Q Who was the First Jew

Q Who was the First Jew? Was Abraham a Jew? Are the terms “Jew” and “Israelite” synonymous?

A. Yahweh gave the first covenant to Abraham because of his faithfulness and obedience. There were no Jews at that time. The covenant was renewed with his son Isaac, and with Ya’akob (Jacob), Isaac’s son.

So Abraham was not a Jew. .Jews are descendants of the tribe of Judah, one of the 12 sons of Jacob. Jacob was later given the additional name “Israel” by Yahweh, and the tribes that sprang from these 12 sons became known as the nation of Israel. These sons, in order of birth and their mothers are as follows. By Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah. Then she gave off bearing, and Bilhah, Rachel’s maid, bore him Dan and Naphtali. Then Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Gad and Asher. Next, Leah became active again, and had Issachar, Zebulon, and the only daughter, Dinah. Then Rachel, Jacob’s true love, had Joseph and Benjamim. She died in childbirth delivering Benjamin while on the way to Ephrath, another name for Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16-18). Just as she was dying, she named him, “Benoni,” which means “son of my sorrow,” but Jacob changed it to Benyamin, meaning “son of the right hand.”

Joseph, a favorite of Jacob (he favored both of Rachel’s sons over all the others, because he loved their mother) had two sons by an Egyptian wife, Asenath: Manasseh, the eldest, and Ephraim the younger. When Jacob grew old and knew his time to die was near, he blessed these two boys and adopted them as his own sons (Gen. 48:16). So in effect, there were 13 tribes. However, in the Kingdom Joseph will have two portions, but be considered one tribe again (Eze. 47:13 and Rev. 21:12).

The term “Jew” is short for Judah, the fourth of the 12 sons of Jacob, and the land they occupied came to be known as “Judea,” also from the word “Judah.” Some think of the Jews as being all of the Israelites, but this is not so. After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam became king. A delegation from the northern 10 tribes, led by Jereboam, who had already rebelled against the unwise policies of Solomon, came to meet with Rehoboam. They told him that if he would give them some relief from his father’s cruel demands, they would serve him. Rehoboam asked for three days to think it over and to get advice. The old men who had been in Solomon’s service, advised him to heed their request and lighten the burden imposed by Solomon. But when he asked the young hotheads that he had grown up with, they advised him to make conditions even worse than they had been under Solomon. Naturally, he took their advice and ignored the old men.

This caused a split in Israel. The northern 10 tribes rebelled and set up a capital in Samaria; with “holy sites” at Bethel and Dan, and changed the fall feasts to the 8^th month so the Israelites would not return to Jerusalem for the proper Feasts in the 7^th month. He also reintroduced idol (Baal) worship.

Because of their sins, Yahweh sent them into captivity to Assyria in 721-718 BCE, from which they never returned. Instead, they migrated northward and westward into Europe, and from there to North America, Australia, South Africa, all in fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecies for his sons and especially his two grandsons, children of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. He gave the younger, Ephraim, the greater blessing (see Gen. 48-49). The only two modern nations or commonwealth of nations that fit these prophecies are Great Britain and the USA.

Later, in 518 BCE, Yahweh sent Judah into captivity to Babylon because of their refusal to repent of their terrible sins. But they came back after about 70 years and rebuilt Jerusalem. See the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and Jeremiah 25:1-11, 29:10, and Dan. 1:2.

So the Jews returned, and continued to be known as Judah, but the main body of Israelites, known primarily as Ephraim, never returned. There is evidence, however, that they still lived nearby and were known in the days of Yahshua and afterward. Note that Yahshua said He was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mat. 15:24), and that the Apostle James (Ya’akob, a half-brother of Yahshua) addressed his letter thus:

“Ya’akob, a servant of YHWH and of the Master, Yahshua the Messiah, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.”

However, again because of their sins, Judah was attacked and Jerusalem and the Temple was sacked and destroyed in 69-70 CE (Christian Era) by the Romans. They were dispersed but kept their identity and their religion of Judaism. As evidenced by Yahshua in Matthew 23:2-3 and other places, they were not living by Torah. They were more of the “Don’t do as I do, do as I say” variety. They did not return to the Promised land as a people or as a nation, until after the Balfour Declaration of 1917 made it possible. Even then, it was 31 more years before Israel became a reality. They are today called Israel, but in reality are only “Judah,” one of the 12 (13) tribes. The others will not be reunited with them until the time of Ezekiel’s “two sticks” prophecy is fulfilled in the “last days.” (Ezekiel 37, 38, 39).

