Selected Bible texts

Although my education took place in non-denominational schools, it was a statutory requirement that some hours of the week be reserved for religious education and one of the exercises was to learn by rote passages from the Bible. I don't know whether it was the wisdom of the teachers in selecting the texts or their skill in indoctrination, but these in particular have stayed with me ever since and they seem now particularly appropriate to the themes of the Axioms.
At that time we used the Authorized or King James version and this is the translation which appears here. Perhaps because of its use throughout the centuries as a source of spiritual strength, this version has a special power for me which the modern versions lack.
The passages in italics may be used as mantras, for repetition in times of need.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

- Psalms 23

Christ's Sermon on the Mount

BLESSED are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BLESSED are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
BLESSED are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
BLESSED are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
BLESSED are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
BLESSED are the pure in heart: for they shall see GOD.
BLESSED are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD.
BLESSED are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BLESSED are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in heaven.

- Matthew 5, 3-16

St Paul's Epistle on Charity

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not Charity, I am become as sounding brass, or as a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, that I could remove mountains, and have not Charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Charity envieth not; Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Charity.

- 1 Corinthians 13

The Word was made flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD and the Word was GOD.
The same was in the beginning with GOD.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from GOD, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

- John 1, 1-14

PIERS
Clement

Nederlands | Piers index

Version 2 9-Feb-1997

This page hosted by

Get your own Free Home Page Last updated 25.4.2003