“Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry” (James 1:19, CEB).

     In 1325, the Italian cities of Bologna and Modena engaged in a war that started over a wooden bucket that allegedly had been stolen. Italy had not become, as yet a unified country. The region was divided into various city-states that governed themselves independently.

“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Know this: I’ve given you authority over the entire land of Egypt” (Genesis 42:41, CEB).

     Who doesn’t love a good comeback story? In 1919, Harry Reese lost his job with the Hershey Company. As the father of ten children, Harry had no means to support his family.

“And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).

     Translation from one language to another can be tricky. The verbiage Jesus uses in the text above is no different. Ask, seek, and knock appear as one-time actions. However, all three verbs use what is called an imperfect imperative tense. The New Living Translation of the Bible conveys a more accurate interpretation of Jesus’ original words:

“The words of their mouths are evil and dishonest. They have stopped being wise and stopped doing good” (Psalm 36:3, CEB).

     I like wool. A fuzzy, Marino wool sweater. A pair of warm, wool socks. However, I don’t appreciate having the wool pulled over my eyes.

“Don’t be worried on account of the wicked…trust in the LORD and do good”  (Psalm 37:1 & 3).

     No good deed goes unpunished. Maybe. Maybe not.

     Taylor Ostergaard and Linsey Zellitti wanted to do something nice for their neighbors. Late in the evening, they walked from house to house delivering the cookies they had baked. At 10:30 p.m., they pounded on the door of a woman who experienced a panic attack because of the girl’s late-night visit.

“These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6, NRSV).