Daily Bible Nugget #965, 1 Corinthians 13:3-6

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (KJV)

1Co 13:4  Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not puffed up
1Co 13:5  or rude. It does not seek its own way, it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
1Co 13:6  It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.
1Co 13:7  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. (TCENT, Text Critical English New Testament)

MY COMMENT:

Happy Valentine’s Day!

It was on Valentine’s Day in 1992 that I received my copies of my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. It may have been on Valentine’s Day that I received my copies of Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. If I remember correctly, it was on or about Valentine’s Day when I received my first copies of the newly updated and corrected printed edition of The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge in 2023. I look forward to receiving the Logos Bible software edition on February 25, 2026, in Valentine’s Month!

To get the most out of my Bible study, I make use of the cross reference Bible study method. I usually turn to my e-Sword Bible software program first because for me it is the easiest to use software resource to use.

I have been especially concerned about the issue of forgiveness. Are we required to forgive someone who has wronged us if that person has never admitted the wrong or asked us for forgiveness?

In the light of what Jesus Himself said in Matthew 6:14, 15 it certainly would seem so:

Mat 6:14  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mat 6:15  But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (TCENT)

What Jesus states as recorded in Matthew 6:14, 15 is His own commentary on this largely misunderstood part of the Lord’s Prayer (called by some the Disciple’s Prayer) found in Matthew 6:12.

Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (TCENT)

I find the best way to study what the Bible teaches is to first compare Scripture with Scripture by studying the cross references for the passage:

as we. Mat 6:14, 15, Mat 5:44, 45; *Mat 18:21; *Mat 18:22; *Mat 18:28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, **Deut 15:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, Neh 5:12, 13, Mrk 11:25, 26, *Luk 6:37; *Luk 17:3, 4, 5, **Eph 4:32, *Col 3:13.

forgive our. T539, Mrk 11:25, 26, Luk 23:34, +**Eph 4:32 (T203). *Col 3:13, 1Ti 2:8.

Notice the texts I have marked with the double asterisk, “**.” Those passages are critically important to consult! The Deuteronomy passage is what Jesus makes reference to. It teaches unconditional and immediate forgiveness. There is no wiggle-room for refusal to forgive for any reason. I first learned of this when I read a book by James W. Thirtle on The Lord’s Prayer to the Wednesday night prayer meeting group at Military Avenue United Presbyterian Church. They had all been taught by a previous pastor that the Lord’s Prayer was not for Christians today. I had been taught the same thing under the ministry of Dr. Lehman Strauss at Highland Park Baptist. One of the most faithful prayer meeting attendees, Mrs. Nichols, said at the start of the study series that she did not think it possible that I would be able to change her mind. At the end of the series, she thanked me for changing her mind!

All that to get to this: focus on 1 Corinthians 13:5, the last clause: “thinketh no evil” (KJV) or “and it keeps no record of wrongs” (Text Critical English New Testament).

1Co 13:4  Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not puffed up
1Co 13:5  or rude. It does not seek its own way, it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of wrongs. (TCENT)

Here are the cross references I have for this clause:

no evil. Gen 31:32, Deut 22:27, 1Sa 1:13, 2Sa 10:3, 1Ch 19:3, Job 21:27, Psa 15:3, Ecc 7:21, Jer 11:19; Jer 18:18, 19, 20; Jer 40:13, 15, 16, Zec 8:17, *Mat 9:4, *Luk 7:39, 2Co 5:19, 2Ti 2:24, Tit 3:2.

On this text, the commentary by Jamison-Fawcett-Brown states:

thinketh no evil — imputeth not evil [Alford]; literally, “the evil” which actually is there (Pro 10:12; 1Pe 4:8). Love makes allowances for the falls of others, and is ready to put on them a charitable construction. Love, so far from devising evil against another, excuses “the evil” which another inflicts on her [Estius]; doth not meditate upon evil inflicted by another [Bengel]; and in doubtful cases, takes the more charitable view [Grotius].

David Guzik on this verse comments:

g. Love… thinks no evil: Literally this means “love does not store up the memory of any wrong it has received.” Love will put away the hurts of the past instead of clinging to them.

