How Readest Thou???

It is one thing to read the Bible through,
Another thing to read to learn and do.
Some read it with design to learn to read
But to the subject pay little heed.
Some read it as their duty once a week
But no instruction from the Bible seek;
While others read it but with little care,
With no regard to how they read, or where.
Some read it as a history, to know
How people lived three thousand years ago.
Some read to bring themselves into repute
By showing others how they can dispute;
While others read because their neighbors do,
To see how long ‘twill take to read it through.
Some read it for the wonders that are there –
How David killed a lion and a bear;
While others read it with uncommon care,
Hoping to find some contradictions there!
Some read as though it did not speak to them,
But to the people at Jerusalem.
Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Hence understand but little what they read;
For every passage in the Book they bend
To make it suit that all important end!
Some people read, as I have often thought,
To teach the Book instead of being taught.
And some there are who read it out of spite –
I fear there are but few who read it right.
So many people in these latter days
Have read the Bible in so many ways
That few can tell which system is the best,
For every party contradicts the rest!
But read it prayerfully, and you will see
Although men contradict, God’s words agree;
For what the early Bible prophets wrote
We find that Christ and His Apostles quote;
So trust no creed that trembles to recall
What has been penned by one and verified by all.

John 5:37-39 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.