Proverbs - Maloko

Many peoples the world over have a wealth of proverbs and the Lozi are no different. The Scots, too, have a reputation for terse, pithy and sententious sayings. Proverbs are part of humankind’s heritage but are often considered traditional, old-fashioned and couthy in thought and expression and, therefore, disparaged by those of a more rational, scientific and intellectual mind-set; nonetheless, they do contain folk wisdom and humour which demonstrate something of the values and character of the people and society that produced them. It is sometimes said this friction between the traditional and more modern worlds of thought, in the Scottish context, helped to ignite both the genius of Burns and Scott. The Scottish proverb – auld men will die and bairns will sune forget - sums up quite well the reason for making sure that these are passed on.

 

The proverbs listed below are not a comprehensive list. They are 34 of the most accessible ones and I will be happy to add more from readers’ contributions. They are a mixture of Silozi & Siluyana; the Siluyana ones are asterisked*. There is also a stray Sesotho one! My sources are Indigenous Motivational and Value Statements by Sheila Siwela and Mukumbuta Lisimba’s Kongo Proverbs and the Origins of Bantu Wisdom. The sayings are grouped thematically under Appreciation, Care, Children, Cooperation, Elders, Kindness, Leadership, Open-mindedness and Patience

 

APPRECIATION: All people need to be acknowledged and respected for what they have contributed.

 

1. Banihupula kwa misebezi hakuciwa banilibala APPRECIATION

They remember me for work but forget me when it comes to eating

 

2. Kuswala mutu fa lulimi APPRECIATION

To hold someone on the tongue (To interrupt)

 

3. Sisapo sesikenile sesinina nama, nesikilesaba ni nama kale APPRECIATION /ELDERS

A clean bone once had meat

 

 

CARE: Be vigilant to detect sources of danger.

 

4. Sibao mukowe akasikakanga okwibaa* CARE

What kills your relative won’t fail to kill you

 

CHILDREN: A proper traditional and timely upbringing is a parental responsibility

 

5. Mwanuke mutate, kaakutingi bamukulu kaayooya*  CHILDREN

 A child is a delicate tree. If it does not lean on an older person it does not survive.

 

COOPERATION: Partnership is a source of increased strength

 

6. Kopano ki maata COOPERATION

Teamwork is strength

 

7. Munwana ulimung’wi haukoni kutuba nda COOPERATION

One finger cannot crush a louse

 

ELDERS: Experience and wisdom comes with old age.

 

8. Mukanwa kamukulu kunuka koola, bokamukabana ya mbango* ELDERS

An old person’s mouth smells bad but whatever comes out is not false

 

KINDNESS: People reciprocate when you are generous.

 

9. Kuba ni kooleka* KINDNESS

To give is to retain

 

10. Kufa hakikusinya kikubululekela kamuso KINDNESS

Giving is not losing it is keeping for tomorrow

 

 

LEADERSHIP:  Requires vision and courage to manage people

 

11. Mueteleli ki mutano wa sicaba LEADERSHIP

A leader is a bridge for the people

 

 

OPENMINDEDNESS: Explore the alternatives and possibilities in life

 

12. Apula ñobyo OPENMINDEDNESS

Open your eyelashes

 

PATIENCE: Do not rush as speed is no guarantee of success

 

13. Kushembo fumu ni mombocima* PATIENCE

Calling wealth requires patience

 

14. Linoñu lililiñwi halimatelwi PATIENCE

One vulture is not worth running for.

 

15. Liywa liweya kaliolo ndopu*       PATIENCE

One day does not rot the elephant

 

PERSEVERANCE: endurance determination and hard work lead to success

 

16. Belekela kamuso PERSEVERANCE

Work for tomorrow

 

17. Fo kusina mifufuzo hakuna munati. PERSEVERANCE

Without sweat there is nothing sweet.

 

18. Kushekaala inge mezi mwa mukeke PERSEVERANCE

To sit like water in a dish

 

19. Mutu wa lisafa kwakubina ukona kupepa sikwala PERSEVERANCE

Even a bad dancer can give birth to a good one

 

 

20. Saa tundamezi lishewa konji asitongole PERSEVERANCE

The woodpecker only perseveres by knocking

 

21. Tou haimelwi ki manaka ayona PERSERVERANCE

An elephant can’t fail to lift its tusks

 

22. Upunyize lisuba PERSEVERANCE

You have broken through

 

 SELF-RELIANCE: Do not be dependant

 

23. Ha ufumile hahulu likomu unoca kwateñi SELF-RELIANCE

 

When you are rich in cattle, eat some.