Yet, as David Guzik cites Clarke:

ii. Real love “never supposes that a good action may have a bad motive… The original implies that he does not invent or devise any evil.” (Clarke)

So in my judgment, 1 Corinthians 13:5 may not itself have a bearing upon forgiveness of wrongs done to us by others (Jesus dealt with forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer), but it does instruct us not to harbor thoughts of past wrongs in our memory so as to repeatedly dwell upon them.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #964, Proverbs 19:17

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Pro 19:17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (KJV)

Pro 19:17  The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. (NET Bible)

Pro 19:17  He who has pity upon the poor lends to Jehovah, and He will reward his dealing to him. (MKJV)

Pro 19:17  He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward. (BBE, Basic English Bible)

Pro 19:17  He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift. (LXX, Brenton Translation)

Pro 19:17  When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Pro 19:17  Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the LORD. He will pay you back for your kindness. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Pro 19:17  Caring for the poor is lending to the LORD, and you will be well repaid. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

MY COMMENT:

This is Post 1500!

Much insight can be gained by comparing different English translations. The CEV’s “Caring for the poor” reminds me of what the Bible teaches about caring. Others know you really care when you take time to really listen to them. Recall Paul’s statement about “the care of all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28).

“Giving help to the poor” (ERV) can be done in many ways, not always involving giving them money. Teaching students to work toward realistic life goals and career choices was one way I sought to help my students. I did this by having a class discussion about what it would cost to live on their own. When the students told me what the costs for rent, car or other transportation, food, clothing, and other necessities, the monthly total woke them up to reality. Then we realized we forgot to include taxes. My students were shocked into reality and on their own concluded that they no longer could afford to fool around about their education. When Career Day came, the presenters who came to speak to the students in my classroom, Room 317A at Denby High School in Detroit, commented they had never elsewhere encountered a classroom of students so well-mannered, who knew where they were going and exactly what they needed to do to get there.

“Being gracious to the poor” (NET Bible) is explained further in the NET Bible notes that “the activity here is the kind favor shown poor people for no particular reason and with no hope of repayment. It is literally an act of grace.” That reminds me of what our Lord Jesus Christ said as recorded at Luke 14:12, 13, 14,

Luk 14:12  Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
Luk 14:13  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Luk 14:14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (KJV)

Luk 14:12  He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, don’t invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors so you can be invited by them in return and get repaid.
Luk 14:13  But when you host an elaborate meal, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
Luk 14:14  Then you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (NET Bible)

DIG DEEPER INTO PROVERBS 19:17 BY READING AND STUDYING THE CROSS REFERENCES FROM:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Pro 19:17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Proverbs 19:17
that hath: Pro 14:21, Pro 28:8, Pro 28:27; 2Sa 12:6; Ecc 11:1

lendeth: Pro 11:24, 25, Pro 28:27; Deut 15:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Isa 58:7, 8, 9, 10, 11; Mat 10:41, 42, Mat 25:40; 2Co 9:6, 7, 8; Php 4:17; Heb 6:10

that which he hath given: or, his deed

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Proverbs 19:17
hath pity. *Pro 14:21; Pro 28:8; Pro 28:27, *Deut 15:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 2Sa 12:6, Psa 37:26, Ecc 11:1, Mat 25:34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, Luk 10:33, 34, 35, 36, 37; Luk 14:12, 13, 14, +*1Jn 3:17.

lendeth. *Pro 11:24; *Pro 11:25; *Pro 28:27, *Deut 15:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, *Isa 58:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, *Mat 10:41; *Mat 10:42; *Mat 25:40, 2Co 9:6, 7, 8, Php 4:17, **Heb 6:10.

that which he hath given. or, his deed. Pro 12:14, Jdg 9:16, 2Ch 32:25, *2Co 9:6, 7, 8, 9.
pay him. Pro 6:31; Pro 13:21; Pro 20:22, Mat 10:42, Mat 16:27, +**Mrk 10:30, *Luk 6:38, Rom 11:35, 1Co 13:3, Ga 6:7, 8.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #963, Joel 2:26

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Joe 2:26  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. (KJV)

Joe 2:26  And ye shall eat abundantly, and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of the Lord your God for the things which he has wrought wonderfully with you: and my people shall not be ashamed for ever. (LXX, Brenton translation)

Joe 2:26  And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame. (ASV, American Standard Version)

Joe 2:26  Now you will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied. You will praise the LORD your God, who has done wonderful things for you. My people will never be despised again. (GNB, Good News Bible)

MY COMMENT:

This Bible promise to Israel has not yet been completely fulfilled, but it will be. When the promise is fulfilled there will be no hunger in the land of Israel. Just now, there are appeals by an organization of Christians and Jews appealing for financial support to feed needy families in Israel, from which appeal I have taken the Bible passages referenced in the appeal I saw:  Psalm 41:1, Psalm 107:9, Joel 2:26, Proverbs 19:17. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is the organization I refer to, sometimes mentioned on Mark Levin’s program that I hear on WJR, Detroit.

