Usury - Bible vs Koran

"If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. (Exodus 22:25 ESV)

Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess. (Deuteronomy 23:19-20 NIV)

Note that the Bible forbids charging of interest for the poor and fellow Israelites. But the foreigner may be charged interest. Thus, banking is not a sin in the Bible. It is commercial and not charity. But the Quran seems to forbid all interest, banking or otherwise.

Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, alms, etc.) And Allah likes not the disbelievers, sinners. (Quran 2:276 Mohsin Khan)

The Word Outlast the Creation

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35 CSB NIV)

The Beginning
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NIV NLT BSB CSB ASV CEV)

The New Beginning
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (Revelation 21:1 ESV)

The first book of the Bible begins with the creation. The last book of the Bible ends with the new creation and the passing of the old creation. The Word outlast the creation.

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18 CSB)

Do We Need the Bible in the Millennium?

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35 NIV, CSB)

LORD, your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. (Psalm 119:89 CSB)

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)

From Adam to Moses, there was no Bible. From Moses to John the Apostle, the Bible was work in progress. From John the Apostle onwards, we have the complete Bible.

During the millennium, the Word of God will dwell among men and rule the nations together with the saints. Do we still need the Bible?

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 CSB)

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3 CSB)

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6 ESV)

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33 ESV)

Moving Mountains - Bible versus Chinese Idiom Story

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. (Mark 11:23 ESV)

The Bible says that faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23).

Now there is also a Chinese idiom story called "A Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains (愚公移山)" taken from 《列子·湯問》.

Here is an English translation quoted from Chinese Idiom Story - 愚公移山:

QUOTE
Once upon a time, there were two large mountains - Taihang Mountain and Wangwu Mountain, which sat in front of an old man Yu's house. Because the mountains blocked the way, the Yu's families had to walk many extra miles in order to go out. One day, Yu called together the whole family to discuss removing the mountains. His wife shook her head and said, "Where are we going to put the earth and sand we dug out?" The others said, "We can dump it in the sea."

The next day in the early morning, Yu began digging the mountain with his families. An old man called Zhi Sou (智叟) saw them working and laughed: "Mr. Fool, you're so old and weak. Why do you want to remove the mountains? You won't be able to remove it even before you die!" Yu smiled and said, "Your mind is so stubborn and old. If I die, there will be my sons. Sons will have grandsons and grandsons will have sons. There will be no end, but the mountain will not grow. As time goes on, the mountains will be removed one day!" Zhi Sou said nothing and left.
UNQUOTE

Which way is more credible to you? The Bible's faith in God or the Chinese idiom story's faith in men?

Have you seen mountains jumping into the sea? I have never. The Bible's method seems incredible. At least the Chinese idiom story provide a practical method of digging the mountain bit by bit. Both are unlikely to succeed but there may be a fluke chance that the foolish old man's descendants may finish the job.

Then we look at history. We look at the Bible-based European civilization and the humanistic Chinese civilization. Science and all the benefits of modern civilisation came from Europe, not China. How do you explain that?

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV, BSB, HCSB)

A Man Named Tychicus

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. (Ephesians 6:21-22 NIV)

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. (Colossians 4:7-8 NIV)

The Bible is full of names of small people, such as Tychicus and Damaris. God remembers them, and He also remembers you.

Judgement Day - Bible vs Koran

Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6 NLT)

I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15 NLT)

And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant. (Quran 21:47 Sahih International)

No Prophet Can Claim Credit for Prophecy Coming True

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21 ESV)

No prophet can know the future, unless God revealed it to him. Therefore, whatever God has revealed to the prophet, it is the word of God and the prophet cannot claim credit for knowing the future.

However, the maker of this YouTube video gave credit the prophet for knowing the future. Was he mistaken or was he taught by his prophet?

Provoked to Jealousy by Foolish Gentiles

They have provoked my jealousy with what is not a god; they have enraged me with their worthless idols. So I will provoke their jealousy with what is not a people; I will enrage them with a foolish nation. (Deuteronomy 32:21 CSB)

But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." (Romans 10:19 ESV)

I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them. (Romans 11:11-14 BSB)

The Bible is not written by mere human because anyone can write a book but no one can foretell the future of a nation. See how Moses prophesied that Israel would be provoked to jealousy by a foolish nation was fulfilled later by the Gentiles.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27 BSB)

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:22-24 NIV)

In What Form Will The Bible Exist During The Millennium

For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18 KJV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35 NIV CSB)

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)

I have a question for those who believe in a literal millennium with Jesus ruling as King on earth, will our Bible still continue to exist in its current form of written words?

There is no Word of God in written form before the flood. It seemed that knowledge was passed by word of mouth in those days and writing was not invented.

During the millennium, God have promised to write the law into the minds and hearts of the people (Hebrews 8:10). Maybe people in the millennium will be born with the Bible knowledge in them. And all those who are saved will come back with the Messiah to rule the earth. For example, if anyone need to know about Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac, he can just go straight to both of them and ask them about it. He does not need to read it from a Bible with written words, whether be it printed as a book or in softcopy in digital devices.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33 ESV)

With My Own Hand

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. (1 Corinthians 16:21 ESV)

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. (Galatians 6:11 ESV)

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Colossians 4:18 ESV)

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. (2 Thessalonians 3:17 ESV)

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it - to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. (Philemon 1:19 ESV)

An interesting observation about the Apostle Paul by Joel Arnold in Lecture 4—What books belong in our Bible? - YouTube.

