Various versions of a verse
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings…You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other: treating each other with dignity and honor. James 3:17-18 The Msg (Highlight is mine)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18 The Women’s Study Bible
Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy, and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy. The seed that flowers into righteousness will always be planted in peace by those who embrace peace. James 3:17-18 The Voice, the New Testament
I sometimes have to check verses in different bibles. There are too many for me to recite all, but there is KJV, NKJV, ESV, NIV and more. Those, except for KJV, are in my house and easily accessible. If something is not clear, or rambling sounding to me, I have others I can refer to for clarity. I like having many to check, to make more sense to my mind. I don’t want to be unclear about what I am reading, what the author is trying to impart. Or sometimes the words seem to run on with no punctuation. This is a journey, a hike through life, and while on a journey, you need to consult maps and compass. The bible (and the various interpretations of it) are the maps, and the Holy Spirit is the compass.
When I initially read the first verse I am posting, I liked it, and wanted to write about it. But the Holy Spirit urged me to check in another source, so since I had three sources within easy reach, I checked three. And I prefer the second version I copied, but I like them all. Each enhances the meaning to me. But to me, the third speaks to having many of the fruits from the Holy Spirit and I believe you grow toward each and they (patience, long suffering, gentleness, kindness, etc) are things I try to attain. But we are works in progress. We read, learn, grow closer to God and who Jesus is and was, and we WANT to be better persons.
I strive for peace. I don’t like dissension, conflict and tension. So I try to maintain gentleness and peacefulness toward others. But sometimes life causes stressors which make peace more difficult to find and maintain. We get stressed, worried, anxious and that can lead to curt responses, hurt feelings, and maybe a full our argument. Reading the bible and yearning to grow closer to Jesus and be more like him, I am able to remind myself I am in His hands, He is in charge, and it is hurtful for me to stress and be anxious. Sometimes, one interpretation of a message is clearer than at other times. I’m so thankful I have multiple versions of the same life giving advice, cajoling and direction.
If you have any questions, cell phones nowadays can pull up the verses and list the various wording for you in less than 10 secs. Don’t let confusion stop you from searching for God’s meaning and your teachings and understanding to eternal life. Find Jesus in the Book and get to know Him, develop a relationship with Him. He’s waiting for you to call, reach out your hand and whisper. have, you can find Him. No matter the version you find most easy to read and live with, I hope you will live with it. It’s life saving!
I need the various version to help me clarify sometimes, to enhance my understanding, and life is better for me and “mybellaviews.”
Comments