TO DIG DEEPER INTO JOEL 2:26 READ AND STUDY THE CROSS REFERENCES FEATURED IN:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 2:26
ye shall: Lev 26:5, Lev 26:26; Deut 6:11-12, Deut 8:10; Neh 9:25; Psa 22:26, Psa 103:5; Pro 13:25; Song 5:1; Isa 55:2, Isa 62:8, 9; Mic 6:14; Zec 9:15, Zec 9:17; 1Ti 6:17

and praise: Deut 12:7, Deut 12:12, Deut 12:18, Deut 26:10, 11; 1Ti 4:3, 5

that: Joel 2:20, 21; Gen 33:11; Psa 13:6, Psa 72:18, Psa 116:7, Psa 126:2, 3; Isa 25:1

and my: Psa 25:2, 3, Psa 37:19; Isa 29:22, Isa 45:17, Isa 49:23, Isa 54:4; Zep 3:11; Rom 5:5; Rom 9:33, Rom 10:11; 1Jn 2:28

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury

Joel 2:26
ye shall eat. Lev 25:19; +*Lev 26:5; +*Lev 26:26 <rp. Deut 6:11, 12; Deut 8:10, Neh 9:25, *Psa 22:26; Psa 103:5, Pro 13:25, Song 5:1, Isa 1:19; Isa 55:2; Isa 62:8, 9, Mic 6:14, Zec 9:15; Zec 9:17, 1Ti 6:17.

and praise. Lev 19:24 <rp. Deut 12:7; Deut 12:12; Deut 12:18 <rp. Deut 16:11 <rp. Deut 26:10, 11 <rp. 1Ti 4:3, 4, 5.

that he. Joel 2:20, 21, Gen 33:11, Psa 13:6; Psa 72:18; Psa 116:7; *Psa 126:2; *Psa 126:3, Isa 25:1.

my people. FS76, +Gen 13:6. +*Deut 32:43.

never be ashamed. Joel 2:19; Joel 2:27, Gen 2:25, Psa 25:2, 3; Psa 25:20; Psa 31:17; *Psa 37:19, **Isa 29:22; **Isa 29:23; *Isa 45:17; Isa 49:23; *Isa 54:4, Ezk 36:30, *Zep 3:11, Rom 5:5; Rom 9:33; Rom 10:11, 1Jn 2:28.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #962, Psalm 107:9

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 107:9  For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. (KJV)

Psa 107:9  For he has satisfied those who thirst, and those who hunger he has filled with food. (NET Bible)

Psa 107:9  For he satisfies the empty soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things, (LXX, Brenton translation)

Psa 107:8  You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
Psa 107:9  To everyone who is thirsty, he gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, he gives good things to eat. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

MY COMMENT:

As I study Psalm 107:8, 9 I find it most helpful to carefully read, and as time permits, study the cross references available for this passage.

Here are the cross references I have for Psalm 107:8 from:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on Psalm 107:8

Psa 107:8  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:8
Oh that men: Psa 107:15, Psa 107:21, Psa 107:31, Psa 81:13, 14, 15, 16; Deut 5:29, Deut 32:29; Isa 48:18

praise: Psa 34:3, Psa 92:1, 2, Psa 147:1; Isa 63:7

his wonderful: Psa 40:5, Psa 78:4, Psa 111:4; Dan 4:2, 3, Dan 6:27

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 107:8
Oh that men. Note: This verse and the following, which contains the reason for the thankfulness prescribed, form the burden of each part of this responsive song. Psa 107:15; Psa 107:21; Psa 107:31. *Psa 81:13, 14, 15, 16, *Deut 5:29; *Deut 32:39, *Isa 48:18.

praise. *Psa 34:3; Psa 92:1, 2; Psa 147:1, Isa 63:7.

goodness. or, lovingkindness, or grace; same word as “mercy” in Psa 107:1, Psa 107:15; Psa 107:21; Psa 107:31; Psa 107:43, Psa 106:1; +Psa 136:1, Jer 9:24.

his wonderful works. *Psa 40:5; *Psa 78:4; Psa 111:4, Isa 25:1, Dan 4:2; +Dan 4:3; Dan 6:27.

