early church. In addition, it contains false teachings.

OLAADEGBU:


The Apocrypha is not in the Bible because Jesus, the apostles and the Jews did not accept it nor did the early church. In addition, it contains false teachings.

That's not true

Tampinu:


That's not true

Can you tell us why you object?

OLAADEGBU:


Can you tell us why you object?

I have read the Apocryphal documents and there's no false teachings in it. Can u SHOW us the false teachings contained therein, PLEASE?

We patiently await your reply.

With thanks...

Tampinu:


I have read the Apocryphal documents and there's no false teachings in it. Can u SHOW us the false teachings contained therein, PLEASE?

We patiently await your reply.

With thanks...

Click on the link of the OP to find out.

OLAADEGBU:


Click on the link of the OP to find out.

I clicked on the link, I read it and disagree with it. So it helps if u can mention which part of the Apocrypha is "false teachings".

Many ​thanks

Tampinu:


I clicked on the link, I read it and disagree with it. So it helps if u can mention which part of the Apocrypha is "false teachings".

Many ​thanks

The onus is on you to tell us what part you disagree with and why.

OLAADEGBU:


The onus is on you to tell us what part you disagree with and why.

See me see trouble o!
I say see me see pelemo o!

"Affirmati Non Neganti Incumbit Probatio"

(Please Google the meaning of that Legal Maxim above or speak to a Lawyer/Solicitor/Attorney/Barrister to explain the meaning and application with regards to your post and the burden of proof)

Ok, the part that I disagree with is all the parts that you have identified as "false teachings", therefore, the sooner you let me know the parts that you ID as false teachings, the quicker the Onus will be on me to explain what part of your comments/assertions that I disagree with.

You came and posted some article about why Apocrypha is NOT in the Bible, and the onus is supposed to be on ME to explain why not?
What kind of reasoning is this? You referred me to the article, I disagreed with it and then you are still asking me to tell you why I object.

The onus and duty is incumbent on you to SPELL OUT what is wrong with Apocrypha especially as you have stated that it is "False teachings". I have specifically asked you what is "false teachings" about it and I expect you to say:

"The false teachings are: "A, B, C & D etc"

Not for you to ask me to say what is correct about it...see me?

Look, I am not here to win arguments as I am here to state what is truth and fact. Which part of Apocrypha are you familiar with for a start, ok, then which part of the sections that you are familiar with is "False Teachings"?

Truth is a spirit and it will only associate with those who practice it; it may be better for you to remove the post until such time that you are able to defend the assertions contained in the post; don't just relay other people's materials and post links to their website unless you can defend what you are promoting. Or it may be better to say "People, do you agree with these articles".

Better still it may be better to say in your post:

"These are not my views but the link below says such and such and such...I am unsure and still investigating!"....That way you can be excused for being unable to answer specific questions regarding the post.

Unless you are able to identify the sections of Apocrypha that is "false teachings", you are either a liar or one who knows not what they are talking about or dealing with and either way, this would represent the end of my correspondence regarding the matter.

I await your reply.

Thank you

OLAADEGBU:


The onus is on you to tell us what part you disagree with and why.

Even by law, the onus (burden of proof of what you have alleged) is ON YOU!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burden_of_proof_(law)

The burden of proof (Latin: onus probandi) is the duty of a party in a trial to produce the evidence that will prove the claims they have made against the other party. In a legal dispute, one party is initially presumed to be correct and gets the benefit of the doubt, while the other side bears the burden of proof. When a party bearing the burden of proof meets their burden, the burden of proof switches to the other side. Burdens may be of different kinds for each party, in different phases of litigation. The burden of production is a minimal burden to produce at least enough evidence for the trier of fact to consider a disputed claim.[1]:16–17 After litigants have met the burden of production and their claim is being considered by a trier of fact, they have the burden of persuasion, that enough evidence has been presented to persuade the trier of fact that their side is correct. There are different standards of persuasiveness ranging from a preponderance of the evidence, where there is just enough evidence to tip the balance, to proof beyond a reasonable doubt, as in United States criminal courts.[1]:17

The burden of proof is usually on the person who brings a claim in a dispute. It is often associated with the Latin maxim semper necessitas probandi incumbit ei qui agit, a translation of which in this context is: "the necessity of proof always lies with the person who lays charges."[2]

The party that does not carry the burden of proof carries the benefit of assumption of being correct, they are presumed to be correct, until the burden shifts after presentation of evidence by the party bringing the action. An example is in an American criminal case, where there is a presumption of innocence by the defendant. Fulfilling the burden of proof effectively captures the benefit of assumption, passing the burden of proof off to another party.

Contents

OLAADEGBU:


The onus is on you to tell us what part you disagree with and why.

"Affirmati Non Neganti Incumbit Probatio" is a Latin maxim that means “the burden of proof is upon him who affirms - not on him who denies."

Generally it is the duty of the person who asserts something to produce evidence in order to prove it. It is the duty of the party affirming something to submit sufficient evidence on an issue in order to avoid dismissal of the claim. In a criminal trial the burden of proof required of the prosecutor is to prove the guilt of the accused "beyond a reasonable doubt". In a civil trial, the plaintiff must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, which translates to a 51% likelihood that all the facts necessary to win a judgment as presented are probably true.

On some issues, the burden of proof may shift to the defendant, such as when the defendant raises a defense which requires affirmative proof by the defendant to defeat plaintiff's claim. If at the close of the plaintiff's presentation he/she has not produced sufficient evidence on a necessary fact the case may be dismissed without the defendant having to put on any evidence.

