Chapter 2<\/h4>

4<\/small><\/span> This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> The LORD God commanded the man, saying, \"From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.\"<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> Then the LORD God said, \"It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.\"<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> The man said, \"This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.\"<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#9: Sarai\u2019s Maidservant, Hagar\u00a0(Genesis 16:1-16)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 16<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Now Sarai, Abram's wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> So Sarai said to Abram, \"Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.\" And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> And Sarai said to Abram, \"May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May the LORD judge between you and me.\"<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> But Abram said to Sarai, \"Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.\" So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> He said, \"Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from and where are you going?\" And she said, \"I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.\"<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> Then the angel of the LORD said to her, \"Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.\"<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, \"I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.\"<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> The angel of the LORD said to her further, \"Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> \"He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone's hand will be against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers.\"<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, \"You are a God who sees\"; for she said, \"Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?\"<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#8:\u00a0Jacob\u2019s Brother, Esau (Genesis 27:1-40)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 27<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Now it came about, when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called his older son Esau and said to him, \"My son.\" And he said to him, \"Here I am.\"<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> Isaac said, \"Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> \"Now then, please take your gear, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me;<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> and prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die.\"<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home,<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> Rebekah said to her son Jacob, \"Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying,<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> 'Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.'<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> \"Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> \"Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> \"Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.\"<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, \"Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> \"Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.\"<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> But his mother said to him, \"Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.\"<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made savory food such as his father loved.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> Then he came to his father and said, \"My father.\" And he said, \"Here I am. Who are you, my son?\"<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> Jacob said to his father, \"I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me. Get up, please, sit and eat of my game, that you may bless me.\"<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> Isaac said to his son, \"How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?\" And he said, \"Because the LORD your God caused it to happen to me.\"<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> Then Isaac said to Jacob, \"Please come close, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.\"<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> So Jacob came close to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, \"The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.\"<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands; so he blessed him.<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> And he said, \"Are you really my son Esau?\" And he said, \"I am.\"<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> So he said, \"Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son's game, that I may bless you.\" And he brought it to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine and he drank.<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> Then his father Isaac said to him, \"Please come close and kiss me, my son.\"<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said, \"See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed;<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine;<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you.\"<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> Now it came about, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had hardly gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> Then he also made savory food, and brought it to his father; and he said to his father, \"Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me.\"<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> Isaac his father said to him, \"Who are you?\" And he said, \"I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.\"<\/p>

33<\/small><\/span> Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, \"Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.\"<\/p>

34<\/small><\/span> When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, \"Bless me, even me also, O my father!\"<\/p>

35<\/small><\/span> And he said, \"Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.\"<\/p>

36<\/small><\/span> Then he said, \"Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.\" And he said, \"Have you not reserved a blessing for me?\"<\/p>

37<\/small><\/span> But Isaac replied to Esau, \"Behold, I have made him your master, and all his relatives I have given to him as servants; and with grain and new wine I have sustained him. Now as for you then, what can I do, my son?\"<\/p>

38<\/small><\/span> Esau said to his father, \"Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.\" So Esau lifted his voice and wept.<\/p>

39<\/small><\/span> Then Isaac his father answered and said to him, \"Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling, And away from the dew of heaven from above.<\/p>

