Contradictions And Cursings

How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? Numbers 23:8

 

The prophet of God, Ellen White wrote:

Eve really believed the words of Satan, but her belief did not save her from the penalty of sin. She disbelieved the words of God, and this was what led to her fall. In the judgment men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth. Notwithstanding the sophistry of Satan to the contrary, it is always disastrous to disobey God. We must set our hearts to know what is truth. All the lessons which God has caused to be placed on record in His word are for our warning and instruction. They are given to save us from deception. Their neglect will result in ruin to ourselves. Whatever contradicts God's word, we may be sure proceeds from Satan. Patriarchs and Prophets p. 55

Do some bibles contradict the KJV? Judge for yourself from the following examples. Beginning at Genesis 16:12 we read this:

And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. KJV

The NIV says, ‘He will live in hostility toward all his brothers.’ The NEB says, ‘he shall live at odds with all his kinsmen.’ The NASB says, ‘he will live to the east of all his brothers.’ The RSV says, ‘he will live over against all...’. The NIV and the NASB also add that he will be ‘a wild donkey of a man’. The NEB also makes mention of him being ‘like the wild ass’. Would an angel of God speak that way? I don’t think so.

Genesis 25:19 says:

And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren. KJV

The NIV says, ‘they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.’ The RSV says, ‘he settled over against all his people.’ The NASB says, ‘he settled in defiance of all his relatives.’ The NEB says, ‘...to the east of his brothers.’ How can this text be talking about where he settled or how he settled when in the preceding verse it is talking about his death.

Think of this statement by Christ as you think about the next contradiction: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:11 KJV

Isaac, when giving blessings to his sons, said this to Esau after Jacob had taken his blessing:

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

Genesis 27:39 KJV

Isaac had a blessing for both sons. He didn’t love one and hate the other. He favored one but that in no way meant that he would pronounce a curse on the one less favored. But in the NIV it reads, ‘Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew’s of heaven...’ The same change is seen in the NASB, RSV and NEB. ‘Away from’ is inserted into all of them, making the meaning just the opposite. Instead of it being a blessing it is changed into a curse.

In Numbers 11 we have the story of God giving the seventy elders the same spirit that was on Moses. In verse 25 we read this:

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. Numbers 11:25 KJV

The NIV says, ‘but they did not do so again.’ The NASB says, ‘but they did not do it again.’ The RSV says, ‘they did so no more.’. The NEB says, ‘they fell into a prophetic ecstasy, for the first and only time.’

Now read God’s prophet:

"And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the Lord, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders; and it came to pass, that when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease." This prophetic gift rested upon the judges and elders, to establish the confidence of the people in them, and to be a sign that God had chosen them to unite their authority with that of Moses, and assist him in the work of subduing the murmurings of the people during their sojourn in the wilderness, and thus ease the task upon Moses. Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 1 p. 283

How can a sword make someone childless? The KJV in Deuteronomy 32:25 says:

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. KJV

How does that compare with the NIV. It says ‘In the street the sword will make them childless;...’. The NEB says, ‘The sword will make orphans in the street.’

In Joshua 6 we have the story of the destruction of Jericho. In verse 17 the KJV says:

And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. Joshua 6:17 KJV

The NIV and RSV say that the city is a ‘devoted thing’. The NASB and NEB use the expression, ‘under the ban’. I ask, how can a city that is going to be destroyed be considered devoted? Is it some human sacrifice? What is it devoted to? And ‘ban’ makes it sound as though it was just under quarantine. Ellen White wrote this:

The city of Jericho was devoted to the most extravagant idolatry. The inhabitants were very wealthy, but all the riches that God had given them they counted as the gift of their gods. They had gold and silver in abundance; but, like the people before the Flood, they were corrupt and blasphemous, and insulted and provoked the God of heaven by their wicked works. God's judgments were awakened against Jericho. It was a stronghold. But the Captain of the Lord's host Himself came from heaven to lead the armies of heaven in an attack upon the city. Angels of God laid hold of the massive walls and brought them to the ground. God had said that the city of Jericho should be accursed and that all should perish except Rahab and her household. These should be saved because of the favor that Rahab showed the messengers of the Lord. The word of the Lord to the people was: "And ye, in anywise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it." "And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it." 3 Testimonies p. 264

They were devoted alright, to idolatry. But they were accursed by God.

Remember Samson and how he killed a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. What did he say after the fight? The KJV quotes him this way:

And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. Judges 15:16 KJV

But the NIV puts some rather crude words in his mouth. It reads, ‘with a donkey’s jawbone I have make donkeys of them.’

