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[notwhatiam]

I was looking through reviews of a wig on Amazon, and... I just...

[questionsonislam]

A simple question I need an answer for is 'I just want to believe in Quran". If I just acknowledge other books which extend Islamic values further like sunnah or related with 'Fika-Jafaria' or any other books but at the same time I do not have blind "Faith" on these books as they have never been written by any prophet. What would be the criteria to justify your answer my question?

When there were disintegrations in the history of Islam and when people moved away from the spirit of the Quran, Islamic scholars searched for and found the solution in the Sunnah because the one to describe the Quran is doubtlessly the Prophet.

All of the Islamic scholars accepted the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) as the primary source in explaining the Quran. Is there a truth that it is based on?

Yes, the duty of prophethood does not end by only bringing the Quran; to explain it, to show how it will be applied are also the duties of the Prophet. For instance the following verses define some of the divine duties of the Prophet:

“We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them.”(Ibrahim,14-4)

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures);― in the Law and the Gospel;― for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him honor, him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him― it is they who will prosper.”(al-Araf, 7-157)

“It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision: if anyone disobeys Allah and His Messenger he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (al-Ahzab ,33-36)

“But no, by thy Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.” (an-Nisa, 4-65)

“He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah: but if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds).”(an-Nisa, 4-80)

“Take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is strict in Punishment.”(al-Hashr, 59-7)

“Say: "If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Aal-e-Imran, 3-31)

Yes, those verses above and similar verses states that the duty of our Prophet is not limited with conveying the Quran to people.

Can we clarify it a bit?

1. One of the duties of our Prophet is to explain the concise verses: For instance, the Quran says, “Perform prayers”, but how shall we perform prayers? It says “Perform ruku (bow down) and sajdah (prostrate)”, but it does not tell us in detail how to perform them. There is no detail as to how to perform qiyam (standing). Our Prophet explains the verse in form and content, and shows how to perform it by saying “Perform prayers as I do”. Our Prophet explains the concise commands of the Quran like prayers, fasting and hajj.

2. Explaining the verses that are hard to understand is also one of the duties of our Prophet.

For instance, the following is stated in a verse, “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies and others besides whom ye may not know but whom Allah doth know” (al-Anfal,8-60). In that verse, the phrase “make ready your strength and steeds of war” is used. The Companions asked the Prophet: “What is strength?” Our Prophet said, “Know that strength is throwing, strength is throwing, strength is throwing” three times. He ordered us to catch up with the changing throwing instruments of each age speedily, without losing any time.

3. The Prophet also limits and reserves the limitless and general verses of the Quran. For instance, the following is stated in the Quran, “Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury” (al-Baqara, 2-275). According to that verse, the trade of everything is halal (permissible). However, our Prophet limited it and forbade the trade of pigs and alcoholic drinks. Thus, he explained the limits of the legitimate trade. Another example is the following verse: “It is those who believe and mix not their beliefs with wrong― that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) guidance.”(al-An'am, 6-82) When that verse was sent down, the companions asked our Prophet: “All of us do wrong to our souls. O Messenger of Allah, is there anyone of us who does not do wrong?” Our Prophet (pbuh) reminded the verse “Polytheism is indeed the highest wrong-doing” and explained that the wrongdoing here is polytheism. Therefore, our Prophet explains the verses of the Quran that are hard to understand.

4. The events in the Quran were also confirmed and approved by the Prophet by repeating them. Thus, he made people understand them better, which can be mentioned here regarding the issue.

5. Our Prophet also has the authority of legislation, that is, enacting laws that are not present in the Quran. For instance, the food items that are haram (forbidden) are mentioned in two verses. However, the flesh of donkey is not mentioned in any of them. Our Prophet forbade eating the flesh of domestic donkeys during the expedition of Khyber.

Why were they not explained in the Quran but left to our Prophet?

If the Quran had given all of the details, it would have been a book of many volumes. It would have made it difficult for us to benefit from it. Therefore, the Quran left the explanations of some issues to our Prophet. There are some other reasons why the explanations were left to our Prophet. Some issues were abrogated in the course of time.

Some of the hadiths reached us as weak hadiths. Acting in accordance with those weak hadiths brought about disagreement. Disagreement is mercy for the umma. If Allah had mentioned all of those issues definitely in the Quran, the probability of disagreement would have decreased. The flexibility of our religion against changing conditions of the time and society would have decreased. As a matter of fact, one of the superior aspects of our religion, I think, is that it opens the way to new interpretations in accordance with time and place, which is something good.

That is not all. Our Prophet left a margin for scholars. It is the beauty of our religion. Scholars determined some fundamental rules and methods in making judgments acting upon the Quran and Sunnah. Scholars have made interpretations for new issues with those methods. Thus, we can make our own laws for new conditions without needing any other legal and cultural system and without importing laws. As a matter of fact, all of our new needs that occurred until the last period of the Ottoman State were made into laws based on the Quran and Sunnah and they were collected into a book within the framework of our own values.

How will our people learn the Quran through hadiths? For instance, we all read the Chapter Ya Seen a lot. If we want to find out “how did our Prophet interpret that chapter?”, how will we find it? Is there a way or method of it?

First of all, the Quran is interpreted through the Quran because one verse explains another verse. An issue is explained in one aspect in a verse; in another verse, another aspect of that issue is explained, etc. However, there are a lot of interpretations of our Prophet about the Quran. One of the largest parts of Bukhari is Tafsir (interpretation). Furthermore, there are also hadiths related to interpretation that are not present in Bukhari and Tirmidhi but are present in other resources.

Applying the science of mathematics, I sometimes say: a line passes through two points. Similarly, the Quran is the point of origination about a meaning that we deduce from the Quran. If we do not refer to the hadiths as a second point, there may be thousands of views originating from one point. However, what is religion? It is the religion of oneness and togetherness. People cannot deduce different interpretations on their own from that verse but interpretations in accordance with the truth. We will search for what the Prophet said regarding the issue. If there is nothing regarding it in the words of the Prophet, then we will search for what Sahaba (the Companions of the Prophet), Tabi’in (people who met Sahaba) and Atbaut Tabi’in (People who met tabi’in) said; we will take into consideration what they said. They had more opportunity than us in understanding the Quran in accordance with its original.

To what extent are hadiths reliable?

There is no reason why we should not rely on hadiths. As we have mentioned before, the Quran directs people to the Prophet saying, “Take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you”. That is, the Quran always points to the Prophet as the secondary resource.

Secondly, the Prophet points to himself; he attracts attention to his Sunnah and states that Islam will continue with his Sunnah. For instance, Hazrat Prophet sends Muadh to Yemen. The Prophet asks him, “How will you act there?” Hazrat Muadh says, “I will act in accordance with the Quran”. Our Prophet asks, “What if you cannot find something in the Quran?” He says, “With your Sunnah and if I cannot find it in your Sunnah, with my ijtihad (deriving laws from the original sources)”. Our Prophet becomes pleased with his answers. That hadith is an evidence for the scholars of Islam. It is proof that Sunnah is evidence and that ijtihad is necessary. Thus, when the Prophet was alive, Sahaba knew hadiths as the secondary source.

Hazrat Umar narrates: “I have made a contract of alternation with a brother of mine. One day, he goes to the field and takes care of the field; I go to the Messenger of Allah and listen to him. In the evening, I inform my brother about what I saw and heard while I was with the Messenger of Allah. The next day, I go to the field and take care of the field; my brother goes to the Messenger of Allah and listens to him. In the evening, he informs me about what he saw and heard while he was with the Messenger of Allah. Thus, we have the opportunity to follow the Messenger of Allah closely.”

A Companion says: “I used to write whatever I heard from the Prophet. Some people said to me, ‘the Messenger of Allah is a human being too. Sometimes, he speaks when he is angry and sometimes, when he is calm. It is not true to write whatever he says.’ Thereupon, I gave up writing. However, I started to forget what I heard from the Prophet. Therefore, I went to the Prophet and told him about the issue. ‘O Messenger of Allah! I hear good things from you and I write them down but some people from Ansar said something. Therefore, I gave up writing. However, I feel uneasy when I do not write. What shall I do?’ the Messenger of Allah showed his blessed mouth and said, ‘Nothing other than truth comes out from this mouth. Write.’

Some people came to the Messenger of Allah and complained about their memory. He said to them, “Ask the help of your right hands” advising them to write down.

Let me say something else. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated a lot of hadiths and he is one of the seven people who narrated most hadiths. In a hadith I read in Mustadrak, Hazrat Anas says, “I wrote down hadiths from the Messenger of Allah during the day and I read them to him at night so that he would correct them.” That is, our Prophet corrected what he had written. After that, in the science of hadith, the students took the hadiths that they learned to their teachers and presented the hadiths to them. The students read the hadiths that they wrote and memorized before their teachers; the teachers corrected them and then gave the students diplomas.

Can we say that all hadiths are the interpretations of the Quran?

Yes we can. Our Prophet (pbuh) put the Quran into practice through his lifestyle. Therefore, the ideal lifestyle that the Quran wants from men is manifest in our Prophet (pbuh). If we consider it from the point of view of worshipping, our Prophet showed it how our worshipping towards Allah should be perfectly. Our Prophet carried out all kinds of worshipping in the perfect way. The worshipping of our Prophet is the perfect way of the worshipping that the Quran wants from us in all aspects. The same thing is valid for human relations too. Our Prophet showed us the best examples in his relationship with people and his neighbors. He also showed the best examples of husband and wife relationship. He showed us how to act towards children.

Thus, our Prophet (pbuh) represented practiced and showed the ideal of the Quran in all phases, sections and moments of his life. Muslims can take them exactly from the Prophet to the extent that they can. In a hadith, Hazrat Aisha expresses the ethics of the Prophet as, “His ethics was the ethics of the Quran.” Therefore, our Prophet explained the ethics of the Quran in terms of ethics. Maybe, he did not explain everything verbally but he practiced it. Every word, act and attitude of the Prophet is the interpretation of the spirit of the Quran.

On the other hand, he explained the stories about the previous nations. In hadiths, we can find some events about Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham) that are not present in the Quran. Thus, we can find all of the lessons that the Quran wants to mention, to bring to mankind in terms of law, ethics and lifestyle in the life of Hazrat Prophet sometimes in his words, sometimes in his deeds and sometimes in his analyses.

The following is stated in the Quran, “eat and drink: but waste not by excess”. In another verse, squandering is forbidden. Squandering is the brother of wasting. Let us look at the practice of the Prophet to understand those two verses better:

Our Prophet put a clear limit to wasting; the most living example of it is wudu (ablution). When he made wudu, he used the water carefully so as not to waste it. He commanded us two wash our organs with three handfuls of water during wudu. To use more water is makrooh (abominable). He puts that limitation. One of the companions becomes surprised and asks: “O Messenger of Allah! Is it to save water?”. He answers, “No, even if you are near a river, you will wash your organs three times.”

I saw a narration from Abu ad-Darda in hadiths: “Once, our Prophet arrived at a river on the way to somewhere. They brought him a bowl of water from the river. He made wudu with it and some water remained. We would normally sprinkle it around. However, our Prophet says, “Go and pour it back to the river. It may be the drink of a creature in the future.”

If we eat more than we need, speak more than necessary, spend our time in vain, we waste them. They are the wasting that we cannot bring back. Lighting a match is also wasting. They are makrooh. The fact that our Prophet told us not to waste water while making wudu five times a day, he gave us the lesson of respecting nature. He teaches us that wasting is also a serious issue in other fields of life through the example of wudu.

Now, let us have a look at the explanation of the verse, “waste not by excess”. Thus, when we read a verse, we need to refer to the hadiths to see how that verse is explained. The larger our hadith culture is, the better we will understand the Quran. Can I say something like this as a conclusion? When we read a verse from the Quran, we should try to understand it from the translations and interpretations of the Quran. However, it should not be enough for us; we should increase our hadith culture. We should learn many hadiths and form our life through them. When we read the Quran like that, it will be as if we are learning the meaning of the Quran from the Prophet.