40<\/small><\/span> \"By your sword you shall live, And your brother you shall serve; But it shall come about when you become restless, That you will break his yoke from your neck.\"<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#7: Rachel\u2019s Sister, Leah (Genesis 29:1-30)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 29<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the sons of the east.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> He looked, and saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they watered the flocks. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> When all the flocks were gathered there, they would then roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Jacob said to them, \"My brothers, where are you from?\" And they said, \"We are from Haran.\"<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> He said to them, \"Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?\" And they said, \"We know him.\"<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> And he said to them, \"Is it well with him?\" And they said, \"It is well, and here is Rachel his daughter coming with the sheep.\"<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> He said, \"Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.\"<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> But they said, \"We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.\"<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> Jacob told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and that he was Rebekah's son, and she ran and told her father.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> So when Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Then he related to Laban all these things.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> Laban said to him, \"Surely you are my bone and my flesh.\" And he stayed with him a month.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Then Laban said to Jacob, \"Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?\"<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, \"I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.\"<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> Laban said, \"It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me.\"<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> Then Jacob said to Laban, \"Give me my wife, for my time is completed, that I may go in to her.\"<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah, and brought her to him; and Jacob went in to her.<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! And he said to Laban, \"What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?\"<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> But Laban said, \"It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn.<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> \"Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years.\"<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> Jacob did so and completed her week, and he gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> Laban also gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#6: Moses\u2019 Siblings, Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12:1-16)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 12<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman);<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> and they said, \"Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?\" And the LORD heard it.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Suddenly the LORD said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, \"You three come out to the tent of meeting.\" So the three of them came out.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. When they had both come forward,<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> He said, \"Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> \"Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household;<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?\"<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> So the anger of the LORD burned against them and He departed.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> But when the cloud had withdrawn from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. As Aaron turned toward Miriam, behold, she was leprous.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Then Aaron said to Moses, \"Oh, my lord, I beg you, do not account this sin to us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> \"Oh, do not let her be like one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes from his mother's womb!\"<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, \"O God, heal her, I pray!\"<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> But the LORD said to Moses, \"If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her shame for seven days? Let her be shut up for seven days outside the camp, and afterward she may be received again.\"<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> So Miriam was shut up outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until Miriam was received again.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> Afterward, however, the people moved out from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Top 10 Supporting Characters Honorable Mentions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the New Testament, the disciples carried the gospel throughout the leading cities of the time with the help of some loyal and hardworking companions. Because they are critical to the history of the early church, they deserve special recognition on our list of the Top Ten Supporting Characters Of The Bible.<\/p>\n

Luke The Physician Who Assisted The Disciples And Wrote Luke and Acts (Luke 1:1-4)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

The Replacement Disciple, Matthias\u00a0(Acts 1:12-26)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/h4>

12<\/small><\/span> Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> \"Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> \"For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.\"<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> \"For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.'<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> \"Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us--<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.\"<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> And they prayed and said, \"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.\"<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s Companion In Ministry, Silas (Acts 16:16-34)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 16<\/h4>

16<\/small><\/span> It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, \"These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.\"<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, \"I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!\" And it came out at that very moment.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities,<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, \"These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews,<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.\"<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, \"Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!\"<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> and after he brought them out, he said, \"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?\"<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> They said, \"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.\"<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.<\/p>

33<\/small><\/span> And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.<\/p>

34<\/small><\/span> And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s Colleague, Barnabas (Acts 15:1-21)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 15<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, \"Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.\"<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, \"It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.\"<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, \"Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> \"And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> \"Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> \"But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.\"<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, \"Brethren, listen to me.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> \"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> \"With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> 'AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT,<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,'<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> \"Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> \"For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.\"<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s Co-Worker, Titus (2 Corinthians 8:16-24)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/h4>

16<\/small><\/span> But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s \u201cTrue Son In The Faith,\u201d Timothy (1 Timothy 1:1-20)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#5: Ruth\u2019s Mother-In-Law, Naomi (Ruth 1:1-18)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the land of Moab, for she had heard in the land of Moab that the LORD had visited His people in giving them food.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> So she departed from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, \"Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> \"May the LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.\" Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> And they said to her, \"No, but we will surely return with you to your people.\"<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> But Naomi said, \"Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> \"Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons,<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the LORD has gone forth against me.\"<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Then she said, \"Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.\"<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> But Ruth said, \"Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> \"Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.\"<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#4: David\u2019s Friend, Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:1- 42)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 20<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, \"What have I done? What is my iniquity? And what is my sin before your father, that he is seeking my life?\"<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> He said to him, \"Far from it, you shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. So why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!\"<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> Yet David vowed again, saying, \"Your father knows well that I have found favor in your sight, and he has said, 'Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.' But truly as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is hardly a step between me and death.\"<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Then Jonathan said to David, \"Whatever you say, I will do for you.\"<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> So David said to Jonathan, \"Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> \"If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.'<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> \"If he says, 'It is good,' your servant will be safe; but if he is very angry, know that he has decided on evil.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> \"Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if there is iniquity in me, put me to death yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?\"<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> Jonathan said, \"Far be it from you! For if I should indeed learn that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?\"<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> Then David said to Jonathan, \"Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?\"<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Jonathan said to David, \"Come, and let us go out into the field.\" So both of them went out to the field.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> Then Jonathan said to David, \"The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you?<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> \"If it please my father to do you harm, may the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the LORD be with you as He has been with my father.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> \"If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the LORD, that I may not die?<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> \"You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.\"<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, \"May the LORD require it at the hands of David's enemies.\"<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> Then Jonathan said to him, \"Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be empty.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> \"When you have stayed for three days, you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself on that eventful day, and you shall remain by the stone Ezel.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> \"I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> \"And behold, I will send the lad, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I specifically say to the lad, 'Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,' then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> \"But if I say to the youth, 'Behold, the arrows are beyond you,' go, for the LORD has sent you away.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> \"As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.\"<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> So David hid in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> The king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall; then Jonathan rose up and Abner sat down by Saul's side, but David's place was empty.<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, \"It is an accident, he is not clean, surely he is not clean.\"<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> It came about the next day, the second day of the new moon, that David's place was empty; so Saul said to Jonathan his son, \"Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or today?\"<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> Jonathan then answered Saul, \"David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem,<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> for he said, 'Please let me go, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. And now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table.\"<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> Then Saul's anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, \"You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> \"For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.\"<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, \"Why should he be put to death? What has he done?\"<\/p>