Here is part of a long article from a Google web page (http://www.mideastweb.org/mebalfour.htm)

“There are different theories about why the British agreed to issue the Balfour declaration when they issued it. One possibility is that the declaration was deliberately contrived to allow the British to renege on earlier promises to France and the Arabs regarding Palestine. Lloyd George reportedly said that British control over Palestine would prevent it from falling into the hands of the agnostic atheistic French. Another hypothesis, is that the declaration was intended to curry favor with the Jews, so that the Jews in the United States and Russia would influence their governments to support the British cause in the war. However, the declaration did not fall as a bolt from the blue, but was rather the culmination of a long tradition in Britain that supported restoration of the Jews to their own land for philosophical, religious and imperialistic motives.”

I have my own “theories” – I believe that it was orchestrated by the hand of Yahweh, and performed by the hands of Judah’s brother (nephew), Ephraim (Britain), with help from Manasseh (the USA). Who has, until just lately, supported Israel through thick and thin? The US and Britain, often against the rest of the world, who hates the tiny nation of Israel almost as much as the Arabs do. But very recently, at the insistence of the Bush and Blair governments, Israel has given up part of its sovereign territory that Almighty Yahweh gave them millennia ago. Ariel Sharon has a lot to answer for, too. He has given to their sworn enemies vital territory that the Arabs will use to further attack Israel. But this is from Yahweh, just as their previous problems were caused by their sins. We are near the end-time, both chronologically and “signs-wise.” Everything that is happening is right down the line according to signs in many Old Testament prophecies, as well as the words of Yahshua in Mat.24; the writings of Paul, and the book of Revelation.

To understand these prophecies today, we must know two vital things – first, understand that all prophecy is not written in chronological order. Even in the Book of Ezekiel, the events of chapters 38 and 39 will come before the events of chapter 37. And even there, the events of chapter 37, latter part, will precede the first few verses. And second, understand who the nations are that are spoken of in Bible prophecy. They do not go by the names they were known by in ancient times. Some did not even exist then, although their forebears did.

For a good treatise on this subject, write to me or to the address below for an article written by Steven M. Collins, titled “What Ezekiel 38-39 Reveals About a Future World War III.” It, and a two-page preface by Word of Truth Ministry, 7411 WCR 24H, Loveland, CO 80538, is 32 pages long, and well worth the read if you want to understand end-time prophecies. ~

Q. What about sin after baptism? Does it invalidate your baptism?

A. Not necessarily. We are told to “sin no more”(John 5:14 and 8:11), but we are also still human, and subject to the pulls of our human nature. In Yahchanan’s first letter, he tells us:

(1 John 2:1-2 NRSV) "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yahshua the Messiah the righteous; {2} and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

This shows that post-repentance sins can be forgiven. But then we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, this:

(Heb 10:24-29 NRSV) "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, {25} not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. {26} For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, {27} but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. {28} Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy "on the testimony of two or three witnesses." {29} How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of Yahweh, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?"

Did you catch the difference? “IF we willfully persist in sin….there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” This means that if you slip up on some point and sin, you can be forgiven. But if you forsake Yahweh and return to your former sinful ways, He will not continually forgive you. This is “willful sin.” But if you are overtaken in a fault, you must repent and correct yourself as soon as possible after the transgression. If someone else calls it to your attention, accept it in meekness and humility.

(Gal 6:1-2 NRSV) "My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. {2} Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of the Messiah."

Incidentally, this is not some new law that Yahshua came up with. It is exactly the same Law (the Torah) that Yahweh gave so long ago to His people through Moses, with some modifications, the chief one being that the priesthood has been changed, Temple rituals, including animal sacrifice, is in abeyance for now, and we now have access to the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. ~

Q. The Commandment says do no work at all on the Sabbath. How, then, can the Elders and Deacons “work” on the Sabbath, setting up and taking down tables, chairs, PA systems, etc., without being guilty of Sabbath breaking?

A. Yahweh commanded for His people to have a Holy Convocation on His Holy Sabbath Day (Lev. 23:1-3). He also commanded for His priests of old to do certain chores on the Sabbaths. Yahshua referred to these chores when He said, in Matthew 12:

(Mat 12:5 KJV) "Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?"

We find some of these duties listed in Lev. 24.6-9, and Num. 28.9-10. Today, the same principle applies. While we do not have animal sacrifices to make, there are chores to be done to get a building ready for services – especially today, since a great many of us use rented halls, and thus cannot leave our supplies and equipment there from week to week. Even meeting in homes requires some activity that could be deemed “work.” However, all this “getting ready” should be kept to a minimum, and as much as possible should be done on the sixth day, Preparation Day. ~

Q. Why is it important to arrive on time for Sabbath services, Holy Days, etc.? And why should we “dress up” for the occasion?

