Bible Wisdom For Modern Times Selections From The Orthodox Old Testament

Newly translated and paraphrased selections from Old Testament and so-called "apocryphal" biblical wisdom literature, including The Wisdom of "Solomon," Jesus Ben Sirach, Tobias (Tobit), Greek "Ezra," King David and other inspired Jewish and Greek writers, are rendered into modern English. The original stories of "The Three Wise Young Men" and Tobias (Tobit} have been reconstructed, whilst retaining as many of the later moralistic interpolations as seemed consistent with the original narratives. Tobias is especially important as it is the book drawn upon by Jesus of Nazareth for his most famous parable and maxims. Other books represented include "Susanna," "The Visions of Ezra," "Proverbs," "Psalms," "Baruch" and "The Prayer of Manasseh."

The best available texts have been used to translate "Mark's Gospel" into modern English. The picture of Jesus that emerges seems far from the usual stained-glass image of the Savior. Also featured are selections from "The Didache" ("The Teaching") and the so-called "Odes of Solomon" (actually a Christian book of hymns entitled "Odes of Peace"), very probably written by a disciple of St John around the years 100-120. Also included are a couple of characteristic chapters from "The Shepherd of Hermas". All three of these books were regarded by many of the early church fathers as part of the New Testament. In fact, "Didache" and "The Shepherd" were formerly two of the most popular books in the Bible. To round off "More Bible Wisdom" is a brief excerpt from "The Epistle of Barnabas", plus a selection of sayings and stories by Jesus, culled from a number of sources, but chiefly from the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

How many Psalms are there in the Bible? Nobody knows. Psalms are scattered all through the Old Testament, but this new translation is concerned only with the Psalms in the Biblical book of that title. Even here, however, the actual number is uncertain. Some Psalms have been duplicated, some have been joined together, others split apart. Most Bibles number the Psalms from 1 to 150. Which numbers correspond to which Psalms, however, differs from Protestant to Catholic and Orthodox versions. For easy reference, both numbers are used in this book. Disregarding duplications and material that fails to qualify as either powerful or praiseworthy, 84 uplifting Psalms are given new life and meaning in this inspired and inspiring translation from the ancient Greek Old Testament, the Septuagint. Neither the original meaning nor the poetry is lost or diluted, for each selected Psalm is rendered in both a literal translation and a more poetic paraphrase.

Thrilling action, suspense and mystery abound in this historical novel, inspired by the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Bible. Highlighting the latter days of King Solomon in the city of Jerusalem in Ancient Israel, the novel is a real page-turner that moves with the speed of an arrow. In addition to the aged King Solomon, Biblical characters include Jeroboam, a former governor in Israel, accused of plotting against Solomon and now exiled in Ancient Egypt; Ahijah, a wandering prophet, a friend and former servant of Jeroboam; Iddo, a blind seer; Rehoboam, Solomon's favorite son and designated heir; Zabud, Solomon's long-time friend; Qoheleth, a fanatical supporter of Jeroboam; Gallim, the mayor of Bethel; Berechiah, captain of the Bethel town guard; Nathan, the prophet; King David and his son, Adonijah; the girl, Abishag; Ethan, the sage; and Azariah, the young and ambitious High Priest.

Newly translated from the best recently available Greek texts, this book presents not only the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John (placing them in their correct order of composition), but fresh translations of other New Testament books as well. The author is not an adherent of any particular Christian religion and is therefore free to report what Jesus actually said, what Mary and the apostles actually thought, not what various religious bodies think they ought to have said or ought to have thought. Mary emerges as a real person. Extensive notes accompany the text for readers who wish to probe deeper into the Gospels, their philosophy and their authorship. Other New Testament documents translated in this book include the three letters by John, the Elder; the Letter to Christian Exiles, often incorrectly identified in other Bibles as written by Peter, the Apostle, but actually credited by Peter himself to Silvanus; plus Paul's disputed First Letter to Timothy, as well as his disputed Letter to Titus.

This completely new translation and reconstruction of John's Gospel and his three Letters (or Epistles) in the New Testament of the Bible, presents these books in their entirety and attempts to identify the Gospel contributions of John, the priest, the beloved disciple, and John, the elder or presbyter. (John's Letters, of course, were all written by the elder). Also included in this "Good News", is the Letter to Christian Exiles by Peter and Silvanus, in which it is argued that, although the letter (known as 1 Peter in English Bibles) was issued under Peter's authority, he had very little to do with its actual composition. 25 pages of Notes are also provided on various topics arising from this new translation and reconstruction, including an account of the four men named John who are associated with the Gospel; and the exclusive use of the Septuagint Old Testament (rather than the Hebrew Bible) as the source of all quotations from Scripture by New Testament writers.

The writings explored in this book'authentic books of the Bible you've probably never read'are often dubbed ?Apocrypha,? and were cut from the Bible by the Reformers. The Rest of the Bible provides a brief and intriguing introduction to the writings unique to the Greek Old Testament, treasured by the Orthodox Church through the centuries and termed by St. Athanasius ?the Readables.'