Prayer

Twice in the New Testament Jesus told us what to say when we pray: So pray this way[1] (οὕτως οὖν προσεύχεσθε ὑμεῖς; literally, “in this manner then pray you”) and When you pray, say[2] (ὅταν προσεύχησθε λέγετε).  I compared them this morning thinking about the rationale for removing For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen[3] from Matthew 6:13 in the NET and other translations.

Matthew (NET) Greek Text Luke (NET) Greek Text
When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard [Table].  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  So pray this way:

Matthew 6:7-9a (NET)

Προσευχόμενοι δὲ μὴ βατταλογήσητε ὥσπερ οἱ ἐθνικοί, δοκοῦσιν γὰρ ὅτι ἐν τῇ πολυλογίᾳ αὐτῶν εἰσακουσθήσονται.  μὴ οὖν ὁμοιωθῆτε αὐτοῖς· οἶδεν γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὧν χρείαν ἔχετε πρὸ τοῦ ὑμᾶς αἰτῆσαι αὐτόν.  οὕτως οὖν προσεύχεσθε ὑμεῖς·

Matthew 6:7-9a

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”  So he said to them, “When you pray, say:

Luke 11:1, 2a (NET)

Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐν τόπῳ τινὶ προσευχόμενον, ὡς ἐπαύσατο, εἶπεν τις τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν· κύριε, δίδαξον ἡμᾶς προσεύχεσθαι, καθὼς καὶ Ἰωάννης ἐδίδαξεν τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ.  εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς· ὅταν προσεύχησθε λέγετε·

Luke 11:1, 2a

The wording here (especially in Greek) persuaded me that I was dealing with two different instances of instruction, not just one teaching recalled two different ways.  In the sermon on the mount recorded by Matthew Jesus, unbidden, taught his listeners how to pray in distinction to how Gentiles (ἐθνικοί, a form of ἐθνικός) prayed.  On another occasion recorded by Luke a disciple asked Jesus to teach them to pray just as (καθὼς) John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray.  And I assume that means John the Baptist taught his disciples how to pray, not that Jesus’ disciple wanted to learn the words that John taught his disciples to pray from Jesus.

Matthew (NET) Greek Text Luke (NET) Greek Text
Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come,

Matthew 6:9b, 10a (NET)

Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς· ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομα σου·  ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου·

Matthew 6:9b, 10a

Father, may your name be honored; may your kingdom come.

Luke 11:2b (NET)

Πάτερ, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομα σου· ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου·

Luke 11:2b

May your name be honored;may your kingdom come (ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομα σου· ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου·)—is identical in both Gospel accounts in Greek.  The difference is Our Father in heaven (Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς) recorded by Matthew and Father (Πάτερ) recorded by Luke.  I don’t assume that Jesus told the larger congregation on the mount to pray to Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς and then turned around and informed the more intimate group of his disciples to pray each to his own biological Πάτερ.  Rather, I assume that Jesus expected the intimate group of his disciples to understand Πάτερ as Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

Matthew (NET) Greek Text Luke (NET) Greek Text
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10b (NET) Table

γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημα σου,ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς·

Matthew 6:10b

Here Matthew recorded something—may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven—that Luke did not.  I don’t assume that Luke was so opposed to God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven that he discarded it from the text.  Nor do I assume that Matthew made it up.  Rather, I assume again that Jesus expected the intimate group of his disciples to understand the coming of the kingdom of God as God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew (NET) Greek Text Luke (NET) Greek Text
Give us today our daily bread,

Matthew 6:11 (NET)

τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον·

Matthew 6:11

Give us each day our daily bread,

Luke 11:3 (NET)

τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δίδου ἡμῖν τὸκαθ᾿ ἡμέραν·

Luke 11:3

Here, what is being given—τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον—is identical (“our bread sufficient for the coming” in classical Greek[4]).  I assume Jesus means the bread of life,[5] that portion of Christ who lives in me,[6] the fruit of the Spirit,[7] the credited righteousness of God,[8] sufficient as far as it depends on me to do the will of God on earth as it is done in heaven to bring forth the kingdom of God to honor his name.  And though I used myself as an example—“as far as it depends on me”—the prayer He taught us to pray is not for me alone, but for all who call or have called or will call on our Father in heaven.

The differences—δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον, and δίδου ἡμῖν τὸ καθ᾿ ἡμέραν—seem inconsequential.  The Greek words δὸς and δίδου are different forms of δίδωμι, to give.  The Greek σήμερον means today, this day; καθ᾿ (a form of κατά) is defined: “1) down from, through out 2) according to, toward, along,” and was translated each, while ἡμέραν (a form of ἡμέρα) means day.  If any difference is worth mentioning it is simply that Jesus counseled the intimate group of his disciples to expect this gift of righteousness each day, every day, all day.

Matthew (NET) Greek Text Luke (NET) Greek Text
and forgive us our debts,

Matthew 6:12a (NET)

καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν,

Matthew 6:12a

and forgive us our sins,

Luke 11:4a (NET)

καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν,

Luke 11:4a

In Matthew’s Gospel account Jesus spoke euphemistically of ὀφειλήματα (a form of ὀφείλημα, debts), but with the more intimate group of his disciples He said ἁμαρτίας (a form of ἁμαρτία, sins).  But after the prayer He taught in Matthew’s Gospel account, Jesus said, For if you forgive others their sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα), your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins (παραπτώματα).[9]  I’ve written elsewhere about the interchangeability of παράπτωμα with ἁμαρτία.  And I think this difference becomes clearer in the comparison of the next statement.

Matthew (NET) Greek Text Luke (NET) Greek Text
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 6:12b (NET)

ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν·

Matthew 6:12b

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

Luke 11:4b (NET)

καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἀφίομεν παντὶ ὀφείλοντι ἡμῖν·

Luke 11:4b

Here, in Mathew’s Gospel account Jesus continued with the euphemistic ὀφειλέταις (a form of ὀφειλέτης) ἡμῶν (our debtors).  Though the NET translators chose everyone who sins against us for παντὶ ὀφείλοντι ἡμῖν in Luke’s Gospel account, ὀφείλοντι is a form of ὀφείλω (to owe).  We don’t actually stand in relation to others like God with a law that they might sin against; “for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us” is probably a better translation.  And the more positive for we also forgive makes sense since Jesus did not go on to elaborate—For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins—when teaching the intimate group of his disciples.

