WISDOM

 1.      1.6:  For wisdom is a kindly spirit, but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words; because God is witness of their inmost feelings, and a true observer of their hearts, and a hearer of their tongues.

          Tt 3.4: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

          1Pt 2.25: For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

 2.      1.11: Beware then of useless grumbling, and keep your tongue from slander; because no secret word is without result,  and a lying mouth destroys the soul.

          Jas 4.11: Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters.  Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

 3.      1.14: For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them, and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.

          Rev 4.11:  "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

 4.      2.5-6: For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow, and there is no return from our death, because it is sealed up and no one turns back.  "Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that exist, and make use of the creation to the full as in youth.

          1Cor 15.32: If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

 5.      2.10: Let us oppress the righteous poor man; let us not spare the widow or regard the gray hairs of the aged.

          Jas 5.6: You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

 6.      2.11: But let our might be our law of right, for what is weak proves itself to be useless.

          Rom 9.31: but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law.

 7.      2.12: Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training.

          Jas 5.6:  Let us oppress the righteous poor man; let us not spare the widow or regard the gray hairs of the aged.

 8.      2.13: He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord.

          Mt 27.43: He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God's Son.”

 9.      2.16: We are considered by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father.

          Jn 5.18: For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

 10.     2.17: Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life

          Heb 13.7: Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

 11.     2.17-20: Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous man is God's child, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries.  Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance.  Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected.

          Mk 15.29:  Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days,

          Mt 27.43: He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God's Son.”

 12.     2.19: Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance.

          Php 4.5: Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

          Jas 5.6: You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

 13.     2.22: and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hoped for the wages of holiness, nor discerned the prize for blameless souls

          Mk 4.11: And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables

 14.     2.23: for God created us for incorruption, and made us in the image of his own eternity

          1Cor 11.7: For a man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection of God; but woman is the reflection of man.

 15.     2.24: but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it.

          Jn 8.44: You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

          Rom 5.12: Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned

 16.     3.4-5: For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.  Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself

          Jas 1.2: My brothers and sisters, F2 whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy

 17.     3.7: In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.

          Lk 19.44: They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.

 18.     3.8: They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever.

          1Cor 6.2: Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

 19.     3.9: Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

          Jn 15.9-10:  As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

 20.     3.17: Even if they live long they will be held of no account, and finally their old age will be without honor.

          Ac 19.27: And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be scorned, and she will be deprived of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her.

 21.     3.18: If they die young, they will have no hope and no consolation on the day of judgment.

          But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

 22.     4.2: When it is present, people imitate it, and they long for it when it has gone; throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph, victor in the contest for prizes that are undefiled.

          1Cor 9.25: Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

 23.     4.10: There were some who pleased God and were loved by him, and while living among sinners were taken up.

          Heb 11.5: By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God."

 24.     4.19: because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and shake them from the foundations; they will be left utterly dry and barren, and they will suffer anguish, and the memory of them will perish.

          Ac 1.18:  Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.

 25.     5.4: These are persons whom we once held in derision and made a byword of reproach--fools that we were!  We thought that their lives were madness and that their end was without honor.

          Jn 10.20: Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?"

 26.     5.5: Why have they been numbered among the children of God?  And why is their lot among the saints?

          Ac 20.32: And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified.

          Ac 26.18: to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

 27.     5.6: So it was we who strayed from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness did not shine on us, and the sun did not rise upon us.

          2Pt 2.2: Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned.

 28.     [UBS4] 5.15: But the righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them.

          1Jn 2.17: And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

 29.     5.16: Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them.

          2Tim 4.8: From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

 30.     5.17: The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies

          Eph 6.13: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

 31.     5.18: he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet

          Eph 6.14: Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.

          [UBS4] 1Th 5.8: But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

 32.     5.19, 21: he will take holiness as an invincible shield,  ....  Shafts of lightning will fly with true aim, and will leap from the clouds to the target, as from a well-drawn bow

          Eph 6.16: With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

 33.     5.22: and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them

          Lk 21.25:  There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

 34.     6.3: For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High; he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.

