Romans, Part 76

Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.[1]  The words translated evil for evil are κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ in Greek.  Both κακὸν and κακοῦ are forms of κακός.  Love is οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν (literally, “not counting” or “not reckoning the evil”) Paul wrote believers in Corinth.  Love is not resentful (NET), does not take into account a wrong suffered (NASB), keeps no record of wrongs (NIV), are a few English translations.  Love does no wrong (κακὸν, a form of κακός) to a neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.[2]  So the love that is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (along with joy, peace, patience, etc.) fulfills μηδενὶ κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ ἀποδιδόντες (literally, “no one evil against evil deliver”), part of the definition of love in Paul’s letter to the Romans, translated Do not repay anyone evil for evil in the NET.

The next clause, consider what is good before all people, while accurate mostly seems to me to have been toned down some to become a rule I might obey in my own strength.  The word translated consider is προνοούμενοι (a form of προνοέω), “to perceive before, foresee” in the definition in the NET.  In other words, demonstrate this foresight (apart from the Holy Spirit) at the very moment I am most offended at having been wronged (or burn in hell for all eternity).  Have I belabored this point enough yet?  And as I’ve said over and over, I belabor it mostly for my own benefit since I’m the one who seems most hell-bent on perceiving the Bible as a book of rules rather than as a Gospel of salvation!

The word translated good is καλὰ (a form of καλός).  I’ve written elsewhere contrasting the beautiful good of Jesus to the pious good of religious people.  You are the light of the world, Jesus said.  A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.  People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good (καλὰ, a form of καλός) deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.[3]

The Jewish leaders picked up rocks again to stone him to death.  Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good (καλὰ, a form of καλός) deeds from the Father.  For which one of them are you going to stone me?”  The Jewish leaders replied, “We are not going to stone you for a good (καλοῦ, another form of καλός) deed but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are claiming to be God.”[4]  It is probably worth noting that Jesus didn’t turn to Genesis 1:26 and say, “God said, ‘we will be made man.’”  So the difficult (NET notes 84 and 85) answer recorded in John 10:34-36 may serve as circumstantial evidence for an early date for vowel points.  But Jesus turned his listeners’ attention back toward his beautiful good deeds (John 10:37, 38 NET):

If I do not perform the deeds of my Father, do not believe me.  But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.

Jesus’ beautiful good deeds recorded in John 1-9 are listed below:

2:1-11 Jesus turned water into wine after his host ran out of wine
2:14-22 Jesus cleansed the temple of thieves and profiteers
2:23 Other unspecified miraculous signs prompted many to believe in his Name
4:4-42 Jesus prophesied to a Samaritan woman
4:46-54 Jesus healed the son of the royal official of Capernaum
5:1-15 Jesus healed a disabled man who did not believe
6:1-15 Jesus fed more than 5,000 people, many of whom did not believe (John 6:26)
7:31 The preponderance of miraculous signs persuaded many
8:3-11 Jesus’ gracious answer to an angry mob dissuaded them from violence
9 Jesus healed a man born blind

I debated whether I considered the cleansing of the temple a beautiful or pious good, but decided that the worthiness of the goal overshadowed the violence of the act.  I included John 8:3-11 because it is still in the text, it is beautiful, I believe it is true, and otherwise don’t have a dog in this fight (John 7:53 NET note 139).  But this exercise put something into focus for me I hadn’t fully appreciated before.  The religious minds of the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus not so much for his words but for his beautiful good deeds which gave those words such weight with the people relative to their own teachings.  “No one ever spoke[5] like this man,”[6] the officers excused themselves for failing to arrest Jesus.

The Holy Spirit does no miraculous signs through me, whether it is my disobedience, disbelief or that the people who raised me are correct that miraculous signs are no longer necessary because we have the New Testament.  (I haven’t found the latter in the Bible myself.)  Paul described a non-miraculous way to consider what is good before all people as it pertained to financial matters (2 Corinthians 8:18-21 NET):

And we are sending along with [Titus the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.  In addition, this brother has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.  We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.  For we are concerned (προνοοῦμεν, another form of προνοέω) about what is right (καλὰ, a form of καλός) not only before the Lord but also before men.

The sins of some people are obvious, Paul wrote Timothy, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.  Similarly good (καλὰ, a form of καλός) works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.[7]  And he contrasted beautiful good deeds with those which are not for Titus.

Beautiful Good Deeds

Those Which Are Not

This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good (καλῶν, another form of καλός) works.  These things are good (καλὰ, a form of καλός) and beneficial for all people.

