St. Matthew 10: 29 -31.
29. “Are not
two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground
apart from your Father. 30. “But the
very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (New
American Standard Bible, 1995.)
29. Are not
two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not
one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30. And
even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31. So don’t be afraid; you
are worth more than many sparrows. (New International Version, 1978)
29. Are not
two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them will not fall to the ground
without your Father. 30. But the very
hairs of your head are all numbered. 31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value
than many sparrows. (King James Version,
1611.)
My new (old) Bible came in the mail yesterday, New American Standard Bible 1995, Giant Print, indexed, red letter, brown that looks red, in genuine leather, $35. Love it for all these reasons but mostly my affection is based on sentiment. I discovered the Bible when I bought a NASB paperback edition in the seminary bookstore, 1977, or so. I was not a good student nor a good fit for the job but the NASB and I have been partners ever since those days. Little did I understand that the search for authenticity would take so long.
The
description of God as expressed in these three verses are, in my humble opinion,
the most authentic Jesus words in the Bible.
Jesus words are simple, primitive and earthy. We are like sparrows whom
God cares for even in death yet we are more valuable than the sparrow to God. Much of the remainder of Chapter 10 can best
be described as what others said about what Jesus said, therefore, in my book,
verses 29 to 31 stand alone.
G. Goslaw
Landers, Ca.