          Rom 13.1: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.

 35.     6.7: For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone, or show deference to greatness; because he himself made both small and great, and he takes thought for all alike.

          Ac 10.36: You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.

 36.     6.18: and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,

          Jn 14.15:  If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

 37.     7.1: I also am mortal, like everyone else, a descendant of the first-formed child of earth; and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh

          Ac 10.26: But Peter made him get up, saying, "Stand up; I am only a mortal."

 38.     7.3: And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth; my first sound was a cry, as is true of all.

          Ac 14.15:  Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

 39.     7.7: Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

          Eph 1.17:  I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him

 40.     7.11: All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth.

          Mt 6.33: But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 41.     7.18: the beginning and end and middle of times, the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons

          Ac 17.26: From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live

 42.     7.22-30: 22  for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me.  There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle.  For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.  For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.  For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.  Although she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.  She is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars.  Compared with the light she is found to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.

          Heb 4.12: Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

          Php 4.13: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

          1Cor 1.24: but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

          Heb 1.3: He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.  When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

          Jas 2.23: Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.

 43.     8.3, etc.: She glorifies her noble birth by living with God, and the Lord of all loves her.

          Ac 10.36: You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.

 44.     8.8: And if anyone longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come; she understands turns of speech and the solutions of riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders and of the outcome of seasons and times.

          Jn 4.48: Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."

          1Th 5.1: Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you.

 45.     9.1: O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who have made all things by your word

          Jn 1.3: All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being

          Ac 17.24-25:  The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.

 46.     9.3: and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and pronounce judgment in uprightness of soul

          Eph 4.24: and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness

 47.     9.9: With you is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments.

          Ac 17.24: The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands,

 48.     9.13: For who can learn the counsel of God?  Or who can discern what the Lord wills?

          1Cor 2.16: "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?"  But we have the mind of Christ.

 49.     9.15: for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.

          2Cor 5.1, 4: For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  .... For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

 50.     9.16: We can hardly guess at what is on earth, and what is at hand we find with labor; but who has traced out what is in the heavens?

          Jn 3.12: If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

 51.     10.6: Wisdom rescued a righteous man when the ungodly were perishing; he escaped the fire that descended on the Five Cities.

          2Pt 2.7: and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless

 52.     10.16: She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood dread kings with wonders and signs.

          2Cor 12.12: The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and wonders and mighty works.

 53.     10.17: She gave to holy people the reward of their labors; she guided them along a marvelous way, and became a shelter to them by day, and a starry flame through the night.

          Heb 11.6: And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

 54.     11.10: For you tested them as a parent does in warning, but you examined the ungodly as a stern king does in condemnation.

          1Cor 4.14: I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

 55.     11.15: In return for their foolish and wicked thoughts, which led them astray to worship irrational serpents and worthless animals, you sent upon them a multitude of irrational creatures to punish them

          Rom 1.23: and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

 56.     11.23: But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things, and you overlook people's sins, so that they may repent.

          Rom 2.4: Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

 57.     12.10: But judging them little by little you gave them an opportunity to repent, though you were not unaware that their origin was evil and their wickedness inborn, and that their way of thinking would never change.

          Heb 12.17: You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears.

 58.     12.12: For who will say, "What have you done?"  or will resist your judgment?  Who will accuse you for the destruction of nations that you made?  Or who will come before you to plead as an advocate for the unrighteous?

          Rom 9.19: You will say to me then, "Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"

          [UBS4] Rom 9.20: But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, "Why have you made me like this?"

 59.     12.13: For neither is there any god besides you, whose care is for all people, to whom you should prove that you have not judged unjustly

          1Pt 5.7: Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

 60.     [UBS4] 12.13-14: For neither is there any god besides you, whose care is for all people, to whom you should prove that you have not judged unjustly; nor can any king or monarch confront you about those whom you have punished.

          Ac 5.39: but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!" They were convinced by him

 61.     12.19: Through such works you have taught your people that the righteous must be kind, and you have filled your children with good hope, because you give repentance for sins.

