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'''Paradise''' means a place of splendor, [[infinite]] happiness, and no want; it can be used synonymously for [[Heaven]].  The existence of [[God]] implies the existence of paradise for those who earnestly seek it in God.

'''Paradise''' means an existence of splendor, [[infinite]] happiness, and lack of want. It can be synonymous for [[Heaven]].  The existence of [[God]] implies paradise for those who earnestly seek God.  Popular music and [[poetry]] invoke "paradise" frequently, including [[Shakespeare]]'s ''A Lovers Complaint''. [[Bible]] translations should use this term more, as in replacing the monarchical, archaic "[[kingdom of God]]" phrase with the stronger phrase "[[God]]'s paradise."

The word comes from {{bible ref|Luke|23|43}}, where [[Jesus]] promised after-death deliverance to "παράδεισος" (paradeisos) to the so-called [[Good Thief]] who was [[Crucifixion|crucified]] next to him.<ref>Some claim the word originates from a [[Persian]] word that roughly equates to the "heaven" side of the Heaven/Hell duality in [[Zoroastrianism]].  When the ancient Tribe of the Upper Kingdom was freed from [[Babylonian Exile]], they adopted many cultural traits and parts of the language from the Zoroastrians, including the word "paradise".  The English usage of paradise for Heaven comes through [[French]], which takes its form "paradis" from the [[Latin]]. Latin borrowed from the [[Greek]], which took the word more directly from the Persian word.</ref>  The term for paradise is also mentioned at {{bibleref|2Corinthians|12|3}} and {{bibleref|Revelation|2|7}}, and nowhere in the [[Old Testament]].

The word comes from {{bible ref|Luke|23|43}}, where [[Jesus]] promised after-death deliverance to "παράδεισος" (paradeisos) to the so-called [[Good Thief]] who was [[Crucifixion|crucified]] next to him.<ref>Some claim the word originates from a [[Persian]] word that roughly equates to the "heaven" side of the Heaven/Hell duality in [[Zoroastrianism]].  When the ancient Tribe of the Upper Kingdom was freed from [[Babylonian Exile]], they adopted many cultural traits and parts of the language from the Zoroastrians, including the word "paradise".  The English usage of paradise for Heaven comes through [[French]], which takes its form "paradis" from the [[Latin]]. Latin borrowed from the [[Greek]], which took the word more directly from the Persian word.</ref>  The term for paradise is also mentioned at {{bibleref|2Corinthians|12|3}} and {{bibleref|Revelation|2|7}}, and nowhere in the [[Old Testament]]. [[The Message]] translation uses the word two more times than most other English translations do.

The meaning of paradise varies from the self-centered concept associated with [[Islam]] (especially as promoted by Muslim terrorist groups) to the [[Christian]] ideal of a mutual sharing of love with God and other saved believers.

The meaning of paradise varies from the self-centered concept associated with [[Islam]] (especially as promoted by Muslim terrorist groups) to the [[Christian]] ideal of a mutual sharing of love with God and other saved believers.

==Paradise in literature==

==Paradise in literature==

From [[John Milton]] to [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]], much of great literature is about paradise.<ref>https://openlibrary.org/search?subject=Paradise%20in%20literature</ref>

From [[John Milton]] to [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]], much of great literature is about paradise.<ref>https://openlibrary.org/search?subject=Paradise%20in%20literature</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Christianity]]

*[[Christianity]]