Titus 3:8 (NET) Table

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty.

Titus 3:9 (NET)

If possible, Paul continued in Romans, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.[8]  The Greek word translated live peaceably is εἰρηνεύοντες (a form of εἰρηνεύω).  The all people part of this will be difficult for a soldier in battle.  As for the rest of us: Salt is good (καλὸν, another form of καλός), but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?  Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace (εἰρηνεύετε, another form of εἰρηνεύω) with each other.[9]  Paul added, live in peace (εἰρηνεύετε, another form of εἰρηνεύω), and the God of love and peace (εἰρήνης, a form of εἰρήνη) will be with you,[10] and, Be at peace (εἰρηνεύετε, another form of εἰρηνεύω) among yourselves.[11]

How do we fulfill these commands, admonitions, rules or laws?  The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (εἰρήνη), patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[12]  What I didn’t say in the previous essay because of my own phobia of turning these verses back into rules I strive to obey in my own strength, I will say now since my phobia is so out in the open:  We are given permission here to live as the Holy Spirit is prompting us to live.  We are free to believe that, Against such things [e.g., love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control] there is no law.[13]

Where the NET translators chose You must put away for ἀρθήτω ἀφ᾿ ὑμῶν, Young’s Literal Translation reads: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice, and become one to another kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, according as also God in Christ did forgive you.[14]  The verb ἀρθήτω (a form of αἴρω) means to lift.  Let all of this be lifted from you by the mighty carrying capacity of that river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High,[15] that fountain of water springing up to eternal life,[16] the Holy Spirit who produces his fruit within me when I get out of his way and stop making sinful, theological or ecclesiastical excuses.  John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away (αἴρων, another form of αἴρω) the sin of the world!”[17]

Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, Paul continued in his letter to the Romans, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written,Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.[18]  I want to pause here briefly to highlight how God’s sense of justice may differ from our own (Revelation 16:4-7 NET):

Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water, and they turned into blood.  Now I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are just – the one who is and who was, the Holy One – because you have passed these judgments, because they poured out the blood of your saints and prophets, so you have given them blood to drink.  They got what they deserved!”  Then I heard the altar reply, “Yes, Lord God, the All-Powerful, your judgments are true and just!”

Rather, Paul continued, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.[19]  The good with which we overcome evil is ἀγαθῷ (a form of ἀγαθός) in Greek.  According to Jesus, No one is good (ἀγαθὸς) except God alone.[20]  The good with which we overcome evil is God alone: for by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you—of God the gift, not of works, that no one may boast; for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good (ἀγαθοῖς, another form of ἀγαθός) works, which God did before prepare, that in them we may walk (περιπατήσωμεν, a form of περιπατέω).[21]  In the Spirit walk (περιπατεῖτε, another form of περιπατέω) ye, and the desire of the flesh ye may not complete.[22]

[1] Romans 12:17 (NET)

[2] Romans 13:10 (NET)

[3] Matthew 5:14-16 (NET)

[4] John 10:31-33 (NET)

[5] See: Matthew 9:1-8 (NET)

[6] John 7:46b (NET)

[7] 1 Timothy 5:24, 25 (NET)

[8] Romans 12:18 (NET)

[9] Mark 9:50 (NET)

[10] 2 Corithians 13:11b (NET)

[11] 1 Thessalonians 5:13b (NET)

[12] Galatians 5:22, 23a (NET)

[13] Galatians 5:23b (NET)

[14] Ephesians 4:31, 32 (YLT)

[15] Psalm 46:4 (ESV)

[16] John 4:14b (NET)

[17] John 1:29 (NET)

[18] Romans 12:19 (NET)

[19] Romans 12:20, 21 (NET) Table

[20] Mark 10:18b (NET)

[21] Ephesians 2:8-10 (YLT)

[22] Galatians 5:16 (YLT)

Romans, Part 13

Therefore what advantage (περισσὸν, a form of περισσός) does the Jew have,1 Paul asked.  The word translated advantage (περισσὸν) is also found in Jesus’ saying, I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly (περισσὸν, a form of περισσός).2  Paul continued, or what is the value (ὠφέλεια) of circumcision?3  The Greek word ὠφέλεια was only used here and once more negatively by Jude (ὠφελείας, a form of ὠφέλεια; for their own gain), but it comes from ὠφέλιμος.

