B.I.B.L.E.
GZA/Genius Lyrics

Life is a test many quest the universe
Life is a test that many people search for answers to throughout the vast universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
Through my personal studies, I have experienced both the good and the bad of the world

The first shall be last and the last shall be first
Those who are underestimated in society will eventually rise up while those with power will fall

The basic instructions before leaving earth
The fundamental teachings to learn before departing from this world

Knowledge this wisdom, this goes back when I was twelve
I have been seeking knowledge and wisdom since I was twelve years old

I loved doing right but I was trapped in hell
I wanted to live righteously, but I was surrounded by negative influences and situations

Had mad ideas, sad eyes and tears
I had unique and radical ideas that made me sad and brought me to tears

Years of fears, but yo my foes couldn't bear
I was afraid for many years, but my enemies couldn't handle my strength and resilience

I searched for the truth since my youth
I have been seeking the truth since I was young

And went to church since birth, but it wasn't worth the loot
I attended church since I was born, but it was not beneficial and it cost me money

that I was paying, plus the praying
I was paying for the church's services and also participating in prayers

I didn't like staying cuz of busy-bodies and dizzy hotties
I didn't enjoy staying at church because of the gossipers and attractive but shallow individuals

That the preacher had souped up with lies
The pastor had embellished the truth with lies to manipulate the congregation

Had me cooped up lookin at loot, butt, and thighs
The church's teachings had me focused on material possessions and superficial aspects of beauty

Durin the service, he swallowed up the poor
During the service, the pastor took advantage of the vulnerable and impoverished members of the church

And after they heard this, they wallowed on the floor
After hearing the manipulative teachings of the pastor, the poor and vulnerable members of the church were left feeling defeated

But I ignored, and explored my history that was untold
I disregarded the pastor's teachings and instead delved into the parts of history that were disregarded or hidden

And watched mysteries unfold
As I learned more about history and the world, I discovered many secrets and mysteries

And dropped a jewel like Solomon, but never followed men
I shared an important piece of knowledge, but I never blindly followed any leader

cause if you do your brain is more hollow than
If you follow a leader without questioning their teachings, your mind will be empty and unfulfilled

Space oblivia, or the abyss
You will feel as though you are lost in a vast and empty space

With no trace of trivia, left with the hiss
You will not gain any useful knowledge, and all you will be left with is static noise

Does it pay to be deaf, dumb and blind?
Is it beneficial to be ignorant and unaware?

From a slave we was kept from the mind
As slaves, we were not allowed to pursue education and were kept in the dark about the world

And from the caves he crept from behind
Modern humans evolved from ancient humans who lived in caves

And what he gave, was the sect of the swine
What was given to us was a religion that forbids the consumption of pork

When the bible, it condemned the pig
The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork

I don't mean to pull your hems or flip your wigs
I don't intend to shock or surprise you

But we used to wear a turban, but now we're in the urban
Our ancestors used to wear head coverings, but now we live in cities

No more wearing beanies and dress like a genie
We no longer wear head coverings or dress in a way that links us to our cultural heritage

No hocus pocus cause I focus on the facts
I don't believe in superstitions, I focus on what is verifiably true

And put it on the tracks and brought it through the wax
I put my knowledge into music and created a record

I speak on Jacob, it might take up some time
I talk about the character of Jacob in the Bible, which might be a long explanation

And too much knowledge, it might break up the rhyme
Including too many details might disrupt the flow of the music

I did it anyway just to wake up the mind
I included the information to stimulate the listener's thinking

of those who kiss stones or prays on the carpet
Those who engage in religious traditions of kissing stones or praying on carpets

Those who sit home, or sell books by the market
Those who stay at home or make a profit selling religious literature

Need to chill and get their mind revived
They need to relax and open their minds to new perspectives

For years religion did nothing but divide
Religion has been a source of division for a long time

I strolled through the books of Job to unfold
I read through the biblical book of Job to gain understanding

And open bibles, instead of hoping on revivals
I looked for answers in the Bible instead of relying on revival meetings

Calling on His name and screaming hallelujah
Praying and shouting praises to God

when he hardly knew ya, that's how the devil's fooled ya
The devil manipulates people into thinking they have a relationship with God when they don't

See look into my eyes brethren, that's the lies of a Reverend
Look into my eyes and see the deception of religious leaders

Why should you die to go to heaven?
Is it necessary to die to go to heaven?

The Earth is already in space, the bible I embrace
The Earth is already a part of the universe, and I believe in the teachings of the Bible

A difficult task I had to take
I had to work hard to acquire knowledge and understanding

I studied till my eyes was swollen, and only arose when
I studied so much that my eyes became tired and strained, only breaking when necessary

I found out that we were the chosen
I discovered that our people were selected by God

I deal with the truth, and build with the youth
I prioritize the truth and work with the younger generation

And teach my son as he kneels on the stoop
I pass on my knowledge to my son even as he kneels outside our home

Son, life is a pool of sin, corrupted wth foolish men
Life is full of people who do evil and make bad choices

and women with wicked minds, who build picket signs
There are also women who think negatively and take part in protests

to legalize abortion, the evil eye distortion
Some people push for the legalization of abortion, which I believe is morally wrong

I quiz Son with my wisdom
I challenge my son with my knowledge and understanding

Before I converted, I was perverted, and knowledge was asserted
Before I changed my ways, I was misguided and did not value knowledge

The study of wisdom, I perferred it
I chose to study and value wisdom

The understanding, it gave me mental freedom
Understanding gave me freedom of thought and mindset

I even learnt Caucasians were really the Tribe of Edam
I discovered that Caucasians were originally from the Edomite tribe

The white image, of Christ, is really Cesare Borgia
The popular depiction of a white Jesus is actually a painting of Cesare Borgia

and uhh, the second son of Pope Alexander
Cesare Borgia was the second son of Pope Alexander VI

The Sixth of Rome, and once the picture was shown
Pope Alexander was the sixth pope of Rome, and the image of Cesare Borgia was widely circulated as a portrayal of Jesus

That's how the devils tricked my dome
This is how the devil misled and deceived me

I prophesized to save a man, but no one gave a damn
I made a prediction that would help someone, but no one cared or listened

for my nation - the seed of Abraham
For my people, who are descendants of Abraham

Blessed with the tongue of Hebrew
We have the gift of speaking Hebrew

Now we're strung on needles, and some are plungin evils
Now we are in a difficult and stressful situation, and some of us choose to engage in wrongdoing

So study and be wise in these days of darkness
It is important to learn and be intelligent during difficult times

Peace to my nephew Marcus
A message of peace to my nephew Marcus