          Ac 11.18: When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."

 62.     12.24: For they went far astray on the paths of error, accepting as gods those animals that even their enemies despised; they were deceived like foolish infants.

          Rom 1.23: and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

 63.     Chapters 13-15     For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists, nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works; but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air, or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water, or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world. If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these is their Lord, for the author of beauty created them. And if people were amazed at their power and working, let them perceive from them how much more powerful is the one who formed them. For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. Yet these people are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. For while they live among his works, they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. Yet again, not even they are to be excused; for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?  But miserable, with their hopes set on dead things, are those who give the name "gods" to the works of human hands, gold and silver fashioned with skill, and likenesses of animals, or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand. A skilled woodcutter may saw down a tree easy to handle and skillfully strip off all its bark, and then with pleasing workmanship make a useful vessel that serves life's needs, and burn the cast-off pieces of his work to prepare his food, and eat his fill. But a cast-off piece from among them, useful for nothing, a stick crooked and full of knots, he takes and carves with care in his leisure, and shapes it with skill gained in idleness; he forms it in the likeness of a human being, or makes it like some worthless animal, giving it a coat of red paint and coloring its surface red and covering every blemish in it with paint; then he makes a suitable niche for it, and sets it in the wall, and fastens it there with iron. He takes thought for it, so that it may not fall, because he knows that it cannot help itself, for it is only an image and has need of help. When he prays about possessions and his marriage and children, he is not ashamed to address a lifeless thing. For health he appeals to a thing that is weak; for life he prays to a thing that is dead; for aid he entreats a thing that is utterly inexperienced; for a prosperous journey, a thing that cannot take a step; for money-making and work and success with his hands he asks strength of a thing whose hands have no strength.

             Again, one preparing to sail and about to voyage over raging waves calls upon a piece of wood more fragile than the ship that carries him. For it was desire for gain that planned that vessel, and wisdom was the artisan who built it; but it is your providence, O Father, that steers its course, because you have given it a path in the sea, and a safe way through the waves, showing that you can save from every danger, so that even a person who lacks skill may put to sea. It is your will that works of your wisdom should not be without effect; therefore people trust their lives even to the smallest piece of wood, and passing through the billows on a raft they come safely to land. For even in the beginning, when arrogant giants were perishing, the hope of the world took refuge on a raft, and guided by your hand left to the world the seed of a new generation. For blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes.   But the idol made with hands is accursed, and so is the one who made it-- he for having made it, and the perishable thing because it was named a god. For equally hateful to God are the ungodly and their ungodliness; for what was done will be punished together with the one who did it. Therefore there will be a visitation also upon the heathen idols, because, though part of what God created, they became an abomination, snares for human souls and a trap for the feet of the foolish.  For the idea of making idols was the beginning of fornication, and the invention of them was the corruption of life; for they did not exist from the beginning, nor will they last forever. For through human vanity they entered the world, and therefore their speedy end has been planned.  For a father, consumed with grief at an untimely bereavement, made an image of his child, who had been suddenly taken from him; he now honored as a god what was once a dead human being, and handed on to his dependents secret rites and initiations. Then the ungodly custom, grown strong with time, was kept as a law, and at the command of monarchs carved images were worshiped. When people could not honor monarchs in their presence, since they lived at a distance, they imagined their appearance far away, and made a visible image of the king whom they honored, so that by their zeal they might flatter the absent one as though present. Then the ambition of the artisan impelled even those who did not know the king to intensify their worship. For he, perhaps wishing to please his ruler, skillfully forced the likeness to take more beautiful form, and the multitude, attracted by the charm of his work, now regarded as an object of worship the one whom shortly before they had honored as a human being. And this became a hidden trap for humankind, because people, in bondage to misfortune or to royal authority, bestowed on objects of stone or wood the name that ought not to be shared. Then it was not enough for them to err about the knowledge of God, but though living in great strife due to ignorance, they call such great evils peace. For whether they kill children in their initiations, or celebrate secret mysteries, or hold frenzied revels with strange customs, they no longer keep either their lives or their marriages pure, but they either treacherously kill one another, or grieve one another by adultery, and all is a raging riot of blood and murder, theft and deceit, corruption, faithlessness, tumult, perjury, confusion over what is good, forgetfulness of favors, defiling of souls, sexual perversion, disorder in marriages, adultery, and debauchery. For the worship of idols not to be named is the beginning and cause and end of every evil. For their worshipers either rave in exultation, or prophesy lies, or live unrighteously, or readily commit perjury; for because they trust in lifeless idols they swear wicked oaths and expect to suffer no harm. But just penalties will overtake them on two counts: because they thought wrongly about God in devoting themselves to idols, and because in deceit they swore unrighteously through contempt for holiness. For it is not the power of the things by which people swear, but the just penalty for those who sin, that always pursues the transgression of the unrighteous. 