What is the meaning of this text?:

Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. 1 Samuel 13:1 & 2 KJV

It seems pretty clear, don’t you think? It is telling about the beginning of Sauls reign as king. Why would anyone want to change anything here. But the strangest thing happens with verse one. Compare it with as many of the other versions as you can find. Here is what I have found:

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty two years. NIV

Saul was fifty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel for twenty-two years. NEB

Saul was a young man when he became king, and he ruled Israel for two years. CEV

Saul was...years old when he began to reign; and he reigned... and two years over Israel. RSV

Saul was forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-two years over Israel. NASB

Saul was...years old when he became king and he reigned...(two) years over Israel. NAB

Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for forty years. Clear Word

Saul was a child of one year when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel. Catholic Life Edition

What do we do with this? Can God have so many versions of the same text? Is He the author of confusion? How can all these bibles be correct? The German Bible by Luther matches the KJV in this verse. Why do you suppose that is? Which of these bibles is correct and which ones are not. There are 4 different ages for the beginning of his reign and there are 6 different ones for how long he reigned. Two of them are unwilling to commit to anything. One says he was an infant when he began to reign and reigned until he was three years old. The Reader’s Digest version just omits chapters 12 through 14.

Remember that every fact has its bearing.

The lives recorded in the Bible are authentic histories of actual individuals. From Adam down through successive generations to the times of the apostles we have a plain, unvarnished account of what actually occurred and the genuine experience of real characters. It is a subject of wonder to many that inspired history should narrate in the lives of good men facts that tarnish their moral characters. . . . The inspired writers did not testify to falsehoods to prevent the pages of sacred history being clouded by the record of human frailties and faults. . Conflict and Courage p. 7

The Bible is the most ancient and the most comprehensive history that men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and throughout the ages a divine hand has preserved its purity. It lights up the far-distant past, where human research in vain seeks to penetrate. In God's word only do we behold the power that laid the foundations of the earth and that stretched out the heavens. Here only do we find an authentic account of the origin of nations. Here only is given a history of our race unsullied by human pride or prejudice. Education p. 173

The Word of God is to be our guide. About the truths that this Word contains there is no guesswork. Let us not leave this unerring guide in order to seek for something new and strange. . . . There are many such doctrines that have not for their foundation, "It is written." They are but human suppositions. It was with the word "It is written" that Christ met every temptation of Satan in the wilderness, and armed with this weapon, He could say to the enemy, "Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther." That I May Know Him p. 210

Oh, dear reader, I plead with you to have discernment. Know your Bible! Read it. Compare it. Ask yourself why those changes were made. What I’m sharing with you is not all there is. Many will tell you that the Bibles are all alike and that one is as good as another, but have you studied to prove that to your own satisfaction? In a few more years how many more versions will there be and how many more changes will there be in them. Please study! Ask the Lord to give you a love for reading His Word. Not books about the Bible but the Bible itself. He will answer your prayer. Don’t give in when you are tempted to think that the Bible is boring or that you don’t have time. Make time, your salvation is found in God’s Word. Ask the Lord to give you a love of reading His word. He will answer and give you a love of the truth.

Men act as though they had been given special liberty to cancel the decisions of God. The higher critics put themselves in the place of God, and review the Word of God, revising or endorsing it. In this way, all nations are induced to drink the wine of the fornication of Babylon. These higher critics have fixed things to suit the popular heresies of these last days. If they cannot subvert and misapply the Word of God, if they cannot bend it to human practices, they break it. . . Upward Look p. 35

God knew that Satan would try every art to destroy man; therefore He caused His word to be written out, and made His purposes in regard to the human race so plain that the weakest need not err. After having given His word to man, He has carefully preserved it from destruction by Satan or his angels, or by any of his agents or representatives. While other books might be destroyed, this was to be immortal. And down near the close of time, when the delusions of Satan should increase, it was to be so multiplied that all who desired might have a copy, and, if they would, might arm themselves against the deceptions and lying wonders of Satan. Bible Echo and Signs of the Times 08-10-96

Paul in the book of Galatians wrote this: ‘I would they were even cut off which trouble you.’ Galatians 5:12. What did he mean by this statement? Ellen White explains it very clearly in 5T p. 243. She wrote this:

False teachers had brought to the Galatians doctrines that were opposed to the gospel of Christ. Paul sought to expose and correct these errors. He greatly desired that the false teachers might be separated from the church, but their influence had affected so many of the believers that it seemed hazardous to take action against them. There was danger of causing strife and division which would be ruinous to the spiritual interests of the church. He therefore sought to impress upon his brethren the importance of trying to help one another in love. He declared that all the requirements of the law setting forth our duty to our fellow men are fulfilled in love to one another. He warned them that if they indulged hatred and strife, dividing into parties, and like the brutes biting and devouring one another, they would bring upon themselves present unhappiness and future ruin. There was but one way to prevent these terrible evils and that was, as the apostle enjoined upon them, to "walk in the Spirit." They must by constant prayer seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which would lead them to love and unity.

