Pelosi Quotes Bible Verse; Theology Professors Say Verse 'Does Not Exist'
House Speaker recited a verse that doesn't exist in the Bible
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recited a verse from the Bible at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities conference Wednesday, but the verse she shared doesn't even exist, according to leading theology professors.
“And I can’t find it in the Bible, but I quote it all the time, and I keep reading and reading the Bible,” Pelosi said.
“I know it’s there someplace. It’s supposed to be in Isaiah. But I heard a bishop say, ‘To minister to the needs of God’s creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us.’
"It’s there somewhere in some words or another, but certainly, the spirit of it is there.”
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But Whitworth University associate professor of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Will Kynes insisted that the verse doesn't exist, Slate reports.
The only version which resembles Pelosi's quote is in Proverbs 14:31, he said.
Greg MaGee, a Taylor University associate professor, claimed the verse from Proverbs is the closest to Pelosi’s.
“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him,” was the most approximate version of what Pelosi said, according to Kynes, Slate reported.
Pelosi in the past shared the same quote on April 21, 2018, Earth Day press release.
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Last week, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives moved to exclude the words "so help you God" from the oath given to witnesses that testify before the panel.
The move is part a new rules package to be approved this week according to the draft.
According to the draft, the House Committee on Natural Resources would require witnesses to recite only:
"Do you solemnly swear or affirm, under penalty of law, that the testimony that you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
The new rule proposals have the words "So help you God" in red brackets, which indicated they are about to be removed.
Last year, Pelosi also proposed legislation that would reverse a 181-year ban on religious headwear in the house.
The historical rule change was suggested by the House Speaker amid the wave of diverse lawmakers elected to CongressPelosi, who is currently scrambling to reclaim her position as Speaker of the House, is working with Ranking Member Jim McGovern and Omar on the initiative.