For “physical exercise has some value (ὠφέλιμος),” Paul wrote Timothy, “but godliness is valuable (ὠφέλιμος) in every way.  It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”4  Every scripture is inspired by God and useful (ὠφέλιμος) for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness [Table], that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.5  To Titus Paul wrote, This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God6 may be intent on engaging in good works.  These things are good7 and beneficial (ὠφέλιμα, a form of ὠφέλιμος) for all people.8

So again, there is a mini-Gospel lesson embedded in the words περισσός and ὠφέλιμος, waiting for anyone who wants to know what advantage (περισσὸν, a form of περισσός) Jews have or what the value (ὠφέλεια) of circumcision is.

Actually, there are many advantages (literally, “much in every way”).  First of all,9 the Jews were entrusted (ἐπιστεύθησαν, a form of πιστεύω) with the oracles (λόγια, a form of λόγιον) of God.10  And in this they were faithful, the right people for the job—mission accomplished.  When I consider the wars and conquests, the captivities and apostasies, and how often it would have been easier and seemed more advantageous to lose or alter those words to make them more accommodating to the times, or at least a little more flattering to the people…I can only say, thank you.

Paul moved directly to another question, and let the advantages the Jews have and the value of circumcision drop.  He listed them later in a context where they might be missed.  To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.  To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever!  Amen.11

What then? Paul continued.  If some did not believe (ἠπίστησαν, a form of ἀπιστέω), does their unbelief (ἀπιστία) nullify (καταργήσει, a form of καταργέω) the faithfulness (πίστιν, a form of πίστις) of God?12  Both ἀπιστέω and ἀπιστία are derived from ἄπιστος the negation of πιστός.  Both πιστός and πίστις are derived from πείθω, to convince by argument.  I’m laboring over the relationship of these words for faith and unbelief so that I can grasp what Paul was thinking.  Why would Paul even think that someone might think that the unbelief (ἀπιστία) of some people might nullify (καταργήσει, a form of καταργέω) the faithfulness (πίστιν, a form of πίστις) of God?

To review, Paul was convinced that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised.  He was content enough with the letter circulated after the Jerusalem Council to spread its teaching himself.  Then he went to Corinth.  In Corinth, hampered by his allegiance to James’ abbreviated version of the law, Paul called adultery, or a violation of Leviticus 18:8, πορνεία.13  It is evident later in Romans (Romans 9-11) that he was perplexed by the fact that God called the sexually immoral (πόρνοι, a form of πόρνος), idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers [Table]14 to faith and repentance, while so many of his own people rejected the very same Gospel message.

When Paul wrote faith comes by hearing,15 that understanding was coming right out of his experience and the meaning and derivation of the Greek word πίστις from πείθω:  Faith comes by hearing the argument (e.g., the Gospel presented as a reasoned discourse).  The NET translators have rendered it, faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ [Table].16  There is apparently a manuscript dispute whether God or Christ is the older, more original, word.  Frankly, I don’t care about that at all.  The NET translators have focused on the content of the message in both clauses.  Faith comes from what is heard (i.e., the preached word of Christ) and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ seems a bit redundant to me.  The content of the message is certainly extremely important, but I don’t think Paul was talking about content in the second clause.

I think the New King James translation is more to Paul’s point in its austerity.  So then faith comes by hearing (ἀκοῆς, a form of ἀκοή), and hearing (ἀκοὴ) by the word (ρήματος, a form of ῥῆμα) of God.17 This is the conclusion of an argument that began with a contrast of righteousness by law and righteousness by faith.  For Moses18 writes about the righteousness that is by the law:The one who does these things will live by them.”19  Paul quoted from the introduction to the Laws of Sexual Regulations in Leviticus 18:6-33.  You must not do as they do in the land of Egypt where you have been living, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan into which I am about to bring you; you must not walk in their statutes.  You must observe my regulations and you must be sure to walk in my statutes…anyone who does so will live by keeping them.20

Paul saw something different in Deuteronomy 30, the righteousness that is by faith.21  Deuteronomy 30 was written (and spoken) prophetically to people who have rebelled against the Lord, who have not kept his commandments and statutes (Deuteronomy 30:1-3a, 9b, 10).

When you have experienced all these things, both the blessings and the curses I have set before you, you will reflect upon them in all the nations where the Lord your God has banished you.  Then if you and your descendants turn to the Lord your God and obey him with your whole mind and being just as I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will reverse your captivity and have pity on you…For the Lord your God will once more rejoice over you to make you prosperous just as he rejoiced over your ancestors, if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this scroll of the law.  But you must turn to him with your whole mind and being.

