1. Numbers
   Matthew
2. Ecclesiastes
   Romans

The book of Matthew is the only New Testament gospel that writes directly to the Christian church. Matthew 22:14, "For many are called, but few are chosen," portrays belief in the Christian message as a privilege shared among followers.

1. 1 Samuel
   Ezra
2. John
   Joshua

Joshua beckons the children of Israel to remain steadfast in their faithfulness to God. Joshua 24:15 demands that they choose between their true God and false gods: "... choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. ..."

1. Hosea
   Galatians
2. Genesis
   Esther

Genesis is concerned with new beginnings of creation, first interactions among humans and human relationships with God. One of the Bible's first mentions of divine influence among people's relationships is Genesis 3:15 in which God states, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

1. Zechariah
   Amos
2. Zephaniah
   Hebrews

Zechariah was a prophet who set out to encourage the people to rebuild God's temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah 4:6 demonstrates the prophet's motivational pursuits. The verse reminds followers where their strength lies: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."

1. 2 Corinthians
   Luke
2. Lamentations
   2 Chronicles

Second Chronicles records the divisions within the kingdom of Israel, which caused anguish among the people. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves ... and turn from their wicked ways, then ... I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

1. Isaiah
   Lamentations
2. Colossians
   Revelation

Jeremiah translates God's words of wrath, sorrow and hope in the book of Lamentations. Lamentations 3:22 illustrates the mercy God demonstrates in spite of the wrath he inflicts: "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not."

1. Jeremiah
   Ezekiel
2. Ephesians
   Judges

Ezekiel's words were meant to inspire reassurance among the children of Israel who had been exiled. Yet the book also reminds followers that the sins of the people is what caused them to suffer in a lowly state.

1. Daniel
   Genesis
2. Obadiah
   Acts

Daniel demonstrates God's sovereignty over the kingdoms of men. In spite of a royal decree that prohibited anyone from appealing to any god or man other than the king, the prophet "kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed...before his God, as he did aforetime," according to Daniel 6:10.

1. Hosea
   Hebrews
2. Jeremiah
   1 Samuel

Hosea served to warn Israel of looming judgment for the unrighteous and to assure those who are faithful of God's promise.%0DIsrael's religious leaders are admonished in Hosea 4:6, in which God emphasizes the importance of knowledge: "...thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee."

1. Job
   Joshua
2. Jeremiah
   Joel

Repentance is the main theme in Joel. The prophet sheds light on events that would signify the consistency of God's blessings upon the faithful. Joel 2:28 reveals the promise of God's spirit in the last days: "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people."

1. Malachi
   Romans
2. Revelation
   Matthew

The full title is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," a label that confirms that this last book of the Bible contains information that had not been previously disclosed. Revelation 22:16 pinpoints that Jesus is the enlightening source, as he asserts, "I am the root ... and the bright and morning star."

1. Jude
   Obadiah
2. Hosea
   John

The book of Jude is a small New Testament epistle that responds to the rampant heresy that existed at the time. Jude 1:2 encourages an abundance of truth and goodwill among believers before the book rebukes falsehoods: "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love be multiplied."

1. Haggai
   3 John
2. Galatians
   Jude

John speaks as an elder in 3 John, a letter that addresses Gaius, a spiritually strong, yet (probably) physically weak early follower of Jesus. Third John 1:2 encourages Gaius' strength: "Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit."

1. Luke
   1 John
2. Joel
   Job

First John is a reaction to the spread of Gnosticism, a rival belief system. John reminds Christians to remain steadfast in their faith even though it was unpopular to do so. As 1 John 3:1 puts it: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

1. Esther
   Ruth
2. Nahum
   Titus

Ruth insists that all people — Israelites and non-Israelites alike — who seek God's favor will find it. Ruth 1:16 shows Ruth's resolve to follow Naomi's God as her own. Ruth, a Moabite, says, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee ... thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

1. Matthew
   1 John
2. 1 Peter
   Jude

Suffering is the theme of the New Testament epistle 1 Peter, as the word appears multiple times throughout the book. Peter's letter starts off by inciting spiritual strength to mitigate the suffering. First Peter 2:2 submits: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."

1. Revelation
   James
2. Philippians
   Malachi

James highlights religious service as being proof of one's faith. James 2:17 specifies that "... faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." For James, legitimate faith should be coupled with works.

