Stairway Ministries

Wisdom and Discernment…Greater than Gold and Silver!

briansimmons — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 17:40:06 +0000

Here’s a fresh sample from The Passion Translation of Proverbs 8. Lots of secrets being unveiled in this groundbreaking project.

The Power of Wisdom

¹⁴You will find true success when you find Me,

For I have insight into wise plans,

That are made just for you!

I hold in My hands living-understanding,

Courage and strength

Ready and waiting for you!

¹⁵I empower kings to reign,[1]

And rulers to make laws that are just.

¹⁶I empower princes to rise and take dominion,

And generous ones to govern the earth.[2]

¹⁷I will show My love

To those who passionately love Me!

And they will search and search continually

Until they find Me!

¹⁸Unending wealth and glory

Comes to those who discover where I dwell,

The riches of righteousness will be given to them.[3]

¹⁹What I impart has greater worth

Than gold and treasure.

The increase I bring benefits more

Than a windfall of income.

²⁰I lead you into the ways of righteousness,

To discover the paths of true justice.

²¹Those who love Me gain great wealth[4]

And a glorious inheritance,

And I will fill their lives with treasures.

Wisdom in the Beginning

²²In the beginning I was there,

God possessed Me[5]

Even before He created the universe.

²³From eternity past I was set in place.

Before the world began

I was anointed from the beginning.[6]

²⁴Before the oceans depths

Were poured out,

Before there were any

Fountains abounding with water—[7]

I was there, dancing![8]

²⁵Before there one mountain had been sculpted

Or one hill raised up,

I was already there, dancing!

²⁶When He created the earth, the fields,

Even the first atom of dust

I was already there.

²⁷When He hung the tapestry of the heavens

And stretched out the horizon of the earth,

²⁸When the clouds and skies were set in place

And the subterranean fountains flowed strong

I was already there.

²⁹When He laid in place the pillars of the earth

And set the law of the seas,

Commanding the waves so they

Wouldn’t overstep their boundaries—

³⁰I was there, close to Creator’s side[9]

As His Master Artist.

Daily He was filled with delight in Me,

Playfully rejoicing before Him![10]

³¹I was laughing and playing,

So happy with what He had made,

While finding all My delight

In the children of men.[11]

[1] 8:15 We have been made kings and priestly rulers by the grace of redemption.

[2] 8:16 As translated from many Hebrew manuscripts and the Septuagint. Other Hebrew manuscripts have, “and all nobles who govern justly.” The word, “nobles,” can also be translated, generous ones.

[3] 8:18 Or, “riches and righteousness.” The Aramaic adds a phrase, “long life is given to them.”

[4] 8:21 The Aramaic is, “I will leave great hope as an inheritance to My friends.”

[5] 8:22 The Aramaic and the Septuagint read, “The Lord created Me at the beginning.” The Hebrew verb translated here, possessed, has two basic meaning. One is “acquired” the other is “created.” Poetically, it is a statement that the existence of Wisdom (Christ) was not independent of God at creation but was manifest and possessed by God as He created all things.

[6] 8:23 The Hebrew word for anointed is literally, “poured out” and is often used to describe the anointing oil poured out over a king.

[7] 8:24 The Hebrew uses the word, “glory (kabad),” in describing the fountains. It could be translated, “fountains of glory,” or “glorious fountains.”

[8] 8:24 Many translation have, “I was born (or brought forth).” The Hebrew word for born is taken from a word that means, “to twirl” or “dance.”

[9] 8:30 See John 1:1.

[10] 8:30 The Hebrew word usually translated here as simply, “rejoicing,” can also be translated, “joyfully playing,” or “laughing.”

[11] What a beautiful picture we find here of Wisdom (Christ) who finds His fulfillment in us. See also Psalm 8:4-9, 16:3, and Ephesians 2:10, 19-22.

Lastest News from The Passion Translation project!

briansimmons — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 01:08:06 +0000

Hello eveeryone!

2013 is shaping up to an amazing year in every way. It may bring amazing difficulties but I know for sure it will bring amazing breakthroughs. I truly feel like 2013 will be the year of the OVERCOMER! You will rise and overcome many issues that have troubled you in your past. Great days are ahead for you!

The Passion Translation is moving forward. By Easter you’ll be able to purchase Letters from Heaven, by the Apostle Paul. We plan on publishing this new year the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Timothy + Proverbs and possibly James. So each year you will see further installments in this monumental project. Thanks for your support, your prayers and please let your friends know about it!

I’ll leave you with a portion from Proverbs. Love and blessings! Brian and Candice Simmons

Chapter 1

The Prologue

¹Here are kingdom revelations, words to live by

And words of wisdom to reign in life by,[1]

Written as proverbs by Israel’s King Solomon,[2] David’s son.