Absolutely. Our scholars who understood it like that, for instance, Tabari, wrote all of the hadiths that he remembered about a verse. Some people criticized Tabari because he reported many hadiths. Most of his interpretation of forty volumes is full of hadiths. However, when we refer to hadiths, we understand the verses better. The light that a hadith gives is different from the meaning that we deduce by contemplating. In my opinion, it is the best way to try to understand the Quran through hadiths.

What is the Sunnah?

The Sunnah is what the Prophet did, said and all of his acts and attitude. Then, we can say that what he did during his lifetime is the Sunnah.

The word sunnah used in fiqh books means “there is reward if we do it but there is no sin if we do not do it.” For instance, eating with the right hand, cleaning the teeth, not to eat while standing, etc.

However, when we consider the word sunnah in its broad sense, it includes everything that our Prophet did. In that case, the wishes and prohibitions of Allah are also included in the Sunnah. For instance, did our Prophet perform prayers? Yes. Then it is sunnah to perform prayers.

Accordingly, it is necessary to divide sunnah into parts.

Fard: Everything that Allah definitely wants us to do or to avoid. It is our Prophet who carries out the commands and prohibitions of Allah in the best way and who serves as an example. We should follow him in order to carry out the commands and prohibitions of Allah. Such as performing prayers, fasting, avoiding fornication and not eating anything haram (forbidden).

Wajib: The wajibs of our religions: for instance, it is wajib to perform the prayer of witr as three rakats.

Nafilah: The things other than fard and wajib that we carry out while performing prayers. For instance, to read some verses from the Quran while performing prayers is fard but to read subhanaka prayer is nafilah.

Adab: If we do as the Prophet did while doing our daily tasks like eating, sleeping, entering the mosque or toilet, etc, we will have done them in accordance with their procedures. A person who does not act accordingly is not regarded to have committed sins.

It means we can divide sunnah as fard, wajib, nafilah and adab. It is the order of the superiority of the parts of sunnah.

We can think of it like a human body. Man has necessary organs to live: for instance, the brain, heart, head, etc. The principles that we must believe in are like the heart and brain of our spirit.

Our body has sense organs like eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc. Fards are like them. They are the eyes, ears, hands and feet of our spirit. A person who does not perform fards is like a person without hands, feet, eyes and ears.

We also have some beauties and adornments like fingers, eyebrows and hair in our bodies. We can live without them. However, if we have them, we will be perfect. Similarly, the nafilah and adab parts of sunnah are the adornments and beauties of our spirit. If we perform them, we will receive many rewards; if we do not perform them, we will not receive any sins.

To sum up, the fard and wajib parts are the sunnahs that are obligatory to be performed. We will receive many rewards if we perform the nafilah and adab parts.

As for harams, we must protect our spirits from killing and poisoning harams as we protect our bodies from killing factors like aids, poison and fire.

Are the Sunnah and hadiths binding?

Does the Sunnah, the life of our Prophet bind Muslims; do they have to follow it?

We will deal with that issue in accordance with hadiths and the views of scholars.

1. The Quran: There are some verses showing that Hazrat Prophet receives revelation other than the Quran too.

Some of them are as follows:

1- It is understood from the following verses that our Prophet was given wisdom along with the Book: ‘Messenger from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom’, ‘sent down to him the Book and wisdom’, .

Those two words have both similarity and difference. Accordingly, since what is meant by the Book is the Quran, wisdom has to be something else. The probability that it is the Sunnah prevails. It is the point of difference. The point of similarity is that both of them originate from revelation.

2- The promise stated in the following verse was given to Muslims but it is not stated in the verse what it was: “Behold! Allah promised you one of the two (enemy) parties, that it should be yours: ye wished that the one unarmed should be yours”. It proves that it is informed through another kind of revelation.

3- The following verse proves definitely that there exists revelation apart from the Quran: “When the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his consorts, and she then divulged it (to another) and Allah made it known to him, he confirmed part thereof and repudiated a part. Then when he told her thereof, she said "Who told thee this?" He said "He told me who knows and is well-acquainted (with all things)."” Although there is no explanation about the disclosure of the secret in the Quran, the Prophet knows about it. It becomes clear that there exists revelation which is not included in the Quran since he cannot know it on his own and since it is stated that Allah informed him.

2. Hadiths:

1- According to the narration of Miqdad b. Ma’dikarib, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said the following: “...I was given the Book and the like of it”.

2- Qudsi Hadiths: The following phrases that are present in those kinds of hadiths: “the Messenger of Allah stated the following in the hadith that he reported from his Lord”, “Allah stated the following in the hadith that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) narrated” and the fact that those hadiths started with the words “O my slaves” prove that Hazrat Prophet received revelation other than the Quran.

3- The famous event that is known as the Jibril (Gabriel) hadith:. Jibril came in the form of a man, asked some questions and received answers; Hazrat Prophet told his companions that it was Jibril and that he had come to teach them the religion.

4- The expressions of Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) like ‘certainly my Lord revealed to me, I was ordered, I was forbidden, and the fact that he said Jibril taught him some things prove that revelation exists other than the Quran too.

The fact that Hazrat Prophet said “actually I did not know about them but Allah informed me about them” when he answered the questions of a Jewish person ”supports that issue.

3. Views of the Scholars:

The Companions of the Prophet knew that our Prophet (pbuh) received revelation other than the Quran from his practices, explanations and words. They expressed it many times. Scholars also expressed their views about the origin of Sunnah based on hadiths and the expressions of the companions; most of them expressed that the source of Sunnah was based on revelation.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that there was revelation about Hazrat Khadija and that she was given a manor in Paradise.

The expression that is present in narrations: Jibril brought down the Sunnah as he brought down the Quran shows that there exists revelation other than the Quran. In addition, the fact that the Prophet received the information like treating the neighbors well, making wudu (ablution), performing prayers, calling out the talbiya, performing prayers in the sacred Aqiq Valley, the times of the prayers, the gate of paradise through which the umma of Muhammad will enter, the name of Hazrat Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) being written on a tablet by the beings of the sky shows that there exists revelation other than the Quran.

Tawus says that he himself has a written text that was sent by revelation about diyah (blood money, ransom) and that decrees about zakat and diyah came by revelation.

By saying, “when a hadith from the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) reaches you, never make judgments contrary to it; because the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was a conveyor from Allah, the Exalted” , Awzai stated that sunnah was based on revelation.

As we have mentioned before, a person who made important explanations about the issue was Imam Shafi. According to the understanding that he bases on a person whose knowledge he relies on and that he himself also accepts, the Sunnah is either revelation, or the statement of the revelation or something that Allah handed him. It is based on his prophethood that is peculiar to him and the wisdom that Allah inspires him based on it. No matter which one of the above alternatives is accepted, Allah ordered people to obey the Messenger of Allah and act in accordance with Sunnah. The explanation of the Quran by Sunnah takes place either by the prophethood coming from Allah, or by inspiration or by the “command” that was given to him.

Ibn Hazm, who agrees on the same views, defines the sunnah as non-recited (ghayr matluw) revelation and says that it is necessary to obey the sunnah, which is the second revelation as it is necessary to obey the Quran. They are the same in that they are binding and they come from Allah.

Ghazali states that the sunnah is based on revelation and that it is non-recited revelation.

If the whole sunnah is regarded as revelation, it becomes spontaneously clear that Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) cannot change the Sunnah as he cannot change the Quran.

There arises an important issue along with the understanding that the whole sunnah is based on revelation just like the Quran. If Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) waited for the revelation of sunnah like the verses of the Quran for every situation and event, how are his ijtihads and consultations to be dealt with? There were definitely some times when he waited for revelation but to think and accept that he acted like that in every phase of his life will cause problems.

Due to those situations, some scholars had the view that not all of the sunnah but some of it was based on revelation and some of it was based on situations like ijtihad and consultation.

For instance, Ibn Qutayba says the following, dividing the source of the sunnah into three:

a) the sunnah that Jibril brought from Allah.

b) the sunnah that Allah left to His Messenger (pbuh), that He wanted him to explain his view.

c) the sunnah that the Messenger of Allah practiced for adab; the sunnah that one receives rewards when one performs but does not receive any punishment when one abandons.

Sarakhsi of Hanafis, who adopts the same view, says that the judgments that Hazrat Prophet made based on his opinion and ijtihad are like revelation:

Revelation consists of two parts:

1- Apparent revelation. It is divided into three.

a) The revelation that comes through the tongue of the angel, that is perceived by the ear and that is certainly known to be coming from Allah. That part is the revelation of the Quran.

b) The revelation that is explained to the Prophet by the angel through signs, without any words.

c) Inspiration. It is the divine manifestation in the heart of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) without any doubt. A light arises in his heart and the judgment about the issue becomes clear.

2- Esoteric revelation: Calling it as “ma yushbihu’l-wahy” (resembling revelation), Sarakhsi says that there are judgments that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) reached through his opinion and ijtihad. The fact that he is not left free to make mistakes and that he is always under the control of revelation makes that kind of judgments like revelation. The ijtihads of other people from his umma are not like the ijtihad of Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) since there exists the probability of making mistakes and it is impossible to correct them through revelation.

That explanation of Sarakhsi means all of the acts of Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) are beased on and are corrected by revelation. The act or word of Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) is either true or wrong. If it remains as it is, it becomes apparent that it is true because Allah will not let a wrong act or word continue.

Shatibi says the following:

Hadith is either pure revelation coming from Allah or an ijtihad by Hazrat Prophet (pbuh). However, in that case, his ijtihad is either based on a sound revelation in the Book or sunnah or has been checked by it. Even if the view that Hazrat Prophet can make a mistake in his ijtihad is accepted, he will never be left on a mistake; it will be corrected at once. In the end, it will become true. Therefore, there is no probability of mistakes in anything that comes from him.

Acting upon those views, it can be said that those who say all of the sunnah is revelation do not exaggerate because all of the sunnah is checked by revelation; it is either left as it is or corrected. That is, since we cannot accept the existence of an application that is not checked by revelation, we can say as a conclusion that all of the sunnah is based on revelation. However, when we say that all of the sunnah is based on revelation, we mean the sunnah that was determined during the age of the Messenger of Allah and that reached us as sound.

4. Silently approved (taqrir) revelation

What we defined as taqrir sunnah when we explained sunnah is the silent approval by Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) of some actions or words that he saw or heard. That is, when the companions did or said something based on their Jahiliyya applications or their own opinions, Hazrat Prophet sometimes corrected them, sometimes changed them and sometimes did not say anything. The companions regarded his silence as approval because it would not be appropriate for a prophet to leave a mistake as it was. Therefore, his silence meant that action or word was not wrong.

The companions were under the control of Hazrat Prophet (pbuh); similarly, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was always under the control of revelation as a necessity of the attribute of ismah (innocence). Therefore, it should be known that his mistake would not be left without correction and that the warning would be made at once, without any delay . Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) differs from everybody else and from those who are authorized to make ijtihad.

It is known that he was warned because of some of his actions even before he became a prophet.

Once, when he wanted to take off his izar (outer garment) in order to throw stones but he was prevented. In another occasion, he wanted to take off his izar to help his uncle Abu Talib for the repair of the Zamzam Well but he fainted. He said someone with white clothes told him to cover himself when he came to.

His body was protected to save him from exposing the parts that are not suitable to show to others; he was also protected from some unpleasant applications of that period. According to his own statement, he wanted to watch some games and entertainment in the places where marriage ceremonies were held but he fell asleep and could not watch or hear them; after that, he did not commit any bad things till he was appointed as a prophet.

Can it be thought that a person who was under protection even when he was not a prophet and when he was not appointed as an example for his umma and humanity yet would not be protected in a period when he became an example in all aspects for his umma and humanity and that his errors and mistakes would not be corrected?