But some bible translators would have you believe that Paul wished these people something else. The RSV and NASB say that he wished that they would ‘mutilate themselves’. The NIV quotes him thus, ‘would go the whole way and emasculate themselves’. The NEB reads, ‘make eunuchs of themselves’. The CEV reads, ‘would not only get circumcised, but would cut off much more!’.

Does any of this fit the picture of a Christ like character? No! Paul meant these people no physical harm but that they would no longer trouble the church. But I guess it fits the thinking of people that would (and did) cut out this part of Christ’s words: ‘bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you...’ Matt. 5:44, or this text: ‘But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.’ Mark 11:26

How accurate is the history found in your bible? Let’s compare a couple of texts. 1 Kings 22:38 in the KJV reads:

And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake. 1 Kings 22:38 KJV

The NASB adds this, ‘...his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), according...’. The NIV does the same thing. The RSV and the NEB say, ‘and the harlots washed themselves in it,...’ and the CEV makes a similar remark. Where did this come from? How did his armor become harlots?

In 1 Kings 10:28 KJV reads:

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. 1 Kings 10:28 KJV

The RSV reads, ‘...from Egypt and Kue, and the kings merchants procured them from Kue...’ The NASB, NIV and NEB say basically the same thing. The CEV says he bought horses and chariots from Musri and Kue with no mention of Egypt. Where are they getting these things and why are these changes put there? Back up to verse 22 of that same chapter. The KJV reads:

For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. I Kings 10:22 KJV

This list is repeated in 2 Chronicles 9:21. The NIV changes the peacocks into baboons. The NEB changes it to monkeys. Why?

Is there a difference between being exiled and being in captivity? Yes. If someone is exiled they are forced out of their country, they have freedom to locate somewhere else in another country, but if they are in captivity they are kept a prisoner and have no freedom. 1Chronicles 5:22 of the NIV, NEB, RSV & NASB all have the term exiled in place of captivity which the KJV uses.

If I said, ‘Don’t kill your neighbor’ would it change the sentence if I were to add the word ‘just’ to the sentence so that it read, ‘Don’t just kill your neighbor’? Yes, it would! I would be saying go beyond killing your neighbor. In Romans 15:1 in the NASB we have an example of that kind of change. The KJV reads,

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 KJV

The NASB adds the word ‘just’ so that it reads, ‘...not just to please ourselves.’

If I were to add the word ‘merely’ to my sentence above so that it read, ‘Don’t merely kill your neighbor.’ Would the new sentence be different from my original sentence? Yes, it would mean just the opposite of the original. It too would mean to do more than kill your neighbor. Another text that the NASB has changed is found in 1 Peter 3:3. It reads,

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 1 Peter 3:3 KJV

This is changed to read, ‘And let not your adornment be merely external...’. Does that change agree with the example of Christ? No, he had one simple robe. Does it agree with the example of John the Baptist? No, he had a camel hair coat. Does it agree with 1 Timothy 2:9? No! 1 Timothy 2:9 reads:

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 1 Timothy 2:9 KJV

Does it agree with the writings of Ellen White? No! She wrote this:

Self-denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly, abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith. Are we of the number who see the folly of worldlings in indulging in extravagance of dress as well as in love of amusements? If so, we should be of that class who shun everything that gives sanction to this spirit which takes possession of the minds and hearts of those who live for this world only and who have no thought or care for the next. 3 Testimonies p. 366.

Does God kill? Yes, it is described as His strange act. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but He does kill. God says this of Himself in Deuteronomy 32:39:

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

But look at what happens to the following text in the NIV. The KJV reads:

For we must needs die, and are as water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. 11 Samual 14:14 KJV

But the NIV says, ‘But God does not take away life;...’ Doesn’t that contradict the KJV?

Have you ever given any thought to the addition of the word ‘wild’ to the description in Genesis 1:24 & 25 of the animals in the garden of Eden as it is found in the NEB, NAB and NIV? If that were a correct rendering then why in Genesis 9:2 did God tell Noah that He would put ‘the fear of you and the dread of you’ in every animal? Is that a compromise with evolutionists? The Pope recently spoke in favor of evolution. In the next chapter you can find more changes that support evolution in the new translations.

The changes I present here are only a part of what I have found. Do you know what changes there may be that I have not presented? Or that I have not noticed? How many texts are allowed to be directly contradictory to the KJV before someone should reject a bible translation?