²Within these sayings will be found the revelation of wisdom;[3] Imparting divine instruction and spiritual understanding

To use as keys to unlock the treasures

Of true knowledge.

³Those who listen will receive discipline

To demonstrate wisdom in every relationship[4]

And to choose what is right and just and fair.

⁴These proverbs will give you great skill

To teach the immature and make them wise,

To give to the youth the understanding

Of their design and destiny.

⁵For the wise, these proverbs will make you even wiser,

And for those with discernment you will acquire

Brilliant strategies for leadership.

⁶These kingdom revelations will break open

Understanding to unveil deeper meanings of parables,

The riddles of poetry and epigrams,

To perceive the words and enigmas of the wise.

⁷How then does a man gain the essence of wisdom?

It starts with God,

For the first rays of revelation-light come from Him

So trust Him and live in awe and adoration of Him![5]

Careless ones will never stop to do this,

For they scorn true wisdom and knowledge.

[1] 1:1 As stated in the introduction, the word for proverbs means more than just a wise saying. It can also mean, “To rule, to reign in power, to take dominion.”

[2] 1:1 The name Solomon means, “Peaceable.” There is a greater One than Solomon who gives peace to all His followers, His name is Jesus. Solomon was the seed of David; we are the seed of Jesus Christ.

[3] 1:2 There are six Hebrew words for wisdom in the Book of Proverbs. Some of these words will require an entire equivalent phrase in English to convey its meaning. The word used here is “chokmah” and is used in Proverbs 42 times. 42 is the number of months that Jesus ministered and the number of generations from Abraham to Christ listed in Matthew 1.

[4] 1:3 The Hebrew word here is “righteousness.” For the Hebrews, righteousness was more than keeping moral laws, it dealt with being righteous in our relationships with others.

[5] 1:7 Many translations render this, “the fear of the Lord.” This is much more than the English concept of fear, it also implies submission, awe, worship and reverence. The Hebrew word used here is found 14 times in Proverbs. The number 14 (7 x2) represents, “spiritual perfection.” The number 14 is the number mentioned three times in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-7). And it is also the number for “Passover.” You will pass from darkness to wisdom’s light by the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 1:1-7 The Passion Translation

Timothy is Tremendous!

briansimmons — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:09:10 +0000

I’m about to send all the translation work I’ve done over the last 7 months to our publisher for editing. I just finished today 2 Timothy! WOW, is this a tremendous book filled with urgent revelation for every believer. Here’s a sample (unedited) so you can see what The Passion Translation project sounds like. Thanks for praying for me. 9 books completed, 57 to go!

2 Timothy 4:1-5

¹Timothy, I solemnly require before our God and our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, who is destined to judge both the living and the dead by the revelation of His kingdom— ²proclaim the Word of God and never give up! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not, with all the outpouring of the Spirit—[1] with wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people.

³For the time is coming when they will no longer listen and respond to the healing words, but because they are selfish and proud they will seek out teachers with soothing words that line up with their desires, saying just what they wanted to hear. ⁴They will close their ears to the truth and believe nothing but fables and myths.[2] So be alert to all these things and overcome evil. ⁵Carry in your heart the passion of your calling as a church planter[3]and evangelist, fulfilling your ministry calling.

[1] As translated from the Aramaic.

[2] Or, in the Aramaic, “ritualistic ceremonies.”

[3] Implied in the concept of being a New Testament evangelist. Apostolic missionaries sent out to evangelize were to plant churches wherever they ministered. Our contemporary concept of an evangelist is quite different than in Paul’s day.

Colossians is Colossal!

briansimmons — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:06:23 +0000

Hello and loving greetings!!!

Passion Translation project continues. Luke is available for purchase as of the end of October, right here on our Stairway website (store) or you can go to www.passiontranslation.com!

Letters from Heaven, the writings of the Apostle Paul is going forward. I’ve finished the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and now I’m working on 1 & 2 Timothy. I’m so thankful to God for the revelation and grace He is pouring into me as I work on this project. Its been a journey! The New Testament is slated to be finished in 2017 and the entire Bible will hopefully be in The Passion Translation by 2022.

I thought you’d enjoy this sample from Colossians 3. I really really loved doing this book, it is colossal in every way! The truth of God drenches every word and every phrase as it comes through Paul, the Apostle. Let me know how it reads! Love to you my friends!!!

Brian Simmons

Colossians 3

¹It is true! You were co-raised with Christ, translated into the heavenly realm, the moment He was raised on high. So yearn for all that is above where Christ sits enthroned at the right hand of God![1] ²Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with them, and not on the distractions of the natural realm. ³Your co-crucifixion[2] with Christ severs the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God as you live within the Anointed One. ⁴And whenever[3] our True Life, Christ Himself, is seen for Who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed as one with Him in His glory!