As a matter of fact, we see some examples of it in the Quran.

Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) were worried about the protection of the revelation and Allah, the Exalted, eliminated his worry by saying there is no need to worry about it.

He was warned about the issues like the guidance of men, people’s obeying the command of Allah, that his duty was only to convey the message of Allah that guidance depended on Allah’s will and that the result depended on the will of Allah; he was warned about Abu Talib, whom he asked for forgiveness and he was forbidden to pray for his uncle.

On the other hand, he was stopped from cursing his enemies after the Battle of Uhud from his wish of mutilation after what was made to Hazrat Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) .

Furthermore, he was warned about releasing the prisoners of war in return for ransom after the Battle of Badr ; he was prevented from the application he wanted in order to win the hearts of hypocrites (munafiqs) ; he was also warned when he made himself haram what Allah had made halal due to the wishes of the prisoners of war

Those verses above and similar verses are clear indications that Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) was corrected when what he did was not in compliance with the divine consent. Allah, the Exalted, first leaves him free and wants him to make ijtihad or consultation with his companions. Then, if it was in compatible with Allah’s consent, it was left as it was; if it was not, he was corrected. As a matter of fact, the fact that he first said the children of the polytheists were like their fathers and then he said that they would go to Paradise, that he first said the lizards were cursed Jews and then gave up that idea due to the warning by revelation, that first he said the view about torture in grave was a Jewish mischief and then accepted the existence of torture in grave due to the warning by revelation and he took refuge in Allah from it in his prayers, shows that he was warned and corrected outside the revelation of the Quran too.

As it is seen, it is impossible for the Messenger of Allah to continue a wrong deed, act or word that he saw or was informed about because that kind of silent approval is followed by umma; it is also impossible for the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) to continue the wrong acts or words in the presence of Allah; whatever he did during his lifetime is an example and something to be followed for us.

Then, Allah, who is All- Knowing, All-Aware, All-hearing, All-Seeing and Wise, either corrected all kinds of words, deeds and acts of the Prophet or approved them and left them as they were. Whether we call those things that Allah did not change and left as they were as esoteric revelation as Hanafi scholars called them or as silently approved revelation, we can say that the sunnah of Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) is based on revelation.

Acting upon that fact, we think that we should accept that the continuation of some of the customs and traditions of the community the Prophet lived in were checked by Allah and since they were silently approved, it is not correct to regard them as only customs and traditions. Besides, we had stated that they were based Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) or other prophets.

Then, even if the attitudes and acts of the Prophet had existed in the same form in the period of Jahiliyya, they would have been corrected by revelation if they were wrong. It can be said that those that were not corrected were approved.

NARRATIONS THAT PERMITTED HADITHS TO BE WRITTEN

There are many narrations showing that it was permissible to write hadiths. One of the narrations belongs to Abdullah Ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him); the hadiths he wrote were transmitted to the generations coming after him in the form of books. He says:

“I used to write what I whatever I heard from the Prophet in order to memorize them. Quraishis forbad me to write saying: ' 'You are writing whatever you hear from the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) ; however, the Messenger of Allah is a human being too. Sometimes, he speaks when he is angry and sometimes, when he is calm. Thereupon, I gave up writing. However, I informed Hazrat Prophet about the situation. The Messenger of Allah showed his blessed mouth and said, ‘Write! I swear by Allah that nothing other than truth comes out from this mouth."

A narration confirming that Abdullah Ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote hadiths systematically belongs to Abu Hurayra and it is recorded in Bukhari. Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) says the following: "Nobody can outdo me in knowing hadiths of Hazrat Prophet except Abdullah Ibn Amr; because he used to write but I did not. "

The narrations that express permission about hadiths are not only those that we have mentioned. The fact that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said to the people who complained about their memory: “Ask the help of your right hands”, “fasten the knowledge by writing”, that he gave the written texts of his speeches to some people who wanted them in the written form, that there exist about 300 letters (that is written documents) that are all hadiths and whose lengths vary from a few lines to a few pages proves that it was permissible to write hadiths. Even if only the letters are considered, it will be understood that Hazrat Prophet did not oppose systematically and insistently to the writing of things other than the Quran and that he gave great importance to the usage of writing in civil life.

AS-SAHIFA AS-SAHIHA (SOUND PAGES) OF ABU HURAYRA: In some narrations, it is stated that Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote the hadiths that he heard from the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). The name of that page is as-Sahifa as-Sahiha. Al-Hasan Ibn Amr Ibn Umayya ad-Damri narrates: " I reported a hadith near Hazrat Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him). However, he denied it by saying: " 'there is no such a hadith.'' I said to him that I heard it from him. Then, he said, "If you have heard it from me, it must be present with me in writing" and took me by the hand to his house. There, he showed me a lot of books in which the hadiths of Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) were written. He found the hadith that I reported and said to me: "Did I not tell you that if I narrated a hadith, it is present with me in writing?"

COLLECTING HADITHS:

The second important period of hadith history consists of works called “tadwin as-sunnah” (documentation and recording of hadiths in written form”. It covers the second century of Hegira.

WHAT IS TADWIN?

In the dictionary, tadwin means to compile and collect into a book. As a hadith term, it means recording of hadiths in written form officially and collecting into a book. The word “officially” is very important here. As it is seen in the previous parts, the recording of hadiths started during the period of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) individually and privately. As a matter of fact, the MESSENGER OF ALLAH himself left many written documents and they are all called “sunnah”. However, none of them can be included in the act of “writing” expressed by the word tadwin because in tadwin, the writing of the all of the hadiths is in question. Then, we can define tadwin perfectly as follows: "the activity of writing of all of the hadiths carried out in the second century of Hegira under the auspices of the state”.

HOW DID IT START?

The activity of tadwin started with Umar bin Abdulaziz, an Umayyad Caliph. Umar bin Abdulaziz (may Allah have mercy upon him), who is famous for his piousness and devotion to the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), started to worry about hadiths as the generation of the companions who knew sunnah very well and great scholars started to die one after another. He thinks about making the scholars write the hadiths in order to prevent the risk of the loss of hadiths. Therefore, he sends commands and circular notes to governors as the Caliph.

The text of the one of the letters that Umar bin Abdulaziz sent is recorded in Bukhari. It is the letter sent to the governor of Madinah, Abu Bakr Ibn Hazm:

“Search for, collect and write the narrations about Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) in your city. I fear that the science (hadiths) will be lost and scholars will disappear. While doing it, only the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) should be accepted. Scholars should sit in famous places open to public like mosques, spread knowledge and teach those who do not know. Science will not disappear unless it is kept secret.''

According to the narration that Ibn Sa’d recorded, Umar Ibn Abdilaziz (may Allah have mercy upon him) had the following extra phrase in the letter he wrote to Ibn Hazm:

"...a current, known sunnah or the narrations of Amra Bintu Abdirrahman should be accepted..."

The following extra phrase is present in the narration of Darimi:

“Write the narrations that are certain to be coming from Hazrat Prophet (pbuh) and from Hazrat Umar that you have (or that are present in your region)".

According to what Abu Nuaym recorded in Tarikh Isfahan, Umar Ibn Abdilaziz sent that letter to all Islamic cities.

Thus, by taking the various narrations that mention tadwin into consideration, we have a more holistic idea about the issue. In order to appreciate that attempt of Umar Ibn Abdilaziz, we need to mention the following words of Muhammed Ibnu Shihab az-Zuhri, who was the person with the greatest service in the activity of tadwin and who gave that activity the name of tadwin:

“We did not regard it appropriate to write the knowledge until the administrators forced us to do it. When we started to do it (as a result of the enforcement and intervention of administrators), we believed that we should not prevent any Muslim from writing. ''.

REASONS THAT CAUSED THE COLLECTION OF HADITHS

It will be useful to look closely at the real factors that caused the hadiths to be written and collected into books:

1- With the unanimous agreement of scholars, one of them is the following reason that is stated in the letter of Umar Ibn Abdilaziz: The anxiety that hadiths will disappear with the death of scholars: It is really an important issue. Although hadiths were written by individuals, they were written in order to be memorized; when they were memorized, they were burned; or they were advised to be burned after one’s death. The narration above that we quoted from Zuhri is enough to understand the worry and anxiety among the scholars.

Besides, that period was a period in which political turmoil and civil anarchy prevailed. The death of Said Ibn Jubayr, the famous hadith scholar of the period, who was killed by Hajjaj az-Zalim, was enough to worry Umar Ibn Abdilaziz that hadiths would disappear. What is more, the same events caused the death of Talq Ibnu Habib; The famous scholar Mujahid narrowly escaped death but was sent to prison.

2- Although it was not reflected clearly in the letter of Umar Ibn Abdilaziz, the second important factor that started tadwin was the increase in the activities of fabricating hadiths due to political and madhhab disagreements. The following words of Zuhri (may Allah have mercy upon him) certifies and confirms it: "If it had not been for the unknown hadiths that came from the east and that were rejected by us, I would have never written a single hadith nor would I have let anybody write one."

Suyuti says the following in order to state the role of the activity of fabricating hadiths in tadwin: "In a period when scholars were dispersed and the fabrications and innovations (bid’as) of Kharijites and Rafidis increased, the sunnah was written and collected into books by combining the words of Sahaba and the fatwas of Tabi’in."

HOW TADWIN TOOK PLACE:

The narrations show that Umar Ibn Abdilaziz did not find it enough to send a circular note; he followed and checked the activities of tadwin meticulously. For instance, he hired special clerks to work for tadwin in the center; he allocated two clerks to Hishm Ibn Abdilmalik, and Zuhri. They wrote the hadiths of Zuhri for a whole year.

Umar Ibn Abdilaziz, the Caliph, himself took part in the activities of tadwin; he went to mosque with a pen in his hand for prayer and joined the lessons after the prayer, writing hadiths from Awn Ibn Abdillah and, Yazid Ibnu'r-Raqqaşi.

During tadwin, not only the narrations dating back to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), but also the words and actions of Sahaba and Tabi’in were included by some hadith scholars into the concept of sunnah.

The hadiths that were written upon the command of the Caliph were sent to the center in the form of books; they were duplicated there and were sent to Islamic cities. An important narration documenting that issue comes from Zuhri: " Umar Ibn Abdilaziz (may Allah have mercy upon him) ordered us to collect the sunnah and we wrote it in books. Umar Ibn Abdilaziz (may Allah have mercy upon him) sent a book to the every city that he dominated."

It is certain that the books that were sent were the duplicated copies of the original books in the center.

Some narrations state that the hadiths collected in the center were checked by scholars: Abu'z-Zinad Abdullah Ibnu'z-Zakwan narrates: "I saw Umar Ibn Abdilaziz bring together fiqh scholars. Fiqh scholars had collected a great amount of hadiths. He read them together with the scholars and when a sunnah that was not carried out was read, he said: “It is extra; there is no deed based on it."

It can be said that the copies that were sent to the cities were duplicated after the examination of that committee.

An important characteristic of tadwin activities is that hadiths were not written under any classification like sunan, sahih or musnad. What was important in tadwin was to write them, to put them into writing not any other style or purpose. Therefore, marfu (traced back to the Prophet), mawqut (timed), maqtu (cut-off) narrations were written together with hasan (well authenticated) and daif (weak). Their distinction and classification would be dealt with in the next century called the period of tabwib (dividing into chapters).

THE ROLE OF ABU BAKR IBN HAZM:

We do not have any document indicating that the governor of Madinah, Abu Bakr Ibn Hazm, wrote any hadiths personally upon the command of although he was a great hadith scholar. He may have found it enough to force the scholars to work for tadwin as the governor. As a matter of fact, Zuhri, who adopted the work of tadwin and played the primary role in it, is a scholar of Madinah and it is certain that he started to work upon the command of Abu Bakr Ibn Hazm.