OLAADEGBU:


The onus is on you to tell us what part you disagree with and why.

Look, let's simplify this: (Say for example)

You: Mr X is a Thief..
Me: Mr X is not a thief...why is it that you have stated that Mr X is a Thief?
You: No, you tell us why Mr X is not a thief!
(Does the above sound like a logical and rational method of reasoning? ) or consider the alternative below:


You: Mr X is a thief..
Me: Mr X is not a thief....why is it that you have stated that Mr X is a thief?
You: I said Mr X is a thief because he stole my mobile phone yesterday and A, B, C D...etc etc
Me: Ok, I see. That makes sense, if he stole your mobile phone then he is a thief, indeed.

That's how rational reasoning go....

Tampinu:


See me see trouble o!
I say see me see pelemo o!

"Affirmati Non Neganti Incumbit Probatio"

(Please Google the meaning of that Legal Maxim above or speak to a Lawyer/Solicitor/Attorney/Barrister to explain the meaning and application with regards to your post and the burden of proof)

Ok, the part that I disagree with is all the parts that you have identified as "false teachings", therefore, the sooner you let me know the parts that you ID as false teachings, the quicker the Onus will be on me to explain what part of your comments/assertions that I disagree with.

You came and posted some article about why Apocrypha is NOT in the Bible, and the onus is supposed to be on ME to explain why not?
What kind of reasoning is this? You referred me to the article, I disagreed with it and then you are still asking me to tell you why I object.

The onus and duty is incumbent on you to SPELL OUT what is wrong with Apocrypha especially as you have stated that it is "False teachings". I have specifically asked you what is "false teachings" about it and I expect you to say:

"The false teachings are: "A, B, C & D etc"

Not for you to ask me to say what is correct about it...see me?

Look, I am not here to win arguments as I am here to state what is truth and fact. Which part of Apocrypha are you familiar with for a start, ok, then which part of the sections that you are familiar with is "False Teachings"?

Truth is a spirit and it will only associate with those who practice it; it may be better for you to remove the post until such time that you are able to defend the assertions contained in the post; don't just relay other people's materials and post links to their website unless you can defend what you are promoting. Or it may be better to say "People, do you agree with these articles".

Better still it may be better to say in your post:

"These are not my views but the link below says such and such and such...I am unsure and still investigating!"....That way you can be excused for being unable to answer specific questions regarding the post.

Unless you are able to identify the sections of Apocrypha that is "false teachings", you are either a liar or one who knows not what they are talking about or dealing with and either way, this would represent the end of my correspondence regarding the matter.

I await your reply.

Thank you

OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Thats commendable because you are enquiring, not asserting. Respect!

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Discuss:

Well, I have read the Apocrypha for the better part of 20years and confirm that there is not a single word of untruth contained in it...nor is there any aspect of it that supports the assertion that it is not an inspired word of the living God... Check Psalm 151 (Not contained in normal Bible)

If need be, I can copy and paste specific sections of Apocrypha so that one and all can be reading from the same page and we can then collectively decide whether there are "false teachings" in it or not....Just let me know which part you want me to copy and paste as it is a very vast document, I can't copy and paste everything.

Peace

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 1
1. All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.
2. Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
3. Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?
4. Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
5. The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.
6. To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?
7. [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?]
8. There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.
9. He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.
10. She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.
11. The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.
12. The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.
13. Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.
14. To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.
15. She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.
16. To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.
17. She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.
18. The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.
19. Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.
20. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.
21. The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.
22. A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.
23. A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.
24. He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.
25. The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.
26. If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.
27. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.
28. Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.
29. Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.
30. Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 2 [Commentary]
1. My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.
2. Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.
3. Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.
4. Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.
5. For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.
6. Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him.
7. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall.
8. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail.
9. Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.
10. Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?
11. For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.
12. Woe be to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goeth two ways!
13. Woe unto him that is fainthearted! for he believeth not; therefore shall he not be defended.
14. Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what will ye do when the Lord shall visit you?
15. They that fear the Lord will not disobey his Word; and they that love him will keep his ways.
16. They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well, pleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law.
17. They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight,
18. Saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his mercy.
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 3 [Commentary]
1. Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.
2. For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.
3. Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:
4. And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.
5. Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.
6. He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.
7. He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.
8. Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.
9. For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.
10. Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father's dishonour is no glory unto thee.
11. For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.
12. My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.
13. And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.
14. For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.
15. In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.
16. He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.
17. My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.
18. The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.
19. Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.
20. For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.
21. Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.
22. But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.
23. Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.
24. For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.
25. Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.
26. A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.
27. An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.
28. In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.
29. The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
30. Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.
31. And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.
nourable in riches, how much more in poverty?

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Wisdom of Solomon 1 [Commentary]
1. Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him.
2. For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him.
3. For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise.
4. For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin.
5. For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.
6. For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
7. For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.
8. Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him.
9. For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds.
10. For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid.
11. Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul.
12. Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands.
13. For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.
14. For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth:
15. (For righteousness is immortal
16. But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.
Wisdom of Solomon 2 [Commentary]
1. For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright, Our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave.
2. For we are born at all adventure: and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart:
3. Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air,
4. And our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof.
5. For our time is a very shadow that passeth away; and after our end there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again.
6. Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth.
7. Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no flower of the spring pass by us:
8. Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered:
9. Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this.
10. Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.
11. Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth.
12. Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraideth us with our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy the transgressings of our education.
13. He professeth to have the knowledge of God: and he calleth himself the child of the Lord.
14. He was made to reprove our thoughts.
15. He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, his ways are of another fashion.
16. We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father.
17. Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him.
18. For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies.
19. Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience.
20. Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected.
21. Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness hath blinded them.
22. As for the mysteries of God, they kn ew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.
23. For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity.
24. Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.
Wisdom of Solomon 3 [Commentary]
1. But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.
2. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,
3. And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.
4. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.
5. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.
6. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.
7. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.
8. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
9. They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.
10. But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the Lord.
11. For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable:
12. Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:
13. Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.
14. And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind.
15. For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away.
16. As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out.
17. For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honour.
18. Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial.
19. For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.

