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

Image: Wallpaper Better

HOPE for KENYA

 Proverbs 31:9

King James Version

9 Open thy mouth, 

judge righteously, 

and plead the cause of the poor 

and needy.

Every day I'm in search of news that respect the rights of poor people.

Today, I came across Dr. Steve Turley and his YouTube channel.

One of his more compelling videos showed a CNN reporter put in her place by William Ruto, current president of Kenya (inaugurated on 13 September 2022).

Listen closely to the 4:33rd minute of this video.

The well-known CNN reporter kept badgering him about his stand on America's LGBT, as if that ought to stand for his presidency.

President Ruto then stopped all that badgering by saying:

"As it is now, we are grappling with five million young people who don't have jobs, four million people who are hungry, and that is my concern. That is the forecast of the people of Kenya at the moment."

   -- Source: Woke CNN Reporter HUMILIATED By Kenyan President Over LGBT Rights

That really stumped the miffed reporter.

If anything, I felt the question she presented, egging him, or trapping him, to make a statement about LGBT, was an affront on the president, who had more important matters to deal with.

Still, we're all fallible people.

Looking into the Wikipedia post on president Ruto, we learned that he was involved, or linked, to corruption, land grabbing, and assassination controversies.

We pray that real help will go to the people of Kenya.

The world needs leaders who are GOD-fearing, and who dearly care about others.

Image: Unsplash

The greatest leader

 John 3:28-30

King James Version

28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, 

that I said, 

I am not the Christ, 

but that I am sent before him.

29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: 

but the friend of the bridegroom, 

which standeth and heareth him, 

rejoiceth greatly 

because of the bridegroom's voice: 

this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30 He must increase, 

but I must decrease.

About 21 years ago, I was contemplating the traits of leadership.

I felt it so strongly in my heart.

What makes a true leader?

This came to mind:

"The greatest leaders are those

who cause others to know."

What made me think that?

I felt important things were being withheld.

That most people are purposely kept, in ignorance.

So that only a few elite, would know.

And thus, control everything.

I asked myself, "What could I do about it?"

I didn't know where to begin.

Little did I know, GOD was listening.

And observing.

Where would my concerns take me?

So, He let me be.

He made me research His truth.

Which I did, non-stop.

Not thinking it was GOD I sought.

He let me go through the necessary process.

No matter how painstaking it may be.

No matter I used up all my money, for research.

He knew I was on to something.

He knew I'd find it.

THROUGH JESUS.

He allowed me to make tons of mistakes.

When He saw me good, and ready, He made me born again.

Now, I know what TRUE leadership means.

A born again is taught by SPIRIT, and SCRIPTURE.

We don't think on our own.

Our lives are offered in GOD's service.

Abiding by GOD's will.

We pray to JESUS for guidance.

Every single moment.

John the Baptist defined true leadership, on the verses above.

Wise Jethro, father-in-law to Moses, defines it here:

Exodus 18:19-24

King James Version

19 Hearken now unto my voice, 

I will give thee counsel, 

and God shall be with thee: 

Be thou for the people to God-ward, 

that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, 

and shalt shew them the way 

wherein they must walk,

 and the work that they must do.

21 Moreover thou shalt provide 

out of all the people able men, 

such as fear God, 

men of truth, 

hating covetousness; 

and place such over them, 

to be rulers of thousands, 

and rulers of hundreds, 

rulers of fifties, 

and rulers of tens:

22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: 

and it shall be, 

that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, 

but every small matter they shall judge: 

so shall it be easier for thyself, 

and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23 If thou shalt do this thing, 

and God command thee so, 

then thou shalt be able to endure, 

and all this people shall also go 

to their place in peace.

24 So Moses hearkened 

to the voice of his father in law, 

and did all that he had said.

Moses defines it here:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

King James Version

4 Hear, O Israel: 

The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thine heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, 

which I command thee this day, 

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently 

unto thy children, 

and shalt talk of them 

when thou sittest in thine house,

 and when thou walkest by the way, 

and when thou liest down, 

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign 

upon thine hand, 

and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them 

upon the posts of thy house, 

and on thy gates.

The LORD JESUS defines it here:

Matthew 20:25-28

King James Version

25 But Jesus called them unto him, 

and said, 

Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles 

exercise dominion over them, 

and they that are great 

exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: 

but whosoever will be great among you, 

let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, 

let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man 

came not to be ministered unto, 

but to minister, 

and to give his life a ransom for many.

Only JESUS can be called the GREATEST leader.

For He had authority.

Matthew 7:28-29

King James Version

28 And it came to pass, 

when Jesus had ended these sayings, 

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, 

and not as the scribes.

That authority, He ascribed to the FATHER.

John 12:44-50

King James Version

44 Jesus cried and said, 

He that believeth on me, 

believeth not on me, 

but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on me 

should not abide in darkness.

47 And if any man hear my words, 

and believe not, 

I judge him not:

 for I came not to judge the world, 

but to save the world.

48 He that rejecteth me, 

and receiveth not my words, 

hath one that judgeth him: 

the word that I have spoken, 

the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; 

but the Father which sent me, 

he gave me a commandment, 

what I should say, 

and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment 

is life everlasting: 

whatsoever I speak therefore, 

even as the Father said unto me, 

so I speak.

John 14:10-11

King James Version

10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, 

and the Father in me? 

the words that I speak unto you 

I speak not of myself: 

but the Father that dwelleth in me, 

he doeth the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, 

and the Father in me: 

or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Now, the question is, are our leaders that way?

Do they conform to the laws of GOD?

Do they have real heart for the poor?