Although the life of Umar Ibn Abdilaziz was not long enough to see the fruit of tadwin activities, we reported above from Zuhri that the books that were collected in his period reached enough amounts to be duplicated and sent to big cities. Therefore, Islamic scholars agree unanimously that the first tadwin started during the age of Umar Ibn Abdilaziz (may Allah have mercy upon him), in the last years of the first century Hegira.

[arimamary-main]

Tagged by @shawn-and-aiden-frost-9 :D

Rules: Answer these 85 statements about yourselves, then tag 20 people.

@emypony @atsuyafubukii @eterna09 @funips @producktions ah to hell with this this is was pain and I don’t want to make other fifteen people to suffer

Last

1. Drink - Water 2. Phone Call - A rl friend. Awkward af. 3. Text Message - I think it was “of course I’m going“ 4. Song you listened to - Circles by GUMI 5. Time you cried - This... Tuesday I think. I was a weird day.

Ever

6. Dated someone twice? - Nope! 7. Kissed someone and regretted it - I doubt it. 8. Been cheated on - Nope. But I might murder him/her. 9. Lost someone special - Yeah, it was painful, or at least it felt like I lost them back them. But I just got them back. 10. Been depressed - I just got out of that dark pit that swallow every bit of my self-worth, love, and aspirations. 11. Gotten drunk and thrown up - I can’t drink until that point XD.

Fave colors

12. Blue 13. Red 14. Orange/yellow/violet

In the last year, have you…

15. Made new friends - I have new people in the social media sites I have been for a while, so yes! 16. Fallen out of love - In, out, I don’t even know anymore. 17. Laughed until you cried - It’s been a while since that has happened :(. I love laughing tho. 18. Found out someone was talking about you - I feel like no one ever speaks about me XD. I don’t really care if it’s gossip or bad-mouthing. 19. Met someone who changed you - Do OCs count? Yeah, they do. 20. Found out who your friends are - Not really. 21. Kissed someone on your Facebook friends list - I wish XD.

General

22. How many of your Facebook friends do you know irl - Pretty much everyone. Not that I’m close to all of them. 23. Do you have any pets - I want a cat! Make them two! 24. Do you want to change your name -  It’s average af but nope. 25. What did you do for your last birthday - Don’t remind me.... 26. What time did you wake up today - Seven a.m I need sleep Zzzzzz 27. What were you doing at midnight last night - In my tablet talking to a friend. It was fun :3 28. What is something you can’t wait for - Of course it’s Inazuma Eleven. Also Heaven’s Feel and getting my first paycheck lol 29. [There is no number 29 in the list I got tagged in, so…] (I’m too lazy to delete this ha) 30. What are you listening to right now - Human voices. 31. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom - I really wonder if someone will ever answer this with “yeah, he was a jerk“ or “he was really nice“. 32. Something that’s getting on your nerves - Stereotypes and abuse :D 33. Most visited website - Tumblr and Kissanime. What is life? 34. Hair color - Black. 35. Long or short hair - Long-ish? It’s shoulder-length. 36. Do you have a crush on someone - Not anymore, I think. 37. What do you like about yourself - The fact that I make jokes 24/7 and no can stop mehh!!! 38. Want any piercings - Nope! 39. Blood type - O- 40. Nicknames - I like to be called Mary and online younger people call me Mary-san which is really cute. 41. Relationship status - Single. You shall not take my freedom! 42. Zodiac - Gemini~ 43. Pronouns - She/her 44. Fave TV show - Future Inazuma Eleven Ares :D. Otherwise My Cat From Hell and animal documentaries. 45. Tattoos - Nope. I’m not into that tho I respect tattoo artists. They are cool 46. Right or left handed - Right 47. Ever had surgery - Yeah, when I was younger. It wasn’t pretty... 48. Piercings - Are earlobe piercings still piercings. 49. Sport - I’m not dedicated to sports but I like gold and perhaps badminton. 50. Vacation - What is that? XD. Going to new places is like a vacation to me.

More general

52. Eating - 53. Drinking - 54. I’m about to watch - How I hurriedly edit my Valentine’s Day fic lol 55. Waiting for - My class to start XD. 56. Want - A cute plushie by Tokyo Otaku Mode, a commission from Zafiro, two cats, work hard and have fun! 57. Get married - I can barely take care of myself XD. 58. Career - Environmental Scientist or Graphic Designer :D

Which is better

59. Hugs or kisses - Hugs are good~ 60. Lips or eyes - 61. Shorter or taller - Tall people are intimidating so shorter XD 62. Older or younger - I don’t have a preference. I should be starting to act like an adult but I still act like a child haha. 63. Nice arms or stomach - Face is everything to me 64. Hookup or relationship - A nice long relationship <3 65. Troublemaker or hesitant - Damn it, hesitant is cute. I’m the troublemaker or so I tell myself XD.

Have you ever

66. Kissed a stranger - Kissing is a greeting where I was raised so I guess it’s a yes. 67. Drank hard liquor - I think vodka, tequila and rum. Rum is yummy X3. 68. Lost glasses - Not lost lost but from time to time I can’t find them for a day XD 69. Turned someone down - I remember doing so but it seemed like a joke so I’m not really counting it. 70. Sex on first date - No... 71. Broken someone’s heart - Perhaps not romantically but I can’t deny someone might have felt betrayed with something I have said or done. 72. Had your heart broken - My romantic life in a nutshell. 73. Been arrested - I pray that never happens. 74. Cried when someone died - I help back the tears 75. Fallen for a friend - My romantic life in a nutshell.

Do you believe in

76. Yourself - Of course! 77. Miracles - Yup! 78. Love at first sight - It’s attraction at first sight. 79. Santa Claus - Used to. Once, I spend the night in a plastic house with my cousin when we were little to catch him in the act XD. 80. Kiss on a first date - Never been on a date! It would be embarrassing af. 81. Angels - I do. Angels are cool

Other

82. Best friend’s name - I won’t disclose that info 83. Eye color - Very dark brown that looks back 84. Fave movie - I don’t actively rewatch movies but FullMetal Alchemist Conqueror of Shamballa had a special place in my otaku heart 85. Fave actor - Favorite voice actor in my case XD. Miyano Mamoru, Shimono Hiro, Kaji Yuuki, I forgot Erwin/Sebastian’s VA but that one, and others I don’t have on top of my head. But they are a lot.

This was hella long and I don’t want to do it again XD.

[fragile-splendors]

I was tagged by @weltraumfieber and this is gonna help me procrastinate so much, so thank you :D 

LAST:

1. Drink: water 2. Phone call: probably my mum 3. Text Message: A friend of mine sent me a funny gif  4. Song you listened to: Echoes in the Dark by Milow 5. Time you cried: friday, yaay

HAVE YOU: 6. Dated someone twice: no 7. Kissed someone and regretted it: nah not really 8. Been cheated on: yup 9. Lost someone special: yes 10. Been depressed: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  11. Gotten drunk and thrown up: ugh yes, gross, happened once and won't happen ever again

LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLOURS: 12. black 13. bordeaux 14. white

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU: 15. Made new friends: yes 16. Fallen out of love: no 17. Laughed until you cried: yes 18. Found out someone was talking about you: Kind of? 19. Met someone who changed you: no, not really 20. Found out who your friends are: definitely. 

21. Kissed someone on your Facebook list: yes

GENERAL: 22. How many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them 23. Do you have any pets: a cat :3 24. Do you want to change your name: I used to, when I was much younger, but i’m pretty okay with my name now 25. What did you do for your last Birthday: went to visit a nearby castle and went out for dinner and drinks later 26. What time did you wake up: 7:30am 27. What were you doing at midnight last night: sleeping soundly  28. Name something you can’t wait for: USA Vacation in 18 days 😎 29. When was the last time you saw your mom: yesterday 30. What is one thing you wish you could change in your life: just let me be a doctor already haha. 31. What are you listening right now: nothing 32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: yes, such a moron 33. Something that is getting on your nerves: literally everything at the moment  34. Most visited Website: umm i guess Ilias, which is my university’s download platform 

LOST QUESTIONS. I JUST PUT IN RANDOM INFO ABOUT ME 35. Mole/s: quite a few in interesting constellations haha  36. Mark/s: scars on my legs and shoulders and quite a few blemish marks thanks to acne  37. Childhood dream: become a professional equestrian  38. Hair colour: brown 39. Long or short hair: only a little over shoulder length  40. Do you have a crush on someone: kinda? :p yes haha 41. What do you like about yourself: My eyes 42. Piercings: two earrings on each lobe, one of which is infected rn, so maybe i’ll lose that one 43. Blood type: A- 44. Nickname: none, really  45. Relationship status: Taken 46. Zodiac: Capricorn  47. Pronouns: she/her 48. Favourite TV Show: Gilmore Girls for life, Suits is cool too, House MD was also great, oh boy, i watch so many shows.... 49. Tattoos: nope 50. Right or left hand: i’m right handed 51. Surgery: Only had tympanic tubes put in and some polyps removed when i was like 4 52. Hair dyed in different colour: i dyed it with Henna a couple of Times, gives it a reddish hue :) 53. Sport: I go to the gym, but I like playing volleyball, horse riding when i get the opportunity, swimming is lovely, and I FUCKING HATE RUNNING 55. Vacation: USA In a 2 weeks :) 56. Pair of trainers: yes. I got a pair of New Balance, adidas, nike (those were originally my hospital shoes for work), and vans.

MORE GENERAL: 57. Eating: Had some bread, a banana and a peach today. 58. Drinking: Water, always  59. I’m about to: have dinner and study more because my exam is in two weeks 61. Waiting for: h o l i d a y 62. Want: pass my exam and fly to the US without worries 63. Get married: maybe 64. Career: Doctor, Neurologist or Neurosurgeon  65. Hugs or kisses: hugs 66. Lips or eyes: eyes 67. Shorter or taller:  Taller ideally  68. Older or younger: older 70. Nice arms or nice stomach: nice arms 71. Sensitive or loud: sensitive 72. Hook up or relationship: relationship 73. Troublemaker or hesitant: hesitant

HAVE YOU EVER: 74. Kissed a stranger: nope 75. Drank hard liquor: yes  76. Lost glasses/contact lenses: No, i’m diligent about these 77. Turned someone down: yes 78. Sex in the first date: no?? 79. Broken someone’s heart: Not that i’m aware 80. Had your heart broken: ehhh i guess that one time 81. Been arrested: no haha 82. Cried when someone died: yes 83. Fallen for a friend: yes haha

DO YOU BELIEVE IN: 84. Yourself: hahahahaha no. 85. Miracles: no 86. Love at first sight: no 87. Santa Claus: we have the Christkind here, so no 88. Kiss on the first date: If it happens, fine 89. Angels: no

OTHER: 90. Current best friend’s name: i got like no friends, but my closest uni people are called Kitti (yes, real name) and Julia. And i guess my boyfriend is also my best friend, so Chris aka @suithusiast :) 91. Eye colour: brown 92. Favourite movie: idek

i tag @suithusiast :p and anyone who would like to do this, feel free/consider yourselves tagged :)

[19sary19-blog]

Verses including the word Isa (as) (Jesus) in The Holy Quran

We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit.Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay! (Surah Al-Baqara, 87)

Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)." (Surah Al-Baqara, 136)

Those apostles We endowed with gifts, some above others: To one of them Allah spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honour); to Jesus the son of Mary We gave clear (Signs), and strengthened him with the holy spirit.If Allah had so willed, succeeding generations would not have fought among each other, after clear (Signs) had come to them, but they (chose) to wrangle, some believing and others rejecting.If Allah had so willed, they would not have fought each other; but Allah Fulfilleth His plan. (Surah Al-Baqara, 253)

Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah. (Surah Al-Imran, 45)

"He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity.And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous." (Surah Al-Imran, 46)

She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is! (Surah Al-Imran, 47)

"And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel, (Surah Al-Imran, 48)

"And (appoint him) an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "'I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah.s leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah.s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses.Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe; (Surah Al-Imran, 49)

