The Psalms are the Israelites’ songs of joy and sadness, contentment and complaint, happiness and suffering—but most of all, praise. King David is the most prolific contributor, but there are also psalms from his son Solomon, the sons of Korah, the worship leader Asaph, and even one from Moses! (Introduction by Mark Penfold)     [chương_files]  

An English translation that holds as closely as was possible to the original languages and idioms. (Summary by KevinS)     [chương_files]  

The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul, after having established the church in Corinth. In it, he responds to a letter written to him by the church, addressing some errors and controversies that have arisen in the church. Among the topics are divisions within the church; immorality; marriage; Christian liberty; and the doctrine of the resurrection. (Summary by TriciaG)     [chương_files]  

Young’s Literal Translation is a translation of the Bible into English, published in 1862. The translation was made by Robert Young, compiler of Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible and Concise Critical Comments on the New Testament. Young produced a “Revised Edition” of the translation in 1887. After he died on October 14, 1888, the publisher in 1898 released a new Revised Edition. (Summary from Wikipedia)     [chương_files]  

The Book of The Judges is a record of the Israelites’ pattern of continuing disobedience to God, and their salvation by God through judges chosen to lead the people. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)     [chương_files]  

Nehemiah is the story of a man determined to restore the Temple, as well as the strength and integrity of the Nation of Israel. A lowly butler to a mighty king, Nehemiah rises to a position of prominence among his people as he reminds them of their obligation to the Law of Moses. Nehemiah is a man of prayer and deep reverence to his God who is constantly on the look-out for his people, as well as for those who disobey the Law and the Sabbath day. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)     [chương_files]  

The Book of Ecclesiastes ( /ɨˌkliːziˈæstiːz/; literally “Book of the Teacher”; Hebrew: קֹהֶלֶת‎‎, Qoheleth), commonly referred to simply as Ecclesiastes (abbreviated “Ecc.”), is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title. The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qoheleth (usually translated as “teacher” or “preacher”), introduces himself as “son of David, king in Jerusalem.” The work consists of personal or autobiographic matter, at times expressed in aphorisms and maxims illuminated in terse paragraphs with reflections on the meaning of life and the best way of life. The work emphatically proclaims all the actions of man to be inherently “vain”, “futile”, “empty”, “meaningless”, “temporary”, “transitory”, “fleeting, or “mere breath”, depending on translation, as the lives of both wise and foolish men end in death. While Qoheleth clearly endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life, he is unable to ascribe eternal meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, he suggests that one should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one’s work, which are gifts from the hand of God. According to the Talmud, however, the point of Qoheleth is to state that all is futile under the Sun. One should therefore put all one’s efforts towards that which is above the Sun. This is summed up in the second to last verse: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, […]

This book describes the return of Israelites from exile in Babylon. One group returns to rebuild the Temple and restore the worship of The LORD, while the second group, led by the priest and scribe Ezra, returns to re-establish Mosaic law to the Israelite community. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah were once considered one book. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)     [chương_files]  

Not just a big book of geneaological lists, it is a record of things not mentioned in the Books of Samuel and Kings. It tells us of the kingdom of David and his life, but also gives us incredible spiritual truths. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)     [chương_files]  

This book contains small morsels of great practical wisdom and instruction for all. Solomon, no doubt, wrote the majority of this book, but the last proverb was authored by a King Lemuel, who wrote of the wisdom imparted to him by his mother. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)     [chương_files]