Paul wrote, But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).  But what does it say? “The word (ρῆμα, another form of ῥῆμα) is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word [ρῆμα, another form of ῥῆμα] of faith that we preach)…22

Paul knew he preached the same content to the Pharisee that he preached to the πόρνοι (a form of πόρνος) in Corinth.  In fact, if anyone was short changed it was the πόρνοι in Corinth, for Corinth is where Paul prejudged the people as too immature for wisdom.  But it was in Corinth that the πόρνοι believed the content of the message, and it was in Jerusalem and in synagogues throughout the Roman Empire where the Pharisees did not.  When Paul penned, faith comes by hearing (ἀκοῆς, a form of ἀκοή), and hearing (ἀκοὴ, another form of ἀκοή) by the word (ρήματος, a form of ῥῆμα) of God,23 he meant something like hearing comes by God (or Christ) uttering, “hear.”  That was the only explanation he had for the difference between the πόρνοι and the Pharisees.  And it was certainly his own experience on the Damascus road in a singularly dramatic fashion.

What then? Paul asked.  If some did not believe; namely, the Jews (for whom the content of the message was intended) because God or Christ had not yet uttered, “hear,” does their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God?24  Suddenly the question is much more than a straw man.  How can I trust this God who would do this to his own people? or not do this for his own people, as the case may be?  But Paul reassured me that it does not nullify the faithfulness of God.  Absolutely not!  Let God be proven true, and every human being shown up as a liar, just as it is written:so that you will be justified (δικαιωθῇς, a form of δικαιόω) in your words (λόγοις, a form of λόγος) and will prevail when you are judged (κρίνεσθαι, a form of κρίνω).”25

Though I may never fully understand the sequencing of who-believes-when, I can accept that it has something to do with God being proven true, being justified in his words, and prevailing when He is judged.  And I’ve already seen some connection between this and all things working together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,26 and its corollary, Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow.27

 

Addendum: February 11, 2021
A comparison of the Greek of Paul’s quotation of Leviticus 18:5 from the Septuagint follows

Romans 10:5b (NET Parallel Greek) Leviticus 18:5b (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 18:5b (Septuagint Elpenor)

ποιήσας |αὐτὰ| ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν |αὐτοῖς| ποιήσας ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῗς ἃ ποιήσας αὐτά ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς

Romans 10:5b (NET)

Leviticus 18:5b (NETS)

Leviticus 18:5b (English Elpenor)

The one who does these things will live by them. as for the things a person does, he shall live by them which if a man do, he shall live in them

A comparison of the Greek of Paul’s quotation from Deuteronomy 9:4 in the Septuagint follows:

Romans 10:6b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 9:4a (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 9:4a (Septuagint Elpenor)

μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου

Romans 10:6b (NET)

Deuteronomy 9:4a (NETS)

Deuteronomy 9:4a (English Elpenor)

Do not say in your heart, do not say in your heart, Speak not in thine heart,

It was perhaps a poignant historical reminder to those who knew the Scriptures, ‘For my righteousness HaShem hath brought me in to possess this land.’28

A comparison of the Greek of Paul’s quotation from Deuteronomy 30:12 in the Septuagint follows:

Romans 10:6c (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 30:12b (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:12b (Septuagint Elpenor)

τίς ἀναβήσεται εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν τίς ἀναβήσεται ἡμῗν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν τίς ἀναβήσεται ἡμῖν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν

Romans 10:6c (NET)

Deuteronomy 30:12b (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:12b (English Elpenor)

Who will ascend into heaven? Who will go up to the sky…for us? Who shall go up for us into heaven,

A comparison (mostly a contrast) of Paul’s “quotation” with Deuteronomy 30:13 in the Septuagint follows:

Romans 10:7a (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 30:13b (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:13b (Septuagint Elpenor)

τίς καταβήσεται εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον τίς διαπεράσει ἡμῗν εἰς τὸ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης τίς διαπεράσει ἡμῖν εἰς τὸ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης

Romans 10:7a (NET)

Deuteronomy 30:13b (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:13b (English Elpenor)

Who will descend into the abyss? Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us Who will go over for us to the other side of the sea…for us

A comparison of the Greek of Paul’s quotation from Deuteronomy 30:14 in the Septuagint follows:

Romans 10:8b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 30:14a (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:14a (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐγγύς σου τὸ ρῆμα ἐστιν ἐν τῷ στόματι σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου ἔστιν σου ἐγγὺς τὸ ῥῆμα σφόδρα ἐν τῷ στόματί σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου ἐγγύς σού ἐστι τὸ ρῆμα σφόδρα ἐν τῷ στόματί σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου

Romans 10:8b (NET)

Deuteronomy 30:14a (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:14a (English Elpenor)

The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart The word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart The word is very near thee, in thy mouth, and in thine heart

If Paul quoted from the Septuagint it may be worth noting that he stopped prior to καὶ ἐν ταῖς χερσί σου ποιεῖν αὐτό (and in thine hands to do it).

