THE story of Mary and Martha is mentioned in the Bible at Luke, Chapter 20 verse 38.

This records that Martha complains at Mary leaving her to do all the work, essentially of entertaining Jesus Christ, the Redeemer in the Christian religion, a Prophet in Islam.

The particular deficiencies as quoted by Syreeta Lund (Backchat, December 12) are not described by Luke but the unfairness to Martha is acknowledged by Jesus who says that Mary, however, has accepted the eternal message of redemption and salvation.

Verse 42 reads: "But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that food part." (King James' authorised version of 1604).

One of James' first decisions as King of England was to arrange for a new translation of the Bible.

Jim Whitehead

15 Belmont Road

Chesham