Matthew (NET) Greek Text Luke (NET) Greek Text
And do not lead us into temptation,

Matthew 6:13a (NET)

καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν,

Matthew 6:13a

And do not lead us into temptation.”

Luke 11:4c (NET)

καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν.

Luke 11:4c

but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:13b (NET)

ἀλλὰ ρῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.

Matthew 6:13b

Here, I don’t assume that Luke was partial to evil and rejected being delivered from it.  Neither do I assume that Mathew was so prone to evil he added it to Jesus’ teaching.  I assume again that Jesus expected the intimate group of his disciples to understand that the leading not into temptation (KJV) is deliverance from evil.  I’ve written elsewhere how I am not fond of limiting τοῦ πονηροῦ to the evil one.  In this case it is because I am so prone to evil that I long to be delivered from it in all its forms.

When I come to ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοῦς αἰῶνας ἀμήν (“because yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen”) what am I to assume?  The note in the NET reads:

Most mss (L W Θ 0233 Ë13 33 Ï sy sa Didache) read (though some with slight variation) ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ἀμήν (“for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen”) here. The reading without this sentence, though, is attested by generally better witnesses (א B D Z 0170 Ë1 pc lat mae Or). The phrase was probably composed for the liturgy of the early church and most likely was based on 1 Chr 29:11-13; a scribe probably added the phrase at this point in the text for use in public scripture reading (see TCGNT 13-14). Both external and internal evidence argue for the shorter reading.

So, in other words some scribe got hyper-religious one day and decided to make Jesus’ words more holy by adding David’s words to them.  As scenarios go, it’s a possible scenario, probably worth a footnote.  But is it a good enough scenario to stand before God and say, “Oh, yeah, we threw those words right out of the Bible because of this scenario we imagined”?

Here is David’s prayer (1 Chronicles 29:10-19 NET):

David praised the Lord before the entire assembly:

“O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore!  O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth!  You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.  You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all.  You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!

“But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much?  Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.  For we are resident foreigners and nomads in your presence, like all our ancestors; our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security.  O Lord our God, all this wealth, which we have collected to build a temple for you to honor your holy name, comes from you; it all belongs to you.  I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity.  With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.  O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, maintain the motives of your people and keep them devoted to you.  Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”

No doubt at all that David’s prayer was in the same Spirit as Jesus’ teaching on prayer:  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  It is consistent with other teachings:  Why do you call me good?  No one is good except God alone.[10]  “Would any one of you say to your slave who comes in from the field after plowing or shepherding sheep, ‘Come at once and sit down for a meal’?  Won’t the master instead say to him, ‘Get my dinner ready, and make yourself ready to serve me while I eat and drink.  Then you may eat and drink’?  He won’t thank the slave because he did what he was told, will he?  So you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say, ‘We are slaves undeserving of special praise; we have only done what was our duty.’”[11]

The word translated undeserving of special praise is ἀχρεῖοι (a form of ἀχρεῖος).  The note in the NET reads: “Some translations describe the slaves as ‘worthless’ (NRSV) or ‘unworthy’ (NASB, NIV) but that is not Jesus’ point. These disciples have not done anything deserving special commendation or praise (L&N 33.361), but only what would normally be expected of a slave in such a situation (thus the translation ‘we have only done what was our duty’).”  But they did translate ἀχρεῖον (another form of ἀχρεῖος) worthless in “The Parable of the Talents.”

The worthless slave was given a talent, equivalent to 6,000 denarii according to a footnote.  In Matthew 20:2 day laborers agreed to work a day in the field for a denarius.  If I assume a six day work week there are 312 working days in a year, and so 6,000 divided by 312 equals 19.23 years, almost 19 years and three months of a day laborers pay.

The worthless slave did no business with his master’s money, nor did he invest it with others who might have done so.  I was afraid, he said, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.  See, you have what is yours.[12]  So he was fired, as any of us might fire a worthless employee.  But when we have done everything [we] were commanded to do, why should we still consider ourselves worthless slaves?

I think it is because everything we have done has been done in God,[13] for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God.[14]  As David prayed, who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much?  Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.[15]  God has granted us our daily bread of life, because the kingdom and the power and the glory belong to Him forever.  Amen.

And I will do well to be reminded of that daily, as long as it is called today.[16]

 

[1] Matthew 6:9a (NET)

[2] Luke 11:2a (NET)

[3] Matthew 6:13b (NET)

[4] http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=epiousion&la=greek

[5] John 6:35, 48-51 (NET)

[6] Galatians 2:20 (NET)

[7] Galatians 5:16-18, 22, 23 (NET)

[8] Romans 4 (NET)

[9] Matthew 6:14, 15 (NET)

[10] Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19 (NET)

[11] Luke 17:7-10 (NET)

[12] Matthew 25:25 (NET)

[13] John 3:21 (NET)

[14] Philippians 2:13 (NET)

[15] 1 Chronicles 29:14 (NET)

[16] Hebrews 3:13 (NET)

Romans, Part 32

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear (φόβον, a form of φόβος),[1] Paul continued, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”[2]  Human beings have been afraid of God ever since Adam died and hid from Him, saying, and I was afraid because I was naked.[3]  That is καὶ ἐφοβήθην (a form of φοβέω) ὅτι γυμνός εἰμι[4] in the Septuagint, literally, and I was afraid because naked I am   And naked we still are, because no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked (γυμνὰ, a form of γυμνός)[5] and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account (λόγος).[6]  It is fitting that the fear that came upon us when Adam sinned is banished in Christ.

