Verse of the Day

12 Bible Verses About Bad Parents

The 12 most-voted scriptures about Bad Parents, from 10 books (Proverbs, Ephesians, Exodus and 7 more), ranked by the OpenBible.info community.

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Psalm 27:10

BSB

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

Overview

Fathers, mothers, children and households are what most of these verses speak of; none of them uses the phrase bad parents. Readers of OpenBible linked them to this topic, and they are shown here in four groups, described below with their references.

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In Psalm 27:10 the psalmist says, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” In Isaiah 49:15 the LORD answers Zion, which has said that He has forgotten her: even if a woman could forget her nursing child, “I will not forget you!”

Colossians 3:21 and Ephesians 6:4 tell fathers not to provoke their children, and Ephesians 6:4 adds that they should bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 1 Timothy 5:8 says that anyone who does not provide for his own household has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever, and in 2 Corinthians 12:14 Paul writes that children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Proverbs 22:6 says to train up a child in the way he should go, and Proverbs 11:29 that he who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind. Exodus 20:12, among the Ten Commandments, tells Israel to honor father and mother. In Ezekiel 18:20 the LORD says that the soul who sins is the one who will die, and that a son will not bear the iniquity of his father, nor a father that of his son. The last group appears because readers of OpenBible voted for these verses under this topic: Ephesians 4:29, on unwholesome talk, and Galatians 6:7, on reaping what is sown.

All 12 verses in vote order
  1. Psalm 27:10
  2. Colossians 3:21
  3. Proverbs 22:6
  4. Isaiah 49:15
  5. Ezekiel 18:20
  6. Ephesians 4:29
  7. 1 Timothy 5:8
  8. 2 Corinthians 12:14
  9. Galatians 6:7
  10. Ephesians 6:4
  11. Exodus 20:12
  12. Proverbs 11:29

A father and mother who forsake, and a mother who forgets, in the Psalms and Isaiah

Psalm 27:10

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

KJV

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

WEB

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

From a psalm whose heading attributes it to David; the psalmist is speaking of himself.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 27:9

Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Psalm 27:11

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
כִּי\־

H3588A

ki-

H:Conj

for

אָבִ֣/י

H0001G

'a.V/i

H:N-M

father

וְ/אִמִּ֣/י

H0517

ve./'i.M/i

H:N-F

mother

עֲזָב֑וּ/נִי

H5800A

'a.za.Vu./ni

H:V

to leave: forsake

וַֽ/יהוָ֣ה

H3068G

va./Yah.weh

N:N--T

LORD

יַֽאַסְפֵֽ/נִי\׃

H0622

Ya.'as.Fe./ni

H:V

to gather

Related passages

Isaiah 49:15

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

KJV

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

WEB

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you!

The LORD answering Zion, which has said that the LORD has forsaken and forgotten her.

Context (BSB)

Isaiah 49:14

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”

Isaiah 49:16

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
הֲ/תִשְׁכַּ֤ח

H7911

ha./tish.Kach

H:V

to forget

אִשָּׁה֙

H0802G

'i.Shah

H:N-F

woman

עוּלָ֔/הּ

H5764

'u.La/h

H:N-M

infant

מֵ/רַחֵ֖ם

H7355

me./ra.Chem

H:V

to have compassion

בֶּן\־

H1121A

ben-

H:N-M

son: child

בִּטְנָ֑/הּ

H0990H

bit.Na/h

H:N-F

belly: womb

גַּם\־

H1571

gam-

H:Conj

also

אֵ֣לֶּה

H0428

'E.leh

H:DemP

these

תִשְׁכַּ֔חְנָה

H7911

tish.Kach.nah

H:V

to forget

וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י

H0595

ve./'a.no.Khi

H:PerP-CS

I

לֹ֥א

H3808

lo'

H:Neg

not

אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽ/ךְ\׃

H7911

'esh.ka.Che/kh

H:V

to forget

Fathers, children and households, in the letters

Colossians 3:21

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

KJV

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

WEB

Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

From a letter in the names of Paul and Timothy to the believers in Colossae, in instructions for wives, husbands, children and fathers.

Context (BSB)

Colossians 3:20

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Colossians 3:22

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
Οἱ

G3588

Hoi

G:T

the/this/who

πατέρες,

G3962

pateres

G:N-M

father

μὴ

G3361

mē

G:PRT-N

not

ἐρεθίζετε

G2042

erethizete

G:V

to provoke/irritate

τὰ

G3588

ta

G:T

the/this/who

τέκνα

G5043

tekna

G:N-N

child

ὑμῶν,

G4771

humōn

G:P-2

you

ἵνα

G2443

ina

G:CONJ

in order that/to

μὴ

G3361

mē

G:PRT-N

not

ἀθυμῶσιν.¶

G0120

athumōsin

G:V

be discouraged

Related passages

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1 Timothy 5:8

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

KJV

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

WEB

But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

From a letter written in the name of Paul to Timothy, in a passage about widows and their families.

