Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
"Nehemiah is a great example of someone whose desire was to please God and glorify him. His intentions and aspirations were God-focused rather than self-focused. God defined his dominant purpose. When he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and God's people were living in distress, that driving purpose kicked in. Nehemiah prayed a profound prayer of praise, adoration, submission, and request." - Max Anders; Knute Larson; Kathy Dahlen
The Book of Esther is one of the Megillot, five scrolls read on stated Jewish religious holidays. ... Esther, the beautiful Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and her cousin Mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of Jews throughout the empire.
The Book of Proverbs (Hebrew: מִשְלֵי, Míshlê (Shlomoh), "Proverbs (of Solomon)") is a book in the third section (called Ketuvim) of the Hebrew Bible and a book of the Christian Old Testament. Proverbs raises questions of values, moral behavior, the meaning of human life, and righteous conduct.
"There is no doubt that the book contains a good deal of sobering truths about life, but they are mentioned to contrast with other truths that demonstrate what life can be like when God intervenes. This is not a life devoid of pain, suffering, and confusion over what God is doing (Wright, “The Riddle of the Sphinx,” 334). Indeed, Ecclesiastes is quite clear in stating that we can't fully know the mind of God (Whybray, Ecclesiastes, 29-30). Statements about the limitations of human understanding are common (see Eccl. 1:18; 3:11). The writer is prodding us to realize that no matter how exciting our life may be, it is ultimately meaningless apart from God." - David Moore; Dr. Daniel L. Akin
"Although often called the Song of Solomon, the Hebrew title for the book is “Song of Songs.” This is how the Hebrew language says “The Best Song.” The book portrays the deep, genuine love between a man and a woman in marriage. The subject of the book is quite obviously sexual in nature. The intimacy and physical pleasure God intended for a man and a woman is tastefully and appealingly put on full display before us (cf. Gen. 2:15-25)." - David Moore; Dr. Daniel L. Akin
The material known as the Book of Lamentations consists of five chapters containing material related to the fall of Jerusalem. Each chapter seems to be an independent poem. The author of these five literary and spiritual masterpieces wrote against the background of the greatest tragedy Jerusalem's inhabitants had ever experienced. The mighty city lay in ruins, having been ravished by Babylon's mighty war machine. Bible scholars are in virtual unanimity that Nebuchadnezzar's recent invasions of 597 and 586 B.C. served as the occasion for the destruction." - Max Anders; Fred M. Wood; Ross H. McLaren
Although the shortest of the major prophets, Daniel is referred to in New Testament prophetic passages more than any other Old Testament book. It also contains more fulfilled prophecies than any other book in the Bible." - Max Anders; Kenneth Gangel
Book of Hosea, also spelled Osee, the first of 12 Old Testament books that bear the names of the Minor Prophets, considered as one book, The Twelve, in the Jewish canon. The book of Hosea strengthens our faith in God’s inspired prophecies. Everything that Hosea prophesied came true.
Book of Joel, second of 12 Old Testament books that bear the names of the Minor Prophets. Some commentators have claimed that Joel is a prophet of darkness and gloom. But, when we look at Joel's book from the point of view of God’s people, he emerges as the proclaimer of grand tidings of salvation.
"Amos painted equally interesting headlines for the Northern Kingdom (Israel), to whom he proclaimed God's message. He announced God's capture and punishment of each of the nations surrounding Israel. You can hear Israel shout, “Amen!” as the prophet calls the name of each nation. Then the prophet added one more name to the list—Israel. God's people find themselves on the list of God's most-wanted enemies." - Trent Butler