The Missing Commandment Part 3

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Primary Text:

Mar 10:19  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.  (KJV, emphasis added)

I call “Defraud not” the “missing commandment” because this is a largely ignored text of Scripture.

The principle stated by the command to “defraud not” has broad and continuing application to all parts of society everywhere. If this command were to be obeyed in all its possible applications things would be much better.

In no particular order, here are some of the areas of application I would suggest:

  1. Tax on unrealized gain in property value, assessed as property tax, is flagrantly a matter of fraud. Just because a house in my locality sold for a higher price does not mean my house should have its value raised and tax increased. A property is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. A home should be taxed only on the amount it last sold for. Property tax ought to be eliminated altogether.
  2. Pouring money into the economy by the Federal Reserve causes terrible inflation because there is more money chasing after the same goods and services causing prices to increase. Notice wages do not increase as fast as inflation does.
  3. Inflation reduces the value of the dollar. A given sum of money, fiat money at that, cannot buy what it once could. This disrupts the well-being of wage earners for they must reduce their standard of living to make ends meet. Their reduced spending affects the survival of the businesses who have depended on their spending.
  4. For individuals and families who have wisely learned to “live beneath their means” and have managed to accumulate savings, inflation has robbed them of their hard-earned wealth because the dollars saved have vastly lost their purchasing power.

The Bible contains much information about money! See the subject index entry for “Money” in the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury.

The Bible commands just weights and measures:

Pro 20:10  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. (KJV)

Pro 20:10  The LORD hates people who use dishonest weights and measures. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Pro 20:10  The LORD hates for people to use the wrong weights and measures to cheat others. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

The NET Bible has a note which explains that “Behind this proverb is the image of the dishonest merchant who has different sets of weights and measures which are used to cheat customers. The Lord hates dishonesty in business transactions.”

My wife and I have experienced the injustice of inaccurate weights and measures when buying apples by the bushel from apple orchards and bulk food stores. Often the “bushel” as sold is wrong by volume as well as weight. Some employees are careful to fill the bushel basket carefully–it should be heaping full. We try to go to the orchard when we know we will be serviced by that employee. We have purchased our own accurate scales to check the weight! As I recall, the per bushel weight varied from 16 to 22 pounds. A bushel should be 25 pounds, we think. We don’t expect to need to can any more apple sauce or apple pie filling in the future, but this was a concern in the past.

The Bible has a solution to the problem of ever-expanding national debt

In the news today (Friday, February 20, 2026) I heard that the United States Supreme Court has ruled AGAINST President Trump’s efforts to use tariffs to correct trade imbalances and bring in funds to support what needs to be done in our country.

Many years ago when I was on the debate team at Cass Technical High School the topic for debate was free trade.

When I was on a debate team at Bob Jones University the debate topic one year was about tariffs.

I believe that today the Supreme Court made a dreadful decision. I suspect the members of the Supreme Court have not studied at length and in detail enough and long enough to get an accurate understanding of the wisdom of President Trump’s tariff policy and the economic benefits it would bring.

In the nineteenth century, during our Industrial Revolution, tariffs were effectively used to protect the development and growth of American industry against competition from cheap or subsidized imports from other countries. I have in my personal print library here several recent books about this very topic and I have read and studied them repeatedly.

We are in a similar position today: we need to bring back manufacturing to the United States of America. To do that, we must be able to protect the redevelopment of American Industry by tariffs like we did during our original Industrial Revolution.

Properly done, in the manner President Trump envisions, tariffs could and should replace our present income tax. I just heard Dan Bongino this evening on this very topic. We would have to eliminate wasteful spending by bringing back “DOGE,” the Department of Government Efficiency. There would be a short time of some dislocation, but eventually the economy would come roaring back. Many families would see a $30,000 increase in their income.

Ancient cultures before the time of Moses figured out that all debts must be cancelled periodically to squelch the ever-growing debt spirals economies experience. Moses included in what we sometimes call the Mosaic Law just such a provision called the Jubilee Year.

From the Subject Index of the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Jubilee
(1) definition, Lev 25:11 note. (2) institutional purpose, typical meaning, prophetic significance, Lev 25:52 note.