Here are the cross references I have for Psalm 107:9 from:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on Psalm 107:9

Psa 107:9  For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalms 107:9
Psa 34:10, Psa 132:15, Psa 146:7; Isa 55:1, 2, 3; Jer 31:14, Jer 31:25; Mat 5:6; Luk 1:53; Rev 7:16, 17

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 107:9
he satisfieth. *Psa 34:10; Psa 36:8; +Psa 37:3; Psa 90:14; Psa 103:5; Psa 132:15; Psa 145:16; *Psa 146:7, 1Sa 2:5, **Isa 55:1, 2, 3, *Jer 31:14; *Jer 31:25, +*Mat 5:6, *>Luk 1:53, *Rev 7:16; *Rev 7:17.

the longing. Deut 12:20.

soul. Heb. nephesh, +Gen 34:3. Pro 6:30, Isa 5:14; Isa 29:8, +*Rev 18:14.

and filleth the hungry. Psa 81:10, +*Mat 5:6; *Mat 6:33; Mat 15:37, Mrk 8:8, Luk 6:21; Luk 9:17, +*1Pe 2:2.

soul. Heb. nephesh, +Gen 34:3.

with goodness. Pro 10:22.

MY FURTHER COMMENT:

Notice I placed emphasis symbols for some of the cross references. Isaiah 55:1-3 is particularly important because Isaiah 55:3 contains a most important statement regarding “the sure mercies of David” as evident in the King James Version but seemingly hidden or at least obscured by many modern English translations:

Isa 55:3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (KJV)

Isa 55:3  Pay attention and come to me! Listen, so you can live! Then I will make an unconditional covenantal promise to you, just like the reliable covenantal promises I made to David. (NET Bible)

Isa 55:3  Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. (ESV)

Isa 55:3  Pay close attention! Come to me and live. I will promise you the eternal love and loyalty that I promised David. (CEV)

Notice that Isaiah 55:3 is quoted in the New Testament at Acts 13:34,

Act 13:34  And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. (KJV)

Act 13:34  But regarding the fact that he has raised Jesus from the dead, never again to be in a state of decay, God has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and trustworthy promises made to David.’ (NET Bible)

Act 13:34  And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ (ESV)

Act 13:34  God raised Jesus from death and will never let his body decay. It is just as God said, “I will make to you the same holy promise that I made to David.” (CEV)

My point is that most readers will likely fail to connect the important promise given in Isaiah 55:3 with the citation of that promise in Acts 13:34 because in many modern English translations the wording of Isaiah 55:3 in English translation is not close enough for the casual Bible reader to recall its citation in Acts 13:34.

I would add that the striking force of Isaiah 55:3 is lost to many Bible readers because they fail to see that the reference is to the many provisions of the Davidic Covenant.

Notice also the reference to *>Luk 1:53. The symbol “>” lets you know that Mary quoted this verse! I believe she knew her Bible well.

I cannot resist one more translation comparison where the updated translation may be very accurate as to meaning, it may totally obscure the intended connection in Scripture itself:

Isa 55:3  Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (ASV, American Standard Version)

Isa 55:3  Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to my loyal love shown to David. (UASV, Updated American Standard Version)

Act 13:34  And as for the fact that he raised him up from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ (USAV).

The USAV at Acts 13:34 does have a note indicating the citation is to Isaiah 55:3.

Finally, Isaiah 55:3 states “hear, that your soul may live.” Pose the question: what if you do not hear the intended message of this verse?

