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What are you saying, man? That attending to the Scriptures is not for you, since you are surrounded by a multitude of cares? Rather it is for you more than for them. They do not need the help of the divine Scriptures as much as those do who are involved in many occupations. The monks, who are released from the clamor of the marketplace and have fixed their huts in the wilderness, who own nothing in common with anyone, but practice wisdom without fear in the calm of the quiet life, as if resting in a harbor, enjoy great security; but we, as if tossing in the midst of the sea, driven by a multitude of sins, always need continuous and ceaseless aid of the Scriptures. They rest far from the battle, and so they do not receive many wounds; but you stand continuously in the front rank, and you receive continual blows. So you need more remedies.
Your wife provokes you, for example, your son grieves you, your servant angers you, your enemy plots against you, your friend envies you, your neighbor curses you, your fellow soldier trips you up, often a law suit threatens you, poverty troubles you, loss of you property gives you grief, prosperity puffs you up, misfortune depresses you, and many causes and compulsions to discouragement and grief, to conceit and desperation surround us on all sides, and a multitude of missiles falls from everywhere. Therefore, we have a continuous need for the full armor of the Scriptures.
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We must thoroughly quench the darts of the devil and beat them off by continual reading of the divine Scriptures. For it is not possible, not possible for anyone to be saved without continually taking advantage of spiritual reading. Actually, we must be content, if even with continual use of this therapy, we are barely able to be saved. But when we are struck every day, if we do not use any medical care, what hope do we have of salvation?
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John Chrysostom, On Wealth and Poverty
1 comment:
I agree with everything Chrysostom has said, and I was guilty of this negligence during a certain period of my life. I gave priority to other responsibilities. I think, however, there is also a problem with choosing a Bible translation. I grew up with the King James Version and I continue to enjoy it. However, there were times when I needed clarification. It actually took me years to settle in with translations that I could read comfortably. I use the New King James and the New American Bible along with the King James. Having suitable translations makes the Bible a new adventure rather than a chore. I am not making excuses for negligence in Bible reading, but if anyone is experiencing dryness in Bible reading--it might be due to not having found an English translation that flows for you. You just have to put forth the effort to read them and compare.
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