#The Curses We Inherit Ch 14

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, June 17

WILLOW: Tara, I have to tell you... TARA: No, I-I understand. You have to be with the person you l-love. WILLOW: (smiles) I am.

~~Buffy Episode #75: "New Moon Rising"~~

[Chaptered Fiction]

A Vampire's Heart Ch. 1-3/3 (COMPLETE) (Spike/Reader, M) by WRDS

Nobody Escapes Ch. 18 (Ensemble, M) by batcauldron

The Blood Rushing Through Her Veins Ch. 11 (Buffy/Angel, E) by Saphire_Naida

The Fawn of it All Ch. 1 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Iris_Dietrich

Second choice Princess CH. 17 (Faith, unrated, Once Upon A Time xover) by Dragonprincess19961

New Benediction Ch. 1 (Buffy/Angel, M) by DeezBoots

today doesn’t count Ch. 27 (Buffy/Spike, M) by modestlobster

The Witching Hour Ch. 12 (Willow/Tara, E) by TheLightdancer

It Is Not A Curse Ch. 8 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Poetry_Arcade

The girl who hunts the night Ch. 5 (Buffy, G, Twilight xover) by Aya1600

Willow's Dream Ch. 2/2 (COMPLETE) (Willow/Tara, E) by tbssparkle

Riley Finn's post-Initiative life Ch. 4 (Buffy/Riley, T) by RogueVader1996

The Sunnydale Imp CH. 53 (OC, Ensemble, T) by Bloodredtiger

Cunning Woman Ch. 6 (Buffy/Spike, M) by desicat

First Day of My Life Ch. 3 (Buffy/Faith, E) by hayley128

A Vampire’s Heart Pt. 3: Persistent (Spike/Reader, unrated) by itsalwaysteatimeinwonderland

Troubling Deaf Heaven Ch. 18 (Buffy/Spike, M) by JuneCurry

Dusk's Haven Ch. 8 (Buffy/Spike, E) by TwilightChild

Dead Poet's Inheritance Ch. 9 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Soulburnt

Restructuring Reality [Series Part 3] Ch. 14 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Ragini

Can we rest now? Ch. 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by spuffybabyy

On the Run Ch. 5 (Buffy/Spike, E) by zinjadu

Scenes From a Session, Chapter 16 (Buffy/Spike, E) by In Mortal

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: Andrew Wells by garscrucible

Icons: Oz Icons by slashericons

Manip: paid to read full time (Giles) by just-turned-aesthetic

Artwork: Buffy Summers vs Yhwach by AuroraWGrice

Artwork: Buffy vs Vegeta by karinakamichiart

[Reviews & Recaps]

BTVS group rewatch: 1.03 by juanabaloo

Video: Season One Finale/Review of Buffy S1E12 “Prophecy Girl!” by Major Slayage

PODCAST: ATS 319 - The Price by Another Buffy Podcast

PODCAST: Episode 67 - Alpha Code Blue (Doomed) by The Sunnydale Diaries

[Community Announcements]

Tuesday - The Narrative Poem by comment_fic

Tuesday, June 17 - Promotion Day by fic_promptly

Get ready for a groovy time, the second annual Family Bingo is coming to town! by runsintheblood

[Fandom Discussions]

Vampire Kendra AU by feenixdrop

let’s talk a little bit about Joyce Summers. by coraniaid

Ats S5E11 by song-in-my-head

As You Were, intrigues me. by sunnydalesentinel

(Buffy s4 spoilers) by tryingtoforgetapples

I’m in the mood to talk about the Buffy comics by oveliagirlhaditright

The best thing the Boom comics ever did by oveliagirlhaditright

One thing I don’t like about the Buffy and Angel Dark Horse comics by oveliagirlhaditright

Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel the Series fanfiction authors really do do it better than the “canon” continuations of the series post-Buffy season 7 and Angel season 5. by oveliagirlhaditright

Buffy S12 by oveliagirlhaditright

it confuses me ngl on ppl debate on the whole soul thing with angel by professeurm

I’ll never be over Buffy’s friends pulling her from heaven by xlunarashesx

They’re so cute :( by KENZOKHAOS

Iyari Limon (Kennedy's actress) is gorgeous by Big-Restaurant-2766

Wesley and Gunn by BishopofWinchester

You gotta admit the Him episode is pretty funny by Clean-Proof773

Willow season 7! by Musanot

SMG getting in shape for the re-boot by Moptop

Wes' ostracisation from the group by Stoney

How do you guys think Buffy would have reacted if she heard about Spike's plan to get his soul back by HomarEuropejski

It seems pretty likely that the Hulu reboot might just ignore the canon comics. by Weak-Front-5036

what do you think the Scoobies would make of darker Wes? by EitherHoliday5441

Confession; I realize why criticism towards a character that entirely deserved it personally bothered me (and I realized why a character that shouldn’t irk me, used to) by Big-Restaurant-2766

Just finished season 3. Amazing, my favorite season so far. by Diego1993FM

Loving Buffy vs loving Angel by Technical_Rice2532

Okay, I’m starting to understand (Xander’s clothes) by KENZOKHAOS

Hellmouth Con 2025 by Shellstar9

Fanfic like Journeyverse? by OdinMage

I know it takes place in an alternate universe and time-line but... by ManannanMacLir74

My Buffy viewing guide (for minimal Angel viewing) by Tuxedo_Mark

I just watched BTVS Seasons 1-3 for the very first time. by Affectionate-Neck152

I feel bad for James Marsters by Soft_Interaction_437

Spike is Based on Billy Idol by Amber_Flowers_133

Any chance we'll see Clem again? by ChaoticNeutralWombat

Spike&Dru: Pretty Maids All In A Row - The final chapters by featuretragic

does anyone have any replica outfits worn on the Buffy show and/or props? by TrickyRequirement619

*SPOILERS* First time watcher by Defiant_Cash_1047

This AtS season 4 of a thing…(first time watcher) by Musanot

For people who watched the show back when it first aired - What was the fan reaction to "Seeing Red" by HomarEuropejski

Inspiration of "Earshot?" by PunkLaundryBear

Desensitized Sunnydale Citizens by TooMuchNRG

Seriously, what happened with season 7? by HomarEuropejski

Would Spike Stay in LA? by LadyLongLimbs

Wonder how long he’ll last by enthalpy01

What is one particular bit or trope on Buffy or Angel that you feel it's overdone? by debujandobirds

That whole scene is so weird with Angel acting strangely childish and Buffy reverting back to being a lovesick teenager and making out with him only to go back home to cuddle with Spike lol. by HomarEuropejski

s02e17 Passion // s05e14 Crush by ceoazula

In the background Season 1 by StaticCloud

Buffy Slays, Chapter 25 by violettathepiratequeen

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

[psalmonesermons]

Lessons from Galatians Part 3a/10

Ch 3 :1-18 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law

3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

They had heard the one true Gospel, that Jesus Christ had been crucified for the sin of humankind, he died and was resurrected to the right hand of the Father, and everyone who believes in Him, shall be saved by faith in Him.

2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

This is a rhetorical question, we receive the Spirit by believing of course.

3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing?

Usually it is only the true gospel that gets persecuted.

5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

When the dynamic of the Holy Spirit came to them, by faith, how could they even consider going back to a dead religion, Surely, they could see that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, occur where there is faith, but not where there is observance of the Law.

Paul, now, takes them back to first principles.

6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Abraham never observed the Law.

7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.

The believers followed his example.

8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."

9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

This is very Good News.

Shocking news.

10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

These curses include poverty, sickness, famine, want, shortage, confusion, defeat, terror, darkness, despair, and separation etc.; see all these curses in Deuteronomy 28.

11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because "The righteous will live by faith."

12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary,

"The man who does these things will live by them.” The Law only offers life to those who completely obey it.

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

Jesus took it all on the cross that all believers might go free and receive the blessings of God not his curses.

14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

This is the greatest blessing.

15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.

16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.

17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.

18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

v15-18 A covenant is a solemn and binding agreement in which two parties exchange vows or promises committing themselves to a joint relationship or venture.

There may be penalties involved for breach of promise.

What types of covenants do we enact in everyday life?

Marriage and business contracts (mortgages etc.).

So many marriages break up because people want to add new clauses to the deal or the vows that they made. For instance, to have and to hold until you get sick , or get made redundant, or until you meet someone else whom you prefer to your spouse, or until your lack of commitment , selfishness and self pity overwhelm you to the extent that you that you break the marriage covenant.

Many business contracts now include penalty clauses to compensate for breach of contract. No sensible business deal will allow you to change the terms after the deal has been struck.

In the same way God does not let anyone alter the conditions of his promise to Abraham fulfilled through his seed Jesus Christ, and passes through Jesus to us , to be changed nothing can be added or subtracted from the deal.

Because we live in new testament times, we sometimes forget that the law came 430 years after God’s promise to Abraham and Paul is saying here that the law cannot alter the original covenant, deal, or promise.

What was the promise?

God's announcement of His plan of salvation and blessing to His people, one of the themes integrating the message of the Old and New Testaments. God's promise begins with a declaration by God; it covers God's plan for not just one race, but all the nations of the earth; and it focuses on the gifts and deeds that God will bestow on a few to benefit the many.

Summary 3:1-18

We may define God's promise this way: the divine declaration or assurance was made to Abraham representing the whole nation of Israel and specified that:

(1) He would be their God,

(2) They would be His people,

(3) He would dwell in their midst.

Amen

Your prayer

[chosenkeepersworld]

The Curses We Inherit - Chapter 14

Original Work

Date Posted: December 30, 2021 (Tumblr)

Word count: 1,003 words

A/N: I hope everyone is doing well and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Masterlist / Part 13

"Is this really the best idea?" Liam swallowed the lump in his throat, pushing himself deeper into the backseat of Krysanthe's truck.

"Oh please, she's doing so well" Krysanthe waved her hand dismissively as Danika shifted gears then stepped on the wrong pedal causing the truck to lurch forward then stop. The blonde shifted gears again and the truck ran smoothly, Danika let out a sheepish laugh while Krysa turned to Liam and shrugged "She'll get better"

They were getting close to the biggest town on the island, just in time for the auction that would be happening later tonight. Everything was set and now all they had to do was get there. But as they got closer to their destination the heiress tightened her grip on the wheel, she became more and more anxious as all sorts of scenarios ran through her head. Krysa placed her hand on her friend's shoulder "Are you alright?" she asked.

Danika nodded "Yeah, just nervous. I hope everything goes well tonight"

"The sooner we get this necklace the sooner we get Danika safely back home" Liam said, keeping his gaze out the window.

Krysanthe turned and frowned at him but Danika was the one who spoke up, confusion evident in her voice "Nothing's happened to me since I left home. No one even knows who I am here, only that I'm aunt Aileen's niece"

A light flush slowly came on Liam's cheeks "I'm glad to hear that" he stammered "But don't you miss home?"

The car was silent and for a while Liam didn't think the heiress would answer him but when she did it was in a soft and thoughtful voice.

"Of course I miss home. I actually miss my daily schedule, I miss the comforts of home and I miss being surrounded by familiarity" she told him "But going on this trip has helped me in a lot of ways. I'm learning a lot"

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"I'm learning how to drive right now, aren't I?"

"That won't be enough," Liam told her.

"But it's a start!" Danika argued "I've learned more things here than I ever would at home, it may not seem much because you know how to do these things! For the first time in my life I get to decide how I want to live, I can get to experience things other people do and you have no idea how fulfilling it feels to make my own accomplishments"

The dark haired man crossed his arms and sighed "I get it. I never really had to work for much when I was running the family business, someone would always do majority of the work and I never truly understood" he lifted his head "It wasn't until I started working with your cousin that I finally got it"

"I'm sorry, I understand why you needed to do this but I'm not sorry I'm concerned. So if there's any danger, Danika, you should understand if Foalan and I will need to do something to ensure that safety."

Danika sighed "I know and I understand. You guys do what you have to do but fair warning" she took a quick glance at him "so will I"

"I wouldn't expect any less from Nika the Great," he chuckled.

The heiress froze. "What did you say?"

"Okay I think this is when we stop the lesson" Krysa softly interjected then instructed Danika to park the truck which the younger blonde was able to do but needed improvement on. The car behind them slowed and the window rolled down to reveal Jacqueline in the driver's seat "Everything good?" she asked

"Yeah, just switching places. I was giving Danika a driving lesson but I needed to take the wheel back now."

"Why, what did she do ?" Jac snorted "have a messy dashboard?"

Krysa rolled her eyes "Just drive ahead, Jacqueline. We'll follow"

"Fine, fine. In case we get there before you do, what do I say to the front desk officer again?"

The older blonde sighed "Is Foalan awake?"

Jac glanced back for a moment "No, totally asleep"

"Just text me when you get there or let Folan check us in," Krysanthe said with a tired smile.

"Gotcha. Safe driving, Krys" and with that Jac rolled up her window and drove off.

Danika and Krysanthe buckled in once they were able to change seats and followed after Jacqueline and Foalan. Once the car began moving, Danika quickly turned in her seat "How did you know that name?"

Liam sat straight in his seat, side eyeing the windows before finally looking at Danika. "I wasn't completely honest with you about meeting Foalan. I knew him when we were kids, my family and I were visiting the states at the time and that's when I met your cousin. I'd visit his house and we'd spend a lot of time together"

"That's weird I don't remember seeing you there, Alan would always have his friend there. The skinny kid, with glasses and he brought candy..." Danika trailed off as the realization slowly came to her. The blonde American gasped "Oh my god, you're Donny Alvern"

Liam winced and waved his arm "No one calls me that anymore"

"Wait, what?" Krysa asked, glancing back for a second.

"Is Liam your first or your second name?" Danika asked, her body shaking slightly

"That isn't important. But yeah I was that kid"

"Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I don't know, I just felt weird after seeing you again after a long time" Liam said lamely.

"Well. it's good now. And I'm really glad to see-" Danika froze, there was a terrible itch at the back of her neck. The heiress sat back, scratching the spot furiously.