"'(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me.And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord.So fear Allah, and obey me. (Surah Al-Imran, 50)

"'It is Allah Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him.This is a Way that is straight.'" (Surah Al-Imran, 51)

When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah." Said the disciples: "We are Allah.s helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims. (Surah Al-Imran, 52)

"Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger.then write us down among those who bear witness." (Surah Al-Imran, 53)

And (the unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah. (Surah Al-Imran, 54)

Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. (Surah Al-Imran, 55)

The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be".And he was. (Surah Al-Imran, 59)

The Truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt. (Surah Al-Imran, 60)

Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." (Surah Al-Imran, 84)

(They have incurred divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant; that they rejected the signs of Allah.that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah.s Word; We need no more)";- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe;- (Surah An-Nisa’, 155)

That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge; (Surah An-Nisa’, 156)

That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:- (Surah An-Nisa’, 157)

Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise;- (Surah An-Nisa’, 158)

And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against them;- (Surah An-Nisa’, 159)

We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms. (Surah An-Nisa’, 163)

O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth.Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles.Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah.Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son.To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth.And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. (Surah An-Nisa’, 171)

Christ disdaineth nor to serve and worship Allah, nor do the angels, those nearest (to Allah.: those who disdain His worship and are arrogant,-He will gather them all together unto Himself to (answer). (Surah An-Nisa’, 172)

In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary.Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all every - one that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between.He createth what He pleaseth.For Allah hath power over all things." (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 17)

And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 46)

They do blaspheme who say: "(Allah) is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode.There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help. (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 72)

They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah.If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 73)

Why turn they not to Allah, and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 74)

Christ the son of Mary was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him.His mother was a woman of truth.They had both to eat their (daily) food.See how Allah doth make His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth! (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 75)

Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses. (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 78)

Then will Allah say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother.Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity.Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave.And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave.And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.' (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 110)

Behold! the disciples, said: "O Jesus the son of Mary! can thy Lord send down to us a table set (with viands) from heaven?" Said Jesus: "Fear Allah, if ye have faith." (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 111)

"And behold! I inspired the disciples to have faith in Me and Mine Messenger.they said, 'We have faith, and do thou bear witness that we bow to Allah as Muslims'". (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 112)

They said: "We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and to know that thou hast indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle." (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 113)

Said Jesus the son of Mary: "O Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a solemn festival and a sign from thee; and provide for our sustenance, for thou art the best Sustainer (of our needs)." (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 114)

Allah said: "I will send it down unto you: But if any of you after that resisteth faith, I will punish him with a penalty such as I have not inflicted on any one among all the peoples." (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 115)

And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah.?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say).Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it.Thou knowest what is in my heart, Thou I know not what is in Thine (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 116)

"Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, 'worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord'; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things. (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 117)

"If Thou dost punish them, they are Thy servant: If Thou dost forgive them, Thou art the Exalted in power, the Wise." (Surah Al-Ma’ida, 118)

And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous: (Surah Al-An‘am, 85)

The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah.That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say.Allah.s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth! (Surah At-Tawba, 30)

They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords in derogation of Allah, and (they take as their Lord) Christ the son of Mary; yet they were commanded to worship but One Allah.there is no god but He.Praise and glory to Him: (Far is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him). (Surah At-Tawba, 31)

Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. (Surah Maryam, 16)

She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. (Surah Maryam, 17)

She said: "I seek refuge from thee to ((Allah)) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah." (Surah Maryam, 18)

He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son. (Surah Maryam, 19)

She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?" (Surah Maryam, 20)

He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed." (Surah Maryam, 21)

So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. (Surah Maryam, 22)

And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!" (Surah Maryam, 23)

But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee; (Surah Maryam, 24)

"And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. (Surah Maryam, 25)

"So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye.And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to ((Allah)) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'" (Surah Maryam, 26)

At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms).They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! (Surah Maryam, 27)

"O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!" (Surah Maryam, 28)

But she pointed to the babe.They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" (Surah Maryam, 29)

He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah.He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; (Surah Maryam, 30)

"And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; (Surah Maryam, 31)

"(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; (Surah Maryam, 32)

"So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"! (Surah Maryam, 33)

Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. (Surah Maryam, 34)

It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son.Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is. (Surah Maryam, 35)

And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs. (Surah Al-Muminun, 50)

And remember We took from the prophets their covenant: As (We did) from thee: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn covenant: (Surah Al-Ahzab, 7)

The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). (Surah Ash-Shura, 13)

When (Jesus) the son of Mary is held up as an example, behold, thy people raise a clamour thereat (in ridicule)! (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 57)

And they say, "Are our gods best, or he?" This they set forth to thee, only by way of disputation: yea, they are a contentious people. (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 58)

He was no more than a servant: We granted Our favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel. (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 59)

And if it were Our Will, We could make angels from amongst you, succeeding each other on the earth. (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 60)

And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way. (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 61)

Let not the Evil One hinder you: for he is to you an enemy avowed. (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 62)

When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: "Now have I come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which ye dispute: therefore fear Allah and obey me. (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 63)

"For Allah, He is my Lord and your Lord: so worship ye Him: this is a Straight Way." (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 64)

But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement: then woe to the wrong-doers, from the Penalty of a Grievous Day! (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 65)

Then, in their wake, We followed them up with (others of) Our apostles: We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of Allah. but that they did not foster as they should have done. Yet We bestowed, on those among them who believed, their (due) reward, but many of them are rebellious transgressors. (Surah Al-Hadid, 27)

And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!" (Surah As-Saff, 6)

O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of Allah. As said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples, "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah." Said the disciples, "We are Allah.s helpers!" then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved: But We gave power to those who believed, against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed. (Surah As-Saff, 14)

[thetruthseekerway]

Mary and Jesus in Islam

New Post has been published on http://www.truth-seeker.info/oasis-of-faith/mary-and-jesus-in-islam/

Mary and Jesus in Islam

By A Q Khan

Mary-Miriam-Maryam and her son Jesus-Eesa are VIP (Very Important Persons) and have a very special status in Islam compared to any other Faith in this world. They were the descendants of Abraham born into honored families. Miryam (Maidservant of Allah), is the only female character by name mentioned 34 times in the Qur’an and as a title of Chapter-19. Qur’an narrates the details of Maryam from her conception to Youth and Womanhood to delivery of her son – Jesus.

Jesus Eesa (Esau, Yeheshua Jesus-Christ) was a Prophet and Messenger as well. He received One Book called the Injeel / Gospel. He was similar to the Messengers and was a Chosen Man who performed Miracles, who brought the message and preached about the Unity of God. He was the only Prophet raised alive and is mentioned in 29 times (more than Prophet Muhammad who was only mentioned 4 times).

Jesus was the only Prophet titled as Messiah, mentioned with his mother’s name (Eesa-Ibn-Maryam / Jesus-Son of-Mary), talked from the cradle and lifted Alive to come back at the last hour. His birth was miraculous (as that of Adam with no father or mother and of Eve with no mother).

Mary’s father was Imran and her son was Eesa. Both were the descendants of Prophet Abraham thru Isaac. The wives of Imran and Zachariah were sisters. Mary’s Uncle was Zachariah (Yahiya/John the Baptist the son of Zachariah.) Therefore Jesus and John (Yahiya) were cousins.

Honored

The chapters 3 and 19 in Qur’an are titled after the names of Mary’s father and Mary.

Qur’an 3:42 ‘… O Mary! God has chosen you and purified you and again he has chosen you above all women of all nations of the worlds’

Qur’an 5:75 ‘…  His (Jesus) mother (Mary) was a woman of truth.’

Qur’an 21:91 ‘And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of our spirit and we made her and her son a sign for all peoples.’

Qur’an 3:3 ‘She was assigned to the care of Zachariah.’ (Guardian & Uncle)

Birth of Jesus Foretold

Qur’an 3:45: Behold! the angels said: ‘O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Messiah-Christ Eesa, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God/Allah… ‘

Isaiah 7:14: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Mathew 1:23: ‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us’.

Conception

Qur’an 66:12 ‘And Mary the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity; & We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; & she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord & of His Revelations, & was one of the devout (servants).

Qur’an 19:16-17 ‘Relate in the Book () Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. She placed a screen from them; then we sent our Angel (Gabriel) and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.’

Birth

Birth of Jesus: was unique, similar to prophet Adam (without Parent) & Eve (without father). The most miraculous was of Prophet Adam (AS) who was created from nothing versus any person need something to create something whether it is living/non-living objects like cloning & artificial insemination for babies).

Qur’an 3:59: ‘the similitude of Jesus before God is as that of Adam, He created him from dust, then said to him: ‘Be’… . And he was’.

Luke 1:37:  ‘For nothing is impossible with God’

Qur’an 19:33: ‘ So Peace is on me the day I was born, the day That I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life again’

Hadith: ‘None are born except that Satan touches them upon their birth, due to which it comes out screaming from its touch, except Mary and her son (Jesus) Ahmed}

Post Partum

Qur’an 19:25:  ‘And Shake towards thyself the trunk of the Palm tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee’

Qur’an 19:24 ‘But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the Palm tree ‘ Grieve not! For thy Lord hath provided a stream/rivulet beneath thee’

Qur’an 23:50: ‘And We made the son of Maryam & his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest & security & furnished with springs.’

Miracle of Jesus

Summarized in one verse in Qur’an:

Qur’an 5:110: The Day when Allah will say, ‘O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and remember when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay what was like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from killing you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, ‘This is not but obvious magic’.

John 5:30: ‘I can do nothing on my own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of Him who sent me’.

Jesus as a Prophet

He was chosen by the Supreme God, whose job was like a mediator between God and humanity like all other prophets

Qur’an 19:34: ‘That is Jesus, son of Mary-the word of truth about which they are in dispute’.

Qur’an 19:30 ‘He Eesa/Jesus) said: Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;’

Matthew 21:11: ‘… crowd said, ‘this is the Prophet Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee.’

John 9:17: ‘And he said, ‘He is a Prophet.”

Mission of Jesus

Abraham is a role model like Moses and Muhammad, Jesus was given a mission to spread the faith of Abraham i.e., Unity of God (Absolute Monotheism) of Abraham (i.e., Belief in one God, All Obedience and Worship of the same One God).

Qur’an 42:13: ‘He has ordained for you of religion (Islam) what He enjoined upon Noah & that which We have revealed to you, O Muhammad, & what We enjoined upon Abraham & Moses & Jesus – to establish the religion & not be divided therein (sects)…’

John 13:15: ‘I’ve given you an example that you should follow… ‘

John 8:39: Jesus said ‘for if you are the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.’

Qur’an 3-49 ‘ I will make him (Jesus) a Messenger to the Children of Israel’

Mathew 15:24: ‘I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep–the people of Israel.’

Romans 15:8:  ‘Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors’.

Jesus is a Muslim! The words Muslim, Islam and Salam come from Pro-Semitic root SLM means Peace (Purity, Submission, and obedience to One God). Muslims are those who submit in total to the Will of One God.

Qur’an 31:22: ‘Those who Submit completely to God (Allah)’ (Islam)

James 4:7:  ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God’.

Romans 13:1:  ‘Let every soul be Submit unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of GOD…’

Qur’an 3:52:  ‘When Jesus found unbelief on their part He said’ Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah? Said the disciples ‘we are Allah’s helpers: we believe in Allah, anf do bear witness that we are Muslims’

God of Jesus (Unity of God)

Qur’an 5: 72: ‘while the Jesus has said, ‘O Children of Israel-worship God, my Lord & your Lord’. (Qur’an in 6AD)

Mark12: 29:  ‘The most important commandment is this: Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord.’

Qur’an (111:1 & 4): ‘Say: He is God the One and Only; And there is none like unto Him.

Mark 12:32:  ‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one & there is no other but him.