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #961, Psalm 41:1

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 41:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. (KJV)

Psa 41:1  For the music director. A psalm of David. Blessed is the one who has regard for the poor; in the day of disaster, Yahweh delivers him. (LEB, Lexham English Bible)

Psa 41:1  To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he who acts wisely toward the poor; Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil. (LITV, Literal Translation of the Bible)

Psa 41:1  To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he who acts wisely toward the poor; Jehovah will deliver him in time of trouble. (MKJV, Modern King James Version)

Psa 41:1  Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the LORD will help them when they are in trouble. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Psa 41:1  For the choir director; a psalm by David. Blessed is the one who has concern for helpless people. The LORD will rescue him in times of trouble. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Psa 41:1  To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. Happy is the man who gives thought to the poor; the Lord will be his saviour in the time of trouble. (BBE, Basic English Bible)

Psa 41:1  (A psalm by David for the music leader.) You, LORD God, bless everyone who cares for the poor, and you rescue those people in times of trouble. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Psa 41:1  For the music director; a psalm of David. How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, may the LORD deliver him. (NET Bible)

Psa 41:1  To the director: A song of David. Those who help the poor succeed will get many blessings. When trouble comes, the LORD will save them. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

MY COMMENT:

Helping the poor does not always involve giving them money. I recall that Peter responded to a poor and needy man with the words “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).

I like the insight the ERV provides when it translates Psalm 41:1 to read “Those who help the poor succeed will get many blessings.”

There are many ways to help the poor. If you have a skill or special knowledge you can share with them, do so when the opportunity presents itself.

As a middle school teacher, I developed a reading program to help my students. When I became a high school teacher I further expanded and developed my reading program.

While teaching junior high school, I soon learned that if I was not successful in helping a student improve his or her reading skills they would likely drop out of school and get into trouble.

In the process of attending a neighborhood church where my junior high school students lived, I was able to encourage them to become very interested in the Bible. Some of them asked me to hold a Bible study in their homes and I did.

Student questions guided me in preparing The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. When my students asked a question in Sunday School or in a home Bible study that I did not know the answer to, I told them I would try to find the answer for them by the next time we met. When my students learned I was preparing a new edition of the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, they insisted that I include the answers to Bible questions they had asked in explanatory notes so that when my new edition was published, they would have a permanent resource to access those notes.

When I taught English at Cass Technical High School, I continued developing my reading program. My gifted students were very fearful of several English teachers they expected to have in future semesters who emphasized traditional grammar. I added chapters to my reading program to prepare them for those teachers. Those teachers came to me from time to time and told me they always knew which students were from my English class because they knew their English grammar.

The school administration at Cass Technical High School asked me to sponsor the Bible Discussion Club. Bible questions from these gifted and talented students motivated my own deeper study of the Bible. Those questions also required me to buy yet more reference books about the Bible. Many notes and additional cross references are in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as a result. I placed still more notes and cross references based on questions and the answers I provided to a college and career Sunday school class which I taught in Detroit, as well as the college and career Sunday school class I taught in Gainesville, Florida.

I may not be a famous, well-known author, but I am thankful for all the students I have helped learn to read and write better and for the spiritual boost I have seen take place among students in my Bible study groups and classes.

I am thankful to have found ways to help poor and extremely disadvantaged students academically using my Language Enrichment Program which is available on Amazon.

I am thankful also that I was able to help and encourage many students spiritually by teaching them how to study the Bible. You can easily do the same by using The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge yourself and sharing it with others in your family, neighborhood, home school, Sunday school, and church.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #960, Ecclesiastes 8:11

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Ecc 8:11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (KJV)

Ecc 8:11  For because sentence is not speedily pronounced against the evil, the children of men commit evils without any fear. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

Ecc 8:11  Because punishment for an evil work comes not quickly, the minds of the sons of men are fully given to doing evil. (BBE, Basic English Bible)

Ecc 8:11  Sometimes people are not immediately punished for the bad things they do. Their punishment is slow to come, and that makes other people want to do bad things too. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Ecc 8:11  When we see criminals commit crime after crime without being punished, it makes us want to start a life of crime. (CEV, Contemporary English Bible)

Ecc 8:11  Why do people commit crimes so readily? Because crime is not punished quickly enough. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Ecc 8:11  When a sentence against a crime isn’t carried out quickly, people are encouraged to commit crimes. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Ecc 8:11  When a sentence is not executed at once against a crime, the human heart is encouraged to do evil. (NET Bible)

 

My Comment:

When punishment for crime is not swift and certain, crime increases. Just now, this is in the news daily. Currently, the vast extent of crime and lawlessness is evident in the state of Minnesota, the city of Minneapolis, as well as St. Cloud. Immigrants who have entered this country improperly have already broken the law. The law does not afford them the protections it provides citizens of this country. As far as I know, there is no protection for them by our Constitution or any of its amendments. The Constitution does not provide for so-called “sanctuary cities” or “sanctuary states.” I am thankful that after many years of neglect, the law is being upheld. Failure to enforce the law has led to some very costly negative outcomes, just like the Bible clearly states. Be very careful who you vote for!