Lev 25:11  A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. (KJV)

Leviticus 25:11
A jubile. Note: Respecting the literal meaning of the word יובל, yobel, or yovel, critics are not agreed. Some derive it from Jubal, who was the inventor of musical instruments (Gen 4:21), because this year was one of mirth and joy, on which music is a common attendant, or else because it was ushered in by the musical sound of the trumpet. Others, particularly R. David Kimchi, tell us that yovel signifies a ram in Arabic; and that this year was so called because it was proclaimed with trumpets made of ram’s horns. With him the Rabbins in general agree; and the Chaldee Targum sometimes renders it by dichra, a ram. The most natural derivation of the word, however, seems to be from הוביל, hovil, the Hiphil form of יבל, yaval, to recall, restore, or bring back, because this year restored all slaves to their liberty, and brought back all alienated estates to their primitive owners. Accordingly, the LXX. render it here αφεσις, aphesis, a remission; and Josephus (Ant. l. iii. c. 12 § 3) says it signifies ελευθεριαν, eleutherian, liberty. Lev 27:17.

ye shall not sow. Lev 25:5, 6, 7.

neither reap. Exo 23:11.

Lev 25:52  And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption. (KJV)

Leviticus 25:52
jubile. Note: The Jubilee was a wonderful institution, and of great service to the religion, freedom, and independence of the Hebrews. It was calculated to prevent the rich from oppressing the poor, and reducing them to perpetual slavery; and to hinder their obtaining possession of all the lands by purchase, mortgage, or usurpation. It was further intended, that debts should not be multiplied too much, lest the poor should be entirely ruined; that slaves should not always continue in servitude; that personal liberty, equality of property, and the regular order of families might, as much as possible, be preserved; and that the people might thus be strongly attached to their country, lands, and inheritances. The Concise Bible Dictionary notes (p. 456) that “There is no record of the Sabbatical year and the year of Jubilee ever being kept. Lev 26:34, 35 predicts what would happen if the Israelites did not let the land keep the sabbaths. It reads almost like a prophecy: the land should lie desolate “because it did not rest in your sabbaths.” In Jer 25:11, 12; Jer 29:10; Dan 9:2 the actual desolation is said to be seventy years. And as the land was to have rested one year in every seven, it follows that the 70 answer to 70 X 7 = 490 years. Now the kingdom began B.C. 1095, and Jerusalem was taken in 606, which is just 490 years, and seems to confirm the silence in the history of Israel as to their giving the land the prescribed sabbaths. Apparently in this, as in everything else, they failed to obey; but the Jubilee will be made good to them in grace when they own their Messiah.” The jubilee is a type of the millennium. It speaks of a time, never yet celebrated, when Israel shall be restored to God’s favor, and shall return to the undisturbed possession (Isa 11:11; *Amos 9:15; Mic 4:6, 7) of her land, when the great jubilee trumpet will recall them to worship in Jerusalem (*Isa 27:12; *Isa 27:13). See Lev 25:9 note.

The year 1913 was a very bad year for the United States, for in that year the Income Tax was imposed. The Sixteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was never properly ratified by the States but was fraudulently allowed to become law anyway. Thus, Income Tax is an example of the “Missing Commandment” stated by Jesus in Mark 10:19, “Defraud not.”

 

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The Missing Commandment, Part 2

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Missing Commandment is found at Mark 10:19. I call it the “missing commandment” because it has largely been missed by most Bible readers. The command is “Defraud Not.” In Part 1 I covered the verses in the New Testament which contain the same underlying Greek word. In this Part 2 I plan to share some of the other texts in the Bible that are on the same subject.

Defraud not. +*>Lev 19:13, +**Deut 24:14; +**Deut 24:15, +**Psa 15:4, Pro 12:22, Isa 33:15, Jer 22:3, +**Jer 22:13, Ezk 18:7, Hos 12:7 mg. Amos 8:5, 6, Mic 2:2, +**Mal 3:5, Luk 18:11, 1Co 6:7, 8, 9, 2Co 7:2, +*1Th 4:6, *Jas 5:4.

The command “defraud not” is quoted from Leviticus 19:13.

Leviticus 19:13
13  Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
King James Version

It is a fraudulent practice to arbitrarily withhold wages from an employee. When I was the school DFT (Detroit Federation of Teachers) Union Representative, I found it necessary to file a grievance on behalf of all the teachers at my high school because the Administration was withholding our paychecks, causing us to have to wait in line after school to receive them. In the process the Administration actually lost one teacher’s paycheck, so I filed another grievance to correct that. But I know of other cases where an employee in private business had to put up with the same nonsense of not being paid on time and even of not being paid the agreed upon wage.