Jesus and Prophet Muhammad

Qur’an7: 157: ‘Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures) in the law (Torah) and the Gospel (Injeel);-

Qur’an 61:6:  ‘And remember. Jesus, the son of Mary. Said: O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (Sent) to you, confirming the Law (Torah) before me, and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is AHMAD (Praiseworthy) …

John 16:13: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ‘He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Hadith: I am most close to Jesus, son of Mary, among the whole of mankind in this worldly life and the next life. They said: Allah’s Messenger how is it? Thereupon he said: Prophets are brothers in faith, having different mothers. Their religion is, however, one and there is no Apostle between us (between I and Jesus). (SM-Book 030, # 5836 Abu Huraira).

Jesus / Mary Worshiped

Qur’an 22:27:  ‘O you who believe! Bow down & prostrate yourselves & worship your God…’

Qur’an 3:43: ‘O Maryam, (Mary) be devout to your Lord, & prostrate yourself & bow down with the ones who bow down (for Him).

Mathew 26:39: ‘He (Jesus) advanced a little & fell on his face (prostration) and prayed, saying, ‘O my Father’

Qur’an 5: 72: ‘while the Jesus has said, ‘O Children of Israel-worship God, my Lord & your Lord’.

Gospel of Jesus

Qur’an 5:46: ‘We sent him the Gospel, therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the Torah that had come before him. A guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.’

John 1:17: ‘For the law (Torah) was given through Moses; grace and truth (Injeel/Gospel) came through Jesus Christ (Gospel)

Qur’an 3:50: (Jesus said) ‘To attest the law which was before me & to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God & obey me.’

Matthew 5:17-18: ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

Mark7:7: They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.

God of Jesus Praise Worthy

Qur’an 42:28: ‘And He (God)…  worthy of all Praise.

John 5:41: ‘I do not accept praise from men, Jesus shouted to the crowds’

Matthew 11:25 (Luke 10:21): … Jesus said, ‘I Praise you, father, Lord of heaven and Earth… ‘

John 8:50: ‘And I seek not mine own Praise/Glory, There is One that seeketh and Judgeth

Judgment Day

Qur’an 44:40: ‘Verily, the Day of Judgment is the time appointed for all of them. ‘

Mathew 12:36: ‘… I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment… ‘

Qur’an 5:50: ‘…  And who is better in judgment than Allah for a people who have firm Faith.

Matthew 7:1-2: ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Last Hour

Qur’an 7: 187: ‘They ask you, O Muhammad, about the Hour…  They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know.’

Mathew 24:36: ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ‘ (Mark13:32)

Destiny/Fate

Qur’an 46:9: ‘Say: O prophet ‘I am nothing new among the Prophets. I have no idea what will be done with me or you.’

Matthew 7: 21: ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Mathew 25:46: ‘These people will go away into eternal punishment (Hell), but those with God’s approval will go into eternal life (Heaven).’

Prophet Jesus and Muhammad (Similarities)

Prophet Jesus and Muhammad were descendants of Abraham and are Semites. The both talked about each other (recorded in Bible and Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad) and reinforced the Absolute Monotheism (True Faith of Abraham i.e., Unity of God (Absolute Monotheism) of Abraham (i.e., Belief in one God, All Obedience and Worship of the same One God).).

Obey

Qur’an 3:31: Say: ‘If ye do love Allah, obey me: Allah will love you & forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

John 14:23: Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him.’

Big Sin:

Qur’an 4:116 Verily! Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom he pleases sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, has indeed strayed far away. (Major Sin-Shirk/Eternal Sin)

John 16:8 ‘And when he comes, he will correct the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment;’

No Change

Qur’an 53:3-4 ‘He (Muhammad) doesn’t speak from his desire; indeed what he says is from revelation’

John 12:49: ‘For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it’.

Parents/Neighbors

Qur’an 4: 36: ‘… do good-to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near & distant, the Companion by your side, the way-farer (ye meet)… ‘

Matthew 15:4: For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.

Matthew 5: 43: ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’

Veils

Q 24:31 ‘And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments

1-Corinthians11:6 ‘For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.’

Jihad

Qur’an 29:69: ‘As for those who strive (Jihad) in Us, We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo ! Allah is with the good’.

Romans 2:7: ‘eternal life to those who strive (Jihad) for glory, honor, and immortality by patiently doing good’;

Baptism/Purification

Qur’an 2:138: (Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah: And who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship.

Qur’an 5:6: ‘O you who believe! When you prepare for prayers, wash your face, and your hands (to elbows); wipe your head part and wash your feet (to ankles) (with Water). If you are in state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body (with water)… ‘

Matthew 3:11: ‘I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you… ‘

Father

Qur’an 33:40 Muhammad (s) is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah & the last (seal) of the Prophets.’

Matthew 23:9: ‘Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven’.

Qur’an14:35: ‘Recall that Abraham said, ‘My God…  Protect me & my children from worshiping idols.’

1 Corinthians12:2: ‘You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.’

Jesus’s Ascension (Miraculous)

Qur’an 2:156: ‘Surely we belong to God and to Him shall we return’.

Qur’an 4:158: ‘But God lifted him (Jesus) up (with his body & soul) unto Himself (& he is in the heavens)… .

John 12:32: And when I am lifted up from the earth.’

John 20:17: Jesus said, Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’

Jesus’s Second Coming

Qur’an 43.61: ‘And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment: therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.

Mathew 24:44: For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will’

Hadith: At this very time Allah would send Christ, son of Mary, and he will descend at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus wearing two garments lightly dyed with saffron and placing his hands on the wings of two Angels. When he would lower his head, there would fall beads of perspiration from his head, and when he would raise it up, beads like pearls would scatter from it. (Sahih Muslim-041 #7015)

Death of Prophets (and all Mankind)

Qur’an 39:30 ‘Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die’

Qur’an 29:57 ‘Every soul will taste death; then to us will you be returned’

Qur’an 19:15 ‘And Peace be upon him the day he was born the day that he dies and the day that he is raised alive!’ (Jesus)

Hadith: After his descent on earth, Eesa/Jesus will marry. He will have children, and he will remain on earth 19 years after marriage. He will pass away and Muslims will perform his Funeral (Janaza) and bury him next to Prophet Muhammad (s). (Tirmidi)

[180brg]

Luke 9

Keep It Simple

1-5 Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick. He said, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.”

6 Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went.

7-9 Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn’t know what to think. There were people saying John had come back from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up. Herod said, “But I killed John—took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?” Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.

10-11 The apostles returned and reported on what they had done. Jesus took them away, off by themselves, near the town called Bethsaida. But the crowds got wind of it and followed. Jesus graciously welcomed them and talked to them about the kingdom of God. Those who needed healing, he healed.

Bread and Fish for Five Thousand

12 As the day declined, the Twelve said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the farms or villages around here and get a room for the night and a bite to eat. We’re out in the middle of nowhere.”

13-14 “You feed them,” Jesus said.

They said, “We couldn’t scrape up more than five loaves of bread and a couple of fish—unless, of course, you want us to go to town ourselves and buy food for everybody.” (There were more than five thousand people in the crowd.)

14-17 But he went ahead and directed his disciples, “Sit them down in groups of about fifty.” They did what he said, and soon had everyone seated. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread and fish to the disciples to hand out to the crowd. After the people had all eaten their fill, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up.

Don’t Run from Suffering

18 One time when Jesus was off praying by himself, his disciples nearby, he asked them, “What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?”

19 They said, “John the Baptizer. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back.”

20-21 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”

Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet. They were to tell no one what Peter had said.

22 He went on, “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive.”

23-27 Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.”

Jesus in His Glory

28-31 About eight days after saying this, he climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John, and James along. While he was in prayer, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white. At once two men were there talking with him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah—and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over his exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem.

32-33 Meanwhile, Peter and those with him were slumped over in sleep. When they came to, rubbing their eyes, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men standing with him. When Moses and Elijah had left, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking.

34-35 While he was babbling on like this, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them. As they found themselves buried in the cloud, they became deeply aware of God. Then there was a voice out of the cloud: “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him.”

36 When the sound of the voice died away, they saw Jesus there alone. They were speechless. And they continued speechless, said not one thing to anyone during those days of what they had seen.

37-40 When they came down off the mountain the next day, a big crowd was there to meet them. A man called from out of the crowd, “Please, please, Teacher, take a look at my son. He’s my only child. Often a spirit seizes him. Suddenly he’s screaming, thrown into convulsions, his mouth foaming. And then it beats him black-and-blue before it leaves. I asked your disciples to deliver him but they couldn’t.”

41 Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring your son here.”

42-43 While he was coming, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into convulsions. Jesus stepped in, ordered the vile spirit gone, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father. They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God’s greatness, God’s majestic greatness.

Your Business Is Life

43-44 While they continued to stand around exclaiming over all the things he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Treasure and ponder each of these next words: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into human hands.”

45 They didn’t get what he was saying. It was like he was speaking a foreign language and they couldn’t make heads or tails of it. But they were embarrassed to ask him what he meant.

46-48 They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. “Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me,” he said. “And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.”

49 John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.”

50 Jesus said, “Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.”

51-54 When it came close to the time for his Ascension, he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem. He sent messengers on ahead. They came to a Samaritan village to make arrangements for his hospitality. But when the Samaritans learned that his destination was Jerusalem, they refused hospitality. When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, “Master, do you want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?”

55-56 Jesus turned on them: “Of course not!” And they traveled on to another village.

57 On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said.

58 Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”

Jesus said to another, “Follow me.”

59 He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.”

60 Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!”

61 Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”

62 Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

[newstfionline]

Millions Return to Poverty in Brazil, Eroding ‘Boom’ Decade

AP, Oct. 23, 2017

RIO DE JANEIRO--When Leticia Miranda had a job selling newspapers on the streets, she earned about $160 a month, just enough to pay for a tiny apartment she shared with her 8-year-old son in a poor neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.

When she lost her job about six months ago amid Brazil’s worst economic crisis in decades, Miranda had no choice but to move to an abandoned building where several hundred people were already living. All of her possessions--a bed, a fridge, a stove and some clothes--have been jammed into a small room that like all the others in the building has windows with no glass. Residents bathe in large garbage cans filled with water and do their best to live with the stench of mountains of trash and rummaging pigs in the center of the building.

“I want to leave here, but there is nowhere to go,” said Miranda, 28, dressed in a bikini top, shorts and sandals to deal with the heat. “I’m applying for jobs and did two interviews. So far, nothing.”

Between 2004 and 2014, tens of millions of Brazilians emerged from poverty and the country was often cited as an example for the world. High prices for the country’s raw materials and newly developed oil resources helped finance social welfare programs that put money into the pockets of the poorest.

But that trend has been reversed over the last two years due to the deepest recession in Brazil’s history and cuts to the subsidy programs, raising the specter that this continent-sized nation has lost its way in addressing wide inequalities that go back to colonial times.

“Many people who had risen out of poverty, and even those who had risen into the middle class, have fallen back,” said Monica de Bolle, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The World Bank estimates about 28.6 million Brazilians moved out of poverty between 2004 and 2014. But the bank estimates that from the start of 2016 to the end of this year, 2.5 million to 3.6 million will have fallen back below the poverty line of 140 Brazilian reais per month, about $44 at current exchange rates.

Those figures are likely underestimates, de Bolle said, and they don’t capture the fact that many lower-middle class Brazilians who gained ground during the boom years have since slid back closer to poverty.

Economists say high unemployment and cuts to key social welfare programs could exacerbate the problems. In July, the last month for which data is available, unemployment was close to 13 percent, a huge increase from 4 percent at the end of 2004.

Lines of job-seekers stretching several blocks have become commonplace whenever any business announces openings. When a university in Rio this month offered low-skilled jobs paying $400 a month, thousands showed up, including many who stood outside in the rain a day before the process began.

Meanwhile, budgetary pressures and the conservative policies of President Michel Temer are translating into cuts in social services. Among those hit is the Bolsa Familia--Family Allowance--program that gives small subsidies each month to qualifying low-income people. It’s credited with much of the poverty reduction during Brazil’s boom decade.