To dig deeper into the related Bible themes for Ecclesiastes 8:11, read and study the cross references from:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Ecclesiastes 8:11
sentence: Exo 8:15, Exo 8:32; Job 21:11, 12, 13, 14, 15; Psa 10:6, Psa 50:21, 22; Isa 5:18, 19, Isa 26:10; Isa 57:11; Jer 48:11; Mat 24:49, 50; Rom 2:4, 5; 2Pe 3:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

fully: Jer 42:15

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Ecclesiastes 8:11
Because. +**Psa 9:10 note.

sentence. Exo 8:15; Exo 8:32; Exo 9:34, Job 21:11, 12, 13, 14, 15; Job 24:12; Job 24:23, Psa 4:2; *Psa 10:6; *Psa 50:21; *Psa 50:22, Isa 5:18, 19; **Isa 26:10; Isa 42:14; Isa 57:11, Jer 48:11, Mat 24:49, 50, **Rom 2:4; **Rom 2:5, **2Pe 3:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

not executed speedily. Jos 8:6, Jdg 20:34, 2Sa 20:22, 1Ki 2:6; 1Ki 2:24; 1Ki 14:14, Jer 41:15, Ezk 11:9, Amos 6:3, Mal 2:17, Mat 24:48, Rom 9:22, 2Pe 3:4.

the heart. Ecc 9:3; Ecc 9:12, Psa 10:11.

fully set. Psa 55:19; Psa 73:6, Jer 34:11; Jer 42:15, Dan 4:29, 30, Amos 9:10.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #959, Proverbs 12:19

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Pro 12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (KJV)

Pro 12:19  True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue. (LXX, Brenton translation)

Pro 12:19  The lips of truth are established forever, but a lying tongue lasts only while I wink. (LITV, Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

Pro 12:19  True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute. (BBE, Basic English Bible)

Pro 12:19  Lies last only a moment, but the truth lasts forever. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Pro 12:19  The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment. (NET Bible)

Pro 12:19  Truth will last forever; lies are soon found out.  (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

The general truth of this proverb is evident in all we see and hear, even in the news of our day.

Speaking of the news, be very careful to evaluate the news sources you see and hear. Learn how to tell the difference between fact and propaganda! This skill comes from having a wide background of reading, including Bible reading and study. Read the full text of original sources, not the mainstream news slanted summaries!

Dig deeper into Proverbs 12:19 by reading and studying the related cross references from:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Proverbs 12:19
lip: Zec 1:4, 5, 6; Mat 24:35

but: Pro 19:9; Job 20:5; Psa 52:5; Act 5:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Proverbs 12:19
lip. FS121B1D, +Gen 11:1, Lip put by the Figure Metonymy (of Cause) for what is spoken (FS121B1B, +Psa 5:9). Num 14:30; Num 14:38.

of truth. T926, Pro 12:22, Psa 15:1; Psa 15:3; Psa 34:12, 13, Zec 1:4, 5, 6, *Mat 24:35, 1Pe 3:10.

for ever. +Psa 9:18 (*S# H5703).

but. *Pro 18:17, *Pro 19:9, 2Ki 5:25, 26, 27, Job 20:5, Psa 52:5, *Act 5:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

lying tongue. Pro 21:6, +*Eph 4:25.

but for a moment. Pro 10:9, 1Ki 22:30; 1Ki 22:37, 2Ki 5:22; 2Ki 5:25; 2Ki 5:27, Jer 28:2; Jer 28:11, Act 5:5; Act 5:10.

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Everyone is Wrong About Something–Including Me! Part 7C

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Jerry

 

I find that one striking characteristic of mistaken theologies, religious organizations, churches, denominations, and individuals is that they deny the right of so-called “private interpretation” to individual readers and students of the Bible. Some of them reserve that right for themselves.

