KJV - 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons [children] of God [-- and that, in fact, is what we are]:...

KJV - 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us…

ESV - 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us...

GNT (verses in context) - "God Is Love" - 15 If anyone declares that Jesus is the Son of God, he lives in union with God and God lives in union with him. 16 And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in union with God and God lives in union with him. 17 Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's. 18 There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.

• 1Jo 4:16 - God <2316> is <1510> love <26>
• To explore additional biblical and other references, browse "God is love" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/g.htm#god-is-love.
• To further explore "love" (Greek: agape) as understood by Jesus and the earliest Christians, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/christianlove.htm.

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KJV - 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not;…

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

ESV - 18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning,...

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

GNT (verses in context) - "Eternal Life" - 18 We know that no child of God keeps on sinning, for the Son of God keeps him safe, and the Evil One cannot harm him. 19 We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One. 20 We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we know the true God. We live in union with the true God -- in union with his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and this is eternal life. 21 My children, keep yourselves safe from false gods!

• 1Jo 5:20 - true God
• To explore Web page links to additional references and explanations, browse: http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/god.htm.
• To explore the relationship of this verse to the teaching of the Trinity in the Nicene Creed, see http://www.bibletexts.com/topical.htm#trinity.
• 1Jo 5:20 - eternal life
• To read additional texts from the Bible and other writings that mention "eternal life," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/eternal-life.htm.
• For an explanation of the Greek word commonly translated into English as "eternal," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/qa/qa088.htm.
• 1Jo 5:20
• Joh 17:3

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KJV - 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son [the divine only begotten one], which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

ESV - 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God [the divine only begotten one], who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

(Unfortunately only a few phrase-by-phrase translations, including those below, render Joh 1:18 properly. Virtually all word-for-word translations, including the usually excellent ESV and NAB, seem unable -- or lacking the courage -- to properly address the nuances of some Greek grammatical structures, such as the anarthrous pre-verbal predicate nominatives found in Joh 1:1 and Joh 1:18. See full commentary at http://www.bibletexts.com/verses/v-joh.htm#joh01v18.)

GNT (verses in context) - "The Word of Life" - 14 The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. 15 John spoke about him. He cried out, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, "He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born." 16 Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. 17 God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

• The Gospel of John
  • Bible dictionary explanations of this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/joh.htm.
  • Topical index of other resources for this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/topical.htm#joh.

• Joh 1:18 - correction of KJV's "the only begotten son"

  • BibleTexts.com comment: For Joh 1:18, the GNT's rendering of this particular verse would be the best substitute for the KJV's incorrect rendering, which is based upon the KJV's errant Greek text. (Instead of the Greek word huios [son]) in the KJV's text, the Greek word theos [normally translated God] appeared in the original text. Due to complex grammatical issues, theos in this phrase acts as an adjective and means divine or the same as God. Also since the only begotten one is grammatically male in the Greek text, it can be legitimately interpreted to mean the only son. It is unfortunate that the current word-for-word literal approaches taken by virtually all word-for-word translations, including the ESV, NRSV, NAB, and NASB , seem unable to properly address the nuances of some Greek grammatical structures, such as that found in Joh 1:18. Goodspeed, Moffatt, REB, Schonfield, and the GNT all succeeded in addressing this quite well. Hopefully, some day translating such nuances into English will be considered a natural part of even word-for-word translations.

  • Additional BibleTexts.com commentary: Detailed commentary on this verse, which also addresses the significant theological controversy surrounding the interpretation of this verse, can be found at http://www.bibletexts.com/verses/v-joh.htm#joh01v18 and http://www.bibletexts.com/versecom/joh01v18.htm.

  • INCORRECT TRANSLATION (based upon incorrect Greek text)
    • KJV wording (from errant Greek): No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

    • The KJV with Strong's numbers is as follows: No man <3762> hath seen <3708> God <2316> at any time <4455>; the only begotten <3439> Son <5207>, which <3588> is <5607> in <1520> the <3588> bosom <2859> of the <3588> Father <3962>, he <1565> hath declared <1834> [him].

  • TOO LITERAL TRANSLATIONS (based upon a too literal translation that does not address Greek grammatical nuances)
    • ESV: 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
      • BibleTexts.com note: More preferred than the ESV or any other word-for-word translation, the TEV (1976 or 1992, a.k.a., GNT) has the rendering of this particular verse that would be the best substitute for the KJV rendering or for the ESV or any of the other word-for-word translation's rendering.
        
    • NRSV: 8 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
      
    • NAB: 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.

    • NASB: 18 No man has seen God at any time ; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
      

Section 2

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KJV - 8 …God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

ESV - 8 ...God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

GNT (verses in context) - "God Is Love" - 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him. 10 This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven. 11 Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us.