Non-labor income, including social programs like Bolsa Familia, accounted for nearly 60 percent of the reduction in the number of people living in extreme poverty during the boom decade, said Emmanuel Skoufias, a World Bank economist and one of the authors of the report on Brazil’s “new poor.”

Now, even as job losses have been pushing more people toward the program, fewer are being covered.

“Every day is a struggle to survive,” 40-year-old Simone Batista said, tears streaming down her face as she recounted being cut from Bolsa Familia after her now 1-year-old was born. She wants to appeal, but doesn’t have enough money to take buses to the administrative office downtown. Batista lives in Jardim Gramacho, a slum in northern Rio where she and hundreds of other destitute residents find food by rummaging through garbage illegally dumped in the area.

An Associated Press review of Bolsa Familia data found coverage declined 4 percentage points between May 2016, when Temer became acting president, and May of this year. Part of that may be due to a crackdown on alleged fraud that started late last year. Temer’s administration announced it had found “irregularities” in the records of 1.1 million recipients--about 8 percent of the 14 million people who receive the benefit. The infractions ranged from fraud to families that were earning above $150 a month, the cutoff to receive the benefit.

“The government shouldn’t lose focus on the priority” of keeping people out of poverty, said Skoufias, adding that Bolsa Familia represented only about 0.5 percent of Brazil’s gross domestic product and the government should be looking to allocate more, not fewer, resources to it.

Still, any discussion of increased spending is likely doomed in Congress, where a spending cap was passed earlier this year and Temer is pushing to make large cuts to the pension system. The fiscal situation is even worse for many states, including Rio.

A year after hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio is so broke that thousands of public workers are not being paid, or are being paid late in installments. Many budget items, from garbage collection to a community policing program, have been sharply reduced.

For many who live in Rio’s hundreds of favelas, or slums, an already hardscrabble existence feels increasingly precarious.

Maria de Pena Souza, 59, lives with her 24-year-old son in a small house with a zinc roof in the Lins favela in western Rio. They want to move because the home sits on a steep hill that is prone to deadly mudslides. But her son hasn’t been able to find work since finishing his military service a few years ago.

“I would leave if there was a way, but there isn’t,” said de Pena Souza, who added: “When it rains, I can’t sleep.”

The economic doldrums are clearly fueling the political comeback of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who from 2003 to 2010 presided over much of the boom. After leaving office with approval ratings over 80 percent, da Silva’s popularity plunged as he and his party were ensnared in corruption investigations. Da Silva is appealing a conviction and nearly 10-year sentence for corruption. But he still consistently leads preference polls for next year’s presidential election.

On the campaign trail, da Silva promises both a return to better economic times and refocusing on the poor.

“Lula is not just Lula,” da Silva said at a recent rally in Rio, using the name most Brazilians call him. “It’s an idea represented by millions of men and women. Prepare yourselves because the working class will return to govern this country.”

[tj-van-heerden]

Righteousness and sin in the NT (Acts)

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:42-43 42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 4:18-20 18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, 20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

Acts 4:31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 5:31 God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

Acts 5:42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.

Acts 6:8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.

Acts 7:59-60 59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 8:1 Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.

Acts 8:3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison.

Acts 8:4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.

Acts 8:5-8 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 There was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.

Acts 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

Acts 9:1-6 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6  But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9:10-12 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah‡ for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12  and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”

Acts 9:15-18 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. 16  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.

Acts 9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

Acts 9:23-25 23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Acts 10:35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

Acts 10:36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—

Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”

Acts 13:38 Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,

Acts 14:15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;

Acts 14:21 When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

Acts 16:10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News to them.

Acts 17:30-31 30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”

Acts 18:9-11 9 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent; 10  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Acts 19:4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Acts 20:24 But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

Acts 22:16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Acts 23:11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

Acts 24:23-25 23 He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him. 24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”

Acts 24:27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Acts 25:11-12 11 For if I have done wrong and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Acts 26:20 but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

Acts 28:16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Acts 28:23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

Acts 28:25-28 25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive. 27 For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’ 28 “Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”

Acts 28:30-31 30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him, 31 preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings November 19, 2019 at 11:00PM

Psalm 101

Psalm 101

A Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice

Of David. A Psalm.

1 I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing. 2 I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 4 Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.

5 One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, so that they may live with me; whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit shall remain in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 109:1-30

Psalm 109

Prayer for Vindication and Vengeance

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1 Do not be silent, O God of my praise. 2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. 3 They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. 4 In return for my love they accuse me, even while I make prayer for them.[a] 5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 They say,[b] “Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand on his right. 7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin. 8 May his days be few; may another seize his position. 9 May his children be orphans, and his wife a widow. 10 May his children wander about and beg; may they be driven out of[c] the ruins they inhabit. 11 May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil. 12 May there be no one to do him a kindness, nor anyone to pity his orphaned children. 13 May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation. 14 May the iniquity of his father[d] be remembered before the Lord, and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15 Let them be before the Lord continually, and may his[e] memory be cut off from the earth. 16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted to their death. 17 He loved to curse; let curses come on him. He did not like blessing; may it be far from him. 18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat, may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones. 19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around himself, like a belt that he wears every day.”

20 May that be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, of those who speak evil against my life. 21 But you, O Lord my Lord, act on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me. 22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is pierced within me. 23 I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt. 25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

26 Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love. 27 Let them know that this is your hand; you, O Lord, have done it. 28 Let them curse, but you will bless. Let my assailants be put to shame;[f] may your servant be glad. 29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle. 30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

Footnotes:

Psalm 109:4 Syr: Heb I prayer

Psalm 109:6 Heb lacks They say

Psalm 109:10 Gk: Heb and seek

Psalm 109:14 Cn: Heb fathers

Psalm 109:15 Gk: Heb their

Psalm 109:28 Gk: Heb They have risen up and have been put to shame

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 119:121-144

121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the godless oppress me. 123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation, and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know your decrees. 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. 127 Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold. 128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;[a] I hate every false way.

129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name. 133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.

137 You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right. 138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness. 139 My zeal consumes me because my foes forget your words. 140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight. 144 Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

Footnotes:

Psalm 119:128 Gk Jerome: Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1 Maccabees 3:42-59

42 Now Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also learned what the king had commanded to do to the people to cause their final destruction. 43 But they said to one another, “Let us restore the ruins of our people, and fight for our people and the sanctuary.” 44 So the congregation assembled to be ready for battle, and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.

45 Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness; not one of her children went in or out. The sanctuary was trampled down, and aliens held the citadel; it was a lodging place for the Gentiles. Joy was taken from Jacob; the flute and the harp ceased to play.

46 Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah. 47 They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes. 48 And they opened the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which the Gentiles consulted the likenesses of their gods. 49 They also brought the vestments of the priesthood and the first fruits and the tithes, and they stirred up the nazirites[a] who had completed their days; 50 and they cried aloud to Heaven, saying,

“What shall we do with these? Where shall we take them? 51 Your sanctuary is trampled down and profaned, and your priests mourn in humiliation. 52 Here the Gentiles are assembled against us to destroy us; you know what they plot against us. 53 How will we be able to withstand them, if you do not help us?”

54 Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout. 55 After this Judas appointed leaders of the people, in charge of thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens. 56 Those who were building houses, or were about to be married, or were planting a vineyard, or were fainthearted, he told to go home again, according to the law. 57 Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus.

58 And Judas said, “Arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready early in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. 59 It is better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of our nation and of the sanctuary.

Footnotes:

1 Maccabees 3:49 That is those separated or those consecrated

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Revelation 21:9-21

Vision of the New Jerusalem

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And in the spirit[a] he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel[b] who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles;[c] its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits[d] by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

Footnotes:

Revelation 21:10 Or in the Spirit

Revelation 21:15 Gk He

Revelation 21:16 Gk twelve thousand stadia

Revelation 21:17 That is, almost seventy-five yards

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Matthew 17:22-27

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

22 As they were gathering[a] in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, 23 and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed.

Jesus and the Temple Tax

24 When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax[b] came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?”[c] 25 He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?” 26 When Peter[d] said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. 27 However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin;[e] take that and give it to them for you and me.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 17:22 Other ancient authorities read living

Matthew 17:24 Gk didrachma

Matthew 17:24 Gk didrachma

Matthew 17:26 Gk he

Matthew 17:27 Gk stater; the stater was worth two didrachmas

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings July 01, 2019

Psalm 106

Psalm 106

A Confession of Israel’s Sins

1 Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? 3 Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times.

4 Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you deliver them; 5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory in your heritage.

6 Both we and our ancestors have sinned; we have committed iniquity, have done wickedly. 7 Our ancestors, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wonderful works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled against the Most High[a] at the Red Sea.[b] 8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, so that he might make known his mighty power. 9 He rebuked the Red Sea,[c] and it became dry; he led them through the deep as through a desert. 10 So he saved them from the hand of the foe, and delivered them from the hand of the enemy. 11 The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. 12 Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.

13 But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. 14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; 15 he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.

16 They were jealous of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron, the holy one of the Lord. 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the faction of Abiram. 18 Fire also broke out in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf at Horeb and worshiped a cast image. 20 They exchanged the glory of God[d] for the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, 22 wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.[e] 23 Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

24 Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. 25 They grumbled in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the Lord. 26 Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them that he would make them fall in the wilderness, 27 and would disperse[f] their descendants among the nations, scattering them over the lands.

28 Then they attached themselves to the Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; 29 they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. 30 Then Phinehas stood up and interceded, and the plague was stopped. 31 And that has been reckoned to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever.

32 They angered the Lord[g] at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account; 33 for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke words that were rash.

34 They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, 35 but they mingled with the nations and learned to do as they did. 36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; 38 they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus they became unclean by their acts, and prostituted themselves in their doings.

40 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage; 41 he gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power. 43 Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes, and were brought low through their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress when he heard their cry. 45 For their sake he remembered his covenant, and showed compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 46 He caused them to be pitied by all who held them captive.

47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:

Psalm 106:7 Cn Compare 78.17, 56: Heb rebelled at the sea

Psalm 106:7 Or Sea of Reeds

Psalm 106:9 Or Sea of Reeds

Psalm 106:20 Compare Gk Mss: Heb exchanged their glory

Psalm 106:22 Or Sea of Reeds

Psalm 106:27 Syr Compare Ezek 20.23: Heb cause to fall

Psalm 106:32 Heb him

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1 Samuel 10:17-27

Saul Proclaimed King

17 Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah 18 and said to them,[a] “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said, ‘No! but set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.”

20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the family of the Matrites was taken by lot. Finally he brought the family of the Matrites near man by man,[b] and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 So they inquired again of the Lord, “Did the man come here?”[c] and the Lord said, “See, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 23 Then they ran and brought him from there. When he took his stand among the people, he was head and shoulders taller than any of them. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one whom the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

25 Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship; and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people back to their homes. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went warriors whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” They despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

Now Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had been grievously oppressing the Gadites and the Reubenites. He would gouge out the right eye of each of them and would not grant Israel a deliverer. No one was left of the Israelites across the Jordan whose right eye Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had not gouged out. But there were seven thousand men who had escaped from the Ammonites and had entered Jabesh-gilead.[d]

Footnotes:

1 Samuel 10:18 Heb to the people of Israel

1 Samuel 10:21 Gk: Heb lacks Finally . . . man by man

1 Samuel 10:22 Gk: Heb Is there yet a man to come here?

1 Samuel 10:27 Q Ms Compare Josephus, Antiquities VI.v.1 (68–71): MT lacks Now Nahash . . . entered Jabesh-gilead.

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Acts 7:44-8:1

44 “Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God[a] directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. 45 Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors. And it was there until the time of David, 46 who found favor with God and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the house of Jacob.[b] 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands;[c] as the prophet says,

49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53 You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.”