[quote author=OLAADEGBU post=58498547
OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss. [/quote]

Baruch 1 [Commentary]
1. And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maasias, the son of Sedecias, the son of Asadias, the son of Chelcias, wrote in Babylon,
2. In the fifth year, and in the seventh day of the month, what time as the Chaldeans took Jerusalem, and burnt it with fire.
3. And Baruch did read the words of this book in the hearing of Jechonias the son of Joachim king of Juda, and in the ears of all the people that came to hear the book,
4. And in the hearing of the nobles, and of the king's sons, and in the hearing of the elders, and of all the people, from the lowest unto the highest, even of all them that dwelt at Babylon by the river Sud.
5. Whereupon they wept, fasted, and prayed before the Lord.
6. They made also a collection of money according to every man's power:
7. And they sent it to Jerusalem unto Joachim the high priest, the son of Chelcias, son of Salom, and to the priests, and to all the people which were found with him at Jerusalem,
8. At the same time when he received the vessels of the house of the Lord, that were carried out of the temple, to return them into the land of Juda, the tenth day of the month Sivan, namely, silver vessels, which Sedecias the son of Josias king of Jada had made,
9. After that Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away Jechonias, and the princes, and the captives, and the mighty men, and the people of the land, from Jerusalem, and brought them unto Babylon.
10. And they said, Behold, we have sent you money to buy you burnt offerings, and sin offerings, and incense, and prepare ye manna, and offer upon the altar of the Lord our God;
11. And pray for the life of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and for the life of Balthasar his son, that their days may be upon earth as the days of heaven:
12. And the Lord will give us strength, and lighten our eyes, and we shall live under the shadow of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and under the shadow of Balthasar his son, and we shall serve them many days, and find favour in their sight.
13. Pray for us also unto the Lord our God, for we have sinned against the Lord our God; and unto this day the fury of the Lord and his wrath is not turned from us.
14. And ye shall read this book which we have sent unto you, to make confession in the house of the Lord, upon the feasts and solemn days.
15. And ye shall say, To the Lord our God belongeth righteousness, but unto us the confusion of faces, as it is come to pass this day, unto them of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
16. And to our kings, and to our princes, and to our priests, and to our prophets, and to our fathers:
17. For we have sinned before the Lord,
18. And disobeyed him, and have not hearkened unto the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the commandments that he gave us openly:
19. Since the day that the Lord brought our forefathers out of the land of Egypt, unto this present day, we have been disobedient unto the Lord our God, and we have been negligent in not hearing his voice.
20. Wherefore the evils cleaved unto us, and the curse, which the Lord appointed by Moses his servant at the time that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land that floweth with milk and honey, like as it is to see this day.
21. Nevertheless we have not hearkened unto the voice of the Lord our God, according unto all the words of the prophets, whom he sent unto us:
22. But every man followed the imagination of his own wicked heart, to serve strange gods, and to do evil in the sight of the Lord our God.
Baruch 2 [Commentary]
1. Therefore the Lord hath made good his word, which he pronounced against us, and against our judges that judged Israel, and against our kings, and against our princes, and against the men of Israel and Juda,
2. To bring upon us great plagues, such as never happened under the whole heaven, as it came to pass in Jerusalem, according to the things that were written in the law of Moses;
3. That a man should eat the flesh of his own son, and the flesh of his own daughter.
4. Moreover he hath delivered them to be in subjection to all the kingdoms that are round about us, to be as a reproach and desolation among all the people round about, where the Lord hath scattered them.
5. Thus we were cast down, and not exalted, because we have sinned against the Lord our God, and have not been obedient unto his voice.
6. To the Lord our God appertaineth righteousness: but unto us and to our fathers open shame, as appeareth this day.
7. For all these plagues are come upon us, which the Lord hath pronounced against us
8. Yet have we not prayed before the Lord, that we might turn every one from the imaginations of his wicked heart.
9. Wherefore the Lord watched over us for evil, and the Lord hath brought it upon us: for the Lord is righteous in all his works which he hath commanded us.
10. Yet we have not hearkened unto his voice, to walk in the commandments of the Lord, that he hath set before us.
11. And now, O Lord God of Israel, that hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and high arm, and with signs, and with wonders, and with great power, and hast gotten thyself a name, as appeareth this day:
12. O Lord our God, we have sinned, we have done ungodly, we have dealt unrighteously in all thine ordinances.
13. Let thy wrath turn from us: for we are but a few left among the heathen, where thou hast scattered us.
14. Hear our prayers, O Lord, and our petitions, and deliver us for thine own sake, and give us favour in the sight of them which have led us away:
15. That all the earth may know that thou art the Lord our God, because Israel and his posterity is called by thy name.
16. O Lord, look down from thine holy house, and consider us: bow down thine ear, O Lord, to hear us.
17. Open thine eyes, and behold; for the dead that are in the graves, whose souls are taken from their bodies, will give unto the Lord neither praise nor righteousness:
18. But the soul that is greatly vexed, which goeth stooping and feeble, and the eyes that fail, and the hungry soul, will give thee praise and righteousness, O Lord.
19. Therefore we do not make our humble supplication before thee, O Lord our God, for the righteousness of our fathers, and of our kings.
20. For thou hast sent out thy wrath and indignation upon us, as thou hast spoken by thy servants the prophets, saying,