The word Abba is the childish word for father.  It reminds me of the picture of John John Kennedy peeking out from under his father’s desk in the oval office at the White House.  In October of 1962 President Kennedy was the most feared man on the planet, with the power to plunge the world into nuclear war.  But to John John, he was Daddy.  The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.  And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with (συμπάσχομεν, a form of συμπάσχω)[7] him so we may also be glorified with (συνδοξασθῶμεν, a form of συνδοξάζω)[8] him.[9]

There are many things someone might suffer, but this linkage of suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him leads me back to chapter 6: Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory (δόξης, a form of δόξα)[10] of the Father, so we too may live a new life.[11]  Once Jesus’ disciples knew that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God[12] he instructed them not to tell anyone.[13]

From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer (παθεῖν, a form of πάθω)[14] many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.[15]

So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: “God forbid, Lord!  This must not happen to you!”[16]  Mark emphasized that Jesus spoke openly about this.  So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.[17]  But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to me, because you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.”  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.[18]  And Paul wrote, For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection.[19]

So the suffering Paul had in mind I think was primarily the frustration and inner confusion associated with this death and resurrection experience, particularly that neither I (old man born of the flesh nor new man born of the Spirit) can do what I wantFor the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.[20]  I’ve written in another essay in more detail that I think the essence of taking up one’s cross to follow Jesus in this death is not my will but yours be done,[21] and a few more ideas about this suffering of death in anotherFor I consider that our present sufferings (παθήματα, a form of πάθημα)[22] cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us,[23] Paul continued (Romans 8:19-21 NET).

For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God [e.g., all who are led by the Spirit of God[24]].  For the creation was subjected to futility – not willingly but because of God who subjected it – in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage (δουλείας, a form of δουλεία)[25] of decay (φθορᾶς, a form of φθορά)[26] into the glorious freedom of God’s children.

In school I learned about evolution, that marvelous creative force that made everything we see today.  In my real life I travel from medical conference to medical conference where I hear about genetic defects and diseases, the bondage of decay, the actual observable results of evolution.  The palliation of genetic defects and diseases is one of our last locally produced products and a mainspring of our economy.  While medical researchers may intend to find “cures” for genetic defects and diseases good economic sense would argue against that.  But there is another more pressing problem to consider, more long range and more far reaching.

Those who are faithful to their creator evolution, what I will call the evolutionary mind, face a daunting problem when it comes to “cures” for the products of evolution.  To my mind a cure would be found along the lines of investigation leading to an understanding of God’s original design of the genetic code for humankind.  This would not be conceivable to the evolutionary mind.  There was no grand design, no right way for the code to be written.  It was all happenstance that happened to produce life-forms that survived under given conditions.  For the evolutionary mind a “cure” must come from one’s own mind, evaluating the conditions people must thrive under and “Imagineering” so to speak how the code should read to accommodate those conditions.

Just as an aside, it occurs to me that back-breeding (e.g., inter-racial marriage) is still quite effective to overcoming some of the genetic burden that continues to accumulate over time.  When I was young such marriage was a curiosity.  Now inter-racial marriage seems to be a positive symptom of enlightened thinking among many young people.  If that trend continues and becomes standard practice it may well alleviate the necessity for any more Draconian measures forbidding intra-racial marriage.  And to my way of thinking it is the religious mind that would stand in the way of inter-racial marriage much like it would have bridled at God’s decrees against intra-familial marriage when genetic burden made that necessary.

Paul’s point, however, was that those who trust in Christ, or more specifically those led by the Spirit of God, wait for God’s solution, that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.  While the children don’t know exactly how this will take place, they assume it is along the lines of death and resurrection that they are experiencing, a destruction by fire and a creation of new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:8-13 NET).  Ultimately, the children trust that Abba, Daddy has everything under control.  The scorn and ridicule that elicits from those with an evolutionary mind may also be part of the suffering Paul wrote about.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together (συνωδίνει, a form of συνωδίνω)[27] until now.  Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.  For in hope we were saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?[28]

This is what convinced me that for Paul, So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin,[29] and, For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want,[30] were normative for the believer’s experience here on earth.  They are the suffering to which he referred.  Even being led by the Spirit is but a foretaste of the glory that will be revealed to us.  It is the foretaste that prompts us to pray, Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.[31]

But if we hope for what we do not see, Paul concluded, we eagerly wait for it with endurance (ὑπομονῆς, a form of ὑπομονή).[32]

Romans, Part 33

Fear – Genesis, Part 1

Twilight Revisited 

Back to Fear – Genesis, Part 2

Back to You Must Be Gentle, Part 3


[2] Romans 8:15 (NET)

[3] Genesis 3:10 (NET)

[6] Hebrews 4:13 (NET)

[9] Romans 8:16, 17 (NET)

[11] Romans 6:4 (NET)

[15] Matthew 16:21 (NET)

[16] Matthew 16:22 (NET)

[17] Mark 8:32 (NET)

[18] Matthew 16:23, 24 (NET)

[19] Romans 6:5 (NET)

[20] Galatians 5:17 (NET)

[21] Luke 22:42b (NET)

[23] Romans 8:18 (NET)

[28] Romans 8:22-24 (NET)

[29] Romans 7:25b (NKJV)

[30] Galatians 5:17 (NET)

[31] Matthew 6:9, 10 (NET)

[32] Romans 8:25 (NET)

The Will of God – Jesus, Part 1

For whoever does (ποιήσῃ, a form of ποιέω) the will (θέλημα) of God is my brother and sister and mother,1 Jesus said.  I searched to see what else Jesus said about the θέλημα of God.  So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will (θέλημα) be done (γενηθήτω, a form of γίνομαι) on earth2 as it is in heaven [Table].3  Jesus associated his Father’s will being done or becoming on earth as it is in heaven with his name being honored and the coming of his kingdom.  And this was in contrast to the prayer of the Gentiles (Matthew 6:7, 8 NET).

