Verses
of Holy Scripture:
On which the
VSL should be opened for each Degree in Indiana
For the Entered Apprentice Degree
The Holy Bible should be opened to:
Psalm 133
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity! It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down
upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of
his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon
the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessings, even
life for evermore.
(King James Version)
If the Holy Qur'an is also included on the Altar, it is suggested
that it be opened to:
Surah 3: 103
And hold fast all together, by the Rope which G-d stretches out
for you, and be not divided amongst yourselves; and remember with gratitude
G-d's favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in
Love, so that by His Grace, ye became Brethren; and ye were on the brink
of the Pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth G-d make clear
His Signs to you: that ye may be guided.
For the Fellow Craft Degree
The Holy Bible should be opened to:
Amos 7: 7,8
Thus he shewed* me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by
a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the Lord said unto me,
Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Thed said the Lord,
Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will
not again pass by them anymore.
* pronounced "showed"
(King James Version)
If the Holy Qur'an is also included on the Altar, it is suggested
that it be opened to:
Surah 2: 255
G-d! There is no god but He, -- the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal.
No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens
and on earth. Who is there that can intercede except as He permitteth?
He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind
them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as
He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and
He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the
Most High, the Supreme (in glory).
For the Master Mason Degree
The Holy Bible should be opened to:
Ecclesiastes 12: 1-7
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the
evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I
have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon,
or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain;
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong
men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few,
and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall
be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he
shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of musick
shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is
high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish,
and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because
man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or
ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the
pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall
return unto God who gave it.
(King James Version)
If the Holy Qur'an is also included on the Altar, it is suggested
that it be opened to:
Surah 85: 12-16
Truly Strong is the grip of thy Lord. It is He Who creates from
the very beginning, and He can restore (life). And He is the Oft-Forgiving,
full of loving-kindness, Lord of the Throne of Glory, Doer (without
let) of all that He intends.
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