 

24. Haunzopila uno itimela kukupa maswe SELF-RELIANCE

To live you should grow food, it is bad to beg

 

25. Kusabela sika kwahule SELF-RELIANCE

To fear things from afar

 

THANKFULNESS Caution against ingratitude

 

26. Mubangwa ni muwin’a nganga  THANKFULNESS

A patient is a slave to the doctor

 

27. Wapulama mukuba kale, mukuba balelo mbalimbulula If you forget those who gave long ago, those intending to give today will be disillusioned THANKFULNESS

 

WISDOM: Intelligence, knowledge and experience with age bring wisdom

 

28. Kgomu ha e nye bolokwe kaofela (Sotho) WISDOM

A cow does not excrete all its dung

 

29. Kuyaka musi, kusiya mashala WISDOM

To kindle the smoke and leave the charcoal

 

30. Kwalaelwa yanani mahe, ni wena, ndiala, utwele fateñi. WISDOM

When a mother is giving her child advice, let the orphan listen.

 

31. Lunya lwa noha WISDOM

The cruelty of a snake

 

32. Lwaka koya isiñ ko uzwa WISDOM

Insult what is to come, not that which has been

 

33. Sakufa ngenda kasikeebaa ndambo* WISDOM

What kills a visitor doesn’t kill a local

 

34. Tau, ha ica mutu yamaswe hamusaibulai, kamuso itaca yomunde WISDOM

When a lion eats a bad man and you don’t kill it, it will eat a good man tomorrow

Our Chequered Past

I am red-haired, with blue eyes with a pale, freckled skin that burns easily, so it is clear that Tropical Africa is hardly my natural environment. In fact, I am a rather typical common or garden human specimen originating from North West Europe. So why do so many Northern Europeans have blue eyes, fair or red hair and a pale skin? Why are Scandinavians and the Dutch so tall in comparison to other people?

 

Stinne Andreasen put these questions to Peter K A Jensen of the University of Aarhus in Denmark. Dr Jensen has been involved in the study of the origins of humankind and our development for most of his life The answers to these questions he says are to be found thousands of years ago with all our ancestors. These were the first modern humans  who lived in the Southern part of East Africa many thousands of years ago.

 

All people on earth today can trace their ancestry and origins back 50-60 000 years ago to this place in Sub-Saharan Africa before spreading ourselves all over the world. Then, each one of us had brown eyes, dark hair and dark skin to protect us from the sun’s ultra violet rays.

 

SKIN

So how did pale skin come about? Jensen reckons this began 10-15 000 when the first people from Africa settled in Europe at the end of the Ice Age so even then there was not much sunlight around and precious little in the winter. This was a problem as these first Northern Europeans needed sunlight to make Vitamin-D for their bodies. Over time they developed a lighter skin colour that could more easily absorb Vitamin-D from the sun than in the past.

 

At the same time reproduction and natural selection meant that partners with a lighter skin were attractive as they were exotic  in comparison to the darker skinned majority. In general it can be said  the closer to the Equator you live the darker your skin will be.

Of course there are exceptions; the Inuit do not need pale skin. They get enough Vitamin D from their diet, from seal, whale and liver, so do not need the vitamins from the sun.

In contrast Australian Aborigines are overwhelmingly light in colour; but that is because many are of mixed-descent, having European ancestors.

 

There are problems too when it comes to migrations into and out of places as regards skin colour. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer because pale skin cannot tolerate strong UV rays from the sun. In contrast immigrants from the South to the North often end up lacking Vitamin-D because their skin works too well at keeping out what little sun is available to the skin.

 

HAIR

What about fair and red hair? We do not know as much about this as our skin, but there is a clear relationship between skin type and hair colour. Some of the gene mutations that give rise to very pale skin also give rise to fair and red hair. But it is more complex than just that.

 

EYES

And blue eyes? Again we do not know for certain why blue, grey and green eyes are so common in N Europe. The most rational explanation again is probably natural selection, reproduction and adaptation. Just as pale skin was exotic, so were blue eyes so they had a better chance of reproducing themselves than brown eyes. But the vast majority of humankind have brown eyes.

 

HEIGHT

Northern Europeans’ height has increased in the past 100 years due certainly to improved social and living conditions and better nutrition but N Europeans are on average several centimetres taller than Italians or Spaniards. There has been little change in average heights since 1980s, so Europeans have probably reached their maximum possible heights given our gene pool. There are also climactic and topographic reasons in considering why some peoples are taller than others.

 

If you live in a hot dry place you need to be able to lose heat quickly to avoid overheating. A tall thin body ensures the body’s surface area is greater in relation to your mass and allows a faster loss of heat. The Masai are some of the world’s tallest people as they are built to survive the dry open savanna in Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania.

 

If you live in the Arctic you tend to be small and squat. The Inuit and Laplanders have a relatively small body surface area in comparison to their mass so it is easier to keep warm.

 

MASS

Why are Northern Europeans so heavy? Yes, they live in the richest and most developed part of the world. Yes, they eat too much and do not exercise enough. But that is not the whole reason. Our African ancestors weighed between 30-40 kilos.

 

Several hundred thousand years ago, before modern humans migrated from Africa, another group of people lived in Europe; they were called the Neaderthals. They were even heavier than us today around 25% heavier. They adapted well to the Ice Age climate and conditions but had, nevertheless, a physically hard and challenging every-day life. They were burly and tough with, well-devolped muscles and big bones. Most Northern Europeans have some of their genes too.

So modern Northern Europeans weigh less than Neaderthals but more than their parents or grandparents because we have got fatter. This tendency has grown in the recent past and will probably continue in the years to come.

 

Jensen ends by pointing out that with globalisation and recent mass migrations throughout the world, it is extremely likely that more Northern Europeans will have darker eyes, hair and skin in the future, but the pale Northern European is unlikely to become extinct as blue eyes, light hair and skin will become exotic and attractive again in the areas of natural selection and human reproduction.

Three Church Mother Bodies Jubilee Pastoral Statement

A pastoral statement has been issued by the three Church Mother Bodies on the occasion of Zambia’s Golden Jubilee. The statement has been issued by the Zambia Episcopal Conference(ZEC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ). It can be read in its entirety on www.catholiczambia.org.zm

 

The statement is headed by two portions of Scripture:

 

Thus far the Lord has brought us. 1 Samuel 7:12;

 

You will declare this 50^th Year sacred and proclaim the liberation of all inhabitants of the land. This is to be a Jubilee for you. Leviticus 25:10

 

In the pastoral statement signed by CCZ President Rev. Dr. Alfred Kalembo, EFZ Chairperson Bishop Joseph Imakando and ZEC President Most Rev. Telesphore Mpundu, they give thanks to the nation’s founding Fathers and Mothers and for the many blessings bestowed upon Zambia including the peace, religious freedom and unity brought about by tribal and ethnic integration in the fairly stable political environment of the past 50 years. They urged all in society to continue working together in order to promote a greater sense of national unity and harmony among Zambians in spite of different political opinions. The churches are also praying that this spirit of tolerance and inclusion to accept divergent views will continue to build our nation and enable it rise to even greater heights. They also appealed for greater responsibility and moral integrity amongst political leaders to ensure honesty and good governance.

 

The leaders also praised our commitment to the liberation of our neighbours at no small cost to ourselves. They stressed the importance of Human Rights and dignity for all. Continued investment in the social sectors was fundamental and while economic gains had been made from exploiting our natural resources, there are still unacceptably high levels of poverty in Zambia, with greater development taking place in urban areas at the expense of the rural areas. The leaders say that care should be taken regarding increasing Government debt, so that Zambia does not lose what it gained from debt forgiveness and gets caught again in another debt trap.

 

The continuing controversy over Barotseland Agreement needs to be addressed and a lasting solution found to the problem. All sides were urged to eschew violence, intimidation or force to achieve their objectives. A spirit of dialogue should be embraced but law and order should be maintained with due diligence. Western Province had been marginalized in its development so the GRZ had a duty to continue to bring about further development.

 

All these are moral injustices to be addressed and the celebration of a Golden Jubilee means that time has come to restore equality amongst our people and so the Jubilee should be a time to restructure the country’s political, social, economic and cultural systems and structures and further put in place ones that will promote social and economic justice as well as the common good for all Zambians.

 

Finally the Church Leaders reiterated their joint Jubilee 2000 Pastoral letter’s message by once again calling for responsibility, transparency, accountability and prudence for the sake of the future generations.

Zambia's Golden Jubilee

 

We have been busy over the past few days with arrangements for the local celebrations here in Mwandi and what has struck us is how much this country is loved by its ordinary people and loved by ordinary people connected in many ways to Zambia throughout the world. The events held now are in stark contrast to the rather controlled stuffy, elitist and formal programme arranged over the Independence Celebration in October 1964.