             But you, our God, are kind and true, patient, and ruling all things in mercy. For even if we sin we are yours, knowing your power; but we will not sin, because we know that you acknowledge us as yours. For to know you is complete righteousness, and to know your power is the root of immortality. For neither has the evil intent of human art misled us, nor the fruitless toil of painters, a figure stained with varied colors, whose appearance arouses yearning in fools, so that they desire the lifeless form of a dead image. Lovers of evil things and fit for such objects of hope are those who either make or desire or worship them.  A potter kneads the soft earth and laboriously molds each vessel for our service, fashioning out of the same clay both the vessels that serve clean uses and those for contrary uses, making all alike; but which shall be the use of each of them the worker in clay decides. With misspent toil, these workers form a futile god from the same clay-- these mortals who were made of earth a short time before and after a little while go to the earth from which all mortals are taken, when the time comes to return the souls that were borrowed. But the workers are not concerned that mortals are destined to die or that their life is brief, but they compete with workers in gold and silver, and imitate workers in copper; and they count it a glorious thing to mold counterfeit gods. Their heart is ashes, their hope is cheaper than dirt, and their lives are of less worth than clay, because they failed to know the one who formed them and inspired them with active souls and breathed a living spirit into them. But they considered our existence an idle game, and life a festival held for profit, for they say one must get money however one can, even by base means. For these persons, more than all others, know that they sin when they make from earthy matter fragile vessels and carved images.  But most foolish, and more miserable than an infant, are all the enemies who oppressed your people. For they thought that all their heathen idols were gods, though these have neither the use of their eyes to see with, nor nostrils with which to draw breath, nor ears with which to hear, nor fingers to feel with, and their feet are of no use for walking. For a human being made them, and one whose spirit is borrowed formed them; for none can form gods that are like themselves. People are mortal, and what they make with lawless hands is dead; for they are better than the objects they worship, since they have life, but the idols never had.  Moreover, they worship even the most hateful animals, which are worse than all others when judged by their lack of intelligence; and even as animals they are not so beautiful in appearance that one would desire them, but they have escaped both the praise of God and his blessing.

          Rom 1.19-32:  They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  They know God's decree, that those who practice such things deserve to die—yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice them.

 64.     13.1: For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists, nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works

          Rom 1.21: for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened.

          1Cor 15.34: Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

          Heb 11.10: For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

 65.     13.6: Yet these people are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him.

          Ac 17.27: so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us.

 66.     13.10: But miserable, with their hopes set on dead things, are those who give the name "gods" to the works of human hands, gold and silver fashioned with skill, and likenesses of animals, or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand.

          Ac 17.29: Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals.

 67.     14.1: Again, one preparing to sail and about to voyage over raging waves calls upon a piece of wood more fragile than the ship that carries him.

          Jude 13: wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever.

 68.     [UBS4] 14.3: but it is your providence, O Father, that steers its course, because you have given it a path in the sea, and a safe way through the waves

          1Pt 1.17: If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile.

 69.     14.20: and the multitude, attracted by the charm of his work, now regarded as an object of worship the one whom shortly before they had honored as a human being.