The term “private interpretation” is found in the King James or Authorized Version of the Bible at 2 Peter 1:20,

2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (KJV)

This is a mistaken translation of the underlying original Greek text of the New Testament. Comparing other English translations, I find several of them contain the same mistaken rendering:

2Pe 1:20  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. (WEB, World English Bible)

2Pe 1:20  Yet always you must always remember this, that no prophecy in scripture is the subject of private interpretation. (Ronald Knox translation)

There are some English translations that provide a much better rendering:

2Pe 1:20  Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, (NET Bible)

2Pe 1:20  Most important of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures comes from the prophet’s own understanding. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

I have discussed this passage at length in my digital resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, from which the following notes are taken:

//This text in Scripture does not address what the readers of the Bible do when they seek to understand and interpret what they read, but what the writers did when they were directed by the Holy Spirit what to write. Anyone who would suggest otherwise is simply not reading very well.

This is what the text says. This is what the text means. To suggest otherwise is clearly error, falsehood, or heresy. The writers did not write their own opinion when they wrote “the more sure word of prophecy” (2Pe 1:19), but wrote what God by divine inspiration moved them to write (2Pe 1:21). Any denomination, church, or religious organization that uses this text to forbid so-called “private interpretation” by individual Bible readers does not know how to read Scripture in context and must surely not be trusted as to any claim it makes of teaching authority or any claim to be the “one true church.” //

Just today, Thursday, January 22, 2026, I saw on Facebook the following helpful information shared (not authored) by Ken Litchfield:

Jesus never told His followers,
“Read Scripture on your own, interpret it however you like, and start your own denomination.”

Instead, He said things like this:

“He who hears you hears Me.” – Luke 10:16

•Jesus gives His authority to those He sends (the apostles).

“I will build My Church.” -Matthew 16:18

•Jesus established His Church and gave it authority.

“If he refuses to listen even to the Church, let him be to you as a Gentile.” – Matthew 18:17

•This is the clearest verse about listening to the Church.

“As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” – John 20:21, 22, 23

•Christ sends the apostles with His mission and authority.

Jesus established a Church, gave it authority, appointed apostles, and promised the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth (John 16:13). The first Christians didn’t live an isolated, “me-and-my-Bible” faith—they lived in communion, devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers (Acts 2:42).

So Christianity was never meant to be a solo project. It was meant to be one Body, united in truth, worship, and authority — not countless denominations built on private interpretation.

Each of these points is worthy of further discussion.
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Daily Bible Nugget #958, Psalm 27:8

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psalm 27:8  When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. (KJV)

Psa 27:8  My heart said to You, Seek my face; Your face, O Jehovah, I will seek. (LITV, Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

Psa 27:8  My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O LORD. (NET Bible)

Psa 27:8  When you said, Make search for my face, my heart said to you, For your face will I make my search. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 27:8  My heart said to thee, I have diligently sought thy face: thy face, O Lord, I will seek. (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 27:8  My heart told me to come to you, LORD, so I am coming to ask for your help. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Psa 27:8  My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. In this passage, the Psalmist lets us know that he is eager to seek God’s face. This is done through prayer.

To Dig Deeper:

Explore the cross references given for Psalm 27:8 from

(1) The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Psalms 27:8
When: etc. or, My heart said unto thee, Let my face seek thy face, etc

Seek: Psa 24:6, Psa 105:4; Isa 45:19, Isa 55:6, 7; Hos 5:15

Thy: Psa 63:1, 2, Psa 119:58 *marg. Jer 29:12, 13

(2) My expansion of those references in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 27:8
When, etc. or, My heart said unto thee, Let my face seek thy face, etc. Note: Or, literally, “My heart said to thee (thy words are, being understood), Seek ye my face: thy face, O Jehovah, will I seek.” That is, in retired meditation, I recollected Thy exhortations to the sons of men to seek Thy face, or favour; and my heart answered, “Dost thou deign thus to invite us? Then without delay or hesitation, I will seek Thy face.”

Seek. Psa 10:4; Psa 24:6; Psa 44:2; Psa 53:2; *Psa 105:4, Exo 33:7, **Deut 4:29, 30, 31, +*1Ch 16:11 note. Isa 45:19; **Isa 55:6; **Isa 55:7, Lam 3:25, +*Hos 5:15, Amos 5:4, Mat 7:7, +*Luk 11:9; +*Luk 11:10.

face. FS22A4, +Gen 19:13.

my heart said. Psa 16:2, Ecc 2:1.