Context (BSB)

1 Timothy 5:7

Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.

1 Timothy 5:9

A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,

Interlinear (Strong’s)
Εἰ

G1487G

Ei

G:COND

if

δέ

G1161

de

G:CONJ

then

τις

G5100

tis

G:X

one

τῶν

G3588

tōn

G:T

the/this/who

ἰδίων

G2398

idiōn

G:A

one's own/private

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

μάλιστα

G3122

malista

G:ADV

especially

τῶν

G3588

tōn

G:T

the/this/who

οἰκείων

G3609

oikeiōn

G:A

of one’s household

οὐ

G3756

ou

G:PRT-N

no

προνοεῖ,

G4306

pronoei

G:V

to care for

τὴν

G3588

tēn

G:T

the/this/who

πίστιν

G4102G

pistin

G:N-F

faith

ἤρνηται

G0720

ērnētai

G:V

to deny

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

ἔστιν

G1510

estin

G:V

to be

ἀπίστου

G0571

apistou

G:A

unbelieving

χείρων.

G5501

cheirōn

G:A

worse than

Related passages

2 Corinthians 12:14

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

KJV

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

WEB

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, in the closing chapters of the letter, where he speaks in his own name.

Context (BSB)

2 Corinthians 12:13

In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

2 Corinthians 12:15

And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

Interlinear (Strong’s)
Ἰδοὺ

G2400

Idou

G:INJ

look!

τρίτον

G5154

triton

G:A

third

τοῦτο

G3778

touto

G:D

this/he/she/it

ἑτοίμως

G2093

hetoimōs

G:ADV

readily

ἔχω

G2192

echō

G:V

to have/be

ἐλθεῖν

G2064

elthein

G:V

to come/go

πρὸς

G4314

pros

G:PREP

to/with

ὑμᾶς

G4771

humas

G:P-2

you

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

οὐ

G3756

ou

G:PRT-N

no

καταναρκήσω

G2655

katanarkēsō

G:V

to burden

ὑμῶν·

G4771

humōn

G:P-2

you

οὐ

G3756

ou

G:PRT-N

no

γὰρ

G1063

gar

G:CONJ

for

ζητῶ

G2212

zētō

G:V

to seek

τὰ

G3588

ta

G:T

the/this/who

ὑμῶν

G4771

humōn

G:P-2

you

ἀλλ᾽

G0235

all᾽

G:CONJ

but

ὑμᾶς.

G4771

humas

G:P-2

you

οὐ

G3756

ou

G:PRT-N

no

γὰρ

G1063

gar

G:CONJ

for

ὀφείλει

G3784

opheilei

G:V

to owe

τὰ

G3588

ta

G:T

the/this/who

τέκνα

G5043

tekna

G:N-N

child

τοῖς

G3588

tois

G:T

the/this/who

γονεῦσιν

G1118

goneusin

G:N-M

parent

θησαυρίζειν

G2343

thēsaurizein

G:V

to store up

ἀλλ᾽

G0235

all᾽

G:CONJ

but

οἱ

G3588

hoi

G:T

the/this/who

γονεῖς

G1118

goneis

G:N-M

parent

τοῖς

G3588

tois

G:T

the/this/who

τέκνοις·

G5043

teknois

G:N-N

child

Related passages

Ephesians 6:4

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

KJV

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

WEB

You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

From a letter in the name of Paul to the saints in Ephesus, in instructions to a household; this verse is addressed to fathers.

Context (BSB)

Ephesians 6:3

“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:5

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
Καὶ

G2532

Kai

G:CONJ

and

οἱ

G3588

hoi

G:T

the/this/who

πατέρες,

G3962

pateres

G:N-M

father

μὴ

G3361

mē

G:PRT-N

not

παροργίζετε

G3949

parorgizete

G:V

to anger

τὰ

G3588

ta

G:T

the/this/who

τέκνα

G5043

tekna

G:N-N

child

ὑμῶν,

G4771

humōn

G:P-2

you

ἀλλ᾽

G0235

all᾽

G:CONJ

but

ἐκτρέφετε

G1625

ektrephete

G:V

to nourish/rear

αὐτὰ

G0846

auta

G:P

it/s/he

ἐν

G1722

en

G:PREP

in/on/among

παιδείᾳ

G3809

paideia

G:N-F

discipline

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

νουθεσίᾳ

G3559

nouthesia

G:N-F

admonition

κυρίου.¶

G2962G

kuriou

G:N-M

lord: God

Related passages

Children, parents and households, in the Law, Proverbs and Ezekiel

Proverbs 22:6

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

KJV

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

WEB

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

From Proverbs, near the end of the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
חֲנֹ֣ךְ