Krysa turned her to Danika to ask her if she was alright when a deer jumped on the road.

"Deer!"

Krysa and Danika turned their attention to the road and the world slowed. Krysanthe turned the wheel, the car swerved then everything went black.

Taglist: @mel-writes-with-her-dragons @woodhousejay @dustylovelyrun

[limitlessgojo]

Blood Bound: Blackened Bond (Ch 14)

Warnings: Action, Coarse Language, Fighting, Descriptions of Blood

Previous SFW Chapter: Home Sweet Home

Previous Chapter NSFW!: The More You Know

Next Chapter: Shadows Fall

Tags: Soulmates AU, Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Fem!Reader

Taglist: @lessie-oxj @rizzo-nero @whoreuc @fkngkumiko @isl3t @gojoussunglasses @onepotatostand-blog @s-t-f-u-b-i-t-c-h @sunaswife @lordguameow @track5enthusiast

Notes: If you want to be tagged for every update, and specify if you're okay with NSFW posts or not, please mention it in the comments below ty ❤

Extra Notes: This is my favorite chapter by far in this book, I've been wanting to drop this for weeks! I hope you enjoy reading. Part 2 of the story starts from here on until the end. Feel free to scream in the comments as usual XD

Chapter 14: Big White Lies

As the days passed by, the seasons changed. You started class in Spring. Summer has long passed and it is now the beginning of Winter. Noritoshi, as usual, was really busy so you didn’t see him as often. But you let it go.

You wanted to do something nice for him, so you had the idea to surprise Noritoshi. Having some cupcakes in a small bag and a fresh cup of coffee in your other hand, you were outside his door, hiding your presence and cursed energy to mask your identity.

As you raised your hand to knock on his door, you heard a second male voice.

"I'm glad to hear that you've been getting along with your soulmate son." His father's voice was heard over a speaker. Oh he was on call with his dad!

Yikes, not the best time to interrupt. It is impolite to listen into the conversation, but you were too excited to surprise him that you decided to wait for the call to end.

"Is Y/N really deeply in love with you? Make sure to not let her go. That will surely help our clan's reputation rise above with her skills being integrated into ours. She can definitely bear strong heirs for our clan. For centuries it was the Zenins that harnessed various types of jujutsu shi with strong techniques. It's time we continuously expanded ours as well. Starting with her." The Kamo clan head sternly ordered his son.

'Huh?'

"Yes of course father. Don't worry. She has already confessed her love to me so there's nothing to worry about. I'll do my best to make this clan proud and powerful. I definitely won’t let you down." Noritoshi replied.

The smile on your face slowly faded as your face turned to stone. Ah. Was that it?

Is that what you amounted to only? A tool for their use. A stepping stone for the Kamo clan to get stronger. You started to feel nauseous. Is this the so-called secret he didn’t want to tell you about…

You stood quietly as you continued eavesdropping.

"Excellent. Heh, looks like you can actually be a womaniser if you wanted to. Women are way too easy. As I told you before, give her sweet touches, use pet names, give her lots of encouragement and make promises here and there and they'll be by your side before you know it." His father snorted.

"Yes, I've taken your advice into consideration and did as you said." Noritoshi spoke firmly. Your heart was breaking with every word spoken.

"If you don't like her or how she looks, you can have several concubines and wives anyways. Have your pick. Remember Homura chan? Now she's a stunner. Didn’t you also say you found her cute?"

‘What on earth is this? Who is Homura? Why?’ Your hands start shaking badly, pulse thundering in your ears.

You felt light headed from the brutish words the Kamo clan head was saying, and silently retreated, not wanting to hear Noritoshi's response to his father. Keeping your presence and cursed energy hidden and as minuscule as possible while you walked back to your dorm room.

Because you had left you didn't hear the remainder of the conversation.

"Father, I respect that the older clan heads had several wives and concubines. And I’ve told you time and time again that I’m not interested in Homura san. But I've decided to be loyal to my one true soulmate. I think I am falling in love with her as well, and can't bear to see her hurt. I won't be taking in any concubines." Noritoshi politely replied.

It was the first time he had spoken about his true feelings out loud and he felt vulnerable. He braced himself for any harsh words from his father but none came.

His father only raised an eyebrow. "Suit yourself. The fact is, even if she doesn't give birth to an heir with the inherited Blood Manipulation, she is more than enough of an additional asset to our clan. And it ties us together with the Abe/Tsuchimikado clan as you know."

Clan politics. Noritoshi is getting more and more sick of it every day, but he just silently nodded. As long as he has you and his mother by his side, nothing else matters. "Yes I understand father."

Noritoshi hated talking about his family with you, because of this exact reason. He didn’t want you to be disgusted by this side of their family and get pulled into their family problems. The worst thing would be for you to have a terrible first impression of the Kamo clan.

He understood that you already had a lot on your plate as your missions grew harder and harder. You were often assigned to grade 1 missions alone already. The worst case was for you to get roped into doing messy tasks to please the clan elders.

◇◇◇

You paced around your room, staring at the cupcakes and coffee on your desk. They were getting cold.

Cold. That's how you felt inside and out. You had to confront him. Or else your relationship will just drag you down. You definitely didn't want him to have any concubines. Didn’t want to have a partner who didn’t love you after all.

You were so lost in your emotions that you didn’t realize you were jumping to several conclusions on your own without considering Noritoshi's feelings for you properly.

'But it was starting to make sense' Your mind was screaming at yourself. 'He never explicitly confessed his feelings. He does indeed give me mixed signals from time to time. He shuts me out of private matters to him. He could be using me.’

The one question that was breaking you apart now is: "Was everything a lie? How much of his actions were sincere? He could lie about anything. To get power, that's something the big 3 clans are capable of doing. Satoru told me of some of the horrors already…"

The doubt and feelings of betrayal piled up, until you came to one conclusion: You’ve had enough.

◇◇◇

The next day, you suppressed all your emotions and distracted yourself. You tried your best to act normal around Noritoshi, smiling brightly at him.

It wasn't too effective. Everytime he called you his angel, instead of the delight you usually feel, you felt hurt thinking he was forcing himself to do this.

This can't go on forever. And eventually Noritoshi could start to feel the pain in your heart on his end as well. He hurried to you one afternoon after class, dragging you out to the plum tree away from the buildings.

You looked up at Noritoshi. As handsome as ever. Gentle and concerned (lies), with a strong hand reaching to cup your face (lies lies), speaking so carefully, "My angel, how are you? Why are you troubled? Have I done something to offend you?" (Lies, it was all lies).

He must be lying. Must have been since day 1. The way your brain just jumped to the most terrible scenarios in which he never liked you. There's no other reason. Your breathing quickened.

Both of you were still in the first stage of the soulmate bonding; therefore, you couldn’t share all emotions yet. Just urgent and strong random flashes of it, especially negative emotions. This is why both of you weren’t able to feel the love the other has through the bond yet.

You stopped smiling.

"I overheard your conversation with your father. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I had a present for you that I wanted to give you yesterday, so I waited outside your room. But that doesn't really matter anymore." You said, cooly shrugging off the hand on your face.

He stiffened, whole body tensing. 'No it was going so well with you, this can't be happening.' He thought to himself.

"Y/n I can explain-"

"Did you even feel anything for me? Besides our red string of Fate appearing?"

The marks on your wrists flowed in warning, searing hot pain flashed across both of you. But you ignored it. The devil on your shoulder pushing you to break things with him.

"Tell me the words you and your father spoke about yesterday were a lie." You begged him.

He couldn't say it was, because the conversation yesterday was only filled with truths. He was so confused, so he stayed silent.

You laughed at him without any real meaning or humor. The light had gone out of your eyes. Noritoshi felt himself shiver at the sound of it.

"So it was all true. Did you like me for me? Or because I'm your so-called soulmate whom you forced yourself to “love”- pshhh not even love, probably to tolerate, for the sake of power?"

Noritoshi’s head felt unfocused and his palms were sweating.

“I’m just a fucking game to you huh Kamo?!” You were freely crying now. He winced at the use of his family name.

Noritoshi found that he couldn’t breathe properly, much less reply to you. He had never seen you like this. What’s worse is your intense fear, sorrow, and disgust towards him was radiating so strongly through your bond.

“No you’re not.” He could hardly get the words out with how hard he’s breathing. It actually felt like the red strings were tying themselves around his neck. You scoffed at him unbelievingly.

He trembled as he lifted both hands to cup your face, but you stepped out of his reach. His hands dropped.

"You liar. I don't want this. If you just want to use me for my body, and to use me for your gain and for your family's benefit only to toss me aside for other women, then I don't want it." You spoke hoarsely. Your entire body was stiff, hands cold and voice quivering.

Your bond was hanging by a thread. The emotions of pain and betrayal bleeding over and muddling the delicate bond.

"I'm out. Go find some other bitch to breed for your sake of your precious heirs. I don't care if we are a fated pair. If you don't wanna put even an ounce of trust and honesty into our relationship then just fuck off." You turned around and walked away.

"Wait, no I-" Noritoshi gasped out as he snapped out of his shock, but you didn't turn back. You walked faster trying to ignore the voice you loved hearing so much.

Even if it hurts to break apart from him now, it is better than to have your heart broken again and again by staying with him.

"Y/n I do care about you. I do think of you everyday. You’re not a game to me. Didn't you hear what I said yesterday?" He called out desperately, stepping forward.

You ignored him, digging your nails into the palms of your hands at the pain from your soulbond falling apart. 'I won't be fooled any longer'.

Your bond was screaming at you to turn around and believe him. To believe that everything you've felt with him these past few weeks were real. That he truly loved you.

"Listen to me!" Noritoshi cried out.

You halted in your tracks. "I'm nothing to you. If you want to have other women as your concubines, go ahead. I know you can pick up as many women as you want with your standing. You clearly don’t need me. So I don't need you." Your last 4 words are a harsh slap to his face.

Snap. And your bond was left barely hanging with the smallest red thread that stubbornly refused to let go. But the damage was done. He couldn't feel your emotions anymore as his head filled with white noise.

Panic overcame Noritoshi like never before. This wasn’t like his normal self. He didn’t let himself think about anything else, but to run and pull you back in his arms.

Until he was physically stopped by an invisible barrier. Your solid air barrier that blocks all sound and forms of matter on the other side, keeping him away from you.

“No, no, no, no. Y/n Come back! I’m sorry! Speak to me!” He cried, furiously pounding at the invisible wall between the both of you. But you couldn’t hear him, much less know how he is feeling. After all, you’ve ended it with him already.

After you left, he remained rooted to his spot. His forehead leaning against the barrier, tears streaming down his face, as he stared at the place where he saw your figure disappear. It wasn't long ago that he had just fallen in love with you.

Your warmth, your laughter, the touches you give to him. Now everything felt so cold. "But I need you." He whispered out, sounding so broken.

The last few wilted leaves of the plum tree fell, leaving it bare to the cold winter. He remembered the words in the soulmate records of the Gojo Clan. “A soulbond can be rejected.”

Maybe he should have told you everything from the beginning and not hold back any secrets. He was terrified that your opinion of him would change, if you found out about his background and his mother. So he wanted to slowly ease you into the Kamo clan.

This was the worst.

As the sky grew dark, he went back into his room and for the first time, didn't bother studying. Just went straight to sleep.

What he wouldn't give to feel anything from your end. Even if it was anger or hatred, it would be better than this empty feeling.

Author's Notes: This chapter was the first chapter I've written before all others and is how Blood Bound came to be. You could say this is the core of the story, since it's the origin. Just had an angsty afternoon one day and chose violence🥰🤧

Blood Bound: Table of Contents

[levisbyjean]

Why Jean Kirstein is the best character in SnK: An essay w/ references/RECEIPTS

(This essay spans from the beginning of the story up to the current chapter 117 of the manga. Also, almost 90% of the quotes I use here are from the manga; not the anime)

Jean was introduced as a selfish snob, who was born into luxury and raised with class. His plan was to join the military police and live in the safety of the interior, far away from any titans or danger. And from the very beginning, Jean was—and has remained—an honest person. Keep that in mind.

During the 104th scouts training, which is also where Jean and Eren first met, Eren says he plans to wipe every single Titan off the face of the planet, & Jean just laughs. Eren says he must be the guy who plans to live a laid back life in the military police. In the anime, Jean’s reply is “I’m no liar. I’m a straight-talker, unlike someone who pretends to have balls of steel, even when he’s about to piss himself.” Similar to the manga version, where he says “I’m nothing, if not honest.” [vol. 4 ch. 15] And he is true to this statement.

Jean’s mentality towards joining the military police does not change until the battle in Trost district, where he encounters titans for the first time. The main characters, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, (I’ll be referring to that trio as EMA throughout this essay) have already been exposed to the horrors of the titans. EMA have already been traumatized because they were kids when they first saw the titans face to face. However Jean is a teenager and also fresh out of the academy. He barely knows how to use his EDM gear and now he is expected to face those monsters, not run, because that’s what he trained for.

When the rest of his squad is trying to think of what to do, Jean says “it was a boring life. But I guess if it’s gonna end like this, I might as well say let’s do it everyone! Come on! Up on your feet!” [vol. 2 ch. 7] & he actually was the first one to have a positive attitude when everyone else was preparing for death. That was the first moment where I really enjoyed his personality. Thats pure courage and strength in itself right there. Continuing on the positive-Jean train, when Mikasa is the first to run off to face the titans, Jean yells to the rest of the people who didn’t step forward “were we taught to let one of our own fight alone? All of you really will make cowards of yourselves” and runs after her, followed by the rest of the brave 104th cadets (the Jeanmika/Jeankasa ship is SAILING)

As the battle continues, he watches his comrades get killed in front of him, but instead of running, he LEADS everyone to safety. He assumes the role of leader ON HIS OWN, maybe before he even realized it. I want to note this first pivotal point in his thought process. He uses his other comrades sacrifices to lead the others to safety. To put it into other words, he sees his classmates getting eaten all around him but he doesn’t break down or run away to save himself. Instead, he quickly analyzes the scene unfolding in front of him and orders everyone to charge for HQ while the titans are occupied (eating his comrades) [vol. 2 ch. 8]. Granted, once they make it to safety, he later feels the guilt, saying “how many died on my signal?” You can see it on his face that this decision weighed heavily on his conscience.

