After those things, God decided to test Abraham’s faith. God said to him, “Abraham!”
Psalm 11:5 - Easy To Read Version The Lord searches for good people,\par but he rejects {\cf2\super [62]} cruel, evil people.\par Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 The LORD trieth the righteous: But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition The Lord tests and proves the [unyieldingly] righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence. [James 1:12.] American Standard Version (1901) Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Common English Bible The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked; his very being hates anyone who loves violence. Catholic Public Domain Version They have said: "We will magnify our tongue; our lips belong to us. What is Lord to us?" Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Who have said: We will magnify our tongue; our lips are our own. Who is Lord over us? |
After those things, God decided to test Abraham’s faith. God said to him, “Abraham!”
Evil people brag about the things they want.\par And those greedy people curse God.\par In this way, the evil people show that\par they hate the Lord.\par
You have looked deep into my heart.\par You were with me all night.\par You questioned me\par and found nothing wrong.\par I didn’t plan any bad thing.\par
God, you will show all your enemies that you are strong.\par Your power will defeat the people who hate you.\par
Lord, try me and test me.\par Look closely into my heart and mind.\par
You destroy people who tell lies.\par You hate people who make secret plans\par to hurt other people.\par
Punish the bad people,\par and help the good people.\par God, you are good.\par And you can look into peoples’ hearts.\par
My own people turned against me\par like a wild lion.\par They roared at me,\par so I turned away from them.\par
Lord All-Powerful, you test good people.\par You look deeply into a person’s mind.\par I told you my arguments\par against those people.\par So let me see you give them\par the punishment that they deserve.\par
I fired the three shepherds all in one month. I became angry at the sheep, and they began to hate me.
Then I will test those survivors. I will give them many troubles. The troubles will be like the fire a man uses to prove silver is pure. I will test them the way a person tests gold. Then they will call to me for help, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘You are my people.’ And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
He will make the Levites {\cf2\super [17]} clean. {\cf2\super [18]} He will make them pure, like silver is made pure—with fire! He will make them pure like gold and silver. Then they will bring gifts to the Lord—and they will do those things the right way.
What great blessings there are for the person who is tempted and still continues strong. Why? Because after he has proved his faith, God will give him the reward of life forever. God promised this to all people who love him.
Why do these troubles happen? To prove that your faith is pure (true). This purity of faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. The purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ appears (comes).
My friends, don’t be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering. Those things are testing your faith. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you.