Are these SUSTAINABLE?

 

Psalm 140:12

King James Version

12 I know that the Lord will maintain 

the cause of the afflicted, 

and the right of the poor.

This is now fourth in the series of the 2030 articles.

Wherein we were intrigued why that year was chosen.

In the process, we got to know the world programs toward that end.

A previous post shared the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) of the UN.

Just to recap, we enumerate the goals here:

"End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture."

"Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages."

"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."

"Achieve gender equality and empower all men and women."

"Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all."

"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all."

"Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all."

"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation."

"Reduce inequality within and among countries."

"Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable."

"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns."

"Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy."

"Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development."

"Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss."

"Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels."

"Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development."

Are these sustainable?

First, what is "sustainable"?

Merriam-Webster defines it as:

"capable of being sustained"

What is "sustained"?

Merriam-Webster defines it as:

"maintained at length without interruption or weakening"

Exactly as we thought.

We shall see then if the 17 SDGs will be sustainable.

The point of this exercise is not to shoot down the goals.

But to test it versus the PLAN and WORD of GOD.

We noticed the UN's 17 goals have this inclusive words "for all".

That's a start.

But the final say is GOD's.

If our plans, goals, and actions are acceptable to Him.

What ensures the viability of these goals?

Scripture tells us GOD's laws:

Exodus 23:6

King James Version

6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor

 in his cause.

Exodus 23:7

King James Version

7 Keep thee far from a false matter; 

and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: 

for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 23:8

King James Version

8 And thou shalt take no gift: 

for the gift blindeth the wise, 

and perverteth the words of the righteous.

Exodus 23:10-11

King James Version

10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, 

and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:

11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest 

and lie still; 

that the poor of thy people may eat: 

and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. 

In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, 

and with thy oliveyard.

Exodus 23:12

King James Version

12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, 

and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: 

that thine ox and thine ass may rest, 

and the son of thy handmaid, 

and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:13

King James Version

13 And in all things that I have said unto you 

be circumspect: 

and make no mention of the name of other gods, 

neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Exodus 23:25

King James Version

25 And ye shall serve the Lord your God, 

and he shall bless thy bread, 

and thy water; 

and I will take sickness away 

from the midst of thee.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8

King James Version

7 If there be among you a poor man 

of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates 

in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, 

thou shalt not harden thine heart, 

nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, 

and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, 

in that which he wanteth.

Deuteronomy 15:9-11

King James Version

9 Beware that there be not a thought 

in thy wicked heart, 

saying, 

The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; 

and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, 

and thou givest him nought; 

and he cry unto the Lord against thee, 

and it be sin unto thee.

10 Thou shalt surely give him, 

and thine heart shall not be grieved 

when thou givest unto him: 

because that for this thing the Lord thy God 

shall bless thee in all thy works, 

and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: 

therefore I command thee, 

saying, 

Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, 

to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

Leviticus 19:9-10

King James Version

9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, 

thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, 

neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, 

neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; 

thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: 

I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19:9-11

King James Version

11 Ye shall not steal, 

neither deal falsely, 

neither lie one to another.

Leviticus 19:12

King James Version

12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, 

neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: 

I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:13

King James Version

13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, 

neither rob him: 

the wages of him that is hired 

shall not abide with thee all night 

until the morning.

Leviticus 19:14

King James Version

14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, 

nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, 

but shalt fear thy God: 

I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:15

King James Version

15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: 

thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, 

nor honor the person of the mighty: 

but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Leviticus 19:16

King James Version

16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer 

among thy people: 

neither shalt thou stand against the blood 

of thy neighbour; 

I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:17

King James Version

17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: 

thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, 

and not suffer sin upon him.

Leviticus 19:18

King James Version

18 Thou shalt not avenge, 

nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, 

but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: 

I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:19

King James Version

19 Ye shall keep my statutes. 

Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: 

thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: 

neither shall a garment 

mingled of linen and woollen 

come upon thee.

Leviticus 19:31

King James Version

31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, 

neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: 

I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19:35

King James Version

35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, 

in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

Psalm 41:1-3

King James Version

41 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: 

the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

2 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; 

and he shall be blessed upon the earth: 

and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

3 The Lord will strengthen him 

upon the bed of languishing: 

thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

Proverbs 11:1

King James Version

11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: 

but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 11:8

King James Version

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, 

and the wicked cometh in his stead.

Proverbs 11:10

King James Version

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, 

the city rejoiceth: 

and when the wicked perish, 

there is shouting.

Proverbs 11:11

King James Version

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: 

but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 11:18

King James Version

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: 

but to him that soweth righteousness 

shall be a sure reward.

Proverbs 11:20

King James Version

20 They that are of a froward heart 

are abomination to the Lord: 

but such as are upright in their way 

are his delight.

Proverbs 11:23

King James Version

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: 

but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Proverbs 11:24-26

King James Version

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; 

and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, 

but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: 

and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, 

the people shall curse him: 

but blessing shall be upon the head of him 

that selleth it.