When you pray, do not babble repetitiously4 like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does (ποιῶν, another form of ποιέω) the will (θέλημα) of my Father in heaven,”5 Jesus said.  “On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy6 in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do (ἐποιήσαμεν, another form of ποιέω) many powerful deeds (δυνάμεις, a form of δύναμις)?’ [Table]  Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew (ἔγνων, a form of γινώσκω) you.  Go away from me, you lawbreakers (KJV, that work [ἐργαζόμενοι, a form of ἐργάζομαι] iniquity [ἀνομίαν, a form of ἀνομία])!’”7

That statement has always shocked me.  The only sense I have ever made of these miracle working lawbreakers who are unknown to Jesus is by contrast to those who love (ἀγαπῶσιν, a form of ἀγαπάω) God, who are called (κλητοῖς, a form of κλητός) according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew (προέγνω, a form of προγινώσκω) he also predestined (προώρισεν, a form of προορίζω) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined (προώρισεν, a form of προορίζω), he also called (ἐκάλεσεν, a form of καλέω); and those he called (ἐκάλεσεν, a form of καλέω), he also justified (ἐδικαίωσεν, a form of δικαιόω); and those he justified (ἐδικαίωσεν, a form of δικαιόω), he also glorified (ἐδόξασεν, a form of δοξάζω).8

After I wrote that it felt a bit lazy on my part.  The least I could do is a Google search, I thought.  I typed in “spiritist Jesus” and got 1,090,000 entries in 0.30 seconds.  Obviously, Jesus is more aware of my world than I am.  I didn’t spend enough time there to verify miracles or ascertain violations of God’s law.  But since there are apparently spiritists claiming allegiance to Jesus I’ll repeat the law.

Do not turn to the spirits of the dead and do not seek familiar spirits to become unclean by them.  I am the Lord your God.9  A man or woman who has in them a spirit of the dead or a familiar spirit must be put to death.10  Now I’m not advocating the death penalty for a spiritist any more than I would for an adulterer like me.  I quote the law simply to get some idea of its weight in God’s mind.  Its penalty is equivalent to adultery.  God never said that it was impossible to gain knowledge from the spirits of the dead or familiar spirits, he simply forbade his people from gaining that knowledge that way.

After Samuel the prophet died King Saul longed for his advice when the Lord would no longer answer him (1 Samuel 28:7-14 NET).

So Saul instructed his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.”

His servants replied to him, “There is a woman who is a medium in Endor.”

So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing and left, accompanied by two of his men.  They came to the woman at night and said, “Use your ritual pit to conjure up for me the one I tell you.”

But the woman said to him, “Look, you are aware of what Saul has done; he has removed the mediums and magicians from the land!  Why are you trapping me so you can put me to death?”

But Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter!”

The woman replied, “Who is it that I should bring up for you?”

He said, “Bring up for me Samuel.”

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly.  The woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me?  You are Saul!”

The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid!  What have you seen?”

The woman replied to Saul, “I have seen one like a god coming up from the ground!”

He said to her, “What about his appearance?”

She said, “An old man is coming up!  He is wrapped in a robe!”

Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed his face toward the ground and kneeled down.

Thus far the essentially rationalist bias of my mind can console itself with the idea that this was all mumbo jumbo.  After all, who knows what they were smoking in that ritual pit.  But I am also filled by the Holy Spirit who supplies me daily with faith (πίστις).  So when the Scripture continues, Samuel said to Saul, my biased, essentially rationalist, mind is compelled to sit down, shut up and pay attention (1 Samuel 28:15-19 NET).

“Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”

Saul replied, “I am terribly troubled!  The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me.  He does not answer me – not by the prophets nor by dreams.  So I have called on you to tell me what I should do.”

Samuel said, “Why are you asking me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy?  The Lord has done exactly as I prophesied!  The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor David!  Since you did not obey the Lord (1 Samuel 15) and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this thing to you today.  The Lord will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines!  Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me.  The Lord will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!”

Jesus told a parable about a man with two sons.  He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard11 today.”  The boy answered, ‘I will not.’  But later he had a change of heart (μεταμεληθεὶς, a form of μεταμέλλομαι) and wentThe father went12 to the other13 son and said the same thing.  This boy answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go.  Which of the two did (ἐποίησεν, another form of ποιέω) his father’s will (θέλημα)?14  Those standing there answered, the first, and Jesus did not dispute their answer.

That servant who knew (γνοὺς, another form of γινώσκω) his15 master’s will (θέλημα) but did not get ready or16 do (ποιήσας, another form of ποιέω) what his master asked (θέλημα) will receive a severe beating.  But the one who did not know (γνοὺς, another form of γινώσκω) his master’s will and did (ποιήσας, another form of ποιέω) things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.17

Jesus said to his disciples, “My food is to do18 (ποιήσω, another form of ποιέω) the will (θέλημα) of the one who sent me and to complete (τελειώσω, a form of τελειόω) his work (ἔργον).”19  For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will (θέλημα) but the will (θέλημα) of the one who sent me.20  And to the Jewish leaders He said, I can do (ποιεῖν, another form of ποιέω) nothing on my own initiative.  Just as I hear (ἀκούω), I judge (κρίνω), and my judgment (κρίσις) is just (δικαία, a form of δίκαιος), because I do not seek my own will (θέλημα), but the will (θέλημα) of the one who sent me.21

 

Addendum: December 6, 2020
Samuel described Saul’s offense as not fearing the Lord by the definition I gleaned from Deuteronomy.  He said, thou didst not hearken (Tanakh), you did not obey (NET), שָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙ (shama`) in Hebrew in the Masoretic text, or you did not hear (NETS), thou didst not hearken (English Elpenor), ἤκουσας (a form of ἀκούω) in Greek in the Septuagint.  Saul didst not execute (Tanakh), and did not carry out (NET), עָשִֹ֥יתָ (asah) in Hebrew, or did not carry out (NET), thou didst not execute (English Elpenor), ἐποίησε(ν) (a form of ποιέω) in Greek.

Saul did not have the fear of the Lord: a heart to hear and do whatsoever the Lord our God shall speak.  Here, too, holy genocide was the whatsoever Saul refused to hear and do.

While I do think that Jesus is the fear of the Lord—the heart to hear and do whatsoever the Lord our God shall speak, He used the words hear and do somewhat differently (John 5:30 NET):

I can do (ποιεῖν, a form of ποιέω) nothing on my own initiative.  Just as I hear (ἀκούω), I judge, and my judgment is just because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.