21. Thus saith the Lord, Bow down your shoulders to serve the king of Babylon: so shall ye remain in the land that I gave unto your fathers.
22. But if ye will not hear the voice of the Lord, to serve the king of Babylon,
23. I will cause to cease out of the cites of Judah, and from without Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of joy, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: and the whole land shall be desolate of inhabitants.
24. But we would not hearken unto thy voice, to serve the king of Babylon: therefore hast thou made good the words that thou spakest by thy servants the prophets, namely, that the bones of our kings, and the bones of our fathers, should be taken out of their place.
25. And, lo, they are cast out to the heat of the day, and to the frost of the night, and they died in great miseries by famine, by sword, and by pestilence.
26. And the house which is called by thy name hast thou laid waste, as it is to be seen this day, for the wickedness of the house of Israel and the house of Juda.
27. O Lord our God, thou hast dealt with us after all thy goodness, and according to all that great mercy of thine,
28. As thou spakest by thy servant Moses in the day when thou didst command him to write the law before the children of Israel, saying,
29. If ye will not hear my voice, surely this very great multitude shall be turned into a small number among the nations, where I will scatter them.
30. For I knew that they would not hear me, because it is a stiffnecked people: but in the land of their captivities they shall remember themselves.
31. And shall know that I am the Lord their God: for I will give them an heart, and ears to hear:
32. And they shall praise me in the land of their captivity, and think upon my name,
33. And return from their stiff neck, and from their wicked deeds: for they shall remember the way of their fathers, which sinned before the Lord.
34. And I will bring them again into the land which I promised with an oath unto their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they shall be lords of it: and I will increase them, and they shall not be diminished.
35. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them to be their God, and they shall be my people: and I will no more drive my people of Israel out of the land that I have given them.
Baruch 3 [Commentary]
1. O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, the soul in anguish the troubled spirit, crieth unto thee.
2. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy; ar thou art merciful: and have pity upon us, because we have sinned before thee.
3. For thou endurest for ever, and we perish utterly.
4. O Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, hear now the prayers of the dead Israelites, and of their children, which have sinned before thee, and not hearkened unto the voice of thee their God: for the which cause these plagues cleave unto us.
5. Remember not the iniquities of our forefathers: but think upon thy power and thy name now at this time.
6. For thou art the Lord our God, and thee, O Lord, will we praise.
7. And for this cause thou hast put thy fear in our hearts, to the intent that we should call upon thy name, and praise thee in our captivity: for we have called to mind all the iniquity of our forefathers, that sinned before thee.
8. Behold, we are yet this day in our captivity, where thou hast scattered us, for a reproach and a curse, and to be subject to payments, according to all the iniquities of our fathers, which departed from the Lord our God.
9. Hear, Israel, the commandments of life: give ear to understand wisdom.
10. How happeneth it Israel, that thou art in thine enemies' land, that thou art waxen old in a strange country, that thou art defiled with the dead,
11. That thou art counted with them that go down into the grave?
12. Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom.
13. For if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou shouldest have dwelled in peace for ever.
14. Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding; that thou mayest know also where is length of days, and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace.
15. Who hath found out her place? or who hath come into her treasures ?
16. Where are the princes of the heathen become, and such as ruled the beasts upon the earth;
17. They that had their pastime with the fowls of the air, and they that hoarded up silver and gold, wherein men trust, and made no end of their getting?
18. For they that wrought in silver, and were so careful, and whose works are unsearchable,
19. They are vanished and gone down to the grave, and others are come up in their steads.
20. Young men have seen light, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge have they not known,
21. Nor understood the paths thereof, nor laid hold of it: their children were far off from that way.
22. It hath not been heard of in Chanaan, neither hath it been seen in Theman.
23. The Agarenes that seek wisdom upon earth, the merchants of Meran and of Theman, the authors of fables, and searchers out of understanding; none of these have known the way of wisdom, or remember her paths.
24. O Israel, how great is the house of God! and how large is the place of his possession!
25. Great, and hath none end; high, and unmeasurable.
26. There were the giants famous from the beginning, that were of so great stature, and so expert in war.
27. Those did not the Lord choose, neither gave he the way of knowledge unto them:
28. But they were destroyed, because they had no wisdom, and perished through their own foolishness.
29. Who hath gone up into heaven, and taken her, and brought her down from the clouds?
30. Who hath gone over the sea, and found her, and will bring her for pure gold?
31. No man knoweth her way, nor thinketh of her path.
32. But he that knoweth all things knoweth her, and hath found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore hath filled it with fourfooted beasts:
33. He that sendeth forth light, and it goeth, calleth it again, and it obeyeth him with fear.
34. The stars shined in their watches, and rejoiced: when he calleth them, they say, Here we be; and so with cheerfulness they shewed light unto him that made them.
35. This is our God, and there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of him
36. He hath found out all the way of knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved.
37. Afterward did he shew himself upon earth, and conversed with men.

