102 verses contain “rather” (in the KJV: 74, in the BSB: 47) — showing 1–100
King James Bible KJV Bible
Berean Standard Bible BSB Bible
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness.
And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.
And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.
Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,
Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.
And wherever I have banished them, the remnant of this evil family will choose death over life,” declares the LORD of Hosts.
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division.
And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?
Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee, and command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be dissolved, and become earth: for it is profitable for me to die rather than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and have much sorrow: command therefore that I may now be delivered out of this distress, and go into the everlasting place: turn not thy face away from me.
And the maid is fair and wise: now therefore hear me, and I will speak to her father; and when we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage: for I know that Raguel cannot marry her to another according to the law of Moses, but he shall be guilty of death, because the right of inheritance doth rather appertain to thee than to any other.
Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which Jonas the prophet spake of Nineve, that it shall be overthrown; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land: and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;
I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
But he, choosing rather to die gloriously, than to live stained with such an abomination, spit it forth, and came of his own accord to the torment,
But he began to consider discreetly, and as became his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honour of his gray head, whereon was come, and his most honest education from a child, or rather the holy law made and given by God: therefore he answered accordingly, and willed them straightways to send him to the grave.
But one of them that spake first said thus, What wouldest thou ask or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.
For Ptolemeus, that was called Macron, choosing rather to do justice unto the Jews for the wrong that had been done unto them, endeavoured to continue peace with them.