Apple Sky said:

Yes @Kathleen30 is exactly right. Satan influences until the end of days. He knows the Bible inside out & knows the past & the future.

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Don’t give Satan too much credit. He is very good at predicting the future and manipulating people to influence the results. However, he is not all-knowing and often gets things wrong. I have known my wife for over 30 years, and I can predict what she will do about 60% of the time. Imagine watching people for thousands of years. He would be able to predict human behavior at a high percentage and influence humans to meet his predictions, but he is not anywhere close to God. On top of that, God often changes things in ways Satan could never predict. Satan does not know the future, but he is very good at predicting what might happen. Probably, he can do it much better that the weather stations. Whether or not Satan could predict the space program in much detail from 1700AD is doubtful.

As an addendum to my post above, only once have I heard a Christian male take a hard line on the "the man is the head of the household".

My wife (who is Protestant) and I were at a place called Marian Valley some years ago which was the only time we've been there. Marian Valley as it's name implies is dedicated to a Marian view of things.


But at one point we crossed paths with this chap who went to some length to stress the headship of the male, and as was to be expected he had a mousey wife who wasn't saying anything.

My wife wasn't impressed and it left a sour taste. I'm not as much into Marianism as some Catholics although I believe she is very important. It's unlikely my wife will go back as she's Protestant anyway, but if we did I think that episode would probably come back to her.

Generally speaking though I haven't seen Christian men in any denomination that I've been involved with taking a chauvinist view of male-female relations.

BNR32FAN said:

I don’t believe that carrying a sword was an immoral act. My point is that they don’t appear to have been carrying swords because of the dangers of persecution during their ministry.

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My only reason for responding the way I did is the fact that many anti gun proponents use scripture to try and make the gun the problem. My only point was the weapon is not the problem it is the person using it . If it was the weapon that was bad I do not believe Jesus would said to get one in any context.

Fervent said:

Not at all, and there is no such thing as "semi-pelagianism". The imago dei survived the fall, marred though it may be. The calvinist doctrine of total depravity is nothing but a misanthropic view of man that errs in the opposite direction to Pelagianism, with the truth lying in the middle.

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Fervent said:

Because I don't agree with Aquinas regarding some supernatural sense existing before the fall. I take the Orthodox view that what man lost is not a part of himself, but access to the continual sustenance of God.

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Fervent said:

Which ECFs? Only one who came close, to my knowledge, is tertullian and he's not exactly orthodox for a number of reasons.

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St. Augustine. Calvin was thorough going Augustinian. To note they are Catholic on record from way early on who held Justification by Faith Alone. Let me find my book that gives all the resources from the ECF.

Fervent said:

Death, so mortality.

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Aren't all sinners already dead sin?

Fervent said:

Semi-pelagianism is not a thing, except among Calvinists who try to smear John Cassian by associating him with a monastic group in france that was anathematized for their beliefs about baptism. I'm well aware of the smears that Calvinists have attempted, and their lack of historical veracity.

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Okay, but I suggest you read up on the Council of Orange 529 AD.

Fervent said:

No, the false dilemma Calvinists present between Pelagianism and Calvinism.

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I have no idea what you are saying here.

Fervent said:

What question is that, exactly?

That's a question for those who reject God. Those who refuse to surrender love their sin beyond the point that God will tolerate, but that doesn't negate the genuine nature of the offer in the way that Calvinist doctrines render the gospel message void for those who happen to not be among the elect.

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This did not address the question friend. If everyone according to what you believe receive the Gospel and fully understand it and the outcome of rejecting it. Why would anyone reject it? Hoe come some believe while others do not?

Even though true I am not anti-Semitic . There are many scriptures to prove Jerusalem is the harlot city. Revelation 11:8 Too many people today don’t realize that if that day is not Far off they will be worshiping the man of sin. Revelation 12:9 People refuse to believe that Satan has indeed deceived the world. The big revival they say is coming is when they are worshiping the man of sin. Then if you try to warn them you make yourself a target.

ChubbyCherub said:

some saying Paul had no authority to say what he said and do what he did and we should only follow Jesus but how we follow him

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This is precisely why this continually comes up within the church. There are some who believe Pauline teachings are uninspired. It is completely understandable to focus deeply on Jesus’s direct words, yet for those who do, neglecting or twisting Paul’s inspired letters can unintentionally lead to an incomplete and unbalanced understanding of the New Testament's unified message.