H2596

cha.Nokh

H:V

to dedicate

לַ֭/נַּעַר

H5288

La./na.'ar

H:N-M

youth

עַל\־

H5921A

'al-

H:Prep

upon

פִּ֣י

H6310I

pi

H:N-M

lip: word

דַרְכּ֑/וֹ

H1870G

dar.K/o

H:N-M

way: conduct

גַּ֥ם

H1571

gam

H:Conj

also

כִּֽי\־

H3588A

ki-

H:Conj

for

יַ֝זְקִ֗ין

H2204

yaz.Kin

H:V

be old

לֹֽא\־

H3808

lo'-

H:Neg

not

יָס֥וּר

H5493H

ya.Sur

H:V

to turn aside: depart

מִמֶּֽ/נָּה\׃

H4480A

mi.Me./nah

H:Prep

from

Related passages

Ezekiel 18:20

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.

KJV

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

WEB

The soul who sins, he shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.

From Ezekiel, the word of the LORD about a proverb quoted in Israel, that the fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge.

Context (BSB)

Ezekiel 18:19

Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.

Ezekiel 18:21

But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
הַ/נֶּ֥פֶשׁ

H5315G

ha./Ne.fesh

H:N-F

soul

הַ/חֹטֵ֖את

H2398

ha./cho.Tet

H:V

to sin

הִ֣יא

H1931

hi'

H:PerP-CS

he/she/it

תָמ֑וּת

H4191

ta.Mut

H:V

to die

בֵּ֞ן

H1121A

ben

H:N-M

son: child

לֹא\־

H3808

lo'-

H:Neg

not

יִשָּׂ֣א\׀

H5375J

yi.Sa'

H:V

to lift: guilt

בַּ/עֲוֹ֣ן

H5771G

ba./'a.Von

H:N-M

iniquity: crime

הָ/אָ֗ב

H0001G

ha./'Av

H:N-M

father

וְ/אָב֙

H0001G

ve./'Av

H:N-M

father

לֹ֤א

H3808

lo'

H:Neg

not

יִשָּׂא֙

H5375J

yi.Sa'

H:V

to lift: guilt

בַּ/עֲוֹ֣ן

H5771G

ba./'a.Von

H:N-M

iniquity: crime

הַ/בֵּ֔ן

H1121A

ha./Ben

H:N-M

son: child

צִדְקַ֤ת

H6666

tzid.Kat

H:N-F

righteousness

הַ/צַּדִּיק֙

H6662

ha./tza.Dik

H:A

righteous

עָלָ֣י/ו

H5921A

'a.La/v

H:Prep

upon

תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה

H1961

tih.Yeh

H:V

to be

וְ/רִשְׁעַ֥ת

H7564

ve./rish.'At

H:N-F

wickedness

הָ/רָשָׁ֖ע

H7563

ha./ra.sha'

H:N

wicked

עָלָ֥י/ו

H5921A

'a.La/v

H:Prep

upon

תִּֽהְיֶֽה\׃\ \ס

H1961

Tih.Yeh

H:V

to be

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Exodus 20:12

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

KJV

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

WEB

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

In Exodus, among the Ten Commandments that God speaks to Israel at Mount Sinai.

Context (BSB)

Exodus 20:11

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

Exodus 20:13

You shall not murder.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
כַּבֵּ֥ד

H3513G

ka.Bed

H:V

to honor: honour

אֶת\־

H0853

'et-

H:Part

[Obj.]

אָבִ֖י/ךָ

H0001G

'a.Vi./kha

H:N-M

father

וְ/אֶת\־

H0853

ve./'Et

H:Part

[Obj.]

