Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature - Various

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Greek or modern European writers furnish no parallel. It is a literature numbering among its authors some who—by critics entirely outside the ranks of theologians—have been classed with the greatest names in the world's roll of honour. More than this, the English reader who gives attention to the literary side of the Bible is studying what is to him ancestral literature. The Hebrew writers of the Old Testament, and their followers the Christian Hebrews of the New Testament, have been the inspiration of those who have inspired our own writers: their style has largely leavened the style of modern English, their thought has become so closely interwoven with English thought of the last three centuries that it is impossible to sever the two. And, if the question be of what is higher than literary impressions, no reader need fear that the more sacred uses of the Bible will be imperilled by his reading, not with the spirit only, but with the understanding also.

      In this, as in the other volumes of this series, the text of the Selections is that of the Revised Version, the marginal alternatives being often substituted for the readings in the text. For the use of this Revised Version I express my obligation to the University Presses of Oxford and Cambridge. A Reference Table at the end connects the Selections with the volumes of the Modern Reader's Bible from which they are taken, and with the chapters and verses of the ordinary versions.

      STORIES

PAGE
I Joseph and his Brethren 5
II The Witness of Balaam to Israel 32
III The Crowning of Abimelech 43
IV Samson's Wedding Feast 49
V The Expedition against Elisha 53
VI The Dream of the Tree cut down 55
VII Belshazzar's Feast 60
ORATORY
I The Oration of Moses at the Rehearsal of the Blessing and the Curse 67
II A Discourse on Immortality and the Covenant with Death 75
III Isaiah: The Great Arraignment 84
IV Isaiah: The Covenant with Death 87
V Isaiah: The Utter Destruction and the Great Restoration 90
VI Ezekiel: The Sword of the Lord 93

VII Ezekiel: Wreck of the Goodly Ship Tyre 98
VIII Prophetic Sentences (from Jeremiah) 101
WISDOM
Wisdom Brevities 107
Essays
i Wisdom's Way with her Children 112
ii Prosperity and Adversity are from the Lord 113
iii Against Gossip 114
iv On the Tongue 115
v Choice of Company 116

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