Who Does God Swear By - Bible vs Koran

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!"
He replied, "Here I am."
Then he said, "Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me." Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said, "It will be provided on the Lord's mountain."
Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn," this is the Lord's declaration: "Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies. And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command." (Genesis 22:11-18 CSB)

After Abraham proved his faith in God by offering Isaac as a sacrifice, God replaced Isaac with a ram and swore to Abraham that He will multiply Abraham's descendants. This event is also celebrated by the Muslims in Eid al-Adha (Hari Raya Haji).

In the Bible, God can only swear by Himself because there is no one greater than Him.

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. (Hebrews 6:13-16 CSB)

In the Quran, Allah swears by all kinds of stuff. Below is quoted from the WikiIslam article Swears and Oaths in the Qur'an and Hadith - WikiIslam:

QUOTE
The following are verses from the Qur'an, where we find Allah swearing oaths.
I swear by the Book that makes manifest (the truth). (Quran 44:2)
Qaf. I swear by the glorious Quran (that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) (Quran 50:1)
I swear by the wind that scatters far and wide, (Quran 51:1)
I swear by the Mountain, (Quran 52:1)
I swear by the star when it goes down. (Quran 53:1)
But nay! I swear by the falling of stars; (Quran 56:75)
Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write, (Quran 68:1)
Nay; I swear by the moon, (Quran 74:32)
Nay! I swear by the day of resurrection. (Quran 75:1)
I swear by the emissary winds, sent one after another (for men's benefit), (Quran 77:1)
I swear by the angels who violently pull out the souls of the wicked, (Quran 79:1)
I swear by the mansions of the stars, (Quran 85:1)
I swear by the heaven and the comer by night; (Quran 86:1)
I swear by the daybreak, (Quran 89:1)
Nay! I swear by this city. (Quran 90:1)
I swear by the sun and its brilliance, (Quran 91:1)
I swear by the night when it draws a veil, (Quran 92:1)
I swear by the early hours of the day, (Quran 93:1)
I swear by the fig and the olive, (Quran 95:1)
I swear by the runners breathing pantingly, (Quran 100:1)
I swear by the time, (Quran 103:1)
UNQUOTE

Examples - Bible vs Koran

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)

The apostle Paul urged Christians to follow his example, just as he follow the example of Jesus.

Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. (Surah 33:21 Muhsin Khan version)

Allah urges Muslims to follow the example of Mohammed.

Karma Samsara Moksha Nirvana

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:8-10 ESV)

The Bible says we do not always get what we deserve. If the Bible is true, then karma is false.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV)

The Bible says we live and die once. If the Bible is true, then samsara is false. If there is no samsara, there is no moksha or nirvana.

Read God's Word

Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. (Psalm 119:98-100 CSB)

Read the Word. It is good for both kings and commoners.

"When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. (Deuteronomy 17:18-20a NLT)

Who is Jesus - Bible vs Koran

The Bible and the Quran has different perspectives on Jesus. It leads to different conclusions about Jesus. Only one book can be right. It is not possible for both the Bible and Quran to be true.

Authority
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:15-16 NIV)

People of the Book, do not go to excess in your religion, and do not say anything about God except the truth: the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was nothing more than a messenger of God, His word, directed to Mary, a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers and do not speak of a 'Trinity' - stop [this], that is better for you - God is only one God, He is far above having a son, everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him and He is the best one to trust. (Surah 4:171 Abdul Haleem translation)

Salvation
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV)

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24 NIV)

Indeed, We gave Moses the Book and sent after him successive messengers. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the holy spirit (see footnote). Why is it that every time a messenger comes to you ˹Israelites˺ with something you do not like, you become arrogant, rejecting some and killing others? - Footnote The holy spirit is Gabriel, a mighty angel created from light, whose main duty is to communicate Allah's messages to prophets. (Surah 2:87 Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran)

Judgement
For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. (John 5:22-23 ESV)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV)

"Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31 CSB)

And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, "O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you ever ask the people to worship you and your mother as gods besides Allah?" He will answer, "Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, you would have certainly known it. You know what is ˹hidden˺ within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Knower of all unseen. (Surah 5:116 Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran)

The Gospel of Jesus - Bible vs Koran

Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11 CSB)

How do Muslims see Jesus? They see him as son of Mary (Quran 3:45, 3:46, 4:171, 5:17, 5:78, 5:112, 5:114, 19:34, 23:50, 33:7, 43:57).

This is the good news from the Quran:
Remember when the angels proclaimed, "O Mary! Allah gives you good news of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honoured in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest to Allah. And he will speak to people in his infancy and adulthood and will be one of the righteous." (Quran 3:45-46 Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran)

Where is the good news? I do not see any good news for me from Jesus in the Quran. It was good news for Mary because she would give birth to a son.

