How Readest Thou! (Poem)

It is one thing to read the Bible through,

It’s another thing to read to learn and do.

Some read it as their duty once a week,

But no instructions from the Bible (do they) seek.

Some read to bring themselves into repute

By showing others how often they can dispute.

While others read because their neighbors do

To see how long ’twill take to read it through.

Some read it for the wonders that are there,

How David killed a lion and a bear.

While others read it with uncommon care,

Hoping to find some contradictions there.

One reads with father’s specs upon his head,

And sees the thing just as his father said.

Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,

Hence understand but little that they read.

For every passage in the book they bend,

To make it suit that all-important end.

Some people read as I have often thought,

To teach the Bible instead of being taught.

And some there are who read it out of spite,

I fear there are but few who read it right.

So many people in these latter days

Have read the Bible in so many ways;

That few can tell which system is the best,

For every party contradicts the rest.

But read it prayerfully and you will see,

Although men contradict, God’s Word(s) agree;

For what the early Bible prophets wrote,

We find that Christ and His apostles quote.

So trust no one creed that trembles to recall

What has been penned by one and verified by all.

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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life…” -John 5:39

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” -2 Timothy 3:16,17

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” -Psalm 119:103

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feed, and a light unto my path.” -Psalm 119:105

“Oh, how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” -Psalm 119:97

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” -Psalm 119:165

“…Thy word is truth” –John 17:17

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” -Colossians 3:16

“And he said unto them, Go ye into tall the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” -Mark 16:15

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Published by the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite