The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of NazarethThough its author called it The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, the prominence of said author led to the inevitable informal title by which it is known today: The Jefferson Bible. American legend THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826)-author, statesman, and third president of the United States-was a deist, a believer in, at best, a watchmaker god, one who did not take a personal interest in the goings-on of humanity. But Jefferson took great comfort from the teachings of Jesus, and so, by editing and rearranging the traditional books of the Bible, Jefferson here retells the story of Jesus in chronological form, removing all supernatural elements but retaining the beauty and the wisdom of the philosophy of Jesus. Jefferson, who had no desire to preach, refused to let his Bible beyond a circle of close friends, and it remained unpublished until 1895. Today, it is one of the most astonishing-if oblique-works of cultural and theological criticism in the English language. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 18
Page 12
... thine adversary quickly , whilst thou art in the way with him ; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge and the judge deliver thee to the officer , and thou be cast into prison . Verily I say unto thee , ' Thou shalt by ...
... thine adversary quickly , whilst thou art in the way with him ; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge and the judge deliver thee to the officer , and thou be cast into prison . Verily I say unto thee , ' Thou shalt by ...
Page 13
... thine oaths . ' But I say unto you , ' Swear not at all : neither by heaven : for it is God's throne : nor by the earth : for it is his footstool : neither by Jerusalem : for it is the city of the great King . Neither shalt thou swear ...
... thine oaths . ' But I say unto you , ' Swear not at all : neither by heaven : for it is God's throne : nor by the earth : for it is his footstool : neither by Jerusalem : for it is the city of the great King . Neither shalt thou swear ...
Page 14
... thine enemy . ' But I say unto you , ' Love your enemies , bless them that curse you , do good to them that hate you , and pray for them which despitefully use you , and persecute you ; that ye may be the children of your Father which ...
... thine enemy . ' But I say unto you , ' Love your enemies , bless them that curse you , do good to them that hate you , and pray for them which despitefully use you , and persecute you ; that ye may be the children of your Father which ...
Page 15
... thine alms , do not sound a trumpet before thee , as the hypocrites do in the syna- gogues , and in the streets , that they may have glory of men . Verily I say unto you , ' They have their reward . ' But when thou doest alms , let not ...
... thine alms , do not sound a trumpet before thee , as the hypocrites do in the syna- gogues , and in the streets , that they may have glory of men . Verily I say unto you , ' They have their reward . ' But when thou doest alms , let not ...
Page 17
... thine is the kingdom , And the power , And the glory , For ever . Amen . ' " For if ye forgive men their trespasses , your heavenly Father will also forgive you : but if ye forgive not men their trespasses , neither will your Father ...
... thine is the kingdom , And the power , And the glory , For ever . Amen . ' " For if ye forgive men their trespasses , your heavenly Father will also forgive you : but if ye forgive not men their trespasses , neither will your Father ...
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Common terms and phrases
adultery Barabbas behold Blessed brethren bringeth Caiaphas called Capernaum cast chief priests clothed cometh commanded COSIMO doth earth eunuchs evil fear feast feet five talents forgive fruit Galilee give Go ye goeth hand hath hear heareth Herod high priest hypocrites Jerusalem Jesus answered Jesus of Nazareth Jesus said unto Jews Judas Judas Iscariot Judea judge kill king kingdom of God kingdom of heaven knoweth laid lest likewise Lord Master meat Moses mother multitude parable unto pass passover Pilate pray prophets publican received rection repent sabbath-day saith unto say unto scribes and Pharisees seed seek sent servant sheep Simon Peter sinners spake stood straightway tares temple thine things thou art thou hast thy brother thy Father thyself took unto his disciples unto thee Verily I say vineyard wash whatsoever Wherefore whosoever wife Woe unto woman yourselves وو