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Epistle of Jeremiah 6 [Commentary]
1. A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent unto them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of God.
2. Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.
3. So when ye be come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, namely, seven generations: and after that I will bring you away peaceably from thence.
4. Now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.
5. Beware therefore that ye in no wise be like to strangers, neither be ye and of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.
6. But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.
7. For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.
8. As for their tongue, it is polished by the workman, and they themselves are gilded and laid over with silver; yet are they but false, and cannot speak.
9. And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.
10. Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.
11. Yea, they will give thereof to the common harlots, and deck them as men with garments, [being] gods of silver, and gods of gold, and wood.
12. Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment.
13. They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.
14. And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were a judge of the country.
15. He hath also in his right hand a dagger and an ax: but cannot deliver himself from war and thieves.
16. Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.
17. For like as a vessel that a man useth is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temple, their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.
18. And as the doors are made sure on every side upon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death: even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest their gods be spoiled with robbers.
19. They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.
20. They are as one of the beams of the temple, yet they say their hearts are gnawed upon by things creeping out of the earth; and when they eat them and their clothes, they feel it not.
21. Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple.
22. Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.
23. By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.
24. Notwithstanding the gold that is about them to make them beautiful, except they wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feel it.
25. The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.
26. They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.
27. They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise up again of themselves: neither, if one set them upright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but they set gifts before them as unto dead men.
28. As for the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and abuse; in like manner their wives lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and impotent they give nothing of it.
29. Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: fear them not.
30. For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.
31. And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.
32. They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.
33. The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.
34. Whether it be evil that one doeth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.
35. In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow unto them, and keep it not, they will not require it.
36. They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.
37. They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.
38. They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.
39. Their gods of wood, and which are overlaid with gold and silver, are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain: they that worship them shall be confounded.
40. How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?
41. Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand.
42. Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.
43. The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.
44. Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?
45. They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.
46. And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?
47. For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.
48. For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.
49. How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?
50. For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:
51. And it shall manifestly appear to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men's hands, and that there is no work of God in them.
52. Who then may not know that they are no gods?
53. For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men.
54. Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.
55. Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape; but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams.
56. Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?
57. Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.
58. Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves.
59. Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things therein, than such false gods. or a pillar of wood in a a palace, than such false gods.
60. For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.
61. In like manner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easy to be seen; and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.
62. And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.
63. And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power.
64. Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.
65. Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,
66. For they can neither curse nor bless kings:
67. Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.
68. The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.
69. It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.
70. For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.
71. And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is east into the dark.
72. And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon then1: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.
73. Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach. .

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Prayer of Azariah 1 [Commentary]
1. And they walked in the midst of the fire, praising God, and blessing the Lord.
2. Then Azarias stood up, and prayed on this manner; and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire said,
3. Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: thy name is worthy to be praised and glorified for evermore:
4. For thou art righteous in all the things that thou hast done to us: yea, true are all thy works, thy ways are right, and all thy judgments truth.
5. In all the things that thou hast brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, even Jerusalem, thou hast executed true judgment: for according to truth and judgment didst thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins.
6. For we have sinned and committed iniquity, departing from thee.
7. In all things have we trespassed, and not obeyed thy commandments, nor kept them, neither done as thou hast commanded us, that it might go well with us.
8. Wherefore all that thou hast brought upon us, and every thing that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgment.
9. And thou didst deliver us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful forsakers of God, and to an unjust king, and the most wicked in all the world.
10. And now we cannot open our mouths, we are become a shame and reproach to thy servants; and to them that worship thee.
11. Yet deliver us not up wholly, for thy name's sake, neither disannul thou thy covenant:
12. And cause not thy mercy to depart from us, for thy beloved Abraham's sake, for thy servant Issac's sake, and for thy holy Israel's sake;
13. To whom thou hast spoken and promised, that thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that lieth upon the seashore.
14. For we, O Lord, are become less than any nation, and be kept under this day in all the world because of our sins.
15. Neither is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to sacrifice before thee, and to find mercy.
16. Nevertheless in a contrite heart and an humble spirit let us be accepted.
17. Like as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as in ten thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, and grant that we may wholly go after thee: for they shall not be confounded that put their trust in thee.
18. And now we follow thee with all our heart, we fear thee, and seek thy face.
19. Put us not to shame: but deal with us after thy lovingkindness, and according to the multitude of thy mercies.
20. Deliver us also according to thy marvellous works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord: and let all them that do thy servants hurt be ashamed;
21. And let them be confounded in all their power and might, and let their strength be broken;
22. And let them know that thou art God, the only God, and glorious over the whole world.
23. And the king's servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the oven hot with rosin, pitch, tow, and small wood;
24. So that the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits.
25. And it passed through, and burned those Chaldeans it found about the furnace.
26. But the angel of the Lord came down into the oven together with Azarias and his fellows, and smote the flame of the fire out of the oven;
27. And made the midst of the furnace as it had been a moist whistling wind, so that the fire touched them not at all, neither hurt nor troubled them.
28. Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and blessed, God in the furnace, saying,
29. Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
30. And blessed is thy glorious and holy name: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
31. Blessed art thou in the temple of thine holy glory: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
32. Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
33. Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
34. Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and above ail to be praised and glorified for ever.
35. O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise and exalt him above all for ever,
36. O ye heavens, bless ye the Lord : praise and exalt him above all for ever.
37. O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
38. O all ye waters that be above the heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
39. O all ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
40. O ye sun and moon, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
41. O ye stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
42. O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
43. O all ye winds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever,
44. O ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
45. O ye winter and summer, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
46. 0 ye dews and storms of snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
47. O ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord: bless and exalt him above all for ever.
48. O ye light and darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
49. O ye ice and cold, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
50. O ye frost and snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
51. O ye lightnings and clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
52. O let the earth bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
53. O ye mountains and little hills, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
54. O all ye things that grow in the earth, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
55. O ye mountains, bless ye the Lord: Praise and exalt him above all for ever.
56. O ye seas and rivers, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
57. O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
58. O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
59. O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
60. O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
61. O Israel, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
62. O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
63. O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
64. O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
65. O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
66. O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever: far he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us from the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the furnace and burning flame: even out of the midst of the fire hath he delivered us.
67. O give thanks unto the Lord, because he is gracious: for his mercy endureth for ever.
68. O all ye that worship the Lord, bless the God of gods, praise him, and give him thanks: for his mercy endureth for ever. .

