Encouraging Scriptures from the Bible would really be appreciated, but you dont have to include them if you dont know any.
212922
First I would advise against referring this friend to mental heath care unless you believe him/her to be seriously suicidal (even then, pray about it first). From first-hand experience, I can say that doctors, no matter how well meaning, rarely can make things better, especially if they are not christian. Mental hospitals can keep patients alive, but they can't make the root problem better. Only God can do that.\n\nSecond, as someone else said, advice is not usually welcome in someone depressed, so think carefully before you speak. I can't give you any specific help except don't give general advice (for example, suggest he/she take a fifteen minute walk each morning and evening, rather than the more general, "be more active").\n\nFinally, instead of specific verses, I would suggest reading with her/him everyday if he/she will allow it. What may not strike you may be the exact key that they need. The King James Version (this is not evident in any other version) also has a soothing property in its sound arrangement which scientists have found helps to calm distress.\n\nIf he she is suicidal, I would suggest this section in which Paul describes feeling the same way:\n2 Corinthians 1:3-10, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;\nWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.\nFor as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.\nAnd whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.\nAnd our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.\nFor we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:\nBut we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:\nWho delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;"\n\nGod bless you and help your friend.
15865
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis may give you a few ideas,he seems to break it down well,and doesnt really leave many stones unturned in his explanations.
366692
Yes, you are right! continue to study and learn about the bible. It is important that you draw your own conclusions. Remember Jesus said the road to life would be small and cramped, that is don't be surprised that the majority will not accept it, in spite of blatant evidence. You seem to be on the right track, keep your studies up.
418988
Check the Bible. Find a scripture that means something to you and go from there.
510270
The Bible does not say and anyone giving you an age is just guessing or giving you their opinion, it was obviously unimportant if it is not mentioned.
114031
The bible is a book of stories passed down thro generations. Don't take it seriously
463796
haha, maybe that bible has some DIRECTION as to where to find downloads. \n\nOh wait, downloads aren't in the bible so they must not EXIST!
402385
There are a lot of good suggestion already written here, and frankly I don't think which version you use will make a lot of difference when you read it. It may down the road when you start to study and look for teaching in it. Then you will want to get an accurate version and stay away from paraphrases versions like the NIV.  The important thing is that you allow God to teach you while you read. In James 1:5 it says, "...if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." This is a promise from God that if you ask Him He will give you wisdom as you read. So, when you read it, pray in your heart and ask God to open it up to you. It is a spiritual book and needs the Spirit of God to direct you.
242301
I read many regardless of length. However the ones that appear to be cut and paste I'll skip.  You will find this is the case in many bible related questions. The respondent will sometimes just paste a bunch of biblical verses in an effort to support their point.  It doesn't work. I don't waste time reading them.
508579
If you really read the bible, there's all kinds of stuff in there. If you lived your life by the bible, your life would be extraordinarily complicated.
646177
hmmmm, this will be good!!\n\nFor: GINEVRA1WEASLEY, how is he pulling things of contexts when it's from your very own Bible? 32 (Bible) Scholars couldn't get it right and I doubt that you'll be able to get it right..
413021
Actually, I think it would be quite difficult to "understand" the Bible as each concept that is presented is contradicted by another.  It's hard to understand a book that has no clear message.
658718
Yes!  Pick a sucker group, claim you've read every word of the Bible and believe it in its literal sense.  State that you read somewhere in there, like John 4:52, that if your followers don't support your ministry financially, they'll go to h*ll.
158676
my advice is... http://www.biblegateway.com  ...but if you want to hear free sermons, check out http://www.kcm.org ...its kenneth copeland minitries, if you enjoy his teachings, he offers the BVOV Believers Voice of Victory, daily television program, which is mainly bible studies...for free in mp3 format (over 300 of them)...also, you can contact me, im pretty sure ill be able to mail you some literature(mainly books)for free, but my advice is to stay with prayer and submerse in the Word, and let the Holy Spirit teach you...u can email me or contact me on http://www.myspace.com/dizgotti
620306
Sorry but the Bible really doesn't compare to any encyclopedia.  If it did, you wouldn't have people doubting the Bible's contents.  The Bible doesn't really explain how to make peanut butter either.
133108
You can say the same thing about the bible.  Other than faith there is nothing to say it is true just because some of the stuff mentioned existed in that time doesn't make the whole book true.
487244
St. Paul preached the NT-----this is not part of the Bible (the Holy Scriptures). I will stick to those writings in the Holy Scriptures, thank you.