Here is the good news for the people of the world from Jesus in the true word of God:
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21 NIV)

The good news for us is that Jesus will save us from our sins. But how does Jesus save his people from their sins?
"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24 NIV)

Why is Jesus qualified to save us from our sins? It is because of who He is. When Jesus was regarded as the son of Mary, he brought joy to Mary. When Jesus is the Son of God, He brings joy to the world.

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:15-16 NIV)

Origin Of Philistines Solved By DNA

Mizraim fathered the people of Lud, Anam, Lehab, Naphtuh, Pathrus, Casluh (the Philistines came from them), and Caphtor. (Genesis 10:13-14 CSB)

A quote from this article, "DNA shows Philistines, and modern-day Palestinians, were really European - Metro Voice News 2019-07-05":

QUOTE
A dramatic and explosive DNA discovery in Israel has implications for the political struggle between Israelis and Palestinians. Three years ago, archaeologists digging in Israel revealed they had excavated a Philistine cemetery for the first time ever.  Now, an extensive report on the DNA taken from the bones they uncovered has confirmed the origins of the Philistines - one of the arch-enemies of the biblical Israelites.

"We've been able to demonstrate for the first time that the Philistines were immigrants to the region of Philistia," said Daniel Master, director of the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon.

Scientists have long suspected that modern day Palestinians are not Arab, but actually descendants of European (and mainly pre-Greek) settlers in the region.

State-of-the-art DNA testing on the ancient Philistine bones showed they had European ancestry and migrated across the Mediterranean more than 3,000 years ago and just before the Israelites were given the land by God.
.. .. ..
The DNA revelations have become a problem for many Arab leaders, but especially the terrorist groups of Hamas which controls modern-day Gaza. If Palestinians have no historical claim of always have lived in the land, why is the conflict between Jews and Palestinians allowed to continue at great cost?
UNQUOTE

For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines and to remove all survivors who could help Tyre and Sidon. The LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor. (Jeremiah 47:4 NIV)

The Philistines were destroyed by the Babylonians and the current Palestinians are not related to them. Zephaniah 2:7 was fulfilled when Israel was restored in 1948 and rebuild the city of Ashkelon.

Sowing And Reaping - Bible vs Karma

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7 KJV)

Karma states that everything that happens to a person is caused by something the person has done in the past and everything a person does will come back to the person in future.

But reality tell us a different story. We know that karma is not true. A simple proof is the birth of a baby. Every baby born is the effect caused by a man and woman having sex and not the baby's own action. Yet babies are born differently into different circumstances. We also see the wicked flourishing and not reaping what they sow.

I have seen a wicked, violent person well-rooted, like a flourishing native tree. (Psalm 37:35 CSB)
Look at them - the wicked! They are always at ease, and they increase their wealth. (Psalm 73:12 CSB)

How does karma and the Bible resolve this inconsistency with reality?

The inventors of karma came up with a unprovable process, called samsara, or reincarnation. With samsara, whatever cause not seen is the present life is actually in a past life and whatever effect will be in a future life.

The Bible also has an unproveable process call last judgement. All the wicked will be judge at the last judgement and no sin shall go unpunished.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36 KJV)

What is unprovable is not necessarily untrue. As in all religions, faith is required. But the Bible has a process to prove that the Bible is the Word of God and that the Word of God is true. In doing so, the Bible can be trusted in all that is affirmed, whether provable or not. For example, prophecies are not provable until it is fulfilled. Likewise when the last judgement come, we will all know it is true.

How God Spoke To Believers - Bible vs Koran

The Lord said to Moses, "Thus you will tell the Israelites: 'You yourselves have seen that I have spoken with you from heaven. You must not make gods of silver alongside me, nor make gods of gold for yourselves. (Exodus 20:22-23 NET)

In the Bible (Exodus 20:1-21), God spoke directly to the Israelites and gave them the ten commandments.

In the Quran (42:51), Allah does not speak to men directly. However, the Quran (4:164) said that Allah spoke to Moses directly.

It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by the sending of a messenger to reveal, with Allah's permission, what Allah wills: for He is Most High, Most Wise. (Surah 42:51 Yusuf Ali version)

Thus, the ten commandments went directly from God to the Israelites, but the Quran went from Allah to Jibreel to Mohammad to the Muslims.

Going Viral

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

How do viruses spread?
How do invention and knowledge spread?
How do religions spread?
How does the gospel spread?

This is how Collins English Dictionary described the term "Go viral" - If a video, image, or story goes viral, it spreads quickly and widely on the Internet through social media and e-mail.

We actually find viruses, ideas and religions spreading like much in the same way. It depends on population density, geographic location, communication technology and the right time. It goes viral when the conditions are right.

In the Bible, the good news spread in the same way. God chose a people and placed them in a location and spread the message.

If you live far from China and where few Chinese visit, then you have a lower chance of getting the covid-19 virus. If you live far away from Israel, then the Gospel will take a longer time to reach you. Especially when the Holy Spirit bid Paul to go west.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." (Acts 16:6-9 NIV)