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Susanna 1 [Commentary]
1. There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:
2. And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.
3. Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.
4. Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others.
5. The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people.
6. These kept much at Joacim's house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.
7. Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk.
8. And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.
9. And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.
10. And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief.
11. For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.
12. Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.
13. And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.
14. So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.
15. And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.
16. And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.
17. Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.
18. And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they were hid.
19. Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,
20. Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.
21. If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.
22. Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.
23. It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.
24. With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.
25. Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.
26. So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.
27. But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.
28. And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;
29. And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim's wife. And so they sent.
30. So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.
31. Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.
32. And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.
33. Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.
34. Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.
35. And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.
36. And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.
37. Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.
38. Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.
39. And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.
40. But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.
41. Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.
42. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:
43. Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.
44. And the Lord heard her voice.
45. Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:
46. Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.
47. Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?
48. So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?
49. Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.
50. Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.
51. Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.
52. So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now thy sins which thou hast committed aforetime are come to light.
53. For thou hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.
54. Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.
55. And Daniel said, Very well; thou hast lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God to cut thee in two.
56. So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.
57. Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.
58. Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.
59. Then said Daniel unto him, Well; thou hast also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.
60. With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.
61. And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:
62. And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.
63. Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.
64. From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people. .

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Bel and the Dragon 1 [Commentary] Biblical Art and Illustrations
1. And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus of Persia received his kingdom.
2. And Daniel conversed with the king, and was honoured above all his friends.
3. Now the Babylons had an idol, called Bel, and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.
4. And the king worshipped it and went daily to adore it: but Daniel worshipped his own God. And the king said unto him, Why dost not thou worship Bel?
5. Who answered and said, Because I may not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who hath created the heaven and the earth, and hath sovereignty over all flesh.
6. Then said the king unto him, Thinkest thou not that Bel is a living God? seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh every day?
7. Then Daniel smiled, and said, O king, be not deceived: for this is but clay within, and brass without, and did never eat or drink any thing.
8. So the king was wroth, and called for his priests, and said unto them, If ye tell me not who this is that devoureth these expences, ye shall die.
9. But if ye can certify me that Bel devoureth them, then Daniel shall die: for he hath spoken blasphemy against Bel. And Daniel said unto the king, Let it be according to thy word.
10. Now the priests of Bel were threescore and ten, beside their wives and children. And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel.
11. So Bel's priests said, Lo, we go out: but thou, O king, set on the meat, and make ready the wine, and shut the door fast and seal it with thine own signet;
12. And to morrow when thou comest in, if thou findest not that Bel hath eaten up all, we will suffer death: or else Daniel, that speaketh falsely against us.
13. And they little regarded it: for under the table they had made a privy entrance, whereby they entered in continually, and consumed those things.
14. So when they were gone forth, the king set meats before Bel. Now Daniel had commanded his servants to bring ashes, and those they strewed throughout all the temple in the presence of the king alone: then went they out, and shut the door, and sealed it with the king's signet, and so departed.
15. Now in the night came the priests with their wives and children, as they were wont to do, and did eat and drinck up all.
16. In the morning betime the king arose, and Daniel with him.
17. And the king said, Daniel, are the seals whole? And he said, Yea, O king, they be whole.
18. And as soon as he had opened the dour, the king looked upon the table, and cried with a loud voice, Great art thou, O Bel, and with thee is no deceit at all.
19. Then laughed Daniel, and held the king that he should not go in, and said, Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps are these.
20. And the king said, I see the footsteps of men, women, and children. And then the king was angry,
21. And took the priests with their wives and children, who shewed him the privy doors, where they came in, and consumed such things as were upon the table.
22. Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel's power, who destroyed him and his temple.
23. And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped.
24. And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this is of brass? lo, he liveth, he eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.
25. Then said Daniel unto the king, I will worship the Lord my God: for he is the living God.
26. But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave.
27. Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon's mouth, and so the dragon burst in sunder : and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship.
28. When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath destroyed Bel, he hath slain the dragon, and put the priests to death.
29. So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house.
30. Now when the king saw that they pressed him sore, being constrained, he delivered Daniel unto them:
31. Who cast him into the lions' den: where he was six days.
32. And in the den there were seven lions, and they had given them every day two carcases, and two sheep: which then were not given to them, to the intent they might devour Daniel.
33. Now there was in Jewry a prophet, called Habbacuc, who had made pottage, and had broken bread in a bowl, and was going into the field, for to bring it to the reapers.
34. But the angel of the Lord said unto Habbacuc, Go, carry the dinner that thou hast into Babylon unto Daniel, who is in the lions' den.
35. And Habbacuc said, Lord, I never saw Babylon; neither do I know where the den is.
36. Then the angel of the Lord took him by the crown, and bare him by the hair of his head, and through the vehemency of his spirit set him in Babylon over the den.
37. And Habbacuc cried, saying, O Daniel, Daniel, take the dinner which God hath sent thee.
38. And Daniel said, Thou hast remembered me, O God: neither hast thou forsaken them that seek thee and love thee.
39. So Daniel arose, and did eat: and the angel of the Lord set Habbacuc in his own place again immediately.
40. Upon the seventh day the king went to bewail Daniel: and when he came to the den, he looked in, and behold, Daniel was sitting.
41. Then cried the king with a loud voice, saying, Great art Lord God of Daniel, and there is none other beside thee.
42. And he drew him out, and cast those that were the cause of his destruction into the den: and they were devoured in a moment before his face. .

