Bible readings written in simple language...

Front matter

Hi m

JMI

•v

CHAPTER I. The Story of the Creation

PAGB

The Story of the Creation — What was Made on Each Day — Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden — The Serpent Beguiles Eve — Cherubim and a Flaming Sword — Cain Kills his Brother Abel — A Mark Set Upon Cain 17

CHAPTER II. The Story of the Flood

The Story of the Flood— The World Growl Very Wicked — Noah Commanded to Build an Ark for the Saving of His Family — Every Living Thing on the Dry Land Destroyed— Noah Leaves the Ark and Offers Sacrifice— The Tower of Babel — Confusion of Tongue® and Scattering of the People 25

CHAPTER III. The Story of Abraham

Hie Story of Abraham — Destruction of Sodom and Story of Lot — Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away — Abraham Offering up Isaac — Journey of Abraham's Servant — Isaac and Rebekah — Isaac Obtains a Wife from a far Country .

CHAPTER IV. The Story of Esau and Jacob

The Story of Esau and Jacob — Birthright Sold for a Mess of Pottage — Two Kids from the Flock — Jacob Obtains the Blessing of Isaac — Dream of the Ladder and Angels — Jacob Visits Laban— Leah and Rachel — Serving Fourteen Years to Obtain Rachel for a Wife — Happy Meeting of Jacob and Esau .... 49

CHAPTER V. The Story of joe-*?-*

The Story of Joseph — a Doy m a Pit — Sold Away in^o Egypt — The Coat Dyed with Blood — Telling the Meaning of Dreams —

Wearing the King's Ring— Famine in all Lands — Joseph's Brethren in Egypt- -Jacob and Benjamin 59

CHAPTER VI. Joseph and his Brethren in Egypt

Joseph and his Brethren in Egypt — The Feast in the Palace — Story of Benjamin — The Cup in the Sack— The Plea of Judah— Joseph Makes Himself Known to his Brethren- Jacob's Journey to Egypt — A Home in a Far Country — The Blessing of Joseph's Two Sons —Jacob's Death and Burial — Last Days of Joseph 71

CHAPTER VII. The

The Story of Moses.

Story of Moses— The Little Lifeboat-

9*

Adopted Child of Pharoah's Daughter — Cruel Treatment of the Israelites in Egypt — Moses Slays an Egyptian — At the Burning Bush — Aaron's Rod Becomes a Serpent — The Ten Plagues — The First-born of the Egyptians Slain — Feast of the Passover — The Hebrews Pass Through the Red Sea — Pharaoh and his Host Drowned — The Song of Triumph . . .

CHAPTER VIII. From the Red Sea to Sinai

From the Red Sea to Sinai— The Bitter Waters Made Sweet — Bread from Heaven — A Flock of Quails — Water from the Rock in Horeb — Battle with the Amalekites— The Ten Commandments Spoken from Sinai — Story of the Tabernacle and its Services — The Scapegoat Sent into the Wilderness ..... . iol

CHAPTER IX. Wanderings in thf Wilderness

The Golden Calf — Moses Angry and Breaks thfc Tables of the Law — The Glory of Mouul

V

VI

CONTENTS.

Sinai — Numbering the People — The Pillar of Fire — The Israelites Murmur— Punishment by Fire — A Strong Wind Brings Quails for Food — Spies Sent to the Promised Land — The Brazen Serpent — Story of Balaam and Balak — Death of Moses -The People Mourn Thirty Days . 119

CHAPTER X. The Story of Joshua

Story of Joshua — Arrival of the Israelites at Jordan — Crossing the River — Rahab and the Spies -Capture of Jericho — Battle at the City of Ai— Achan Stoned for Theft— Men in Old Clothes — A Furious Hailstorm— Joshua's Great Victory — The People Choose Whom they will Serve 135

