This chapter of Ecclesiastes would not be out of place in Proverbs, another example of 'Wisdom' literature. It is full of wise, rather wry advice based on a keen observation of human nature. One of its themes is the need for wise government...

These verses are advice to remember God while we're young – or at least, before we are so old and frail that we don't enjoy life and are no longer active. They also contain some of the most beautiful poetry in the Old Testament, with love...

Hebrews was written by a Jewish Christian to other Jewish believers to encourage them in a time of persecution. It's extraordinarily rich theologically, and deeply rooted in the Old Testament. These opening verses speak of the absolute supremacy...

Hebrews was written at a time of persecution, and contains many references to remaining faithful. We're responsible for our own discipleship, but the writer also encourages us to 'help one another every day' (verse 13). We are responsi...

The opening words of this chapter are very striking. Writing in a time of persecution, the author is keen to stress the need to hold fast to the truth. He even says it's impossible for those who abandon the faith after receiving the Holy Spirit ...

As we read this chapter, it might help to remind ourselves of the title of the book – it's the letter to the Hebrews. In other words, it's aimed at Jewish Christians deeply immersed in what we call the Old Testament. They were looking for...

Philip and Thomas have burning questions (John 14.5 and 8): where is Jesus headed? How can they know the way? What is God like? It is the questions, not the illusion of having the answers, that bring the disciples closer to Christ.

After the terrifying display of God’s power and holiness that ends with the giving of the Ten Commandments, these last few verses of Exodus 20 are remarkably undramatic. An altar of earth seems nothing special. It is not ornate or valuable in itsel...

Paul's irritation at those who criticised his ministry sometimes boils over. This is one of those times – he is frustrated that the Corinthians are being led astray by smooth talkers who don't really grasp the heart of the gospel (verse 4...

In chapter 2 of Colossians, Paul continues to unpack the implications of the divinity of Christ. One of his themes here is freedom. When we become followers of Christ – a decision sealed in baptism ­– we enter in to a spiritual union with him t...

Colossians 3 contains straightforward and direct instructions for holy living, set in the context of a profound insight: that because we're united with Christ, we have become completely new people (verse 10). How we are on the outside needs to m...

‘Home alone in the dark when I was a child, I was frightened. I sang “The Lord is my shepherd” to make me feel more secure.’

At first glance, a passage about food sacrificed to idols might not have much to say to twenty-first century readers. In Paul's time, animals would routinely have been dedicated to a particular god or goddess when they were slaughtered and the m...

This chapter deals with orderliness in worship, including the issue of 'speaking in strange tongues'. This probably refers to the spiritual prayer language, unintelligible to its speakers or hearers, held to be one of the gifts of the Spirit.

‘My husband went camping with our boys and never came back. He had a heart attack and died on the mountain.’

In this chapter, Paul is stressing his absolute focus on fulfilling the mission God has given him. It would be perfectly reasonable and right, he says, for him to be supported in his work by the churches and to live a normal family life. But he'...

At the beginning of this chapter, Paul goes back into Israelite history to make a point about responsibility. As the people wandered in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they repeatedly sinned against God, and suffered accordingly. So, says Paul, C...

‘I had a breakdown. I had come to the point where I was ready to take my own life.’

This passage follows a rather complicated account of skirmishes between nine 'kings' – we're probably better thinking of them as tribal chieftains – which end up with Abraham's nephew Lot and his household being taken prisoner.

Bibles provided by you are being snapped up by prisoners almost as soon as they arrive in prison libraries.