After finally breaking down and losing his cool, he realizes that this was real life. His dreams of living in peace were crushed at the sight of reality finally setting in. He wanted a long life and a family but now it all seemed over with. His perspectives had changed, and when he almost lost all hope, it was Marco that brought him back. His friendship with Marco is probably the first—and probably the biggest—factor in his character change.

Marco tells Jean that he thinks he would make a better leader than himself because Jean isn’t a strong person so he can relate to weak peoples feelings. He knows what’s going on around him at all times, knows exactly what needs to be done [vol. 4 ch. 18]. At first Jean is offended at this, but when he is watching the bodies of his comrades burn, he then accepts that Marco was right. If Jean had never become a soldier, he would never have had to worry about people dying, it never would have crossed his mind.

Mentally-strong characters like EMA have it natural to want to fight and be brave. But what I respect about Jean is his honesty to say he is scared. He doesn’t want to die. He doesn’t want to face titans. However, even though he doesn’t want to die and he’s afraid, he knows what must be done. There are people who are ignorant of the terrors of the titans, just like he used to be. But he knows now that it’s reality. After Erwin’s speech, Jean has a moment to choose to either leave or stay, and if he had chosen to leave, he would’ve “hated himself more than he already did”. And so he chose to join the survey corps so that he could fight for those weaker people. I respect that he isn’t hotheaded like Eren, saying he wants to kill every last titan out of revenge. But he wants to protect people, the defenseless people who have the safe life he used to dream about. He knows trauma now, and instead of let it tear him down and run for the hills, he chose to use that fear to protect people. SELFLESSSSSSS KINGGGGGGG.

The next pivotal point in his character development was when he joined Squad Levi. Being faced with titans and killing them was one thing. But in the Retaking of Shinganshina arc (aka season 2 of the anime), they were now fighting humans. Jean is almost shot and killed by an enemy MP, but Armin saves him by killing her, which ended up scarring Armin for a good while [vol. 14 ch. 58]. Realizing that he freaked out and panicked, Jean promises to never let that happen again and apologizes to Levi for letting him down by almost becoming a casualty, but he also apologizes to Armin (I also ship Jearmin like HELLA)

After this, Jean has multiple leadership moments where he saves and protects others. When they’re pursuing the female titan, he backs up Armin and Reiner and tells them to stay focused and to keep a distance [vol. 6 ch. 23]. When Sasha shoots an arrow that got too close to Mikasa, he scolds her for almost shooting her (this was more so because of his undying crush on Mikasa but I still wanted to throw that scene in considering the anime bastards took it out and it was beautiful) [vol. 13 Ch. 54]. He’s also covered for his teammates a numerous amount of times and has never panicked in a crisis because he keeps a level head during times of trouble.

He is an excellent leader and it’s even proven after the time skip, when he becomes commanding officer of his own team!!! [vol. 26 ch. 105] (OUR FRIENDS ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE ALSO OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS) He tells them to keep civilian casualties to a minimum as their primary focuses are the Marleyan government and Eren, not the civilians. Jean also doesn’t let personal feelings get in the way of carrying out a mission. So when the squad was about to kill Pieck, after firing off a thunder spear and it backfiring, he ordered his team to fall back because it wasn’t worth their deaths if it wasn’t part of the mission at hand [vol. 26 ch. 104]. (He also proved this when, even though he’s stated countless times how much he hates Eren, he still protects him in battle because he knows Eren is an important figure to saving humanity). The last piece of evidence of this fact is after Gabi and Falco stow away on the airship, and Gabi shoots Sasha dead, the crew asks Jean if they should throw the kids out of the plane, to which he just replies “is throwing some kids out of an airship really going to stop all of this bloodshed?” This part really hurt me, not only because of Sasha’s death, but because even though Jean was in pain after witnessing one of his best friends die right in front of him, he didn’t lash out. He couldn’t. His composure and facial expressions gave off that he was angry and distraught, but he didn’t let that get the best of him. Killing those kids wouldn’t have brought her back and it’s that maturity to not avenge the murderer of his friend that hurt. Again, KEEPS A LEVEL HEAD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. [vol. 26 ch. 105] (I would post screen caps of the emotional facial expressions from that chapter but there are just too many, so read it for yourself to feel the pain. Instead, here’s this cute picture of my favorite AOT trio).

Jean has also noted his care and affection for his friends before. Shortly before the attack on Marley, the team is having a discussion on who should inherit Eren’s attack Titan, and Jean is super quick to shoot down Mikasa’s offer because he cares about her. & instead suggests himself as a candidate. However, Eren rejects it, along with Sasha and Connie’s proposals, stating he doesn’t want to give it to any of them because they are all important to him and he wants them to live long lives (.....okay this note is mainly about Eren’s sweet and soft heart more so than it is about Jean, I just wanted to throw it in because I don’t think Eren is the heartless, emotionless bastard that he makes himself out to be after the time skip) [vol. 27 ch. 108] But in all seriousness, Jean’s heart does show when he is talking to Mikasa and Connie after Eren‘s suspicious & traitorous actions. Because of how much Eren and Jean didn’t like each other, you’d think Jean would get angry that Eren cursed out Mikasa, aka his dream guuuuurl. But instead he disagrees with Connie on his loyalty and says “I don’t think he’d do something like that without any reason. Somehow, aren’t his real intentions somewhere in there?” [vol. 29 ch. 116] Remember, Jean is an honest person—almost to a fault—so you know he really believes that and isn’t just trying to cheer up Mikasa. Aw we love a loyal sister *cue applause*

Anyways, I could go on for days fawning over this man, but I’m sure you’re all as exhausted from reading this as I am from writing it. SO. In conclusion, Jean Kirstein was a snotty ass bitch in the beginning because he had no reason to believe his perfect life would ever change, until it did. And instead of go on to live a selfish lifestyle, he chose to protect people and lead them because he didn’t want anyone else to go through what he and his friends did, and he did not want to let anyone down who believed in him, thanks to Marco for opening his eyes first. He isn’t arrogant, he doesn’t think he is a god. He accepts his mediocrity & doesn’t try to get on a higher level than anyone else. He’s fucked up before, has made many, many mistakes, and he lives by his choices and decisions even if they come back to haunt him. He is just an average human being, there is nothing special about him. But he is honest and he is caring. He may be a hardheaded, stubborn individual, but he will go to the ends of the earth to protect his comrades and the people he loves.

P.S (This essay also doubles up as an argument explaining why Jean deserves to become the next commander of the survey corps, after Hanji. I believe wholeheartedly that he will lead the survey corps as passionately as Erwin did 💔)

P.P.S (It’s also no surprise that the creator of the Shingeki no Kyojin series, Hajime Isayama, has admitted before that his favorite character is Jean. HE’S THE MANGAKA FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, so I trust his opinion, too. Hehee)

[ichigopanhpff]

BNHA Fic: Blink! Ch. 15

Read Ch. 14 | Masterlist

SPOILER ALERT: More character development time!

Warnings: Bullying theme, mild violence. 

Full backstory time with Ren! There’s not much S4 spoiler stuff here.

The six first years unceremoniously filed in and stood around as Ren gently closed her door to her room. Their attention was briefly distracted by the box in the middle of the floor.

“Senpai, what’s this?” Uraraka asked, eyeing the packed item.

“Something to show later. Please, sit,” she requested. Spacing was a little cramped but they all managed to give one another enough room to move about. Ren settled in between Asui and Kirishima, inhaled a deep breath and hovered her palm over her chest.

“I just… need a moment,” she mumbled out. “Nerves.”

“Take all the time you need,” Kirishima consoled with kind red eyes looking her way.

Another short beat of silence went by, her uneasiness settled little by little.

“This goes without saying, but I’m telling you all this in confidence,” Ren affirmed with seriousness. “So whatever’s been said here stays here. You’re in my circle of trust now.”

The group nodded solemnly before she continued.

“As I told you some of you before, Chisaki Kai killed my dad and brother when I was eight while I was still living in California...” she reiterated. Bakugou and Todoroki’s faces showed surprise when hearing that statement. “He found out my dad was a double agent working for the U.S. and Japanese government.”

“So your name–” Todoroki unconsciously blurted out, already knowing what she was going to say. Ren looked up at the group with clear eyes.

“My name before I moved to Japan was Remy Hayes-Takahiro,” she exposed. “My dad was Takahiro Rennosuke.”

“Takahiro Rennosuke?” Midoriya questioned. “He doesn’t sound familiar at all.”

“That’s because the government here and in America redacted all the documents pertaining it,” she revealed. “Including our hyphenated family name. He wasn’t a well-known hero, per se, and was more of a government agent who had a great reputation with his codename, Spectre.”

“But why would they do that?” Kirishima asked.

“The case he was working on was tracking leads on quirk-boosters and find out what he could on the rumored quirk nullifiers. His objective was to build a relationship with a high-profile buyer and seller; like a middleman of sorts,” she explained. “The goal was to uproot them and shut down the entire chain. I’m sure he’s even worked with FatGum at one point. There were only a handful of people on his team who were aware of this sting and wasn’t on any official documents.”

“It was a black operation then,” Bakugou summarized. “If anyone caught wind of it, lots of people’s lives would be compromised.”

“Exactly.” She took a short breath before continuing. “Not long after the op started, he’d been put in contact with Chisaki Kai and started making a name for himself as ‘Kuronuma Isamu.’ Can’t get any bigger than that, right? I’m sure he had to do things he wasn’t proud of while undercover. I remember seeing his face being void of emotions whenever he came home for a few days; It was like a bit of his soul died.”

“What was your dad’s quirk?” Todoroki asked.

“’Invisible Man’. The perfect quirk for covert missions and assassinations,” she robotically answered. “I’ve inherited a small part of it, but I can’t will myself to disappear completely like he did. Mine is more dependent on light refractions and how I can blend myself to the space like camouflage.”

Feeling her emotions start to bubble up talking about her dad, she wiped the lower half of her face with her hand and rolled her lips in. Asui placed a comforting hand on the small of Ren’s back.

“Take a breath, ribbit,” she soothed. “We know this is hard for you.”

She softly nodded and gave a thankful look to the frog-like girl and lightly breathed through her nose.

“When he was close to completing the mission, someone leaked his identity to one of Chisaki’s men in his officer’s circle.” She gritted her teeth in anger. “And just like that, the whole operation was abandoned and all his contacts went dark. A year’s worth of work completely gone. None of the higher-ups could do anything about it. They just… let him take the fall.”

A single tear dropped down on the floor. She hastily wiped the trail away and sniffled. Ren was using everything she had to hold back the pain throbbing in her heart.

“The Hassaikai found out where we lived, who we were, everything...” Her voice was barely a whisper now and swallowed hard. “My dad hurried back that night and told us what happened. We packed what we could to escape, but they were just too fast.”

Her whole body visibly shook and hugged herself. Ren tried calming herself down with loud, shuddering breaths through her mouth to get through the rest of the story as tears freely streamed down her cheeks.

“They burned our house to try to smoke us out...” She struggled to speak through her hiccups. “My dad and brother, Jun, who was only eleven at the time, stayed behind to fight them off. I tried to grab his hand to come with me, but… I froze in fear. I couldn’t do anything and he was right within my reach...”

By now, Ren had completely broken down and covered her face with her hands, palms moist from the uncontrollable tears pouring out. 

“If only I wasn’t so timid and scared then... If only I had more willpower to reach my hand out… he’d still be alive,” Ren whimpered through her broken sobs. “All he did was look back, flashing a scared smile at me while crying himself. He said… ‘I’ll be fine. Because I’m a hero.’”

The deafening silence rung out in the room while she breathlessly sobbed to the point of hyperventilating and coughing. Everyone got misty-eyed and wiped them away save for Bakugou and Todoroki, who gave her a softened sympathetic glance. Were they in her position at that young of an age, what would they have done? Would they fight or listen to their parents?

The six gave her a chance to calm down before finishing the story. Ren looked back up with wet eyes and a completely red nose with discharge trying to leak out.

“All I remember was hearing gunshots after my mom grabbed me and ran out,” she continued between her hiccups and swallowed hard. “And from the corner of my eye, I saw Chisaki going after her. Even though I was scared to death... My body moved on its own and I managed to at least push her away to safety as he grabbed me instead...”

She slowly pulled down the collar of her thin sweater along with her bra strap, revealing a faded hand-like shaped scar on her left shoulder and looked away in shame. Their breaths audibly hitched in their dry throats. Uraraka clasped her mouth with both her hands. Midoriya’s breathing shook with nervousness as his eyes widened.

“He used Overhaul on me…” She paused, vividly remembering the smell of iron from her blood and searing white hot sensation. It was like being branded as livestock. Pieces of her flesh stripped away cell by cell in front of her very eyes. The pain after was like raking a fiery barbed wire doused in rubbing alcohol on an open and extremely tender wound.

“The doctors said it was nothing short of a miracle I still had a functioning arm after all the surgeries to fix the muscular and nerve damage…”

Her shaky right hand pulled the collar back up and adjusted it, lightly squeezing her marred shoulder.

“I always thought this scar was the physical embodiment of my sin and I hated myself for it. A small part of me hoped once I got Chisaki, it’d disappear for good… But he’ll always be a part of me no matter what. Just like Eri…”

Ren’s gaze briefly met Midoriya’s look of grief before closing her eyes.

“… What happened after?” the freckled boy managed to squeeze his words out through the dark and thick atmosphere.

“The cops and firefighters showed up, but most of the big players of Hassaikai got away. I was in and out of consciousness from the pain. All I could make out through blurry eyes was my mom screaming for help and putting pressure on my shoulder so I wouldn’t bleed out. While we were in the hospital recovering, a whole investigation happened with local law enforcement. And then, it was all over the news...” Ren trailed off and closed her eyes.