          Ac 17.23: For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown god.”  What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

 70.     15.1: But you, our God, are kind and true, patient, and ruling all things in mercy.

          Lk 6.35: But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.  Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

 71.     15.3: For to know you is complete righteousness, and to know your power is the root of immortality.

          Jn 17.3: And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

 72.     15.7: A potter kneads the soft earth and laboriously molds each vessel for our service, fashioning out of the same clay both the vessels that serve clean uses and those for contrary uses, making all alike; but which shall be the use of each of them the worker in clay decides.

          Rom 9.21: Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?

 73.     15.8: With misspent toil, these workers form a futile god from the same clay--these mortals who were made of earth a short time before and after a little while go to the earth from which all mortals are taken, when the time comes to return the souls that were borrowed.

          Lk 12.20: But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”

 74.     15.11: because they failed to know the one who formed them and inspired them with active souls and breathed a living spirit into them.

          Jn 20.22: When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.

 75.     15.17: People are mortal, and what they make with lawless hands is dead; for they are better than the objects they worship, since they have life, but the idols never had.

          Ac 17.23: For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

 76.     16.6: they were troubled for a little while as a warning, and received a symbol of deliverance to remind them of your law's command.

          1Cor 11.24: and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me."

 77.     16.9: For they were killed by the bites of locusts and flies, and no healing was found for them, because they deserved to be punished by such things.

          Rev 9.3: Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given authority like the authority of scorpions of the earth.

 78.     16.13: For you have power over life and death; you lead mortals down to the gates of Hades and back again.

          Mt 16.18: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

          Rom 10.7: or "Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

 79.     16.22: Snow and ice withstood fire without melting, so that they might know that the crops of their enemies were being destroyed by the fire that blazed in the hail and flashed in the showers of rain

          Rev 8.7: The first angel blew his trumpet, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

 80.     16.26: so that your children, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn that it is not the production of crops that feeds humankind but that your word sustains those who trust in you.

          Mt 4.4: But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 81.     17.1: Great are your judgments and hard to describe; therefore uninstructed souls have gone astray.

          Rom 11.33: O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

 82.     17.2: For when lawless people supposed that they held the holy nation in their power, they themselves lay as captives of darkness and prisoners of long night, shut in under their roofs, exiles from eternal providence.

          Mt 22.13: Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 83.     17.11: For wickedness is a cowardly thing, condemned by its own testimony; distressed by conscience, it has always exaggerated the difficulties.

          Rom 2.15: They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them

 84.     17.14: But throughout the night, which was really powerless and which came upon them from the recesses of powerless Hades, they all slept the same sleep

          1Th 5.3: When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!

 85.     17.15: and now were driven by monstrous specters, and now were paralyzed by their souls' surrender; for sudden and unexpected fear overwhelmed them.

          Mk 6.49: But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out

 86.     17.17: for whether they were farmers or shepherds or workers who toiled in the wilderness, they were seized, and endured the inescapable fate; for with one chain of darkness they all were bound.

          Gal 6.1: My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.

 87.     18.1: But for your holy ones there was very great light.  Their enemies heard their voices but did not see their forms, and counted them happy for not having suffered

          Ac 9.7: The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.

          Ac 22.9: Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

 88.     18.14: For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone

          Rev 8.1: When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

 89.     18.14-16:  For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command, and stood and filled all things with death, and touched heaven while standing on the earth.

          1Th 5.2: For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

          Jn 3.12: If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

          Heb 4.12: Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

          Rev 2.12: And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:  These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword

 90.     18.25: To these the destroyer yielded, these he feared; for merely to test the wrath was enough.

          Heb 11.28: By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

 91.     19.7-8: The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp, and dry land emerging where water had stood before, an unhindered way out of the Red Sea, and a grassy plain out of the raging waves, where those protected by your hand passed through as one nation, after gazing on marvelous wonders.

          1Cor 10.1: I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea

 92.     19.10: For they still recalled the events of their sojourn, how instead of producing animals the earth brought forth gnats, and instead of fish the river spewed out vast numbers of frogs.

          Ac 13.17: The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.