As I hear, I judge (κρίνω) is Jesus’ unique take on “to hear and do whatsoever the Lord our God shall speak” (John 5:19b-23 NET):

I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do (ποιεῖν, a form of ποιέω) nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing (ποιοῦντα, another form of ποιέω).  For whatever the Father does (ποιῇ, another form of ποιέω), the Son does (ποιεῖ, another form of ποιέω) likewise [Table].  For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does (ποιεῖ, another form of ποιέω), and will show him greater deeds than these, so that you will be amazed.  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes.  Furthermore, the Father does not judge (κρίνει, a form of κρίνω) anyone, but has assigned all judgment (κρίσιν, a form of κρίσις) to the Son, so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

The standing order of the day for those who have been shown mercy (Romans 9:14-24; Matthew 18:21-35) remains (Matthew 7:1, 2 NET):

Do not judge (κρίνετε, another form of κρίνω) so that you will not be judged (κριθῆτε, another form of κρίνω).  For by the standard you judge (κρίνετε) you will be judged (κριθήσεσθε, another form of κρίνω), and the measure you use will be the measure (μετρηθήσεται, another form of μετρέω) you receive [Table].

Tables comparing Leviticus 19:31; 20:27; 1 Samuel 28:7; 28:8; 28:9; 28:10; 28:11; 28:12; 28:13; 28:14; 28:15; 28:16; 28:17; 28:18 and 28:19 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing Leviticus 19:31; 20:27; 1 Samuel (Reigns, Kings) 28:7; 28:8; 28:9; 28:10; 28:11; 28:12; 28:13; 28:14; 28:15; 28:16; 28:17; 28:18 and 28:19 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow. Tables comparing Matthew 6:7; 7:22; 21:28; 21:30, 31; Luke 12:47 and John 4:34 in the NET and KJV follows those.

Leviticus 19:31 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 19:31 (KJV)

Leviticus 19:31 (NET)

Turn ye not unto the ghosts, nor unto familiar spirits; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am HaShem your G-d. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Do not turn to the spirits of the dead and do not seek familiar spirits to become unclean by them.  I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19:31 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 19:31 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἐπακολουθήσετε ἐγγαστριμύθοις καὶ τοῗς ἐπαοιδοῗς οὐ προσκολληθήσεσθε ἐκμιανθῆναι ἐν αὐτοῗς ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν οὐκ ἐπακολουθήσετε ἐγγαστριμύθοις καὶ τοῖς ἐπαοιδοῖς οὐ προσκολληθήσεσθε, ἐκμιανθῆναι ἐν αὐτοῖς· ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν

Leviticus 19:31 (NETS)

Leviticus 19:31 (English Elpenor)

You shall not follow after ventriloquists, and you shall not attach yourselves to enchanters, to be thoroughly polluted by them; it is I who am the Lord your God. Ye shall not attend to those who have in them divining spirits, nor attach yourselves to enchanters, to pollute yourselves with them: I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 20:27 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 20:27 (KJV)

Leviticus 20:27 (NET)

A man also or a woman that divineth by a ghost or a familiar spirit, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them. A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. “‘A man or woman who has in them a spirit of the dead or a familiar spirit must be put to death.  They must pelt them with stones; their blood guilt is on themselves.’”

Leviticus 20:27 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 20:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή ὃς ἂν γένηται αὐτῶν ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἢ ἐπαοιδός θανάτῳ θανατούσθωσαν ἀμφότεροι λίθοις λιθοβολήσατε αὐτούς ἔνοχοί εἰσιν Καὶ ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή, ὃς ἂν γένηται αὐτῶν ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἢ ἐπαοιδός, θανάτῳ θανατούσθωσαν ἀμφότεροι· λίθοις λιθοβολήσετε αὐτούς, ἔνοχοί εἰσι

Leviticus 20:27 (NETS)

Leviticus 20:27 (English Elpenor)

And a man or a woman—whoever among them becomes a ventriloquist or an enchanter, let both by death be put to death; with stones you shall stone them; they are liable. And [as for] a man or woman whosoever of them shall have in them a divining spirit, or be an enchanter, let them both die the death: ye shall stone them with stones, they are guilty.

1 Samuel 28:7 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:7 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:7 (NET)

Then said Saul unto his servants: ‘Seek me a woman that divineth by a ghost, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.’  And his servants said to him: ‘Behold, there is a woman that divineth by a ghost at En-dor.’ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her.  And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. So Saul instructed his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.”  His servants replied to him, “There is a woman who is a medium in Endor.”

1 Samuel 28:7 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τοῗς παισὶν αὐτοῦ ζητήσατέ μοι γυναῗκα ἐγγαστρίμυθον καὶ πορεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτὴν καὶ ζητήσω ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῗδες αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἐν Αενδωρ καὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ· ζητήσατέ μοι γυναῖκα ἐγγαστρίμυθον, καὶ πορεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτὴν καὶ ζητήσω ἐν αὐτῇ· καὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν· ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἐν ᾿Αενδώρ

1 Reigns 28:7 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:7 (English Elpenor)

And Saoul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a ventriloquizing woman, and I will go to her and inquire by her,” and his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a ventriloquizing woman at Aendor.” Then Saul said to his servants, Seek for me a woman who has in her a divining spirit, and I will go to her, and enquire of her: and his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman who has in her a divining spirit at Aendor.

1 Samuel 28:8 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:8 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:8 (NET)

And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said: ‘Divine unto me, I pray thee, by a ghost, and bring me up whomsoever I shall name unto thee.’ And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing and left, accompanied by two of his men.  They came to the woman at night and said, “Use your ritual pit to conjure up for me the one I tell you.”

1 Samuel 28:8 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ συνεκαλύψατο Σαουλ καὶ περιεβάλετο ἱμάτια ἕτερα καὶ πορεύεται αὐτὸς καὶ δύο ἄνδρες μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς τὴν γυναῗκα νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ μάντευσαι δή μοι ἐν τῷ ἐγγαστριμύθῳ καὶ ἀνάγαγέ μοι ὃν ἐὰν εἴπω σοι καὶ συνεκαλύψατο Σαοὺλ καὶ περιεβάλετο ἱμάτια ἕτερα καὶ πορεύεται αὐτὸς καὶ δύο ἄνδρες μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· μάντευσαι δή μοι ἐν τῷ ἐγγαστριμύθῳ καὶ ἀνάγαγέ μοι ὃν ἐὰν εἴπω σοι

1 Reigns 28:8 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:8 (English Elpenor)

And Saoul disguised himself and put on other clothes and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night, and he said to her, “Do seek divinations for me by a ventriloquist, and bring up for me whomever I say to you.” And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he goes, and two men with him, and they come to the woman by night; and he said to her, Divine to me, I pray thee, by the divining spirit within thee, and bring up to me him whom I shall name to thee.