Thy. Psa 63:1, 2; Psa 119:58 mg. **Jer 29:12; Jer 29:13.

face. FS22A4, +Gen 19:13.

will I seek. Psa 27:4, Psa 4:6, Neh 5:7, Jhn 11:29.

 

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Some Pointed Proverbs & Quotations

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Jerry

 

Here are a few favorite Proverbs and Quotations from my collection. I have shared some of these with my classes during my teaching career when I posted one quotation a day. Many students told me then and even much later that, in the words of one student, “They turned my life around.” I am thankful for those students who were helped.

Ideas

  1. “The only sure weapon against bad ideas is BETTER IDEAS.” A. Whitney Griswold [found 8/22/64 at Resources Development Corporation]
  2. “There is no adequate defense, except stupidity, against the impact of a new idea.” [found 1/9/69]
  3. “A man’s mind, stretched by a new idea, can never go back to its original dimension.” Oliver Wendell Holmes [found 2/22/69]
  4. “Nothing levels a playing field like a better idea.” Stanley Mason, Jr. in The Freeman [RD 5/98 p. 61]

 

Ignorance

  1. “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. This principle is contempt prior to investigation.”  William Paley quoted in Harold P. Barker, Why I Abandoned Exclusivism, p. 27.
  2. “The trouble ain’t that people are ignorant; it’s that they know so much that ain’t so.” Josh Billings
  3. “Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse.” African proverb from Nigeria
  4. “Ignorance is not bliss—it is oblivion.” Philip Wylie [RD 3/74 p. 91]
  5. “It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of our own ignorance.” Thomas Sowell [RD 2/99 p. 61]
  6. “Ignorance of Scripture is the root of all error and makes a man helpless in the hand of the devil.” J. C. Ryle [found 4-23-22]

 

Lincoln, Abraham

  1. “Let the people know the truth and the country is safe.” Abraham Lincoln [The High School Writer 5/96]
  2. “I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” Abraham Lincoln [re-found via Internet at brainyquote.com on 4/18/09]
  3. “Honest statesmanship is the wise employment of individual manners for the public good.” Abraham Lincoln [found 1/29/71]
  4. “The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people.” Abraham Lincoln [found 8/31/85]
  5. “Bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible; still, while they continue in force, …they should be religiously observed.” January 27, 1838. Abraham Lincoln [found 2/25/79]
  6. “The cause of civil liberty must not be surrendered at the end of one or even one hundred defeats.” November 19, 1858. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  7. “Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” June 20, 1848 Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  8. “No party can command respect which sustains this year what it opposed last.” July 28, 1859. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  9. “We know nothing of what will happen in the future but by analogy of experience.” December 26, 1839. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  10. “The noblest work of God—an honest man.” February 8, 1842. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  11. “The workingmen are the basis of all governments, for the plain reason that they are the most numerous.” Abraham Lincoln. February 12, 1861. [found 2/25/79]
  12. “Some single mind must be master, else there will be no agreement in anything.” Abraham Lincoln, February 17, 1864. [found 2/25/79]
  13. “There is no keeping men silent when they feel they are wronged by their friends.” Abraham Lincoln, April 20, 1849. [found 2/25/79]
  14. “It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels he is worthy of himself and claims a kindred to the great God who made him.” Abraham Lincoln, August 14, 1862. [found 2/25/79]
  15. “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Abraham Lincoln [Lemon, Chalk Thought for the Day, p. 16] 2/21/79
  16. “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” Abraham Lincoln [found 2/25/79]
  17. “I believe it is universally understood and acknowledged that all men will ever act correctly, unless they have a motive to do otherwise.” Abraham Lincoln, January 11, 1837 [found 2/25/79]
  18. “There is not a moment of time to be lost.” Abraham Lincoln, June 3, 1849. [found 2/25/79]
  19. “If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.” Abraham Lincoln [RD 2/98 p. 49]
  20. “I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.” Abraham Lincoln 1/9/1999
  21. “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Abraham Lincoln [DFT Calendar 1998-1999, p. 52]
  22. “Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.” Abraham Lincoln
  23. “You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” Abraham Lincoln

 

 

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