Proverbs 11:27

King James Version

27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: 

but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

Proverbs 11:28

King James Version

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; 

but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Proverbs 11:30

King James Version

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; 

and he that winneth souls is wise.

Proverbs 11:31

King James Version

31 Behold, 

the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: 

much more the wicked and the sinner.

Proverbs 16:3

King James Version

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, 

and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 16:7

King James Version

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, 

he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:9

King James Version

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: 

but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 16:11

King James Version

11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: 

all the weights of the bag are his work.

Proverbs 16:20

King James Version

20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: 

and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:33

King James Version

33 The lot is cast into the lap; 

but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Matthew 25:40

King James Version

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto 

one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

1 Corinthians 10:31

King James Version

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, 

or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1 John 5:14

King James Version

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, 

that, if we ask any thing according to his will, 

he heareth us:

The LORD has many more practical laws.

But you can only understand them if His SPIRIT is in you.

That's how you delight in obeying them.

By being born again.

As commanded by JESUS:

John 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

More 2030 posts here.

Related material:

The 2030 plan

FEAR the LORD verses

BORN AGAIN articles

BROTHERHOOD

GOD's WILL

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GOD's LOVE for the POOR

 

Ezekiel 22:29

King James Version

29 The people of the land have used oppression, 

and exercised robbery, 

and have vexed the poor and needy: 

yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

It's a cruel world, the one we have.

How it tries to blot out the poor's existence.

How they are set aside, and marginalized.

How the elite don't want them included.

And I have to smile at their foolish attempts.

Because the elite don't know GOD's WORD.

If they did, they'd put the poor above themselves.

I smile because SPIRIT led me to GOD's laws.

And how powerless the elite will be.

When it comes to GOD's will:

Deuteronomy 15:7-8

King James Version

7 If there be among you a poor man 

of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates

 in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, 

thou shalt not harden thine heart, 

nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, 

and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, 

in that which he wanteth.

Deuteronomy 15:9-10

King James Version

9 Beware that there be not a thought 

in thy wicked heart, saying, 

The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; 

and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, 

and thou givest him nought;

and he cry unto the Lord against thee, 

and it be sin unto thee.

10 Thou shalt surely give him, 

and thine heart shall not be grieved 

when thou givest unto him: 

because that for this thing the Lord thy God 

shall bless thee in all thy works, 

and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

1 Samuel 2:8

King James Version

8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, 

and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, 

to set them among princes, 

and to make them inherit the throne of glory: 

for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, 

and he hath set the world upon them.

Psalm 72:11-14

King James Version

11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: 

all nations shall serve him.

12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; 

the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

13 He shall spare the poor and needy, 

and shall save the souls of the needy.

14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: 

and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

Every person GOD breathed life into, is a brother, and a sister.

How can we withhold what we have, so they may have, too?

How can we live comfortably, knowing others are in need?

How can we eat luxuriously, when others are starving?

How can we deny them a rightful existence?

If we really loved, there would be no poor in the land.

As it is, GOD makes them exist -- perpetually.

So we may learn to love.

JESUS declared:

Matthew 25:40

King James Version

40 And the King shall answer 

and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye have done it 

unto one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me.

JESUS also commanded:

Matthew 19:21

King James Version

21 Jesus said unto him, 

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, 

and give to the poor, 

and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: 

and come and follow me.

Something the rich man couldn't do.

If we be rich, let us reach out to the poor.

And give cheerfully, with the love of CHRIST in us.

2 Corinthians 9:7

King James Version

7 Every man according 

as he purposeth in his heart, 

so let him give; 

not grudgingly, or of necessity: 

for God loveth a cheerful giver.

We are also not to boast about our giving.

JESUS was particular about that:

Matthew 6:1-4

King James Version

6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, 

to be seen of them: 

otherwise ye have no reward of your Father 

which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, 

do not sound a trumpet before thee, 

as the hypocrites do in the synagogues 

and in the streets, 

that they may have glory of men. 

Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, 

let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: 

and thy Father which seeth in secret 

himself shall reward thee openly.

Of course, unless GOD makes you born again, how can you understand His will, ways, and wisdom?

How can you understand His laws?

How can you even follow the things JESUS taught?

SPIRIT teaches the born again.

That we may understand Scripture.

And follow the ways of JESUS.

Who came to feed the poor, heal the sick, and save the lost.

Many of us fall into all those categories.

Precisely why JESUS was sent.

The world can try hiding the poor.

But GOD will always make them surface.

The poor will always be part of our lives.

Deuteronomy 15:11

King James Version

11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: 

therefore I command thee, saying, 

Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, 

to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

The poor has got purpose.

May he not bewail his plight.

GOD has a plan of salvation for all.

It is up to us to find out, as followers of JESUS.

Philippians 2:12

King James Version

12 Wherefore, my beloved, 

as ye have always obeyed, 

not as in my presence only, 

but now much more in my absence, 

work out your own salvation 

with fear and trembling.