• 1Jo 4:8 - God is love
• To explore additional biblical and other references, browse "God is love" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/g.htm#god-is-love.
• 1Jo 4:9
• Joh 4:16

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KJV - 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

ESV - 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

GNT (verses in context) - "Jesus Feeds Five Thousand Men" - 33 Many people, however, saw them leave and knew at once who they were; so they went from all the towns and ran ahead by land and arrived at the place ahead of Jesus and his disciples. 34 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw this large crowd, and his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things. 35 When it was getting late, his disciples came to him and said, "It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. 36 Send the people away, and let them go to the nearby farms and villages in order to buy themselves something to eat."

• The Gospel of Mark
  • Bible dictionary explanations of this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/mar.htm.
  • Topical index of other resources for this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/topical.htm#mar.
• Mar 6:34
• Mat 9:36

---

KJV - 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And [So] he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with [longed to be satisfied by] the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish [here] with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And [I] am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and [I] am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring [quickly] forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

ESV - 11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

GNT (verses in context) - "The Lost Son" - 11 Jesus went on to say, "There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to him, "Father, give me my share of the property now.' So the man divided his property between his two sons. 13 After a few days the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living. 14 He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing. 15 So he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him out to his farm to take care of the pigs. 16 He wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. 17 At last he came to his senses and said, "All my father's hired workers have more than they can eat, and here I am about to starve! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. 19 I am no longer fit to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers." 20 So he got up and started back to his father. "He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arms around his son, and kissed him. 21 "Father,' the son said, "I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.' 22 But the father called to his servants. "Hurry!' he said. "Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. 23 Then go and get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast! 24 For this son of mine was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' And so the feasting began.

• The Gospel of Luke
  • Bible dictionary explanations of this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/luk.htm.
  • Topical index of other resources for this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/topical.htm#luk.

• Luk 15:11-32 - the parable of the prodigal son

• BibleTexts.com:

The father showed a lot of the heart that cultural myths usually associate with mothers! That may be yet another of Jesus' thought-provoking devices for using this parable to turn the world upside down to help his hearers view the real Kingdom of God.

• See Hear Then the Parable: A Commentary on the Parables of Jesus (by Bernard Brandon Scott), pages 99-125:

The hearer of the parable would have identified with the younger son... The parable's scandal derives from its subversion of the mytheme's power to resolve between the chosen and the rejected... In the parable the elder son's fate is not like Esau's: he is not hated, nor does the younger receive Jacob's portion. Actually, the elder is the heir: "All that is mine is yours." Nor is he banished: "I am always with you."... This parable subverts a mytheme by which the kingdom decides between the chosen and rejected. Here the father rejects no one; both are chosen... The father is interested neither in morality nor in inheritance. He is concerned with the unity of his sons... The kingdom is not something that decides between but something that unifies. The father does not reject... The kingdom is universal, not particularist. The universalism, however, is not based on the rejection of some. All people are called, regardless of the script the mytheme requires of them. (pages 124-125)

• For additional commentary and cross-references related to this parable, see http://www.bibletexts.com/texts/parables.htm#prodigal-son

• Luk 15:12 - KJV wording: and <2532> he <1244> divided <1244> - corrected wording: so <1161> he <3588> divided <1244> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
• Luk 15:13
• Pro 29:3
• Luk 15:16 - KJV wording: would fain <1937> have filled <1072> his belly <2836> with <575> - corrected wording: longed <1937> to be satisfied <5526> by <1537> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
• Luk 15:15 - feed swine
  • A Jew who became a swineherd, feeding swine, was virtually a permanent renunciation of one's Jewish religion, heritage, and birthright. Thereafter one would be disinherited, and one's family and all other Jews would view and treat one as a Gentile. (See Perrin, p. 96)
• Luk 15:16
• Pro 23:21
• Luk 15:17 (after perish) - add to KJV wording: here [literally: but I with hunger here am dying] - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
• Luk 15:18
• Psa 51:6
• Isa 3:12,13
• Luk 15:19,21 - KJV wording: and am - corrected wording: I am - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
• The Greek word for "and" was not in the original text, and the Greek verb that is translated "am" does not need the Greek pronoun for I, so it literally means "I am".
• Luk 15:20,22,23 - kiss, robe, ring, shoes, meat
  • Joachim Jeremias (The Parables of Jesus, p. 130) describes the message conveyed by these.
    • kiss: In this circumstance a kiss was a symbol of forgiveness.
    • robe: It was a designation of honor for a guest to receive a gift of a ceremonial robe. The father now considered the wayward son as a guest of honor.
    • ring: The ring symbolized that the son was being given authority.
    • shoes: Since shoes were a luxury and warn only by freemen, they symbolized that the son was no longer a poor slave, who went barefoot.
    • meat: Since eating any kind of meat indicated a special occasion, preparing the fatted calf represented an extraordinary event.
• Luk 15:22 (before bring) - add to KJV wording: quickly <5035> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
• Luk 15:22 - KJV wording: the best robe - corrected wording: a robe, the best one, - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text) - but this does not affect the translation
• Luk 15:24
• Eph 2:5