“Takahiro Rennosuke under the alias ‘Kuronuma Isamu’ got labeled as a dirty government agent who was bribed with laundered money from quirk-boosting drug sales. That was their way in keeping their hands clean. After that, the bullying at school started…”

Her eyes soon turned lifeless upon remembering these dark memories as her heart went numb.

“People who I thought were my friends stayed away. They called me ‘Scummy Remy’ and thought I was dirty like my dad; some even said I should’ve died in the fire,” she bitterly spat out. “Classmates threw away my books, wrote all over my desk… One kid with a lava quirk melted away my gym uniform and sneakers… The teachers didn’t even bother to hide their disgust. Somewhere along the way, I believed those words and stopped going to school.”

Feeling her legs lose feeling from sitting cross-legged, she adjusted her body and hugged her knees. Midoriya subtly gripped his fists just a little tighter with a pained expression, empathizing how it felt to be treated as lower than a human being because of things outside their control.

He’s reminded once more how cruel the world could really be. Bakugou glanced over at his childhood friend and looked back, feeling ashamed at his past self.

“My mom was getting ostracized at work too, but she at least had a few good people in her corner to get through it. Even after everything, she was trying her best with me, but nothing worked. And I’ve made her cry so many times because of it…”

Ren’s eyes reflected guilt and regret, letting out an audible sigh.

“After the “investigation” wrapped up, my dad’s boss dared come to the safe house we were staying at. She greeted him a firm slap to the face and cursed him out. That was the first time I’ve ever seen her extremely angry.”

She let out a wry chuckle from that memory, her eyes unfocused.

“Aside from the usual ‘my condolences’ bullshit, he came to deliver us a proposal from the higher ups: Start over in Japan under an asylum claim. That was their make good with us. The only trade-off was we don’t exist. Victoria and Remy Hayes-Takahiro never existed. At that point, we had no more cards to play nor did we have anything else to lose. So my mom agreed.”

“You chose ‘Ren’ as your new name...” Todoroki assumed.

The pink haired girl softly nodded and placed her hand over her heart.

“To keep my dad alive through me.”

“Did they ever find the person who leaked the information?” Bakugou asked.

“From what I was able to find out, that agent was found dead in a ditch four days later. By whose hands, it’s anybody’s guess.”

“’Find out?’” Uraraka questioned.

“Open the box.”

Midoriya and Kirishima reached in and took out the ledger notebook, bound old photographs and the framed family photo of the four of them.

“After the dust settled with the legalities and our citizenship, I did my own investigation,” she divulged and proceeded to tell them the entire story of her childhood escapades and run-in with Eraserhead, Fourth Kind and Gang Orca.

“I can’t believe you called Aizawa-sensei a ‘mophead’,” the spiky red-head snickered and covered his mouth from laughing, despite the gloomy atmosphere. “That’s pretty amazing.”

“I’m sure Tomoe and Seri filled in the blanks with how we met then?”

“The general idea of it, yeah,” Midoriya replied softly.

“Then fill me in,” Bakugou butted in. “I wasn’t there.”

While the group busied themselves with conversation and sifted through her relics, Ren excused herself to clean up in the bathroom. Huffing a heavy breath, she pulled her head up and stared at herself in the mirror after flipping the light switch on.

Her hair was completely disheveled like she just rolled out of bed; her hazel-green eyes were bloodshot, red and puffy from all the crying. A dry crust of fresh discharge coated the bottom of her nose; the tip was completely red with matching blotches scattered across her fair skin. The scar on her shoulder was peeking out of the slouchy sweater she was wearing.

In short, she looked like hell and then some.

Turning the faucet on, she waited for the water to get warm enough to splash it on her face a few times. Feeling satisfied with the amount of wetness, she killed the running water and blindly felt for her hanging face towel to wipe the droplets off. Sighing again, she checked herself once more to make sure she was semi-presentable again to her guests outside.

Making her way back to her spot, Ren let out a light groan as she sat back down. A steady but comfortable silence filled the void as the group thumbed through the old ledger book. Kirishima slowly went through the photos one by one.

“You really didn’t hold back,” Bakugou was impressed with her meticulousness and carefully flipped the pages. “You even got down the schedules of each group’s patrol around their turf.”

“I was going to use that when I was old enough to stay out late to tail them.”

She unconsciously reached out to grab the frame of her family photo off of the floor and cradled it with her hands, something she used to not be able to do. The emotional weight of it was too heavy for her to lift before. Even touching it would make her shake violently back then.

But having seen through this to the end, her heart felt a lot lighter. Uraraka and Asui peered over her shoulders to see four people sitting in front of a house on the small front lawn, smiling at the camera. Her dad was a tall and lanky man with jet black hair wearing casual clothing, her mom with the same hair color as Ren leaning on his shoulder. Her brother had their dad’s hair but their mom’s smile. He and the younger form of herself linked arms, grinning ear to ear.

It was a home and family that no longer existed nor could she go back to.

“What kind of person was your brother?” Asui enquired. Being the oldest sibling in her family, she sincerely empathized with her upperclassman’s story.

“Jun was… stubborn, but patient and kindhearted,” she remembered with a small smile on her lips. “He was competitive, but never boastful. And had a strong sense of justice. His presence was always there to reassure people.”

Ren’s face softened at the memory and fresh as if it happened seconds ago.

“I was actually scared of my quirk when it first manifested because I couldn’t control it,” she revealed. “I was in the middle of my piano class one day and next thing I knew, I was in the middle of a busy street in California scared out of my mind and crying my eyes out in front of strangers.”

The pink haired girl paused briefly and covered the lower half of her face, cringing from embarrassment.

“Jun heard what happened and comforted me after I got home. While he did that, he told me something to help me control Flicker; I still use it today.”

“And that is?” Midoriya asked.

“‘Find a point and mark it your home.’”

“So what was his quirk?” Uraraka asked.

“He could generate a sonic-scream with his voice that could double as sonar. Drove my mom nuts whenever he sang or yelled excitedly.”

“That sounds like a really cool one,” Kirishima remarked. “He would’ve made an awesome hero.”

“If he was alive today, he’d probably be a sidekick to someone.”

Asui and Uraraka analyzed the photo and focused on her parents.

“You really do look like your dad,” Uraraka noticed. “Especially your nose.”

“I’ve been told that,” she let out a small chuckle with a matching smile. “I got my mom’s eyes and temper though.”

“Is it that bad?” Todoroki asked.

“It’s pretty bad,” Midoriya and Kirishima both firmly stated. Ren promptly face palmed, remembering what happened at the briefing at Nighteye’s agency and groaned.

“She went off on a pro-hero,” the green-haired boy squeaked out. “In English. I thought they were gonna kick us out.”

“The guy was pretty much puttin’ us down and calling us extra luggage,” Kirishima defended. “Senpai verbally tore him a new one.”

“We made good though,” Ren casually tossed that fact in there.

Bakugou was impressed and let out a smirk. “Never thought you had it in you, considering how timid you were with me.”

“That was my poor attempt in trying to be polite,” she deadpanned.

“I smelled that bullshit from a mile away,” the spiky blond boy retorted as she pressed her lips down into a fine line.

“So what are you going to do with all this stuff now?” Midoriya asked, gesturing to the contents.

Ren stared at it in deep thought and suddenly blurted out, “Burn it.”

“What?!” they all exclaimed.

“Heh, now you’re speakin’ my lingo,” the explosive boy encouraged with a wide grin and excited red eyes.

“But you put so much effort into—” Asui tried to reason, only to be cut off.

“It was my anger and sorrow I put into this.” She placed a hand on top of the ledger and stroked the aged leather cover with her thumb. “It’s given me nothing but lingering bad memories. And it’s served its purpose. Let the past stay in the past.”

“Are you sure though?” Todoroki calmly asked. “They may have been bad memories, but they made you into who you are today.”

“If I leave it here, someone might find it and I’d get in trouble,” she reasoned. “No one knows this exists except the ones I’ve told and those three pro-heroes.”

A heavy sigh emitted from their noses as they stared at the scattered items. They knew she was right and felt they weren’t at a place where they could argue with her.

“If you’re sure… I’ll help you burn it,” the bi-coloured haired boy finally spoke up. He looked at his left hand and back to Ren. “Just let me know when.”

She gave a soft, thankful nod in his direction and let out a loud breath.

“I loaded some pretty heavy stuff on you guys, didn’t I?” The corner of her lips curved upward in a lopsided direction and rubbed the back of her neck.

“Not exactly relaxing weekend talk, if that’s what you mean,” Kirishima chimed in with an awkward smile and scratched the back of his head.

“You asked for it,” she light-heartedly noted.

“I did, didn’t I?” the spiky red-head sheepishly replied with a toothy grin.

With the room getting stuffy with the amount of people in there, she opened the door only to see eavesdroppers piled on top of one another with protruding limbs. One of them looked up and revealed Kaminari’s face.

“O-oh, h-heeeeyyyy, senpai,” he timidly stuttered out as he met the livid death glare of their resident advisor. “Fancy seein’ you here.” The others shuffled below him as a means to escape, revealing Ashido and Sero.

Midoriya, Kirishima, and Uraraka’s face had shock written all over it, while Bakugou’s exasperated expression had him groan aloud. Todoroki and Asui, as always, were stoic. Ren immediately slammed her fist into her palm, audibly cracking her knuckles.

“How much did you hear?” she growled out through gritted teeth.

The group stammered and froze in fear.

“HOW. MUCH.” She repeated in a much harsher tone.

“From when you started crying?” the electric blond boy squeaked out.

“Fuck,” she hissed out in English.

“Oh no,” Kirishima blurted out.

“’Oh no?’” the group repeated with a look of extreme fear reflecting in their eyes.

“You… might want to run now,” Uraraka quietly suggested. “I’ll pray for your safety.”

“Now, w-wait a moment please,” Ashido stammered out and held an arm out, trying to crawl backwards. “We only did this because we got worried.”

“Not my problem,” she raged on. “I’m sure your parents taught you better than this.”

The infuriated pink-haired girl glowered down at the perpetrators, looking like a demon with a grin to match her current persona.

“This is what I do to nosy people.”

And that was when class 1-A knew the full extent of the Takahiro Special when the three member of the Bakusquad showed up in the common room the next day with scattered bandages and gauze all over their face and limbs.

[imitranslates]

Fukigen na Mononokean Ch. 62

Some old friends, some interesting tidbits about Aoi, and next chapter... Finally the Abeno backstory we’ve been waiting for?? We’ll see. Enjoy~

Please remember to check out the official English release when it comes out, preferably on Crunchyroll if you’re able to!

The newest chapter can be read on the official website by clicking the yellow button labeled 読む!

Fukigen na Mononokean Chapter 62 - Detour

Page 3

Ashiya: Fuzzy!

Page 4

Ashiya: Oof!

Justice: Good job with your lap around the moat.

Page 5

Nio: Nyuoon...

Page 6

Shizuku: I've finished treating him.

Shizuku: Thanks to your swift first aid, the damage wasn't very serious.

Everything will be alright once the wound heals!

Abeno: I see...

Ashiya: Thank goodness...

Shizuku: Now then,

Shizuku: Let me give you both a check up to make sure you haven't been cursed! There could be a bug hidden in your kimono... Hurry, take it off...

Abeno: How many times do I have to say, "We haven't been cursed, so we don't need a check up," before you give up? (Calm down.)

Abeno: Before we came back to the Underworld, we fumigated our clothes with the smoke from the purifying water to finish exorcising any insects.

Ashiya: C-can we get out of the smoke now? (Cough!)

Abeno: Not yet.

Page 7

(Shizuku: Shizuku let it go just for today, but!! If you start feeling bad, you have to come back right away!)

(Abeno: Okay, okay.)

(Ashiya: Yes!)

Ashiya: (...Hm? Now that I think of it...)

Ashiya: Shizuku-chan.

Is Koura-san not around today?

Shizuku: Yeah... She's out delivering medicine somewhere.

Shizuku: Recently I've stopped thinking of watching the shop as something to pass the time until we can be together again...

After all, isn't relying on Shizuku to mind the store is proof of Koura-sama's trust!? (Ehehe...)

(Ashiya: Isn't that nice...)

Abeno: ...

Abeno: (I wonder...) Back when you'd first started working here, you used to mix up medicinal herbs and poisonous plants in recipes...

And your explosions while making medicine turned mountains of precious ingredients into garbage. I guess the amount of times you've had to apologize for that kind of thing has gone down a little since then.

Shizuku: .......

Page 8

Shizuku: Don't tell those embarrassing stories about my trainee days!! (I don't make those kind of mistakes anymore!!)

Abeno: But I was praising you?

Shizuku: You definitely weren't!!

Shizuku: Ever since you've grown up, you've turned into a bully!

It wasn't that long ago when you were a good boy even smaller than Shizuku!

(Ashiya: Please get better at complimenting people!)

(Abeno: Why don't you try doing instead, then?)

Shizuku: What about you, Itsuki? When you just started working for the Mononokean, there were things you weren't good at, right?!

Ashiya: !?

Fuzzy: !

(Shizuku: Let's make things even!!)

Shizuku: Like, getting lost in town on errands!

Or coming to work late because you overslept!

Or spilling tea when bringing it over!

Ashiya: You mean, Abeno-san was a klutzy employee once..!?

Abeno: I don't remember that.

Shizuku: Don't act dumb!!

Page 9

Shizuku: After all, Aoi-chan--!

Shizuku: .......

Shizuku: Ah...

Shizuku: A, ah, that's right! Itsuki's not so free to be chatting away with Shizuku!

Shizuku: After this, you have to go see my brother at Newt Lake to give him your report!

Shizuku: My brother must be waiting to talk to you, too!

Abeno: What did Aoi say?

Shizuku: ......

Page 10

Shizuku: When you first started, you hated to lose, so whenever the conversation turned toward your blunders, you'd always look morose.

Shizuku: It was so funny that they wanted to tease you...

Shizuku: That's what Aoi said...

Abeno: So that's why you were so insistent about it...

Abeno: They really were annoying...

Page 11

Shizuku: Itsuki becoming a bully was definitely Aoi-chan's fault, huh~

Abeno: Saying that while giggling... Are you trying to make me mad?

