A Reading.....

Cleaning out old books, downsizing. Lots to ponder.  Every book has a story....why I read it...when I got it...what I learned from it...all my books had a purpose.

I was going across an old English Bible I had...in a section of the Bible was a bookmark...I had written down the reading I had done at my Dad's funeral in 1992.

You have no idea how difficult it was to read anything at my Dad's funeral.

But here it is..a reading from the Book of Wisdom, Chapter 4 verses 7-15. Although from the apocryphal books of the Bible, it gave our family comfort during a painful time:

But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.

For old age is not honored for length of time,

nor measured by number of years;

but understanding is gray hair for men,

and a blameless life is ripe old age.

There was one who pleased God and was loved by him,

and while living among sinners he was taken up.

He was caught up lest evil change his understanding

or guile deceive his soul.

For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good,

and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.

Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;

for his soul was pleasing to the Lord,

therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.

Yet the peoples saw and did not understand,

nor take such a thing to heart,

that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect,

and he watches over his holy ones.

Wisdom: 4:7-15 Revised Standard Version