Section 3

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KJV - 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

ESV - 25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

GNT (verses in context) - "The Lost Son" - 25 "In the meantime the older son was out in the field. On his way back, when he came close to the house, he heard the music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him, "What's going on?' 27 "Your brother has come back home,' the servant answered, "and your father has killed the prize calf, because he got him back safe and sound.' 28 The older brother was so angry that he would not go into the house; so his father came out and begged him to come in. 29 But he spoke back to his father, "Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! 30 But this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!' 31 "My son,' the father answered, "you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found."

• Luk 15:11-32 - the parable of the prodigal son

• BibleTexts.com:

The father showed a lot of the heart that cultural myths usually associate with mothers! That may be yet another of Jesus' thought-provoking devices for using this parable to turn the world upside down to help his hearers view the real Kingdom of God.

• See Hear Then the Parable: A Commentary on the Parables of Jesus (by Bernard Brandon Scott), pages 99-125:

The hearer of the parable would have identified with the younger son... The parable's scandal derives from its subversion of the mytheme's power to resolve between the chosen and the rejected... In the parable the elder son's fate is not like Esau's: he is not hated, nor does the younger receive Jacob's portion. Actually, the elder is the heir: "All that is mine is yours." Nor is he banished: "I am always with you."... This parable subverts a mytheme by which the kingdom decides between the chosen and rejected. Here the father rejects no one; both are chosen... The father is interested neither in morality nor in inheritance. He is concerned with the unity of his sons... The kingdom is not something that decides between but something that unifies. The father does not reject... The kingdom is universal, not particularist. The universalism, however, is not based on the rejection of some. All people are called, regardless of the script the mytheme requires of them. (pages 124-125)

• For additional commentary and cross-references related to this parable, see http://www.bibletexts.com/texts/parables.htm#prodigal-son

• Luk 15:32
• My 185:16-21

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KJV - 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel:…

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:…

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

ESV - 7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;...

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;...

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

GNT (verses in context) - "A Prayer of Confidence" - 7 I praise the LORD, because he guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. 8 I am always aware of the LORD's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me. 9 And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, 10 because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead. 11 You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.

• The Book of Psalms
  • Bible dictionary explanations of this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/psa.htm.
  • Topical index of other resources for this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/topical.htm#psa.
• Psa 16:9
• Act 2:26
• Psa 16:11
• Act 2:28

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KJV - 18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

ESV - 18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever;

GNT (verses in context) - "The Destiny of the Wicked and of the Good" - 16 The little that a good man owns is worth more than the wealth of all the wicked, 17 because the LORD will take away the strength of the wicked, but protect those who are good. 18 The LORD takes care of those who obey him, and the land will be theirs forever. 19 They will not suffer when times are bad; they will have enough in time of famine. 20 But the wicked will die; the enemies of the LORD will vanish like wild flowers; they will disappear like smoke.

---

KJV - 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons [children] of God [-- and that, in fact, is what we are]:...

ESV - 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are...

GNT (verses in context) - "Children of God" - 1 See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children -- and so, in fact, we are. This is why the world does not know us: it has not known God. 2 My dear friends, we are now God's children, but it is not yet clear what we shall become. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in Christ keeps himself pure, just as Christ is pure.

• 1Jo 3:1-3
• To read an article by Hermann S. Hering in CSS, 1906, January 6, Vol 8, page 291, which is an explanation of the meaning and reading of 1 John 3:1-3, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/s008p291.htm. (Mary Baker Eddy personally approved the contents of this article.)
• 1Jo 3:1 - KJV wording: sons <5043> corrected translation: children
• 1Jo 3:1 - children of God
• To explore additional references, browse: CHILDREN OF GOD at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/c.htm.
• 1Jo 3:1 (after "sons of God") - add to KJV wording: -- and <2532> we are <2070> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)

Section 4

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KJV - 16 …God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God [abides] in him.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:…

ESV - 16 ...God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear...

GNT (verses in context) - "God Is Love" - 15 If anyone declares that Jesus is the Son of God, he lives in union with God and God lives in union with him. 16 And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in union with God and God lives in union with him. 17 Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's. 18 There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.

• 1Jo 4:16 - God <2316> is <1510> love <26>
• To explore additional biblical and other references, browse "God is love" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/g.htm#god-is-love.
• To further explore "love" (Greek: agape) as understood by Jesus and the earliest Christians,