⁵So consider your life in this natural realm as already dead and buried! Live as one who has died to every form of sexual sin and impurity. Live as one who died to diseases[4] and desires for forbidden things,[5] including the desire for wealth, which is the essence of idol worship. ⁶Living in these vices are the very things that ignite the anger of God against the deeds of disobedience.[6] ⁷ˉ⁸This is how you behaved before you were joined to Christ. You were characterized by evil deeds, but now, eliminate them from your lives— anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred,[7] cursing,[8] filthy speech, ⁹and lying.[9] Now that you have put on and embraced new creation life as true reality, lay aside[10] your old Adam-self with its entire masquerade and disguise. ¹ᴼFor your new creation life is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God! ¹¹In this new creation life it matters nothing your nationality, or ethnicity, or education, or economic status. For it is Christ that means everything as He lives in every one of us![11]

[1] The “right hand of God,” is an obvious metaphor of the place of power, authority, honor, and glory.

[2] The Aramaic could be translated, “Your death and your life are both hidden with the Messiah in God.”

[3] Or, “every time.”

[4] This is only found in the Aramaic manuscripts. It is omitted in the Greek.

[5] The Aramaic word implies, “magic.”

[6] As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek states, “the sons of disobedience,” but it is actually the “deeds” which are punished as seen in verses 7-9.

[7] Including self-hatred.

[8] As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is, “slander.”

[9] Or, “living a lie.”

[10] As translated from the Greek. In the Aramaic it is a command, “Take off the old life.”

[11] Or, “there is neither Jew or Syrian, circumcision or uncircumcision, neither Greek nor barbarian, neither slave nor free, but the Messiah is all and in all.”

Ephesians is Exciting!!!

briansimmons — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:47:52 +0000

Hi Everyone!

Just finished Ephesians in The Passion Translation.

I’ve been asked many times to keep updating the page so people can see the progress, so here’s Ephesians 2:1-10

Let me know your thoughts, questions, etc. Please forgive any grammatical mistakes, this is still in an unedited draft form. I’ll turn it over to 4 professional editors for their review soon. Enjoy!

Ephesians 2

¹And His fullness fills even you who were once dead in your sins and in your offenses. ²It wasn’t that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs and values[1] of this world,[2] doing the will of the dark ruler of the earthly realm, who fills the atmosphere with his authority and is diligently at work in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God. ³We all expressed the evil that was in us from birth through the deeds of our self-life, living by whatever our natural cravings and thoughts of our minds dictated. We lived as rebellious children subject to God’s wrath like everyone else. ⁴But God, who is rich in His compassion and mercy, still loved us so much with such great love! ⁵Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins He united us to the Life of Christ and saved us by His wonderful grace!

⁶He raised us up from the grave into the glorious perfection and authority[3] of the heavenly realm when He raised up Jesus Christ, for we have been united as One with Him!

⁷This will demonstrate throughout all the coming ages [4] the greatness of the riches of grace and His tender kindness which has come upon us through Jesus Christ! ⁸For it is only by this wonderful grace that He saved us when we believed in Him. And even our faith did not originate with us, but it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! ⁹No one could ever be saved as a reward for their good works so that no one will ever boast.

¹ᴼFor we are His poetry,[5] new creation people that will fulfill the destiny He has given to us. This destiny[6] includes the good works He pre-planned we would walk in even before we were made!

[1] The Aramaic is literally, “the worldliness of this world.”

[2] The Aramaic phrase can also refer to authority of secular governments.

[3] Implied in the text. To be “placed” or “seated” in heaven means we have been given the perfection and authority to be there.

[4] The Aramaic is literally, “universes.”

[5] The beautiful Greek word used here is translated, “poem,” or “poetry.” Our lives are the beautiful poetry written by God that will speak forth all that He desires in life.

[6] Although implied, these good works make up our destiny, the reason of life for every single believer. As we yield to God, our pre-planned destiny comes to pass and we are rewarded for just doing what He wanted us to do.

Galatians — Freedom from Heaven

briansimmons — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:38:30 +0000

Hi Friends!

As you know, my wife I travel nearly every week to speak in churches, schools of ministry, and conferences. When I have the time (early mornings and on airplanes!) I’m working on translating Paul writings in the New Testament – Galatians is first and I’m calling it Freedom from Heaven! Thanks for supporting us and being a part of this amazing project. Hope you’ve been able to pick up a copy of the two books translated so far, The Song of Songs and The Psalms. Luke will be out by Christmas!

