I wrote an article yesterday and used one of my favorite quotes from the Bible. I have been quoting it for 20 years and just knew it was in Proverbs, but as I searched for it in my concordance, Bible software, multiple translations, and even the internet it slowly began to dawn on me that this wonderful passage of scripture didn't exist. Now I still like the quote, but it is not so great as it once seemed now that I know God never said it. It does not mean that it is no longer true or that I will stop using it (I left it in the article). There is truth that is not recorded in the Bible, just no truth that is contrary to the Bible. I believe the concept behind my quote are taught in scripture, just worded differently. Sometimes things sound catchier one way than another, and God was not writing a book of one-liners and catchy slogans. Of course some of the things in the Bible might have sounded quite catchy to the people who spoke and understood the original languages in which it was written. Maybe they have lost some of that catchiness in our translation process.

So, let me ask you. What do you believe is in the Bible that really isn't there. The only way to find out is to keep studying what is there. You may be surprised not only by the things that are in there, but also by some that aren't. I know I was. Here is a little quiz for you (quiz = nothing but your personal knowledge). Which of the following are in the Bible(King James Version) and which are not:

1) With God all things are possible.
2) The Lord helps those that help themselves.
3) Jesus said, except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4) Consistency thou art a jewel.
5) Cast thy bread upon the waters.
6) Jesus said, my Father shall save all them that seek Him through the divers paths of wisdom revealed unto them, and not only by my path.
7) Cleanliness is next to godliness.
8) Jesus said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
9)  As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
10) The Lord moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.

Answers

People often wonder which "Version" of the Bible they should use. It is a good question and often gets some strange answers. I am not personally a language/translation expert, but I know(and I hope you do, too) that the Bible was not originally written in English. Those of us who are not scholars depend on those who are to give us a good quality translation that we can read. There are several things to consider and while it may not be a thorough covering of the subject, the Magnolia Messenger has a good introduction to this topic by Cecil May in the Question and Answer section of their April-June issue. It begins on page 3 and is continued on pages 16 and 19. Here is the link http://magnoliamessenger.com/Past%20Issues/files/2011-04.pdf 

THE BIBLE IS NOT:             BUT IT CONTAINS ACCURATE:
A History Book                         History
A Biology Book                          Biology
A Geography Book                   Geography
A Physics Book                          Physics
A Math Book                               Mathematics
A Grammar Book                      Grammar
A Psychology Book                  Psychology
A Man’s Biography                   Life Accounts
A Medical Textbook                 Medical Information
A Military Tactics Book          Military Tactics
A Philosophy Book                   Philosophies
A Storybook                                Compelling Stories
A Poetry Book                             Poems and Songs
A Geology Book                          Geological Events
An Economy Book                     Financial Advice
A Political Science Text           Governing Concepts
A Sociology Book                        Healthy Society Rules
A Health Book                              Health Benefits
A Joke Book                                  Humorous Events
An Architectural Text              Building Plans
Constantly Updated                  Up-to-date Information
Continually Changing               Ideas for a Changing World
A Logic Book                                Irrefutable Logic
A Love Letter                               Expressions of God’s Love
A Parenting Manual                   Parenting Principles
A Marriage Manual                    Marital Standards

    Just think about a single book that has all of that in it even though that wasn't the primary reason it was written. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"  This verse does not mean that God has given us every detail of physical life (He does not give us a list of all the poisonous plants or tell us that we can drown if breathe under water or die if we fall off a cliff.), rather that we have everything we need spiritually to live a life pleasing to Him.
    Even though the Bible never specifically says precisely what it is, we can know from reading it that it is in essence God's Autobiography chronicling His creation of mankind and His dealings with that creature. It is not intended to be a full autobiography of God's existence because it only begins when God begins the creation process. It also concludes once God has completed His perfect plan to redeem mankind and restore the relationship that He once had with humanity when He walked and talked with them in the Garden of Eden. In the Bible we get a small glimpse into the life of God, but more importantly we learn what He wants us to do to please Him. I challenge you as you read your Bible to ask two questions with every verse, sentence, paragraph, and chapter that you read. 1) What can I learn about God from this section? and 2) What does this passage tell me about how I can please God better?
    As we continue to look at the Bible we see that it is  THE WORD OF GOD according to 2 Timothy 3:14-17 "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; {15} And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. {16} All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
    We learn several things about the words God breathed in this section here are a few:
        1. CALLED SCRIPTURES AND HOLY - V. 15,16
        2. CAN BE LEARNED AND KNOWN - V. 14, 15
        3. ABLE TO MAKE WISE - V. 15
        4. ABLE TO SAVE THROUGH FAITH - V. 15
        5. GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD - V. 16
        6. PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE - V. 16 (TEACHING)
        7. PROFITABLE FOR REPROOF - V. 16 (POINTING OUT ERROR OR SIN)
        8. PROFITABLE FOR CORRECTION - V. 16(POINTING OUT HOW TO CORRECT THE ERRORS OR SINS)
        9. PROFITABLE FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - V. 16 (CHRISTIAN LIVING)
        10. WILL MAKE US COMPLETE (PERFECT)
        11. WILL THOROUGHLY FURNISH FOR ALL GOOD WORKS (IF WE CAN'T LEARN ABOUT IT IN THE BIBLE IT IS NOT ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS GOD EXPECTS US TO DO, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERYTHING THE BIBLE DOES NOT SPEAK OF IS SINFUL.)
What other things can you see in those scriptures? Remember the two questions to ask yourself.
    Some of the other things that we learn about these words that God wanted written down are that they are:
        1. PERFECT - James 1:25 "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."  and Psalms 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
        2. TRUTH - Psalms 119:151 "Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth." and John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
        3. EVERLASTING - Psalms 119:152 "Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever." and Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
        4. THE SOURCE OF FAITH -  Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
What other things does the Bible say about itself and the words that are written in it?