Shizuku: I wonder~

Ashiya: (Aoi-chan...)

(The original master of the Mononokean.)

(The demon that saw off Sakae when he passed on as their employee...)

Page 12

[Just what kind of person

Was Aoi-san...]

Nio: .......

Everyone: !?

Nio: Nyuh!

Ashiya: He ran off!!

Nio: !?

Page 13

Nio: ......

Ashiya: Justice, sir! That demon over there...!

Ashiya: (As expected of the head of White Sand Prison! (He's a pro at capturing things...))

Justice: I always wanna catch things that're running. (You said he ran off, so I was on alert.)

Shizuku: Sir Justice...

Shizuku: Is this little one an escaped prisoner of White Sand Prison?

Justice: No, this is the first time I've seen his face.

But there's a lotta missing demons cases out there, so maybe he's one of those...

Abeno: Is there any way to learn this demon's identity?

Justice: Hm...

Justice: I dunno if we'll be able to figure out anything by going back to White Sand Prison, but...

Page 14

Justice: There was a recent request about some kid that goes "nyuoon" or something.

Ashiya: That's this guy!!

Abeno: That would be him.

Justice: (That so?) Then I'll take him on back to the requester before we go to Newt Lake.

Justice: You and Itsuki can head over first.

Nio: Nyu.

Ashiya: Please wait! I have to go with you!

Justice: (Hm?) ...Oh, yeah... I nearly left Ashiya-kun.

Shizuku: ?

Ashiya: If you're not watching over me, the Executive will make me wish I was dead... Please don't forget about it...

Justice: You coming, Itsuki?

Abeno: No... I'll head to Newt Lake first.

Justice: Then we'll meet up later.

(Shizuku: See you~!)

Page 15

(Ashiya: Is it this house?)

Demon: Nyu?!

Nio: Nyuoon...

Page 16

Demon: Nyuuh!!!

Nio: !?

Demon: Nyuoon.

Page 17

Justice: Hm...

Justice: So that demon was taking care of him.

Justice: And you found him around those remains that had been infested by the parasitic shrub.

Justice: (Nn..) So parasitic shrub's that close to the moat, on top of plague plants and host bugs...

Can hardly believe how much the princess's protection has weakened..

Ashiya: But even now, the Underworld Princess's health is failing...

Her divine protection will be able to go back to its previous strength, right?

Justice: Hmm... But we'll need some countermeasures in case she collapses again.

Ashiya: There are countermeasures?

Justice: Hmm...

Page 18

Justice: ...If Aoi was around, things would be different.

Ashiya: If Aoi-san was...!?

Justice: Aoi had a strong spiritual power that was comparable to the princess's.

With their aura, they could restrain the curses in the forest.

Justice: If the current princess resigned,

Justice: Aoi was supposed to sit on the throne as the next Underworld Princess.

Page 19

Ashiya: !

[So Aoi-san didn't just have the duty as the master of the Mononokean.

They also had a rare talent worthy of inheriting the princess's throne?!]

Justice: ...But, Aoi ain't here.

Justice: If there's even the slimmest chance of something happening,

We've gotta find a candidate for the next princess...

Ashiya: !

Justice: ......

Page 20

Justice: ...Hey, Ashiya-kun.

Justice: I got something important to talk to you about, but...

Ashiya: !?

Ashiya: Wh...

What is it?

Justice: Where are we? (I lost the path when we were chatting.)

Ashiya: ......

Ashiya: .......Eh?

Page 21

Ashiya: Where are we!?

Ashiya: Are we lost!?

Justice: At times like these, we can call the Mononokean.

Can you call it, Ashiya-kun?

Ashiya: Mononokean, coooome!!

Justice: ...It didn't come.

Ashiya: Abeno-saaaan!

Ashiya: Abeno-saaan!

[At that time.]

Abeno: ?

I'm getting chills all of a sudden...

Legislator: You didn't get possessed after all, did you? Don't infect me, okay?

Ashiya: Mononokeaaan!

(Ashiya: Mononokeaan!)

(Ashiya: Please, come!!)

Ashiya: ......

Ashiya: ....

Where is this place...?

Page 22

Ashiya: !

Ashiya: Hm?

Ashiya: Eek?!

Justice: Something's coming.

Ashiya: Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!

Page 23

Ashiya: Something on my leg!!

Justice: I can't see 'cuz of the tall grass.

Lil scree: Screeee!

Ashiya: !?

Lil scree: Scree!

Page 24

Lil scree: Screeee!

Ashiya: !!!

Lil screes: Scree! Scree! Screeee!!

Page 25

(Justice: A client of the Mononokean?)

Ashiya: Long time no see! You surprised me!

Ashiya: To think, we'd meet again by chance here...

Ashiya: Hm? That's wrong?

Justice: Ashiya-kun was yelling so loud that they heard you and came over, I bet.

Ashiya: Is that true...!?

Lil scree: Scre!

Ashiya: We actually happen to be lost right now...

Do you know the way to get to Newt Lake from here?

Lil scree: Screee!

Page 26

Justice: Looks like they'll show us the way.

Ashiya: We're saved! Like this, we'll be able to get to Newt Lake somehow.

Justice: Hm...

Voice: Heey! Ashiyaa!

Ashiya: !?

Lil scree: Scree.

Justice: Hm?

Page 27

Chuns: Chun! Chun!

Joumatsu: Princess! That was indeed Ashiya's voice!

Anmo: Pii!

Ashiya: Huh?

Justice: Someone else came. (More clients of the Mononokean?)

Manjirou: I've come to save you, Ashiya, my boy! (I heard you calling out!)

(Ashiya: Even Manjirou-san?!)

Ashiya: !?

Justice: Ah, here's the path.

(Ashiya: Bonta-san?!)

Bonta: Ashiyaa!

Page 28

Ashiya: ...?

Ashiya: (I was just yelling for Abeno-san and the Mononokean as a last ditch effort...)

Chuns: Chun!

Justice: ...

(Joumatsu: Princess!!)

(Bonta: I ended up getting a job, too! I'm in the middle of working~)

Ashiya: (So many of them came...!!)

(Manjirou: Is young Abeno keeping well?)

(Ashiya: Bonta-san, you're in the middle of a delivery?)

(Ashiya: Abeno-san's doing well!)

Ashiya: (I'm glad we didn't stay lost, but I caused everyone trouble...

I'll probably get scolded when I tell Abeno-san later...)

(Abeno: What? What's an employee doing getting helped by his clients!?)

Justice: ......

Justice: ......

Page 29

Little screes: Screee.

Ashiya: We're here!!

Ashiya: Everyone, I want to thank you deeply for coming to my aid when I was lost!

Lil scree: Scree!

(Screes: Scree!)

(Bonta: See you, Ashiyaa!)

(Manjirou: Give my regards to young Abeno!)

Justice: .......

Page 30

Justice: ......

(Ashiya: Fuzzy, be careful so you don't fall.)

Justice: ......

Justice: Mm...

Justice: ...Hey, Ashiya-kun.

Justice: Is it possible that you used your "influence" just then?

Page 31

Ashiya: Eh?

Ashiya: I used it?! (Unconsciously again?!)

(Ashiya: When?! Where!?)

Justice: I was just asking, but... If you're acting like that, you must not've.

Ashiya: Have I... done something to make the Justice suspect me?

Justice: (Hm.) Just a li'l...

Justice: For that many demons to show up one after the other,

I was thinking there was something more to it.

Ashiya: (Something more...?)

Ashiya: !!

["Influence" is a power that suppresses a demon's will and thoughts, and forces them into obedience.]

[Then, depending on the order, it's possible to call demons with it...!

The Justice was thinking about that...]

Page 32

Justice: ...But,

Justice: Those demons didn't look the least bit scared of your influence when I checked 'em out.

Justice: All of 'em... came to find you with their own will, huh?

Page 33

Justice: Since I'm your guardian, I wanted to make sure you weren't using your influence.

Justice: Sorry for doubting ya.

Ashiya: It's okay...

(To gather demons from all around...)

[In that way...

He resembles Aoi a little, huh...]

Page 34

Ashiya: !

Legislator: (Yo!) Job well done!

Ashiya: Thank you...

Ashiya: (This boss of ours... Is he skipping out on work again...!? (While his subordinates are out working!))

Page 35

Justice: Itsuki said he'd come to Newt Lake first, but...

Legislator: Yeah, he came earlier and told me about the condition of the forest.

Justice: I heard lots from Ashiya-kun on the way, too.

Legislator: I see...

Legislator: The situation in the forest isn't looking good, huh...

Legislator: But I wanted Itsuki and Ashiya-kun to look around firsthand, so that we could learn more details about any changes.

Once we know about the current state, we'll be able to predict how things will go from here, and can figure out some proper countermeasures.

Legislator: With the princess's barrier as unstable as it is, we three officials must use the government to help support the Underworld.

Page 36

Legislator: We can't allow any of those "curses" to corrupt the Underworld.

(He's always acting so carefree that I can never tell what he's thinking, but)

(As one of the three officials, he's thinking about the Underworld so seriously.)

Ashiya: (He might be the actions before words type... I'll have to reassess him!)

(Ashiya: Sorry for thinking you were slacking off...)

Page 37

Justice: Don't say serious things like that when you're drinking.

Justice: I'm only on my 4th cup, I'm not drunk at all?

Ashiya: ...

Ashiya: (I reassessed him, but the result's exactly the same. (Was that a drunken nonsense before?))

Justice: 'Side from that, why're you outside? (You even brought the desk out.)

Legislator: (Listen to me.) Right now Itsuki is in my room, writing a report, but

He said to me, "I'm getting distracted by all the smoke from your pipe," and kicked me out. (Cruel, right?)

Legislator: And then that girl even brought over my favorite sake and dishes~ (She was so cute~)

Abeno: (It stinks, he won't shut up, it's so annoying, he's bothering me.)

Ashiya: Written report... Will I have do that, too? (I can't write in the Underworld's language, though...)

Legislator: If there's anything extra, I'll add it to Itsuki's report, so there's no need.

Legislator: Oh, Ashiya-kun, did you notice anything particular in the forests?

Page 38

Ashiya: (Uhhh...) Was there anything Abeno-san didn't mention...?

Legislator: You don't have to think so hard about it.

It's fine if it's something trivial or seemingly unrelated. (Please, relax.)

Ashiya: (Something trivial!? Something I thought was unrelated!? (Isn't that too hard?!))

Legislator: (Now he looks even more troubled...)

Ashiya: ...!

(Abeno: And I can't call the Mononokean...)

(If I say I noticed that...)

Ashiya: .......

Ashiya: ...Um...

Abeno-san...

Page 39

Ashiya: Had a previous experience entering the forest... right?

Legislator&Justice: ......

Page 40

Ashiya: I knew it, that was too unrelated of a topic...

Uh, let's see... What else did I notice...

(Ashiya: I wonder if any bug spray from the Mundane world would have an effect on the bugs in the Underworld...)

Legislator&Justice: ......

Justice: Itsuki entered the forest once when he was still an employee.

Justice: ...Hey,

Ashiya-kun.

Page 41

Justice: To what extent do you know about "Abeno Haruitsuki"?

Ashiya: ...What extent?

Page 42

(From that day we first met...)

(What extent have I learned about him?)

Page 43

(Just how much do I know...)

[About Abeno-san...]

Abeno: (Those guys are really late... Don't tell me they got lost...)

[loveofyhwh]

September 5: Job 41–42; 1 Timothy 3; Psalm 62; Proverbs 22:28

New Post has been published on https://loveofyhwh.com/september-5-job-41-42-1-timothy-3-psalm-62-proverbs-2228/

September 5: Job 41–42; 1 Timothy 3; Psalm 62; Proverbs 22:28

Old Testament:

Job 41–42

Job 41–42 (Listen)

41   Ch 40:25 in Hebrew‘>1 “Can you draw out LeviathanA large sea animal, exact identity unknown‘>2 with a fishhook     or press down his tongue with a cord? 2   Can you put a rope in his nose     or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3   Will he make many pleas to you?     Will he speak to you soft words? 4   Will he make a covenant with you     to take him for your servant forever? 5   Will you play with him as with a bird,     or will you put him on a leash for your girls? 6   Will traders bargain over him?     Will they divide him up among the merchants? 7   Can you fill his skin with harpoons     or his head with fishing spears? 8   Lay your hands on him;     remember the battle—you will not do it again! 9   Ch 41:1 in Hebrew‘>3 Behold, the hope of a man is false;     he is laid low even at the sight of him. 10   No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up.     Who then is he who can stand before me? 11   Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?     Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. 12   “I will not keep silence concerning his limbs,     or his mighty strength, or his goodly frame. 13   Who can strip off his outer garment?     Who would come near him with a bridle? 14   Who can open the doors of his face?     Around his teeth is terror. 15   His back is made ofOr His pride is in his‘>4 rows of shields,     shut up closely as with a seal. 16   One is so near to another     that no air can come between them. 17   They are joined one to another;     they clasp each other and cannot be separated. 18   His sneezings flash forth light,     and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. 19   Out of his mouth go flaming torches;     sparks of fire leap forth. 20   Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,     as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. 21   His breath kindles coals,     and a flame comes forth from his mouth. 22   In his neck abides strength,     and terror dances before him. 23   The folds of his flesh stick together,     firmly cast on him and immovable. 24   His heart is hard as a stone,     hard as the lower millstone. 25   When he raises himself up, the mightyOr gods‘>5 are afraid;     at the crashing they are beside themselves. 26   Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail,     nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin. 27   He counts iron as straw,     and bronze as rotten wood. 28   The arrow cannot make him flee;     for him, sling stones are turned to stubble. 29   Clubs are counted as stubble;     he laughs at the rattle of javelins. 30   His underparts are like sharp potsherds;     he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire. 31   He makes the deep boil like a pot;     he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. 32   Behind him he leaves a shining wake;     one would think the deep to be white-haired. 33   On earth there is not his like,     a creature without fear. 34   He sees everything that is high;     he is king over all the sons of pride.”