Tables comparing Leviticus 18:5; 18:3; 18:4; Deuteronomy 30:1; 30:2; 30:3; 30:9; 30:10; 9:4; 30:12; 30:13 and 30:14 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing Leviticus 18:5; 18:3; 18:4; Deuteronomy 30:1; 30:2; 30:3; 30:9; 30:10; 9:4; 30:12; 30:13 and 30:14 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Titus 3:8, Romans 3:2 and 10:5 in the NET and KJV follow.

Leviticus 18:5 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 18:5 (KJV)

Leviticus 18:5 (NET)

Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and Mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them: I am HaShem. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. So you must keep my statutes and my regulations; anyone who does so will live by keeping them.  I am the Lord.

Leviticus 18:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 18:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ φυλάξεσθε πάντα τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ πάντα τὰ κρίματά μου καὶ ποιήσετε αὐτά ἃ ποιήσας ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῗς ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν καὶ φυλάξεσθε πάντα τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ πάντα τὰ κρίματά μου καὶ ποιήσετε αὐτά, ἃ ποιήσας αὐτά ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς· ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν

Leviticus 18:5 (NETS)

Leviticus 18:5 (English Elpenor)

And you shall keep all my ordinances and all my judgments, and you shall do them; as for the things a person does, he shall live by them; I am the Lord your God. So ye shall keep all my ordinances, and all my judgments, and do them; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the Lord your God.

Leviticus 18:3 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 18:3 (KJV)

Leviticus 18:3 (NET)

After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their statutes. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. You must not do as they do in the land of Egypt where you have been living, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan into which I am about to bring you; you must not walk in their statutes.

Leviticus 18:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 18:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

κατὰ τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα γῆς Αἰγύπτου ἐν ᾗ κατῳκήσατε ἐπ᾽ αὐτῇ οὐ ποιήσετε καὶ κατὰ τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα γῆς Χανααν εἰς ἣν ἐγὼ εἰσάγω ὑμᾶς ἐκεῗ οὐ ποιήσετε καὶ τοῗς νομίμοις αὐτῶν οὐ πορεύσεσθε κατά τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα Αἰγύπτου, ἐν ᾗ κατῳκήσατε ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ, οὐ ποιήσετε καὶ κατὰ τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα γῆς Χαναάν, εἰς ἣν ἐγὼ εἰσάγω ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ, οὐ ποιήσετε καὶ τοῖς νομίμοις αὐτῶν οὐ πορεύσεσθε

Leviticus 18:3 (NETS)

Leviticus 18:3 (English Elpenor)

You shall not act according to the practices of the land of Egypt, wherein you lived, and you shall not act according to the practices of the land of Chanaan, there where I am bringing you, and you shall not live by their precepts. Ye shall not do according to the devices of Egypt, in which ye dwelt: and according to the devices of the land of Chanaan, into which I bring you, ye shall not do; and ye shall not walk in their ordinances.

Leviticus 18:4 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 18:4 (KJV)

Leviticus 18:4 (NET)

Mine ordinances shall ye do, and My statutes shall ye keep, to walk therein: I am HaShem your G-d. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. You must observe my regulations, and you must be sure to walk in my statutes. I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 18:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 18:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

τὰ κρίματά μου ποιήσετε καὶ τὰ προστάγματά μου φυλάξεσθε πορεύεσθαι ἐν αὐτοῗς ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν τὰ κρίματά μου ποιήσετε καὶ τὰ προστάγματά μου φυλάξεσθε καὶ πορεύεσθε ἐν αὐτοῖς· ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν

Leviticus 18:4 (NETS)

Leviticus 18:4 (English Elpenor)

My judgments you shall perform, and my ordinances you shall keep, to walk by them; I am the Lord your God. Ye shall observe my judgments, and shall keep my ordinances, and shall walk in them: I [am] the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 30:1 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:1 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:1 (NET)

And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt bethink thyself among all the nations, whither HaShem thy G-d hath driven thee, And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, “When you have experienced all these things, both the blessings and the curses I have set before you, you will reflect upon them in all the nations where the Lord your God has banished you.