A. Why is it important to be anywhere on time? If you have a dentist appointment at 2:30, would you show up at 3:00 and expect to be served? If you received a ticket and ordered to appear in court at 9:00 AM, and decided to go at noon instead, would you be surprised if they arrested you and tossed you in jail? If you are invited to a wedding at 10 AM and show up at 11 instead, wouldn’t this be cause for embarrassment? What would the host and other guests think?

And worse yet, what if you were wearing your every-day work garments, instead of being properly dressed? Yahshua gave a parable about that. Read about that in Matthew 22:12. This man got tossed out. Yahweh wants the best from us. If we can dress to the hilt for a wedding or for a friend’s formal party, why do we think He is pleased if we show up in our everyday work clothes?

That trend seems to have been promoted by country music “stars” with little appreciation for decency or decorum. Last year we happened to tune to the national CMA awards show, and we saw men performers, the idols of their fans, appear to perform or accept awards in slouch hats, ragged jeans with the knees out, and a general “don’t give a hoot what people think, I’ll do my thing” attitude. And of course the women “stars” had lots of paint and lots of cleavage to display.

Now after considering all the above, consider this: When we come to Yahweh’s services on Yahweh’s High Holy Sabbath, or annual High Days, we are coming to appear before the King of the entire Universe – the Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Jury, you name it! It isn’t proper to keep Him waiting. We should be diligent to arrive on time to avoid disrupting services while we get settled in. Yahweh gives those “in charge” leeway to set a time that is appropriate for the most people. And we should make an effort to dress a little better than if we were going to work. The key to remember, we are here to please Yahweh, and not ourselves. He always required the best sacrifices; He still does. Let’s do all we can to honor Him by our appearance.

Consider Acts 2. The Apostles were there before 9 AM on the Day of Pentecost (Shavuot), according to verses 1 and 15. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Notice “…was fully come,…” I believe that means the day and the appointed hour had come. The day began at dark the evening before, but the time for the meeting in the Temple was the next day, apparently about 9AM.

Yahweh is very precise. He decreed the time for the Passover lamb to be slain (afternoon of Abib 14); the times for the morning and evening sacrifice, the lighting of the lamps, the time that we are to fast on the Day of Atonement (Day of Covering), which is, ..” in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.” (Lev. 23:27-32). This is in Tishri (the 7^th month). There are many other examples. One more is the exact precise time the Savior died, to become our Passover sacrifice. He died at about 3 PM on Abib 14, the very same time the lambs were slain since the days of Moses just before they left Egypt.

Please think on these things. Let’s be doers of the Word and not hearers only. A word to the wise is said to be sufficient. ~

Q. (a) I have been invited to a friend’s wedding, and they scheduled it on a weekly Sabbath. Should I go?
(b) My doctor changed my appointment from a week day to a Sabbath. Should I keep it?
(c) My favorite football team has an important game that starts Sabbath afternoon about two hours before sundown. Is it OK with Yahweh if I watch?
(d) Sometimes, on my job, I am asked to stay over on Friday afternoon when my relief fails to show up. It often lasts past sunset. What should I do?

(These and other similar questions have been asked or alluded to about the Sabbath lately. One answer will cover all of them)

A. The Commandment says we shall do NO work on that seventh day, which is defined as from even to even in the Torah (Lev. 23:32). Other places in the Testimony (writings of the prophets) define Sabbath-keeping even further. One of them is found in Isaiah 58:

(Isa 58:13-14 NRSV) "If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of Yahweh honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs; {14} then you shall take delight in Yahweh, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken."

Here is a key to remember: ANYTHING or ANYBODY that we put ahead of or let come between us and Yahweh constitutes an idol. The definition of an idol is something that supplants Yahweh. Idolators ignore (mostly in ignorance) Yahweh’s command in this regard. Many sincerely believe that bowing down before a picture of Mary, for example, is an act of devotion. Well, it is – but to whom? All the situations I have mentioned do constitute idolatry. We are putting something between us and serving Yahweh as He commanded.

While this pretty well covers all the situations I have been asked about, or told of, there are other admonitions against polluting Yahweh’s Sabbath Day. Here are a few of the many:

Buying and selling.

(Nehemiah 13:15-22 NRSV) "In those days I saw in Judah people treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys; and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I warned them at that time against selling food.

{16} Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of merchandise and sold them on the sabbath to the people of Judah, and in Jerusalem. {17} Then I remonstrated with the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day? {18} Did not your ancestors act in this way, and did not our Elohim bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the sabbath."