Job’s Confession and Repentance

42 Then Job answered the LORD and said:

2   “I know that you can do all things,     and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3   ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’   Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,     things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4   ‘Hear, and I will speak;     I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ 5   I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,     but now my eye sees you; 6   therefore I despise myself,     and repentOr and am comforted‘>6 in dust and ashes.”

The Lord Rebukes Job’s Friends

7 After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.

The Lord Restores Job’s Fortunes

10 And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evilOr disaster‘>7 that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of moneyHebrew a qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value‘>8 and a ring of gold.

12 And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man, and full of days.

Footnotes

[1] 41:1 Ch 40:25 in Hebrew [2] 41:1 A large sea animal, exact identity unknown [3] 41:9 Ch 41:1 in Hebrew [4] 41:15 Or His pride is in his [5] 41:25 Or gods [6] 42:6 Or and am comforted [7] 42:11 Or disaster [8] 42:11 Hebrew a qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value

(ESV)

New Testament:

1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3 (Listen)

Qualifications for Overseers

3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseerOr bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1‘>1 must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,Or a man of one woman; also verse 12‘>2 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,Or devious in speech‘>3 not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewiseOr Wives likewise, or Women likewise‘>4 must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

  HeGreek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which‘>5 was manifested in the flesh,     vindicatedOr justified‘>6 by the Spirit,Or vindicated in spirit‘>7       seen by angels,   proclaimed among the nations,     believed on in the world,       taken up in glory.

Footnotes

[1] 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1 [2] 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12 [3] 3:8 Or devious in speech [4] 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise [5] 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which [6] 3:16 Or justified [7] 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

(ESV)

Psalm:

Psalm 62

Psalm 62 (Listen)

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62   For God alone my soul waits in silence;     from him comes my salvation. 2   He alone is my rock and my salvation,     my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3   How long will all of you attack a man     to batter him,     like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4   They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.     They take pleasure in falsehood.   They bless with their mouths,     but inwardly they curse. Selah 5   For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,     for my hope is from him. 6   He only is my rock and my salvation,     my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7   On God rests my salvation and my glory;     my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8   Trust in him at all times, O people;     pour out your heart before him;     God is a refuge for us. Selah 9   Those of low estate are but a breath;     those of high estate are a delusion;   in the balances they go up;     they are together lighter than a breath. 10   Put no trust in extortion;     set no vain hopes on robbery;     if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11   Once God has spoken;     twice have I heard this:   that power belongs to God, 12     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.   For you will render to a man     according to his work.

(ESV)

Proverb:

Proverbs 22:28

Proverbs 22:28 (Listen)

28   Do not move the ancient landmark     that your fathers have set.

(ESV)

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE BOOK OF Josue - From The Douay-Rheims Bible - Latin Vulgate

Chapter 8

INTRODUCTION

This book is called Josue, because it contains the history of what passed under him, and, according to the common opinion, was written by him. The Greeks call him Jesus; for Josue and Jesus, in the Hebrew, are the same name, and have the same signification, viz. A Saviour. And it was not without a mystery, that he who was to bring the people into the land of promise, should have his name changed from Osee (for so he was called before, Num. xiii. 17,) to Josue, or Jesus, to give us to understand, the Moses, by his law, could only bring the people within sight of the promised inheritance, but that our Saviour, Jesus, was to bring us into it. Ch. --- The Hebrews who had been so rebellious under Moses, behaved with remarkable fidelity and respect towards his successor; who, by these means, more forcibly represented the Christian Church, (D.) which will be ever obedient to her divine head and observe his directions. Josue had been trained up a long time under the hand of Moses, and God had given him the commission to govern his people, in so public a manner, that no one offered to claim that high and arduous office. In effect, the whole conduct of Josue before and after his exaltation, shewed him to be most deserving of command. H. --- Josue, says the Holy Ghost, (Eccli. xlvi. 1,) was successor of Moses among the prophets, or, according to the Greek, "in prophecies." Many explain this of the obligation incumbent on him, to continue the sacred history (C.) and revelations where Moses had left off. The last chapter of this book informs us that he did so. Perhaps some additions, by way of farther explication, have been made by subsequent inspired writers, though most of the passages which are adduced to prove this assertion, seem to be of little force. Respecting the death of Josue, we may make the same observations as on that of Moses. It may have been written by the author of the Book of Judges. Theodoret seems to have thought that the work before us, was compiled out of the public registers, which are quoted C. x. under the name of the book of the Lord. See Num. xxi. 14. The Samaritans have a book or chronicle of Josue, which relates in 39 or 47 chapters, many facts of scriptural history, (H.) down to the reign of Adrian, intermingled with a variety of fables. It seems to be of modern date. Hottinger undertook to publish it in Latin, but was prevented by death. C. --- The true history of Josue sets before us the passage of the Jordan, the conquest of Chanaan, and the distribution of the country. After the pious general had performed all that could be expected from him, after he had twice ratified the covenant between God and his people, and exhorted the latter, with his last breath, to observe an inviolable fidelity to the only Lord, he departed this life in peace, in the 110th year of his age, and was buried at Thamnath Sare, which he had built for the place of his abode. H. --- As the five books of Moses contain the law, intermixed with history, so this first of the historical books exhibits a variety of useful precepts and predictions. The prophetical and sapiential books must be considered in the same light. W. --- They all tend to promote true wisdom and the salvation of men, provided they be perused in the same spirit with which they were written. H.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin. HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY

This Catholic commentary on the Old Testament, following the Douay-Rheims Bible text, was originally compiled by Catholic priest and biblical scholar Rev. George Leo Haydock (1774-1849). This transcription is based on Haydock's notes as they appear in the 1859 edition of Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary printed by Edward Dunigan and Brother, New York, New York.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Changes made to the original text for this transcription include the following:

Greek letters. The original text sometimes includes Greek expressions spelled out in Greek letters. In this transcription, those expressions have been transliterated from Greek letters to English letters, put in italics, and underlined. The following substitution scheme has been used: A for Alpha; B for Beta; G for Gamma; D for Delta; E for Epsilon; Z for Zeta; E for Eta; Th for Theta; I for Iota; K for Kappa; L for Lamda; M for Mu; N for Nu; X for Xi; O for Omicron; P for Pi; R for Rho; S for Sigma; T for Tau; U for Upsilon; Ph for Phi; Ch for Chi; Ps for Psi; O for Omega. For example, where the name, Jesus, is spelled out in the original text in Greek letters, Iota-eta-sigma-omicron-upsilon-sigma, it is transliterated in this transcription as, Iesous. Greek diacritical marks have not been represented in this transcription.

Footnotes. The original text indicates footnotes with special characters, including the astrisk (*) and printers' marks, such as the dagger mark, the double dagger mark, the section mark, the parallels mark, and the paragraph mark. In this transcription all these special characters have been replaced by numbers in square brackets, such as [1], [2], [3], etc.

Accent marks. The original text contains some English letters represented with accent marks. In this transcription, those letters have been rendered in this transcription without their accent marks.

Other special characters.

Solid horizontal lines of various lengths that appear in the original text have been represented as a series of consecutive hyphens of approximately the same length, such as ---.

Ligatures, single characters containing two letters united, in the original text in some Latin expressions have been represented in this transcription as separate letters. The ligature formed by uniting A and E is represented as Ae, that of a and e as ae, that of O and E as Oe, and that of o and e as oe.

Monetary sums in the original text represented with a preceding British pound sterling symbol (a stylized L, transected by a short horizontal line) are represented in this transcription with a following pound symbol, l.

The half symbol (1/2) and three-quarters symbol (3/4) in the original text have been represented in this transcription with their decimal equivalent, (.5) and (.75) respectively.

Unreadable text. Places where the transcriber's copy of the original text is unreadable have been indicated in this transcription by an empty set of square brackets, [].

Chapter 8

Hai is taken and burnt, and all the inhabitants slain. An altar is built, and sacrifices offered. The law is written on stones, and the blessings and cursings are read before all the people.

[1] And the Lord said to Josue: Fear not, nor be thou dismayed: take with thee all the multitude of fighting men, arise and go up to the town of Hai. Behold I have delivered into thy hand the king thereof, and the people, and the city, and the land. Dixit autem Dominus ad Josue : Ne timeas, neque formides : tolle tecum omnem multitudinem pugnatorum, et consurgens ascende in oppidum Hai. Ecce tradidi in manu tua regem ejus, et populum, urbemque et terram.

[2] And thou shalt do to the city of Hai, and to the king thereof, as thou hast done to Jericho, and to the king thereof: but the spoils and all the cattle you shall take for a prey to yourselves: lay an ambush for the city behind it. Faciesque urbi Hai, et regi ejus, sicut fecisti Jericho, et regi illius : praedam vero, et omnia animantia diripietis vobis : pone insidias urbi post eam.

[3] And Josue arose, and all the army of the fighting men with him, to go up against Hai: and he sent thirty thousand chosen valiant men in the night, Surrexitque Josue, et omnis exercitus bellatorum cum eo, ut ascenderent in Hai : et electa triginta millia virorum fortium misit nocte,

[4] And commanded them, saying: Lay an ambush behind the city: and go not very far from it: and be ye all ready. praecepitque eis, dicens : Ponite insidias post civitatem : nec longius recedatis : et eritis omnes parati.

[5] But I and the rest of the multitude which is with me; will approach on the contrary side against the city. And when they shall come out against us, we will flee, and turn our backs, as we did before: Ego autem, et reliqua multitudo, quae mecum est, accedemus ex adverso contra urbem. Cumque exierint contra nos, sicut ante fecimus : fugiemus, et terga vertemus,

[6] Till they pursuing us be drawn farther from the city: for they will think that we flee as before. donec persequentes ab urbe longius protrahantur : putabunt enim nos fugere sicut prius.

[7] And whilst we are fleeing, and they pursuing, you shall arise out of the ambush, and shall destroy the city: and the Lord your God will deliver it into our hands. Nobis ergo fugientibus, et illis persequentibus, consurgetis de insidiis, et vastabitis civitatem : tradetque eam Dominus Deus vester in manus vestras.

[8] And when you shall have taken it, set it on fire, and you shall do all things so as I have commanded. Cumque ceperitis, succendite eam, et sic omnia facietis, ut jussi.

[9] And he sent them away, and they went on to the place of the ambush, and abode between Bethel and Hai, on the west side of the city of Hai. But Josue stayed that night in the midst of the people, Dimisitque eos, et perrexerunt ad locum insidiarum, sederuntque inter Bethel et Hai, ad occidentalem plagam urbis Hai : Josue autem nocte illa in medio mansit populi,

[10] And rising early in the morning, he mustered his soldiers, and went up with the ancients in the front of the army environed with the aid of the fighting men. surgensque diluculo recensuit socios, et ascendit cum senioribus in fronte exercitus, vallatus auxilio pugnatorum.

[11] And when they were come, and were gone up over against the city, they stood on the north side of the city, between which and them there was a valley in the midst. Cumque venissent et ascendissent ex adverso civitatis, steterunt ad septentrionalem urbis plagam, inter quam et eos erat vallis media.

[12] And he had chosen five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Hai, on the west side of the same city: Quinque autem millia viros elegerat, et posuerat in insidiis inter Bethel et Hai ex occidentali parte ejusdem civitatis :

[13] But all the rest of the army went in battle array on the north side, so that the last of that multitude reached to the west side of the city. So Josue went that night, and stood in the midst of the valley. omnis vero reliquus exercitus ad aquilonem aciem dirigebat, ita ut novissimi illius multitudinis occidentalem plagam urbis attingerent. Abiit ergo Josue nocte illa, et stetit in vallis medio.

[14] And when the king of Hai saw this, he made haste in the morning, and went out with all the army of the city, and set it in battle array toward the desert, not knowing that there lay an ambush behind his back. Quod cum vidisset rex Hai, festinavit mane, et egressus est cum omni exercitu civitatis, direxitque aciem contra desertum, ignorans quod post tergum laterent insidiae.

[15] But Josue, and all Israel gave back, making as if they were afraid, and fleeing by the way of the wilderness. Josue vero et omnis Israel cesserunt loco, simulantes metum, et fugientes per solitudinis viam.

[16] But they shouting together, and encouraging one another, pursued them. And when they were come from the city, At illi vociferante pariter, et se mutuo cohortantes, persecuti sunt eos. Cumque recessissent a civitate,

[17] And not one remained in the city of Hai and of Bethel, that did not pursue after Israel, leaving the towns open as they had rushed out, et ne unus quidem in urbe Hai et Bethel remansisset qui non persequeretur Israel ( sicut eruperant aperta oppida relinquentes),

[18] The Lord said to Josue: Lift up the shield that is in thy hand, towards the city of Hai, for I will deliver it to thee. dixit Dominus ad Josue : Leva clypeum, qui in manu tua est, contra urbem Hai, quoniam tibi tradam eam.

[19] And when he had lifted up his shield towards the city, the ambush that lay hid, rose up immediately: and going to the city, took it and set it on fire. Cumque elevasset clypeum ex adverso civitatis, insidiae, quae latebant, surrexerunt confestim : et pergentes ad civitatem, ceperunt, et succenderunt eam.

[20] And the men of the city, that pursued after Josue, looking back and seeing the smoke of the city rise up to heaven, had no more power to flee this way or that way: especially as they that had counterfeited flight, and were going toward the wilderness, turned back most valiantly against them that pursued. Viri autem civitatis, qui persequebantur Josue, respicientes et videntes fumum urbis ad caelum usque conscendere, non potuerunt ultra huc illucque diffugere : praesertim cum hi qui simulaverant fugam, et tendebant ad solitudinem, contra persequentes fortissime restitissent.

[21] So Josue and all Israel seeing that the city was taken, and that the smoke of the city rose up, returned and slew the men of Hai. Vidensque Josue et omnis Israel quod capta esset civitas, et fumus urbis ascenderet, reversus percussit viros Hai.