1 Samuel 28:9 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:9 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:9 (NET)

And the woman said unto him: ‘Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that divine by a ghost or a familiar spirit out of the land; wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?’ And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? But the woman said to him, “Look, you are aware of what Saul has done; he has removed the mediums and magicians from the land!  Why are you trapping me so you can put me to death?”

1 Samuel 28:9 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς αὐτόν ἰδοὺ δὴ σὺ οἶδας ὅσα ἐποίησεν Σαουλ ὡς ἐξωλέθρευσεν τοὺς ἐγγαστριμύθους καὶ τοὺς γνώστας ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἵνα τί σὺ παγιδεύεις τὴν ψυχήν μου θανατῶσαι αὐτήν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἡ γυνή· ἰδοὺ δὴ σὺ οἶδας ὅσα ἐποίησε Σαούλ, ὡς ἐξωλόθρευσε τοὺς ἐγγαστριμύθους καὶ τοὺς γνώστας ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς· καὶ ἱνατί σὺ παγιδεύεις τὴν ψυχήν μου θανατῶσαι αὐτήν

1 Reigns 28:9 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:9 (English Elpenor)

And the woman said to him, “Behold, indeed you know what Saoul did, how he cut off the ventriloquists and those in the know from the land, and why are you laying a snare for my life to put it to death?” And the woman said to him, Behold now, thou knowest what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who had in them divining spirits, and the wizards from the land, and why dost thou spread a snare for my life to destroy it?

1 Samuel 28:10 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:10 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:10 (NET)

And Saul swore to her by HaShem, saying: ‘As HaShem liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.’ And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. But Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter!”

1 Samuel 28:10 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ὤμοσεν αὐτῇ Σαουλ λέγων ζῇ κύριος εἰ ἀπαντήσεταί σοι ἀδικία ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ καὶ ὤμοσεν αὐτῇ Σαοὺλ λέγων· ζῇ Κύριος, εἰ ἀπαντήσεταί σοι ἀδικία ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ

1 Reigns 28:10 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:10 (English Elpenor)

And Saoul swore to her, saying, “The Lord lives, if injustice shall befall you in this matter.” And Saul swore to her, and said, [As] the Lord lives, no injury shall come upon thee on this account.

1 Samuel 28:11 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:11 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:11 (NET)

Then said the woman: ‘Whom shall I bring up unto thee?’  And he said: ‘Bring me up Samuel.’ Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee?  And he said, Bring me up Samuel. The woman replied, “Who is it that I should bring up for you?”  He said, “Bring up for me Samuel.”

1 Samuel 28:11 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνή τίνα ἀναγάγω σοι καὶ εἶπεν τὸν Σαμουηλ ἀνάγαγέ μοι καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνή· τίνα ἀναγάγω σοι; καὶ εἶπε· τὸν Σαμουὴλ ἀνάγαγέ μοι

1 Reigns 28:11 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:11 (English Elpenor)

And the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”  And he said, “Bring up Samouel for me.” And the woman said, Whom shall I bring up to thee? and he said, Bring up to me Samuel.

1 Samuel 28:12 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:12 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:12 (NET)

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying: ‘Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.’ And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly.  The woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me?  You are Saul!”

1 Samuel 28:12 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶδεν ἡ γυνὴ τὸν Σαμουηλ καὶ ἀνεβόησεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς Σαουλ ἵνα τί παρελογίσω με καὶ σὺ εἶ Σαουλ καὶ εἶδεν ἡ γυνὴ τὸν Σαμουὴλ καὶ ἀνεβόησε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς Σαούλ· ἱνατί παρελογίσω με; καὶ σὺ εἶ Σαούλ.

1 Reigns 28:12 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:12 (English Elpenor)

And the woman saw Samouel, and she cried out with a loud voice, and the woman said to Saoul, “Why did you deceive me?  And you are Saoul!” And the woman saw Samuel, and cried out with a loud voice: and the woman said to Saul, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

1 Samuel 28:13 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:13 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:13 (NET)

And the king said unto her: ‘Be not afraid; for what seest thou?’  And the woman said unto Saul: ‘I see a godlike being coming up out of the earth.’ And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou?  And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid!  But what have you seen?”  The woman replied to Saul, “I have seen a divine being coming up from the ground!”

1 Samuel 28:13 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ βασιλεύς μὴ φοβοῦ εἰπὸν τίνα ἑόρακας καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Θεοὺς ἑόρακα ἀναβαίνοντας ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ βασιλεύς· μὴ φοβοῦ, εἰπὸν τίνα ἑώρακας. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ γυνή· θεοὺς ἑώρακα ἀναβαίνοντας ἐκ τῆς γῆς

1 Reigns 28:13 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:13 (English Elpenor)

And the king said to her, “Have no fear; tell whom you have seen.”  And she said to him, “I have seen gods coming up out of the ground.” And the king said to her, Fear not; tell me whom thou hast seen.  And the woman said to him, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

1 Samuel 28:14 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:14 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:14 (NET)

And he said unto her: ‘What form is he of?’  And she said: ‘An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a robe.’  And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and prostrated himself. And he said unto her, What form is he of?  And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle.  And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. He said to her, “What about his appearance?”  She said, “An old man is coming up!  He is wrapped in a robe!”  Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed his face toward the ground and kneeled down.