33<\/small><\/span> Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death.<\/p>

34<\/small><\/span> Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him.<\/p>

35<\/small><\/span> Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him.<\/p>

36<\/small><\/span> He said to his lad, \"Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.\" As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him.<\/p>

37<\/small><\/span> When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, \"Is not the arrow beyond you?\"<\/p>

38<\/small><\/span> And Jonathan called after the lad, \"Hurry, be quick, do not stay!\" And Jonathan's lad picked up the arrow and came to his master.<\/p>

39<\/small><\/span> But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.<\/p>

40<\/small><\/span> Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, \"Go, bring them to the city.\"<\/p>

41<\/small><\/span> When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more.<\/p>

42<\/small><\/span> Jonathan said to David, \"Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.'\" Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#3: Elijah\u2019s Successor, Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-18)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> Elijah said to Elisha, \"Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.\" But Elisha said, \"As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.\" So they went down to Bethel.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, \"Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?\" And he said, \"Yes, I know; be still.\"<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Elijah said to him, \"Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.\" But he said, \"As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.\" So they came to Jericho.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, \"Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?\" And he answered, \"Yes, I know; be still.\"<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> Then Elijah said to him, \"Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.\" And he said, \"As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.\" So the two of them went on.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, \"Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.\" And Elisha said, \"Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.\"<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> He said, \"You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.\"<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> Elisha saw it and cried out, \"My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!\" And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, \"Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?\" And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, \"The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.\" And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> They said to him, \"Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.\" And he said, \"You shall not send.\"<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, \"Send.\" They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, \"Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?\"<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#2: Mary\u2019s Cousin, Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/h4>

39<\/small><\/span> Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,<\/p>

40<\/small><\/span> and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.<\/p>

41<\/small><\/span> When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.<\/p>

42<\/small><\/span> And she cried out with a loud voice and said, \"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!<\/p>

43<\/small><\/span> \"And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?<\/p>

44<\/small><\/span> \"For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.<\/p>

45<\/small><\/span> \"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.\"<\/p>

46<\/small><\/span> And Mary said: \"My soul exalts the Lord,<\/p>

47<\/small><\/span> And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.<\/p>

48<\/small><\/span> \"For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.<\/p>

49<\/small><\/span> \"For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.<\/p>

50<\/small><\/span> \"AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.<\/p>

51<\/small><\/span> \"He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.<\/p>

52<\/small><\/span> \"He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.<\/p>

53<\/small><\/span> \"HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed.<\/p>

54<\/small><\/span> \"He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,<\/p>

55<\/small><\/span> As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.\"<\/p>

56<\/small><\/span> And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#1: Jesus\u2019 Cousin, John The Baptist (Matthew 3:1-17)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> \"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.\"<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, \"THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'\"<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, \"You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> \"Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> \"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> \"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> \"His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.\"<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> But John tried to prevent Him, saying, \"I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?\"<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> But Jesus answering said to him, \"Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.\" Then he *permitted Him.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, \"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.\"<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: NASB<\/em><\/p>\n

Downloads<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Like any good movie or book, for each important man or woman whose story is told in the Bible, there is often a secondary person in the shadows. They can be equally heroic, somehow less important to the story, or the person driving the action, but all are critical in their own way. So let\u2019s …<\/p>\n

Top 10 Supporting Characters Of The Bible<\/span> Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[104,107,108,103,102,109,106,105],"yoast_head":"\n