On giving alms

 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.

Do we give alms, to beggars?

What if it doesn't go to them?

What if, they've been forced to beg, by syndicates?

I was constantly faced with that question, for I DEARLY wanted the person to be able to keep that money for themselves.

Thing is, there are syndicates dropping them off, and herding them back, into a van.

I saw that, and I felt so disgusted.

How can we feed off the misfortune of our brothers and sisters?

How can we take advantage of their physical disabilities, and further humiliate them?

Why doesn't the government protect them?

Oh, I can feel GOD's anger at this.

Finally, I found answers to my question.

I found comfort in this verse:

Proverbs 28:8

King James Version

8 He that by usury and unjust gain 

increaseth his substance, 

he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

Using another Bible translation, it means:

Proverbs 28:8

New Living Translation

8 Income from charging high interest rates

    will end up in the pocket of someone 

who is kind to the poor.

That's comforting to know.

Accumulated wealth, from dishonest or cruel gain, will eventually go back to the poor.

From someone who really cares for them.

How wonderful the WORD of GOD is!

JESUS assured those suffering:

Matthew 20:16

King James Version

16 So the last shall be first, 

and the first last: 

for many be called, 

but few chosen.

Luke 6:20-21

King James Version

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, 

and said, 

Blessed be ye poor: 

for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: 

for ye shall be filled. 

Blessed are ye that weep now: 

for ye shall laugh.

Beware those who oppress the poor.

GOD's wrath will surely be upon you!

Proverbs 14:31

King James Version

31 He that oppresseth the poor 

reproacheth his Maker: 

but he that honoureth him 

hath mercy on the poor.

How can we stop the cycle?

How can we prevent the humiliation of GOD's precious people?

What can we do, for our suffering brothers and sisters?

We must turn to JESUS immediately.

That we may be guided by His SPIRIT.

That we may be guided into wisdom.

That we may know GOD's will.

This blog is my own way of reflecting upon solutions to the plight of the poor.

SPIRIT and SCRIPTURE will teach me.

It has always to be from SPIRIT's perspective.

Man has limited view.

Born agains wait for SPIRIT to guide us.

Related material:

USURY money

LAZARUS and the RICH MAN

How JESUS loved the poor

 Luke 19:10

King James Version

10 For the Son of man is come to seek 

and to save that which was lost.

The poor in this post refers to the impoverished, the downtrodden, the sick, the forgotten.

Here's how JESUS loved the poor:

Matthew 5:42

King James Version

42 Give to him that asketh thee, 

and from him that would borrow of thee 

turn not thou away.

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.

Matthew 25:31-46

King James Version

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, 

and all the holy angels with him, 

then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: 

and he shall separate them one from another, 

as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, 

but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them 

on his right hand, 

Come, ye blessed of my Father, 

inherit the kingdom prepared for you 

from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: 

I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: 

I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: 

I was sick, and ye visited me: 

I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, 

saying, 

Lord, 

when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? 

or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? 

or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, 

or in prison, and came unto thee?

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.

41 Then shall he say also unto them 

on the left hand, 

Depart from me, 

ye cursed, into everlasting fire, 

prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: 

I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: 

naked, and ye clothed me not: 

sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, 

Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

 or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, 

or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye did it not to one 

of the least of these, 

ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away 

into everlasting punishment: 

but the righteous into life eternal.

Mark 14:7

King James Version

7 For ye have the poor with you always, 

and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: 

but me ye have not always.

Luke 3:10-11

King James Version

10 And the people asked him, saying, 

What shall we do then?

11 He answereth and saith unto them, 

He that hath two coats, 

let him impart to him that hath none; 

and he that hath meat, 

let him do likewise.

Luke 3:12-13

King James Version

12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, 

and said unto him, 

Master, 

what shall we do?

13 And he said unto them, 

Exact no more 

than that which is appointed you.

Luke 4:17-21

King James Version

17 And there was delivered unto him 

the book of the prophet Esaias. 

And when he had opened the book, 

he found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

because he hath anointed me 

to preach the gospel to the poor; 

he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, 

to preach deliverance to the captives, 

and recovering of sight to the blind, 

to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book, 

and he gave it again to the minister, 

and sat down. 

And the eyes of all them that were 

in the synagogue 

were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them, 

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Luke 6:20

King James Version

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, 

and said, 

Blessed be ye poor: 

for yours is the kingdom of God.

Luke 7:22

King James Version

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, 

Go your way, 

and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; 

how that the blind see, 

the lame walk, 

the lepers are cleansed, 

the deaf hear, 

the dead are raised, 

to the poor the gospel is preached.

Luke 6:21

King James Version

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: 

for ye shall be filled. 

Blessed are ye that weep now: 

for ye shall laugh.

Luke 12:33-34

King James Version

33 Sell that ye have, 

and give alms; 

provide yourselves bags which wax not old, 

a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, 

where no thief approacheth, 

neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, 

there will your heart be also.

Luke 14:13-14

King James Version

13 But when thou makest a feast, 

call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14 And thou shalt be blessed; 

for they cannot recompense thee: 

for thou shalt be recompensed 

at the resurrection of the just.

Luke 21:1-4

King James Version

21 And he looked up, 

and saw the rich men 

casting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he saw also a certain poor widow 

casting in thither two mites.

3 And he said, 

Of a truth I say unto you, 

that this poor widow 

hath cast in more than they all:

4 For all these have of their abundance 

cast in unto the offerings of God: 

but she of her penury hath cast in 

all the living that she had.

John 13:34-35

King James Version

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; 

as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know 

that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another.