CHAPTER XI. The Story of Gideon

The King of Moab Slain — Deborah Judges tfoe People — The Host of Sisera Scattered — Gideon and the Angel — Choosing an Army — Three Hundred Warriors — Trumpets and Pitchers — A Great Victory — Gideon's Wicked Sou — Capture of a City — Abimelech Killed by a Young Man , . 152

CHAPTER XII. The Story of Samson

Jephthah and his Daughter — An Angel Comes to Manoah— Birth of Samson — The Slain Lion — Honey from a Strange Source — A Hard Riddle to Guess — Jackals in the Corn — Samson Breaks his Bonds — The Giant Loses his Strength — The Cunning Trick of Delilah — • Pillars of the Temple Fall— Death of Samson 166

CHAPTER XIII. The Story of Ruth

A Famine at Bethlehem — Naomi Returns from Moab — Ruth Cleaves to her Mother-in-law — Gleaners in the Harvest Field — Ruth at the Feet of Boaz — The Shoe Given to a Neighbor —Ruth Becomes the Wife of Boaz . . . .174

CHAPTER XIV. The Story of Samuel

The Story of Samuel — Hannah's Prayer — The Boy Hears a Voice Calling Him — Sudden

PAQB

Death of EH— Trouble with the Philistines— The Ark Carried Away — A Great Victory — Samuel Sets up a Stone — The Israelites Want a King 181

CHAPTER XV. The Story of Saui

Story of Saul— A Vial of Oil— Saul is Made King — Israel's Army — War with Amalek — The King's Disobedience — The Torn Mantle— An Evil Spirit— The Shepherd Boy and his Harp- David is Pursued — Saul and the Witch of Endor— The Last Battle— Death of Saul— What Was Done with the King's Body . . .19,

CHAPTER XVI. The Story of David

The Story of David — Anointed by the Piophet — The Sling that Slew a Giant— The Enemy Routed — Saul's Anger Against David— Jonathan's Friendship — The Wanderer — Saul Spared by David— Abigail Sends a Present and Becomes David's Wife— What Happened at Ziklag — Startling News from the Field of Battle 203

CHAPTER XVII. The Reign of David

The Reign of David — W . with the Philistines— The Ark Brought to Jerusalem — David and Uriah — Nathan's Rebuke — Parable of the Ewe Lam^ - The Dead Child— Rebellion of Absalom—David's Flight— A Great Battle — Death of Absalom — David's Grief— A Kis: and a Stab— Terrible Pestilence — David Yields his Throne to Solomon 22J

CHAPTER XVIII. The Story of Solomon

The Story of Solomon — David's Choice of a King— The Anointing — Building the Temple — The Ark Placed in the Holy of Holies — The Dedication of the Lord's House — Solomon Punishes Wrong-Doers — Dispute About a Child — Visit from the Queen of Sheba — A Magnificent Throne — Horses and Chariots — Sin of Idolatry — Solomon's Proverbs — The Fool and Wise Man— The Virtuous Woman . 238

CONTENTS.

VII

CHAPTER XIX. The Story of Eeijah

PAGE

The Story of Elijah— Fed by Ravens— The Widow's Cruse of Oil and Barrel of Meal — Story of the Dead Child— The Prophet on Carmel — Rain in Answer to Prayer — Under the Juniper Tree— Elijah on Mount Horeb — Naboth and his Vineyard — The Arrow that Smote Ahab — Ahaziah Conies to the Trone — Jehu Anointed King — Death of Jezebel — Elijah Taken up into Heaven 257

CHAPTER XX. The Story of Eeisha

The Story of Elisha— Salt in the Water— War Against Moab — The Prophet's Chamber — The Woman of Shunem — Restoring a Dead Child — A Terrible Famine — Vessels of Oil — Iron Made to Swim — Story of Naaman — Sin of Gehazi — A Young Man's Vision — Stoning of the High-Priest — What Happened in Syria — Elisha' s Last Words and Death — The Syrians Defeated —Parable of the Thistle and Cedar . 273