אִמֶּ֑/ךָ

H0517

'i.Me./kha

H:N-F

mother

לְמַ֙עַן֙

H4616

le.Ma.'an

H:Prep / H:Conj

because

יַאֲרִכ֣וּ/ן

H0748

ya.'a.ri.Khu/n

H:V

to prolong

יָמֶ֔י/ךָ

H3117G

ya.Mei./kha

H:N-M

day

עַ֚ל

H5921A

'al

H:Prep

upon

הָ/אֲדָמָ֔ה

H0127G

ha./'a.da.Mah

H:N-F

land: soil

אֲשֶׁר\־

H0834A

'a.Sher-

H:RelP

which

יְהוָ֥ה

H3068G

Yah.weh

N:N--T

LORD

אֱלֹהֶ֖י/ךָ

H0430G

'e.lo.Hei./kha

H:N-M

God

נֹתֵ֥ן

H5414G

no.Ten

H:V

to give: give

לָֽ/ךְ\׃\ \ס

H9031

La/kh

Os2m

you

Related passages

Proverbs 11:29

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

KJV

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

WEB

He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

From Proverbs, in the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 11:28

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
עוֹכֵ֣ר

H5916

o.Kher

H:V

to trouble

בֵּ֭ית/וֹ

H1004M

bei.t/o

H:N-M

house: household

יִנְחַל\־

H5157

yin.chal-

H:V

to inherit

ר֑וּחַ

H7307H

Ru.ach

H:N-F

spirit: breath

וְ/עֶ֥בֶד

H5650

ve./'E.ved

H:N-M

servant/slave

אֱ֝וִ֗יל

H0191

'e.Vil

H:A-M

fool(ish)

לַ/חֲכַם\־

H2450

la./cha.kham-

H:A

wise

לֵֽב\׃

H3820A

Lev

H:N-M

heart

Other verses

Ephesians 4:29

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

KJV

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

WEB

Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

From a letter in the name of Paul to the saints in Ephesus, in a passage about the old self and the new.

Context (BSB)

Ephesians 4:28

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

Ephesians 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
Πᾶς

G3956

Pas

G:A

all

λόγος

G3056

logos

G:N-M

word

σαπρὸς

G4550

sapros

G:A

rotten

ἐκ

G1537

ek

G:PREP

out from

τοῦ

G3588

tou

G:T

the/this/who

στόματος

G4750

stomatos

G:N-N

mouth

ὑμῶν

G4771

humōn

G:P-2

you

μὴ

G3361

mē

G:PRT-N

not

ἐκπορευέσθω

G1607

ekporeuesthō

G:V

to depart

ἀλλ᾽

G0235

all᾽

G:CONJ

but

εἴ

G1487G

ei

G:COND

if

τις

G5100

tis

G:X

one

ἀγαθὸς

G0018

agathos

G:A / G:ADV

good

πρὸς

G4314

pros

G:PREP

to/with

οἰκοδομὴν

G3619

oikodomēn

G:N-F

building

τῆς

G3588

tēs

G:T

the/this/who

χρείας,

G5532

chreias

G:N-F

need

ἵνα

G2443

ina

G:CONJ

in order that/to

δῷ

G1325

dō

G:V

to give

χάριν

G5485

charin

G:N-F

grace

τοῖς

G3588

tois

G:T

the/this/who

ἀκούουσιν.

G0191

akouousin

G:V

to hear

Related passages

Galatians 6:7

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB

Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

KJV

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

WEB

Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Paul, writing to the churches of Galatia, near the end of the letter.

Context (BSB)

Galatians 6:6

Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

Galatians 6:8

The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Interlinear (Strong’s)
μὴ

G3361

mē

G:PRT-N

not

πλανᾶσθε,

G4105

planasthe

G:V

to lead astray

θεὸς

G2316

theos

G:N-M/F

God

οὐ

G3756

ou

G:PRT-N

no

μυκτηρίζεται·

G3456

muktērizetai

G:V

to mock

ὃ

G3739

ho

G:R

which

γὰρ

G1063

gar

G:CONJ

for

ἐὰν

G1437

ean

G:COND

if

σπείρῃ

G4687

speirē

G:V

to sow

ἄνθρωπος,

G0444

anthrōpos

G:N-M

a human

τοῦτο

G3778

touto

G:D

this/he/she/it

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

θερίσει·

G2325

therisei

G:V

to reap

Related passages

Verses to pray, send and memorize

  • A verse to pray

    Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

    Psalm 27:10

    BSB

  • A verse to send to someone

    “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

    Isaiah 49:15

    BSB

  • A short verse to memorize

    Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

    Proverbs 22:6

    BSB

12 verses, from 10 books:

  • Exodus (1)
  • Psalm (1)
  • Proverbs (2)
  • Isaiah (1)
  • Ezekiel (1)
  • 2 Corinthians (1)
  • Galatians (1)
  • Ephesians (2)
  • Colossians (1)
  • 1 Timothy (1)

Related topics