David Lamb said:

So you believe Satan revealed to scientists who lived in Luther's time that hundreds of years later,

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Yes @Kathleen30 is exactly right. Satan influences until the end of days. He knows the Bible inside out & knows the past & the future.

Servus said:

A picture paints a thousand words. Haiti is on the same island as a lager country that doesn't have the same problems. So people in Haiti who don't like living in Haiti can go over to the Dominican Republic next-door. In other words the US is just one of many places Haitians can go to ro seek refuge from the gang activity taking place in Port-au-Prince.

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The DR is one of the places they have gone. But the DR has about the same population as Haiti, so I wouldn’t expect them to be able a sizable influx, especially compared to a country like ours that’s far larger and wealthier.

In thinking about this further I have expanded my view. I agree that the two most obvious churches that are closest to the original or were at least built on that original format. Is the Catholics and Orthodox.

Primarily I could see them unifying out of all churches and denominations because they are at least open to supporting the fundemental ways the early church worshipped. Especially the sacrifice of the bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ.

This is the one factor I think of all things that will unite. Just like the early church it was central and really apart from some prayers and praising and readings this was it. There was no Ted Talk or profound sermon. It was fellowship in the body of Christ.

But unlike some denominations who have no chance of uniting because they are divided. They either dismiss it or reimagine it into how they think it should be done. A modernisation to conform with the world more than Christ.

In saying that I think there are many within all denominations who are of Christ church. They may either partake in it with an honest heart if their church offers it. Or are willing and wanting to do so.

This is where I think Gods spirit comes in. As this is so fundemental and a truth I think all Christians know. But for whatever reasons have been side tracked or denied this. But as the spirit can come over people and then the church I think this can bring Christ spirit to existing groups of Christians who have strayed who will want to go back to partaking of the bread .

On the other hand there will be churches and denomionations which become more worldly and lose their way and we can tell by the fruits and know that we should stay away. We too could be blinded and fooled if not strong in the faith.

I was only thinking this as I am starting to go to a local church associated with a Homeless Hub I work at. A few of the homeless guests go there and they also provide a meal.

I am thinking wow how is this not reflecting Christ church even though they are not Catholic or Orthodox. They are very basic, some bible readings and a bit of a sermon. But not a preachy one and just a down to earth one about lifes struggles and how God offers hope and salvation.

I think these smaller churches or gatherings are probably capturing more closely the essense of sharing the bread of Christ. They just don;t specify it or state the need for it. Certainlt the sharing of a meal beforehand is sort of the same. So I sometimes wonder where the line is.

Its hard to know and Gods spirit works when two or more are gathered. But I sort of believe that Christ is with this small church, they are living His words. Even though they are not practicing this the same way as the Catholics or Orthodox.

December 9, 2025

Our Morning Offering – 9 December– Tota Pulchra Es, Maria


One Minute Reflection – 9 December – ‘ … Thou enabled the world to read the Word, the Father’s Son!’

Feria (Second Sunday of Advent) propers (EF)

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent (EF)

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent readings & commentary (OF)
Saint Juan Diego, Hermit—Optional Memorial

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent; Opt Mem of St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (USA)

Daily Gospel

ADVENTCAzT 2025 – 10 – Tuesday 2nd Week of Advent

Saint Leocadia of Toledo Virgin and Martyr

Saint Juan Diego Visionary of Our Lady of Guadelupe

Saint Juan Diego, Hidden Keeper of the Tilma

Saint Juan Diego

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living - St Juan Diego 12/9/25

There are 3 Marian feasts this week and they’re perfect for Advent

Audio version of Gueranger
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Sometimes the child grows to the point where he has to treat his parents like children. You may have to set boundaries and explain that consequences are a result of their not being able to discipline their own behavior.

I don't normally spend much time thinking about this particular text. I, and all my western contemporaries, live our lives in a society where women often hold leadership positions, and where a lot of church work and administration is performed by women. So I sort of gloss over it.

But since the question has been raised, I went looking for some answers.