Here’s a draft version of Galatians 1:13-24

Enjoy!

“By now you have heard stories of how mercilessly I persecuted Christians and did my best to systematically destroy God’s church, all because of my radical devotion to the Jewish religion. ¹⁴My zeal and passion for the doctrines of Judaism distinguished me among my people, for I was far more advanced in my religious instruction than others my age.

¹⁵But then God one day called my by His grace, for He desired me and had chosen me from my birth to be His. ¹⁶God unveiled His Son in me so that I would proclaim Him to the non-Jewish people of the world. After I had this encounter I kept it a secret for some time, sharing it with no one. ¹⁷I chose not to run to Jerusalem to try to impress those who had become apostles before I did. Instead I went off into the Arabian Desert for a season until I returned to Damascus, where I had first encountered Jesus. ¹⁸I remained there for three years until I eventually went up to Jerusalem to get to know the apostle Peter and I stayed with him for two weeks. ¹⁹The only other apostle I met during that time was James,[1] the Lord’s brother.

²⁰Everything I am describing to you I confess before God to be the absolute truth. ²¹After my stay in Jerusalem I went to the Corinthians[2] of Syria and Cilicia,[3] ²²but remained unknown to the Christians in Judea. ²³The only thing they had been hearing about me was this: “Our former enemy who once brutally persecuted us is now out preaching the good news of our faith that he was obsessed with destroying!” ²⁴So because of this transformation that happened to me they praised God even more!” [4]

[1] The name “James” is actually the name, Jacob.

[2] As translated from the Aramaic text.

[3] Cilicia was the southeastern province of Asia Minor, directly adjoining Syria.

[4][4] The Aramaic text states, “they glorified God for having me.”

Laying Hold of Jesus in the Last Days!

briansimmons — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:20:58 +0000

Laying Hold of Jesus

I’ve found a verse in Isaiah that is peculiar, to say the least. Here it is:

“In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”

In Bible College I remember some of the single guys had that verse on their wall, claiming it by faith…they wanted a wife so badly! But it really is not a verse for bachelors, its a verse for laying hold of Jesus, the ONE MAN!

There is coming a day when the church will become so destitute of answers and agendas that she will turn to one Man, the Lord Jesus and take hold of Him. We have taken hold of the world and we have taken hold of clever ideas, but the seven women (seven churches – see Revelation 2&3) are about to lay hold of their Beloved. The longing of the church will be for Him. We will want to be called by His great Name. The shadow of His beauty will remove our disgrace and make us a worthy partner to labor with Him.

There is coming a Magnificent Obsession, to lay hold of Christ and not ever let Him go! Like Mary did in the garden, thinking it was a gardener, until He spoke her name…than she wouldn’t let go! And like the Shulamite in the Song of Songs who when she found her Beloved, she held Him tight.

The unveiling of Christ within us is about to be the most explosive truth ever to hit to hit the church, bigger than purpose driven life! It is not only the timing of His return that must consume us, but how He finds us when He returns. It is not if it is near or far, but rather if we are filled with faith, hope, and love.

It is not the anti-Christ who is about to be revealed, but Jesus Christ! As world governments desperately try to cope with global economic, environmental, safety and health issues we have all felt its tremors but please be encouraged:

God’s Kingdom is still safe and secure!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

He will be our Magnificent Obsession as we move into the realm of kisses and thunderbolts! The LORD wants to come to His seeking Bride! He is doing this to remove our fear and our anxiety… for perfect love casts out fear.

The love awakening is here! The Bridegroom is in the land! Trim your lamps of prayer and go outside the realm of familiarity and meet Him!

LAY HOLD OF JESUS CHRIST, He is eternal life! 1 Tim.6:12

“Lay hold on eternal life.” This means to take hold of, to grasp, to seize, to cling to!

In the past we laid hold of ministry, a miracle, a mentor, now it’s only Jesus!

His overshadowing presence, His glory…just to be in His presence changes you and makes you a carrier. They took note of the apostles who had been with Jesus! He makes anyone look good!

LAY HOLD OF PERFECTION, Maturity, Fullness! Phil.3:12

Not our works, or ministry, but His FULL Glory pouring into us. To lay hold of Jesus is to become a mature vessel of honor that He can use.

It’s TIME TO LAY HOLD OF JESUS for the last days GREAT AWAKENING! Cling on!

Welcome to our New Website!

johnburton — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:05:02 +0000

Thanks for clicking in! You’ll find our up to date itinerary on our calendar and you can browse through our online Store to see what titles may interest you. Be sure to pick up a copy of one of the books already translated into The Passion Translation! Stay tuned, we’ll be posting our blog and more info here soon!

Brian Simmons