Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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A Sense of Pride
1 On the other hand, it is possible
to sin by giving in to other
people too much. Here are some
-- --
things you should not be ashamed
of:
2
the Law of the Most High and his covenant,
judging even godless people fairly,
3
sharing expenses with a business partner or a traveling companion,
sharing an inheritance,
4
using accurate weights and measures,
5
making a profit, whether great or small,
bargaining with a merchant,
disciplining your children often,
beating a disloyal slave until the blood flows.
6 It is wise to lock things up if you
cannot trust your wife or if too many
people are around.
7 Keep an accurate
record of any deposits you
make or of anything you give or receive.
8 Don't hesitate to correct
someone who is acting foolishly or
an old man who goes around with
prostitutes. All of this is worthwhile
advice, and if you follow it, everyone
will approve of your behavior.
Fathers and Daughters
9 Although he will not let his
daughter know it, a father will lie
awake at night worrying about her.
If she is young, he worries that she
might not get married. If she is already
married, he worries about her
happiness.
10 If she is a virgin, he
worries that she might be seduced
and become pregnant while living in
his house. If she is married, he worries
that she might be unfaithful, or
that she might not be able to have
children.
11 Keep a close watch over your
daughter if she is determined to
have her own way. If you don't, she
may make a fool of you in front of
your enemies. You will be a constant
joke to everyone in town, a public
disgrace. Make sure that her room
has no windows or any place where
she can look out to the entrance of
the house. note note
12 Don't let her show off
her beauty in front of men, or spend
her time talking with the women. note
13 Women hurt other women just as
moths damage clothing.
14 A man's wickedness is better
than a woman's goodness; women
bring shame and disgrace.
The Glory of God in Nature
15
Now I will remind you of the works of the Lord
and describe the things I have seen.
The words of the Lord brought his works into being,
and the whole creation obeys his commands.
16
The light of the sun shines down on everything,
and everything is filled with the Lord's glory.
17
Not even to his holy angels has the Lord given power
to describe all his mighty deeds,
even though he has given them power
to stand unharmed in his glorious presence. note
18
He sees into the oceans and into the human heart,
and he knows the secrets of both.
The Most High knows everything that can be known
and understands the signs of the ages.
19
He knows all that has ever been and all that ever will be;
he uncovers the deepest of mysteries.
20
He takes notice of our every thought
and hears our every word.
21
The orderly world shows the greatness of his wisdom;
-- --
he is the same forever and ever. note
Nothing can be added to him, and nothing taken away;
he needs no one to give him advice.
22
All his works are beautiful,
down to the smallest and faintest spark of light. note
23
All these things go on forever,
and all of them have their purpose.
24
All things are in pairs, each the opposite of the other,
but nothing the Lord made is incomplete.
25
Everything completes the goodness of something else.
Could anyone ever see enough of this splendor?
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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