One I found was the following-

However, at the end of the verse, St. Paul says that women should learn in submission. Now, further analysis is definitely needed. First, we should understand that St. Paul is writing to St. Timothy, whom he had ordained as the Bishop of the city of Ephesus after he, himself, had started the church there. Now, Ephesus, as a city, had many issues. We can understand from Acts 19 that Ephesus was the home of the temple of the goddess Diana, also known as Artemis; where people participated in pagan worship. Acts 19 also reveals that Ephesus was a city where magic was practiced by many. So, the Christians in Ephesus were moving away from cult worship and sorcery to embracing Christianity. History also reveals that there were gnostic teachings in Ephesus at the time as can be seen in 1st Timothy 6:20. So there was truly a mishmash of wrong doctrinal teaching and St. Paul clearly addressed it in 1st Timothy 1 when he said to Timothy: “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia–remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.” Now, in their Ephesian tradition, women, and more specifically older women, used to teach these traditions to the newer generations. Unfortunately, these women would discourteously teach this mishmash of Gnostic and pagan traditions in the church in Ephesus. That is why in 1st Timothy 4, we can read Paul asking Timothy to reject profane and old wives’ fables. So, St. Paul, as a good pastor, is responding to these old women’s wrong doctrinal teachings within the church. He, therefore, uses very strong language against their actions. In this verse specifically, he asks them to continue learning but in submission. In other words, he asks them to repent from their pride, rebellious attitude and false teachings and become good humble students.

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Ephesus was the home of Diana, and the leading women, particularly leading women, were teaching the pagan traditions to younger women. The Christians there were new Christians, just coming out of pagan worship, unlike the Jews who had centuries of theological tradtion. But even they had reverted to Baal and other pagan worship at times. It wasn't until the Babylonian exile that they completely rejected idol worship.

In addition there was a strong streak of gnosticism at work. This meant that St. Paul was dealing not just with new Christians, but a pagan culture and gnostic teachings within the church. And the women apparently had a leading role in teaching some of these false doctrines.

As I mentioned earlier, the Ephesians were influenced by gnostic teachings. And, there are several surviving Gnostic creation accounts which gave Eve primacy over Adam because Gnostics held knowledge in very high esteem, therefore, in their false understanding, Eve was considered a heroine because she sought knowledge by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. So, St. Paul, in reaction to this teaching, stresses that Adam was formed first and then Eve. And what the Gnostics consider as virtue, namely Eve eating from the tree, Christians consider as the first sin.

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But when we read Timothy 1:11-15 with our 21st century mindset, we don't realise the challenges Paul was facing. All we see is a verse "women should keep silent" and "saved in childbearing", not realising the prevailing local custom that they regarded Diana as a mid-wife.

It says: “Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” This verse could be understood once we realize that the Ephesians used to consider the goddess Diana to be a mid-wife that allegedly had the power to bring life and to take it away.

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Cultural context needs to be taken into account, and not just blandly reading some Bible verses.

Basil the Great said:

Well, First Lady Melania Trump is reported to be a practicing Catholic, so in that sense I suppose a conversion by the President would have some logic behind it. Having said that, I will leave it up to others here to speculate how likely it might be for President Trump to convert.

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I think Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio might be influential.

A good example is with Kirk and how the TP gatherings were falsely narrated as being like Nazis. To some degree all the talk about Trump and Vance and conservatives as Nazis is partly due to the Christian connection. They have some similar beliefs and ideas that progressives regard as being like Nazis.

I think mainly due to the fundemental difference in how each sees the world and how society should be ordered. Progressives I think they use the idea of love being all inclusive and making everyone welcome and feeling good about themselves and the world.

So the idea of sin, accountability and especially the consequences for wrong doing (punishment) is a no no. It represents cruelty and control. It makes people feel uncomfortable and is percieved to be harmful. In a feelings based view of the world.

So for example the Christian belief of Gods judgement for sinners is seen as outdated and harsh. By the same logic heavy controls on immigration of even crime is seen as controlling and cruel and not allowing for peoples feelings and experiences.

Even the idea of locking people up or having borders is seen by some as controlling.

So I think this is the basis for why Christianity is percieved as so controlling and cruel that it is compared to the Nazis controlling and cruelty. Of course this is rediculous as the Nazis killed 7 million Jews and others and Christians ain't doing that and in fact show a lot of forgiveness and love.

But this is the Postmodern age where feelings and words create reality. Words are given new meaning then reapplied in narratives and when this is repeated enough it becomes the reality. People begin to believe it enough that they will actually act on it as we have seen with the assassinations and attempts.

jonojim1337 said:

H5377 - nāšā' - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv)

H5377 - נָשָׁא nâshâʼ, naw-shaw'; a primitive root; to lead astray, i.e. (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce:—beguile, deceive, greatly, utterly.

www.blueletterbible.org

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Still nah. Still a figment of your imagination. NASA is an acronym not a word.,

Rescued One said:

Thank you I don't use NLT.