1 Samuel 28:14 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ τί ἔγνως καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἄνδρα ὄρθιον ἀναβαίνοντα ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ οὗτος διπλοΐδα ἀναβεβλημένος καὶ ἔγνω Σαουλ ὅτι Σαμουηλ οὗτος καὶ ἔκυψεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· τί ἔγνως; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἄνδρα ὄρθιον ἀναβαίνοντα ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οὗτος διπλοΐδα ἀναβεβλημένος. καὶ ἔγνω Σαούλ, ὅτι οὗτος Σαμουήλ, καὶ ἔκυψεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ

1 Reigns 28:14 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:14 (English Elpenor)

And he said to her, “What did you perceive?”  And she said to him, “A man, standing, coming up out of the ground, and he is wrapped in a double-cloak.”  And Saoul knew that this was Samouel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and did obeisance to him. And he said to her, What didst thou perceive? and she said to him, An upright man ascending out of the earth, and he [was] clothed with a mantle.  And Saul knew that this was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the earth, and did obeisance to him.

1 Samuel 28:15 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:15 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:15 (NET)

And Samuel said to Saul: ‘Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?’  And Saul answered: ‘I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and G-d is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams; therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.’ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?  And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”  Saul replied, “I am terribly troubled!  The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me.  He does not answer me anymore—not by the prophets nor by dreams.  So I have called on you to tell me what I should do.”

1 Samuel 28:15 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ ἵνα τί παρηνώχλησάς μοι ἀναβῆναί με καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ θλίβομαι σφόδρα καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πολεμοῦσιν ἐν ἐμοί καὶ ὁ θεὸς ἀφέστηκεν ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐπακήκοέν μοι ἔτι καὶ ἐν χειρὶ τῶν προφητῶν καὶ ἐν τοῗς ἐνυπνίοις καὶ νῦν κέκληκά σε γνωρίσαι μοι τί ποιήσω καὶ εἶπε Σαμουήλ· ἱνατί παρηνώχλησάς μοι ἀναβῆναί με; καὶ εἶπε Σαούλ· θλίβομαι σφόδρα, καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πολεμοῦσιν ἐν ἐμοί, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἀφέστηκεν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐπακήκοέ μοι ἔτι καὶ ἐν χειρὶ τῶν προφητῶν καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἐνυπνίοις· καὶ νῦν κέκληκά σε γνωρίσαι μοι τί ποιήσω

1 Reigns 28:15 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:15 (English Elpenor)

And Samouel said, “Why did you disturb me that I ascend?”  And Saoul said, “I am greatly distressed, and the allophyles are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and no longer heeds me, either by the hand of prophets or by dreams, and now I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” And Samuel said, Why hast thou troubled me, that I should come up?  And Saul said, I am greatly distressed, and the Philistines war against me, and God has departed from me, and no longer hearkens to me either by the hand of the prophets or by dreams: and now I have called thee to tell me what I shall do.

1 Samuel 28:16 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:16 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:16 (NET)

And Samuel said: `Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing HaShem is departed from thee, and is become thine adversary? Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? Samuel said, “Why are you asking me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy?

1 Samuel 28:16 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ ἵνα τί ἐπερωτᾷς με καὶ κύριος ἀφέστηκεν ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ γέγονεν μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου καὶ εἶπε Σαμουήλ· ἱνατί ἐπερωτᾷς με; καὶ Κύριος ἀφέστηκεν ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ γέγονε μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου

1 Reigns 28:16 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:16 (English Elpenor)

And Samouel said, “Why do you inquire of me?  And the Lord has turned from you and is with your neighbor, And Samuel said, Why askest thou me, whereas the Lord has departed from thee, and taken part with thy neighbour?

1 Samuel 28:17 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:17 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:17 (NET)

And HaShem hath wrought for Himself; as He spoke by me; and HaShem hath rent the kingdom out of thy hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David. And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: The Lord has done exactly as I prophesied!  The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor David!

1 Samuel 28:17 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ πεποίηκεν κύριός σοι καθὼς ἐλάλησεν ἐν χειρί μου καὶ διαρρήξει κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἐκ χειρός σου καὶ δώσει αὐτὴν τῷ πλησίον σου τῷ Δαυιδ καὶ πεποίηκε Κύριός σοι καθὼς ἐλάλησε Κύριος ἐν χειρί μου, καὶ διαρρήξει Κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἐκ χειρός σου καὶ δώσει αὐτὴν τῷ πλησίον σου τῷ Δαυίδ

1 Reigns 28:17 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:17 (English Elpenor)

and the Lord has done to you just as he spoke by my hand, and the Lord will tear your kingdom out of your hand and give it to your neighbor Dauid. And the Lord has done to thee, as the Lord spoke by me; and the Lord will rend thy kingdom out of thy hand, and will give it to thy neighbour David.

1 Samuel 28:18 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:18 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:18 (NET)

Because thou didst not hearken to the voice of HaShem, and didst not execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath HaShem done this thing unto thee this day. Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. Since you did not obey the Lord and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this thing to you today.

1 Samuel 28:18 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διότι οὐκ ἤκουσας φωνῆς κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησας θυμὸν ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ ἐν Αμαληκ διὰ τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ἐποίησεν κύριός σοι τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ διότι οὐκ ἤκουσας φωνῆς Κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησας θυμὸν ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ ἐν ᾿Αμαλήκ, διὰ τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ἐποίησε Κύριός σοι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ

1 Reigns 28:18 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:18 (English Elpenor)

Because you did not hear the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the Lord did this thing to you this day. because thou didst not hearken to the voice of the Lord, and didst not execute his fierce anger upon Amalec, therefore the Lord has done this thing to thee this day.

1 Samuel 28:19 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 28:19 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:19 (NET)

Moreover HaShem will deliver Israel also with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me; HaShem will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.’ Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. The Lord will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines!  Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me.  The Lord will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!”

