Enos 1:23
~420 BC
1830 Edition
And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching, and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God; and all these things stirring them up continually, to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceeding great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them.
Influences
Luke 12:31 (KJV)
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Changes
And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching, and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God;, and all these things —stirring them up continually, to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them.
Simple English
Nothing worked except very harsh preaching about wars, fighting, and destruction. We had to constantly remind them of death, eternity, God’s judgments, and God’s power. All these things stirred them up to keep them afraid of the Lord. I say nothing less than these things and very plain speaking would keep them from quickly being destroyed. This is how I write about them.
Paraphrase
Nothing worked except the harshest preaching—prophesying wars, conflict, destruction. We had to constantly remind them of death, eternity, judgment, and God’s power. Only that—and the most direct, plain speech—kept them from rushing headlong into destruction. That’s how I’m writing about them.