There is also another kind of "poor".

The "poor in spirit".

Find out more here.

Related material:

LAZARUS and the RICH man

Many Ways to be Kind

GOD's WILL

GOD's WAYS

GOD's LOVE

GOD's POWER

BORN AGAIN articles

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BOWELS of MERCIES

 

Colossians 3:12

King James Version

12 Put on therefore, 

as the elect of God, holy and beloved, 

bowels of mercies, 

kindness, humbleness of mind, 

meekness, longsuffering;

What does "bowels of mercies" mean?

Who are the "elect of God"?

These Bible versions explain more:

Colossians 3:12

21st Century King James Version

12 Therefore, holy and beloved, as the elect of God, put on hearts of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering,

Colossians 3:12

American Standard Version

12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:12

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].

Colossians 3:12

Christian Standard Bible

The Christian Life

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

Colossians 3:12

Complete Jewish Bible

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Contemporary English Version

12  God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.

Colossians 3:12

Darby Translation

12 Put on therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:12

Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Therefore, Clothe Yourself In Love, Christ’s Peace, God’s Word, And Thankfulness

12 Therefore, as chosen[a] ones of God, holy and having been loved, put-on[b] deep-feelings[c] of compassion, kindness, humblemindedness, gentleness, patience,

Colossians 3:12

Easy-to-Read Version

Your New Life With Each Other

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient.

Colossians 3:12

Evangelical Heritage Version

List of Virtues

12 Therefore, as God’s elect, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

English Standard Version

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Colossians 3:12

GOD’S WORD Translation

12 As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.

Colossians 3:12-14

J.B. Phillips New Testament

The expression of the new life (i)

12-14 As, therefore, God’s picked representatives of the new humanity, purified and beloved of God himself, be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. Accept life, and be most patient and tolerant with one another, always ready to forgive if you have a difference with anyone. Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you. And, above everything else, be truly loving, for love is the golden chain of all the virtues.

Colossians 3:12

Lexham English Bible

Appeal for New Behavior

12 Therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved, put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience,

Colossians 3:12

Living Bible

12 Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently.

Colossians 3:12

Modern English Version

12 So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

Colossians 3:12

New Century Version

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

New English Translation

Exhortation to Unity and Love

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy,[a] kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

Colossians 3:12

New International Reader's Version

12 You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient.

Colossians 3:12

New Life Version

12 God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others.

Colossians 3:12

New Living Translation

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

New Testament for Everyone

Love, Peace and Thanksgiving

12 These are the clothes you must put on, then, since God has chosen you, made you holy, and lavished his love upon you. You must be tender-hearted, kind, humble, meek, and ready to put up with anything.

Kehillah in Colossae 3:12

Orthodox Jewish Bible

12 Therefore, as Bechirim (Chosen ones) of Hashem, Kadoshim and ahuvim, enrobe yourselves in tender feelings of rachmei Shomayim (heavenly compassion, mercy), chesed (lovingkindness), anavah (humility), shiflut (lowliness), and savlanut (longsuffering),

Colossians 3:12

Tree of Life Version

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in tender compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience—

Colossians 3:12

Worldwide English (New Testament)

12 You are chosen by God. He loves you and has made you holy. So then, care for one another. Be kind. Do not be proud. Be humble. Be patient.

Colossians 3:12

Wycliffe Bible

12 Therefore ye, as the chosen of God, holy and loved, clothe you with the entrails of mercy, benignity, and meekness, temperance, patience; [Therefore clothe ye you, as the chosen of God, holy, and loved, with the entrails of mercy, benignity, and meekness, temperance, patience;]

In SUMMARY, "bowels of mercies" mean:

hearts of mercies

a heart of compassion

putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy

compassion

feelings of compassion

gentle

bowels of compassion

deep feelings of compassion

Show mercy to others.

heartfelt compassion

compassionate hearts

be sympathetic

merciful in action

affection

practice tenderhearted mercy

spirit of mercy

mercy

a heart of mercy

tender mercy

loving-pity

tenderhearted mercy

tender-hearted

rachmei Shomayim (heavenly compassion, mercy)

tender compassion

care for one another

entrails of mercy

Ways of showing mercy:

Colossians 3:13-17

King James Version

13 Forbearing one another, 

and forgiving one another, 

if any man have a quarrel against any: 

even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, 

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to the which also ye are called in one body; 

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly 

in all wisdom; 

teaching and admonishing one another 

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, 

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1 John 3:16-17

King James Version

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, 

because he laid down his life for us: 

and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world's good, 

and seeth his brother have need, 

and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, 

how dwelleth the love of God in him?

A true born again understands these things.

It's a moment-by-moment spiritual practice for us.

To follow the commands of JESUS.

And live by the Bible.

Related posts:

GOD's LOVE

GOD's MERCY

BELONGING to GOD

PREDESTINATION

Many Ways To Be Kind

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