{19} When it began to be dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the sabbath. (Ed Note – here is proof from the testimony of a prophet that the Sabbath begins at dusk, NOT at sunrise so some suppose) And I set some of my servants over the gates, to prevent any burden from being brought in on the sabbath day. {20} Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem once or twice. {21} But I warned them and said to them, "Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they did not come on the sabbath. {22} And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my Elohim, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love."

We absolutely must learn to put Yahweh and the teachings of His Son, Yahshua the Messiah, first in our lives. If we do not, we have a fearful future ahead of us.

(Rev 20:14-15 KJV) "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {15} And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

This is the eternal death from which there is no resurrection. But should we serve Yahweh merely to save our skins, or should it be because we love Him? Well, a little bit of both. Fear can be a great motivator. But we should only fear Him when we are going against His will. If we know the Truth and then begin to think we can “get away” with walking outside that Truth, we have reason to fear. Let’s do as the Apostle Peter admonished on the Day of Pentecost – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” If we are baptized IN our sins, instead of FROM them, then we go in the water a dry sinner, and come out a wet sinner.

We must have Yahweh’s Holy Set Apart Spirit dwelling in our hearts and minds in order to be saved. This is the main difference between the old (first) covenant, and the new (renewed) covenant. We are promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 that He will write His Laws in our hearts. This is reiterated in Hebrews 8:8-10, and refers to that indwelling presence. Paul writes in Romans 8 that if we do not have this Spirit, we are “none of His (Yahshua’s).” Read all of Romans 8, especially the first 20 verses.

Perilous times are coming – in fact, they are upon us now. Dangers are lurking at every turn. The enemies of right are marshalling under their champion, General Satan T. Devil himself. All the demon hordes that rebelled with Satan and all the human hordes that they have influenced to hatred, are right now being prepared to lash out at us. There are enemies without, and enemies within. Yahshua said that some of them would even be members of our own families. This time is called “the Great Tribulation” in Scripture, and takes place just before the return of Yahshua to resurrect the dead saints, and to change those of us still alive, from flesh to spirit. Many of us are prophesied to be martyred for our faith. Are we now strong enough to withstand torture unto death? Read Mat. 24 and visualize yourself in such circumstances. Can you survive? Will you survive? Pray without ceasing, as Paul admonished us to do. Pray for Yahweh to deliver us from the evil one. Be strong. Resist temptation. Resist Satan and he will flee from you. If we have to die, then we die. But it will be for only a short time until our glorious resurrection, so don’t despair, but rejoice that we have opportunity to suffer for the Kingdom’s sake. Remember Paul’s words:

(2 Thes. 1:3-5 NRSV) "We must always give thanks to Yah for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing. {4} Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the Assemblies of Yahweh for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. {5} This is evidence of the righteous judgment of Yahweh, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of Yahweh, for which you are also suffering."

So, if we have to suffer, remember it will only be for a little while. Let it be for the right reasons and not because we violated any of His Commandments, including the Sabbath day. If you have to err, let it be on the side of safety. ~

Q. Almost everyone agrees that the Creator’s Name is h w h y in Hebrew (YHWH or Yod Hay Waw Hay in English), but some claim different pronunciations of these four letters. What is correct? Does anyone really know?

A. No one alive today has heard the Creator pronounce His Name, but there are clues to the best way to say it. It is a word that can be spoken by anyone, from any ethnic background. It is a word that can be breathed. While there are differences of opinion among the various Assemblies, there is no absolute certainty. All efforts at pronunciation are better than “LORD” and “GOD.”

We know the “Yah” part is correct, because of Psalm 68:4, which gives us the short or poetic form. This is simply “Yah,” as you might say “yeah.” There is no hard “H” sound at the end. It is silent, like the “H” in “AH” You would not say “a-HAH!” to pronounce “ah.” This then leaves us with the “weh” part. Again, the “H” on the end does not have a hard “H” sound. It is silent, just like the first “H”. So we have “wey,” or “way,” or simply “weh,” with a slight emphasis on the “h”.