CHAPTER XXI. Two Prophets and a King

Two Prophets and a King—Jonah Sent to Nineveh — A Prophet Cast into the Sea— The Great Fish— A Good King in Judah— The Temple Purified — A Royal Feast —The Sickness of Hezekiah — Babylon and Assyria — Message from the Assyrian King — Isaiah Gives Courage to the Jews — A Wonderful Vision . . . 287

CHAPTER XXII. The; Story of Daniee

The Story of Daniel— Captivity of the Jews- Three Hebrew Youths — The King's Great Image — The Fiery Furnace — Handwriting on the Wall — Weighed and Found Wanting — Daniel's Enemies — In the Den of Lions — A Remarkable Vision 298

CHAPTER XXIII. Return from the Captivity

Return from the Captivity — Rebuilding the Temple — King Darius — Ezra Arrives at Jerusalem—Too Much Wickedness— Wives Taken from the Heathen— Arrival of Nehemiah—

The Walls Rebuilt— The Enemy Thwarted— Ezra Reads the Law — Story of Queen Esther — A Great Feast — Queen Vashti — The Jews in Danger — Haman's Wicked Plot — Esther Saves Her People — Haman Hanged .... 311

CHAPTER XXIV. The Story of Job

The Story of Job — Sons, Daughters and Great Possessions — Satan Among the Sons of God — Messengers Bring Startling News — Job Afflicted with Boils — A Visit from Three Friends — Job's Grievous Complaint — Better Days at Last — Presents and Congratulations — Increase of Riches 332

CHAPTER XXV. The Story of Betheehem

The Story of Bethlehem — A Roman Emperor — Zacharias in the Temple — An Angel Brings a Message — Birth of John Foretold — An Angel Appears to Mary — Elisabeth Visits Her Cousin — The Child Named John — Joseph and Mary at Bethlehem— Birth of the Child Jesus— The Angels and Shepherds — Scene in the Temple — Happy Old Simeon — Good News for the World — The Anthem of Peace 339

CHAPTER XXVI. What Foeeowed the Baptism

Story of John the Baptist — Jesus on the Banks of the Jordan — The Temptation in the Wilderness — The Fishermen Become Disciples — The Miracle in Cana of Galilee — Wine from Water — Jesus in Jerusalem — Buyers and Sellers Driven from the Temple — Words of Jesus not Understood — The Man Who Came by Night — Discourse to Nicodemus 357

CHAPTER XXVII. Jesus Returns to Gaei^EE

The People of Samaria — The Woman at Jacob's Well — The Water of Life — In the Synagogue at Nazareth — Hatred of the Jews — Healing the Son of a Nobleman — Casting Out a Devil — Wonderful Cures— Jesus Calls Peter and Andrew — Discourses Upon the Law and Providence — A Lesson from Birds and Flowers — House Built on the Rock — A Leper healed— The Widow's Son Raised to Life 36}

Vlll

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXVIII. Jesus Teaching and Heading

PAGE

Jesus Dines in the House of a Pharisee — Mary- Magdalene and Her Box of Ointment — Cure of the Man Sick of the Palsy— A Cluster of Parables — What the Kingdom of Heaven is Like — Story of the Prodigal — Publicans and Sinners — A Woman Healed — The Daughter of Jairus— The Troubled Sea Calmed— The Man Possessed of Devils — Followed by a Multitude— The Twelve Apostles 381

CHAPTER XXIX. Marvellous Works and Words

The Man at the Pool of Bethesda— Trouble With the Pharisees — Plucking Corn on the Sabbath — David Eating the Shew-Bread — Death and Burial of John the Baptist — Feeding a Multitude — Storm on the Sea — Jesus Walking on the Water — Rescue of Peter — A Mother's Appeal for Her Daughter — The Deaf and Dumb Man — A Blind Man Healed — Peter Called a Rock — The Mount of Transfiguration — A Lunatic Cured , 399

