Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-209) and indexes.

""Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matthew 7:17). When or if Jesus spoke those words, he spoke them in a Middle Eastern language, Aramaic. In Aramaic and in all the Semitic languages, the word for "good" primarily means ripe, and the word for "corrupt" or "evil" primarily means unripe. When heard with Aramaic ears, those words might sound more like this: "A ripe tree brings forth ripe fruit, an unripe tree brings forth unripe fruit." This makes a world of difference." "To live well, the Aramaic Jesus says, learn to cultivate your sense of timing in harmony with nature. Pluck the fruits of life after they come to full flavor but before they fall to the ground." "Can you feel the shift? For fresh guidance from the Good News, how hopeful and gentle the notion of ripeness!" "Therein lies the power of this book."--Jacket.

SACFinal081324