Here below are some excerpts from the prefaces to several Bibles, which I have quoted in my booklet, “A Cardinal Sin; What Bible Translators Have Done To Our Creator’s Holy Name.” So let’s look at them, and see what the translators themselves say about what they have done, and what they know about its pronunciation:

The Bible, a new translation by James Moffatt, pub. Harper & Row: (from the introduction, page xx-xxi): One crucial instance of the difficulty offered by a Hebrew term lies in the prehistoric name given at the exodus by the Hebrews to their God. Strictly speaking, this ought to be rendered “Yahweh,” which is familiar to modern readers in the erroneous form of “Jehovah.” Were this version intended for students of the original, there would be no hesitation whatever in printing “Yahweh.” But almost at the last moment I have decided with some reluctance to follow the practice of the French scholars and of Matthew Arnold (though not exactly for his reasons), who translate this name by “the Eternal,” except in an enigmatic title like “the Lord of hosts.” There is a distinct loss in this, I fully admit; to drop the racial, archaic term is to miss something of what it meant for the Hebrew nation. On the other hand, there is a certain gain, especially in a book of lyrics like the Psalter, and I trust that in a popular version like the present my choice will be understood even by those who may be slow to pardon it.

(Note that he said the Hebrews gave this name to their “God.” That is wrong. Yahweh gave this Name to Himself. See Exodus 3:14-15, where He introduced Himself to Moses, and Exodus 20:1-2, where He introduced Himself to all the people. Remember that where your Bible quotes Him as saying, “I am the LORD,” the original as spoken by Him, said, “I am Yahweh.” Note also that he said he decided to follow man’s tradition, instead of the original inspired words, and even admits there is a distinct loss by so doing.)

The New English Bible With the Apocrypha, pub. Oxford Univ. Press; Cambridge Univ. Press: (From the Introduction, page xvi): [they explain that the original Hebrew text was written only in consonants, but in order to preserve what they regarded as the correct pronunciation, the Rabbis added vowel-signs to the text. Then they say:]

“One variation of this convention is of special importance, inasmuch as it affects the divine name. This personal proper name, written with the consonants YHWH, was considered too sacred to be uttered; so the vowels for the words ‘my Lord’ or ‘God’ were added to the consonants YHWH, and the reader was warned by these vowels that he must substitute other consonants. This change having to be made so frequently, the Rabbis did not consider it necessary to put the consonants of the new reading in the margin. In course of time the true pronunciation of the divine name, probably Yahweh, passed into oblivion, and YHWH was read with the intruded vowels, the vowels of an entirely different word, namely, ‘my Lord’ or ‘God’. In late medieval times this mispronunciation became current as Jehova, and it was taken over as Jehovah by the Reformers in Protestant Bibles. The present translators have retained this incorrect but customary form in the text of passages where the name is explained with a note on its pronunciation (e.g. Exodus 3.15) and in four place-names of which it forms a constituent element; elsewhere they have followed ancient translators in substituting ‘LORD’ or ‘GOD’, printed as here in capital letters, for the Hebrew name.”

(Note they admit they have “retained this incorrect but customary form,” and “have followed ancient translators in substituting LORD or GOD.... for the Hebrew Name.”)

The International Inductive Study Bible, Harvest House, Pub. (From the Preface, page iv):

In regard to the divine name YHWH, commonly referred to as the Tetragrammaton, the translators adopted the device used in most English versions of rendering that name as “LORD” in capital letters to distinguish it from Adonai, another Hebrew word rendered “Lord,” for which small letters are used.

The Good News Bible, today’s English version, American Bible Soc. (From the preface, page 2):

Following an ancient tradition, begun by the first translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Septuagint) and followed by the vast majority of English translations, the distinctive Hebrew name for God (usually transliterated Jehovah or Yahweh), is in this translation represented by “LORD.” When Adonai, normally translated “Lord,” is followed by Yahweh, the combination is rendered by the phrase “Sovereign LORD.”

(Note first that they admit they are following tradition and not the scriptures. Then, they say that Yahweh’s Name is “represented by LORD.” Also, they erroneously state that the Septuagint used a substitute for the Name. Actually, according to The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures,[1969] Foreword, pages 11 & 12, the Septuagint, although written in Greek, did contain the divine Name, YHWH, in Aramaic characters, instead of the later Kurios and Theos, which is Greek for Lord and God. In case you are unfamiliar with the Septuagint, it was the first translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into another language. It was done at Alexandria, Egypt about 200 BCE, by 70 or 72 Hellenistic Jewish scribes. Hence the name, which means, Seventy {LXX} in Greek).

The Jerusalem Bible, Reader’s Edition, Doubleday and Company, Pub. (A Catholic Version. This version correctly transliterates His Name in the Old Testament, but still maintains the erroneous titles in the New Testament):

Exodus 3:13-15, quoted verbatim: Then Moses said to God, “I am to go, then, to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ But if they ask me what his name is, what am I to tell them?” And God said to Moses, “I Am who I Am. This,” he added, “is what you must say to the sons of Israel: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” And God also said to Moses, “You are to say to the sons of Israel: ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name for all time; by this name shall I be invoked for all generations to come.” (Underline added for emphasis).