29A
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- Feb 23, 2014
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- Libertarian
A friend recently challenged me to give him 10 verses or chapters that I could actually endorse as splendid advice, a wise truism or reasonable law. Initially, I noted that Ecclesiastes has 12 Chapters, and could I use that?
But being game, I attempted his challenge anyhow.
Now, perhaps it is because I'm an atheist - I couldn't do it, or even stay true to a single translation. He also specified that using any of the 10 Commandments would only count as one instance.
Based on his rules, I coud only come up with six:
1) Ecclesiastes 1:2 St. Joseph Edition
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity.
2) Exodus 20 which ever translation reads that way
Thou shalt not murder, adultery, steal, bear false witness [in court]; honor thy father and mother.
3) Proverbs 13:24 International Standard Version
Whoever does not discipline his son hates him, but whoever loves him is diligent to correct him.
4) Proverbs 31:6 English Standard Version
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
5) Exodus 21:24-25 NIV [taken out of context, because it works better, and is often quoted that way]
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
6) Job 3:3-5 St. Joseph Edition
Perish the day on which I was born, the night when they said, The child is a boy!" May that day be darkness: let not God above call for it, nor light shine upon it! May darkness and gloom claim it, clouds settle upon it, the blackness of night affright it!
So I'm asking the religious to help: which additional verses/chapters do the religious say embody splendid advice, a wise truism or reasonable law?
But being game, I attempted his challenge anyhow.
Now, perhaps it is because I'm an atheist - I couldn't do it, or even stay true to a single translation. He also specified that using any of the 10 Commandments would only count as one instance.
Based on his rules, I coud only come up with six:
1) Ecclesiastes 1:2 St. Joseph Edition
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity.
2) Exodus 20 which ever translation reads that way
Thou shalt not murder, adultery, steal, bear false witness [in court]; honor thy father and mother.
3) Proverbs 13:24 International Standard Version
Whoever does not discipline his son hates him, but whoever loves him is diligent to correct him.
4) Proverbs 31:6 English Standard Version
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
5) Exodus 21:24-25 NIV [taken out of context, because it works better, and is often quoted that way]
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
6) Job 3:3-5 St. Joseph Edition
Perish the day on which I was born, the night when they said, The child is a boy!" May that day be darkness: let not God above call for it, nor light shine upon it! May darkness and gloom claim it, clouds settle upon it, the blackness of night affright it!
So I'm asking the religious to help: which additional verses/chapters do the religious say embody splendid advice, a wise truism or reasonable law?