Here are my newly expanded cross references for Leviticus 19:13

Leviticus 19:13
not defraud. Lev 25:14, Psa 119:22, Pro 20:10; Pro 22:22, Ecc 5:8, Isa 58:3, Jer 22:3, Ezk 18:7; Ezk 22:29, Hos 12:7, Amos 3:9; Amos 4:1, Mic 2:2, >Mrk 10:19, Luk 3:13; 1Co 6:8; 2Co 7:2, Eph 6:9, Col 4:1, *1Th 4:6.

the wages. lit. work. [FS121C1F. Metonymy of the Cause F/S 551, Work is put for the wages paid for it. For other instances of this figure see Jer 22:13, Rom 11:6, Rev 14:13.] T1853 (Pay wages on time): Gen 29:15; Gen 31:7, 12, **Deut 24:14; **Deut 24:15, Job 7:2; Job 31:39, Psa 37:21, Isa 62:11, +*Jer 22:13, +*Mal 3:5, Mat 10:10, +**Luk 10:7, +**1Ti 5:18; +**1Ti 5:19 note. +*Jas 5:4.

shall not abide. Psa 104:23, Pro 3:27, 28, Mat 20:8, Rom 13:8.

Deuteronomy 24:14
14  Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
King James Version
Deuteronomy 24:15
15  At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
King James Version

God is very serious about the requirement to pay the agreed upon wages on time. God warns that if an employee cries against the employer to the Lord, this becomes sin to the employer.

A casual reading of this passage will miss the significance of what it means “and it be sin unto thee.” Following the cross references will demonstrate the severity of the threatened punishment to the employer. Just one example ought to make it very clear:

Exodus 22:23
23  If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
King James Version
Exodus 22:24
24  And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
King James Version

I typed up some of these Bible references and set them on the desks of three administrators at Southeastern High School. All three claimed to be active in their churches. It may be that God carried out the threatened punishment upon one of those administrators. She tried to write me up for leaving my classroom unattended when I accompanied the teacher at his request whose paycheck had been lost at the first step local grievance hearing. I had taken the required precaution of alerting the teachers in the classrooms next to mine to keep watch on my class. My students behaved perfectly and were quietly busy doing their assignments when I returned before the class period was over. I subsequently wrote up the assistant principal who unfairly wrote me up.

Psalms 15:4
4  In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
King James Version

Psalms 15:4
4  He despises a reprobate, but honors the LORD’s loyal followers. He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise.
New English Translation

Psalm 15 begins with the question: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1). The Psalm concludes with “He that doeth these things shall never be moved” (Psalm 15:5). Therefore, I conclude that this Psalm tells us that anyone who violates any of these principles is guilty of moral apostacy and is not genuinely saved unless they repent.

In my experience, school administrations and administrators who renege on the provisions of the teacher contract, who force changes in violation of said contract, are violating what God commands in His written word and will suffer the consequences God has threatened.

Jer 22:13. Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; (KJV)

Jer 22:13  “‘Sure to be judged is the king who builds his palace using injustice and treats people unfairly while adding its upper rooms. He makes his countrymen work for him for nothing. He does not pay them for their labor.
Jer 22:14  He says, “I will build myself a large palace with spacious upper rooms.” He cuts windows in its walls, panels it with cedar, and paints its rooms red.
Jer 22:15  Does it make you any more of a king that you outstrip everyone else in building with cedar? Just think about your father. He was content that he had food and drink. He did what was just and right. So things went well with him.
Jer 22:16  He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. So things went well for Judah.’ The LORD says, ‘That is a good example of what it means to know me.’
Jer 22:17  But you are always thinking and looking for ways to increase your wealth by dishonest means. Your eyes and your heart are set on killing some innocent person and committing fraud and oppression. (NET Bible)

Notice Jeremiah 22:16, “He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. … The LORD says, ‘That is a good example of what it means to know me.’ ”

This is a theme that is mentioned in the next passage from Malachi 3:5.