 

On Facebook under Zambian Independence Celebrations, Scotland 2014 we saw that there were a number of events held in Scotland as well to commemorate this important occasion. There were pictures of the Reverends Morton, Wilkie and MacKenzie, all three were former Church of Scotland Missionaries in Zambia at the time of Independence. Over 80 Zambians in Scotland and friends of Zambia gathered for a party at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh on Saturday 18 October 2014 to celebrate. After dinner they were entertained by the Mthunzi Culture Group.

 

A scarf designed by Alex Pearce, a third year student, at the Scottish Textile College to commemorate the Zambian Jubilee, is shown here on a photograph taken by Hamza Yousaf MSP, the Scottish Minister for External Affairs who attended the event.
 

 

The weekend concluded with a Service of Thanksgiving held at South Leith Parish Church in Edinburgh. The Preacher was the Rev Gavin Elliot, another former Missionary to Zambia. He thanked God for the 50 years of peace and tranquillity enjoyed by Zambia and for continuing to bless the country. He said that Zambians should expect their political leaders to act as leaders of a Christian nation. He challenged all Christians in Scotland to demonstrate their faith in daily life as many Zambians do. The main message came from Joshua 24 16 1, 15-24 where Joshua warns of the dangers of serving foreign gods and urges them to serve the Lord and incline their hearts to him.

 

Here in Mwandi too we have had our own programme organised by the District Administration. The theme was: Zambia Golden Jubilee: commemorating God’s Favour of Zambia’s 50 years of Independence for continued Peace, Unity, Democracy, Patriotism and Prosperity. The events started off on Independence Eve.

 

INDEPENDENCE EVE 23 OCTOBER 2014 (Mwandi)

 

0900h              Schools Debate

1800h              Outdoors Interdenominational Church Service

2000h              Independence Braai (Barbecue) and Entertainment

2400h              National Anthem and Hoisting of the National Flag followed by Fireworks.

 

Ida and I attended the Church Service then came home to let Florence away who was baby-sitting. As we do at Hogmanay just before the “bells”, we woke up the excited children and packed them into the car still in their pyjamas and drove them round to the District Commissioner’s Office Grounds across the mulapo (seasonal inlet) from our house. There we joined in a Caterpillar dance and they were given Coke and Fanta to sip as we awaited the countdown. At 1155h we gathered round the flagpole and sang the national anthem as the flag was slowly raised and broken at midnight to cheers and applause. Around half a dozen large rocket type fireworks were released breaking over the night sky in a display of silver, gold, red and green echoing and reflecting our national colours. This brought the day to a fitting conclusion.

 

INDEPENDENCE DAY 24 OCTOBER 2014

 

0900h              March gathers at MTN Telephone Tower

0930h              March-Past under the Trees at the Primary School

                        National Anthem –School Choirs

                        Introductory Remarks by Comperes

                        Majorettes

                        Welcome by Headteacher

                        Traditional Dances

                        Speech by District Commissioner

                        Poem by School Children

                        Cutting of the Golden Jubilee Cake

                        Closing Prayer

                        National Anthem

 

On Independence Day after breakfast and dressed for the occasion: Mubita in Chipolopolo top, Ellie in Girls Brigade Uniform and Ornelle, Omeri, Omedy and Omari all wearing clothes in Zambian colours, we dropped them for the March through the village to the school. They joined their friends. Ida and I were complimented too for our appropriate sartorial elegance, she in a musisi in the Ananmoyo colours and I in the kilt topped by a Golden Jubilee sitenge madiba shirt. The rest of the morning we spent seated under the shade of the trees at the Primary School watching the programme unfold. The continuity was well taken care of by two local teachers, a gender balanced duo at the microphone. After lunch the traditional Mwandi Old Firm Soccer Derby took place with the Chalk Breakers playing the Injectors. On this occasion the School Teachers beat the Hospital Workers 3-1. This result has since been contested as it is being scurrilously alleged that some of the more elderly teachers had players from the Senior Secondary School Team play in their stead!

 

And finally another friend of Zambia and former Paris Missionary, Philippe Burger brought this interesting documentary on Youtube, downloaded and posted by Patience Chisanga, to my attention. If you have not seen it, it is worth watching. It was shown on ZNBC in mid-September on a programme called Today with Zamtel The First Independence Cabinet. It deals with how the Cabinet was formed, who were members and what was the vision for the country then and of local interest to us, Sikota Wina is also interviewed.