1. Hebrews
   Hosea
2. Isaiah
   2 Kings

Hebrews aims to nurture the faith of Jewish Christians. The book insists they allow Jesus to steer their faith the way a captain guides a ship through troubled waters: "For it became him ... in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." (Hebrews 2:10)

1. Ezra
   Ruth
2. Titus
   Luke

Through Titus, Apostle Paul instructs the church's organizational leaders, including pastors and elders, as well as church followers. Paul includes guidelines such as Titus 1:15, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled."

1. 2 Peter
   2 John
2. 2 Timothy
   Jeremiah

In 2 Timothy, Paul acknowledges religious rebellion and the moral decline that threatened the early Christian church. In light of this, he warns in 2 Timothy 4:5, "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of they ministry."

1. Esther
   2 Timothy
2. Daniel
   1 Timothy

In 1 Timothy, Apostle Paul sets behavior standards for church leadership. He also directly speaks to Timothy, reminding him to resist false teachings. In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul insists, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

1. 2 Thessalonians
   2 Corinthians
2. Galatians
   2 Peter

Apostle Paul's purpose in 2 Thessalonians was to disrupt the spread of false teachings in Thessalonica. Paul calls attention to the true source of faith in 2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

1. Titus
   1 Thessalonians
2. Ecclesiastes
   Obadiah

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul encourages young disciples to be prepared and pursue holiness. First Thessalonians 5:2 is a reminder that no one knows the day when Christ will return to judge the wicked and the righteous: "... know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."

1. Galatians
   Colossians
2. Philemon
   Malachi

As with many of his epistles, Paul attempts to counter heresy in the book of Colossians. In Colossians 3:16, the apostle calls for a thorough immersion in faith to combat falsehoods: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

1. Habakkuk
   Philippians
2. Philemon
   2 Peter

In Philippians, Paul thanks followers who sent him a gift during his imprisonment in Rome. He uses his experience as an example of how to remain steadfast in spite of persecution. To underscore his point, he writes in Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

1. Hosea
   Jeremiah
2. Ephesians
   Esther

In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul attempts to increase the believer's understanding of God. An example of a rather sophisticated theological notion is Ephesians 4:5: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism."

1. Romans
   Galatians
2. Malachi
   Ephesians

In the book of Galatians, Paul suggests that the Holy Spirit is an asset for early followers. In Galatians 5:25, he writes: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Here, Paul persuades believers to submit to the evocation of the Holy Spirit.

1. 1 Chronicles
   Leviticus
2. 2 Corinthians
   Deuteronomy

In this book, Paul addresses issues that had been plaguing Corinth. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, he speaks on refining a believer's intent that motivates insincere or heartfelt action: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

1. Exodus
   1 John
2. 1 Corinthians
   Revelation

In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses general misconduct of the early Christian church. First Corinthians 14:3 rallies those who have prophetic gifts to teach of uprightness: "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort."

1. Titus
   Matthew
2. Romans
   Hebrews

In Paul's letter to the Romans, he beseeches Gentiles and Jews to seek salvation. According to Romans 12:2, Paul says, "And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you to prove what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God."

1. Hosea
   Isaiah
2. Acts
   Nehemiah

The New Testament book of Acts gives a historical record of the Christian church and its formation. The early followers faced bitter persecution at the inception of the church, as the book points out. Apostle Paul is a key conversion figure in the book.

1. Joel
   Hosea
2. Daniel
   John

In the gospel of John, Jesus is cast in a divine light and is inextricable from God and his word. This is primarily why John chronicles detailed statements in the book that illustrate the godly attributes of Jesus's miracles.

1. Jonah
   Galatians
2. Job
   Amos

The Old Testament book of Job is mainly concerned with human suffering. Although subjected to agonizing affliction, Job, the book's exemplary figure, remained patient and faithful. In Job 14:14, he says, "... all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."

1. Psalms
   Jude
2. Proverbs
   Isaiah

The book of Proverbs is full of old sayings and words to live by. The book offers instructions for achieving favorable outcomes in life. For example, Proverbs 15:1 delineates the good and bad consequences of words: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

1. Proverbs
   Psalms
2. Esther
   1 Samuel

Psalms is a collection of praise lyrics, most of which were written to be set to music. Several psalmists, such as David and Solomon, contributed to the book's collection. Psalm 150:6, perhaps, best summarizes the praise theme of the entire book: "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."