Malachi 3:5
5  And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
King James Version

Malachi 3:5
5  “I will come to you in judgment. I will be quick to testify against those who practice divination, those who commit adultery, those who break promises, and those who exploit workers, widows, and orphans, who refuse to help the resident foreigner and in this way show they do not fear me,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
New English Translation

Note the clause, “those who break promises” (NET Bible). That includes those of either of the parties who violate provisions of an agreed upon contract. Note “I will be a swift witness against … those that oppress the hireling in his wages” (KJV). Only eternity will tell whether or not the assistant principal (who wrongfully wrote me up for leaving my classroom unattended) died unexpectedly not long afterwards was a fulfillment of the warning given in Scripture (Exodus 22:24).

Does the clause “that turn aside the stranger from his right” (KJV), “who refuse to help the resident foreigner” relate to the contemporary concern about removing so-called “undocumented immigrants” or “illegal aliens” from the United States? I have placed a large number of cross references to the underlying Hebrew terms at Genesis 23:4. From the subject index, see:

Stranger
(1) S# H1616, +Gen 23:4. (2) S# H5236, +Exo 12:43. (3) S# H8453, +Gen 23:4.

For a thorough study of “stranger” as used in the Old Testament see the article under that term in the Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, a resource available in the e-Sword Bible software under “Dictionaries.” In my judgment the violent criminals and others who violated our nation’s laws by not following the proper legal process to gain entry during the “open border” policy of the previous administration have no biblical basis for special protection or consideration but must leave the country and return to where they came from. To suppose otherwise is to support lawlessness, something definitely condemned by Scripture. For a starting point to study the New Testament teaching about lawlessness see the references for “the transgressors” given at Mark 15:28 in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Mar 15:28  And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

Mark 15:28
fulfilled. $>Isa 53:12, *Luk 22:37, *2Co 5:21, *Heb 12:2, Jas 2:23.

numbered with. Luk 23:41, Jhn 9:24, Rom 8:3, 2Co 5:21.

the transgressors. Gr. anomos [(S# G459): Rendered (1) without law: 1Co 9:21 (four times). (2) transgressor: Mrk 15:28, Luk 22:37, (3) wicked: Act 2:23, 2Th 2:8, (4) lawless: 1Ti 1:9, (5) unlawful: 2Pe 2:8].

 

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The Missing Commandment Part 1

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Jerry

 

There is a missing commandment, a commandment scarcely if ever noticed, absent from the “radar” of most Bible readers. Have you missed it too?

One time when I visited the Tree of Life Bookstore in East Detroit or Eastpoint, Michigan, another visitor to the bookstore struck up a conversation with me. He emphasized the importance of fighting for the unborn. I shared with him that I had placed an extensive note in my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, at Luke 1:44, giving the evidence from Scripture that God is very much against abortion and is very concerned about protecting innocent life.

Luk 1:44  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Since Elizabeth’s unborn child “leaped for joy,” it is clear that an unborn child is a person who can experience emotion.

I commented to the bookstore visitor that though the issue of abortion is an important issue, it is just one small part of the broader issue of justice, a subject which is far more stressed in the Bible. When the person indicated thorough disagreement with what I said, I referred him to what Jesus said as recorded in Mark 10:19. As Jesus spoke to the rich young man, He cited several of the Ten Commandments, including yet another Commandment which is of crucial importance, namely, “Defraud not.”

“Defraud Not” is what I think can justly be called “The Missing Commandment,” for it seems to be little noticed.

One of the Rules of Bible Interpretation is that we must maintain the same balance of emphasis that the Bible does when we seek to understand and apply what the Bible teaches. Churches and Christians at large hamper the power of the Gospel when they fail to maintain the proper balance in the teaching and application of the Word of God.

Take a Closer Look at Mark 10:19

Mar 10:19  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.  (KJV, emphasis added)

How can we study the commandment “Defraud not”? The best way I know of is to (1) search the Scriptures doing a word study for the term “defraud” and (2) make use of the most extensive collection of cross references you can access.