I always refer to what is expected of husbands and men such as Ephesians 5:25: and Eph. 4:32 for EVERY Christian, male or female. If a man loves Christ, he will treat a woman with utmost kindness and respect! I love God's word and don't think verses that seem to put women down should be taken out of context. For instance, my mother left an abusive alcoholic husband. And I thank God for that.

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As this thread is titled 'Not a lot of respect for men' I think it's wise to never cite this requirement for husbands from Ephesians 5 without also citing the requirement for wives from the same section: 'to submit to their husbands as to Christ' and 'to fear/reverence their husbands'.

And as husbands should love their wives even when their wives don't properly submit or fear/reverence them, in the same way the wives should still submit and fear/reverence their husbands even when they don't properly love them.

Of course I'm not talking about a situation where a husband literally beats his wife up, but these days the definition of 'abuse' gets stretched so much that any (verbal) correction or setting boundaries setting by a husband may already be construed as emotional abuse (this is not a joke).

Be blessed sisters .. !

12/09/25 Day 6

O St. Lucy, whose name proclaims the radiance of light, we approach you with humble confidence to seek your holy intercession. Obtain for us, through your prayers, that sacred illumination which guides our souls away from the shadows of sin and leads us toward the brightness of virtue.

Obtain for us also these petitions which we offer to you in this novena:

[Mention your petitions now]

We beseech you, St. Lucy, through your powerful advocacy before the throne of the Lamb, the protection of our eye sight, and for the grace to employ our eyes always in service of God’s glory and never for that which offends His divine majesty.

Help us to perceive with clarity the truths of our faith and the needs of our neighbor, that we may walk steadfastly in the light of Christ and labor earnestly for the salvation of souls.

Pray for us, St. Lucy, that having honored you as our advocate in this earthly pilgrimage, we may one day behold with you the eternal splendor of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose divine light all shadows flee away forever. Amen.

Kathleen30 said:

T

David The answer be a rather simple one. It be about satans and mans long war with God through the ages and how in anyway they can diminish or undermine the remembrance, authority and glory of God. False science is merely one of the many subjects that they weave their deception

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So you believe Satan revealed to scientists who lived in Luther's time that hundreds of years later, a scientist called Einstein would introduce his theory of relativity, and that a space agency would exist in America? Where is the evidence that anybody in Luther's day knew such things?

BCP1928 said:

The US has no state called Columbia.

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Lol I mean Columbus. Columbus, Ohio the capital and largest city in Ohio. I know Ohio from the CSNY song by the same name. Great song.

BCP1928 said:

I don't think you have any idea what "sanctuary" means in this context.

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I think I understand it enough to know that it has caused some States a lot of trouble in trying to harbor and hide illegals. Something like 20 million in the last few years and some States have been overwhelmed. No checks, vetting and integration.

Its a complete mess and so big that its now a national safety and security issue. The entire system is untrustworthy and needs to be investigated and restructured. This is a major turning point for the US I think when it comes to immigration and national identity and all that.

Not just the US but most western nations. Reassessing the whole idea of immigration and how best to structured it so that it does not become something that undermines and destroyes the nation but builds it up.

Having people who come here and even locals always complaing about western nations being like Nazis and the worst nation. When the nations they came from were the bad ones. Everyone has to unite under the one Flag and nation and not 50 different ones as far as national identity.

This whole identity politics and culture war of whites verses blacks and gender and sex wars and now religion and belief wars is destroying nations and the long held values that built them.

truthuprootsevil said:

And he speaks of the illegals who come here committing crime, but he is going to prison systems have more US citizens manually illegals, and the number is overwhelmingly higher. But people will ignore facts to achieve what they want.BOP Statistics: Inmate Citizenship BOP Statistics: Inmate Citizenship

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Is your claim then, because we have Americans who commit crime, we should therefore allow illegals in who commit crime?

The truth is we don't actually know how much crime illegals commit because most places don't keep track of if a person is illegal or not. I know in my area inmates are not required to prove their citizenship.

truthuprootsevil said:

Government aid program? Again US citizens at the top of the list and many government aid programs illegals cannot received.

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And they should be top of the list. They are citizens. Yes, illegals arent supposed to get certain aid, and yet they do becauae states administer the programs and there are ways around the federal requirements.

truthuprootsevil said:

I guess farmers will start complaining again they will not have anyone to work their Crops. It's the dirty jobs, the menial jobs, that US citizens don't want and the majority will not do.

