More than 3000 years ago it was said that "of making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Many of them deserve respect, but reverence should be reserved only for the 66 books which originated in heaven, the Holy Scriptures.

Any human being thinks too much of himself who presumes to add or to subtract the words of the Bible. Complete instruction in this regard God gave to the Israelites:

Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it (Deuteronomy 4:2). See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it (Deuteronomy 12:32).

David was privileged to be one of God's penmen: "The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue" (2 Samuel 23:2). He magnified the integrity and the purity of heaven's communications:

The words of the Lord are pure, as silver melted in a furnace, refined seven times (Psalm 12:6). Forever, O Lord, your word is settled [nasab, "set," "fixed," "made to stand"] in heaven (Psalm 119:89).

David's son Solomon also was privileged to write inspired books. Of all inspired books he wrote:

Every word of God has proven to be true (Proverbs 30:5). Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found false (Proverbs 30:6).

Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to "learn through us [the inspired apostles] not to regard men more highly than what is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6, FHV).

The Lord Jesus himself completed the teaching on the integrity (Latin integer, meaning "untouched, "whole," "entire") of sacred Scripture:

I testify to every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [Revelation]: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book, and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy (of the things that are written in this book), God will take away his part from the tree of life, and from the sacred city (Revelation 22:18-19).

A wholesome attitude is: "The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it."