2 Corinthians 11

WEEK  15                                    2 Corinthians 11

THURSDAY  Reflections

We are to be like Jesus if we are his followers. So why do false teachers look so good? The answer is they are like Satan. Satan, Paul points out, comes as an angel of light, promising good things and looking good. Paul, therefore, isn't surprised the false apostles are like him. We shouldn't be either. False apostles and false prophets don't look like a wicked witch or an evil and demented necromancer. False teachers sound and look like good people most of the time. After all, you don't poison people with something that tastes like poison.  



2Co 11:1-33
(1)  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
(2)  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
(3)  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
(4)  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
(5)  For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
(6)  But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
(7)  Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
(8)  I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
(9)  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
(10)  As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
(11)  Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
(12)  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
(13)  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
(14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
(15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
(16)  I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
(17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
(18)  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
(19)  For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
(20)  For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
(21)  I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
(22)  Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
(23)  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
(24)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
(25)  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
(26)  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
(27)  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
(28)  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
(29)  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
(30)  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
(31)  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
(32)  In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
(33)  And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

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Proverbs 23

WEEK   15                                          Proverbs 23 

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

In verses 20-21 of Proverbs 23, there is a warning not to be a drunkard or a glutton. Though these two things lead to the same end they may seem to have little in common on the surface. However, they both are based on the desire for excess. It is the desire for more than what is proper, more than what is good and prudent. Food is a good thing, alcohol has its proper place but the excess leads to destruction. It isn't wrong to have them in their proper place, but like sex outside of the proper bounds, it is wrong.

Pro 23:1-35
(1)  When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
(2)  And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
(3)  Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
(4)  Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
(5)  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
(6)  Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
(7)  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
(8)  The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
(9)  Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
(10)  Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
(11)  For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
(12)  Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
(13)  Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
(14)  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
(15)  My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
(16)  Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
(17)  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
(18)  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
(19)  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
(20)  Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
(21)  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
(22)  Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
(23)  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
(24)  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
(25)  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
(26)  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
(27)  For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
(28)  She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
(29)  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
(30)  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
(31)  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
(32)  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
(33)  Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
(34)  Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
(35)  They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Ezra 2

WEEK  15                                                Ezra 2

TUESDAY  Reflections

The seventy years of prophesied captivity are complete. God is opening the door for the exiles not just to return to Jerusalem but to rebuild the temple. This return to the promised land is not like the great exodus where all the people leave. During this exodus, only some return. After 70 years, some have settled down in their new lands, and though they have remained Jewish, they aren't interested in leaving. Returning would mean rebuilding a devastated land surrounded by enemies.

 

The list of names serves historic purposes, but the group I want to highlight is the descendants of those involved in temple worship. Here we see a list of those whom the Jews expect will come their messiah. 

Ezr 2:1-70
(1)  Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
(2)  Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
(3)  The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
(4)  The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
(5)  The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
(6)  The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
(7)  The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
(8)  The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
(9)  The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
(10)  The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
(11)  The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
(12)  The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
(13)  The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
(14)  The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
(15)  The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
(16)  The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
(17)  The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
(18)  The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.
(19)  The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
(20)  The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
(21)  The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.
(22)  The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
(23)  The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
(24)  The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
(25)  The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
(26)  The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
(27)  The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.
(28)  The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
(29)  The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
(30)  The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.
(31)  The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
(32)  The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
(33)  The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
(34)  The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
(35)  The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
(36)  The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
(37)  The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
(38)  The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
(39)  The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
(40)  The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
(41)  The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
(42)  The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
(43)  The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
(44)  The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
(45)  The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
(46)  The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
(47)  The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
(48)  The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
(49)  The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
(50)  The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
(51)  The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
(52)  The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
(53)  The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
(54)  The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
(55)  The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
(56)  The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
(57)  The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.
(58)  All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
(59)  And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
(60)  The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
(61)  And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
(62)  These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
(63)  And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
(64)  The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
(65)  Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
(66)  Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
(67)  Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
(68)  And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
(69)  They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

(70)  So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

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Ezra 1

WEEK  15                                               Ezra 1

MONDAY  Reflections

There is some disagreement among scholars whether Cyrus was a true believer in the God of Israel, if he was trying to please any god that might be out there, or if he was trying to gain political favor with the people that served God. God is the ultimate judge of the heart, so I will leave the state of Cyrus’ heart with Him.

What I do notice is that, whatever the motive, Cyrus has the right theology when he says God has given him the kingdoms of the world and that he should give thanks to God. How to give thanks in his day was answered by building a temple for God in the city God had chosen. The choice of Jerusalem for the temple to the God of Israel can be considered a political move, but I prefer to see it as the providence of God. God is preparing Israel and the world for the coming of Jesus. I can't imagine Jesus' ministry being the same without the temple in Jerusalem. 

Ezra mentions the return of all the articles from the temple that Nebuchadnezzar captured. Missing are most of the furniture that represents Jesus: the brazen altar, brazen laver, the table of shewbread, the altar of incense, and, of most importance, the Ark of God. My personal thoughts are that God/Jesus can't be contained in a heathen temple. This is as I say, according to St. Charles. The truth is we don’t know, and any guess is just that a guess.

Ezr 1:1-11
(1)  Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
(2)  Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
(3)  Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
(4)  And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
(5)  Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
(6)  And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
(7)  Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
(8)  Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
(9)  And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
(10)  Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
(11)  All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

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Ezekiel 20

WEEK  14                                               Ezekiel 20

SATURDAY  Reflections

The elders from Israel send a question to Ezekiel to get a word from God. We are not told what the man asked, but God's initial response is sharp. It sounds to me like God is saying, “You're really asking what I think? Well, I'm not going to tell you!” (what you want to hear).

 

We may wonder why Ezekiel and so many of the prophets repeat the history of Israel again and again. It is because those who are hearing him seem to have forgotten their own history. If they had remembered and believed, they certainly wouldn't continue to live as they were. We see this when Ezekiel tells God, "They say I'm just telling stories."  The leaders of Israel weren't ready to hear or accept the truth.

Eze 20:1-49
(1)  And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
(2)  Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
(3)  Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
(4)  Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
(5)  And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
(6)  In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
(7)  Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
(8)  But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
(9)  But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
(10)  Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
(11)  And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
(12)  Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
(13)  But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
(14)  But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
(15)  Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
(16)  Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
(17)  Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
(18)  But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
(19)  I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
(20)  And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
(21)  Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
(22)  Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
(23)  I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
(24)  Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
(25)  Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
(26)  And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
(27)  Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
(28)  For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.
(29)  Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.
(30)  Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
(31)  For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
(32)  And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
(33)  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
(34)  And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
(35)  And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
(36)  Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
(37)  And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
(38)  And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
(39)  As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
(40)  For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
(41)  I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
(42)  And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
(43)  And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
(44)  And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
(45)  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(46)  Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
(47)  And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
(48)  And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
(49)  Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

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