(1) Word Study using the search feature in the free e-Sword Bible software:

Basic definition and how this word is translated in the KJV:

G650
αποστερησης
apostereo¯
ap-os-ter-eh’-o
From G575 and ste?e´? stereo– (to deprive); to despoil: – defraud, destitute, kept back by fraud.
Total KJV occurrences: 6
Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries

Where this word is used in the Greek New Testament:

Mrk 10:19  Thou knowestG1492 theG3588 commandments,G1785 Do notG3361 commit adultery,G3431 Do notG3361 kill,G5407 Do notG3361 steal,G2813 Do notG3361 bear false witness,G5576 DefraudG650 not,G3361 HonourG5091 thyG4675 fatherG3962 andG2532 mother.G3384

1Co 6:7  NowG2235 therefore thereG3767 (G3303) isG2076 utterlyG3654 a faultG2275 amongG1722 you,G5213 becauseG3754 ye go to lawG2192 G2917 one with another.G3326 G1438 WhyG1302 do ye notG3780 ratherG3123 take wrong?G91 whyG1302 do ye notG3780 ratherG3123 suffer yourselves to be defrauded?G650

1Co 6:8  Nay,G235 yeG5210 do wrong,G91 andG2532 defraud,G650 andG2532 thatG5023 your brethren.G80

1Co 7:5  DefraudG650 ye notG3361 one the other,G240 exceptG1509 G302 it be withG1537 consentG4859 forG4314 a time,G2540 thatG2443 ye may give yourselvesG4980 to fastingG3521 andG2532 prayer;G4335 andG2532 come togetherG4905 again,G3825 thatG2443 SatanG4567 temptG3985 youG5209 notG3361 forG1223 yourG5216 incontinency.G192

1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputingsG3859 of menG444 of corruptG1311 minds,G3563 andG2532 destituteG650 of theG3588 truth,G225 supposingG3543 that gainG4200 isG1511 godliness:G2150 fromG575 suchG5108 withdraw thyself.G868

Jas 5:4  Behold,G2400 theG3588 hireG3408 of theG3588 labourersG2040 who have reaped downG270 yourG5216 fields,G5561 which is ofG575 youG5216 kept back by fraud,G650 crieth:G2896 andG2532 theG3588 criesG995 of them which have reapedG2325 are enteredG1525 intoG1519 theG3588 earsG3775 of the LordG2962 of sabaoth.G4519

(2) MAKE USE OF THE MOST EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF CROSS REFERENCES YOU CAN ACCESS:

I often present cross references from the two sources available in the e-Sword Bible software. I give the references from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge first because they are usually fewer in number and easier for beginners to explore. Then I share the much more extensive cross references from my Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, sometimes as this time further expanded by more references for the enjoyment and benefit of more advanced or adventurous readers to enjoy.

Dig deeper by reading the cross references for Mark 10:19, “defraud not,” from:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Mark 10:19
knowest: Mrk 12:28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34; Isa 8:20; Mat 5:17, 18, 19, 20, Mat 19:17, 18, 19; Luk 10:26, 27, 28, Luk 18:20; Rom 3:20; Gal 4:21

commit: Exo 20:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17; Deut 5:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:11

Defraud: 1Co 6:7, 8, 9; 1Th 4:6

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Mark 10:19
knowest. Mrk 12:28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, +*Isa 8:20, Mat 5:17, 18, 19, 20; Mat 19:17, 18, 19, Luk 10:26, 27, 28; Luk 18:20, Rom 3:20, Gal 4:21.

the commandments. If it is a matter of doing, ALL must be done (Jas 2:10, 11). The Lord cites only some, and these not in order, to convict the questioner more readily: the seventh, sixth, eighth, ninth, and fifth (CB). Note also that neither here nor anywhere else in the NT is the fourth commandment ever cited as a command.

commit. Exo 20:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Deut 5:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, Luk 10:26, 28, Rom 3:20; *Rom 13:9, Gal 5:14, *Jas 2:11.

adultery. >Exo 20:14, Lev 18:20, >Deut 5:18; Deut 22:22, Pro 6:32, Mat 5:27, Rom 13:9, +**1Co 6:9, +*Heb 13:4.

kill. Gen 9:5, 6, >Exo 20:13, >Deut 5:17, Mat 5:21; Mat 19:18, Rom 13:9, 1Jn 3:15.

steal. +**>Exo 20:15, Lev 19:11, >Deut 5:19, Rom 13:9, Eph 4:28.

bear false witness. >Exo 20:16; Exo 23:1, >Deut 5:20; **Deut 19:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Pro 19:5; Pro 19:9; Pro 21:28; Pro 24:28; Pro 25:18, Eph 4:25.

Defraud not. Gr. apostereō [S# G650: 1Co 6:7, 8; 1Co 7:5, 1Ti 6:5 (destitute). Jas 5:4]. This is a summary of what precedes. Compare Rom 13:7, 8, 9, 10 (CB). +*>Lev 19:13, +**Deut 24:14; +**Deut 24:15, +**Psa 15:4, Pro 12:22, Isa 33:15, Jer 22:3, +**Jer 22:13, Ezk 18:7, Hos 12:7 mg. Amos 8:5, 6, Mic 2:2, +**Mal 3:5, Luk 18:11, 1Co 6:7, 8, 9, 2Co 7:2, +*1Th 4:6, *Jas 5:4.

honour thy father. Mrk 7:10, >Exo 20:12, Lev 19:3, >Deut 5:16, Jer 35:18, 19, Mal 1:6, Mat 15:4; Mat 19:19, *Eph 6:2.

MY COMMENTARY, EXPLANATION, AND APPLICATION OF SELECT CROSS REFERENCES FOR “DEFRAUD NOT”

A. Passages that use the same underlying Greek word:

1 Corinthians 6:7-8
7  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8  Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
King James Version

By going to law against fellow Christians, Paul argues that this is an instance of defrauding fellow believers and should not be done. In the preceding verses Paul explains that we are destined to judge angels. We ought to settle disputes between believers, using the judgment of those least esteemed in the church, which in our terms would be ordinary believers. Even our current President would benefit from Paul’s direction. I have suspected that our President is getting advice from very unwise advisors.

1 Corinthians 7:5
5  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
King James Version

In a marriage, to abstain from intimate relations Paul calls defrauding one another, unless it be for a short time of greater spiritual commitment to fasting and prayer, lest Satan use this as a source of temptation.

1 Timothy 6:5
5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
King James Version

“Destitute” of the truth is the translation of the Greek word more often rendered “defraud.” An alternate rendering I furnished is “Deprived” of the truth. Paul instructs Timothy and us to withdraw ourselves from such individuals, a topic worth further study by means of the cross references given at 1 Timothy 6:5.

James 5:4
4  Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
King James Version

James 5:4
4  Behold, the wages of the workers who harvested your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
Text-Critical English New Testament

Wages kept back by fraud is still a major problem today. Sometimes this involves failure to pay wages on time. Almost universally this involves failure to pay a living wage and to add insult to injury, shifting manufacturing to other countries to take advantage of workers there who are forced to work long hours in sometimes unsafe conditions. It also involves bringing workers into our country ostensibly to do work American workers are not willing to do.

Sometimes workers from other countries are brought in because there are not enough American workers who possess the knowledge and skills required for the work. Sometimes these workers are trained by our skilled workers and then are hired to replace our workers at a lower wage.

This involves massive fraud on the part of our own government for its utter failure to enforce the law we already have [ 8 USC 1324 (Employers)]. “Black letter law” has been “on the books” for many decades and some applicable law for over a century [ 15 USC Ch 1 (Med/Pharm)]. Laws against aiding, housing, or hiring illegal immigrants have stiff penalties, both fines and stiff prison sentences for any convicted of this crime. Were it enforced properly, illegal immigrants would not come here, and those who are here would promptly leave since no jobs would be available for them.

Another “black letter law” forbids monopolies or monopolistic practices. Enforced properly, it requires ten-year prison sentences for each individual involved. Were this law to be properly enforced, we would have a short time of economic dislocation, but would bring the cost of medical care, insurance, and medicine down to where it used to be not that many years ago. Instead of costing the federal government 30 to 40% of its income, it would return to 4% of its income. We would no longer be saddled with an ever-increasing national debt, a debt that if it continues, will become impossible to pay.

All the above things constitute current examples of failure to obey the command of our Lord Jesus Christ to “Defraud Not.”

Where there is no penalty, there is no law.

In our country, no political party has yet taken the smallest step to actually enforce the law, turning this nation into a lawless nation. This MUST change.

It may seem counter to good sense to urge everyone to vote in the mid-term election and not vote for any democrat candidate. Some object to the idea of voting for the lesser of two evils.

I have seen many ordinary individuals who I think “get it” say that no Christian can in good conscience vote for a democrat, but we must all vote for the Republican party candidates or utterly lose this country. I have written here before that the Republicans are NOT our friends. But I will add that democrats have now become our enemies, for they have drifted so far to the left, politically, that they are now Marxist Islamists to an unacceptable degree and if they regain power will further destroy our Constitutional Republic that was founded on Christian principles suited only for a Christian nation as the Founding Fathers said themselves.

 

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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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