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Is this all the illegals are good for? Doing the dirty jobs and being taken advantage of. Maybe if we forced rhe farmers to hire only legals the wages would go up enough that Americans might do it. But this is a dirty little secret. Hire illegals and keep wages lower, for everyone.

truthuprootsevil said:

The Bible tells people to help each other, be kind to the stranger, help those in need but if you a third world country the current US president and his supporters don't want to help anyone less fortunate than them, of course unless it's family or friends.

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The Bible says a lot of things Christians should and shouldn't do. Are you for forcing everyone to follow scritpure in all things or just certain things? The things you apparently support. What if I said we needed to outlaw lying and homosexuality. Would you be for that or against that?

T

David Lamb said:

I didn't say that there was no connection between the scientists who lived at the same time as Luther, and modern scientists. Rather, I was questioning what you wrote about people of Luther's time knowing about Einstein, NASA, etc. You still haven't said how that would be possible.

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David The answer be a rather simple one. It be about satans and mans long war with God through the ages and how in anyway they can diminish or undermine the remembrance, authority and glory of God. False science is merely one of the many subjects that they weave in their deception

FAITH-IN-HIM said:

So, are you suggesting that because Christians face persecution in many Muslim-majority countries, we should treat Muslims the same way here?

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No.

FAITH-IN-HIM said:

yes, there are many Muslim majority countries Christians are persecuted. but that doesn’t cover entire picture.

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Never said it did.

FAITH-IN-HIM said:

It appears that a country guaranteeing religious freedom in its constitution faces more challenges opening Muslim schools in Alabama than Christian schools do in Muslim-majority Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Maybe that's because in those countries they know that the Christians are not trying radicalize their people.

Whereas we know there is Radicalization that occurs among the Muslim community that encourages violence, subjugation, and take over.

And as we know, because there is so much of this world wide, we don't know if its going on until its too late.

I think the body of Christ reigns today even more than ever because theres too many wolves. Now more than ever is the world open to turning a truth into a lie and a lie into the truth. The postmodern age where words, narratives and feelings make relaity and there is no way to tell the truth.

So we need a clear and truthful example in among all that white noise of Enlightened relativism that will be different and stand out as worthy and without fault. One that is above reproach.

As Christians we know this is Christ. But we have often failed to differentiate ourselves from the culture wars and the church has become just another identity among many even divided among itself. In a never ending war of words and alternative truth claims.

So that means the only way to stand out from all this is to actually be like Christ. To become part of the body of Christ. Which means actually living like Christ and not just speaking the words. This means actually doing what the bible says. Not half doing it but doing it all the way. Just as they did in the early church.

That means being willing to lay down your life literally. Put God above world desires and wants. Not having those material goods and doinging everything as Gods will and not our own.

When we see how even churches don't live to much different to the world then its no wonder people hate the church and God. Most people today do not do what they say. They are good at pointing out the wrongs of others or how people should live. But don't actually live that way themselves.

People are more respected when they live what they preach or teach. In fact for the early church and for Christ they were fairly silent when it came to their own opinion and getting into culture wars. They lived the gospel and example and the few words they did say were well respected. Because people seen that they lived what they preached and it was the truth.

This is all about embodying the gospel and Christ. This example speaks volumes and is power. People cannot argue against it because you are what you say.

But the important thing is that no human idea could ever be good enough that it would make a person untouchable and above reproach. Because we are weak.

So when people embody and like as Christ and actually putting others above themselves, loving their enermies and dying for them. Thet see God without one word being spoken. This is the power of Christs example. People do not even have to say where the truth and power of this testimony comes from. They immediate see it is from God as Christ is God and we are reflecting that to others.

I think the body of Christ is rising again because the world strayed so far away from God. When this happens God reminds people and Christs light shines in the darkness so that people can know Him when the chaos and darkness becomes too great in the world. Bold and pure Christians will restore Gods truth in among all the lies and wolves and Pharisees who are hypocrites.

Homily Wednesday, December 10 2025



Isaiah 40:25-31

God said, “Lift up your eyes on high and see who created these?”



When we realize that we have created nothing, we more readily receive God’s love in the present moment.



Matthew 11:28-30

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”



Let us read carefully: the yoke the Lord wants us to bear is peace, the rest of the soul.



Biblical texts: NAB-RE

Normand Thomas.