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

1 Maccabees 1 [Commentary]
1. And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece,
2. And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,
3. And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up.
4. And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.
5. And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.
6. Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.
7. So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died.
8. And his servants bare rule every one in his place.
9. And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth.
10. And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
11. In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.
12. So this device pleased them well.
13. Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen:
14. Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen:
15. And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.
16. Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms.
17. Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy,
18. And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.
19. Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof.
20. And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,
21. And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,
22. And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off.
23. He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found.
24. And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.
25. Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were;
26. So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.
27. Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness,
28. The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.
29. And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude,
30. And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.
31. And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side.
32. But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.
33. Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.
34. And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.
35. They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:
36. For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.
37. Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:
38. Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.
39. Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.
40. As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.
41. Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,
42. And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.
43. Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.
44. For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land,
45. And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:
46. And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:
47. Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts:
48. That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation:
49. To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.
50. And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.
51. In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city.
52. Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land;
53. And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.
54. Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;
55. And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.
56. And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.
57. And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king's commandment was, that they should put him to death.
58. Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities.
59. Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.
60. At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.
61. And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.
62. Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing.
63. Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died.
64. And there was very great wrath upon Israel.

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

2 Maccabees 1 [Commentary]
1. The brethren, the Jews that be at Jerusalem and in the land of Judea, wish unto the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt health and peace:
2. God be gracious unto you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants;
3. And give you all an heart to serve him, and to do his will, with a good courage and a willing mind;
4. And open your hearts in his law and commandments, and send you peace,
5. And hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in time of trouble.
6. And now we be here praying for you.
7. What time as Demetrius reigned, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews wrote unto you in the extremity of trouble that came upon us in those years, from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and kingdom,
8. And burned the porch, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed unto the Lord, and were heard; we offered also sacrifices and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.
9. And now see that ye keep the feast of tabernacles in the month Casleu.
10. In the hundred fourscore and eighth year, the people that were at Jerusalem and in Judea, and the council, and Judas, sent greeting and health unto Aristobulus, king Ptolemeus' master, who was of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that were in Egypt:
11. Insomuch as God hath delivered us from great perils, we thank him highly, as having been in battle against a king.
12. For he cast them out that fought within the holy city.
13. For when the leader was come into Persia, and the army with him that seemed invincible, they were slain in the temple of Nanea by the deceit of Nanea's priests.
14. For Antiochus, as though he would marry her, came into the place, and his friends that were with him, to receive money in name of a dowry.
15. Which when the priests of Nanea had set forth, and he was entered with a small company into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple as soon as Antiochus was come in:
16. And opening a privy door of the roof, they threw stones like thunderbolts, and struck down the captain, hewed them in pieces, smote off their heads and cast them to those that were without.
17. Blessed be our God in all things, who hath delivered up the ungodly.
18. Therefore whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the feast of the tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that he had builded the temple and the altar.
19. For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that were then devout took the fire of the altar privily, and hid it in an hollow place of a pit without water, where they kept it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.
20. Now after many years, when it pleased God, Neemias, being sent from the king of Persia, did send of the posterity of those priests that had hid it to the fire: but when they told us they found no fire, but thick water;
21. Then commanded he them to draw it up, and to bring it; and when the sacrifices were laid on, Neemias commanded the priests to sprinkle the wood and the things laid thereupon with the water.
22. When this was done, and the time came that the sun shone, which afore was hid in the cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that every man marvelled.
23. And the priests made a prayer whilst the sacrifice was consuming, I say, both the priests, and all the rest, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering thereunto, as Neemias did.
24. And the prayer was after this manner; O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, who art fearful and strong, and righteous, and merciful, and the only and gracious King,
25. The only giver of all things, the only just, almighty, and everlasting, thou that deliverest Israel from all trouble, and didst choose the fathers, and sanctify them:
26. Receive the sacrifice for thy whole people Israel, and preserve thine own portion, and sanctify it.
27. Gather those together that are scattered from us, deliver them that serve among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God.
28. Punish them that oppress us, and with pride do us wrong.
29. Plant thy people again in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken.
30. And the priests sung psalms of thanksgiving.
31. Now when the sacrifice was consumed, Neemias commanded the water that was left to be poured on the great stones.
32. When this was done, there was kindled a flame: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the altar.
33. So when this matter was known, it was told the king of Persia, that in the place, where the priests that were led away had hid the fire, there appeared water, and that Neemias had purified the sacrifices therewith.
34. Then the king, inclosing the place, made it holy, after he had tried the matter.
35. And the king took many gifts, and bestowed thereof on those whom he would gratify.
36. And Neemias called this thing Naphthar, which is as much as to say, a cleansing: but many men call it Nephi.
2 Maccabees 2 [Commentary]
1. It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified:
2. And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver and gold, with their ornaments.
3. And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.
4. It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God.
5. And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.
6. And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it.
7. Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy.
8. Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.
9. It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.
10. And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings.
11. And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed.
12. So Solomon kept those eight days.
13. The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts.
14. In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us,
15. Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you.
16. Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days.
17. We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, and gave them all an heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,
18. As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.
19. Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar,
20. And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son,
21. And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes,
22. And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour:
23. All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.
24. For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter,
25. We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit.
26. Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching;
27. Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains;
28. Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.
29. For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.
30. To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story:
31. But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.
32. Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

OLAADEGBU:


OK. The Apocrypha is not the inspired word of God. Discuss.