[22] And they also that had taken and set the city on fire, issuing out of the city to meet their own men, began to cut off the enemies who were surrounded by them. So that the enemies being cut off on both sides, not one of so great a multitude was saved. Siquidem et illi qui ceperant et succenderant civitatem, egressi ex urbe contra suos, medios hostium ferire coeperunt. Cum ergo ex utraque parte adversarii caederentur, ita ut nullus de tanta multitudine salvaretur,

[23] And they took the king of the city of Hai alive, and brought him to Josue. regem quoque urbis Hai apprehenderunt viventem, et obtulerunt Josue.

[24] So all being slain that had pursued after Israel in his flight to the wilderness, and tailing by the sword in the same place, the children of Israel returned and laid waste the city. Igitur omnibus interfectis, qui Israelem ad deserta tendentem fuerant persecuti, et in eodem loco gladio corruentibus, reversi filii Israel percusserunt civitatem.

[25] And the number of them that fell that day, both of men and women, was twelve thousand persons all of the city of Hai. Erant autem qui in eodem die conciderant a viro usque ad mulierem, duodecim millia hominum, omnes urbis Hai.

[26] But Josue drew not back his hand, which he had stretched out on high, holding the shield, till all the inhabitants of Hai were slain. Josue vero non contraxit manum, quam in sublime porrexerat, tenens clypeum donec interficerentur omnes habitatores Hai.

[27] And the children of Israel divided among them the cattle and the prey of the city, as the Lord had commanded Josue. Jumenta autem et praedam civitatis diviserunt sibi filii Israel, sicut praeceperat Dominus Josue.

[28] And he burned the city, and made it a heap for ever: Qui succendit urbem, et fecit eam tumulum sempiternum :

[29] And he hung the king thereof on a gibbet until the evening and the going down of the sun. Then Josue commanded, and they took down his carcass from the gibbet: and threw it in the very entrance of the city, heaping upon it a great heap of stones, which remaineth until this present day. regem quoque ejus suspendit in patibulo usque ad vesperam et solis occasum. Praecepitque Josue, et deposuerunt cadaver ejus de cruce : projeceruntque in ipso introitu civitatis, congesto super eum magno acervo lapidum, qui permanet usque in praesentem diem.

[30] Then Josue built an altar to the Lord the God of Israel in mount Hebal, Tunc aedificavit Josue altare Domino Deo Israel in monte Hebal,

[31] As Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the children of Israel, and it is written in the book of the law of Moses: an altar of unhewn stones which iron had not touched: and he offered upon it holocausts to the Lord, and immolated victims of peace offerings. sicut praeceperat Moyses famulus Domini filiis Israel, et scriptum est in volumine legis Moysi : altare vero de lapidibus impolitis, quos ferrum non tetigit : et obtulit super eo holocausta Domino, immolavitque pacificas victimas.

[32] And he wrote upon stones the Deuteronomy of the law of Moses, which he had ordered before the children of Israel. Et scripsit super lapides Deuteronomium legis Moysi, quod ille digesserat coram filiis Israel.

[33] And all the people, and the ancients, and the princes and judges stood on both sides of the ark, before the priests that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, both the stranger and he that was born among them, half of them by mount Garizim, and half by mount Hebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. And first he blessed the people of Israel. Omnis autem populus, et majores natu, ducesque ac judices, stabant ex utraque parte arcae, in conspectu sacerdotum qui portabant arcam foederis Domini, ut advena, ita et indigena. Media pars eorum juxta montem Garizim, et media juxta montem Hebal, sicut praeceperat Moyses famulus Domini. Et primum quidem benedixit populo Israel.

[34] After this he read all the words of the blessing and the cursing and all things that were written in the book of the law. Post haec legit omnia verba benedictionis et maledictionis, et cuncta quae scripta erant in legis volumine.

[35] He left out nothing of those things which Moses had commanded, but he repeated all before all the people of Israel, with the women and children and strangers that dwelt among them. Nihil ex his quae Moyses jusserat, reliquit intactum, sed universa replicavit coram omni multitudine Israel, mulieribus ac parvulis et advenis, qui inter eos morabantur.

Commentary:

Ver. 1. Men. Masius and Salien (H.) suppose that Josue selected out of them 30,000; 5000 of whom were to be placed in ambush, and the rest were to pretend that they were terrified at the approach of the king of Hai, and to flee with Josue. But the text seems to assert that all accompanied their general, (C.) excepting such as were left to guard the camp.

Ver. 2. King. There was this difference, that the king of Hai was to be gibbeted, and his corpse stoned, while the city was to be plundered by the Israelites. --- It. This mode of warfare is equally just, as if the enemy was attacked in the open field. Dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirat? Virg. --- God was pleased to authorize it on this occasion, that his people might be less exposed, being under some apprehensions on account of the former defeat. Some nations have preferred to encounter the enemy openly. Grot. Jur. iii. 1. 20. But their example is no law for others. "When the war is just, it matters not whether a person gain the victory by open fighting or by stratagem." S. Aug. q. 10. "It is often prudent to conceal the truth." c. Mend. x. People engaged in warfare, allow each other to take such advantages. God could easily have routed these few men by means of the army of Israel, or by a miracle, as he did at Jericho. H. --- But he is at liberty to act as he thinks proper. The ambush was laid on the south-west side of Hai, so that those of Bethel might not perceive it, as they came out to the assistance of their countrymen, v. 17. Five thousand were placed in one place, and 25,000 in another, while the main body of the army, under Josue, took a circuit by the east, and came to attack the city on the north side. C.

Ver. 4. Ready to enter the city, when its soldiers are all in pursuit of us. H.

Ver. 5. And turn, &c. Josue had not fled before. C. --- Heb. "against us, as at the first, we will flee before them."

Ver. 8. Fire. They were to set some houses on fire for a signal, but the whole city was not to be destroyed (C.) till the Israelites had collected the plunder. H.

Ver. 10. Ancients, who had a command in the army, and assisted Josue with their counsel. They gave him an account of the state and numbers of the army. C.

Ver. 12. Five thousand. These were part of the 30,000 mentioned above, v. 3. Ch. --- Josue had given orders to have them placed in ambush apart; (C.) unless, perhaps, he places these himself in some secret place. H.

Ver. 13. Night. He spent the forepart of it at Galgal, to prevent any suspicion, v. 9. But setting out very early, (v. 10,) he arrived at Hai before sun-rise.

Ver. 14. Desert of Bethel, fit only for pasturage. C. xviii. 12.

Ver. 15. Afraid. Heb. "made as if they were beaten before them, and fled." Thus they drew on the king of Hai, so as to leave the ambush in his rear. C.

Ver. 17. Not one fit to bear arms. W. --- Bethel. As soon as the people of this city perceived the Israelites fleeing, they rushed out to assist the king of Hai in the pursuit. But when they saw the former rally, before they had joined their friends, (C.) they very prudently retired, and left the unhappy citizens of Hai to their fate. H. --- Hence all who were slain belonged to the latter city, v. 25.

Ver. 18. Shield, as Moses lifted up his hands. Ex. xvii. 11. Some translate, "dart, spear," or "sword." Sept. and Eccli. xvi. 3. C. --- The buckler might be suspended on a spear, (M.) that it might be seen afar off (W.) by some appointed to keep watch on purpose. H.

Ver. 23. Josue. This king was reserved for greater torments and ignominy. It was the ancient custom to present kings and chief commanders to the victorious general, who rewarded those who brought them. Grotius.

Ver. 28. For ever, or for a long time. It was rebuilt before the captivity. 2 Esd. vii. 31.

Ver. 29. Gibbet. Sept. "a cross." Some say that the king was first killed; but that assertion is destitute of proof. The corpse was taken down before night. Deut. xxi. 22.

Ver. 30. Hebal. The Sam. Chronicle says on Mount Garizim. No doubt Josue complied with the injunctions of Moses: but we have seen that there are reasons to doubt which mountain he pitched upon. Deut. xxvii. 4. H. --- It seems more probable that the altar would be upon Garizim, where the blessings were proclaimed, if the texts of Moses and of Josue did not formally assert the contrary. C. --- But if they have been interpolated, nothing certain can be deduced from those passages. Josephus (iv. 8,) says that the altar was between the two mountains, not far from Sichem, which was built at the foot of Garizim; and it is not probable that this historian, the mortal enemy of the Samaritans, would have hesitated to assert that the altar was upon Hebal, if the texts had been so positive, in his time. It is undeniable that the tribes of Levi, and of Ephraim, were upon Garizim; and consequently Josue and the priests must have been there; and who would then officiate at the altar on Hebal? See Kennicott, who ably refutes the insinuations of the infidel, Collins, against the character of the Samaritans. When this altar was erected the learned are not agreed. H. --- Some say, immediately after the passage of the Jordan, and that the 12 stones taken from the bed of the river, were used for that purpose. Josephus says five years elapsed, and R. Ismael supposes that the altar was not built during the 14 years after the passage of the Jordan. But it is most probable that Josue complied with the command of God as soon as he had procured a sort of peace, (H.) by the conquest of these two cities, and was thus enabled to penetrate into the heart of the country, where Garizim was situated, not in the plain of Jericho, as Eusebius imagined, but near Sichem, (C.) about 30 or 40 miles to the north-west of Jericho. H.

Ver. 31. Iron. Spencer complains that the Prot. have not translated barzel, "iron tool," as Deut. xxvii. 5. This translation is found in their more ancient editions of 1537--49, &c. Ken. --- But the difference is very unimportant. The reason of this prohibition is given, Ex. xx. 25. --- He offered; so we read that he wrote, blessed and cursed, &c. because these things were done at least by his authority. It is not necessary to suppose that he engraved the words of the law with his own hands, or that he passed from Garizim, where he had been pronouncing the blessings, to Hebal, in order to denounce the curses. H. --- He probably commissioned some of the princes on Hebal to perform the office of cursing, after he had repeated the blessings himself from Garizim; and the select company of Levites before the ark, having answered or repeated the words, the whole multitude stationed at the foot of Hebal, giving their consent that the transgressors should be cursed. Ken. --- Hence Josue must have sacrificed by the hands of the priests. H. --- Various instances are produced to show that princes and prophets have, on extraordinary occasions, performed this office themselves, 1 K. vi. 15. and vii. 9. 3 K. xviii. 32. C. --- But these must have either received a dispensation from God, or they must have employed the ministry of the legal priests; or, in fine, their actions, like that of Saul, (1 K. xiii. 9,) of Absalom, (ib. i. 9,) Herod, &c. may have been deserving of blame. H. --- The Jews assert that in the desert no one was permitted to sacrifice, except in the tabernacle; but that this prohibition ceased at Galgal, as the ark had no fixed abode, and thus Josue might offer sacrifice himself. Afterwards the law was enforced, while the ark was at Silo. But upon its being removed to Nobe, Maspha, and Gabaon, people resumed their former liberty; and hence there was nothing to hinder Samuel, Saul, and David from offering sacrifice, till the temple was erected. Outram de Sac. i. 2. Grot. in Deut. xii. 8. This sacred office was formerly exercised by kings, particularly at Athens, where, after the people became more numerous, Theseus appointed the king of sacrifices to keep up the memory of the ancient practice. Demost. c. Neream. C. The like was done at Rome under the republic. H.

Ver. 32. Stones, of which the altar was formed, (C.) or on a separate monument, (Masius) consisting of two stones of black marble, so as to leave the letters prominent, and to fill up the vacuities with white plaster, that they might be seen more plainly, and might, at the same time, be more durable than if they had been only written on the cement, whatever some may have said of the tenacity of the ancient plaster. --- Deuteronomy, &c. or copy of the Decalogue which, by way of eminence, is called the law. Act. vii. 53. It is distinguished from the blessings and the curses; (v. 34,) and Moses referred to it, as already existing, (Deut. xxvii. 3. 8,) though the Book of Deuteronomy was not finished till afterwards. He might point to the very tables contained in the ark. "This law, consisting of only 16 verses, might easily be engraved on this solemn day; whereas to engrave the 80 verses of blessings and cursings, would be improbable; and engraving the Pentateuch, or indeed the Book of Deuteronomy, had been impossible." That the Decalogue was to be thus solemnly proclaimed is evident, from the Sam. text. Ex. xx. 18. Kennicott. --- This was the covenant which God had made with his people, (Deut. iv. 13,) and which Moses cautions the Israelites to observe; as upon their fidelity, their present and future happiness entirely depended. It was on this title alone that they could hold the land of Chanaan; and therefore Josue takes care thus publicly to admonish them of their duty. H. --- The Rabbins say that the whole Pentateuch was written on this occasion in 70 languages, that no nation might plead ignorance. But we can hardly believe that even the Book of Deuteronomy could be written, and read, and explained to the people, as that would require many days. C.

Ver. 33. Hebal. "Gerizim and Ebal, says Maundrell, p. 59, are separated by a narrow valley, not above a furlong broad; and Naplosa, (the ancient Sychem) consisting chiefly of two streets lying parallel, is built at the foot of, and under Gerizim." The princes, representing the different tribes, were stationed on these mountains, and the crowd at the foot of them, while a select company of Levites attended the ark in the midst, and repeated what the princes proclaimed, that the multitude might answer Amen, as they turned successively to them; (Kennicott) or the princes might answer Amen, from the top of the two hills. C. --- And first. Prot. "as Moses...had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel." But if Josue blessed them himself, (H.) all superiors might do so, as parents bless their children. W.

Ver. 34. Words. Heb. "words of the law, the blessings," &c. H.

Ver. 35. Repeated. Coverdale's Bible has "Josua caused it to be proclaimed." "It is very common in Scripture to represent a person as doing that which is done by another, in his name and by his authority." Kennicott. --- Josue might be in the midst to preside, (C.) or rather he would be along with the princes of the six tribes on Mount Garizim, v. 30. H. --- Thus the covenant entered into between God and the Israelites, was solemnly ratified when the latter first entered the promised land. The greatest part of those who had been present at Horeb had perished in the wilderness. C.

[johnchiarello]

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY 6-28-17

1 Peter 4:10

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

 Ten Decades-

https://youtu.be/bKj6QJKdXMo

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-CF

.Beeville triple homicide

.New York cam

.How does God speak to us?