Deuteronomy 30:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔσται ὡς ἂν ἔλθωσιν ἐπὶ σὲ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἡ εὐλογία καὶ ἡ κατάρα ἣν ἔδωκα πρὸ προσώπου σου καὶ δέξῃ εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου ἐν πᾶσιν τοῗς ἔθνεσιν οὗ ἐάν σε διασκορπίσῃ κύριος ἐκεῗ ΚΑΙ ἔσται ὡς ἂν ἔλθωσιν ἐπὶ σὲ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, ἡ εὐλογία καὶ ἡ κατάρα, ἣν ἔδωκα πρὸ προσώπου σου, καὶ δέξῃ εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, οὗ ἐὰν διασκορπίσῃ σε Κύριος ἐκεῖ,

Deuteronomy 30:1 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:1 (English Elpenor)

And it shall be, when all these words come upon you, the blessing and the curse that I gave before you, that you shall receive them into your heart among all the nations wherever the Lord may scatter you there, And it shall come to pass when all these things shall have come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thy face, and thou shalt call [them] to mind among all the nations, wherein the Lord shall have scattered thee,

Deuteronomy 30:2 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:2 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:2 (NET)

and shalt return unto HaShem thy G-d, and hearken to His voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul; And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; Then if you and your descendants turn to the Lord your God and obey him with your whole mind and being just as I am commanding you today,

Deuteronomy 30:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐπιστραφήσῃ ἐπὶ κύριον τὸν θεόν σου καὶ ὑπακούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐπιστραφήσῃ ἐπὶ Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου καὶ εἰσακούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ κατὰ πάντα, ὅσα ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον, ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου, καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου

Deuteronomy 30:2 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:2 (English Elpenor)

and you shall return to the Lord your God and obey his voice regarding everything I command you today, with the whole of your heart and with the whole of your soul. and shalt return to the Lord thy God, and shalt hearken to his voice, according to all things which I charge thee this day, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul;

Deuteronomy 30:3 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:3 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:3 (NET)

that then HaShem thy G-d will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the peoples, whither HaShem thy G-d hath scattered thee. That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. the Lord your God will reverse your captivity and have pity on you.  He will turn and gather you from all the peoples among whom he has scattered you.

Deuteronomy 30:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἰάσεται κύριος τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου καὶ ἐλεήσει σε καὶ πάλιν συνάξει σε ἐκ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν εἰς οὓς διεσκόρπισέν σε κύριος ἐκεῗ καὶ ἰάσεται Κύριος τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου καὶ ἐλεήσει σε καὶ πάλιν συνάξει σε ἐκ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν, εἰς οὓς διεσκόρπισέ σε Κύριος ἐκεῖ

Deuteronomy 30:3 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:3 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord will heal your sins and have mercy on you and gather you again from all the nations among whom the Lord has scattered you there. then the Lord shall heal thine iniquities, and shall pity thee, and shall again gather thee out from all the nations, among which the Lord has scattered thee.

Deuteronomy 30:9 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:9 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:9 (NET)

And HaShem thy G-d will make thee over-abundant in all the work of thy hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good; for HaShem will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiced over thy fathers; And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: The Lord your God will make the labor of your hands abundantly successful and multiply your children, the offspring of your cattle, and the produce of your soil.  For the Lord will once more rejoice over you to make you prosperous just as he rejoiced over your ancestors,

Deuteronomy 30:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ πολυωρήσει σε κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ τῶν χειρῶν σου ἐν τοῗς ἐκγόνοις τῆς κοιλίας σου καὶ ἐν τοῗς γενήμασιν τῆς γῆς σου καὶ ἐν τοῗς ἐκγόνοις τῶν κτηνῶν σου ὅτι ἐπιστρέψει κύριος ὁ θεός σου εὐφρανθῆναι ἐπὶ σὲ εἰς ἀγαθά καθότι ηὐφράνθη ἐπὶ τοῗς πατράσιν σου καὶ πολυωρήσει σε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ τῶν χειρῶν σου, ἐν τοῖς ἐκγόνοις τῆς κοιλίας σου καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἐκγόνοις τῶν κτηνῶν σου καὶ ἐν τοῖς γενήμασι τῆς γῆς σου· ὅτι ἐπιστρέψει Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου εὐφρανθῆναι ἐπὶ σοὶ εἰς ἀγαθά, καθότι εὐφράνθη ἐπὶ τοῖς πατράσι σου,