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.[d] 55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.[e] 8 1 And Saul approved of their killing him.

Saul Persecutes the Church

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.

Footnotes:

Acts 7:44 Gk he

Acts 7:46 Other ancient authorities read for the God of Jacob

Acts 7:48 Gk with hands

Acts 7:54 Gk him

Acts 7:60 Gk fell asleep

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Luke 22:52-62

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

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[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings January 29, 2019 at 11:00PM

Psalm 119:49-72

49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life. 51 The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. 52 When I think of your ordinances from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. 53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, those who forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs wherever I make my home. 55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. 56 This blessing has fallen to me, for I have kept your precepts.

57 The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. 58 I implore your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees; 60 I hurry and do not delay to keep your commandments. 61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous ordinances. 63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes.

65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67 Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep your word. 68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. 69 The arrogant smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts. 70 Their hearts are fat and gross, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 49

Psalm 49

The Folly of Trust in Riches

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together. 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life,[a] there is no price one can give to God for it. 8 For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice, 9 that one should live on forever and never see the grave.[b]

10 When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves[c] are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. 12 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.

13 Such is the fate of the foolhardy, the end of those[d] who are pleased with their lot.Selah 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend,[e] and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home.[f] 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.Selah

16 Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases. 17 For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them. 18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy —for you are praised when you do well for yourself— 19 they[g] will go to the company of their ancestors, who will never again see the light. 20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.

Footnotes:

Psalm 49:7 Another reading is no one can ransom a brother

Psalm 49:9 Heb the pit

Psalm 49:11 Gk Syr Compare Tg: Heb their inward (thought)

Psalm 49:13 Tg: Heb after them

Psalm 49:14 Cn: Heb the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning

Psalm 49:14 Meaning of Heb uncertain

Psalm 49:19 Cn: Heb you

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 53

Psalm 53

Denunciation of Godlessness

To the leader: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.

1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts; there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

3 They have all fallen away, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.

4 Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?

5 There they shall be in great terror, in terror such as has not been. For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly;[a] they will be put to shame,[b] for God has rejected them.

6 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

Footnotes:

Psalm 53:5 Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb him who encamps against you

Psalm 53:5 Gk: Heb you have put (them) to shame

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New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Isaiah 49:1-12

The Servant’s Mission

49 Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” 4 But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.”

5 And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— 6 he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

7 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, “Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Zion’s Children to Be Brought Home

8 Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,[a] to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; 9 saying to the prisoners, “Come out,” to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.” They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights[b] shall be their pasture; 10 they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. 11 And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up. 12 Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.[c]

Footnotes:

Isaiah 49:8 Meaning of Heb uncertain

Isaiah 49:9 Or the trails

Isaiah 49:12 Q Ms: MT Sinim

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Galatians 2:11-21

Paul Rebukes Peter at Antioch

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; 12 for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. 13 And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”[a]

Jews and Gentiles Are Saved by Faith

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is justified[b] not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.[c] And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ,[d] and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,[e] who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification[f] comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Footnotes:

Galatians 2:14 Some interpreters hold that the quotation extends into the following paragraph

Galatians 2:16 Or reckoned as righteous; and so elsewhere

Galatians 2:16 Or the faith of Jesus Christ

Galatians 2:16 Or the faith of Christ

Galatians 2:20 Or by the faith of the Son of God

Galatians 2:21 Or righteousness

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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Mark 6:13-29

13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Death of John the Baptist

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’[a] name had become known. Some were[b] saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod[c] had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed;[d] and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias[e] came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s[f] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Footnotes:

Mark 6:14 Gk his

Mark 6:14 Other ancient authorities read He was

Mark 6:17 Gk he

Mark 6:20 Other ancient authorities read he did many things

Mark 6:22 Other ancient authorities read the daughter of Herodias herself

Mark 6:27 Gk his

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[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings November 21, 2017 at 11:00PM

Psalm 101

Psalm 101

A Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice

Of David. A Psalm.

1 I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing. 2��I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 4 Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.

5 One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, so that they may live with me; whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit shall remain in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 109:1-30

Psalm 109

Prayer for Vindication and Vengeance

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1 Do not be silent, O God of my praise. 2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. 3 They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. 4 In return for my love they accuse me, even while I make prayer for them.[a] 5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 They say,[b] “Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand on his right. 7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin. 8 May his days be few; may another seize his position. 9 May his children be orphans, and his wife a widow. 10 May his children wander about and beg; may they be driven out of[c] the ruins they inhabit. 11 May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil. 12 May there be no one to do him a kindness, nor anyone to pity his orphaned children. 13 May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation. 14 May the iniquity of his father[d] be remembered before the Lord, and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15 Let them be before the Lord continually, and may his[e] memory be cut off from the earth. 16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted to their death. 17 He loved to curse; let curses come on him. He did not like blessing; may it be far from him. 18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat, may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones. 19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around himself, like a belt that he wears every day.”

20 May that be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, of those who speak evil against my life. 21 But you, O Lord my Lord, act on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me. 22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is pierced within me. 23 I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt. 25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

26 Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love. 27 Let them know that this is your hand; you, O Lord, have done it. 28 Let them curse, but you will bless. Let my assailants be put to shame;[f] may your servant be glad. 29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle. 30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

Footnotes:

Psalm 109:4 Syr: Heb I prayer

Psalm 109:6 Heb lacks They say

Psalm 109:10 Gk: Heb and seek

Psalm 109:14 Cn: Heb fathers

Psalm 109:15 Gk: Heb their

Psalm 109:28 Gk: Heb They have risen up and have been put to shame

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 119:121-144

121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the godless oppress me. 123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation, and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know your decrees. 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. 127 Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold. 128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;[a] I hate every false way.

129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name. 133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.

137 You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right. 138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness. 139 My zeal consumes me because my foes forget your words. 140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight. 144 Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

Footnotes:

Psalm 119:128 Gk Jerome: Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1 Maccabees 3:42-59

42 Now Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also learned what the king had commanded to do to the people to cause their final destruction. 43 But they said to one another, “Let us restore the ruins of our people, and fight for our people and the sanctuary.” 44 So the congregation assembled to be ready for battle, and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.

45 Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness; not one of her children went in or out. The sanctuary was trampled down, and aliens held the citadel; it was a lodging place for the Gentiles. Joy was taken from Jacob; the flute and the harp ceased to play.

46 Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah. 47 They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes. 48 And they opened the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which the Gentiles consulted the likenesses of their gods. 49 They also brought the vestments of the priesthood and the first fruits and the tithes, and they stirred up the nazirites[a] who had completed their days; 50 and they cried aloud to Heaven, saying,

“What shall we do with these? Where shall we take them? 51 Your sanctuary is trampled down and profaned, and your priests mourn in humiliation. 52 Here the Gentiles are assembled against us to destroy us; you know what they plot against us. 53 How will we be able to withstand them, if you do not help us?”

54 Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout. 55 After this Judas appointed leaders of the people, in charge of thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens. 56 Those who were building houses, or were about to be married, or were planting a vineyard, or were fainthearted, he told to go home again, according to the law. 57 Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus.

58 And Judas said, “Arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready early in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. 59 It is better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of our nation and of the sanctuary.

Footnotes:

1 Maccabees 3:49 That is those separated or those consecrated

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Revelation 21:9-21

Vision of the New Jerusalem

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And in the spirit[a] he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel[b] who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles;[c] its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits[d] by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

Footnotes:

Revelation 21:10 Or in the Spirit

Revelation 21:15 Gk He

Revelation 21:16 Gk twelve thousand stadia

Revelation 21:17 That is, almost seventy-five yards

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Matthew 17:22-27

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

22 As they were gathering[a] in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, 23 and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed.

Jesus and the Temple Tax

24 When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax[b] came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?”[c] 25 He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?” 26 When Peter[d] said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. 27 However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin;[e] take that and give it to them for you and me.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 17:22 Other ancient authorities read living

Matthew 17:24 Gk didrachma

Matthew 17:24 Gk didrachma

Matthew 17:26 Gk he

Matthew 17:27 Gk stater; the stater was worth two didrachmas

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings July 03, 2017

Psalm 106

Psalm 106

A Confession of Israel’s Sins

1 Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? 3 Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times.

4 Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you deliver them; 5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory in your heritage.

6 Both we and our ancestors have sinned; we have committed iniquity, have done wickedly. 7 Our ancestors, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wonderful works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled against the Most High[a] at the Red Sea.[b] 8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, so that he might make known his mighty power. 9 He rebuked the Red Sea,[c] and it became dry; he led them through the deep as through a desert. 10 So he saved them from the hand of the foe, and delivered them from the hand of the enemy. 11 The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. 12 Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.

13 But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. 14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; 15 he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.

16 They were jealous of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron, the holy one of the Lord. 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the faction of Abiram. 18 Fire also broke out in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf at Horeb and worshiped a cast image. 20 They exchanged the glory of God[d] for the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, 22 wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.[e] 23 Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

24 Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. 25 They grumbled in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the Lord. 26 Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them that he would make them fall in the wilderness, 27 and would disperse[f] their descendants among the nations, scattering them over the lands.

28 Then they attached themselves to the Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; 29 they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. 30 Then Phinehas stood up and interceded, and the plague was stopped. 31 And that has been reckoned to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever.

32 They angered the Lord[g] at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account; 33 for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke words that were rash.

34 They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, 35 but they mingled with the nations and learned to do as they did. 36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; 38 they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus they became unclean by their acts, and prostituted themselves in their doings.

40 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage; 41 he gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power. 43 Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes, and were brought low through their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress when he heard their cry. 45 For their sake he remembered his covenant, and showed compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 46 He caused them to be pitied by all who held them captive.

47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:

Psalm 106:7 Cn Compare 78.17, 56: Heb rebelled at the sea

Psalm 106:7 Or Sea of Reeds

Psalm 106:9 Or Sea of Reeds

Psalm 106:20 Compare Gk Mss: Heb exchanged their glory

Psalm 106:22 Or Sea of Reeds

Psalm 106:27 Syr Compare Ezek 20.23: Heb cause to fall

Psalm 106:32 Heb him

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1 Samuel 10:17-27

Saul Proclaimed King

17 Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah 18 and said to them,[a] “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said, ‘No! but set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.”

20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the family of the Matrites was taken by lot. Finally he brought the family of the Matrites near man by man,[b] and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 So they inquired again of the Lord, “Did the man come here?”[c] and the Lord said, “See, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 23 Then they ran and brought him from there. When he took his stand among the people, he was head and shoulders taller than any of them. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one whom the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

25 Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship; and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people back to their homes. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went warriors whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” They despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

Now Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had been grievously oppressing the Gadites and the Reubenites. He would gouge out the right eye of each of them and would not grant Israel a deliverer. No one was left of the Israelites across the Jordan whose right eye Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had not gouged out. But there were seven thousand men who had escaped from the Ammonites and had entered Jabesh-gilead.[d]

Footnotes:

1 Samuel 10:18 Heb to the people of Israel

1 Samuel 10:21 Gk: Heb lacks Finally . . . man by man

1 Samuel 10:22 Gk: Heb Is there yet a man to come here?

1 Samuel 10:27 Q Ms Compare Josephus, Antiquities VI.v.1 (68–71): MT lacks Now Nahash . . . entered Jabesh-gilead.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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Acts 7:44-8:1

44 “Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God[a] directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. 45 Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors. And it was there until the time of David, 46 who found favor with God and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the house of Jacob.[b] 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands;[c] as the prophet says,

49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53 You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.”

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.[d] 55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.[e] 8 1 And Saul approved of their killing him.

Saul Persecutes the Church

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.

Footnotes:

Acts 7:44 Gk he

Acts 7:46 Other ancient authorities read for the God of Jacob

Acts 7:48 Gk with hands

Acts 7:54 Gk him

Acts 7:60 Gk fell asleep

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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Luke 22:52-62

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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