.Jason- Jammer- Mike- Paisley- Fat Boy [mentioned- not seen]

.Ten Decades- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBecM3CQVD8

.Jail Break- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRo3u04vY1E

1Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

 Dons pier- https://youtu.be/x8I-BhDDROk

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-CG

.Word from apostle Allen

.The collection FOR the saints

.Junior

.Jimmy D- Mando

Albert

.Mike and Bear

 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.- Matt.

 Guitar Jason- https://youtu.be/4IVPpDHQmM4

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-CH

.Austin

.Jammer

.Fat Boy

.Paisley

.Imagine- Lennon [sung by Jason]

Proverbs 17:22 [Full Chapter]

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

 Jammers request- https://youtu.be/mV5ZLEYmJog

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-CI

.If you know where Helen Pope is- please comment on this post- she moved from Temple- TX.- her son wants to find her- thanks

Matthew 5:13 [Full Chapter]

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

 Zechariah 10:1

Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

 NEW- [more verses below]

Today I saw lots of my friends- On the first video I mentioned that I saw Jason and Jammer [aka caveman] the other day when it was raining hard.

I never stopped to talk to Jason- just waved at him as I drove by- he waved back.

But I did stop and talk to Jammer- I mentioned I saw Jason earlier [the other day].

On the video titled ‘Guitar Jason’ Jason told me I must have seen someone else.

Jammer must have mentioned it to him.

It was no big deal- I thought I saw Jason.

 But that’s what put it in my head to give him the guitar [also prayer].

After I gave him the guitar and shut the video off- he told me his guitar just broke down- and the one he had with him was borrowed- so it came just in time.

That’s why it effected him- to see God provide.

 The guys- on their own- had real good fellowship- talking about their experiences- Furman sharing verses with Austin.

 But they were doing it on their own as I just hung out for the day.

That’s what matters.

 All of these guys know each other- but they don’t often talk about their real experiences with God among themselves.

But they have real experiences- things of value to build each other up.

 That’s what I liked the most- seeing them build each other up.

That’s it for today- hope you get something out of this roll out.

God bless- John

   NEWS-

http://www.mysoutex.com/beeville_bee_picayune/news/last-witness-missing/article_18661f3c-529a-11e7-85d3-9326dd7e13e0.html

http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/beeville-triple-murder-charges-to-be-dropped/452632699

  PAST POSTS-

http://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/how-to-stop-addictive-behaviorfor-good.html

http://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/njnyc-2017.html

http://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/new-jersey-201516-i-made-these-videos.html

When I do videos/posts on Wednesday- I also pray and quote these specific portions of the addiction recovery writing I made years ago-

As you read today’s post- please pray and try and read thru the verses below-

In a spirit of prayer- praying them over all of our friends-

Thanks-  John

PRAYERS [read together at the start of the meeting]

1;

I confess to almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters- that I have sinned thru my own fault.

In my thoughts and in my words- in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.

And I ask Jesus Christ- and all my brothers and sisters- to pray for me to the Lord our God.

 2;

Our father who art in heaven- Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come- thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread- and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation- but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the glory and the power- now and forever- Amen.

 CONFESSIONS [repeat 3 times each]

 1;

I hate vain thoughts- but thy law do I love.

 2;

Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts will be established.

 3 PILLARS

 [Readings from Peter, James and John- either read together- or have one person read one ‘pillar’ each. The bible refers to these 3 men as spiritual pillars of the church]

1;

Gird up the loins of your mind and be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is being brought unto you at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul.

Those that have suffered in the flesh have ceased from sin- that they should no longer live the rest of their lives in the flesh to the lusts of men- but to the will of God.

 2;

Blessed is the man that endures temptation- for when he is tried- he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those that love him.

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust- and enticed. And when lust has conceived it brings forth sin- and sin- when it is finished, brings forth death.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you- draw near unto God and he will draw near unto you. Cleanse your hands- ye sinners- and purify your hearts you double minded.

Be afflicted and mourn and weep- let you laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness- before that great and notable Day of the Lord.

 3;

Behold- a new commandment I give unto you- which thing is true in Him and in you- because the darkness has now passed- and the true light now shines.

Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin- but his word remains in him, and he cannot sin- because he is born of God.

This is how we know he hears us- because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

   VERSES-

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Isaiah 30:14

And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Revelation 1:10

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Revelation 21:10

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

www.corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5?ref=bookmarks

https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ4GsqTEVWRm0HxQTLsifvg

https://twitter.com/ccoutreach87

https://plus.google.com/108013627259688810902/posts

https://vimeo.com/user37400385

https://www.pinterest.com/ccoutreach87/

https://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=hb_logo

http://johnchiarello.tumblr.com/

https://medium.com/@johnchiarello

http://ccoutreach.over-blog.com/

 Note- Please do me a favor, those who read/like the posts- re-post them on other sites as well as the site you read them on- Thanks- John.#

[ejlapple-blog]



The Sermon on the Mount

Click to read story lesson 

Matthew  ch 5-7

The Beatitudes

5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Christ Fulfills the Law

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Begins in the Heart

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Adultery in the Heart

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Marriage Is Sacred and Binding

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Christ Forbids Oaths

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Go the Second Mile

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Love Your Enemies

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Do Good to Please God

6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

The Model Prayer

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The Lamp of the Body

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Do Not Worry

25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Do Not Judge

7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Way

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I Never Knew You

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.



[psalmonesermons]

Lessons from Galatians Part 3a

Ch 3 :1-18 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law

3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

They had heard the one true Gospel, that Jesus Christ had been crucified for the sin of humankind, he died and was resurrected to the right hand of the Father, and everyone who believes in Him, shall be saved by faith in Him.

2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

This is a rhetorical question, we receive the Spirit by believing of course.

3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing?

Usually it is only the true gospel that gets persecuted.

5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

When the dynamic of the Holy Spirit came to them, by faith, how could they even consider going back to a dead religion, Surely, they could see that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, occur where there is faith, but not where there is observance of the Law.

Paul, now, takes them back to first principles.

6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Abraham never observed the Law.

7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.

The believers followed his example.

8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."

9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

This is very Good News.

Shocking news.

10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

These curses include poverty, sickness, famine, want, shortage, confusion, defeat, terror, darkness, despair, and separation etc.; see all these curses in Deuteronomy 28.

11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because "The righteous will live by faith."

12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary,

"The man who does these things will live by them.” The Law only offers life to those who completely obey it.

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

Jesus took it all on the cross that all believers might go free and receive the blessings of God not his curses.

14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

This is the greatest blessing.

15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.

16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.

17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.

18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

v15-18 A covenant is a solemn and binding agreement in which two parties exchange vows or promises committing themselves to a joint relationship or venture.

There may be penalties involved for breach of promise.

What types of covenants do we enact in everyday life?

Marriage and business contracts (mortgages etc.).

So many marriages break up because people want to add new clauses to the deal or the vows that they made. For instance, to have and to hold until you get sick , or get made redundant, or until you meet someone else whom you prefer to your spouse, or until your lack of commitment , selfishness and self pity overwhelm you to the extent that you that you break the marriage covenant.

Many business contracts now include penalty clauses to compensate for breach of contract. No sensible business deal will allow you to change the terms after the deal has been struck.

In the same way God does not let anyone alter the conditions of his promise to Abraham fulfilled through his seed Jesus Christ, and passes through Jesus to us , to be changed nothing can be added or subtracted from the deal.

Because we live in new testament times, we sometimes forget that the law came 430 years after God’s promise to Abraham and Paul is saying here that the law cannot alter the original covenant, deal, or promise.

What was the promise?

God's announcement of His plan of salvation and blessing to His people, one of the themes integrating the message of the Old and New Testaments. God's promise begins with a declaration by God; it covers God's plan for not just one race, but all the nations of the earth; and it focuses on the gifts and deeds that God will bestow on a few to benefit the many.

Summary 3:1-18

We may define God's promise this way: the divine declaration or assurance was made to Abraham representing the whole nation of Israel and specified that:

(1) He would be their God,

(2) They would be His people,

(3) He would dwell in their midst.

Amen

Your prayer

[loveofyhwh]

September 30: Isaiah 8–9; Hebrews 5:11–6:20; Psalm 84; Proverbs 24:21–22

New Post has been published on https://loveofyhwh.com/september-30-isaiah-8-9-hebrews-511-620-psalm-84-proverbs-2421-22/

September 30: Isaiah 8–9; Hebrews 5:11–6:20; Psalm 84; Proverbs 24:21–22

Old Testament:

Isaiah 8–9

Isaiah 8–9 (Listen)

The Coming Assyrian Invasion

8 Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters,Hebrew with a man’s stylus“>1 ‘Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.’Maher-shalal-hash-baz means The spoil speeds, the prey hastens‘>2 2 And I will get reliable witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, to attest for me.”

3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz; 4 for before the boy knows how to cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.”

5 The LORD spoke to me again: 6 “Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, 7 therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River,That is, the Euphrates‘>3 mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, 8 and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”

9   Be broken,Or Be evil‘>4 you peoples, and be shattered;Or dismayed‘>5     give ear, all you far countries;   strap on your armor and be shattered;     strap on your armor and be shattered. 10   Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;     speak a word, but it will not stand,     for God is with us.The Hebrew for God is with us is Immanuel‘>6

Fear God, Wait for the Lord

11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”

16 Bind up the testimony; seal the teachingOr law; also verse 20‘>7 among my disciples. 17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. 19 And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. 21 They will pass through the land,Hebrew it‘>8 greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously againstOr speak contemptuously by‘>9 their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. 22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.

For to Us a Child Is Born

9  But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.Or of the Gentiles‘>10

2   Ch 9:1 in Hebrew‘>11 The people who walked in darkness     have seen a great light;   those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,     on them has light shone. 3   You have multiplied the nation;     you have increased its joy;   they rejoice before you     as with joy at the harvest,     as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4   For the yoke of his burden,     and the staff for his shoulder,     the rod of his oppressor,     you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5   For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult     and every garment rolled in blood     will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6   For to us a child is born,     to us a son is given;   and the government shall be uponOr is upon‘>12 his shoulder,     and his name shall be calledOr is called‘>13   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7   Of the increase of his government and of peace     there will be no end,   on the throne of David and over his kingdom,     to establish it and to uphold it   with justice and with righteousness     from this time forth and forevermore.   The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Judgment on Arrogance and Oppression

8   The Lord has sent a word against Jacob,     and it will fall on Israel; 9   and all the people will know,     Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria,     who say in pride and in arrogance of heart: 10   “The bricks have fallen,     but we will build with dressed stones;   the sycamores have been cut down,     but we will put cedars in their place.” 11   But the LORD raises the adversaries of Rezin against him,     and stirs up his enemies. 12   The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west     devour Israel with open mouth.   For all this his anger has not turned away,     and his hand is stretched out still. 13   The people did not turn to him who struck them,     nor inquire of the LORD of hosts. 14   So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail,     palm branch and reed in one day— 15   the elder and honored man is the head,     and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail; 16   for those who guide this people have been leading them astray,     and those who are guided by them are swallowed up. 17   Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men,     and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows;   for everyone is godless and an evildoer,     and every mouth speaks folly.Or speaks disgraceful things‘>14   For all this his anger has not turned away,     and his hand is stretched out still. 18   For wickedness burns like a fire;     it consumes briers and thorns;   it kindles the thickets of the forest,     and they roll upward in a column of smoke. 19   Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts     the land is scorched,   and the people are like fuel for the fire;     no one spares another. 20   They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry,     and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied;   each devours the flesh of his own arm, 21   Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh;     together they are against Judah.   For all this his anger has not turned away,     and his hand is stretched out still.

Footnotes

[1] 8:1 Hebrew with a man’s stylus [2] 8:1 Maher-shalal-hash-baz means The spoil speeds, the prey hastens [3] 8:7 That is, the Euphrates [4] 8:9 Or Be evil [5] 8:9 Or dismayed [6] 8:10 The Hebrew for God is with us is Immanuel [7] 8:16 Or law; also verse 20 [8] 8:21 Hebrew it [9] 8:21 Or speak contemptuously by [10] 9:1 Or of the Gentiles [11] 9:2 Ch 9:1 in Hebrew [12] 9:6 Or is upon [13] 9:6 Or is called [14] 9:17 Or speaks disgraceful things

(ESV)

New Testament:

Hebrews 5:11–6:20

Hebrews 5:11–6:20 (Listen)

Warning Against Apostasy

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

6 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings,Or baptisms (that is, cleansing rites)‘>1 the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham,Greek he‘>2 having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Footnotes

[1] 6:2 Or baptisms (that is, cleansing rites) [2] 6:15 Greek he

(ESV)

Psalm:

Psalm 84

Psalm 84 (Listen)

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.Probably a musical or liturgical term‘>1 A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

84   How lovely is your dwelling place,     O LORD of hosts! 2   My soul longs, yes, faints     for the courts of the LORD;   my heart and flesh sing for joy     to the living God. 3   Even the sparrow finds a home,     and the swallow a nest for herself,     where she may lay her young,   at your altars, O LORD of hosts,     my King and my God. 4   Blessed are those who dwell in your house,     ever singing your praise! Selah 5   Blessed are those whose strength is in you,     in whose heart are the highways to Zion.Hebrew lacks to Zion‘>2 6   As they go through the Valley of Baca     they make it a place of springs;     the early rain also covers it with pools. 7   They go from strength to strength;     each one appears before God in Zion. 8   O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;     give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9   Behold our shield, O God;     look on the face of your anointed! 10   For a day in your courts is better     than a thousand elsewhere.   I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God     than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11   For the LORD God is a sun and shield;     the LORD bestows favor and honor.   No good thing does he withhold     from those who walk uprightly. 12   O LORD of hosts,     blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Footnotes

[1] 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion

(ESV)

Proverb:

Proverbs 24:21–22

Proverbs 24:21–22 (Listen)

21   My son, fear the LORD and the king,     and do not join with those who do otherwise, 22   for disaster will arise suddenly from them,     and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

(ESV)