Deuteronomy 30:9 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:9 (English Elpenor)

and the Lord your God will treat you with care in every work of your hands, in the progeny of your belly and in the produce of your land and in the progeny of your livestock.  For the Lord your God will turn to be joyful toward you for good things, just as he was joyful over your fathers, And the Lord thy God shall bless thee in every work of thine hands, in the offspring of thy body, and in the offspring of thy cattle, and in the fruits of thy land, because the Lord thy God will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

Deuteronomy 30:10 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:10 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:10 (NET)

if thou shalt hearken to the voice of HaShem thy G-d, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if thou turn unto HaShem thy G-d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this scroll of the law.  But you must turn to him with your whole mind and being.

Deuteronomy 30:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν εἰσακούσῃς τῆς φωνῆς κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου φυλάσσεσθαι καὶ ποιεῗν πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς κρίσεις αὐτοῦ τὰς γεγραμμένας ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τοῦ νόμου τούτου ἐὰν ἐπιστραφῇς ἐπὶ κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου ἐὰν εἰσακούσῃς τῆς φωνῆς Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου, φυλάσσεσθαι τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς κρίσεις αὐτοῦ τὰς γεγραμμένας ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τοῦ νόμου τούτου, ἐὰν ἐπιστραφῇς ἐπὶ Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου

Deuteronomy 30:10 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:10 (English Elpenor)

if you listen to the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments that are written in the book of this law, if you turn to the Lord your God with the whole of your heart and with the whole of your soul, if thou wilt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments, and his ordinances, and his judgments written in the book of this law, if thou turn to the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

Deuteronomy 9:4 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 9:4 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 9:4 (NET)

Speak not thou in thy heart, after that HaShem thy G-d hath thrust them out from before thee, saying: ‘For my righteousness HaShem hath brought me in to possess this land’; whereas for the wickedness of these nations HaShem doth drive them out from before thee. Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Do not think to yourself after the Lord your God has driven them out before you, “Because of my own righteousness the Lord has brought me here to possess this land.”  It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you.

Deuteronomy 9:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 9:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου ἐν τῷ ἐξαναλῶσαι κύριον τὸν θεόν σου τὰ ἔθνη ταῦτα ἀπὸ προσώπου σου λέγων διὰ τὰς δικαιοσύνας μου εἰσήγαγέν με κύριος κληρονομῆσαι τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ταύτην ἀλλὰ διὰ τὴν ἀσέβειαν τῶν ἐθνῶν τούτων κύριος ἐξολεθρεύσει αὐτοὺς πρὸ προσώπου σου μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου ἐν τῷ ἐξαναλῶσαι Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου τὰ ἔθνη ταῦτα πρὸ προσώπου σου λέγων· διὰ τὰς δικαιοσύνας μου εἰσήγαγέ με Κύριος κληρονομῆσαι τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ταύτην

Deuteronomy 9:4 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 9:4 (English Elpenor)

When the Lord your God eliminates these nations before you, do not say in your heart, saying: “It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to inherit this good land,” but because of the impiety of these nations the Lord will destroy them utterly before you. Speak not in thine heart, when the Lord thy God has destroyed these nations before thy face, saying, For my righteousness the Lord brought me in to inherit this good land.

Deuteronomy 30:12 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:12 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:12 (NET)

It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say: ‘Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’ It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it? It is not in heaven, as though one must say, ‘Who will go up to heaven to get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’

Deuteronomy 30:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω ἐστὶν λέγων τίς ἀναβήσεται ἡμῗν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ λήμψεται αὐτὴν ἡμῗν καὶ ἀκούσαντες αὐτὴν ποιήσομεν οὐκ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω ἐστὶ λέγων· τίς ἀναβήσεται ἡμῖν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ λήψεται ἡμῖν αὐτήν, καὶ ἀκούσαντες αὐτὴν ποιήσομεν

Deuteronomy 30:12 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:12 (English Elpenor)

It is not up in the sky, saying, “Who will go up to the sky and get it for us?  And when we hear it, we shall do it.” It is not in heaven above, [as if there were one] saying, Who shall go up for us into heaven, and shall take it for us, and we will hear and do it?