Prayer of Manasseh 1 [Commentary]
1. O Lord, Almighty God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed;
2. who hast made heaven and earth, with all the ornament thereof;
3. who hast bound the sea by the word of thy commandment; who hast shut up the deep, and sealed it by thy terrible and glorious name;
4. whom all men fear, and tremble before thy power;
5. for the majesty of thy glory cannot be borne, and thine angry threatening toward sinners is importable:
6. but thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable;
7. for thou art the most high Lord, of great compassion, longsuffering, very merciful, and repentest of the evils of men. Thou, O Lord, according to thy great goodness hast promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against thee: and of thine infinite mercies hast appointed repentance unto sinners, that they may be saved.
8. Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the just, hast not appointed repentance to the just, as to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against thee;

1:9 but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea.
9. but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea.

1:10 My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I cannot life up mine head, neither have any release: for I have provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee: I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied offences.
10. My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I cannot life up mine head, neither have any release: for I have provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee: I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied offences.
11. Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace.
12. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities:
13. wherefore, I humbly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with mine iniquites. Be not angry with me for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me to the lower parts of the earth.

1:14 For thou art the God, even the God of them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen. .
14. For thou art the God, even the God of them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen. .
15. 1:14 For thou art the God, even the God of them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen. .

OLAADEGBU:


The Apocrypha is not in the Bible because Jesus, the apostles and the Jews did not accept it nor did the early church. In addition, it contains false teachings.

Hmmmmm, bros ehhh, like say u even dey there follow dem write Bible + the Apocrypha join

PrecisionFx:


Hmmmmm, bros ehhh, like say u even dey there follow dem write Bible + the Apocrypha join

I now see that the above comment was not directed at me....But my comments below are stll relevant...lol

Well that's the meaning of Spirituality, I may not be there with them writing it, but I live with the spirit of TRUTH and that spirit tells me and joins me with all that is partaining to the TRUTH.


Peace

OLAADEGBU:
Reasons why the apocrypha does not belong in the Bible

Jesus, the apostles, the Jews and the early church all rejected the books in the Apocrypha as being inspired books on the same level of scripture.

https://carm.org/reasons-why-apocrypha-does-not-belong-bible

Regarding the "early Church", how early is the church in question? Can it be older than the Ethiopian church? Bearing in mind that ETHIOPIA is the first country mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 2:13)....Also, consider Haile Selassie I's words on the Bible , below. Especially with regards to the ETHIOPIAN version of the Bible WHICH CONTAINS APOCRYPHA....Then see Romans 17-32 in the Bible, regarding the Romans and how they were given to a reprobate mind. I exhort you to also read the KEBRA NEGAST (Glory of Kings) See section 93 http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/kn/

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I-On the Bible

We in Ethiopia have one of the oldest versions of the Bible, but however old
the version may be, in whatever language it may be written, the word
remains one and the same. It transcends all boundaries of empires and all
conceptions of race. It is eternal.

No doubt you all remember reading in the Acts of the Apostles of how Philip
baptised the Ethiopian official. He is the first Ethiopian on record to have
followed Christ, and from that day onwards the Word of God has continued
to grow in the hearts of Ethiopians. And I might say for myself that from
early childhood I was taught to appreciate the Bible and my love for it
increases with the passage of time. All through my troubles I have found it a
cause of infinite comfort. "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest" ~ Who can resist an invitation so full of
compassion?

Because of this personal experience in the goodness of the Bible, I was
resolved that all my countrymen should also share its great blessing, and
that by reading the Bible they should find Truth for themselves. Therefore,
I caused a new translation to be made from our ancient language into the
language which the old and the young understood and spoke.

Today man sees all his hopes and aspirations crumbling before him. He is
perplexed and knows not whither he is drifting. But he must realise that the
Bible is his refuge, and the rallying point for all humanity. In it man will
find the solution of his present difficulties and guidance for his future
action, and unless he accepts with clear conscience the Bible and its great
Message, he cannot hope for salvation. For my part I glory in the Bible.

Haile Selassie I

Tampinu:


I now see that the above comment was not directed at me....But my comments below are stll relevant...lol

Well that's the meaning of Spirituality, I may not be there with them writing it, but I live with the spirit of TRUTH and that spirit tells me and joins me with all that is partaining to the TRUTH.


Peace

Which spirituality?

PrecisionFx:




Which spirituality?

Sorry that post was for OLAADEGBU


Cheers

Tampinu:


I now see that the above comment was not directed at me....But my comments below are stll relevant...lol

Well that's the meaning of Spirituality, I may not be there with them writing it, but I live with the spirit of TRUTH and that spirit tells me and joins me with all that is partaining to the TRUTH.


Peace

which spirituality are u talking about?

PrecisionFx:


which spirituality are u talking about?

Sorry that post was for OLAADEGBU