Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. I would not have you forget the true and proper mission of the Bible, — to reveal saving truth. But it is well to remember that, even as a classic, no book equals the Word of God. The Bible has exercised a remarkable influence in the department of literature. "The English tongue would lose its grandest monument if the works which the Bible has inspired were blotted from it." Religious books, of course, get everything from the Bible; but writers with no distinctly religious object are enormously beholden to its inspiration. There is not a notable book — a book of transcendent genius or power — which has not culled from the Word of God either thought or illustration or telling phrase. We need not, even in an age of advanced education and culture, be ashamed of the Bible. Its study will confer as much credit on our intellect as on our piety. We are not such Bible readers as were our fathers. This is one evil of the multiplication of books. In this generation we are better educated, we know more than our fathers. But have we the same robust and vigorous intellects? It seems to me that there is a deterioration in this respect along with our neglect of Bible study. There are three things which should make the Bible popular among young people — 1. Its fervid style. There is not a dull passage, if we except a few chronologies and such like, from Genesis to Revelation. 2. Its exuberance of illustration. It is a book of pictures. 3. Its practical wisdom. If you live seventy years you will not have gathered all the practical wisdom you may learn now from studying the Bible. Do not forget that you may find in the Bible eternal life. (A. F. Forrest.) Parallel Verses KJV: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.WEB: Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple. |
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