 

 

 

Seek and ye shall find – 100 most popular verses from the Bible

My mother-in-law had a subscription to Kristelig Dagblad all her married life and Ida and I always enjoyed reading the back numbers when she finished with them. These days I take a look now and again at the on-line version. It is a Danish daily newspaper that  writes from a Christian angle but is independent of any political party, denomination or church organization. It focuses on faith, ethics and life and also covers contemporary issues arising in development, social justice, culture and history as well as giving a serious perspective and overview of what is making the news. While concentrating on Evangelical-Lutheran matters, it is ecumenical as well, covering both domestic and world religious concerns. With its openness and independence in dealing with the most important issues in life, it is well-respected too outside Church circles.

Interestingly, and of contemporary relevance to us in present-day Scotland, it was established in 1896, crowd-funded by a group of Danish evangelical Christians, as a counterweight, and to provide some objectivity, to the then Radical and anti-clerical Politiken and other titles belonging to the powerful and partisan establishment press of the day. 

Anyway, Kristelig Dagblad this week drew my attention to another interesting list appearing on the online Bible, BibleGateway. It listed the most popular Bible verses from the 25 million searches taking place between March and April of this year. I thought this was worth wider distribution and would be of interest to readers of the blog, if you had not come across it.

It is, however, not just a simple popularity count of the most read passages; the results for that unsurprisingly consists of John 3:16 and the verses on Love from 1 Corinthians 13, the creation in Genesis 1, Life in the Spirit in Romans 8, and Psalm 23. The list instead counted searches of three or fewer verses at one time.

The least popular passage was 1 Chronicles 23-27, dealing with the organization of the priests and officials under King David.

The 100 most-read Bible verses on BibleGateway.com from the NIV were:

1.      John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

2.      Jer 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

3.      Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

4.      Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

5.      Gen 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

6.      Prov 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

7.      Prov 3:6: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

8.      Rom 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

9.      Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

10.  Matt 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

11.  Eph 2:8: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

12.  Gal 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

13.  Rom 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

14.  John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

15.  Acts 18:10: For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

16.  Acts 18:9: One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.

17.  Acts 18:11: So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

18.  Gal 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

19.  1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

20.  Rom 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

21.  John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

22.  Matt 28:20: and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

23.  Rom 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

24.  Phil 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

25.  Phil 4:7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

26.  Josh 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

27.  Isa 40:31: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

28.  Eph 2:9: not by works, so that no one can boast.

29.  Rom 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

30.  Gal 5:23: gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

31.  Isa 53:5: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

32.  1 Pet 3:15: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

33.  2 Tim 3:16: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

34.  Matt 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

35.  Heb 12:2: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

36.  1 Pet 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

37.  Eph 2:10: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

38.  1 Cor 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

39.  Matt 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

40.  Heb 11:1: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

41.  2 Cor 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

42.  Heb 13:5: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

43.  2 Cor 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

44.  Rom 10:9: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

45.  Isa 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

46.  Gen 1:26: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

47.  Matt 11:29: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

48.  John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

49.  Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

50.  2 Tim 1:7: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

51.  Isa 53:4: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

52.  2 Cor 5:21: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

53.  Rom 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

54.  John 11:25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

55.  Heb 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

56.  John 5:24: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

57.  Jas 1:2: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

58.  Isa 53:6: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

59.  Acts 2:38: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

60.  Eph 3:20: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

61.  Matt 11:30: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

62.  Gen 1:27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

63.  Col 3:12: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

64.  Heb 12:1: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

65.  Jas 5:16: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

66.  Acts 17:11: Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

67.  Phil 4:19: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

68.  John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

69.  1 Cor 6:19: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

70.  1 John 3:16: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

71.  Ps 133:1: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

72.  John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

73.  Heb 4:12: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

74.  John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

75.  Mic 6:8: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

76.  Rom 10:17: Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

77.  John 1:12: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

78.  Jas 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

79.  Jas 1:3: because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

80.  Rom 8:38: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

81.  Rom 8:39: neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

82.  Heb 10:25: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

83.  2 Pet 1:4: Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

84.  Phil 1:6: being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

85.  Ps 133:3: It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

86.  Heb 4:16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

87.  Ps 37:4: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

88.  John 3:17: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

89.  Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

90.  Isa 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

91.  1 Pet 2:24: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

92.  Josh 1:8: Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

93.  Matt 28:18: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

94.  Col 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

95.  Matt 22:37: Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

96.  Ps 133:2: It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.

97.  Matt 5:16: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

98.  Isa 55:8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

99.  Heb 4:15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

100.  John 13:35: By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”