Deuteronomy 30:13 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:13 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:13 (NET)

Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say: ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? And it is not across the sea, as though one must say, ‘Who will cross over to the other side of the sea and get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’

Deuteronomy 30:13 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐδὲ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης ἐστὶν λέγων τίς διαπεράσει ἡμῗν εἰς τὸ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ λήμψεται ἡμῗν αὐτήν καὶ ἀκουστὴν ἡμῗν ποιήσει αὐτήν καὶ ποιήσομεν οὐδὲ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης ἐστὶ λέγων· τίς διαπεράσει ἡμῖν εἰς τὸ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ λήψεται ἡμῖν αὐτήν, καὶ ἀκουστὴν ἡμῖν ποιήσῃ αὐτήν, καὶ ποιήσομεν

Deuteronomy 30:13 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:13 (English Elpenor)

Neither is it beyond the sea, saying, “Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and get it for us?  And when we hear it, we shall do it.” Neither is it beyond the sea, saying, Who will go over for us to the other side of the sea, and take it for us, and make it audible to us, and we will do it?

Deuteronomy 30:14 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 30:14 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 30:14 (NET)

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. For the thing is very near you—it is in your mouth and in your mind so that you can do it.

Deuteronomy 30:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 30:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἔστιν σου ἐγγὺς τὸ ῥῆμα σφόδρα ἐν τῷ στόματί σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου καὶ ἐν ταῗς χερσίν σου αὐτὸ ποιεῗν ἐγγύς σού ἐστι τὸ ρῆμα σφόδρα ἐν τῷ στόματί σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου καὶ ἐν ταῖς χερσί σου ποιεῖν αὐτό

Deuteronomy 30:14 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 30:14 (English Elpenor)

The word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart and in your hands, to do it. The word is very near thee, in thy mouth, and in thine heart, and in thine hands to do it.

Titus 3:8 (NET)

Titus 3:8 (KJV)

This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works.  These things are good and beneficial for all people. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος· καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαι σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ· ταῦτα ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις πιστος ο λογος και περι τουτων βουλομαι σε διαβεβαιουσθαι ινα φροντιζωσιν καλων εργων προιστασθαι οι πεπιστευκοτες τω θεω ταυτα εστιν τα καλα και ωφελιμα τοις ανθρωποις πιστος ο λογος και περι τουτων βουλομαι σε διαβεβαιουσθαι ινα φροντιζωσιν καλων εργων προιστασθαι οι πεπιστευκοτες θεω ταυτα εστιν τα καλα και ωφελιμα τοις ανθρωποις

Romans 3:2 (NET)

Romans 3:2 (KJV)

Actually, there are many advantages.  First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

πολὺ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον. πρῶτον μὲν ὅτι ἐπιστεύθησαν τὰ λόγια τοῦ θεοῦ. πολυ κατα παντα τροπον πρωτον μεν γαρ οτι επιστευθησαν τα λογια του θεου πολυ κατα παντα τροπον πρωτον μεν γαρ οτι επιστευθησαν τα λογια του θεου

Romans 10:5 (NET)

Romans 10:5 (KJV)

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.” For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Μωϋσῆς γὰρ γράφει  τὴν δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ [τοῦ] νόμου [ὅτι] ὁ ποιήσας |αὐτὰ| ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν |αὐτοῖς| μωσης γαρ γραφει την δικαιοσυνην την εκ του νομου οτι ο ποιησας αυτα ανθρωπος ζησεται εν αυτοις μωυσης γαρ γραφει την δικαιοσυνην την εκ του νομου οτι ο ποιησας αυτα ανθρωπος ζησεται εν αυτοις

1 Romans 3:1a (NET)

2 John 10:10b (NET)

3 Romans 3:1b (NET)

4 1 Timothy 4:8 (NET)

5 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 (NET)

6 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article τω preceding God.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

7 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τα preceding good.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

8 Titus 3:8 (NET)

9 The NA28, Stephanus Textus Receptus (KJV: because) and Byzantine Majority Text had μὲν γὰρ here, where the NET parallel Greek text had simply μὲν.

10 Romans 3:2 (NET)

11 Romans 9:4, 5 (NET)

12 Romans 3:3 (NET)

14 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NET)

15 Romans 10:17a (NKJV)

16 Romans 10:17 (NET)

17 Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

19 Romans 10:5 (NET)

20 Leviticus 18:3-5 (NET)

21 Romans 10:6 (NET)

22 Romans 10:6-8 (NET)

23 Romans 10:17 (NKJV) Table

24 Romans 3:3 (NET)

25 Romans 3:4 (NET) Table

27 Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV) Table

28 Deuteronomy 9:4b (Tanakh)