ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 22, 1996 TAG: 9612240008
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE
Of the 300 responses we got to our requests for your favorite sacred verses, almost a third cited the top 12 verses - six from the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament, and six from the Christian New Testament.
In all, about 170 different verses from the Bible were cited as "favorite." Another dozen of you submitted passages from other writings, including the "Most Holy Book of the Baha'i Faith;" "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy; the Serenity Prayer; and other prayers and poems.
Following, in order, are the most popular passages according to your responses (all Bible verses are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version):
Proverbs 3:5-6
(cited 13 times):
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
John 3:16
(cited 12 times):
(Jesus is speaking) ``For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.''
Isaiah 40:31
(cited 10 times):
... but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Philippians 4:13
(cited 10 times):
I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me.
Psalm 121
(cited 9 times):
I lift up my eyes to the hills-
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Romans 8:28
(cited 8 times):
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
1 Corinthians 13
(cited 7 times):
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
John 14:1-3
(cited 6 times):
(Jesus is speaking) ``Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.
``In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
``And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.''
Isaiah 43:2
(cited 5 times):
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Jeremiah 29:11
(cited 5 times):
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Matthew 6:33
(cited 5 times):
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (physical needs such as food and clothing) will be given to you as well.
Psalm 91:1-2
(cited 5 times):
You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the LORD, ``My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.''
Finally, to make a baker's dozen, an honorable mention to a perennial favorite, cited 4 times by readers:
Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
LENGTH: Medium: 95 linesby CNB