1 Samuel 28:19 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ παραδώσει κύριος τὸν Ισραηλ μετὰ σοῦ εἰς χεῗρας ἀλλοφύλων καὶ αὔριον σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου μετὰ σοῦ πεσοῦνται καὶ τὴν παρεμβολὴν Ισραηλ δώσει κύριος εἰς χεῗρας ἀλλοφύλων καὶ παραδώσει Κύριος τὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ μετὰ σοῦ εἰς χεῖρας ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ αὔριον σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου μετὰ σοῦ πεσοῦνται, καὶ τὴν παρεμβολὴν ᾿Ισραὴλ δώσει Κύριος εἰς χεῖρας ἀλλοφύλων

1 Reigns 28:19 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:19 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord will hand over Israel along with you into the hands of allophyles, and tomorrow you and your sons with you shall fall, and the Lord will give the camp of Israel into the hands of allophyles.” And the Lord shall deliver Israel with thee into the hands of the Philistines, and to-morrow thou and thy sons with thee shall fall, and the Lord shall deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.

Matthew 6:7 (NET)

Matthew 6:7 (KJV)

When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles because they think that by their many words they will be heard. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Προσευχόμενοι δὲ μὴ βατταλογήσητε ὥσπερ οἱ ἐθνικοί, δοκοῦσιν γὰρ ὅτι ἐν τῇ πολυλογίᾳ αὐτῶν εἰσακουσθήσονται προσευχομενοι δε μη βαττολογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται προσευχομενοι δε μη βαττολογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται

Matthew 7:22 (NET)

Matthew 7:22 (KJV)

On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many powerful deeds in your name?’ Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

πολλοὶ ἐροῦσιν μοι ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ· κύριε κύριε, οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι ἐπροφητεύσαμεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν πολλοι ερουσιν μοι εν εκεινη τη ημερα κυριε κυριε ου τω σω ονοματι προεφητευσαμεν και τω σω ονοματι δαιμονια εξεβαλομεν και τω σω ονοματι δυναμεις πολλας εποιησαμεν πολλοι ερουσιν μοι εν εκεινη τη ημερα κυριε κυριε ου τω σω ονοματι προεφητευσαμεν και τω σω ονοματι δαιμονια εξεβαλομεν και τω σω ονοματι δυναμεις πολλας εποιησαμεν

Matthew 21:28 (NET)

Matthew 21:28 (KJV)

“What do you think?  A man had two sons.  He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ But what think ye?  A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Τί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ; ἄνθρωπος εἶχεν τέκνα δύο. |καὶ| προσελθὼν τῷ πρώτῳ εἶπεν· τέκνον, ὕπαγε σήμερον ἐργάζου ἐν τῷ ἀμπελῶνι τι δε υμιν δοκει ανθρωπος ειχεν τεκνα δυο και προσελθων τω πρωτω ειπεν τεκνον υπαγε σημερον εργαζου εν τω αμπελωνι μου τι δε υμιν δοκει ανθρωπος ειχεν τεκνα δυο και προσελθων τω πρωτω ειπεν τεκνον υπαγε σημερον εργαζου εν τω αμπελωνι μου

Matthew 21:30, 31 (NET)

Matthew 21:30, 31 (KJV)

The father went to the other son and said the same thing.  This boy answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. And he came to the second, and said likewise.  And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

προσελθὼν δὲ τῷ |ἑτέρῳ| εἶπεν ὡσαύτως. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· |ἐγώ, κύριε, καὶ οὐκ| ἀπῆλθεν και προσελθων τω δευτερω ειπεν ωσαυτως ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν εγω κυριε και ουκ απηλθεν και προσελθων τω δευτερω ειπεν ωσαυτως ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν εγω κυριε και ουκ απηλθεν
Which of the two did his father’s will?”  They said, “The first.”  Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, tax collectors and prostitutes will go ahead of you into the kingdom of God! Whether of them twain did the will of his father?  They say unto him, The first.  Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο ἐποίησεν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός; λέγουσιν· ὁ |πρῶτος|. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ τις εκ των δυο εποιησεν το θελημα του πατρος λεγουσιν αυτω ο πρωτος λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οι τελωναι και αι πορναι προαγουσιν υμας εις την βασιλειαν του θεου τις εκ των δυο εποιησεν το θελημα του πατρος λεγουσιν αυτω ο πρωτος λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οι τελωναι και αι πορναι προαγουσιν υμας εις την βασιλειαν του θεου

Luke 12:47 (NET)

Luke 12:47 (KJV)

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐκεῖνος δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ὁ γνοὺς τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ ἑτοιμάσας ποιήσας πρὸς τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ δαρήσεται πολλάς εκεινος δε ο δουλος ο γνους το θελημα του κυριου εαυτου και μη ετοιμασας μηδε ποιησας προς το θελημα αυτου δαρησεται πολλας εκεινος δε ο δουλος ο γνους το θελημα του κυριου εαυτου και μη ετοιμασας μηδε ποιησας προς το θελημα αυτου δαρησεται πολλας

John 4:34 (NET)

John 4:34 (KJV)

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· ἐμὸν βρῶμα ἐστιν ἵνα ποιήσω τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πέμψαντος με καὶ τελειώσω αὐτοῦ τὸ ἔργον λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους εμον βρωμα εστιν ινα ποιω το θελημα του πεμψαντος με και τελειωσω αυτου το εργον λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους εμον βρωμα εστιν ινα ποιω το θελημα του πεμψαντος με και τελειωσω αυτου το εργον

1 Mark 3:35 (NET); also Matthew 12:50 (NET)

2 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article της preceding earth.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

3 Matthew 6:9, 10 (NET); also Luke 11:2 (KJV) but not (NET) Note in NET: “Most mss (א A C D W Θ Ψ 070 Ë13 33vid Ï it) read at the end of the verse ‘may your will be done on earth as [it is] in heaven,’ making this version parallel to Matt 6:10. The shorter reading is found, however, in weighty mss (Ì75 B L pc), and cannot be easily explained as arising from the longer reading.”

5 Matthew 7:21 (NET) Table

7 Matthew 7:22, 23 (NET)

8 Romans 8:28b-30 (NET)

9 Leviticus 19:31 (NET)

10 Leviticus 20:27a (NET)

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μου (KJV: my) following vineyard.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ following went, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And) following it (KJV: came).

14 Matthew 21:28-31a (NET)

16 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μηδε (KJV: neither).

17 Luke 12:47, 48 (NET)

19 John 4:34 (NET)

20 John 6:38 (NET) Table

21 John 5:30 (NET) Table