CHAPTER XXX. Last Visit of Jesus to Galilee

Lesson from a Little Child — The Unjust Steward — Money Found in a Strange Place — Feast of Tabernacles — Pharisees Angry — The Man Blind From His Birth— Ten Lepers Healed— Jesus Blessing Little Children — The Good Samaritan — Jesus at Jerusalem and Bethany — The Raising of Lazarus — Two Blind Men Receive Their Sight 411

CHAPTER XXXI. Last Days in the Temple

Jesus at Bethany — Anointing in the House of Martha, Mary and Lazarus — Entry into Jerusalem — Road Strewn With Palm-Branches — Children in the Temple— The Man Who Had a Vineyard — Disputing With the Pharisees — The Tribute-Money— The Fate of Hypocrites — The Poor Widow — Vivid Picture of the Second Coming . 433

Chapter XXXII

Jesus Betrayed and Arrested. A Plot to Put Jesus to Death— Feast of the Passover — Preparations for the Last Supper — Jesus Washing the Feet of His Disciples — In the Garden of Gethsemane — A Prayer of Agony — The Traitor's Kiss — False Witnesses — Jesus Before the High-Priest — Denial of Peter- Sorrowful End of Judas— Jesus Before Pilate — A Furious Mob — The Purple Robe and Crown of Thorns 443

CHAPTER XXXIII. The Story of the Crucifixion

Story of the Crucifixion — Bearing the Cross — A Prayer for Enemies — The Earthquake and Darkening of the Sun — Veil of the Temple Rent — The Burial — The Angel and Women at the Tomb — Surprise of the Disciples—Jesus at Emmaus — Again in Galilee — The Great Draught of Fishes — Solemn Charge to Peter — Jesus at Bethany — The Ascension — Awe- Struck Disciples Appear in the Temple . . 456

CHAPTER XXXIV. The Story of the Apostles

Casting Lots for Another Apostle — Choice of Matthias — Wonders on the Day of Pentecost — The Tongues of Fire — Peter's Remarkable Sermon — Thousands of Believers — The Lame Man Healed — Two Apostles in Prison — Story of Ananias and Sapphira — Prison Doors Thrown Open — Choosing Seven Deacons — Story of Stephen— The First Martyr — Simon the Sorcerer — Philip in Africa — A Man in a Chariot — A Queen's Treasurer Baptized . . 47c

CHAPTER XXXV. The Story of Saul

The Story of Saul— The Bright Light from Heaven — A Persecutor Changed to an Apostle — Story of Barnabas — Jews Attempt to Kill Saul — Story of Peter and Dorcas — Peter on the Housetop — A Remarkable Vision — Simon the Tanner and Cornelius — Martyrdom of James — Peter's Escape from Prison — Herod's Speech — A Beautiful City — A Notorious Wizzard — The Apostles Suffer Persecution — Paul Stoned by a Mob — Success of the Gospel 484

CHAPTER XXXVI. Paul's Second Journey

Paul and Barnabas Separate — The Young Man Timothy— Paul and Silas at Philippi— The

CONTENTS,

IX

House of Lydia — Casting Out an Evil Spirit- Locked Up in the Old Prison — An Earthquake — The Jailor's Fright — Leaving Thessalonica by Night — At Berea — Arrival at Athens — Paul Preaching on Mars' Hill— The City of Corinth — Story of Gallio — A New Preacher From Egypt — Aquila and Priscilla — Apollos Preaching in Greece 501

CHAPTER XXXVII. Paul's Third Journey

Journey Through Little Asia — At Ephesus and Corinth — Wizzards and Deceivers — Diana's Gorgeous Temple — Wild Uproar at Ephesus — The Apostle Travels in Greece — Story of Eutychus— A Sad Parting— The Gospel at Tyre- Paul at Jerusalem — A Furious Mot) — Paul

Bound with Chains — Scene before the Council — An Infamous Plot — Paul Finds Friends in His Danger 514