Portion of Scripture - 1001

This is a portion of what I have read this morning. I will begin with Genesis, shift to the Quran, and end with Luke. I offer no interpretation. This is simply scripture reading.

Genesis 1:1-31 New King James Version

[1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

[2] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

[3] Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

[4] And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

[5] God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

[6] Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."

[7] Thus God made teh firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.

[8] And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

[9] Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered toether into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

[10] And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

[11] Then God said, "Let th earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, who seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so.

[12] And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, adn the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

[13] So the evening and the morning were the third day.

[14] Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them bef or signs and seasons, and for days and years;

[15] "and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so.

[16] Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.

[17] God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on th eearth,

[18] and to rule over th day and over the night, and to divide the light from te darkness. And God saw that it was good.

[19] So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

[20] Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face o fthe firmament of the heavens."

[21] So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

[22] And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on earth."

[23] So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

[24] Then God said, "Let the earth bring for the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of th earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so.

[25] And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

[26] Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all th earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

[27] So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

[28] Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

[29] And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields see; to you it shall be for food.

[30] "Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so.

[31] Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

2- The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)

[2:101] Now that a messenger from GOD has come to them, and even though he proves and confirms their own scripture, some followers of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) disregard GOD's scripture behind their backs, as if they never had any scripture.

[2:102] They pursued what the devils taught concerning Solomon's kingdom. Solomon, however, was not a disbeliever, but the devils were disbelievers. They taught the people sorcery, and that which was sent down through the two angels of Babel, Haroot and Maroot. These two did not divulge such knowledge without pointing out: "This is a test. You shall not abuse such knowledge." But the people used it in such evil schemes as the breaking up of marriages. They can never harm anyone against the will of GOD. They thus learn what hurts them, not what benefits them, and they know full well that whoever practices witchcraft will have no share in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they sell their souls for, if they only knew.

[2:103] If they believe and lead a righteous life, the reward from GOD is far better, if they only knew.

[2:104] O you who believe, do not say, "Raa`ena" (be our shepherd). Instead, you should say, "Unzurna" (watch over us), and listen. The disbelievers have incurred a painful retribution.

[2:105] Neither the disbelievers among the followers of the scripture, nor the idol worshipers, wish to see any blessings come down to you from your Lord. However, GOD showers His blessings upon whomever He chooses. GOD possesses infinite grace.

[2:106] When we abrogate any miracle, or cause it to be forgotten, we produce a better miracle, or at least an equal one. Do you not recognize the fact that GOD is Omnipotent?

[2:107] Do you not recognize the fact that GOD possesses the kingship of the heavens and the earth; that you have none besides GOD as your Lord and Master?

[2:108] Do you wish to demand of your messenger what was demanded of Moses in the past? Anyone who chooses disbelief, instead of belief, has truly strayed off the right path.

[2:109] Many followers of the scripture would rather see you revert to disbelief, now that you have believed. This is due to jealousy on their part, after the truth has become evident to them. You shall pardon them, and leave them alone, until GOD issues His judgment. GOD is Omnipotent.

[2:110] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Any good you send forth on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD. GOD is seer of everything you do.

[2:111] Some have said, "No one will enter Paradise except Jews or Christians!" Such is their wishful thinking. Say, "Show us your proof, if you are right."

[2:112] Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[2:113] The Jews said, "The Christians have no basis," while the Christians said, "The Jews have no basis." Yet, both of them read the scripture. Such are the utterances of those who possess no knowledge. GOD will judge them on the Day of Resurrection, regarding their disputes.

[2:114] Who are more evil than those who boycott GOD's masjids, where His name is commemorated, and contribute to their desertion? These ought not to enter therein except fearfully. They will suffer in this life humiliation, and will suffer in the Hereafter a terrible retribution.

[2:115] To GOD belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of GOD. GOD is Omnipresent, Omniscient.

[2:116] They said, "GOD has begotten a son!" Be He glorified; never! To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; all are subservient to Him.

[2:117] The Initiator of the heavens and the earth: to have anything done, He simply says to it, "Be," and it is.

[2:118] Those who possess no knowledge say, "If only GOD could speak to us, or some miracle could come to us!" Others before them have uttered similar utterances; their minds are similar. We do manifest the miracles for those who have attained certainty.

[2:119] We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner. You are not answerable for those who incur Hell.

[2:120] Neither the Jews, nor the Christians, will accept you, unless you follow their religion. Say, "GOD's guidance is the true guidance." If you acquiesce to their wishes, despite the knowledge you have received, you will find no ally or supporter to help you against GOD.

[2:121] Those who received the scripture, and know it as it should be known, will believe in this. As for those who disbelieve, they are the losers.

[2:122] O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I blessed you more than any other people.

[2:123] Beware of the day when no soul will help another soul, no ransom will be accepted, no intercession will be useful, and no one will be helped.

Luke 7:18-35 New King James Version

[18] Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.

[19] And John, calling two of his disiples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"

[20] When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"

[21] And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

[22] Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

[23] And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

[24] When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

[25] "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.

[26] "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

[27] "This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'

[28] "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

[29] And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

[30] But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

[31] And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this gneration, and what are they like?

[32] "They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling one another, saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'

[33] "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'

[34] "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'

[35] "But wisdom is justified by all her children."